Can a Ryobi lawn mower actually mow 1/2-acre? I measured and found out

Published Oct 2, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He's covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family. He's covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He's written over 9,000 articles. In addition to power tools, Ryobi offers a wide selection of outdoor power equipment. If you've ever considered one of its electric lawn mowers, you're probably wondering whether it can actually mow 1/2 or 3/4th of an acre like Ryobi promises on the box. After briefly testing an 18V and upgrading to a more capable 40V mower, I measured and tested it myself. Tackling the yard is one of those jobs people either love or hate. If you're trying to get that grass golf-course green or want to ditch the gas mower, Ryobi has you covered. Having the right tool for the job can make all the difference. As long as you buy the right Ryobi mower for the size of your yard, it's actually a pretty easy job. 1/2 an acre is easy, with the right model You'll want a Ryobi 40V mower Before I begin, it's important to note that Ryobi sells several different electric lawn mower models. Not only are there smaller 18V versions that run on your power tool battery packs, but there are also larger 40V options with more power and runtime. In addition to those two platforms, you'll find older regular mowers, newer models with brushless motors, and multiple size options to choose from. While an 18V lawn mower might be okay for very small yards, or someone who only has a small patch of grass, your best bet is to spend a little more and get a more powerful Ryobi 40V lawn mower. In the long run, it'll be the better decision. Most homeowners will want (and need) the extra power. A common question I see online is whether a Ryobi lawn mower can actually finish an entire yard on a single charge. Furthermore, can one really mow 1/2 an acre, or potentially 3/4th of an acre? The short answer is yes, absolutely, but you're more than likely to succeed with a larger 40V version. Let me explain. When I first bought my home and needed a mower right away, I found a used Ryobi 18V mower on Facebook Marketplace. I thought that would be a good idea, as I have dozens of Ryobi 18V ONE+ tools. Unfortunately, it was a little too small and didn't have enough juice to power through my yard. Even with my brand-new 18V 6Ah HP batteries, it would die before I finished the front yard. Now, that could be because it was an older model, and who knows how much it was used, and I'm pretty confident a brand-new 18V brushless model would perform better. Still, I didn't want to take that risk, and I already own some 40V yard tools, so I jumped to a bigger and better 40V version. Ryobi 40V 21-inch Brushless Lawn Mower Battery Life Up to 80 minutes Tool Type Lawn Mower Ryobi's 40V electric lawn mower is quiet, capable, and comes with two 40V 6Ah battery packs and a rapid charger. It's all you need to tackle your yard. A quick measurement shows Ryobi's claim is solid One 40V battery handles my yard with ease My Ryobi 40V 21-inch self-propelled brushless lawn mower comes with two 40V 6Ah battery packs, but I don't even need the second battery. I measured my yard, and I have about 0.37 acres (16,000 sq ft) of grass across the front, sides, and large backyard. That's precisely why I chose a larger 21-inch deck and a model that came with two battery packs. I never wanted to get stuck halfway, waiting for a recharge. Turns out, Ryobi's claim that pretty much every 40V lawn mower can handle a 1/2 acre is accurate. I can mow my entire 0.37 acres of grass and still have two bars left on the battery indicator. That said, those two remaining bars aren't enough to finish the entire yard a second time, as it runs out a bit faster. If I don't use self-propel, it'll last a little longer, but then what's the point in having the feature? Keep in mind that battery life and performance will vary if the grass is too tall, or if I haven't mowed soon enough and let things get out of hand. Shorter cuts are easier on the motor and better for your lawn. Thankfully, my Ryobi 40V mower holds two battery packs but uses only one at a time. As soon as it dies, or I notice it getting low, I can flip the red pin (pictured above) and switch things over to the secondary battery. And as I said earlier, I rarely need to do that because a single battery can handle my 0.37 acres. Ryobi's 40V electric mower is solid Considering I can almost mow my entire 0.37-acre lawn twice on a single charge, that's certainly more than 1/2 an acre. And when I factor in both battery packs, I'm well within Ryobi's advertised promise of 3/4th an acre and 80 minutes of runtime. At the end of the day, the right tool for the job makes all the difference. While you might be able to get by with an 18V mower, you'll love the added runtime and power of a 40V. Trust me on that one.