What's inside
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Choosing the right ryobi string trimmer means sorting through a lineup that spans under seventy dollars to well over two hundred, with differences in voltage, cutting width, and attachment compatibility that are rarely obvious from the box. The wrong choice leaves you fighting tangled spools on a 40-volt model when an 18-volt would have handled your half-acre lot, or paying a premium for attachment capability you’ll never use. What you actually need depends on how much lawn you trim, how thick the brush gets, and whether you already own Ryobi batteries.
The models that separate from the pack share a few traits: consistent line feed without hand-jam, low vibration over a full charge, and a spool that survives repeated reloads without warping. Owner complaints cluster around head rattle, stripped bump-feed mechanisms, and runtime drops on dense crabgrass. This guide compares published specs, street prices, and aggregated owner feedback across eight current options in the Ryobi ecosystem so you can match the tool to your yard without guesswork.
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Quick Picks
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ryobi 18V One+ Trimmer/Edger | Small yards wanting dual function | $105 |
| RYOBI 18V 13″ Green Kit | First-time buyers needing a full kit | $169.99 |
| RYOBI 40V Attachment Kit | Platform owners expanding to multiple tools | $219 |
| RYOBI 18V 13″ Bare Tool | Owners with existing 18V batteries | $73.90 |
| RYOBI 40V 15″ Bare Tool | Wide open strips and large lawns | $170 |
| 0.080″ Replacement String | Weekly trimmers needing reliable reload | $14.99 |
| 20V Cordless Trimmer Dual-Battery | Lowest-budget entry into cordless | $49.99 |
| Ryobi AC80RL3 OEM Spool 3-Pack | Aggressive weed cutting at low cost | $12.95 |
How We Picked
We ranked these tools on four criteria: runtime per dollar (battery Ah divided by street price), cutting width and line gauge relative to typical lawn thickness, attachment-system compatibility across the Ryobi platform, and spool reliability as reported in long-term owner feedback. A trimmer that scores well on spec sheets but earns consistent complaints about head rattle or bump-feed failure drops below a simpler model that owners actually finish using.
The 8 Best Ryobi String Trimmer in 2026
Ryobi 18V One+ Trimmer/Edger
This is the entry-level dual-function tool for homeowners who want one motor to handle both trimming and edging without buying a separate head. At $105 it undercuts the kit models while still delivering a usable bump-feed mechanism.
- Two-in-one design cuts accessory cost for small yards
- Lightweight enough for extended sessions without fatigue
- Plastic head housing rattles after one season of bump-feed abuse
Skip this if your property has thick overgrowth or stumps near fence lines—the 18-volt platform runs out of torque before you finish a heavy section.
RYOBI 18V 13″ Green Kit
For buyers with no existing Ryobi batteries, this kit bundles a 4.0 Ah cell and charger with the 13-inch trimmer/edger head at $169.99. The capacity upgrade means clearing a full backyard on a single charge.
- 4.0 Ah cell delivers noticeably longer runtime on dense grass
- Bundled price beats buying head and battery separately
- Green paint scheme shows scuffs and scratches quickly
Skip this if you already own a 40-volt battery; the 18-volt platform won’t match that torque and the bundled cell becomes redundant.
RYOBI 40V Attachment Kit
Attachment-capable 40-volt trimmer with 4.0 Ah battery and charger included at $219. Suited for owners with larger lots who want one power head that swaps between trimmer, edger, and other 40V attachments.
- Platform expansion lets future attachments amortize the upfront cost
- Forty-volt torque handles thick crabgrass without bogging
- Head assembly adds noticeable wrist weight at full arm extension
If you will never buy a second attachment, the $219 price is inflated relative to a dedicated trimmer that does the same cutting job.
RYOBI 18V 13″ Bare Tool
At $73.90 this is the lowest-cost trimmer/edger in the lineup for owners who already have an 18V One+ battery on hand. Same bump-feed head and 13-inch cut as pricier siblings minus the power pack.
- Best price-to-function ratio if you own compatible batteries
- Compact frame stores easily in a shed corner
- Lightweight build transfers more vibration to hands during extended use
Skip if you lack an existing 18V One+ battery—the bare-tool savings vanish once you add a separate charger and cell at retail.
RYOBI 40V 15″ Bare Tool
A 15-inch attachment-capable trimmer head without battery or charger at $170. The wider cut path covers more ground per pass, making it attractive for owners with open lawn strips between garden beds and fence lines.
- Fifteen-inch swath reduces trim time noticeably on medium lots
- Attaches to any Ryobi 40V power head you may already own
- Wider head demands more wrist control when edging tight borders
If your yard is mostly narrow strips along walls and steps, the extra width is dead weight and you’ll be better served staying at 13 inches.
0.080″ Replacement String (AC80RL3)
A spool of 0.080-inch round line compatible with Ryobi ONE+ heads at $14.99. Forum threads consistently note that factory round line wears fast, making this a practical stocking item for anyone trimming weekly.
- Direct-fit replacement avoids hand-cutting spooled line to length
- Round profile feeds smoothly through bump-feed heads without binding
- Cost per foot is high compared to buying bulk coil in larger quantities
Buy this if you want zero-reload downtime between sessions; skip if you fire up the trimmer only a handful of times per season.
20V Cordless Trimmer Dual-Battery Kit
A 20-volt kit with two 2.0 Ah batteries and a charger at $49.99. It is not a Ryobi product, but it appears in the same search results and serves buyers whose primary concern is cutting price on a functional cordless trimmer.
- Two-battery configuration provides a hot-swap option during long sessions
- Under-fifty-dollar price removes the battery-investment barrier for first-time cordless buyers
- Not part of any major battery ecosystem, limiting future cross-compatibility
Skip if you want a long-term platform play or already own Ryobi or Milwaukee batteries—this forces a standalone charging setup.
Ryobi AC80RL3 OEM Spool/Line 3-Pack
Three-pack of OEM twisted-line spools at $12.95, compatible with Ryobi 18V, 24V, and 40V trimmer heads. Twisted profile cuts thicker weeds more aggressively than round line and resists the heat-melting problem owners report on dense summer sessions.
- Twisted geometry delivers cleaner cuts on mature weeds without repeated passes
- Three-pack under thirteen dollars keeps reload cost near zero
- Fits only Ryobi-manufactured heads—aftermarket trimmers with different spool wells won’t seat properly
Skip if your head already runs a bulk coil or aftermarket spool that doesn’t accept the OEM cartridge design.
Buying Guide
Voltage and Runtime
Eighteen-volt Ryobi trimmers handle typical suburban lawn maintenance but struggle against mature crabgrass and light brush. Forty-volt models deliver the torque to push through thicker stems without stalling. Battery capacity matters as much as voltage: a 4.0 Ah cell roughly doubles runtime compared to 2.0 Ah, letting you finish a large yard in a single session. A bare tool saves money only if you already own a compatible cell.
Cutting Width and Line Type
Thirteen-inch paths work well for borders, flower beds, and fence lines where a wider swath risks whipping onto adjacent surfaces. Fifteen-inch heads clear open lawn strips faster but demand steadier wrist control near hedges. Line profile matters too: twisted .080 line cuts aggressive weeds more cleanly, while round feeds more smoothly through tight spool wells.
Attachment Compatibility
If you plan to expand a cordless tool collection around one battery platform, attachment-capable heads let a single power unit serve as trimmer, edger, blower, and more. Fixed-shaft or bundled-head trimmers lock you into that specific tool. The premium for attachment capability is small per unit, but it compounds across every future purchase on the same platform.
Our Verdict
The RYOBI 40V Attachment Kit at $219 is the overall top pick: it combines platform scalability with enough torque for most residential properties, and the included 4.0 Ah battery removes the first-purchase barrier. Our budget pick is the RYOBI 18V 13″ Bare Tool at $73.90—unbeatable for anyone already holding a One+ cell. That said, if your lawn features heavy brush and wide open strips, the 40V 15″ Bare Tool covers more ground per pass than the attachment kit’s narrower head would.
FAQ
What size Ryobi string trimmer do I need for a half-acre lot?
A 40-volt model with a 4.0 Ah battery clears a half-acre without mid-session charging. The 18-volt platform works if your grass is uniformly short and you trim every week, but expect to swap batteries on thicker patches.
Can I use Ryobi 18V batteries in a 40V trimmer?
No. The two platforms use different connectors and chemistry profiles. A 18V One+ cell will not physically seat in a 40V