Tame Your Landscaping More Confidently With Ryobi’s Newest 40V Attachment-Capable String Trimmer
Ryobi is no stranger to the world of attachment-capable power heads, with early models on the One+ line appearing in the early 2000s. That tradition continues, and today, I’m taking a closer look at the newest Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Attachment Capable String Trimmer (RY40HPST02), a member of the Whisper Series that promises big power with minimal noise.
Ryobi Attachment Capable String Trimmer Performance
- Gas Equivalent: 32cc
- Max Line Diameter: 0.095 in.
- Line Capacity: 16 ft.
- Cutting Swath: 15-17 in.
- Runtime: Up to 45 min.
Power House
Since this is an attachment-capable string trimmer, the main focus is really on the power head. This trimmer is powered by a brushless motor that churns out 32cc gas equivalent power, landing it squarely in the Prosumer range.
This is a step up from Ryobi’s previous model, the 16-inch RY40HPST01, which clocked in at 27cc.
If those numbers don’t mean much to you, no worries, we’re here to help. 25cc power is a good level for grass trimming. That’s not just for homeowners, either. One of our favorite Pro-grade string trimmers of all time had 25cc equivalent power.
It can be a stretch for that power level to effectively handle tougher tools, such as cultivators and brush cutters, though. Stepping up to the 32cc power level is a much better choice if you want to use those kinds of attachments. An extra 7cc might not seem like that big of a deal, but it makes a huge difference in how confidently you can run more demanding attachments.
With this much power, overgrown weeds don’t stand a chance with the string trimmer head. By adding other attachments, you get a multi-purpose landscaping tool that doesn’t feel underpowered.
This model is also equipped with two speed modes, so you can easily prioritize between max power or longer runtime based on your needs.
Runtime
Ryobi tells us to expect up to 45 minutes of continuous runtime when using a 4.0Ah battery. That’s a low-speed estimate, and I wanted to find out what it does at high speed, where I do most of my trimming. To do this, I set the power head to high and ran this trimmer under no-load with the stock 0.095-inch line with the line cutter set to max diameter until the battery was depleted.
All in, it ran for just over 20 minutes, which is right in line with what I expected given the power level. While I’m not disappointed by this number at all, there are a few alterations you can make that can help yield a longer runtime if you need it.
First, and most simply, setting the power head speed to low will obviously give you a little more trigger time. If your trimming only includes small weeds and grasses, this shouldn’t present any issues and will extend your battery life.
Second, line diameter matters, and it only stands to reason that a larger line diameter will naturally cause more drag, meaning the trimmer has to work harder.
This trimmer’s Reel-Easy head is designed to hold up to 16 feet of 0.095-inch line, which is a very common line diameter for both residential and Professional use. However, you can always dial it back to a thinner 0.080-inch line if your trimming needs aren’t very heavy. This will lighten the load and help extend your runtime.
Lastly, you can always opt for a larger battery. Personally, I think the kitted 4.0Ah battery is the right choice because it balances the trimmer and offers an excellent power-to-weight ratio. A larger battery puts more weight towards the back of the trimmer, ultimately putting more strain on your arms. For that reason, I’d stick with the kitted battery.
Vibration Level
Managing vibration is a big deal when it comes to string trimmers. Excessive vibration ultimately fatigues your hands and arms, making the whole trimming experience more uncomfortable.
In this case, I think Ryobi did a decent job, but I believe it pales in comparison to the carbon fiber model. One contributing factor is that we’re not dealing with a solid drive shaft that runs the length of the trimmer. Since this is an attachment-capable model, it features two separate drive shafts that meet in the middle, and it’s more difficult to absorb vibrations.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’ll still take this over the 2-stroke gas-powered trimmers of yesteryear, and it’s a big improvement over Ryobi’s original battery-powered Expand-It system efforts. However, the RY40HPST02 is more mid-pack when you consider the entire battery-powered trimmer landscape.
Noise Level
As a member of Ryobi’s Whisper Series, lower noise levels are a major selling point, and Ryobi claims that this trimmer is up to 86% quieter than comparable gas models.
During our testing, I clocked this trimmer at 93 dBA when measuring with our SPL meter from my ear. This is incredibly quiet, especially when you consider that the average 32cc 2-stroke string trimmer produces between 95-100 (or more) dBA depending on the model.
From a practical standpoint, based on our data, the Ryobi RY40HPST02 is about 35-40% quieter than a gas-powered alternative when measured from my ear.
Keep in mind that Ryobi’s numbers are based on ANSI standards, which measure from a greater distance, typically 50 feet, and often yield different results than ours. We prefer to measure at our ears, because that’s what you’re going to experience as a user.
Ryobi Attachment Capable String Trimmer Design Notes
- Model: Ryobi RY40HPST02
- Power Source: Ryobi 40V battery
- Weight: 9.25 lbs (bare tool), 12.2 lbs (with 4.0Ah battery)
- Length: 68 in.
- Drive Type: Universal square drive
Size and Weight
The Ryobi RY40HPST02 weighs in at 9.25 pounds as a bare tool and 12.2 pounds with the kitted 4.0Ah battery. All in, this trimmer measures 68 inches from tip to tail, which is notably shorter than the average trimmer length of 73 inches from our last String Trimmer Head-to-Head review.
This shorter length can be an issue if you’re on the taller side as it creates an steeper trimming angle rather than keeping the trimmer head parallel to the ground. I stand about 6 feet tall and I found that I needed to drop my hands a little lower than normal in order to maintain a consistent trimming height.
This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re on the taller side.
Attachment Compatibility
Even though the branding on this model highlights the Whisper Series, the power head is compatible with the entire Expand-It lineup.
Like previous models, this trimmer sports a square drive shaft and is entirely compatible with the entire line of Expand-It implements. It’s worth noting that this drive type is sometimes referred to as a universal drive, so your other universal attachments are compatible too.
This is really cool for a couple of reasons. First, this wide range of compatibility essentially makes Ryobi’s power head an OPE Swiss Army Knife. Second, there are space and cost savings to consider. Rather than buying and storing a full-sized string trimmer, edger, hedge trimmer, blower, and pole saw, Ryobi’s takes up a fraction of the space, plus it’s fully compatible with the Ryobi Link modular storage system.
Adjustable Cutting Swath
More often than not, you’re able to adjust the cutting swath on your string trimmer. This typically takes about two inches off the total diameter and usually requires a screw driver at the bare minimum. However, Ryobi took a different approach…and it’s kinda cool.
Rather than reversing the line cutter to shorten the swath, Ryobi utilized a simple, tool-free slide system so you can take the total diameter from 17 inches to 15 inches in a matter of seconds. This is much faster and easier than traditional setups and allows you to make changes on the fly without needing to head back to the garage.
Ryobi Attachment Capable String Trimmer Price
The Ryobi 40V RY40HPST02 retails for $189 as a bare tool and $249 as a kit that includes a 4.0Ah battery and charger. This is a really attractive option if you’re looking for a high-performance trimmer, especially when you consider that Ryobi’s 17-inch Carbon Fiber String Trimmer kit retails for $329.
Ryobi backs this string trimmer is backed by a 5-year limited warranty.
Should You Buy It?
After spending some time with the Ryobi RY40HPST02, it’s clear that this trimmer was designed with versatility and convenience in mind. It opens the door to a wide range of lawn care tasks and has enough muscle to tackle thick weeds and more demanding attachments. Pair that with relatively quiet operation from its Whisper Series roots and an approachable design, and you’ve got a tool that’s both practical and adaptable.
While there are some minor areas for improvement, the overall package delivers solid performance for homeowners. If you’re looking for a powerful, quiet, multi-purpose tool that can handle trimming and other landscaping tasks, the RY40HPST02 is definitely worth a look.
It’s not for everyone, though. If you’re not interested in using attachments, grab one of Ryobi’s dedicated string trimmers instead. If you only need to trim and edge, Ryobi’s new 18V One+ HP Brushless PBLST01 might be a better fit as well.
