Tool Box Buzz

RYOBI 40V 21″ Cross-Cut Self Propelled Mower Review – Model RY401210

RYOBI 40V HP 21" CROSS-CUT SELF-PROPELLED MOWER

4.5/5

Manufacturer: RYOBI
Model number: RY401210
Price: $799.00
Power source: 40V
Weight: 74Lbs

Back in June, the crew of Tool Box Buzz put 16 cordless mowers up against each other in an impressive Head to Head test. The RYOBI RY401210 mower shined from this head to head. Finishing in the top three of almost every category, it also took Best in class for Features and Ergonomics. Let’s take a closer look at the RYOBI RY401210 40V 21″ Cross-Cut Self-Propelled Mower.

RYOBI 40V Cross-Cut Self-Propelled Mower | Specifications

• Voltage – 40V
• Deck Size: 21″
• Max Cutting Height: 4″
• Min Cutting Height: 1.5″
• Number of Blades: 2
• Weight: 74LBS

RYOBI Excellence in Ergonomics

This is where the RYOBI RY401210 shines! Our testing ergonomics included the adjustability of the handle, the effort of maneuverability, human factor in the ease of foldability and storage, deck adjustment, ergonomics, and propulsion/control ergonomics.

The 40V HP brushless whisper series 21′′ all-wheel-drive mower from RYOBI features a very simple push-button start and an onboard lever to select between bagging or mulching. The height may be swiftly changed from 1″ to 4″ using the 7-position single-point height adjustment. We found the handle to be really comfortable, with no pinch points or hot spots. The adjustable self-propelled paddle lever is a fantastic feature that lets the user select their preferred setting. Without taking your hand off the handle, the variable speed control is perfectly situated to be adjusted while you’re using the mower.

RYOBI 40V Cross-Cut Self-Propelled Mower | Storage

Garages get cluttered over the course tot the warmer months with all sorts of outdoor equipment, bikes, and beach chairs!  Foldability and storage are crucial during these months.  The best thing is, that cordless mowers CAN be stored upright without the worry of spilling gas or filling the engine cylinder with oil.

The Ryobi mower has a single pull lever to open to fold the handle. Once folded it is very compact and easily stands vertically. The Ryobi had one rear carrying handle the no telescoping features.

Mower | Runtime

This RYOBI mower has some serious run time. What everyone wants to know is how much grass a cordless mower can cut on a battery charge. The length of time it takes to mow a lawn will vary substantially depending on the type, height, and thickness of the grass. A great feature the RYOBI mower has is onboard battery storage so you can swap out batteries and continue without having to stop.  Having an external fuel gauge will allow you to monitor the battery life and know when it’s time to switch the key over to the battery backup.

This mower cut 3,229 feet on a single battery. When you multiply that by 2 with the onboard battery you come out to 6,458 total feet mowed. That is over a mile of cutting distance. Pretty impressive for a mower with no gas.

Closing Thoughts

Owners of cordless mowers need not worry despite the current spike in gas costs, which range from $4.50 to $5.00. With today’s technology in cordless mowers, you get all the advantages of a gas-powered mower. We no longer have to be concerned about the odor, noise, or maintenance that comes with gas-powered lawnmowers. RYOBI has persisted in creating premium outdoor power equipment at incredibly low costs. You won’t be dissatisfied with this mower’s performance.

2 Comments

1. J P Mears

   September 6, 2022 at 12:54 pm

   I would have appreciated a picture of the blades, as this is a major feature of this particular mower. Thanks for the review.

   Reply
2. Pat Patterson

   November 20, 2023 at 9:34 pm

   I have the same mower and thought the ability to switch from mulch to bag with the lever would be easy. Unfortunately, the tracks that the door slides in get full of dirt and grass and stops working. I have to turn the mower on its side and spend 10-15 minutes cleaning the debris out those tracks after every use. I don’t know if other people have the same problem, but it has me considering returning it. I also have the previous model of this mower that uses a plug I have to insert to block the opening for mulching, and remove the plug for bagging. This works much better and doesn’t require cleaning to work.
   The dual blades on the older mower have standard blades. The dual blades on this mower have one normal blade and the second blade has a serrated, or saw tooth edge at the end of the blade. I also had a problem with the blades on the original mower hitting the side of the deck, a common complaint. This newer mower has eliminated this problem, apparently by making the blades just a little shorter. The shorter blades don’t seem to affect the cutting at all, and I don’t see any reason why the newer blades couldn’t be used on the older mower, but I’ll check with Ryobi first.

   Reply

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