Research-led review · Updated May 2026
Ryobi RY18LMX40A Review
By The Best Mowers UK · Research-led assessment from specs and verified owner reviews
Specs
| Cutting width | 40 cm |
|---|---|
| Battery | 18V ONE+ (5.0 Ah included) |
| Runtime | 30-40 minutes (5.0 Ah) |
| Charge time | 90 minutes (standard charger) |
| Weight | 16.8 kg (with battery) |
| Cut heights | 7 positions, 20-75 mm |
| Grass box | 45 litres |
| Mulching | Yes (plug included) |
| Self-propelled | No |
| Ecosystem | 250+ ONE+ tools compatible |
What owners praise
- ONE+ battery ecosystem - 250+ tools, one battery. The mower becomes essentially free if you already own Ryobi garden tools and have spare batteries.
- 40 cm deck - wider than most cordless rivals at this price. Fewer passes, quicker mowing, better suited to medium lawns.
- Mulching included - plug in the box, no extra cost. Works well on dry grass at regular intervals.
- £269 with battery and charger - body-only (if you have batteries) is even cheaper. Genuine value at any price point.
The drawbacks
- 18V struggles on thick grass - the single biggest drawback. On damp, overgrown grass the motor audibly labours compared to 36V Bosch or 56V EGO. Fine on maintained lawns; frustrating on neglected ones.
- Heavier than it looks - 16.8 kg for an 18V mower is chunky. Lighter cordless rivals feel more agile.
- No rear roller - flat-wheel arrangement gives mild directional marks, not stripes. If you want lines, look at the Mountfield Princess range.
- Build quality is adequate, not premium - handles flex slightly, plastics are thinner than Bosch. Functional but you can feel the cost engineering.
How it compares
The Bosch UniversalRotak 36-550 at £329 has more cutting power (36V) and a bigger grass box (50L) - choose it for thicker grass or larger lawns. The Gtech CLM 2.0 at £249 is lighter with a roomy 50L box but has a proprietary battery and no defined stripes (rear comb, not roller). For pure ecosystem value, Ryobi wins.
Who should buy it
Anyone who already owns Ryobi ONE+ batteries - you're getting a mower body at a fraction of the total cost. Medium-lawn owners (200-350 m²) who want a sensible, capable cordless mower without overspending. Buyers who plan to build a complete garden toolkit on one battery platform.
Don't buy it if your grass is regularly thick or damp (18V won't cope - go 36V or 56V), if your lawn is over 400 m² (runtime isn't enough), or if you're already invested in Bosch Power for All batteries (stick with Bosch).
What owners actually say
Recurring feedback drawn from real owner reviews and forums. Attributed to source, not our own testing.
Owners praise how light it is and the value of the ONE+ ecosystem, but the single complaint dominates every review: battery life. A second pack quickly goes from nice-to-have to essential.
- LIKED
"Ultra-light, easy to store, and the mulching function works well for a small lawn." DIY Garden
- LIKED
"Slots into the 18 V ONE+ system, so the battery runs your other Ryobi tools too." The Review Guy
- GRIPE
"A genuine 5.0 Ah pack gives roughly 15 to 20 minutes, best kept to lawns under about 150 m²." The Gadgeteer
- GRIPE
"A spare battery stops being a luxury and becomes a necessity for anything but a small garden." DIY Garden
Sources: DIY Garden, The Gadgeteer, The Review Guy. Owner opinions are summarised and attributed; they reflect their authors, not The Best Mowers.