Einhell vs Ryobi: which cordless brush cutter system to start with?
Starting a cordless garden kit from scratch? Here's how Einhell's Power X-Change and Ryobi's ONE+ and 36V systems compare once you add up what you actually need.
In short:For a first cordless brush cutter, Ryobi's RBC36X26B comes as a kit with a 26 cm 3-tooth blade, a bike handle, a 4.0 Ah 36V battery and charger, and Ryobi quotes up to 47 minutes of brush cutting. Einhell's Agillo 18/200 (one 18V battery, blade and harness), Agillo 36/255 and GP-BC 36/430 (two 18V batteries, 3-tooth blades) are sold bare on Power X-Change. Ryobi is simpler to start; Einhell keeps every tool on one 18V battery.
If you’re choosing your first cordless brush cutter — and with it a battery system — Einhell and Ryobi are two of the most common starting points. This page looks at what each costs and gives you from scratch; for the model-by-model view, see Ryobi vs Einhell.
Starting from zero
| Einhell | Ryobi | |
|---|---|---|
| Brush cutters | Agillo 18/200, Agillo 36/255, GP-BC 36/430 | RBC36X26B |
| Blade included | Yes, 3-tooth | Yes, 26 cm 3-tooth |
| Battery in the box | Usually not | Yes, 4.0 Ah + charger |
| Batteries needed | One or two 18V Power X-Change | One 36V MAX POWER |
| Shares batteries with | Every Einhell Power X-Change tool | Ryobi 36V tools (not 18V ONE+) |
The hidden cost: batteries
Ryobi’s kit price is the full price. Einhell’s bare tools look cheaper, but the twin-battery Agillo 36/255 and GP-BC 36/430 need two 18V packs plus a charger. The single-battery Agillo 18/200 is the cheapest way into Einhell, and it comes with a blade and harness.
The long-term view
Once you own Power X-Change batteries, every further Einhell tool — hedge trimmer, blower, drill — can be bought bare. Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ range is huge too, but its brush cutter sits on a separate 36V battery.
Which should you buy?
For one ready-to-go brush cutter, the Ryobi RBC36X26B kit. For a whole shed on one battery family, start with Einhell — and add petrol later if you need it, since Einhell also sells GC-BC petrol machines.
The models we review from each brand
Einhell— Affordable cordless (Power X-Change)
| Model | Type | Engine / power | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Einhell Agillo 36/255 BL | Cordless | 36V Power X-Change · Brushless | 8.2/10 |
| Einhell GP-BC 36/430 Li BL | Cordless | 36V Power X-Change · Brushless | 8.2/10 |
| Einhell GC-BC 52 I AS | Petrol | 51.7 cc · 2-stroke | 7.8/10 |
| Einhell GC-BC 36-4 S | Petrol | 37.7 cc · 4-stroke | 7.7/10 |
| Einhell Agillo 18/200 | Cordless | 18V Power X-Change | 7.5/10 |
| Einhell GC-BC 25/1 I AS | Petrol | 25.4 cc · 2-stroke | 7.4/10 |
| Einhell GE-CT 18 Li | Cordless | 18V Power X-Change | 7.2/10 |
Ryobi— Value cordless (ONE+ 18V / 36V MAX)
| Model | Type | Engine / power | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi RBC36X26B | Cordless | 36V MAX Power | 8.1/10 |
| Ryobi RLT1831H25F | Cordless | 18V ONE+ | 7.5/10 |
| Ryobi OLT1832 | Cordless | 18V ONE+ | 7.3/10 |
| Ryobi RLT183220S | Cordless | 18V ONE+ | 7.3/10 |
Ratings are judged against each machine's class and price; see how we review.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to start from scratch?
Compare like with like: Ryobi's RBC36X26B price includes a 4.0 Ah battery and charger, while Einhell's brush cutters are usually bare, so add the cost of one or two 18V Power X-Change batteries and a charger.
Which battery system is simpler?
Einhell's: all Power X-Change tools use the same 18V batteries, and its bigger brush cutters take two. Ryobi's brush cutter uses a 36V MAX POWER battery that doesn't fit its 18V ONE+ tools.
Do both include a blade?
Yes. Ryobi's RBC36X26B and Einhell's Agillo 18/200, Agillo 36/255 and GP-BC 36/430 all come with a 3-tooth blade.