Is Ryobi's Whisper Tool Line Worth Buying? Here's What Users Say

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If you've done any yard work or live next to someone who regularly does, then you already know how loud power tools can get. From roaring lawn mowers to whiny hedge trimmers and earsplitting blowers, traditional yard equipment can be deafening. To such an extent that in professional settings, operators of power tools are required to wear ear protection to preserve their hearing. Equipment for residential use may not be as loud, but it can still be unpleasant and annoying, especially in suburban communities where peace and quiet are among the selling points. That's why users have praised the quieter Whisper line from Ryobi.

Gas-powered gardening tools are some of the worst offenders in residential neighborhoods, as they crank up the decibel levels, and they also spew toxic fumes. Power tool brand Ryobi has been offering gas-powered outdoor equipment for more than half a century, so it wouldn't be surprising if you've encountered or used any of them before. In recent years, the company introduced its new line of power tools featuring "Whisper technology."

Ryobi's Whisper Series is a line of battery-operated outdoor tools engineered to carry out similar tasks as gas-powered equipment, minus the boisterous combustion-driven sounds. Reviewers have painted a few other Ryobi tools as a waste of time and money. But based on feedback from users who have already tried the Whisper Series, these are the right set of power tools to buy if you don't want to disturb neighbors while working on your yard.

It's one thing to claim that a product is whisper-quiet on paper, and it's a different thing when people hear it first-hand. In the Whisper Series' case, reviews from professional testers and regular users agree that the outdoor power tools are less intrusive than standard gas-powered equipment. Tech Gear Lab's Hale Milano, who reviewed the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series 730 CFM leaf blower, praised the device for its raw power and low noise output, writing: "The Ryobi 40V is one of the quietest models we tested. Despite producing the most power overall, the accurately named Ryobi Whisper Series measured in at only 72 decibels... and had a very pleasant sound with no aggravating whines."

On Amazon, the same leaf blower garnered an average rating of 4.2 stars. One reviewer wrote, "This tool is great for anyone looking to handle outdoor cleanup efficiently and with minimal noise... Compared to traditional gas blowers or even some other battery-operated models, the Whisper Series runs at a much lower noise level, making it neighborhood-friendly while still packing serious performance."

Meanwhile, Ryobi's 18V One+ HP Brushless Whisper Series 12-Inch Chainsaw has earned a 4.6 average star rating on the brand's online store, with customers raving about how it clears small to medium-sized branches with ease despite its small form. Considering that this is a chainsaw, you can't really expect it to be silent, but a reviewer on Home Depot said it's "so quiet you can talk to someone while using it."

Ryobi has all sorts of tool collections available through its online store and partner retailers. For general-use hand tools, Ryobi's 12-tool combo kit covers the basics for carpentry and DIY projects. The brand also offers tools for spring cleaning and just about anything you will need for use inside the house. For the garden and any outside work, Ryobi has both standard power tools and the Whisper Series.

Ryobi's sound-dampening technology is what makes the Whisper Series quieter than standard tools. The products in this series are packed with foam that absorbs energy and reduces noise. The tools have also been redesigned internally in such a way that their motors and fans are situated deeper inside the housing, which allows more space for sound to dissipate. As a result, Ryobi's strongest Whisper blower only gets up to 57 decibels, while most cordless rivals run at mid-60s and gas-powered equipment reaches almost 100 decibels.

The Whisper line includes an array of lawn care essentials, including trimmers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, pressure washers, pole saws, snow blowers, and chainsaws, as well as air cannon fans, misting fans, and vacuums. Ryobi claims its tools are 40% to 86% quieter than gas-powered models. Whether this translates to real-world use is up for discussion, but so far, based on reviews, Ryobi's Whisper products appear to live up to the series' name.