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RYOBI One+ RY18LMX37A-150 Cordless Lawnmower Review

·By SmartTonte
Review
RYOBI One+ RY18LMX37A-150 Cordless Lawnmower Review

Introduction

In the battery-powered lawnmower market, proprietary systems are often a headache, requiring the purchase of specific energy packs. With the RYOBI One+ RY18LMX37A-150, Ryobi is betting on the opposite logic: integrating its mower into its vast ONE+ ecosystem. This 18V push mower is clearly aimed at the owner of a modest-sized garden, already equipped or considering equipping themselves with other tools from the brand. But beyond this commercial argument, what about its real performance on the grass? We analyze this machine from the perspective of the demanding gardener, dissecting its specifications, field feedback, and its position against the competition.

Strengths

  • Integration into the ONE+ ecosystem: The major selling point. Using the same 18V batteries for the mower, drill, saw, hedge trimmer, or vacuum cleaner is a decisive advantage for versatility and cost reduction.
  • Brushless motor: This technology, on paper, promises increased longevity, improved energy efficiency, and more consistent torque, especially in dense grass.
  • Cutting versatility (2-in-1): The inclusion of a shutter allows easy switching between collection in a 45L bag and mulching, a technique that finely shreds grass to nourish the lawn.
  • Maneuverability and ergonomics: The centralized cutting height adjustment, adjustable handle, and contained weight (approximately 16.4 kg) make it a machine that is a priori easy to handle and maneuver.

Weaknesses

  • Double-edged autonomy: The announced autonomy (approximately 420 m²) is heavily dependent on the capacity of the battery used and the condition of the lawn. For a 400 m² garden, a single 5.0Ah battery may be just enough, or even insufficient if the grass is tall or wet.
  • Plastics perceived as fragile: Several user reviews point out an impression of fragility on some plastic components (bag, housing). Long-term robustness can be a question.
  • Limited collection capacity: The semi-rigid 45L bag, although practical to empty, fills up quickly during the first mow of the season or if you choose to collect systematically.
  • Adaptation to large areas: Its 37 cm cutting width and push system make it a tool designed for gardens up to 500 m². For larger areas, mowing becomes tedious.

Detailed Analysis

For what type of garden and user?

The technical specifications are clear: this mower is ideal for a garden of 300 to 500 m². It perfectly suits the owner of a townhouse or subdivision home with a well-defined lawn. Its maneuverability is an asset for areas with complex contours, trees, or flower beds. On the other hand, for a plot of 1000 m² or more, even with additional batteries, the user experience risks being laborious. The target audience is also the user already invested in the ONE+ platform or one who plans to build a coherent and economical cordless tool kit.

Cutting Performance and 2-in-1 System

The 2-in-1 cutting system (collection/mulching) is well thought out and simple to use. Switching from one mode to another is done by inserting or removing a shutter. According to feedback, the cutting quality is generally considered good for regular use. The mulching is effective if you respect the golden rule: do not cut more than one-third of the grass height at a time. However, when faced with very tall and dense grass, such as during the first cut after a vacation, testers point out that the machine can show its limits in terms of torque and will fill its bag extremely quickly. The centralized height adjustment (6 positions from 20 to 70 mm) is a real plus, allowing quick adaptation of the cutting height according to the season without having to manipulate each wheel.

Autonomy and Battery Management

This is the point that generates the most mixed comments. The theoretical autonomy of 420 m² with a 5.0Ah battery is a figure obtained under optimal conditions (fine and dry grass). In reality, it varies considerably. The presence of a compartment for a second battery is therefore a crucial feature. It allows for extended autonomy or, more intelligently, to immediately switch to a fresh battery when the first one is depleted, without interruption for recharging. That said, the 150-minute charging time (2h30) for a 5.0Ah with the standard charger implies some planning. For a garden at the upper limit of the range, owning two 5.0Ah batteries becomes almost essential.

Comfort of Use and Design

The specifications highlight comfort: GripZone handle, adjustable handlebar, and foldable storage system. According to users, the mower is indeed light and very maneuverable, a pleasant change after a heavier corded or gas mower. The sound level of 78.5 dB(A) places it in the category of relatively quiet mowers, a boon for early weekend mowing without disturbing the neighborhood. The semi-rigid bag is appreciated for its ease of emptying thanks to its two handles. However, the community notes that some plastic assemblies sometimes lack finishing, giving an impression of solidity behind that of high-end competitors.

Technical Specifications

CharacteristicDetail
Power System18V ONE+ Battery (ecosystem)
MotorBrushless
Cutting Width37 cm
Cutting SystemsMulching and collection (2-in-1)
Cutting Height6 positions, from 20 to 70 mm (centralized adjustment)
Collection Bag Capacity45 liters (semi-rigid)
Estimated AutonomyUp to ~420 m² (with 5.0Ah battery, optimal conditions)
Charging TimeApproximately 150 min (with standard 2.0A charger)
Sound Level78.5 dB(A) (Lwa)
WeightApproximately 16.4 kg (without battery)
Warranty2-year legal + 1-year additional upon registration
Recommended Garden Area300 to 500 m²

What Users Say

The synthesis of over 3600 customer reviews and expert feedback paints a nuanced but overall positive consensus.

Praise focuses mainly on:

  • The freedom offered by cordless operation, often described as "revolutionary" by former users of corded mowers.
  • The lightness and maneuverability of the machine, which makes mowing less physical.
  • The compatibility with the ONE+ ecosystem, seen as a major economic and practical benefit.
  • The satisfactory cutting quality for regular maintenance and the good functioning of the mulching mode.

Recurrent criticisms concern:

  • Autonomy sometimes disappointing compared to claims, especially in slightly tall grass. Several testimonies indicate a real autonomy well below 30 minutes for moderate areas.
  • An impression of fragility on certain plastic parts (the bag, the guards).
  • The very fast filling of the collection bag, requiring frequent stops to empty it during catch-up mowing.
  • For a few users, the need to start the blade "idling" (by slightly lifting the front) to obtain optimal rotation speed.

Overall, the average rating of 4.2/5 reflects this assessment well: a product highly appreciated for its concept and suitability for a specific use, but with technical limitations (autonomy, perceived robustness) that one must be aware of before purchasing.

Conclusion

The RYOBI One+ RY18LMX37A-150 is not a universal mower. It is, however, an extremely relevant and strategic choice for a well-defined profile: the gardener with an urban or medium-sized garden (up to 500 m²) who is, or aspires to be, a user of Ryobi's ONE+ platform. Its brushless motor, mulching/collection versatility, and excellent maneuverability are its performance assets.

Its weaknesses, mainly highly variable autonomy and perceived average robustness, must be anticipated. The purchase of a second high-capacity battery (5.0Ah or more) is highly recommended, even essential, to comfortably cover the announced maximum area. If you are outside the ONE+ ecosystem and do not plan to enter it, it may be interesting to compare with dedicated mowers, often offered with higher voltage batteries (36V, 40V) potentially offering more native power and autonomy. But for the Ryobi user, this mower remains a coherent and effective cornerstone in a comprehensive garden tooling strategy.

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