Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21" Self-Propelled CrossCut Mower Kit Review

Introduction

Ryobi refreshes its mower lineup nearly every year, and the new 40V HP Brushless 21” Self-Propelled CrossCut Mower Kit is the one that stands out as the best of them. This is the top of the top when it comes to Ryobi’s battery mowers, and it is far better than anything the company has released before. It is a full-size 21-inch mower with two blades underneath, called CrossCut, and it pairs that with self-propulsion, two 40V batteries, and a design that is easier to live with than previous generations.

Starting and Everyday Operation

The starting process could not be simpler: pull the handle back, push a button, and the mower starts right up. To stop it, you just release the safety handle. Operation is light enough that it can genuinely be driven one-handed while the other hand does something else entirely.

The self-propel drive is variable speed with comfortable thumb placement, topping out at roughly 3 to 3.5 mph on high. It is not the fastest drive available, but you would have to walk at a pretty quick pace to keep up with it. There is also a turbo mode for extreme overgrowth and weeds, though it is best saved for those situations since it drains the batteries faster.

A battery indicator light helps you gauge how fast you can walk, and the start system includes a removable safety key. If you have kids, you can pull the key out and the mower simply will not start.

Cutting Power and Mulching

The dual CrossCut blades are the headline feature. Ryobi was among the first to set up two blades like this and others followed suit, and the payoff is clear: it mulches like crazy. Even in thick, wet, moist spring grass that grows quickly, the mower slices straight through without bogging down. The instant torque of the brushless system gives it power on par with a gas mower, and Ryobi claims it is more powerful than a 170cc gas mower.

Cutting height runs from 1 to 4 inches, adjustable with a single lever, so you no longer have to walk around all four wheels. The height adjustment is not the smoothest available, but it is solid and easy. One small gripe: there are only two notches between settings, and a few more would suit households where one person is much taller than another.

Runtime is claimed at up to 75 minutes, good for up to three quarters of an acre. Realistically, in thick wet grass you may get closer to half an acre, but in lighter summer conditions you can clear more than the claimed figure because the demand is lower.

Smart Track and Self-Propulsion

The mower uses what Ryobi calls Smart Track, a power system that knows how much the blades need. In heavier grass it automatically increases blade RPM, then brings it back down to conserve battery energy. That efficiency matters most when you are working demanding grass, which is exactly when the self-propel function earns its place.

In that thick, wet growth, the mower is simply too heavy to push manually at 79.2 pounds without the battery, so the self-propel system is essentially required. The good news is the drive works well. On hilly, bumpy backyards, the larger rear wheels keep the mower planted and help it out of ruts and damp patches. Note that this is rear-wheel drive only, not four-wheel or all-wheel drive, if that matters to you.

Bagging, Mulching, and Storage

Switching between bagging and mulching is one of the biggest improvements over previous models. Older designs required a separate in-out plug you could lose; here you just flip a switch and go from bag to mulch and back again. The bag attaches easily, and the mulched clippings come out fine enough to feed the lawn as natural fertilizer.

A rare thoughtful touch: the battery compartment lid stays open by itself instead of slamming down on your hands like a mousetrap. Charging is handled by the included rapid charger, and the mower folds down flat for compact storage, opening back up with a single handle pull. Safety is covered too: the mower will not start in the upright folded position, and the start button flashes to tell you so.

Specs, Warranties, and Build

Key specifications at a glance:

• Cutting deck: 21 inches, full-size like a gas mower
• Torque: 9.66 ft-lb
• Weight: 79.2 lb without battery
• Runtime: up to 75 minutes, up to 3/4 acre (situation dependent)
• Batteries: two included 40V packs with a three-year warranty
• Charger: rapid charger included with a three-year warranty
• Mower warranty: five years

Build is mostly plastic apart from the handle rails, and it is not going to take the abuse a professional crew would hand out. That said, it does not feel cheap, and everything should hold up well for normal homeowner use.

Who This Mower Is For

This is a DIY homeowner mower, full stop. A landscaping company would not put it in a fleet, but for anyone maintaining their own lawn it is genuinely easy to use: pull, press, and mow. It suits owners of thick or fast-growing lawns who want gas-like power without the noise, since there is no gas motor, only the sound of the blades.

If your lawn is on the larger side, the two included batteries and the ability to mow up to three quarters of an acre make it practical. If you mainly bag or want to mulch, the simple switch-over system makes both modes effortless.

Things to Consider Before Buying

A few honest caveats. The variable-speed self-propel adjustment area feels a little flimsy, even if it has proven durable in previous models and nothing has broken in use. The handle could be built up a bit more. The mower is also heavy enough that the self-propel drive is not optional in demanding grass. And if you were hoping for four-wheel drive, this is a rear-wheel drive machine.

None of these are deal-breakers, but knowing them up front makes it easier to decide if the trade-offs fit your lawn.

Conclusion

The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21” Self-Propelled CrossCut Mower Kit is the strongest battery mower the brand has made: gas-level power, excellent mulching from the dual CrossCut blades, clever touches like a self-holding battery lid and a mulch-to-bag switch, and a slimmer, less bulky design than previous generations. For a homeowner who wants a powerful, quiet, easy-to-use mower with the backing of a five-year warranty, it is a very easy recommendation.