Husqvarna vs Ryobi brush cutters: petrol or ONE+ cordless?
Husqvarna's homeowner machines are light petrol two-strokes sold through dealers. Ryobi sells cordless trimmers on ONE+ batteries and a 36V brush cutter kit.
In short:Husqvarna's petrol models we cover are the 122C trimmer (21.7 cc, 4.4 kg), the 128R (28 cc, 0.7 kW, 5.8 kg) and the 129R (27.6 cc, 0.85 kW, 5.4 kg), the last two with a grass blade and double harness. Ryobi's are cordless: 18V ONE+ trimmers such as the OLT1832 (bare, 25–30 cm) and RLT183220S kit, and the 36V MAX POWER RBC36X26B with a bike handle, 26 cm 3-tooth blade and 4.0 Ah battery; Ryobi quotes up to 47 minutes of brush cutting.
Husqvarna and Ryobi reach different buyers. Among the models we cover, Husqvarna’s are light petrol two-strokes sold through dealers; Ryobi’s are cordless, on the 18V ONE+ and 36V MAX POWER batteries.
Models we cover
| Husqvarna | Ryobi | |
|---|---|---|
| Trimmers | 122C — 21.7 cc petrol, 4.4 kg | OLT1832 — 18V, bare; RLT183220S — kit; RLT1831H25F — kit |
| Brush cutters | 128R, 129R — grass blade, double harness | RBC36X26B — 36V, 3-tooth blade, battery included |
Power and runtime
Husqvarna’s petrol machines run as long as you have fuel. Ryobi’s 36V brush cutter quotes up to 47 minutes of brush cutting from its 4.0 Ah battery — enough for most gardens — and its 3-tooth blade handles light woody growth, where Husqvarna’s supplied grass blades target coarse grass and weeds.
Comfort and convenience
Ryobi’s machines are lighter, quiet, fume-free and start at a trigger. Husqvarna’s need fuel mixing and pull-starting (eased by Smart Start on the 122C and 128R), but come with a double harness on the 128R and 129R.
Buying and owning
Ryobi is easy to buy and compare in DIY stores and online, and ONE+ batteries run a very wide tool range. Husqvarna dealers assemble and service their machines, which helps long-term ownership.
Choose Husqvarna if…
- You work large areas or long sessions
- You want dealer servicing and petrol runtime
Choose Ryobi if…
- You own, or want, ONE+ batteries
- Quiet, light, instant-start machines suit your garden
Which should you buy?
For small-to-medium gardens, Ryobi’s cordless range is the easier life. For big plots and long sessions, Husqvarna’s petrol machines. See also Black+Decker vs Ryobi.
The models we review from each brand
Husqvarna— Professional & forestry brush cutters
| Model | Type | Engine / power | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna 129R | Petrol | 27.6 cc · 2-stroke | 8/10 |
| Husqvarna 128R | Petrol | 28 cc · 2-stroke | 7.9/10 |
| Husqvarna 122C | Petrol | 21.7 cc · 2-stroke | 7.8/10 |
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
Can a Ryobi cordless replace a Husqvarna petrol?
For many gardens, yes: Ryobi's RBC36X26B has a bike handle, a 26 cm 3-tooth blade and up to 47 minutes of brush cutting per charge, per Ryobi. For long sessions on big plots, petrol's unlimited runtime still wins.
Which is lighter?
Ryobi's ONE+ trimmers weigh about 2.3–2.8 kg; its RBC36X26B 3.7 kg bare per retailers. Husqvarna's petrol models weigh 4.4–5.8 kg without cutting equipment.
Where are they sold?
Husqvarna mainly through dealers; Ryobi widely through DIY stores and online. Some retailers list the RBC36X26B as discontinued, with successor versions available.