Quick Overview
- I tested the Greenworks 40V 21-inch (model 2516902) and the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 20-inch (RY401170) across three climates: Florida, Arizona, and Minnesota.
- Greenworks wins on price and battery ecosystem size. Ryobi wins on cutting power and build quality.
- Ryobi’s brushless motor handled thick Midwest grass better. Greenworks struggled in tall, wet grass after rain.
- Both brands ran for close to 45 minutes per charge with a 4.0 amp-hour battery, but Ryobi recovered faster in dry heat.
- My pick: Ryobi 40V for yards over a quarter acre. Greenworks 40V for small yards under 5,000 square feet where price matters more than raw power.
It was a Saturday morning in my Tampa backyard, and my neighbor leaned over the fence holding his phone. He had two browser tabs open: one for a Greenworks 40V mower, one for a Ryobi 40V. He asked me which one to buy. I didn’t have a clean answer.
That bugged me. So I bought both. I mowed my own lawn with them, then borrowed a friend’s dry, rocky yard in Phoenix, then drove a set of batteries to my sister’s place outside Minneapolis. This guide is for anyone standing in that same spot my neighbor was in: comparing Greenworks vs Ryobi 40V and trying to figure out which one actually deserves a spot in their garage.
I’m not paid by either brand. I bought both mowers with my own money. What follows is what I found, good and bad, for each one.
Why I Put Greenworks and Ryobi 40V Head-to-Head
Both brands sit in the same price range and target the same buyer: someone with a yard under half an acre who wants to skip gas, oil changes, and pull-start cords. They also share something else. Both run on 40-volt battery platforms that work across mowers, trimmers, blowers, and chainsaws.
That overlap makes them the two most common names that come up when homeowners search for a cordless upgrade. I wanted real numbers, not marketing claims, so I tested both side by side.
What Makes 40V the Sweet Spot for Most Yards
40-volt batteries give you enough power for most home lawns without the bulk of professional 56V or 80V systems. They’re light enough to carry one-handed and still cut through average grass without bogging down.
For yards under half an acre, 40V is plenty. If you’re mowing more than an acre regularly, you’ll want to look at higher-voltage systems instead. Anything under that, and 40V hits a sweet spot between power and weight.
How I Tested Both Brands Fairly
I used both mowers on the same lawns, on the same days, with grass cut at the same height setting. I tracked runtime with a stopwatch, measured cutting width with a tape measure, and weighed each mower on a bathroom scale.
I also mowed in three different states over six weeks: Florida, Arizona, and Minnesota. Same testing method each time. No favoritism, no sponsored units, no cherry-picked weather.
What to Look for When Comparing 40V Systems
The voltage number alone tells you almost nothing. What actually matters is amp-hours, deck size, and whether your other yard tools share the same battery. Get those three right, and the rest is personal preference.
Battery Voltage vs Amp-Hours (Why They’re Not the Same)
Voltage tells you the power potential of a battery. Amp-hours (Ah) tell you how long that power lasts. A 40V battery with 4.0Ah will run roughly twice as long as a 40V battery with 2.0Ah, even though both say “40V” on the label.
Think of voltage as the size of a water pipe and amp-hours as how much water is in the tank behind it. Bigger pipe means stronger flow. Bigger tank means longer flow. You need both numbers before you can judge real-world runtime.
Greenworks and Ryobi both sell their 40V mowers with different battery sizes depending on the bundle. I tested both with 4.0Ah batteries to keep the comparison fair.
Cutting Width and Deck Size
Cutting width decides how many passes you’ll need to finish your lawn. My Greenworks test unit has a 21-inch deck. My Ryobi test unit has a 20-inch deck. That one-inch gap sounds small, but on a 5,000-square-foot lawn, it added about two extra passes with the Ryobi.
If your yard is small and full of tight corners, the smaller deck on the Ryobi actually helped me maneuver around flower beds. On open, rectangular lawns, the Greenworks deck saved time.
Self-Propelled vs Push Options in Each Lineup
Both brands sell push and self-propelled versions of their 40V mowers. I tested the self-propelled versions for both, since that’s what most homeowners with sloped or larger yards actually buy.
Self-propelled models cost more but save your legs on hills. If your yard is flat and small, a push model from either brand will save you money without much downside.
Battery Compatibility Across Tools (Ecosystem Comparison)
This is where Greenworks pulled ahead for me. Greenworks 40V batteries work across a wider range of tools in their lineup, including string trimmers, blowers, hedge trimmers, and even a pressure washer I tested last year.
Ryobi’s 40V line is smaller than their popular 18V “One+” lineup, which covers far more tools but at lower voltage. If you already own Ryobi 18V tools, the 40V mower won’t share batteries with them. That tripped me up the first week, since I assumed all Ryobi batteries were interchangeable. They’re not.
Comparison Table: Greenworks 40V vs Ryobi 40V Specs
| Spec | Greenworks 40V (2516902) | Ryobi 40V HP Brushless (RY401170) |
|---|---|---|
| Deck size | 21 inches | 20 inches |
| Motor type | Brushless | Brushless |
| Battery tested | 4.0Ah | 4.0Ah |
| Weight | 56 lbs | 63 lbs |
| Cutting height range | 1.5 to 3.75 inches | 1.5 to 4.0 inches |
| Self-propelled | Yes (tested model) | Yes (tested model) |
| Charging time (4.0Ah) | About 90 minutes | About 80 minutes |
| Price tested (mower + battery + charger) | $399 | $449 |
Greenworks 40V — What I Liked and What Frustrated Me
The Greenworks held up well in dry, even grass and was easier to push around tight corners thanks to its lighter frame. It struggled most in thick, wet grass, where the deck clogged more than once.
Power and Cutting Performance
On dry Bermuda grass in my Phoenix test yard, the Greenworks cut clean and even. The brushless motor didn’t bog down on the first pass. On my own St. Augustine grass in Tampa after a rainstorm, it was a different story.
Wet, thick grass clumped under the deck twice in one mowing session. I had to stop, tip the mower, and clear it by hand. That never happened with dry conditions, so this is a wet-grass issue specifically.
Runtime and Battery Life
With the 4.0Ah battery, I got 42 minutes of continuous mowing on my Tampa lawn (around 4,500 square feet of grass, not counting flower beds and walkways). That’s enough for most small to mid-size yards in one charge.
In Arizona’s dry heat, runtime dropped slightly to about 38 minutes. Heat reduces battery efficiency across almost every cordless tool, not just Greenworks, so this wasn’t a surprise.
Build Quality and Noise Level
The plastic deck felt less solid than Ryobi’s, especially around the wheel mounts. After six weeks of regular use, one rear wheel developed a slight wobble. Noise-wise, it ran at a level close to a loud vacuum cleaner, noticeably quieter than any gas mower I’ve used.
Where Greenworks Falls Short
The biggest weakness was wet-grass clogging. If you mow first thing in the morning when dew is heavy, or right after rain, expect to clear the deck more than once per session.
The wheel wobble after six weeks also concerns me for long-term durability. It’s a small issue now, but it’s worth watching if you plan to keep the mower for five-plus years.
Ryobi 40V — What I Liked and What Frustrated Me
The Ryobi handled thick, wet grass noticeably better than the Greenworks and felt more solid overall. The trade-off is weight. At 63 pounds, it’s heavier to push uphill or lift into a truck bed.
Power and Cutting Performance
In my sister’s Minneapolis yard, where the grass was thick Kentucky bluegrass after a wet spring, the Ryobi cut through without clogging once. The brushless motor adjusted blade speed under load better than I expected from a residential mower.
In Phoenix’s dry conditions, performance was similar to the Greenworks. Both brands handle dry grass well. The real gap showed up in thick, wet grass.
Runtime and Battery Life
With the same 4.0Ah battery size, the Ryobi ran for 40 minutes on my Tampa lawn, close to the Greenworks number. In Arizona heat, runtime dropped to about 36 minutes, slightly less than the Greenworks.
Charging time was faster though. The Ryobi charger brought a drained 4.0Ah battery back to full in about 80 minutes, compared to roughly 90 minutes for Greenworks.
Build Quality and Noise Level
The Ryobi deck felt sturdier, with metal reinforcement around the height-adjustment levers. After the same six weeks of testing, I didn’t notice any wobble or loose parts. Noise level was close to the Greenworks, maybe a touch louder under heavy load in thick grass.
Where Ryobi Falls Short
Weight is the real issue. At 63 pounds, pushing the Ryobi up the slope in my sister’s backyard left me out of breath faster than the Greenworks did on flat ground. If you have hills or need to lift the mower into a car trunk often, this matters.
The smaller battery ecosystem also limits long-term value if you’re hoping to build out a full cordless yard system under one battery platform.
How Each Brand Performs in Real Conditions
Climate and grass type changed the results more than I expected going in. Neither brand was clearly better everywhere. Each had a climate where it pulled ahead.
Hot and Humid Climates (Florida, Texas, Southeast)
In Tampa’s humid summer, both mowers ran fine on dry days. The Greenworks clogged more often after rain or heavy morning dew, since St. Augustine and Bahia grass common in the Southeast tend to grow thick and lay flat when wet.
If you live somewhere humid with frequent rain, like Houston or Orlando, the Ryobi’s better wet-grass performance is worth the extra weight.
Dry and Rocky Terrain (Southwest, Arizona)
In Phoenix, on dry Bermuda grass over rocky, uneven soil, both mowers performed almost identically. Lighter weight became the bigger advantage here, since I was lifting the mower over small rock borders more than fighting thick grass.
The Greenworks, being seven pounds lighter, was easier to manage on this terrain.
Thick Grass and Midwest Lawns
Minnesota’s Kentucky bluegrass, especially after spring rain, was the toughest test for both mowers. The Ryobi handled it cleanly. The Greenworks clogged twice in one session on the same lawn under the same conditions.
If your lawn is mostly thick, cool-season grass like bluegrass or fescue, factor that into your decision. The Ryobi’s brushless motor managed the load better in this specific test.
Comparison Table: Real-World Performance
| Condition | Greenworks 40V | Ryobi 40V |
|---|---|---|
| Dry Bermuda grass (Phoenix) | Clean cut, no clogging | Clean cut, no clogging |
| Wet St. Augustine grass (Tampa, after rain) | Clogged twice | Clogged once |
| Thick Kentucky bluegrass (Minneapolis) | Clogged twice | No clogging |
| Runtime in 95°F+ heat | 38 minutes | 36 minutes |
| Weight-related fatigue on slopes | Lower | Higher |
Price vs Performance — Which Gives You More for Your Money
The Greenworks costs $50 less for a comparable bundle, and it gives you a wider battery ecosystem for future tools. The Ryobi costs more upfront but handles thick or wet grass with fewer interruptions.
Upfront Cost and What’s Included
My Greenworks bundle (mower, one 4.0Ah battery, charger) ran $399 at the time of testing (Home Depot, 2026). My Ryobi bundle, same battery size, came to $449 (Home Depot, 2026). Both prices include the self-propelled version.
If you only need the mower and nothing else, Greenworks saves you real money on day one.
Long-Term Value (Batteries, Attachments, Repairs)
Extra Greenworks 40V batteries run around $129 for a 4.0Ah unit (Greenworks, 2026). Ryobi’s equivalent 40V battery runs closer to $149 (Ryobi, 2026). Over time, if you need two or three spare batteries for back-to-back yard work, that gap adds up.
Greenworks also sells more 40V attachments right now, including a pole saw and pressure washer I’ve used in past projects. That gives more long-term value if you want one battery system for your whole yard.
Common Mistakes People Make Choosing Between Them
Most people choosing between Greenworks vs Ryobi 40V get tripped up by two things: focusing only on the sticker price, or ignoring tools they already own.
Picking Based on Price Alone
The $50 difference between these two bundles is small compared to how often you’ll use this mower. If you live somewhere with thick or wet grass most of the year, the Ryobi’s better performance in those conditions can be worth more than the upfront savings.
Ignoring Existing Tool Ecosystems
If you already own Ryobi 18V tools, don’t assume the 40V mower batteries will fit them. They won’t. Check your existing battery platform before buying into either 40V system, so you’re not stuck running three separate chargers in your garage.
My Final Recommendation
After six weeks, three states, and more grass clippings than I want to admit, I’d lean toward the Ryobi 40V if your lawn has thick or wet grass for most of the year, or if you live somewhere humid like Florida, Georgia, or the upper Midwest. The extra weight is a fair trade for fewer clogging stops.
If your yard is small, dry, or you’re working with tight corners and raised beds, the Greenworks is the easier mower to live with day to day. It’s lighter, cheaper, and its battery works across more of their other tools.
Neither mower disappointed me outright. Each one just fits a slightly different yard. My own Tampa lawn, with St. Augustine grass and regular summer storms, is going to keep the Ryobi in the shed this year. My friend’s dry Phoenix yard would do fine with either one.
Pros and Cons Table (Greenworks 40V vs Ryobi 40V)
| Greenworks 40V | Ryobi 40V | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Lighter at 56 lbs, cheaper bundle at $399, wider battery ecosystem, easier on tight corners | Handles thick and wet grass better, sturdier deck, faster charging time |
| Cons | Clogs in wet or thick grass, slight wheel wobble after weeks of use | Heavier at 63 lbs, smaller 40V tool ecosystem, higher price |
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenworks vs Ryobi 40V
What is the main difference between Greenworks 40V and Ryobi 40V mowers?
The Greenworks is lighter and cheaper with a wider battery ecosystem. The Ryobi is heavier but handles thick or wet grass with less clogging, based on my six-week test across three states.
How long does a Greenworks 40V battery last on one charge?
With a 4.0Ah battery, I got 38 to 42 minutes of mowing time depending on heat and grass thickness. Smaller lawns under 5,000 square feet should finish in one charge.
How long does a Ryobi 40V battery last on one charge?
With the same 4.0Ah battery, I got 36 to 40 minutes of runtime. Charging time was faster than Greenworks, at about 80 minutes for a full charge.
Is Ryobi 40V compatible with Ryobi 18V One+ batteries?
No. Ryobi’s 40V mower batteries are a separate platform from the 18V One+ tools. They do not share chargers or batteries, so check your existing Ryobi tools before assuming compatibility.
Which is better for thick or wet grass, Greenworks or Ryobi?
In my testing, the Ryobi 40V handled thick Kentucky bluegrass and wet St. Augustine grass with less clogging than the Greenworks. The Greenworks clogged twice in the same conditions where the Ryobi clogged once or not at all.
Is the Greenworks 40V or Ryobi 40V better for small yards?
The Greenworks is lighter and easier to maneuver around tight corners and flower beds, which made it my preference for smaller yards under 5,000 square feet during testing.