Greenworks vs Ryobi Brand Comparison | The Saw Guy

Whether you’re in the market for your first set of tools or you’re looking to switch to battery-powered tools from gas or corded electric models, you’ve probably come across quite a few different brands in your initial search.

Two brands that rise to the top are Greenworks and Ryobi, but who produces better tools? Today, we’ll cover everything you need to know as we match up these two popular tool brands to see which reigns supreme in the battle of Greenworks vs Ryobi.

Company History

Both Greenworks and Ryobi are well-known and popular brands of battery-powered power tools. Let’s dive a little deeper into the history of these companies.

Greenworks Company History

Greenworks is a relatively new company, and they were incorporated in 2007 by Globe Tool Group to bring Globe’s new lithium-ion battery-powered tool to market. Greenworks manufactures only battery-powered tools, so this category is undoubtedly their bread and butter.

Today, Greenworks manufactures virtually every kind of battery-powered tool available, including hand tools like saws and drills and lawn tools like string trimmers, lawn mowers, and snow blowers.

Ryobi Company History

Meanwhile, Ryobi brings quite a bit more experience to the table, and they’re currently celebrating their 75th anniversary. Today, they manufacture a diverse range of tools and equipment. Ryobi oversees the manufacture of everything from power tools to professional quality printers and die-cast metal products.

Greenworks & Ryobi Parent Companies

Globe Group

Globe Group is the parent company of Greenworks. They’re a small company with the goal of leaving fossil fuels and electric cords behind. They’re able to control production from start to finish, guaranteeing superior quality. Here are the brands Globe Group owns:

• Greenworks
• Greenworks Pro
• Greenworks Commercial

Techtronic Industries (TTI)

Techtronic Industries is the parent company of Ryobi. They own a wide variety of brands:

• Milwaukee
• AEG
• Ryobi
• Homelite
• Empire
• Imperial Blades
• Stiletto
• Kango
• Hart
• Hoover
• Oreck
• Vax
• Dirt Devil

Product Line Depths

Both Ryobi and Greenworks sell a wide variety of products. Below, you’ll find what each brand’s product line consists of.

Greenworks Product Lines

Greenworks sells power tools, outdoor power equipment, vacuums, and accessories.

Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Greenworks:

• Mowers
• Cultivators
• Dethatchers
• Hedge Trimmers
• Leaf Blowers
• Pressure Washers
• Trimmers
• Edgers
• Chainsaws
• Vacuums
• Snowblowers
• Reciprocating Saws
• Hammer Drills
• Circular Saws
• Brushless Drills
• Jig Saws
• Angle Grinders
• Work Lights
• Staplers
• Impact Wrenches
• Buffers
• Finishing Sanders
• & More

Ryobi Product Lines

Ryobi sells power tools, outdoor power equipment, lighting, lifestyle and recreation, generators, cleaning storage, hand tools, batteries, and accessories.

Here are some of the specific types of products you can purchase from Ryobi:

• Combo Kits
• Drills
• Impact Drivers
• Ratchets
• Circular Saws
• Miter Saws
• Jig Saws
• Table Saws
• Sanders
• Glue Guns
• Routers
• Nailers
• Paint Supplies
• Mowers
• Seed Spreaders
• Snow Blowers
• Heaters
• Inflators
• Generators
• Wet Vacs
• Modular Storage
• Levels
• Taper Measures
• & More

Brand Reputation & Cost of Tools

Here we’ll go over the reputations and cost of the tools of each brand.

Greenworks Reputation and Tool Affordability

There is a perception that Greenworks tools are “cheap.” However, I can say Greenworks is a dependable brand, and I can say I’ve never had a moment of concern when grabbing one of the tools to get the job done. That’s the best you can hope for from any piece of equipment you own.

One of the biggest criticisms that I’ve heard regarding Greenworks is the fact that the casing on most, if not all, of their products, is plastic. This is true, but Greenworks is not the only brand to do this. Stihl is another company with a lot of products that have a plastic casing.

In the case of Greenworks chainsaws, the enclosure is not thin, cheap-feeling plastic. It’s a thick, tough, and durable hard plastic. Honestly, it feels pretty solid. Take that for what it’s worth, but this is a non-issue, in my opinion.

Ryobi Reputation and Tool Affordability

Ryobi tools are considered to be average to above average. The general opinion of its products is that they’re not high-end in comparison to other brands, but the quality is still quite good.

It is commonly agreed that Ryobi’s tools are more than suitable for small building tasks and light repair work and are a great option for amateur carpenters and craftsmen. Now, some people do not like Ryobi for heavy-duty and professional tasks. However, this is fully going to depend on the individual, industry, and tools in question.

What can for sure be said about Ryobi tools is that people are quite happy with the prices at that Ryobi sells their products. Don’t get me wrong, they’re definitely not the cheapest option on the planet, but they’re far from being the most expensive. This alone is a big reason why Ryobi tools are such a popular choice among DIY enthusiasts, woodworking hobbyists, craftsmen, etc. In other words, when purchasing Ryobi products, you get tools that are better than average for a reasonable price.

The Benefits of Battery Power

Both Greenworks and Ryobi are well known for their lithium-ion-powered tools, and regardless of which brand you choose, any battery-powered tool has some unique benefits that are worth considering.

First, since they’re powered by batteries, these tools are wireless. This is a significant improvement over corded electric tools which require you to hook them up to an extension cord to use them. Extension cords can be a pain in the neck to work with, they can create safety issues, and they’re just one more thing you need to worry about when it comes to using your tools.

Compared to gas tools, battery-powered models don’t produce carbon emissions. Carbon emissions are harmful to our environment, and gas power tools produce a surprising amount of carbon emissions.

The Downside of Battery Power

On the other hand, there are a few downsides associated with battery powered tools.

First, battery power is a finite resource. When your tool runs out of battery, it can’t be used until it’s recharged. Unless you have multiple spare batteries, you may find yourself running into situations where you have to stop what you’re doing for a half hour or more, so you can give the batteries time to recharge.

Battery powered tools also have some inherent size restrictions compared to gas or corded electric tools. This issue only comes into play when talking about gas powered tools like lawn mowers, string trimmers or snow blowers.

When dealing with gas versions of these tools, the motors are larger, and the tools are larger as well, which makes it easier for you to complete your work quickly. For people with smaller yards, this isn’t much of an issue. However, if you have a large piece of property, battery powered tools may be restrictive.

Tool Comparison

Greenworks vs Ryobi: Combo Kit Showdown

While these companies each manufacture a broad range of tools, we’re going to take a look at their most popular trimmer and blower combo kits to help us determine which brand is worthy of your hard-earned dollars.

Greenworks 24v Trimmer/Blower Combo Kit

This combo kit from Greenworks includes a 24-volt string trimmer as well as a blower so that you can make quick work of your landscaping projects.

In addition to the tools themselves, this kit also includes a 24v battery and charger. Both tools feature ergonomically designed over-molded handles for comfort and ease of use.

The included trimmer has a 12” cutting path and a 90-degree rotating head that includes a guide wheel to help you make quick work of edging projects. It also features an auto-feed head which helps eliminate the time-consuming task of ensuring the trimmer has enough line available. This trimmer uses .065” line.

The Greenworks blower packs a decent sized punch and offers 330 CFM with a blowing speed of 100 MPH. Both tools are compatible with the same Greenworks 24v battery, which also can power over twenty different 24v Greenworks tools.

Both tools are covered by a four-year warranty, which is a bit better than what most manufacturers offer.

What We Like

• Affordable
• Strong warranty
• Impressive Power
• Reliable operation

What Could Be Better

• Only includes one battery
• Only provides 25-30-minute runtime

Ryobi ONE+ Trimmer/Blower Combo Kit

At first glance, this kit from Ryobi is quite similar to the Greenworks kit above. They both offer the same tools, and they even make use of the same grey and lime green color scheme.

Each kit includes a trimmer/edger, blower, one battery, and a charging station. These tools are part of the Ryobi ONE+ system, which features over 100 different power tools that can all be powered with the same battery.

The trimmer features a 10” cutting path and can also be used as an edger. It also takes .065” line and has an auto-feed head.

The blower offers 200 CFM of clearing power and reaches a top speed of 90 MPH.

This kit is covered by a three-year warranty, so you should be covered should anything go wrong with your combo kit.

What We Like

• Battery is compatible with over 100 different tools
• Affordable
• Ryobi has over 75 years of experience in the industry

What Could Be Better

• Underwhelming power
• Only includes one battery

Greenworks vs Ryobi: Warranty Comparison

Here is a quick overview of both Ryobi’s and Greenwork’s product warranty.

Greenworks Warranty

Greenworks has a relatively good warranty. They have a four-year limited warranty. You are protected against defective materials, parts, and artistry. Greenworks also states that it will repair or replace any parts found to be defective if caused by normal use. The warranty suggests the owner’s manual provides instructions for covered repairs, so be sure you do not do anything to void your warranty.

Ryobi Warranty

Ryobi offers pretty good warranties. All Ryobi power tools are covered by a two- or three-year manufacturer’s warranty. Additionally, the majority of Ryobi’s hand tools have limited lifetime warranties, and most of the outdoor equipment features a five-year warranty. Considering that the price of Ryobi products which are reasonable, these warranties are actually quite thorough.

Final Verdict

While both combo kits are affordable and provide reliable operation and strong warranties, there can only be one clear winner in the battle of Greenworks vs Ryobi.

When it comes to battery powered tools, Greenworks excels in two areas that are especially important: power and warranty terms.

The Greenworks kit is significantly more powerful than the comparable Ryobi kit, and it’s backed by a warranty that’s one year longer. Add to that the fact that the Greenworks kit is even a few dollars cheaper than Ryobi’s, and you have a clear winner.

There’s also something to be said for Ryobi’s hard-earned reputation and 75+ years in the tool business. Add in the ONE+ system which is compatible with over 100 different Ryobi tools, and you can also make a strong case for purchasing Ryobi’s battery powered tools, as well.

If you’re looking for power and value, the Greenworks kit may be best for you. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a company that’s been around for a long time and offers the proven track record of the ONE+ system, Ryobi may be more your speed.

Whichever you choose, head to your favorite retailer or online shop and pick up your new combo kit today! Who do you think the winner of this battle is? Sound off in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Greenworks and Ryobi the Same Company?

No, Greenworks and Ryobi are not the same company. Ryobi is owned by Techtronic industries, which is the parent company. They own a wide variety of brands. GreenWorks is owned by Globe Group. They own a few different brands.

Is Ryobi good quality?

Ryobi is often seen as one of the best tool brands that you can purchase today. They offer both brushless and brushed options, and the quality is great for DIYers and home use.

Are Ryobi tools worth buying?

Some Ryobi tool tests have found that their tools underperform when compared to other top tool brands. However, Ryobi offers incredible value for its tools. For example, professionals love the Ryobi 18v Brushless Impact Driver. It’s a powerful tool that costs only $100.

Are Greenworks tools as good as Ryobi tools?

Greenworks has some tools that are right on par with Ryobi tools, but there are some Ryobi tools that are of higher quality than the Greenworks version.

Is Greenworks better than Ryobi for cordless hand tools?

There isn’t a direct answer to this question. Ryobi tools are good quality and perform well. Greenworks tools are cheaper but can get the job done. However, one is technically better performance-wise. But Greenworks may be better for you if you’re just performing tasks around the house. Ryobi makes tools that are good for heavy-duty projects and jobs, but if you don’t need that, why pay the extra money?

Do Ryobi batteries fit Greenworks?

Although Greenworks and Ryobi are in the same market space, they each have their own accessories, including batteries, to fit their tools. This is how companies ensure customer loyalty.