© danymages / Shutterstock.com
Makita and RYOBI are popular names in the landscaping market. The former produces dependable and commercial-grade power equipment. The latter has long been seen as a budget option for homeowners, but the brand improved its range of products in recent years. So, can RYOBI lawnmowers compete with Makita? See how the Makita self-propelled lawn mower vs. Ryobi 40V mower compare to find it out.
Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Vs. RYOBI 40V Mower: Side-by-Side Comparison
Historically, Makita has carried a pros tag. Equipment and tools from the Japanese corporation are expensive, but they withstand heavy-duty use and deliver the promised performance. RYOBI – not to be confused with its Japanese namesake – is a Chinese power equipment brand belonging to Techtronic Industries (TTI). Outdoor power equipment and power tools manufactured under the RYOBI name are primarily designed for residential use. However, RYOBI lawnmowers bring similar features to Makita at a more attractive price tag.
| Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower | RYOBI 40V Mower | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Yards up to ¼ acres | Yards up to ¾ acres |
| Operation mode | Self-propelled | Self-propelled |
| Cutting width | 21” | 21” |
| Cutting height settings | 10 | 7 |
| Cutting heights | 1.25” – 4” | 1.5″- 4″ |
| Waste management | Mulching, bagging, rear discharge | Mulching, bagging, side discharge |
| Headlights | No | Yes |
| Battery | 36V (2x18V, 5.0Ah) | 40V (2x40V, 6.0Ah) |
| Runtime | Up to 40 minutes | Up to 70 minutes |
| Motor type | Brushless | Brushless |
- Folding handles for easy storage
- Zero emission and lower noise
- Up to 40 minutes runtime per charge
- Quick height adjustments
Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Vs. RYOBI 40V Mower: What’s the Difference?
Comparing Makita and RYOBI lawnmowers often comes down to finding the best balance between price and performance. From a construction standpoint, Makita pays particular attention to craftsmanship. Lawnmowers from the brand are well-made, capable of withstanding heavy use, and resistant to less favorable conditions. RYOBI lawnmowers are lighter and feel flimsier. They might not last as long as Makita, but they are often easier to maneuver around obstacles. RYOBI might be your best bet if you need a good mower but don’t want to go over the top. Otherwise, you should opt for Makita.
Deck and Cutting
Makita self-propelled lawn mower and the RYOBI 40V mower both feature a 21-inch cutting deck that can help you complete the chore quickly and effortlessly. Both mowers come with a single, dual blade, but if you have tougher grass, RYOBI has a 21-inch lawnmower version with a cross-cut, multi-blade system similar to the one seen in the EGO 56V mower.
When it comes to cutting tough grass, though, Makita excels despite its single blade. This self-propelled lawn mower can slice through tough and wet turf without ripping or damaging your lawn. Makita is also at an advantage as far as the cutting heights are concerned.
Its cutting height adjustment varies from 1.25 to 4 inches. You can choose from 10 different height settings, so matching the height to the type of grass and season is generally effortless. This makes Makita a better choice for certain turf types, including Bentgrass, Bermudagrass, and Zoysia, which often require cutting heights under 1.5 inches.
The RYOBI mower features cutting heights between 1.5 and 4 inches. These heights are ideal for most cool-season turfs but could be too long for some warm-season grasses. If you don’t mind leaving the grass longer, this mower won’t disappoint. Just keep in mind that it only comes with seven height adjustments, so fine-tuning it might be more challenging compared to Makita.
Power and Runtime
An important difference between the Makita self-propelled lawn mower and the RYOBI 40V mower is the battery pack and runtime – and RYOBI seemingly wins this round. This happens thanks to the 40V battery that powers the RYOBI. Sure, this battery has a nominal voltage of 36 volts, which brings the power to Makita’s level. On this battery, the mower has a runtime of approximately 35 minutes, a bit shorter than Makita.
The true selling point is the second 40V battery that comes as standard in the RYOBI mower box. Because the mower runs on only one battery, the spare brings the total runtime to about 70 minutes, just as advertised. A bit more disappointing is the torque. RYOBI’s torque can’t match Makita, despite the brand using batteries with a higher capacity (6Ah in RYOBI vs. 5Ah in Makita).
While both mowers can cut most grasses satisfactorily, the differences are visible when the self-propelled function is enabled. In this case, RYOBI loses both runtime and torque, and you may notice some lag from when you push the start button to when the mower starts moving. If you need a more powerful tool and are set on RYOBI, you’ll have to upgrade to the 80V mower model.
Makita doesn’t have these issues even though it has weaker batteries. The Japanese tool runs on two 18V batteries for a total nominal voltage of 36 volts. The runtime is about 40 minutes when the self-propelled function is enabled. It could go down in challenging situations, but you may also get more runtime by disabling the self-propelled function or choosing a slower cruise speed. Torque is also fantastic, the mower handling whatever you’re throwing at it.
Waste Management
Another difference between Makita and RYOBI 40V mower is how each tool discharges grass clippings. Makita features rear discharge, which isn’t very popular in residential mowers. However, that is better than the side discharge seen in the RYOBI and most other self-propelled mower types.
Rear discharge means that the mower throws the clippings behind it. This feature allows you to plan and take the most efficient path, even around flowerbeds, driveways, or other obstacles you wouldn’t want to cover in grass.
RYOBI features side discharge. While it keeps the clippings off your feet, it might throw them right onto a flowerbed, fence, or driveway. For this reason, you might have to plan a less efficient route. Apart from this difference, both mowers offer bagging and mulching capabilities. Both can shred grass blades to very fine clippings, but Makita is superior in mulching and bagging performance.
Maneuverability
While Makita is a better choice for waste management, RYOBI is the more maneuverable machine. This mower weighs 74 lbs, quite heavy compared to other self-propelled lawnmowers but much lighter than the 88.4 lbs of Makita.
A lighter mower is usually easier to maneuver around obstacles and a better choice for yards with many flowerbeds and trees. However, not all is lost for Makita. A heavier mower might be harder to maneuver, but it brings more stability. This makes it a better choice for challenging terrains and inclines.
Both mowers have adjustable speed controls. Makita’s cruise speed varies from 1.5MPH to 3MPH, with infinite adjustments in this range. RYOBI doesn’t disclose the actual cruise speeds, but the range is more or less similar to Makita. This mower, too, has infinite speed controls in its range. A nice touch compared to Makita is the presence of bright headlights that makes it possible to mow in low-light conditions.
Build Quality
Another essential difference between RYOBI and Makita is the build quality. Both mowers are designed to withstand the test of time, but Makita is made of alloy steel. RYOBI has a steel deck, but the rest of the body is made of ballistic plastic. Powder-coated alloy steel is much more resistant than plastic if maintained correctly.
You won’t have to worry too much about bumping into rocks or other obstacles. Wile this might lead to scratches and other cosmetic defects, it won’t crack the housing. The only plastic parts on the Makita’s body are the battery housing – which features a see-thru lid – and the front bumpers. The battery housing stays open on its own, making it easy to extract the batteries with one hand. RYOBI features a similar battery housing design, but extracting and replacing the battery is less intuitive.
A point in RYOBI’s favor is the oversized wheels that glide smoothly over all terrains. As a commercial-grade mower, Makita also has wide wheels, but they are smaller than RYOBI’s.
Price
The driving factor when buying a lawnmower is often the price. If you’re on a budget, RYOBI is undoubtedly the better choice. The 21-inch 40V mower from the brand is not cheap compared to other options, but it is cheaper than Makita. The mower plus a battery pack comprising two 40V 6Ah batteries and a rapid charger costs $550.
Makita, the bare mower, costs $759. The mower plus two batteries and a charger can set you back $988, or even more, if you opt for the four-battery pack – in this case, the mower usually features a 4-bay battery system that delivers increased runtime.
While Makita often runs discounts, the price discrepancy is still there. However, if you need a commercial-grade tool, this mower is definitely worth the extra premium.
Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Vs. RYOBI 40V Mower: 8 Must-Known Facts
- Makita self-propelled lawn mower is a commercial-grade tool suitable for heavy-duty residential and light commercial use.
- RYOBI 40V mower is a residential lawnmower suitable for yards up to ¾ acres. While it can withstand light commercial use too,it isn’t built for that purpose.
- Both lawnmowers have a 21-inch cutting swath. However, more height adjustments make Makita a better choice for warm-season grasses.
- RYOBI has fewer height adjustments but comes in a multi-blade version that can increase cutting and mulching performance.
- Headlights on the RYOBI make it ideal for mowing grass in low-light conditions.
- Overall, Makita features a more robust construction and can withstand heavier use than RYOBI.
- Both lawnmowers feature infinite cruise speed adjustments for seamless maneuvering on all terrains.
- Rear discharge on Makita allows you for better, more efficient route planning than RYOBI if you want to use the discharge function.
- Power Source: Corded Electric, Battery Powered
- Material: Polypropylene
- Colors: Gray, Black, Green
- Style: Cordless
- Cutting Width: 21 inches
- 7 Positions
Makita Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Vs. RYOBI 40V Mower: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
Makita is better than RYOBI. This mower delivers enhanced performance, excellent runtime, and optimal grass clippings management. The overall construction is robust and designed to withstand the test of time. Intuitive controls also make it a better pick for all skill levels. Its only real downside is the price tag, which is quite expensive compared to other reliable options.
RYOBI 40V mower might be made of ballistic plastic rather than steel alloy and feature fewer adjustment options, but the truth is that it can suit most homeowners. The cutting heights are ideal for most grass types, bright headlights allow you to mow the lawn in all light conditions, while mulching and bagging are more than satisfactory. The price is also optimal considering how much you get in the box. If you don’t really care about commercial-grade capabilities, the RYOBI might be your best choice.
- Folding handles for easy storage
- Zero emission and lower noise
- Up to 40 minutes runtime per charge
- Quick height adjustments
- Power Source: Corded Electric, Battery Powered
- Material: Polypropylene
- Colors: Gray, Black, Green
- Style: Cordless
- Cutting Width: 21 inches
- 7 Positions
