When it comes to cordless lawn mowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers and other outdoor power equipment, two big names keep popping up: EGO and RYOBI. Both brands have made major investments in battery-powered tools, but they have some key differences that buyers should understand.
In this 2500+ word guide, we‘ll compare EGO and RYOBI‘s histories, battery platforms, product lines, technologies and more – to help you decide which brand is the best fit for your needs.
Brief Histories of EGO and RYOBI
First, let‘s look at how long EGO and RYOBI have been around and what they initially focused on:
EGO
- Founded in 1993 in Naperville, IL
- Originally part of Homelite, produced corded and gas-powered equipment
- Shifted focus to lithium-ion battery powered outdoor tools in 2013
- Current lineup focuses solely on cordless lawn mowers, string trimmers, blowers etc.
RYOBI
- Founded in 1943 in Hiroshima, Japan
- Originally part of Ryobi Limited, focused on printing and power tools
- Entered North American market in 1990s under One World Technologies (OWT)
- Acquired by Techtronic Industries (TTI) in 2004 along with other brands
- Produces wide range of gas-powered, corded and battery powered equipment
So while RYOBI has been around for longer, EGO has been completely dedicated to battery-powered outdoor tools for the past decade.
Next let‘s compare the battery systems these brands use to power their equipment.
Battery Platforms: EGO 56V vs. RYOBI 18V, 40V and 80V
The lithium-ion battery pack is the powerhouse behind all cordless outdoor tools. So understanding EGO and RYOBI‘s different battery platforms is key:
EGO
- Utilizes 56V ARC Lithium battery system across all tools
- Batteries range from 2.5Ah to 12.0Ah
- 56V platform allows high power in smaller, lightweight packs
- Long runtimes – up to 2 hours on a single charge
- 5 year warranty on batteries
RYOBI
- Uses multiple battery systems: 18V, 40V and 80V
- 18V ONE+ – lower power but enormous range of compatible tools
- 40V – middle ground, power most medium duty outdoor tools
- 80V – highest power for heavy duty equipment like riding mowers
- Batteries range from 2Ah to 10Ah depending on system
- 3 year warranty on lithium-ion batteries
So while RYOBI gives buyers more choice, EGO offers outstanding runtimes and power from their single 56V platform.
Next let‘s see how these batteries power some specific outdoor equipment categories…
Lawn Mower Showdown: EGO vs. RYOBI
Any cordless mower comparison has to start with the all-important push mowers most homeowners use:
EGO Push Mowers
-
Self-Propelled
- 5 models ranging from 21" to 26" decks
- Brushless motors up to 8.2 ft-lbs torque
- Runtimes up to 90 minutes
- Durable steel or polymer decks
- LED headlights on all models
- Select Cut blade system on some models
- Touch drive speed control
-
Push
- 2 models – 20" and 21" decks
- Brushless motors
- Runtimes up to 45 minutes
- Durable steel decks
RYOBI Push Mowers
-
Self-Propelled
- 6 models from 20" to 30" decks
- 40V or 80V battery systems
- Brushless Whisper Series is extra quiet
- Single point height adjustment
- Runtimes around 60 minutes
-
Push
- Over 10 models with 18V or 40V batteries
- Deck widths from 13" to 21"
- Brushless and non-brushless motors
- Runtimes from 30 to 75 minutes
For push mowers, EGO‘s lineup feels more refined, with excellent runtimes, durable construction and handy features like headlights and touch drive speed control. RYOBI does offer some compelling value plays though.
When it comes to riding mowers, both brands are brushless beasts:
EGO Riding Mowers
- 3 Models – 42", 52" and 52" decks
- Z6 Zero turn with 4-6 brushless motors
- Powered by multiple 56V ARC Lithium batteries
- LED headlights and Bluetooth connectivity
- Adjustable displays and drive modes
- Up to 3 acre cutting capacity
- Can add accessories like storage bins
RYOBI Riding Mowers
- 5 Models – 38" to 54" inch decks
- Zero turn and twin blade options
- Powered by 75-115Ah internal batteries
- iDrive joystick control system
- Cut up to 3 acres on one charge
- Towing capacity up to 500 lbs
EGO‘s riding mowers feel more powered thanks to the hot-swappable battery packs. But RYOBI offers larger cutting decks and an innovative joystick control system across their lineup.
Trimmers, Blowers and More: EGO vs RYOBI Head to Head
Cordless push mowers may get all the attention, but every homeowner needs trimmers, blowers, chainsaws and other outdoor power equipment too. So how does EGO and RYOBI‘s lineup of other tools compare?
String Trimmers
EGO Trimmers
- 3 Models from 15" to 16" cut widths
- Brushless motors
- Powerload head for constant line feed
- Carbon fiber shafts on 2 models
- Runtimes from 60 to 120 minutes
RYOBI Trimmers
- Over 10 models across 18V, 40V and 40V Whisper platforms
- Cut widths from 13" to 17"
- Speed winder bump heads
- Carbon fiber and aluminium shafts
- 18V runtimes around 45 minutes
EGO trimmers win on power and runtimes thanks to the 56V advantage. But RYOBI offers outstanding value.
Leaf Blowers
EGO Blowers
- 9 Models from 480 CFM to 765 CFM
- 60 MPH to 210 MPH air speeds
- Turbo modes for max power
- Brushless fans maximize efficiency
- Runtimes from 50 to 150 minutes
RYOBI Blowers
- Over 14 models in 18V, 40V and 40V Whisper lines
- Airflows from 200 CFM to 730 CFM
- Specialized models like vac mulcher
- 40V runtimes around 30 to 60 minutes
EGO dominates when it comes to battery powered blowers thanks to excellent power, features and extended runtimes.
Pressure Washers
EGO Pressure Washers
- Currently no cordless pressure washer
RYOBI Pressure Washers
- 2 Whisper Series 40V models
- 1000 to 1500 PSI
- 1.2GPM flow rate
- 25-50 foot hose
- Onboard detergent tank
RYOBI is the only player here offering battery powered pressure washers. The 40V Whisper models provide solid cleaning power without noise or fumes.
Snow Blowers
EGO Snow Blowers
- 3 Models from 18" to 24" widths
- Steel auger drives through snow
- Throw snow up to 50 feet
- Clears 8-10 inches depth
-Handles wet heavy snow
RYOBI Snow Blowers
- 4 Models from 18" to 21" widths
- Powered by 40V or 80V batteries
- Brushless with LED lights
- Variable speed control
- Clears up to 13 inch depth
RYOBI and EGO both make capable battery snow blowers that can tackle typical snow events. EGO‘s models may have a slight edge for exceptionally heavy snow.
Support and Availability
With any battery powered system, an important consideration is technical support and being able to find replacements parts and batteries 5-10 years down the road.
EGO Support
- 5 year warranty on tools/mowers, 3-5 years on batteries
- Specialized support for EGO products
- Smaller retail presence – sold at some home improvement stores
- Batteries and components may be harder to source after 5 years
RYOBI Support
- 3 year warranty on tools and batteries
- Large support system across parent company TTI
- Massive retail presence – all big box stores
- Will likely offer batteries and parts for decades
RYOBI‘s huge footprint which includes being sold in Home Depot, Lowes and Walmart nationwide means future support is less of a concern. EGO‘s products may be harder to service out of warranty.
Styling and Special Features
Beyond power and runtimes, little styling touches and special features may sway buyers between EGO or RYOBI tools.
EGO Styling
- Clean lines and consistent dark gray/green color scheme
- Brushless badges and prominent battery gauge
- EASY storage self-standing designed into most products
- LED headlights are standard on mowers
- Digital displays on some riding mowers
RYOBI Styling
- Signature green accents and branding
- IntelliCell fuel gauge on batteries
- Easy accessory mounting points on many tools
- Uniquely designed products like joystick riding mowers
- Special technologies like LoadSensing
Both brands reflect their identity through styling – EGO sleek and refined, RYOBI rugged yet innovative.
Some other neat features:
- EGO‘s patented Power+ Cutting System for better blade performance
- RYOBI‘s anti-vibe technologies make handles more comfortable
- EGO‘s Carbon Fiber shafts and gears make tools durable yet light
- RYOBI‘s variable-speed smartTrek keeps mowing speed constant
Commercial Grade Options
While both brands cater primarily to homeowners, they each offer commercial grade solutions:
EGO Commercial Equipment
- Targeted at professional landscapers
- Additional lines of string trimmers, blowers etc.
- More powerful motors hold up to daily use
- Designed for extended runtimes
- Shared battery platform with consumer models
RYOBI Commercial Options
- Special buy programs for landscapers
- Bulk pricing and financing available
- Some models certified for commercial use
- Parts and tools common with consumer lines
EGO goes the extra mile designing commercial-specific equipment, while RYOBI enables pros to cost-effectively buy its consumer models in bulk.
Final Verdict: EGO vs RYOBI – Which Brand is Better?
So when comparing EGO vs RYOBI for cordless mowers, trimmers, blowers and outdoor power equipment – which brand comes out on top?
For the average homeowner focused just on their lawn and property, EGO is the winner. Their lineup feels more refined and optimized specifically for yardwork. Models like their smart self-propelled mowers and long-lasting string trimmers are hard to beat. And EGO batteries really do run impressively long to complete big jobs on a single charge.
For homeowners who also want workshop tools or need commercial-scale equipment, RYOBI can‘t be matched. The sheer size of their 40V and 80V families along with yard tools that can handle 3+ acre properties gives RYOBI the edge for larger tasks. And they allow easy expansion into categories like pressure washers as needs grow. Plus RYOBI‘s superior retail availability assures good future support.
At the end of the day, homeowners with typical 1⁄2 acre-2 acre yards will likely be happiest with EGO‘s outstanding mowers and string trimmers. But large property owners or folks wanting workshop tools as well should give RYOBI a close look.
Hopefully this guide gives you lots of helpful details to decide whether battery-powered yard tools from EGO or RYOBI best meet your needs and budget. Both companies are pushing cordless technology forward – so there‘s never been a better time to ditch gas and oil and go electric!
