Maintaining a beautiful lawn is a source of pride for many homeowners. But this enjoyment hinges on investing in the right electric mower for your yard‘s unique size, terrain and obstacles. As you shop for an upgrade this season, two popular cordless battery-powered models likely on your list are Lowe‘s Kobalt 40V and Ryobi‘s 80V riding mowers. But besides the difference in voltage right in their names, these mowers differ enormously when it comes to intended lawn size, power, features and handling.
This in-depth, side-by-side comparison will highlight all the key specs and real-world performance considerations between the Kobalt 40V and Ryobi 80V so you can make the smartest choice for your needs. I‘ll provide plenty of technical guidance as an experienced electric mower owner myself, but in easy to understand terms – like having a landscaping buddy help explain what matters versus what‘s marketing hype.
Ready to learn whether the Kobalt or Ryobi model will be the MVP of your yard this summer? Let‘s get cutting!
At a Glance Comparison
Before jumping into the details, here is a high-level overview of how the Kobalt 40V and Ryobi 80V electric mowers stack up across the main buying factors:
| Feature | Kobalt 40V | Ryobi 80V Riding Mower |
|---|---|---|
| Intended Lawn Size | Under 0.5 acres | 0.5 – 4 acres |
| Deck Width | 20-21 inches | 30-54 inches |
| Motor Power | Brushless 40V 5.0 Ah | Brushless 80V 3 x 10 Ah |
| Runtime Per Charge | 30 minutes* | 90 minutes* |
| Weight w/ Batteries | 100 lbs | 400-700 lbs |
| Top Speed | 3.5 mph | 6-7 mph (Variable) |
| Mulch/Bag/Discharge | Yes | Yes |
| Starting Price | $250 | $4,999 |
* = Runtime will vary based on grass conditions and mode
As you can see from the table, there are substantial differences that make each model suited for different buyers. To help you wrap your head around whether the more affordable Kobalt or higher-tier Ryobi makes sense for your lawn, let‘s explore some of these key factors in more depth…
Cutting Deck Width & Maneuverability
A primary consideration in any walk-behind vs ride-on mower decision is the width of the cutting deck. The Kobalt 40V sports a recently widened 20-21" deck – ample for nibbly navigating around trees, flower beds and other obstacles in small-to-medium yards up to around half an acre in size. I can easily trim around my array of landscaping features in my suburban front and back lawn on a standard city lot.
In contrast, the Ryobi 80V riding mower packs some serious cutting width ranging from 30" on the smallest model up to a gargantuan 54" on larger models meant for truly massive yards or even small farms. To put that into perspective…
- 30 inch deck = Cut path just wider than average zero turn walk-behind mower
- 42 inch deck = Over 3.5 feet wide = Wider than many household doorways
- 54 inch deck = 4.5 feet wide = Wider than SUVs and small cars!
While you‘ll surely want to measure any gates to ensure the Ryobi will actually fit in your yard, this ultra-wide cutting swath means you can mow acres far faster than with a walk-behind unit.
However, maneuverability suffers greatly at widths over 30 inches once you have to navigate around trees, playsets, or flower beds. And most homeowners don‘t have golf course-esque wide open lawns. So that massive deck size matters less if you have a winding, compartmentalized yard layout.
While Ryobi does offer true zero turn models for tighter turns, any riding mower still generally handles more like a bus compared to the nimbleness of a push mower. So that‘s an important tradeoff to consider if agility around obstacles is priority.
Motor Power & Runtime
Now to the specs you probably honed in on first – voltages and batteries. Without getting too technical on lithium ion cells, the key things to focus on are:
-
Voltage correlates closely to torque and overall power. So higher voltages like the Ryobi 80V mean more muscle and efficiency managing thick or wet grass vs lower voltages like 40V in the Kobalt.
-
Amp hour (Ah) ratings reflect the energy capacity and thus runtime per charge. Higher Ah like the Ryobi‘s beefy 10.0 Ah batteries equate to longer runtimes than the 5.0 Ah Kobalt battery.
So unsurprisingly, the riding Ryobi 80V wields vastly more power to devour wide acres of grass as well as thicker turf. You can expect up to 90 minutes of continuous mowing on a charge. Whereas I max out around 30 minutes running my leaner 40V Kobalt unit.
That said, for smaller flat yards with average grass, the Kobalt cuts just fine on a single 30 minute charge. But wet clumping grass after rain does tax its lower voltage motor more than the Ryobi beasts. So if your main struggle is thick patches of grass beyond a typical yard, the Ryobi 80V units deliver gas mower-equivalent torque.
Now for most homeowners, repeatedly recharging smaller batteries is mere annoyance than true barrier given average mow times. But some important math for larger lawns:
- Ryobi 80V = 90 minutes runtime ÷ 42 inches cut per pass = Roughly 2 acres mowed per charge
- Kobalt 40V = 30 minutes ÷ 20 inches cut per pass = Roughly 0.5 acres mowed per charge
So owners of yards bigger than an acre mowing with the lower voltage Kobalt should plan on recharging at least once mid-job. An extra battery ($140) helps but adds costs that diminish the upfront savings of the 40V. This is where the value of the Ryobi‘s long runtime shines on larger properties.
Slope Handling Ability
Besides cutting width, slope handling is another key limitation of riding mowers that‘s often overlooked. While their wide decks and comfy seats tempt buyers with visions of easy lawn domination, riding mowers carry serious risks of slipping, skidding and even tipping when used on slopes beyond their stability ratings.
And this stability varies greatly by model based on factors like center of gravity, wheel width, weight and drive systems. In the case of the Ryobi 80V models, their 400-700 lb heft allows them to safely tackle slopes up to 15 degrees – which equals about a 30% grade if you see that measurement on lawn tractor specs.
Comparatively, walk behind mowers have much lower centers of gravity by nature so they can handle steeper pitches without toppling or losing traction. And the 100 lb Kobalt 40V leverages this lower weight balance to climb slopes up to 20 degrees – which most landscapers consider the maximum for safe operation with a push mower.
So if your property features any uneven terrain, ditches, steep banks or other slopes over 15 degrees, I would steer clear of riding mowers in favor of a more sure-footed walk behind like the Kobalt. Because a runaway riders careening down a hill poses serious safety hazards you likely want no part of!
And for my fellow Seattleites blessed with towering evergreens, navigating around those weeping root beds and erosion slopes is easily managed by the Kobalt 40V but would be nerve-wracking (if not impossible) with a full-size riding mower. So consider your whole yard‘s terrain before drooling over those wide cutting decks. Maneuverability and stability should trump timesavers for challenging properties.
Recent Improvements
I always advise friends to look beyond the model name alone when researching lawn tools and instead focus on the specific recent generation or year of release. Brands continually upgrade their mower lines with better batteries, enlarged cutting decks and other useful perks. And both Kobalt and Ryobi have upped their games over the past year:
Kobalt Upgrades:
- Slightly larger 21" steel cutting deck
- Brushless motor for power efficiency
- Improved mulching mode for better grass recycling
- Faster self-propel speed (now 3.5 mph)
Ryobi Enhancements:
- Surging blade technology to handle thicker grass
- Optimized mulch routing for more even dispersal
- Easy clean-out access to mower deck
- RMS monitoring system to alert on maintenance needs
So while the core comparison points hold up, buyers today are getting superior versions of these mowers versus even a year ago. And you can expect more incremental innovations in coming years as batteries, motors and safety tech improves.
Price Comparison
Finally, for many buyers especially browsing premium equipment like ride-on mowers, total cost weighs heavily. And it‘s here the value leaning Kobalt 40V truly distinguishes itself:
- Kobalt 40V Price: Ranges $250 – $350 for mower with battery and charger included. Additional batteries ($140) optional for more runtime.
- Ryobi 80V Price: Over 10X more at $4,999 to $7,999 depending on deck size and features. Requires added seasonal maintenance costs too.
So while the Ryobi 80V lineup offers an exceptional cutting experience and durability worthy of the price tag, you have to determine whether those luxurious extras offset 10x the upfront investment versus the still-capable Kobalt.
For buyers focused purely on reliability and budget, you‘ll be well served by the Kobalt 40V as your driveway workhorse. But property owners who prioritize premium power and rapid mowing of truly massive yards will glean value from the Ryobi if you can stomach the towering sticker price.
The Verdict: Which Is the Best Cordless Mower for You?
So between the Kobalt 40V and Ryobi 80V riding mower lines, which model claims the title of most likely to dominate your lawn this year?
For Smaller Lawns Under Half an Acre: Kobalt 40V
If your yard size skews suburban like mine with limited square footage to cover each week, the expertise is clear that the Kobalt 40V is the best value electric mower available today. Its 20-21" cutting swath navigates smoothly around landscaping obstacles while providing enough cutting power and 30 minute runtime for quick mowing sessions.
And backed by Lowe‘s warranty and supported by Kobalt‘s growing suite of 40V tools for hedge trimming, edging and other lawn care duties, this system is hard to beat for budget-friendly reliability. Expect it to deliver years of loyal grass cutting service with minimal hassle aside from remembering to recharge occasionally.
For Larger Properties Over 1+ Acres: Ryobi 80V
However, buyers blessed with vast plains of grass stretching as far as the eye can see have full permission to drool over the Ryobi 80V riding mowers. Their otherworldly power and acre+ devouring cutting widths of up to 54 inches will tame huge yards other mowers only dream of handling. And their comfy seats and smooth speed controls will have you zooming across the pasture with joy.
Just be sure to accurately map out any slopes or other challenging areas on your land first. And brace for both the scary price tag and ongoing seasonal maintenance like blade sharpening, belt replacements, and tune-ups. But if you have the budget and storage space, the Ryobi 80V riding mowers unleash an elite level of lawn care prowess.
The Best of Both Worlds: Kobalt 21" + Ryobi Zero Turn
For buyers stuck in between needing wider cutting than the Kobalt for 1+ acre yards but intimidated by the Ryobi tractor prices and bulk, here‘s my favorite hybrid solution:
Buy the new Kobalt 40V 21" self-propelled mower for tight obstacle navigating and slopes. Then add Ryobi‘s 42" or 48" zero turn riding mower solely for wide open flat lawn area cutting. This combo costs less than Ryobi‘s largest tractors while delivering comparable coverage minus the maneuverability tradeoffs.
It requires some physical swaps moving across properties of course. But buyers who can live with that hassle in exchange for optimized handling around landscaping plus rapid open field mowing find it the best of both worlds. And the dual battery system means ample power with backups at the ready.
Food for thought!
I hope this side-by-side overview of the rider-friendly Ryobi 80V line versus walk-behind Kobalt 40V gave you clarity on the ideal electric mower for your unique property. While specs and features vary greatly, paying attention to yard terrain, obstacle density, lawn size and budget helps narrow in on the model best suited to save you time and energy this year.
If any other questions come up as you evaluate options for upgrading your mowing gear, don‘t hesitate to reach out via my contact page. I‘m always happy to lend more consumer-to-consumer advice on maximizing your lawn care with the latest electric tools.
Here‘s to many more beautiful summer days surrounded by perfectly manicured grass! Now grab a cold drink and enjoy the fruits of your smart mower choice.
