4 Ryobi tools you’re better off getting in 40V

Published Oct 22, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He's covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family. He's covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He's written over 9,000 articles. Most Ryobi owners love their affordable, bright-green tools, and many of us have a huge collection of 18V ONE+ tools in our garages. Over 350 products fit the same battery, and that's pretty important. However, there are several products where you'll want more power, and that's where the Ryobi 40V platform comes to save the day. Small jobs around the house or weekend DIY projects are where Ryobi's 18V tools excel, but when it comes to outdoor power equipment, you'll want to spend a little more on 40V tools. Whether you're mowing a large yard, fighting weeds, or trying to keep up the curb appeal of your home, here are the tools you'd be better off buying in 40V. If you're wondering whether you need the extra power, the answer is usually yes, and these tools prove it. Get yourself a Ryobi 40V lawn mower 18V doesn't cut it, and often takes two battery packs Credit: Ryobi My first electric lawn mower was a lightly used Ryobi 18V model. It took two 4Ah battery packs to run, and drained them to empty way faster than I ever expected. It wasn't enough to handle my entire yard, so I'd have to stop and recharge both battery packs to finish. No one wants to do that. Nor did I want to buy a multi-port charger. Don't get me wrong, certain jobs or very small yards might be fine with an 18V tool, but for almost everyone else, 40V is the right answer. Not only are you getting a bigger mower with more power, but you'll enjoy a longer runtime and spend less time recharging battery packs. Which, in turn, will slow down battery degradation and keep those cells working better for longer. I have one of Ryobi's 40V 21-inch self-propelled lawn mowers, and it's an absolute beast. I can mow my entire yard, then get about 90% finished a second time before a single 40V battery runs out. Then, it holds two, so even if one battery dies mid-mow, I can turn a key and use the second battery. It's a solid system, works great, lasts plenty long, and is a prime example of why you'd want to go bigger. Plus, if you have a larger yard, it'll be essential. And now I have two capable 40V battery packs to run larger fans and other Ryobi accessories. Ryobi 40V 21-inch Brushless Lawn Mower Battery Life Up to 80 minutes Tool Type Lawn Mower Ryobi's 40V electric lawn mower is quiet, capable, and comes with two 40V 6Ah battery packs and a rapid charger. It's all you need to tackle your yard. Ryobi 40V Edger and Weed Whacker Credit: Ryobi Compared to the 18V ONE+ line, Ryobi's larger 40V platform offers only around 80 tools, and most of them are geared towards outdoor jobs. And there's a reason for that, too. When you're tackling big jobs, more power is always welcome. Sure, you can probably get by with an 18V Edger or Trimmer, but when you're out in the hot summer heat trying to take care of the yard, wouldn't you prefer a more capable 40V tool that'll get the job done easier and faster? My Ryobi 18V edger wasn't all that great, and I often found it didn't have enough juice for the job during the warmer months, when the ground is hot and dry. It struggled to edge the entire yard, and for whatever reason, the line broke far too often. Eventually, I replaced it with the 40V edger and string-trimmer combo tool, and it's been an absolute game-changer around my house. By upgrading to a 40V tool, I now have something that's far more powerful, regardless of how tall the weeds get or how dry the ground is. I can always rely on it to trim, edge, and clean up the yard easily and successfully. And honestly, the price isn't that big of a difference, so you might as well swing for more power from the start. Don't waste your money on an 18V, only to upgrade later, as I did. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series String Trimmer The RYOBI 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series attachment-capable string trimmer is the perfect tool to keep up with your yard this year. Since it's battery-powered, there's no oil or gas to deal with. Plus, it's ultra-quiet, while still delivering near-gas-like performance. Chainsaws and pole saws Go big or go home Credit: Ryobi Ryobi offers several smaller 18V chainsaws, pruning saws, and other shears for around your home. And while that 18V pruning shear might be great for the garden, if you're cutting anything that requires a chainsaw, you're better off getting a 40V version. For starters, Ryobi's 18V chainsaw lineup consists of smaller 10 or 12-inch saws, and the 18V pole-saws aren't very big, either. For roughly the same price, you can get something like a Ryobi 40V 14-inch chainsaw that'll be more equipped to handle any job that comes your way, both big and small. Ryobi's 40V chainsaws come in various models, from 10-inch to 20-inch, making them an excellent replacement for loud gas-powered tools. The same goes for those 18V pole saws, though I guess one reason to stick to 18V for a pole saw is the weight. I'd still rather have additional power and performance, but that's just me. I feel the same way about leaf blowers. Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Seires Leaf Blower Color Yellow Cordless? Yes Ryobi's latest 40V HP brushless Whisper Series leaf blower gets the job done without gas or oil. This battery-powered leaf blower delivers up to 800 CFM of air-moving power in a lightweight and compact form-factor. Go 40V for anything outdoors I'd argue you're better off choosing a 40V model for anything that'll be used outdoors. I'm talking about mowers, edgers, saws, leaf blowers, and even some of Ryobi's snow blowers or earth augers. And that's precisely why almost all of Ryobi's outdoor power equipment is part of the 40V lineup. Again, if you have a very small yard, you'll probably get by okay with something in the 18V ONE+ line. And sure, some of its 18V leaf blowers are pretty powerful, but at the end of the day, the 40V tools are quite similar in cost yet deliver way more power and performance. Even if you spend an extra $100 today on a 40V combo kit vs. the 18V kit, it'll pay for itself after a few uses, as you realize you can finish the job faster, more easily, and with less physical exertion.