EGO 56V vs Ryobi 40V Yard Tools: We Compared Both Platforms
Two cordless yard-tool ecosystems dominate the homeowner market — here’s how EGO’s 56V Power+ line and Ryobi’s 40V/18V ONE+ lineup actually compare on power, runtime, and total cost once you’re buying more than one tool.
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If you’ve searched for a head-to-head between these two platforms, you’ve probably landed on a lawn-care forum thread instead of a real comparison. That’s because most of the web’s “best cordless yard tools” content is written by people who’ve only used one brand. We’re comparing them the way an actual multi-tool buyer would: battery platform first, then tool-by-tool, then total cost of ownership.
The Core Difference: One Battery Platform vs. Two
EGO runs a single 56V ARC Lithium platform across its entire lineup — every EGO tool from string trimmers to snow blowers takes the same battery family, just in different capacities (2.5Ah, 4.0Ah, 7.5Ah, and up). Ryobi splits its outdoor lineup across two platforms: 40V for higher-demand tools like mowers and larger trimmers, and the enormous 18V ONE+ ecosystem (300+ tools, including drills, saws, and shop tools) for lighter-duty yard gear and everything else in the garage. That split is Ryobi’s biggest advantage and its biggest point of confusion — a 40V battery won’t run an 18V tool.
| Category | EGO Power+ (56V) | Ryobi (40V / 18V ONE+) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery platform | Single 56V platform across the whole lineup | Two platforms: 40V for mowers/larger tools, 18V ONE+ for everything else |
| Tool ecosystem size | Smaller, outdoor-power-focused lineup | Massive — 300+ tools share the 18V ONE+ battery, including shop and indoor tools |
| Typical string trimmer power | Consistently rated at or near gas-equivalent cutting power | 40V trimmers are strong; 18V trimmers are noticeably lighter-duty |
| Price position | Premium — tools and batteries cost more per watt-hour | Budget-friendly, especially if you already own 18V ONE+ tools |
| Battery interchangeability | High — nearly every EGO tool takes the same batteries | Split — 40V and 18V batteries are not interchangeable with each other |
| Best for | Buyers building an all-electric yard-tool set from scratch | Buyers who already own Ryobi 18V tools, or want the cheapest entry point |
String Trimmers
This is the single most-searched comparison between these two brands, and it’s also where the gap is most consistent: EGO’s 56V trimmers are built to feel closer to a gas trimmer, with a straight-shaft option and carbide-tipped line for tackling thicker growth. Ryobi’s 40V trimmers are genuinely capable for regular lawn edges and light brush, but most owner reports agree the 18V ONE+ trimmer is a light-duty tool best reserved for small, well-maintained yards rather than overgrown edges.
Pros
- Stronger cut-through on thick or overgrown grass
- Consistent power across the full runtime of the battery
- Wide range of attachments share the same power head
Cons
- Trimmer heads and batteries cost noticeably more
- Smaller total tool catalog if you need something EGO doesn't make
Check EGO Power+ 56V String Trimmer on Amazon → Check Ryobi 40V String Trimmer on Amazon →
Blowers
Both brands make genuinely strong cordless blowers at the 56V/40V level — this is one category where the gap narrows considerably. EGO’s backpack and handheld blowers are consistently rated among the strongest cordless options on the market, but Ryobi’s 40V jet-fan blowers deliver comparable air volume for backyard leaf and debris clearing at a meaningfully lower price. If leaf cleanup is your main use case, this is where Ryobi closes the value gap the most.
Runtime & Charging
Runtime comes down to battery capacity more than brand — both platforms offer small, medium, and large battery options, and EGO’s rapid chargers are genuinely fast (many batteries reach a usable charge in well under an hour). The practical difference for most homeowners: because EGO batteries are interchangeable across the whole lineup, one larger battery can cover a trimmer, blower, and hedge trimmer in a single session without swapping packs. On Ryobi’s split platform, you’ll want at least one 40V battery and one or two 18V batteries to get the same flexibility.
Total Cost of Ownership
Bare tools (no battery) are usually the fairest way to compare price, since most buyers end up owning multiple tools on one platform and don’t want to pay for a battery every time. By that measure, Ryobi is consistently the more affordable entry point, especially if you already own any 18V ONE+ tools from a home-improvement project — you may already have batteries and a charger sitting in the garage. EGO’s premium shows up most clearly once you start adding a third or fourth tool, since every battery costs more.
Which Platform Should You Buy?
Pros
- Choose EGO if: you want the strongest available cordless performance and plan to build a full outdoor-only kit
- Choose EGO if: you're replacing gas equipment and want the closest thing to gas-equivalent power
Cons
- Choose Ryobi if: you already own 18V ONE+ tools and want to reuse batteries
- Choose Ryobi if: budget matters more than peak performance and your yard is small to medium
FAQ
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