An electric lawnmower is ideal for small to medium gardens in need of weekly upkeep
And besides being environmental-friendly, it’s also easy to power up, use, and maintain
Understanding this, Ryobi made their now-popular Ryobi RY18LMX40A-0 machine (terrible name!), alongside its 2 variations.
It’s a superb lawnmower in a line of amazing DIY and home tools. And the basis of our review today.
What I’ll Cover…
- Top features
- Technical specifications
- What’s in the box
- Customer opinions
- Pros & cons
- Best alternatives
- Is it suitable for you?
OK, let’s get started…
The Ryobi 18V lawnmower boasts a cordless convenience with a cutting width (33cm) that’s suitable for small to medium sized gardens. Despite the smaller cutting width, this tool boasts numerous features that make it worthwhile.
For starters, the garden tool boasts three power options. This model is ideal if you already own a battery and charger. If not, you can settle for Ryobi’s RLM18X33B40 model that features a 4Ah battery or the brand’s RLM18C33B25 variation that’s equipped with a 2.5Ah battery.
Side note…The difference between a 4Ah and 2.5Ah is worth noting. In general, a larger Ah (Amp Hours) number means it delivers longer run-time and has more power.
Back to the Ryobi mower…
Better still, the mower has an EasyEdge system that lets you mow right to the edge of the lawn. Added to that are an ergonomic handle design and 5 cutting heights to cater for different grass heights and conditions.
Let’s explore what the garden tool has to offer in more depth.
Key Features
Let’s start by looking at the key features at a glance:
KEY FEATURES
- Powerful 4.0Ah or 2.5Ah battery
- 5 cutting heights (25.65mm)
- 33cm cutting width
- EasyEdge system
- Ergonomic, foldable handle
- 35 Litre grass box
Powerful 4.0Ah or 2.5Ah battery
As mentioned, Ryobi 18V cordless lawnmower is available in 3 options: OLM1833B (without battery), RLM18C33B25 (with 2.5Ah battery), and RLM18X33B40 (with 4.0Ah battery).
The 4.0Ah battery can run for an average of 30 minutes on each charge. And it’s compatible with any Ryobi power tool with the ONE+ logo. Thus, if you already own such a Ryobi tool, you can purchase the OLM1833B model at a cheaper price.
The 2.5Ah battery model is ideal for really small lawns, as it only runs for 15-20minutes. Note, you can purchase a 5.0Ah battery separately to increase your mower’s runtime.
(Each battery variation has a 120 minutes charging time.)
5 cutting heights
The Ryobi 33cm lawnmower has 5 cutting heights, giving you the freedom to mow your lawn to a height that suits you.
Check out our guide to luscious lawn care to find out the best height to cut your grass to at different times of the year.
Its single-point central adjustment is operated with a single lever to provide multiple cutting heights – from 25mm to 65mm. This cutting flexibility is quite rare in mowers of similar size.
Large Cutting Width
The cordless lawnmower boasts a 33cm cutting width, which despite being on the smaller side, is ideal for small to medium sized lawns (up to 150m²).
EasyEdge system
Being lightweight (approximately 9kg with a battery), the mover is perfect for people who cannot handle bulky tools. Think of a 70-year-old with back problems who has to carry the mower four steps to cut grass.
The deck is made from durable and hard-wearing plastics, making it suitable for outdoor use. The EasyEdge system takes mowing a notch higher – as it enables you to cut grass right to the edge, whether there is a fence or wall!
Better still, the mower boasts an ergonomic handle design for easy and comfortable use. Its control buttons are easy to reach further enhancing the mowing experience.
While its plastic wheels make it easy to mow lawns of varying ground conditions. Furthermore, the rear wheels are larger for stability and easy manoeuvrability.
What’s more?
The mower boasts foldable handles at the midpoint. To fold the handles at the deck level, unscrew the lower-retaining bolts and pull the handle back out from the deck. That added to the collapsible grass bag make storage a breeze.
Large 35L grass box
Ryobi’s 33cm lawnmower features a 35L fabric bag with a plastic cover, which makes grass collection and emptying a cinch. The bag is easy to detach, however, attaching it takes some getting used to.
The fabric sides ensure god air circulation for optimal collection performance.
Better still, the Ryobi RLM18X33B40 9and other variations) features a mulching plug, that helps plough the cut grass back to the lawn – to prevent excessive transpiration and serve as a natural fertilizer.
Check out this video to see the mower in action
Here are the highlights…
Quality
- Durable cutting deck
- Robust battery casing
Usability
- Lightweight and compact design
- 33cm cutting width and 5 cutting heights
Trustworthiness
- 2-year standard, 3 year extended (for free)
- Reputable brand
Performance
- Mulching plug included
- 18V ONE+ battery
Technical Specifications
- Battery: 1 x 4.0Ah 18V
- Charging time: 120 minutes
- Drive system: Push
- Storage bag volume: 35L
- Weight (with battery): 8.7kg
- Cutting width: 33cm
- Cutting height: 5 heights (25mm-65mm)
Included in the Box
- 1 x Ryobi 33cm cordless mower
- 1 x 4.0Ah or 2.5Ah battery (depending on the selected model. The OLM1833B model does not come with a battery)
- Battery charger (not in OLM1833B models)
- Mulching Plug
- 35L grass bag
- Instruction manual
What are People Saying…?
Users love the power options presented by this mower. One verified Amazon buyer says,
“The mower is supplied without battery and charger – and these do add a good chunk to the cost…”.
She is backed by Adam F, another verified Amazon customer who says,
“I already have 2 batteries from a drill, so didn’t need to get any…”.
What’s the Downside…?
The lawnmower lacks a rear roller for creating a striped lawn. It’s also not suitable for large lawns. However, if you have a smaller lawn, this mower is worth your while.
And best of all, if you already own some tools from the Ryobi ONE line then you don’t need another battery and can share it between the different models.
Advantages
- EasyEdge system makes cutting along the lawn edges hassle-free
- Durable plastic deck
- Mulching plug included
- A battery that’s sharable across Ryobi tools
- Easy to adjust handle and cutting heights
- Easy to store
- Reputable manufacturer
Disadvantages
- No rear roller to create a striped lawn
- The handles are not easily foldable
Is it Suitable for You..?
Ryobi lawnmower is a lightweight machine that mows grass with minimal interruptions. It’s a viable option for any gardener who prefers cordless mowers. It’s particularly suitable for people with small lawns who need a compact machine that can save on storage space.
It’s also good for anyone after ease-of-use and not so much of cutting quality – as the EasyEdge system makes it easy to mow around and along the edges, whether there’s a fence or wall.
Alternatives Options
GTech Cordless Lawn Mower CLM50 (New)
Bosch Rotak 43 LI Ergoflex Cordless 36V Li-Ion Rotary
The bottom line…
Ryobi RLM18X33B40 (and its variations) are excellent options for gardeners in need of simple tools that will mow the lawn without interruptions. Its numerous features make it an above-average mower that’s sure to be a great addition to your garden arsenal.
Verdict
- Reliability
- Noise
- Cost
- Features
- Quality
- EasyEdge system to cut lawn edges
- Durable plastic deck
- Mulching plug included
- Interchangeable battery with other tools
- Easy to adjust handle and cutting heights
- No rear roller to create a striped lawn
- The handles are not easily foldable
The Ryobi OLM1833B (body only) is a little cordless lawn mower with a cutting width perfect for smaller lawns, yet it boasts a multitude of features that make it worth buying.
Approx. price: £209.99
FAQS
CAN THIS LAWNMOWER CUT LONG AND DAMP GRASS?
Yes, but that will reduce the battery runtime. In the case of long grasses, start at higher settings and lower the cutting height as you go.
DOES THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT LEVER ADJUST ALL THE WHEELS?
Yes. The lever has only 1 lever that adjusts and control all the wheels, simultaneously.
DOES THE RYOBI 18V ONE+ LAWN MOWER COME WITH A BATTERY?
It depends on the model of choice. The OLM1833B model has no battery while the RLM18C33B25 comes with a 2.5Ah battery. The RLM18X33B40 comes with a 4.0Ah battery.