If you‘re looking to ditch the maintenance of gas lawn mowers, you probably came across Greenworks and Ryobi‘s popular battery-powered models. But both brands now offer high-voltage cordless mowers packing some impressive specs. So how do you decide which is best for your yard and budget?
That‘s exactly what we‘ll break down in this exhaustive face-off guide! I‘ve analyzed these two leaders in depth – from voltage and batteries to cutting power, features, pricing and more. You‘ll finish this guide with a clear sense of the ideal electric mower to suit your needs.
Let‘s Start With What You Really Need To Know
Greenworks and Ryobi dominate the battery-powered lawn care space. Their 80V and 40V mowers represent two of the top options for residential yard maintenance. But on paper, the specs and features appear nearly identical.
To help decide whether the extra $250+ investment is worthwhile for the Ryobi, we‘ll dive deep on the aspects that most impact real-world performance:
- Voltage – Is 80V meaningfully more powerful than 40V or simply marketing hype?
- Battery capacity – Higher Ah directly equals longer runtimes, so which packs more punch?
- Cutting efficiency – With sharp blades and brushless motors, is there any difference in cutting quality? We‘ll examine actual customer experiences in various lawn types.
- Value comparison – Does the lower price of the Greenworks justify any tradeoffs in capabilities compared to the premium Ryobi?
I‘ll address all this and more using technical manuals, manufacturer specs, industry reports and hands-on customer feedback. So whether you prioritize peak power or runtime, have a small urban lot or an expansive rural property, you‘ll finish this guide empowered to pick your perfect electric match!
Let‘s start by demystifying those voltage ratings…
Voltage Showdown: 80V vs 40V Explained
Check the specs of any cordless tool, including these mowers, and you‘ll see prominent voltage marketing. But what do those peak numbers mean in reality? And does 80V necessarily outperform 40V?
Here‘s the key takeaway – the voltage difference between 40V and 80V mower batteries is marginal. While 80V sounds 100% more powerful than 40V, that figure simply reflects the maximum potential voltage, aka "peak voltage".
The nominal voltage both batteries operate at under typical loads is much lower and closer to each other. Think 20V versus 18V power drills claiming higher peak abilities despite small real-world differences.
Nonetheless, the 80V Greenworks battery likely does maintain a slight nominal voltage advantage. Combined with advanced efficiency, that still translates to meaningful runtimes and performance – but only by a small margin over 40V.
In short, the 80V won‘t make the 40V feel underpowered. But all else being equal, the 80V provides an edge – one we‘ll quantify next when comparing battery capacities.
Battle Of Battery Life: Ah Capacity Comparison
While peak voltage separates by a ratio of 2X, battery capacity as measured in amp hours (Ah) is the real key indicator of performance. Higher Ah directly translates into longer run times per charge.
Here‘s a breakdown of the stock battery options:
| Model | Battery Options |
|---|---|
| Ryobi 40V | 4Ah or 6Ah |
| Greenworks 80V | 2Ah or 4Ah |
Based on the highest capacity batteries available, the Ryobi offers 50% greater capacity over the Greenworks (6Ah vs 4Ah). More Ah at equal voltage means longer runtimes.
However, the Greenworks does allow seamlessly hot swapping two batteries to provide endless run time. And its more advanced 80V efficiency could help partially mitigate the lower Ah rating.
But all told, per charge, the Ryobi should maintain charge anywhere from 30-50% longer by leveraging greater battery capacity – a key advantage for larger lawns.
Cutting Performance And Features
With high-powered brushless motors and sharp steel blades, both electric mowers perform impressively – even in thick dense grass. Owners report cleanly cut, evenly manicured lawns across various turf types.
The Greenworks does maintain a peak power advantage thanks to its 80V abilities. But when it comes to mowing standard yard grass, that edge is negligible. Performance remains on par with the 40V Ryobi.
For standard urban grass up to 6 inches, you can expect equivalent cutting quality either way. And both offer comparable features otherwise – 3-in-1 deck versatility, folding handles for storing and single lever height adjust.
The Greenworks dual battery design does mean no interrupting mowing to swap packs. But with 50% higher capacity, most moderate yards can be covered in one go with the Ryobi anyway.
Cost Comparison – Is Greenworks‘ Lower Price Justified?
Typically battery-powered tools carry a premium over corded and gas counterparts. But between these two cordless models, Greenworks carries a clear price advantage:
| Brand | Tool Only | Battery Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Ryobi 40V | $399 | $799 |
| Greenworks 80V | $349 | $549 |
The $250 savings buying Greenworks looks enticing. But by including higher capacity batteries, Ryobi delivers substantially more runtime. Whether that‘s worth the added cost depends on your lawn size and existing tool collection.
For small, flat yards under 1/4 acre, the lower-priced Greenworks makes sense, especially if runtime isn‘t critical. But large, thick grass may require the extended running of the Ryobi.
If you already own Ryobi batteries and tools, sticking with their brand often proves most cost-effective long term. But new buyers should give the Greenworks value careful consideration.
The Verdict? It Depends On Your Needs
Here‘s a quick cheat sheet:
- Tiny urban lawns: Greenworks
- Large 1⁄2+ acre properties: Ryobi
- Tightest budgets foremost: Greenworks
- Existing Ryobi 40V tools: Ryobi
While the Greenworks presents a stellar value option, the Ryobi justifies its higher total costs with extra cutting capacity for bigger jobs. Most yards under 5,000 sq ft will get by just fine with the Greenworks though.
And if you‘ve already bought into other Ryobi 40V tools, batteries and chargers, consolidation makes their mower a sensible extension of that ecosystem.
But for yard-work novices prioritizing affordability above all else, the power plus value scoring of the Greenworks 80V is hard to beat!
Either way, both these electric models stand out as quieter, cooler and more convenient alternatives to temperamental gas mowers without sacrificing cut quality. I hope mapping out the key pros/cons for each model helps you zero in on the right battery-powered fit for your needs!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
