Ryobi 40V and Expand-It Lineup: String Trimmers and Attachments Worth a Look

Introduction

Ryobi keeps shipping outdoor power equipment at a steady pace, and its latest wave of announcements focuses on the 40V line and the Expand-It attachment platform. The headline product is a 40V HP brushless string trimmer with a carbon fiber shaft, positioned as a genuine gas replacement. Around it sits a family of attachments covering brush cutting, hedge trimming, tilling, edging, and pruning, all designed to share one powerhead.

If you are tired of pulling starter cords, dealing with stale fuel, and storing multiple gas machines, this lineup makes a strong case for going all-in on battery power.

The New Flagship: 40V HP Brushless 16” Carbon Fiber String Trimmer

The 40V HP Brushless 16-inch Carbon Fiber Shaft String Trimmer is the most serious trimmer in this release. Ryobi claims it delivers more power than a 27cc gas string trimmer, making it what the company calls a true gas replacement. The carbon fiber shaft is the standout detail: it adds strength while keeping the overall weight down, which matters more over long trimming sessions than most people expect.

The cut swath is adjustable from 14 to 16 inches, and a two-speed switch lets you dial between maximum power and a gentler setting for delicate skirting work. The switch is analog rather than digital, which some owners prefer for durability. Line reloading is handled by the included REEL EASY 3-in-1 bump feed head, with reloads possible in under 60 seconds.

Runtime figures are generous on paper: over 45 minutes with the 40V 4Ah battery, up to 98 minutes with an 8Ah pack, and even larger 12Ah batteries are supported. Real-world figures will vary with cutting conditions and speed settings, but the ceiling is high.

Pricing starts at $229 for the tool only, or $279 for the kit with a 4Ah battery. The kit is the smarter buy here, since the battery alone typically costs more separately. The trimmer is compatible with Ryobi Expand-It attachments and other universal attachments, so one powerhead can cover several yard jobs, and it works with the full 40V battery family.

The Value Pick: 40V 15” String Trimmer

For smaller yards or tighter budgets, the 40V 15-inch String Trimmer covers the essentials. Ryobi compares it at more power than a 25cc gas string trimmer, with an adjustable 13 to 15 inch cut swath. Like its bigger sibling, it uses the REEL EASY reload system, with 0.080 inch line reloadable in under 60 seconds.

Runtime is the pleasant surprise: up to one hour with a 4Ah battery and up to 149 minutes with an 8Ah pack, again likely measured at lower speed settings. The tool-only price is $129, with kits from $179. Warranty coverage is strong across the line: five years on the tool and three years on the batteries, which takes much of the sting out of battery replacement concerns. Seasonal sales are also a good moment to buy into the platform, since extra batteries often come cheap around the holidays.

One Powerhead, Many Jobs: The Expand-It Attachment System

The real efficiency play in this announcement is the attachment ecosystem. Instead of owning five separate machines, you loosen the coupler, swap the attachment, tighten it down, and get back to work. Attachments can also rotate for a better working angle. Anyone who has used a quick-coupling system knows how much time and storage space this saves.

Brush Cutter Attachment

The Expand-It Brush Cutter Attachment costs $99 and turns the trimmer into a tougher tool for dense growth and overgrown areas that standard trimmer line struggles with.

18” Hedge Trimmer Attachment

At $99, the 18-inch Hedge Trimmer Attachment brings hedge shaping into the same system, so shrubs and hedges no longer need a dedicated standalone tool.

8” Cultivator Attachment

The 8-inch Cultivator Attachment is priced at $149 and offers an adjustable tilling width of 7 to 10 inches, handy for loosening soil in garden beds without hauling out a full-size tiller.

8” Edger Attachment

The 8-inch Edger Attachment, also $99, cuts up to 2.25 inches deep. Battery edgers like this have largely replaced heavy gas-powered edgers for typical driveway and walkway work, and they are far easier to store and start.

10” Pole Saw Attachment

Rounding out the set is the 10-inch Pole Saw Attachment at $149, which extends your reach for overhead branch cuts that would otherwise require a ladder and a separate saw.

Buying Advice

The choice between the two trimmers comes down to yard size and growth conditions. If you are replacing a gas trimmer outright or tackling heavy weeds regularly, the 40V HP carbon fiber model with its 16-inch swath and higher power claim is the safer long-term pick, and the $279 kit is better value than the tool-only version. For routine trimming in a smaller yard, the $129 15-inch model delivers impressive runtime for less money.

The attachment strategy works best if you buy a trimmer powerhead first, then add attachments as specific jobs come up. The brush cutter and edger are the most universally useful, while the cultivator and pole saw suit seasonal tasks. Batteries are shared across the 40V family, so each new tool you buy makes the whole kit more flexible.

Conclusion

This Ryobi release is less about any single tool and more about a coherent battery-powered yard system. The 40V HP trimmer aims squarely at gas replacement with carbon fiber construction and strong claimed runtime, the 15-inch model handles everyday trimming at a friendlier price, and the Expand-It attachments turn one powerhead into a full garage of equipment. For anyone ready to leave gas behind, it is a lineup worth pricing out carefully.