Ryobi 40V Expand-It RY40270 Review

Personal Intro

After nine years running a lawn crew in the Virginia heat, I’ve swung my share of trimmers. I’ve burned through gas heads, snapped shafts on cheap electrics, and cursed more bump-feed heads than I care to count. When I started testing trimmers full time on my own two acres, I wanted something that wouldn’t break the bank but could still handle the weekly grind. That’s where the Ryobi 40V Expand-It RY40270 came in. It’s our “Best Value” pick for a reason, but I wanted to see if it could hold up to the real stuff: the overgrown fence line, the wet grass clumps, and the thick weeds that pop up after a rain. So I bought one, ran it through my usual routine, and here’s what I found.

How I tested it

I didn’t baby this thing. I took it straight to my worst spots. My back fence line is a mess of tall fescue, wild blackberry vines, and random saplings that I let go for three weeks. That’s a solid test for any trimmer because the grass is thick, damp, and tangled. I also hit the edges along my gravel driveway, where the rocks kick up and the line gets chewed fast. I trimmed around a row of old boxwoods where the grass is always matted down, and I did a full perimeter of my garden beds, which have a mix of Bermuda grass and clover. Over two weeks, I used the Ryobi for about four hours total, swapping between the trimmer head and a leaf blower attachment I already had from another Expand-It kit. I kept notes on runtime, line jams, and how my arms felt after a long session.

Cutting power and line feed

Brushless motor performance

The brushless motor is the star here. I’ve used brushed trimmers that bog down the second you hit a thick weed, but the RY40270 kept a steady head speed even when I was chewing through that fence-line grass. The 14-inch cutting width is narrow compared to some gas units, but it’s actually a plus for me because I can get into tight spots without whacking a fence post. I cut through a patch of 3-foot-tall pigweed near my compost pile, and the motor didn’t stall or slow noticeably. It’s not a brush cutter, but for standard lawn trimming and light brush, it’s got enough grunt.

The bump-feed head

Now, the line feed system. It’s a standard bump head, and it works fine most of the time, but I had two jams during my test. The first was when I was edging along a concrete walkway, and the line got jammed inside the head because I bumped it too hard on the curb. I had to pop the head apart and pull out a tangled loop of line, which took about five minutes. The second jam happened when I was using thicker .080 line (the factory line is .065, which is too thin for my taste). The head didn’t feed right, and I had to re-spool it. Once I switched back to the recommended .065 line, it fed smoothly. My advice: stick with the thin line for this head, or be ready to tinker. The bump action itself is responsive, and I like that you don’t have to hit it against concrete to get it to work. A light tap on the ground usually does it.

Expand-It system in real use

Because this is an Expand-It model, I swapped the trimmer head for my old Ryobi leaf blower attachment. The connection is solid, with a metal locking collar that clicks into place. No wobble. I used the blower to clear clippings from the driveway, and it worked just as well as the dedicated blower I have. That’s the real value of this system: if you already own other Ryobi attachments, you can save a ton of money by just buying the power head. I’ve also used a hedge trimmer attachment on a friend’s unit, and it’s the same deal. The plastic housing on the head itself feels a bit thin, especially around the motor vents, but the attachment interface is built to last.

Battery and runtime

I used the included 40V 2.0 Ah battery for all my tests. On a full charge, I got about 25 minutes of continuous trimming in tall, thick grass. That’s enough for my smaller yard (half an acre of lawn), but if you have a bigger property, you’ll want a second battery. I ran it down to zero twice, and the charge time is around 90 minutes. That’s not great if you’re in the middle of a job. I also tried a 4.0 Ah battery I had from another Ryobi tool, and that pushed runtime to about 45 minutes, which felt more reasonable. The battery life is the biggest trade-off for the low price. If you’re used to a gas trimmer that runs for an hour on a tank, this will feel short. But for a quick weekly trim, it’s fine. I will say the battery indicator on the tool is handy. It shows three lights, and I could see when I was down to one bar, so I didn’t get caught with a dead battery mid-fence line.

Cold weather note

I tested this in late fall when temps were around 50 degrees. The battery held up fine, but I’ve used other 40V Ryobi tools in 30-degree weather, and the runtime drops noticeably. If you trim in winter, plan for shorter sessions.

Handling, balance and comfort

This is where the Ryobi shines. The whole unit weighs under 10 pounds with the battery, and I could swing it one-handed when I needed to reach under a bush. The adjustable handle is a simple twist lock, and I set it to a comfortable spot for my height (5’10”) without any hassle. The shaft is straight, which I prefer over curved shafts because it gives me more control when edging. After 30 minutes of trimming, my arms were a little tired, but not sore. That’s a big deal for me because I’ve used heavy gas trimmers that left my shoulders aching the next day. The plastic housing, while it feels less durable than metal, keeps the weight down. I did smack the head against a rock once, and it left a scuff mark but no cracks. I wouldn’t drop it off a truck bed, but for normal use, it’s fine.

Arm fatigue test

I did a full hour of trimming with the 4.0 Ah battery, and I had to stop because my right forearm was getting tired from holding the trigger. The trigger is a simple squeeze design, and it’s not ergonomically shaped. It’s a straight bar, so your finger sits in the same spot the whole time. After a while, it gets a little numb. I wish it had a curved trigger or a lock-on switch, but for a budget trimmer, it’s acceptable. The vibration is minimal, even at full throttle. I didn’t feel any buzzing in my hands after use, which is a win over some cheap electrics I’ve tried.

Who should buy it

This trimmer is for the homeowner who wants a solid, affordable cordless option without getting into gas maintenance. If you have a quarter-acre to half-acre lawn, and you’re okay with swapping batteries for a longer session, this is a great pick. It’s also perfect for someone who already owns Ryobi 40V tools, because the battery compatibility is a huge money saver. I’d recommend it for light to medium trimming: edges, fence lines, flower beds, and around trees. If you have a lot of thick brush, invasive vines, or a huge property, you’ll probably want something with more power and a longer runtime. But for the price, you’re getting a brushless motor and the Expand-It system, which is a fantastic value. I’d also say it’s a good choice for older folks or anyone with joint issues, because the lightweight design makes it easy to handle. My neighbor, who is 68, tried it and immediately asked where to buy one.

Who should skip it

If you’re a professional or have more than two acres of rough terrain, look elsewhere. The plastic housing won’t survive daily commercial use, and the battery life will frustrate you. Also, if you hate dealing with bump-feed jams, you might prefer a trimmer with an automatic feed system. But for the average homeowner, it’s hard to beat.

My verdict

After two weeks of hard use, I’m keeping the Ryobi 40V Expand-It RY40270 in my shed. It’s not perfect. The battery life is the weak link, and the plastic housing makes me a little nervous about long-term durability. But for the money, you get a brushless motor that cuts well, a lightweight design that saves your arms, and the Expand-It system that lets you turn it into a blower, edger, or hedge trimmer with one power head. I’ve used it for four sessions now, and it starts every time with no pull cord, no gas smell, and no noise complaints from the neighbors. The line feed jams were annoying, but once I got used to the bump head, they were rare. If Ryobi offered a version with a larger battery and a metal head, I’d pay more for it. But as a Best Value pick, this trimmer delivers exactly what it promises: a capable, affordable tool for the weekend warrior. I’ll keep using it for my weekly trims, and I’ll probably grab a second battery for the spring when the grass really takes off. If you’re on the fence, I’d say go for it. Just buy an extra battery.