Are Ryobi's Tillers Worth Buying? Here's What Reviews Say
Since 1968, Ryobi has been producing high-quality power tools for DIY projects inside and outside the home. Aside from affordability, the Japanese brand is well-known for offering a wide range of products for just about anything homeowners and DIY enthusiasts need. It has high-tech tools that will make your home and garden work a breeze. The brand also sells top-rated tools and products that cost no more than $50. Ryobi also delivers the perfect tools for agricultural work. For instance, it manufactures tillers designed to break up hard ground, loosen soil, and prepare the surface for planting.
Ryobi offers two tillers as part of its outdoor power kits and equipment collection. Available are the 40V HP Brushless 16-inch Front-tine Tiller and the 40V HP Brushless 18-inch Rear-tine Tiller. Both tools are part of Ryobi's Whisper Series, known for delivering powerful performance without significant noise. The smaller model is sold for $399, while the larger costs $599. The former is ideal for small gardening projects and flower beds, while the latter is preferable for large gardens and small farms. If you're thinking about buying one of these tillers, take time to read what current owners say about their experience — it'll help you decide whether the investment makes sense for your garden, backyard, or mini-farm.
Ryobi's brushless 16-inch front tine tiller receives high rating from users
Based on user feedback, the 16-inch front tine tiller is not considered one of the Ryobi tools that are a waste of time and money. Out of the 415 reviews it received on Home Depot's website, 82% recommended the product to other customers. It also secured a 4.4-star rating for being lightweight and convenient for use by home gardeners and owners who prefer to do their own gardening. The ease of assembly, quiet operation, and adjustable settings have all earned praise from many users, especially first-time users. The fact that it is also battery-operated has several raving about how it has simplified their work without having to worry about electric cords or gasoline.
"Ryobi's new 40V tiller is incredibly easy to use. No more extension cords or gasoline just a simple battery. Has 3 different adjustable depth setting and speed settings depending on what you are tilling. This is the smoothest tiller I have ever used and extremely effective," one user wrote. Another enthusiastic reviewer added: "Perfect size for my raised beds and plant and flower areas around the house. The tiller was easy to assemble and the instructions were very clear. I appreciate the fact that the unit came with a battery and charger and the battery was already partially charged so that we could run the unit to make sure it was in working order."
Users are torn about Ryobi's brushless 18-inch rear tine tiller
Unlike its smaller sibling, the 18-inch rear tine tiller does not enjoy the same reception from users. Out of the 258 customer reviews it received, only 49% recommended the product to other potential buyers. It has also only garnered a 3.5-star rating, after 63 customers gave it one star for various reasons. Despite being a competitively priced cordless Ryobi power tool that can elevate the look of the garden, many found fault in its performance and durability. A number of reviewers also complained about the packaging of the equipment, noting that some parts and pieces were missing or broken upon arrival.
"The tiller broke on the first try on the right-hand side of the tiller bolt. I'm surprised it didn't fly off. The thing didn't last 2 minutes before it snapped. So dangerous! These bolts are cheaply made," one customer complained. Another shared an almost similar experience, writing: "Third use tine shaft broke at shear pin hole. Ryobi support chat [is] not functional. This does a great job, but the engineering doesn't appear to be up to the motor's power." Someone else claimed their tiller "was missing parts and even broken" since it was packed horribly. (via homedepot.com)
Alongside the negative feedback, several users showered Ryobi's 18-inch battery-powered rear-tine tiller with positive reviews. Some pointed out that it takes time to get used to because of its weight, which is 165 pounds, but they shared that once you get the hang of it, the equipment works like a charm.