Ryobi RY48110 (Ryobi RM480e) Review
38-Inch Electric Riding Lawn Mower
70
2.9 / 5 from 16 users
$5199.95
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you.
We spent 5.4 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
6 reasons to buy
Many reviews point out that the Ryobi RY48110 is quieter than gas-powered ones, making it nicer to use for both the user mowing and those around them. (4 reviews)
“Very quiet, and go-cart like on smooth ground.”
“Rough ride but quiet compared to gas and loving it.”
“Very quiet: visitors to our park come out to get away from the hustle of everyday life.”
“Quiet efficient fast”
A review notes the 'go-cart-like' fun experience when riding the mower on smooth ground. (4 reviews)
“Very quiet, and go-cart like on smooth ground.”
“I’ve never owned before and this machine is fun!”
“Good speed, goes about 8mph.”
“Speed. This thing is FAST. Once you turn off the blades you better hold on; 8mph does not sound like much until you are driving it through your yard or trying to slowly ease it into a space.”
Some reviews say the mower is strong enough to handle hills and thick grass, showing it can deal with different lawn conditions. (3 reviews)
“Power is adequate, and can handle the hills and thick grass for this area.”
“Hauls over 1200 lbs of gravel in (2) four wheel wagons pulled in tandem, along with my considerable weight up and down our dirt/gravel/rocks/roots walking trails without an ounce of complaint.”
“It does exactly what I need it for mowing 1 acre”
Users say the mower can cover up to 1 acre on one charge, and last about 10 hours without the mowing deck, which might be good for moderate use. (3 reviews)
“Battery lasts 10ish hours without mowing deck. We thought the battery meter was broken until we drove it for 8-9 hours (hoping we'd not get stuck in the woods)”
“I have never dropped to less than 1\2 charge even after 2 hours use”
“Batteries - surprisingly the batteries still work fine for my almost 1 acre lot.”
The mower is commended for its ability to haul wagons, even when overfilled. (1 review)
“It does do one thing well, and that is haul our wagon. We've overfilled it and it still pulls it fine.”
The mower is praised for the instant stop feature of the blades, which helps save power when backtracking. (1 review)
“I like the instant way it stops the blades and if you are backtracking it saves power”
3 reasons not to buy
Several reviews worry about how long the Ryobi RY48110 lasts, saying it breaks after just a few seasons even though it's expensive. Problems include key parts like the master fuse, drive controller, and even a loose steering wheel. (6 reviews)
“Failed after 2 seasons, check long term reviews before buying these lemons”
“A $3,000 mower should last more than a few years before needing major repairs.”
“You will be lucky to get 1 solid season then things start to break”
“Tried to use it the next spring and it would die after a few feet of mowing.”
“The right cutting motor died about 3 months ago. I had to order a new one at a cost of $250.00.”
“It was great for the first year. The second year with it, we've had nothing but trouble.”
For some users, the mower doesn't meet expectations, as it struggles with cutting tall or slightly damp grass. The transmission is also jerky, especially when backing up. (4 reviews)
“Just a note that backwards acceleration is too fast and jerky.”
“If the grass is a bit overgrown or slightly wet, the blades will struggle. The transmission is jerky, especially in reverse.”
“The blades stop all the time due to the grass which isn't even that high.”
“It wont stay running long enough to do a simple lawn.”
There are complaints about the mower being uncomfortable to ride, and a few users say they need to practice good posture to avoid back pain after mowing. (3 reviews)
“The ride is incredibly rough, I had to practice good posture the first season to prevent back pain after mowing.”
“No suspension: traveling on uneven grass, or as we do trails, is bone jarring. We've experimented with lower pressure in the tires and that helps a bit. Seat has a spring but it's not nearly enough.”
“Comments were that it rides rough, but good otherwise.”
Bottom Line
The Ryobi RY48110 is a quiet electric riding mower, offering a "go-cart" feel and can tackle hills and thick grass. Its battery can handle up to 1 acre or 10 hours on one charge, and can haul heavy wagons. Features include an instant blade stop for power saving. However, durability is a concern, with some parts failing prematurely. Performance may dip with tall or wet grass, and the ride can be uncomfortable, potentially causing back pain.
Facts
| Brand | RYOBI |
|---|---|
| Cutting Width (in) | 38 inch |
| Features | Mulching, Bagging, Side Discharge |
| Max Cutting Height | 4-1/2" |
| Min Cutting Height | 1-1/2" |
| Power Source | Battery |
| Category | Riding Mowers |
| Warranty | 3 Years |
| Weight | 595 lbs |
| Additional Info | Mulch & Bag Kit Sold Separately, 3 Brushless Motors, 48-Volt, 75 Ah Battery With 2 Hours Of Run Time, LED Headlights, USB Phone Charger, Cruise Control Features |
Video Reviews
Tips for Ryobi RY48110 Electric Mower
- To keep the Ryobi RY48110 in the best running condition, make sure that the mower is stored in an insulated garage during winter to prevent batteries from freezing.
- Charge the batteries once a month while in storage to keep batteries in good condition.
Special Features of the Ryobi RM480e
- Fully Electric Operation (Zero Emissions): It's all battery-powered, so it doesn't pollute the air like gas mowers.
- Three Brushless Motors: Has three powerful engines that work better and last longer than usual ones.
- Up to 2 Hours Runtime (2 Acres per Charge): Can mow for up to 2 hours or cover about 2 acres before needing a recharge.
- Low Maintenance: You don't have to deal with replacing belts, spark plugs, or filters.
- Eco-Friendly: No gas needed, so you're not breathing in fumes or harming the environment.
- LED Headlights, USB Phone Charger, and Cruise Control: Comes with extra features like lights for night, a charger for your phone, and cruise control to keep a steady speed.
- 38-Inch 2-Blade Deck with 12 Position Adjustment: The cutting area is big and adjustable for different lawn heights.
- Charges with Standard 120-Volt Outlet: Easy to charge, just plug it into a regular power outlet.
- User-Friendly Design: Designed to be easy to use, even if you're not tech-savvy.
FAQ
- Q:
When not in use, is it advisable to keep the mower connected to the charger?
- A:
Yes, it is recommended to keep the mower continually charged when not in use.
- Q:
How often should tires be checked for air pressure and what is the required pressure for each tire?
- A:
20 psi is the recommended tire pressure. It is best to check tire pressure before using the mower.
- Q:
What causes the blades to stop turning during mowing?
- A:
First check the mower’s battery level indicator. The mower will turn off its deck motor to save battery to give you time to drive back to the charging location. Head back and immediately charge the batteries. If the battery level is good, slow the mower’s acceleration and raise the cutting deck. Load applications to the mower can cause the deck motor to stop.
- Q:
Why does the mower sometime accelerate when going downhill?
- A:
For safety when going down a slope, the Ryobi RY48110 automatically limits its speed which can cause speed fluctuations.
- Q:
Is it normal that the mower makes a beeping sound when driving the mower in reverse?
- A:
Yes, the beeping sound is to alert anyone of the mower’s location.
- Q:
How do I bring the mower to completely stop during use?
- A:
Press the brake pedal located on the left side to completely stop the mower. Unlike hydrostatic drive mowers, releasing the accelerator will not cause the mower to stop.
- Q:
Why is there a beeping sound when I leave the mower’s seat?
- A:
The mower will make a beeping sound when the key is left on the ON position or the parking breaks are not engaged. Do not forget to remove the key when the mower is not in use.
- Q:
Can I use a garden hose to clean the mower deck?
- A:
Use an air compressor or blower to clean the deck. Do not use a garden hose and water. You can purchase a high lower air blower here.
Similar Products
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Name | Ryobi RY48111 | Husqvarna Z254 | Husqvarna Z248F | Ariens IKON-X 52" 915223 | EGO Power+ LM2102SP |
| Final Score | 75 | 91 Great! | 82 Good! | 81 Good! | 99 Superb! |
| Category | Riding Mowers | Riding Mowers | Riding Mowers | Riding Mowers | Self Propelled Mowers |
| Power Source | Battery | Gas | Gas | Gas | Battery |
| Cutting Width | 38 inch | 54 inch | 48 inch | 52 inch | 21 inch |