Ryobi gives consumers 18 volts of 2-in-1 power
Within the last few years, many OPE manufacturers have made convenience and versatility their primary goals. This is particularly the case in the consumer market. After all, most people don’t want a garage or shed overloaded with tools. Moreover, I’d wager that the lion’s share of those who’ve adopted cordless gear don’t want to buy a slew of batteries and chargers from different brands. Ryobi is among the companies pushing for cross-platform convenience and 2-in-1 versatility, and their 18V trimmer and edger (P20018BTL) is a good example.
Of course, the question remains whether this unit is the one for you. To help you decide, here’s a look at its performance and design features.
Ryobi 18V Trimmer and Edger Performance and Design
At the heart of this combo model is a brushed motor (I’d strongly prefer to see a brushless motor ) and an 18V (4.0Ah) ONE+ battery. At least, this is the pack that Ryobi recommends for extended runtimes. Furthermore, as a member of the ONE+ system, this battery will work with any of the fleet’s 300 tools. Hence, the cross-platform convenience I mentioned above.
When it comes to performance, I like that Ryobi gives you options with this trimmer and edger. Specifically, the P20018BTL allows you to switch between 11- and 13-inch cutting swaths.
Specs
- Model: Ryobi P20018BTL
- Battery: 18V (4.0Ah) (Not included)
- Brushed motor
- Cutting swath: 11 or 13 in
- Weight: 6 lbs
And, speaking of cutting, there’s the matter of what the Ryobi trimmer and edger can do in terms of managing line. Now, I, for one, hate messing around with trimmer line, and I’m putting this mildly. Trimming itself is great–I love making the finishing touches–but loading and advancing line … no.
That said, I appreciate that the P20018BTL comes equipped with an auto-feed head that reloads string and advances line simply by pulling the trigger.
As the name implies, this trimmer can double as an edger. Simply pivot the head and let it rip. I also like the guide wheel mounted to the cutting head’s shield. This will help keep things steady for straighter cuts.
And, lastly, the variable speed trigger gives you greater control over the tool in those spots where precision is a must (around garden beds, etc.)
Want more options? Check out our Best String Trimmer Reviews list!
Ryobi Trimmer and Edger Price
At $99, the price is reasonable considering what the P20018BTL can do. However, the one minor drawback (unless you already have the ONE+ system in your garage or shed) is that it doesn’t include the battery and charger. But, again, this isn’t a huge deal thanks to the platform’s cross-compatibility.
