The best Ryobi brush cutters

How we picked

Ryobi’s appeal is really its battery ecosystem, so we’ve ranked these four cordless models on how well they match different needs within it: whether a metal blade is available for tougher growth, how much cutting width and control you get for the price, and how honestly each one is sold — including flagging where a battery and charger aren’t included. All four run on Ryobi platforms, so switching between them (or adding one to an existing Ryobi toolkit) doesn’t mean starting from scratch on batteries.

We also weighed how each model behaves once the novelty wears off: whether it’s light enough for regular use without arm or shoulder fatigue, whether the cutting width is realistic for the plot size it’s aimed at, and whether the sales listing is upfront about what’s actually in the box. A trimmer that looks cheap on the shelf but needs a £50 battery and charger added on top isn’t the bargain it first appears, so that’s factored into where each model sits on this list.

Our picks

The Ryobi RBC36X26B tops this list as the only model here built for more than grass: its 36V MAX Power platform pairs with a hardened-steel TriArc 3-tooth blade and a generous 4 Ah battery in the box, so it can take on light scrub and tough, tall growth that the 18V line trimmers simply aren’t designed for.

The Ryobi RLT1831H25F is the pick for anyone wanting a proper two-hand ONE+ trimmer: its second handle steadies the head through longer edging sessions, and its 25-30cm cutting width handles small to medium lawns well, provided you’re not expecting blade capability.

The Ryobi RLT183220S is the budget-conscious ONE+ option, trimming the same 25-30cm width for less outlay. It’s a sensible bare-tool buy for existing ONE+ owners who just want a cheap, capable trimmer without extra features they won’t use.

The Ryobi OLT1832 is the lightest and cheapest of the four, and it only really makes sense for buyers who already own ONE+ batteries and a charger — bought that way, it’s an easy, low-fuss way to keep edges and small lawns tidy.

Which should you choose?

Start with what you’re actually cutting. If your land has brambles, saplings or scrub mixed in with the grass, the RBC36X26B is the only one of these four built to handle it, and its included battery makes it an easy standalone purchase without hunting down a separate charger. If you’re purely tidying grass and edges and already own Ryobi ONE+ batteries, the choice comes down to budget and features: the RLT1831H25F’s second handle suits longer sessions and awkward angles, the RLT183220S balances price and capability for buyers who just want a dependable everyday trimmer, and the OLT1832 is the cheapest way in if you’re not fussy about extras and mainly need something light for quick edging.

Anyone starting from zero on ONE+ batteries should weigh that added cost carefully before choosing one of the three line trimmers over the all-in-one RBC36X26B. Once you’ve bought into the battery and charger once, though, adding a second or third ONE+ tool later becomes far cheaper, which is worth factoring in if you expect to expand your Ryobi toolkit over time.