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Ryobi and Ego are two of the best manufacturers of outdoor power equipment. Both make a wide array of tools as well as various-size mowers. Two of the most popular choices are the Ryobi 40V and Ego 56V mowers. These are both more than powerful enough to get most average-sized yards cut. They are also both easy for anyone to use.

However, there are some differences that you should familiarize yourself with before purchasing one. The main consideration is whether you already have tools in either of these battery platforms. Nonetheless, each company has a wide range of tools to choose from. Another factor that we will cover in more detail below is the amount of power each mower has.

Ryobi 40V Mower vs. Ego 56V Mower: Side-By-Side Comparison

40V Ryobi56V Ego
ModelRY401140USLM2101
Deck Size21″21″
Price$700$480
Batteries Included2-40V 6ah1-56V 5ah
Runtime (with included batteries)70 Minutes45 Minutes
Warranty5 Year Mower/3 Year Battery5 Year Mower/3 Year Battery
Best for Large Yards
RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Cordless Lawn Mower
$550.00
  • Power Source: Corded Electric, Battery Powered
  • Material: Polypropylene
  • Colors: Gray, Black, Green
  • Style: Cordless
  • Cutting Width: 21 inches
  • 7 Positions
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/24/2023 02:30 pm GMT

Ryobi 40V Mower vs. Ego 56V Mower: What’s the Difference?

While the main difference between the Ego and the Ryobi is power, there are a number of other factors to consider in order to choose the best mower for you. This includes the types of mowers that each company offers, not to mention their ease of use and what they come with. Finally, you should always consider the price, warranty, and battery lineups when purchasing an electric mower.

Models

Both Ryobi’s 40V line and Ego’s 56V line have a number of different models to choose from. While there are some slight differences in the mowers, the main thing you will need to look at is what they come with. Some mowers are bundled with batteries and chargers, while others are sold by themselves.

For our comparison, we have chosen two similar mowers from the Ryobi and Ego lines. The Ryobi is the RY401140US which has a 21″ deck and is self-propelled. For the Ego; we are looking at the LM2101, which is also self-propelled and has a 21″ deck. They also come with batteries and chargers, so you can start cutting without needing to purchase anything else.

Power

The Ryobi 40V and Ego 56V mowers each use a brushless motor which is very efficient and will let you cut for extended periods of time. Additionally, it will also last much longer than a traditional electric motor that uses brushes. Unfortunately, the similarities pretty much stop there because the Ego is significantly more powerful than the Ryobi.

With that said, the Ryobi is still powerful enough for most people, and you likely won’t have any issues with it. One upside to the Ryobi is that it has room for two batteries. However, the mower does not automatically switch between batteries when one is depleted. You must manually open the cover and switch the direction of the “key” to switch which battery power is being pulled from.

While the Ryobi does have the downside of not being able to automatically switch between batteries, Ego doesn’t even give you a place to store a second one. Therefore, you will need to remove the battery and swap it out, which can be a pain if you’re in the middle of cutting. With the included batteries, you can get 70 minutes of cut time with the Ryobi and only 45 minutes with the Ego.

Deck

The decks on the Ryobi and Ego mowers are very similar. Each has a 21-inch cutting area and features a single steel blade. The two mowers we’ve looked at both feature a composite deck which is essentially a strong plastic material. Fortunately, this is not like the brittle plastics found in cheaper electric mowers, and its lightweight material is actually quite beneficial.

However, if you are concerned about the deck strength, you can upgrade to a steel deck model with Ego. Additionally, the Ryobi deck actually has a lifetime warranty, so you should never have to worry about your deck breaking. Lastly, the blades on each mower are easily replaceable, and you can sharpen them just like you would on a gas mower.

Accessories

The Ego and Ryobi mowers both come with similar accessories. For instance, the models we’re comparing each come with chargers and batteries. But they also come with other stuff, such as a mulching kit, a clippings bag, and a discharge chute. This is a nice addition, so you have everything you need and don’t have to spend extra money later if you decide you would like to cut your yard in a different way.

Ease of Use

Using an electric mower is easier than ever, and if you’re coming from a gas-powered one, you’ll love just how simple it is to get started. Just drop in a charged battery, press the start button, pull back the lever, and start cutting. Best of all, in the Ryobi, you get to carry a second battery, so if the first one runs out, just flip the key around and keep cutting.

Both mowers also feature self-propelled rear-wheel drive, which is adjustable with a lever. The wheel height is also adjustable on both mowers with a single lever, so you don’t need to worry about manually adjusting each wheel. Finally, the Ego and Ryobi each have fold-down handles for easy storage and transport. Additionally, both mowers include headlights which are great for cutting late at night.

Pricing

Electric mowers tend to be more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. This is largely due to the cost of the battery, which is why you should consider investing in a platform rather than just a single tool. Like most things today, lawn mower prices have been fluctuating quite a bit. Therefore we will look at the MSRP on each then you can compare current market prices on each.

The Ego comes in at approximately $480 but is regularly available on sale at lower prices. This includes a single 56V 5ah battery and charger. In comparison, the Ryobi 40V has an MSRP of $700 but is regularly available for $600. While this price is substantially higher, you do get two 40V 6ah batteries which do provide a slightly longer cutting time.

Warranty

The warranty terms are something that you should definitely consider when purchasing an electric mower, particularly because of the batteries, which can sometimes fail prematurely. While this is unlikely to happen to you, it is definitely worth taking into consideration, as is the warranty on the mower itself. The warranties on the Ryobi and Ego mowers are actually very similar.

We’ve already mentioned that the Ryobi comes with a lifetime warranty on the deck. However, the rest of the mower is covered by a 5-year warranty. Additionally, the batteries are covered by a 3-year warranty. The Ego’s warranty is nearly identical, with five years on the mower and three years on the battery, with one caveat being a one-year warranty for commercial use.

Battery Lines

One of the other major factors that you should account for is the battery lines. Don’t think about just purchasing this one tool; instead, look at what other tools you may want to purchase. Both the Ryobi 40V and Ego 56V lines have a number of other tools that you can purchase. If you purchase a mower bundle, you will be able to use the batteries from it and these other tools.

Unfortunately, you’re going to be limited to primarily outdoor power equipment with both the 40V and 56V battery platforms. Meaning you will not be able to use the Ryobi 40 Volt battery packs in any of the Ryobi hand tools. If you’ve already purchased Ryobi 40V or Ego 56V tools then you should greatly consider purchasing a mower in that lineup.

Great Value
EGO Power+ LM2101 21-Inch 56V Lawn Mower
$399.00
  • Up to 45 minutes of run time on a single charge
  • 6-position cutting height adjustments: 1.5"- 4"
  • 3-in-1 function: Mulching, bagging, side discharge
  • Easy push-button start
  • 21-in deck
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/03/2023 03:59 am GMT

Ryobi 40V Mower vs. Ego 56V Mower: 5 Must-Know Facts

  • Both mowers are comparably sized and have 21″ decks.
  • The Ryobi does have a longer runtime of 70 minutes compared to the Ego’s 45 minutes.
  • Ego and Ryobi’s warranties are very similar, at 5 years for the mower and 3 for the battery.
  • Ryobi’s $700 price tag on the 40V is significantly higher than Ego’s $480.
  • Both mowers have composite decks, but the Ryobi comes with a lifetime deck warranty.

Ryobi 40V Mower vs. Ego 56V Mower: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?

Now that we’ve covered everything you need to know about both the Ego and Ryobi mowers it’s time to pick which one is best for you. Each mower has its pros and cons, such as the Ego being more powerful, whereas the Ryobi has room for two batteries. While the ultimate decision will come down to personal preference as well as other factors that are important to you, we have picked a winner.

We recommend the Ego 56V for a couple of reasons. The first is that it is significantly cheaper, especially when comparing MSRPs. Then taking sales into account, you are very likely to find an outstanding deal on the Ego. Otherwise, both mowers are very comparable, both having the same deck size in similar cut times with the included batteries.

While Ryobi claims you will get an extra 25% runtime this does require using both batteries and manually switching the key. But for the cost of it, you could purchase an additional battery for the Ego and have a significantly longer cut time. Again this will be up to you and what you feel is a better choice for your yard and the amount of land that you need to cut.

However, the warranties are also very comparable, and the battery lines are pretty much limited to outdoor power equipment. The Ryobi and Ego are both easy to use, and we’ll provide years of trouble-free performance. Either way, you will not be disappointed, but one final recommendation is that if you are already invested in a battery lineup then purchase a mower in that same line.

  1. RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Cordless Lawn Mower
  2. RYOBI 40V HP Brushless 21 in. Cordless Lawn Mower
    $550.00
    • Power Source: Corded Electric, Battery Powered
    • Material: Polypropylene
    • Colors: Gray, Black, Green
    • Style: Cordless
    • Cutting Width: 21 inches
    • 7 Positions
    Buy Now on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/24/2023 02:30 pm GMT
  3. EGO Power+ LM2101 21-Inch 56V Lawn Mower
  4. EGO Power+ LM2101 21-Inch 56V Lawn Mower
    $399.00
    • Up to 45 minutes of run time on a single charge
    • 6-position cutting height adjustments: 1.5"- 4"
    • 3-in-1 function: Mulching, bagging, side discharge
    • Easy push-button start
    • 21-in deck
    Buy Now on Amazon

    We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

    03/03/2023 03:59 am GMT

Ryobi 40V Mower vs. Ego 56V Mower: Which One Wins? FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How do you use two batteries in the Ryobi 40V?

You can insert two batteries before you start cutting. Then when one runs out you simply turn the key around to start using the other battery.

Does either mower come with a metal deck?

No, both the Ego and Ryobi use composite decks which are very strong. However, Ego does make some models with metal decks.

Is there a difference between front and rear wheel drive?

Just like in a car some self-propelled mowers have their front wheels turn while others have rear wheels that turn. This is a matter of personal preference, but rear-wheel drive tends to work better. However, some people find that front-wheel drive is easier to maneuver through turns.

Does the voltage make a significant difference in power?

The battery voltage typically correlates to how powerful a mower is. But it is not something you should be fixated on unless you cut very thick grass and need every last drop of power.

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