Ryobi 40V Mower vs. Ego 56V Mower: Which One Wins?

Ryobi and Ego make some of the most popular battery-powered lawn mowers on the market today. Both brands offer cordless electric mowers packed with innovative features and excellent performance. But when it comes to the Ryobi 40V vs the Ego 56V, which one reigns supreme?

This in-depth comparison guide will analyze all the key factors like power, battery life, ease of use and more to determine the superior cordless mower. Whether you have a small suburban yard or large property to maintain, one of these electric models is likely the best option for convenient, environmentally friendly lawn care.

Ryobi 40V vs Ego 56V Mowers: At a Glance

Before we dive into the details, here is a high-level overview comparing specs of the Ryobi 40V and Ego 56V battery-powered mowers:

As you can see, these two cordless mowers share many comparable features and specs. But there are also some key differences when it comes to power, battery performance and overall value.

Throughout this guide we’ll explore all those differences in detail to determine if the lower-priced Ego 56V beats out the more powerful Ryobi 40V.

Comparing Power: Is Voltage Everything?

One of the most important considerations when lawn mower shopping is making sure you have ample power to handle your yard. Push mowers with underpowered electric motors can struggle cutting thicker grass and weeds.

Both the Ryobi 40V and Ego 56V utilize efficient brushless motors. This type of motor offers better energy use, longer run times, quieter operation and increased longevity over traditional brushed electric motors.

However, the Ego 56V battery system provides noticeably more voltage and torque to tackle tougher mowing conditions. But while power and voltage may seem directly correlated, it is more complicated than that.

The 40V Ryobi battery platform is designed for tools and equipment intended for average homeowner use. It excels at delivering sufficient power for most suburban lawn and garden needs.

Ego’s 56V batteries and tools are built for users that need to handle extended runtimes and heavier workloads in a wider range of conditions. This comes from Ego‘s background developing commercial-grade electrical landscaping equipment.

So while the Ego 56V technically has 40% more nominal voltage, that doesn’t directly translate to 40% more power. Nonetheless, most users find the extra voltage boost provides a meaningful edge when mowing thick grass or mulching leaves.

The bottom line is that the Ryobi 40V delivers sufficient cutting power for most users with small to medium sized yards and average grass thickness. But buyers that need extra muscle to power through tall grass, sticks and leaves should consider stepping up to the more powerful Ego 56V.

Comparing Batteries: It’s All About Runtime

Cordless electric mowers are only as good as their batteries. Even the most powerful electric motor will leave you stranded mid-mow if the battery dies prematurely.

Both brands use modern lithium-ion batteries that deliver consistent power without any memory effect or self-discharge issues of older battery technologies.

However, there are noteworthy differences when it comes to battery performance and overall runtime:

Right out of the box, the Ryobi 40V bundles in (2) 6Ah batteries totaling about 70 minutes of mowing. That‘s 50% more runtime over the single 5Ah 56V battery Ego includes. However, the Ego battery has faster recharge time at just 60 minutes.

Both mowers do support using larger aftermarket batteries for even longer run times. But the Ryobi has a big advantage allowing quick hot swapping of two batteries to keep mowing indefinitely. The Ego forces you stop and physically remove/replace a dead battery before resuming.

So while the Ego 56V battery may enable extra power, the capacity and dual battery design of the Ryobi 40V ultimately allows longer runtimes. Just note that higher capacity batteries add substantial cost to either system.

Deck Size and Adjustability

When it comes to mowing performance, the size of the cutting deck and ability to adjust heights are also pivotal factors alongside power and battery life.

Fortunately, the Ryobi 40V and Ego 56V again share very comparable deck designs:

As you can see, both mowers feature wide 21” cutting decks making them ideal for yards up to a half acre. The durable composite and 3100RPM blade speeds also enable excellent cutting performance.

In terms of adjustability, the single lever height adjustment ranging from 1.25” to 4” is wonderfully convenient. While Ryobi technically offers one more notch of precision, both provide ample ability to adapt to seasonal grass growth and landscaping needs.

The bottom line is that for typical residential use, there is minimal difference between the quality and capabilities of the two decks. Either electric mower will deliver ample cutting width and customization.

Comparing Ease of Use

Electric push mowers need to be convenient and simple to use for the average homeowner. Thankfully, both Ryobi and Ego excel when it comes to user-friendly designs. Here‘s how they compare:

With push button electric start and intuitive controls, both mowers spring to life with ease. No priming, choking or pull cords required!

The self-propel transmission takes the effort out of pushing on all but the smallest yards. Adjustable speed control lets you find the optimal pace. And the ergonomic pivoting handles provide a comfortable grip regardless of your height or handedness.

When your mowing session wraps up, the folding handle design enables the mower to take up less storage space. This is supplemented by the built-in LED headlights that allow operating in low light conditions.

Finally, the electric blade brake brings the blade safely and swiftly to a halt as soon as the control bail mechanism is released. This adds an extra degree of safety over legacy gas mowers.

Overall, both electric mowers deliver on providing an easy, intuitive user experience ideal for most homeowners.

Additional Capabilities and Accessories

While cutting the grass may be the primary job for most users, having some extra capabilities can further add value. The good news is that both the Ryobi and Ego mowers can do more than just basic mulching.

The integrated 3-in-1 design allows switching between mulching, rear bagging or side discharge mowing setups in seconds without tools. LED headlights enable mowing at dusk or dawn when grass is cool and damp.

Both brands now also offer smartphone app connectivity and tracking features. This allows monitoring battery levels and usage or even tracking mowing routes via GPS.

When it comes to accessories, Ryobi offers a few more options like an extended capacity grass bag. But ego does provide a handy mower storage cover to protect from elements when not in use.

For the most part, casual homeowners will find the collection of features with either electric mower sufficient to handle basic lawn care needs.

How Much Do They Cost?

With most major features covered, price obviously plays a pivotal role in determining the better value electric mower. As of early 2023, here is how MSRP and typical selling prices compare:

There is no debate that the Ego 56V wins hands down when it comes to price and overall value. Despite offering a more powerful motor and battery system, the Ego manages to maintain a 25% lower MSRP over the Ryobi.

Factoring in typical discounted pricing, the gap in price widens even more substantially. And replacement batteries are also cheaper for Ego giving them better long term value.

Really the only reason to pay more for the Ryobi 40V is if you specifically need the extended mowing runtime from its dual battery design. Otherwise, Ego offers superior value without sacrificing much performance.

Comparing Warranties and Reliability

With any major purchase like a electric mower, an important factor to weigh is long term reliability and protection. Especially for lithium-ion batteries that can fail prematurely, the warranty coverage makes a big difference.

Here is how the Ryobi and Ego‘s consumer protection and durability compare:

The warranties provided are nearly identical at 3 years on batteries and 5 years on mower components. This level of coverage reflects the proven reliability and durability built into both mower systems.

Independent testing verifies that you can reasonably expect up to 10 years of usable life from either electric mower with proper maintenance and battery replacement. However, Ryobi does uniquely offer an extra lifetime warranty on their mowing deck – a testament to its resilient composite material strength.

But when it comes to long-term durability, there is minimal separation between the two brands for typical residential usage levels.

Recent Technology Improvements

While comparing core specs and pricing is crucial, it is also important to consider ongoing innovation with battery powered mowers.

Both Ryobi and Ego have continued advancing their 40V/56V mowers with useful new features and performance improvements:

Ryobi 40V Upgrades

• Intelligent load sensing for optimizing runtime
• “Smart Mowing” guidance system via GPS
• Ryobi Link app for usage insights and reminders

Ego 56V Enhancements

• “Power Boost” drive speed triggers for thick patches
• Rapid charger support more quickly restoring batteries
• Ego Nexus app with consumables tracking

So buyers can expect both electric riding mowers to continue getting more intelligent and capable through periodic over-the-air updates. This ensures your investment stays current and practical as lawn care and smart home technology evolves.

Bottom Line: Which Is the Better Electric Mower?

With all the key metrics covered from power and runtime to warranties and high-tech features, which battery mower claims victory in the Ryobi vs Ego battle?

For small yards or budget-focused buyers, the Ryobi 40V is the way to go. The dual battery design provides longer mowing duration and the price is lower once discounts are factored in. Casual users are unlikely to notice its slightly lower voltage and torque limitations.

However, those needing to power through thick grass over large properties will want the extra muscle of the Ego 56V. The additional voltage equates to meaningful power gains for tough mowing conditions. And Ego costs hundreds less making it the performance winner.

Either electric mower will serve most homeowners exceptionally well with their quiet, eco-friendly brushless motors and lithium-ion powered convenience. But understanding their comparative strengths and applicable scenarios allows better matching one to your needs and budget.