Ryobi RY48111 Review
38-Inch 48V 100 Ah Battery Electric Riding Lawn Mower
75
3.1 / 5 from 35 users
$5199.95
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We spent 5.2 hours reading reviews from customers and experts. In summary, here's what users think:
5 reasons to buy
Multiple reviews highlight the advantage of not requiring gas or oil, which simplifies maintenance and reduces running costs. (8 reviews)
“Like they advertise - no gas or oil to mess with. Big plus.”
“I love not having to go get gas, change the oil, replace the belts. etc. etc.”
“No gas, no oil, no belts, I just plug it in after I'm done and it's ready to go next time.”
“No belts to replace, No oil and filters to replace, No air filters that need cleaning or replacing, No running out of gas in the middle of the yard”
“Just unplug and go. No maintenance other than blowing off grass after mowing and changing blades each year.”
“low maintenance, electric”
“After using an eGo self-propelled battery powered mower at my old home, I was never going back to gas, oil, maintenance, etc.”
“No belts, No gas, No oil, no air filter, etc. Maintenance is pretty much limited to making sure the batteries are charged when not in use and lubing the front end every now and then.”
One user was able to mow their lawn in under an hour with the Ryobi RY48111. This is way faster than the 3 hours it took with their previous push electric mower. (6 reviews)
“Has enabled me to mow my lawn in under an hour whereas it used to take 3 hours with my previous push electric mower.”
“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.”
“Super fast and dependable.”
“just because it's fun and quick!”
“With the blade disengaged, this thing FLIES - like an electric car, there is plenty of torque to spare.”
“Moves fast”
The mower is said to be well-built and can carry a 215-pound person without bending too much, showing it's durable and sturdy on rough ground. (5 reviews)
“Even with my 215 pounds sitting on it, it does not flex much over uneven terrain.”
“The rest of the construction seems high quality. I have not looked under it at the cutting deck to see the blade quality but I did read where others said the blade quality is not that great. From above at least everything seems high quality”
“I bought his mower about 4 years ago and it's still running strong.”
“The mower handles it very nicely.”
“I'm not a small guy, so it pulls my 275 lbs around and only slows down a bit when climbing the steepest of hills - and I'm talking the maximum steepness you'd ever want to mow safely.”
It is mentioned as quieter than most gas riding mowers. (3 reviews)
“I suppose it is quieter than most riding gas mowers, but the first time I was out, my wife said it sure was loud (with blades turning).”
“Love that it’s quiet and easy when I hook up my yard cart to haul things around the garden.”
“It's super quiet when the blades are off, only making a slight whining sound like an electric golf cart. It sounds like a large electric fan when mowing and isn't nearly as loud as a gas mower.”
After 10 hours of usage, one customer did not notice any issues with the mower's blades, suggesting they may be quite durable in a clean yard. (1 review)
“I have just over 10 hours on it according to the meter and I don’t see any issues with the blades as some have mentioned, but my yard is pretty clean.”
3 reasons not to buy
Batteries may fail after a relatively short period (e.g., 1.5 years) and are expensive to replace ($800). Replacing the batteries also requires taking apart the mower, which is a complex task. (10 reviews)
“The batteries warranty is for one year. New batteries cost $800. Also you have to completely take apart the most to replace them.”
“Battery life and the cost to replace them is also a major concern.”
“Used it for mowing 1 acre, until batteries failed at about 1 year (supposed to last 4-5 years, but only 1 yr warranty).”
“They said, I will be replacing my batteries soon as they are starting to not hold a full charge now. Only con is replacing batteries is expensive but worth it to me”
“batteries begin to fail at one year into use”
“The batteries are not lasting more than a year at full strength if you are lucky.”
“It's great when it works, but only plan on having it work for about 1 year.”
“Batteries are dying. Both lawn mower and battery discontinued at Home Depot. Only available from Gardner for $500 per battery with shipping. For 4 batteries, might as well buy a new one.”
“We are looking at another $1200 dollars to replace the four batteries in ours.”
“I had it plugged into a outlet that was turned off when I left for the winter, in the spring it was completely dead. Took a lot of effort to charge each battery and put it back together.”
The Ryobi RY48111 is underpowered, with blade motors that struggle with thick grass. The mower also lacks advanced features like blade speed control that some battery push-mowers have. (8 reviews)
“Way, I say again, WAY under powered. I expected the blade motors to be able to handle anything a gas engine could handle since typically electric motors are capable of generating a lot of torque. These don’t.”
“Low Powered Blades. The blade motors definitely have less power than the gas mowers. You will need multiple passes with this mower in the thick grass.”
“always had an issue with the blades. I would have to turn them on and off a couple times, sometimes to get the to turn on.”
“If you're one of those that skips a week here or there then you really don't need an electric mower because they will struggle to cut taller grass.”
“not as much power as a gas riding lawn mower”
“With the blade engaged, it slows down significantly, but it's in line with mowing speeds”
“The motors that spin the blades quit working after I used it only a couple times”
“The blades have plenty of power but will bog down a little if you're in heavy damp grass.”
The mower takes about 12 hours to recharge. Plus, the battery meter isn't always right, so it doesn't give much warning before the battery runs out. (4 reviews)
“It pretty much takes 12 hours to recharge, whether I used it for an hour or 2 hours.”
“Battery drops to 50% after only 10min of use. The meter appears to be able to show different readouts such as voltage and percentage but I do not see a way to change the readout.”
“The battery life meter immediately drops to 50% when I start mowing.”
“The battery indicator is always inaccurate. I can't have a good judgment on the remaining battery because of this issue which leads me to charge it too frequent.”
Bottom Line
The Ryobi RY48111 is a solid electric riding mower that eliminates the need for gas, cuts maintenance costs, and is quieter than gas models. It's quick, efficiently mowing lawns in under an hour, and durable enough to handle rough terrain and carry heavy loads. However, it struggles with thick grass and has a long recharge time. Battery replacement is costly and complex. Despite its strengths, it may not be the best for those with challenging grass or who prefer advanced features.
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 Pounds |
| Additional Info | 3 Brushless Motors, Quiet Cutting, LED Headlights, USB Phone Charger, Cruise Control, Cup Holder, Cellphone Holder, Adjustable Seat, Mulch & Bag Kit Sold Separately |
Video Reviews
Tips for Ryobi RY48111 Electric Riding Mower
- The Ryobi RY48111’s blades are thinner than normal and are optimized for an electric riding mower. The blades bend when it hits an object to protect the motor from breaking. It is recommended to have replacement blades available just in case.
- It is recommended to use a blower when cleaning the mower and avoid hosing it down with water.
Special Features
- Eco-Friendly Operation: No gas needed. This means no fumes and it's better for the environment.
- Extended Runtime: Mows for 2.5 hours straight. Good for big lawns, up to 2.5 acres.
- Efficient Charging: Just plug it into a regular wall outlet to charge.
- Brushless Motors: These special motors make the mower powerful and last longer.
- Quiet Cutting Technology: It's super quiet, won't bug your neighbors.
- Adjustable Cutting Deck: The 38-inch 2-blade deck can be set to 12 different heights for the perfect lawn cut.
- Extra Features: Comes with bright LED lights for night mowing, a spot to charge your phone, and cruise control for easy driving.
- Right Size for Lawns: Not too big or small, perfect for most yards.
- Comfortable to Use: Designed to be easy and comfy to mow with.
FAQ
- Q:
Can the Ryobi RY48111 fit thru a 48” wide gate?
- A:
Yes it can. The mower’s assemble width is only 38.5”.
- Q:
Does the mower have a hitch attachment?
- A:
Yes, the mower has a built-in rear hitch attachment.
- Q:
Can the mower go uphill?
- A:
Yes, the mower can go up slopes with up to a 15-degree incline.
- Q:
What is the mower’s dimensions when fully assembled?
- A:
The mower’s fully assembled dimension is 63 inches x 46 inches x 38.5 inches.
- Q:
Where can I purchase a bagger for this mower?
- A:
- Q:
How long does a Ryobi RY48111 battery last?
- A:
It lasts 2.5 hours per charge, which is around 2.5 acres.
- Q:
Can I use RYOBI lawn mower on wet grass?
- A:
No, since it is a battery powered electric lawn mower, make sure it doesn't get wet.
- Q:
Where is the Ryobi RY48111 made?
- A:
It is made in the USA.
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