Garden & Outdoor Living · Head-to-head
EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S) vs RYOBI 40V 15" Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit (RY40ST01K)
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Cordless String Trimmers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The EGO wins for its combination of gas-like 56V power and a genuinely fuss-free automatic line feed that owners love. The RYOBI is the smarter buy for anyone who wants one affordable battery platform to power a whole shed of yard tools.
EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S)
Buy itGas-like 56V power with a push-button line feed that ends spool-winding misery.
- POWERLOAD head auto-winds the line at the push of a button - no hand-spooling
- 56V brushless motor delivers the torque reviewers say chews through thick, wet weeds
- Feeds a large 56V ecosystem of mowers, blowers, and saws that share the battery
- Owners describe the balance as a little front-heavy compared with lighter 20V trimmers
- The kit's 2.5Ah battery is rated by EGO for up to 30 minutes of runtime, so bigger yards want a larger pack
RYOBI 40V 15" Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit (RY40ST01K)
Buy itThe value pick: one attachment-capable powerhead that grows into a whole yard toolkit.
- Attachment-capable shaft accepts edger, pole saw, and cultivator heads from one motor
- Backed by RYOBI's huge, affordable 40V lineup that owners praise for value
- Ships with a generous 4Ah battery, so runtime is long for the price class
- Owners report it feels heavy once the 4Ah pack is fitted
- Uses a bump-feed head rather than EGO's automatic line loading
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S) Our pick | RYOBI 40V 15" Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit (RY40ST01K) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Homeowners with quarter- to half-acre lots who want gas-grade power without the fuss. | Budget-minded homeowners who want one battery platform for many yard tools. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Power & cutting swath | Strong 56V, 15" swath - gas-like torque | 40V, 13 to 15 inch adjustable swath - ample for most lawns |
| Line-feed system | POWERLOAD automatic push-button winding | Bump-feed head |
| Battery platform | 56V ARC Lithium - large OPE lineup | 40V - huge, affordable lineup |
| Runtime (included battery) | Modest 2.5Ah kit - fine for average lots | Long - 4Ah battery included |
| Weight & handling | Owners note a front-heavy feel | Owners report it feels heavy with the pack fitted |
| Build & durability | Carbon fiber shaft, 5-year limited warranty | Good for the price |
| Best use case | Quarter- to half-acre lots | Multi-tool budget setups |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S) if
homeowners with quarter- to half-acre lots who want gas-grade power without the fuss.
Know before buying: owners describe the balance as a little front-heavy compared with lighter 20V trimmers.
Pick the RYOBI 40V 15" Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit (RY40ST01K) if
budget-minded homeowners who want one battery platform for many yard tools.
Know before buying: owners report it feels heavy once the 4Ah pack is fitted.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the EGO POWER+ 15" String Trimmer with POWERLOAD (ST1521S) - Gas-like 56V power with a push-button line feed that ends spool-winding misery. Choose the RYOBI 40V 15" Attachment Capable String Trimmer Kit (RY40ST01K) instead if budget-minded homeowners who want one battery platform for many yard tools.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Cordless String Trimmers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).