This did not meet my expectations with Ryobi tools. Home Depot was nice enough to return it for me.I had the trimmer/edger combo for 6 years before it cracked. It worked well. I saw this and thought the twisting in the shaft was a great idea. It would prevent cracking on the version that you step on to flip between trimming and edging. The trimming string used for this tool is not up to the task. Plus, this much smaller in size and requires the operator to bend over quite a bit.I'll have to replace with one of the more expensive options Ryobi offers.

We needed a string trimmer for s small area alongside the cabin. Since I already have many Ryobi ONE+ tools and batteries it made a lot of sense to purchase this tool only instead of a kit. The delivery to home was free. It arrived in superb condition. Assembly was very easy; could not be simpler. My wife uses it and she is very happy with it. You can buy preloaded spools in sets of 3, 5 or 10 or you can wind bulk string onto the spool yourself. Nice to have the option. Very happy with it.

Decent but can’t recommend

Great job edging up driveway, decent job trimming. There are some issues though. Firstly, I had a difficult time assembling it as the black cord would prevent the 2 pieces from snapping together. Secondly, the battery is kinda weak. Usually somewhere at 20 minutes but it charges pretty fast, just wish it came with a bigger/better battery. Lastly, it seems to eat line nonstop. Used it twice, abt ~30m total and ran out. Decent tool but I don’t know if I can recommend because of these issues.

Decent purchase for my needs

The tool was easy to assemble and easy to use. I already own the following Ryobi 18V tools: Hedge trimmer, 1/2 inch drill, and 1/4 inch driver along with three of the 4 amp batteries and one two amp batteries.plus two chargers. I have used it to clean the grass and weeds around the fence line, driveway edges, and the curb edging. The edging is not a easy to use as would the straight shaft model with a wheel. I just could not justify the additional costs of the straight shaft model. This one is much easier and faster than the corded electric string trimmers. The corded electric models would have required me to use 100 feet of cord in the front yard and then move it to the back yard which would be more work and involve more time. I also have some pasture grass that ... MoreThe tool was easy to assemble and easy to use. I already own the following Ryobi 18V tools: Hedge trimmer, 1/2 inch drill, and 1/4 inch driver along with three of the 4 amp batteries and one two amp batteries.plus two chargers. I have used it to clean the grass and weeds around the fence line, driveway edges, and the curb edging. The edging is not a easy to use as would the straight shaft model with a wheel. I just could not justify the additional costs of the straight shaft model. This one is much easier and faster than the corded electric string trimmers. The corded electric models would have required me to use 100 feet of cord in the front yard and then move it to the back yard which would be more work and involve more time. I also have some pasture grass that have a seed shoots that spring up overnight almost which I can now use the trimmer to cut as needed. I thought about getting a model that does not use brushes but again, it would cost more but not run the battery down as often. My first time using it, I ran a 4 amp battery down to one bar on the power indicator. A model without brushes would not have consumed as much power. But since I have so many batteries and since I had not been using a trimmer around the edges, it worked out fine with me. It came with .060string. After I used up the spool of string, I put in .080 twisted wire string which lasts much longer if the string is not hitting concrete nor asphalt. All in all, I am satisfied with the purchase.

Don't Underestimate This Great Tool!

Don't laugh. I'm serious. I own a Stihl, gas trimmer ($$$) and it was getting very heavy for me. A friend gave me one of these units because it did nothing when the trigger was pulled. A quick youtube search revealed a common problem: one of the two wires to the motor had fallen off. It took longer for me to remove a plastic cover than to solder the wire back in place. Voila! It worked great. In fact, so great that it is just as good as the Stihl! I'm not kidding. This is a GREAT machine. The Stihl hasn't been used all summer. I'm not a lightweight when it comes to lawn equipment. I have a zero-turn Ferris and a lot of other items. I'm not easily impressed. Why did I buy this new machine? My old machine bit the dust because someone used it and repeatedly bumped it ... MoreDon't laugh. I'm serious. I own a Stihl, gas trimmer ($$$) and it was getting very heavy for me. A friend gave me one of these units because it did nothing when the trigger was pulled. A quick youtube search revealed a common problem: one of the two wires to the motor had fallen off. It took longer for me to remove a plastic cover than to solder the wire back in place. Voila! It worked great. In fact, so great that it is just as good as the Stihl! I'm not kidding. This is a GREAT machine. The Stihl hasn't been used all summer. I'm not a lightweight when it comes to lawn equipment. I have a zero-turn Ferris and a lot of other items. I'm not easily impressed. Why did I buy this new machine? My old machine bit the dust because someone used it and repeatedly bumped it to get string. I told him NOT to do this -- the string advances automatically -- but he didn't pay attention and the bumping bent the motor shaft. It was only a few dollars more to buy this than to buy a new motor. Don't hesitate!

I like it!

I bought this to replace a different model of Ryobi string trimmer that was similar in price but drove me CRAZY because it refused to feed the line. I was constantly having to take the spool out and fix it, and it was just terrible. I read a lot of reviews from other people that said the same things. I didn’t know if this one would be any better but so far so good - however, I am still on the factory-supplied spool of line. I guess we’ll see what happens when I wind my own line. One thing I really like about this new one is the feature where you can flip the bottom part over for edging. I thought it was gimmicky but it actually works great, is much easier than holding the whole thing upside down, and edging is much faster and easier now. If the line feeding ... MoreI bought this to replace a different model of Ryobi string trimmer that was similar in price but drove me CRAZY because it refused to feed the line. I was constantly having to take the spool out and fix it, and it was just terrible. I read a lot of reviews from other people that said the same things. I didn’t know if this one would be any better but so far so good - however, I am still on the factory-supplied spool of line. I guess we’ll see what happens when I wind my own line. One thing I really like about this new one is the feature where you can flip the bottom part over for edging. I thought it was gimmicky but it actually works great, is much easier than holding the whole thing upside down, and edging is much faster and easier now. If the line feeding continues to function well I will be very happy with this trimmer. One note - it is on the small side. I am 5’8” and I wish it were just a little taller.

Really like this as a general yard trimming and touch up tool

I use the battery from my 13” Ryobi lawn mower in this trimmer, and battery life is not an issue. I like the light weight ergonomics of the device, and find myself using it for generalized yard and garden touchup. You do have to be careful about hitting woody, hard objects, and you cannot use it for really heavy duty trimming like thick ivy. The autofeed feature really does work - you are not continually bumping and adjusting the cutting length. Only complaint is that the pre-loaded spools don’t last that long, and get a bit expensive at $7 each. Have any other users of this tool tried loading their own trimming string?

Simple and effective tool

This is a lightweight and easy to use string trimmer. The automatic string advance works with a simple squeeze of the trigger. For a small yard that is not completely overgrown, it should be plenty. I don't understand how some people could not put the two pieces of the handle together. Nothing could be simpler. Anyone who cannot do this should probably stop buying tools and hire a gardener. The battery lasted long enough, maybe 30 minutes or more of use. Nice and easy to store, too.

Worst purhase

This was the second time purchasing this product. Bought the original one 2-3 years ago and loved it. So did my daugher, who kept borrowing it, so I gave her my original one and purchased another for myself. I don't know if its the machine or just their replacement string. The string keeps breaking off, or getting caught and simply won't advance. I've gone through so much string with this second purchase that I should have stock in the company. Plus, when it breaks off, it always hits me and man does that hurt. I want to add, that when I bought the original one, the replacement string was very different than what they are supplying now. This new string is cheaply made and it costs more...plus there is less string.Don't buy it.

piece of junk

If I could give it a negative star, I would.First one under warranty (one year); stopped working, free replacement from Ryobi; second one under warranty; stopped working, Ryobi sends me to HD where, after waiting for a long time for "attempt to repair" while grass was growing gangbusters mid-summer, they made me pay a service charge of $20 for replacement even though it was still under warranty; third one...guess what happened? AND, NO, I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER ONE! three strikes and yer OUT. i will never buy another 18v ryobi tool. don't get me started on the corner kat sander!