Ryobi R18XLMW50

Super For The Money – A long story very short I ended up with this. Is it worth the extra $50 over the normal brushed version? Well, it depends (owned the brushed one for 3+ years). On a slope and flicking these lightweight things around this one looks way less likely to need gaffer tap to hold the arms in after say two years, assuming at least once-a-fortnight… Read more

usage. I think the battery lasts a tad longer but hardly night and day between this brushLESS version and the $50 cheaper brushed motor one.

The arms are more robust in this brushLESS version. Also, the height adjustment is easier and the metal reinforcing around that is more assuring, but the older one did the job.

Why I Rated 5 Stars for Value

In the end, the Bunnings (Ryobi partnership) warranty is gold brick. 4 years with a receipt and an extra 2 years if you bother to register online. Bunnings are really on your side in my experience - A GREAT warranty guaranteeing me 6 years.

How Does It Cut

The answer is very well. For my mostly buffalo grass-type conditions it goes low enough and I find its cutting height range is plenty overall.

Is It More Powerful than the Cheaper Brushed Motor Version

The simple answer is yes it is.

I went to push the grass to the back of the catchment box after a short time cutting. The brushed motor version never really could do that, even with dry grass. This one made that exercise way less necessary, even with damp grass, from a lawn crying out for a good trim (2 weeks of growth with some rain to help it along situation).

Both will get the job done, but I think I genuinely get through particular damper areas a bit quicker overall, with the brushLESS motor version ($50 more).

Coverage Area For This Tool

I have (VERY roughly) 4 areas that average out at about 5 metres x 4 metres per area, which I use this mower for. If it's been a dry two weeks then x1 5AH battery will easily do all of it. Any more demand than that you are quickly chewing into 7+ AH for a one-hit job.

Overall

With a couple of narrower nooks and crannies the 33cm mower suits me. I have never felt I needed bigger in any meaningful way for the rest of what I have to do in the area(s) I mentioned.