EGO Power+ 21" Select Cut vs Ryobi 40V HP Whisper Series
Gas mowers are on the way out, and these are the two battery platforms most homeowners land on. EGO's 56V Select Cut is the closest thing to gas performance without the gas — reviewers call it the gold standard. Ryobi's 40V HP Whisper Series costs meaningfully less and plugs into the widest battery ecosystem in the yard. Power or value: pick your fighter.
Spec-by-Spec
| Feature | EGO 56V Select Cut | Ryobi 40V HP Whisper |
|---|---|---|
| Battery platform | 56V ARC Lithium WINNER | 40V HP |
| Cutting power | ~8.3 ft-lbs torque — chews through thick, wet grass WINNER | Fine for maintained lawns; slows in heavy growth |
| Deck | 21" steel, multi-blade Select Cut stack WINNER | 21" steel, single blade |
| Lawn size sweet spot | Up to ~0.5–1.0 acre WINNER | Up to ~0.4 acre |
| Noise | Quiet vs gas | Whisper Series — quietest in class WINNER |
| Tool ecosystem | Strong outdoor line | Massive — 40V yard tools plus the giant 18V ONE+ family WINNER |
| Where to buy | Lowe's, Ace, Amazon | Home Depot exclusive |
| Price (self-propelled kit) | ~$549–$649 | ~$449–$479 WINNER |
Pros & Cons
EGO Power+ Select Cut
- Closest to gas power of any battery mower — thick grass, tall grass, damp grass
- Multi-blade Select Cut deck: better mulching and bagging
- Handles bigger lawns and slopes without bogging down
- Batteries work across EGO's excellent trimmer/blower/chainsaw line
- Costs ~$100–$200 more
- Spare 56V batteries are pricey
Ryobi 40V HP Whisper
- Best value in self-propelled electric — usually under $480
- Noticeably quieter — mow at 7am without enemies
- Ryobi's ecosystem is the widest in the business (even snow blowers)
- Plenty of mower for a standard suburban lot
- Less torque — struggles in thick or wet growth
- Home Depot exclusive limits deal-shopping
The Verdict: The EGO beats the Ryobi
EGO wins where a mower is actually judged: cutting power. The 56V Select Cut takes thick summer growth, damp mornings, and half-acre lots in stride — conditions that make a 40V mower slow down and take a second pass. If a mower is a ten-year purchase, buy the one that never feels underpowered.
Buy the Ryobi instead if your lawn is a standard quarter-acre you cut on schedule, you already own Ryobi batteries, or the ~$150 you save funds a trimmer to match. For maintained lawns, the Whisper is quieter, cheaper, and completely capable.