Ryobi 40V 16-inch Carbon Fiber String Trimmer - Pro Tool Reviews

Oct 19, 2024

For quite some time, many considered Ryobi a straight-up consumer-grade brand. And, while that perception was accurate, the brand, “it is a-changin’,” to invoke Bob Dylan; at least, in certain respects. Lately, I think the company has proven innovative in its approach to product development, and its equipment’s performance and design features have increased accordingly. Take, for example, the new Ryobi 40V carbon fiber string trimmer (RY40HPST01K). Indeed, the shaft material, alone, makes this tool worth a second look.

So, without further ado, let’s jump into what this model has to offer the discerning yard warrior.

Beginning with the power plant, Ryobi equipped this unit with a brushless motor and a 40V (4.0Ah) lithium-ion battery. Together, this duo delivers power equivalent to a 27cc engine. That’s not too shabby considering that professional trimmer engines come in at around 35cc’s. As such, I’m comfortable putting this facet of the RY40HPST01K within the Prosumer range.

With this relatively high power, Ryobi tells us that its string trimmer will also give you about 45 minutes per charge. Therefore, you shouldn’t encounter much downtime, even with a significant amount of ground to cover.

And that brings us to the Ryobi 40V trimmer’s carbon fiber shaft. How can it help enhance your work outings?

Carbon fiber is an excellent material for any tool with a shaft–whether it’s a pole saw, an edger, or, in this case, a string trimmer. For one, they’re durable. Furthermore, they’re lightweight. Such attributes boost several critical factors, including performance, operator comfort, and the tool’s lifespan.

In addition to the carbon fiber shaft, Ryobi gave this 40V string trimmer mean cutting performance. Using .095 line, you have the option of working with 14- to 16-inch widths. In my estimate, that will tackle maintenance trimming and edging, as well as light brush.

Perhaps the most significant design element is the RY40HPST01K’s expandability. Specifically, Ryobi is taking the cross-compatibility craze to another level with its EXPAND-IT attachment system. That means you can use the trimmer’s body with any of the platform’s universal attachments.

I’ve already had my hands on one of these units, and I liked it. Indeed, each piece of gear in this Ryobi series is essentially a hybrid of a Swiss Army Knife–you can transform the 40V carbon fiber trimmer into a tool for just about any OPE task.

In addition to its versatility, I think Ryobi has demonstrated its design prowess with the carbon fiber trimmer’s REEL EASY+ 3-in-1 bump-feed head, which yields a purported 60-second reload time. If accurate, that’s true convenience.

Be sure to check out our Best String Trimmer Reviews list!

Finally, the price is right (now we’re invoking the late, great Bob Barker). The Ryobi 40V carbon fiber string trimmer retails for $199 and comes with a 4.0Ah battery and charger.