Greenworks and Ryobi are two of the most popular battery-powered outdoor tool brands in Canada. Both offer mowers, blowers, trimmers, and chainsaws. Both are widely available at major Canadian retailers. And both attract homeowners who want to ditch gas without sacrificing performance.
But the two brands take fundamentally different approaches to battery outdoor power. Here's how they compare on the things that matter most.
Battery Platforms: Specialist vs Generalist
Greenworks is a dedicated outdoor power equipment company. Every product they make is designed for yard work. Their voltage tiers — 24V, 40V, 48V, 60V, 80V, and commercial 82V — are engineered specifically for outdoor tools, with battery capacities and motor designs optimized for cutting, blowing, trimming, and snow removal.
Ryobi is a broad-spectrum tool brand under the TTI umbrella. Ryobi's ONE+ 18V platform powers over 300 products — everything from drills and impact drivers to mowers and blowers. Their outdoor tools share batteries with their indoor power tools, which is convenient if you already own Ryobi drills and saws.
The trade-off is clear: Ryobi's 18V platform was originally designed for hand tools and adapted for outdoor use. Greenworks platforms were purpose-built for outdoor equipment from the start. When it comes to demanding tasks like mowing thick grass or blowing wet leaves, purpose-built platforms have a measurable advantage in sustained power delivery.
Maximum Power: Where the Gap Shows
Ryobi's most powerful outdoor platform is 40V. Greenworks tops out at 80V for residential and 82V for commercial use. That's a significant difference. Higher voltage enables more torque at the blade, more air speed at the blower nozzle, and more consistent performance under heavy load.
The Greenworks 80V 21″ Self-Propelled Mower delivers cutting performance that Ryobi's 40V lineup simply can't match. The same is true at the blower level — the Greenworks 80V 770 CFM Blower produces airflow that exceeds anything in Ryobi's cordless range.
For lighter tasks on smaller properties, the voltage difference matters less. A Ryobi 18V or 40V blower clears a patio just fine. But when conditions get demanding — thick spring growth, heavy wet leaves, large properties — the Greenworks 80V platform pulls ahead.
Product Range Comparison
Ryobi wins on sheer breadth of products. The ONE+ 18V system powers hundreds of tools across indoor and outdoor categories. If you want one battery to run your drill, your leaf blower, your fan, your radio, and your mower, Ryobi delivers that versatility.
Greenworks wins on depth within outdoor power. Multiple voltage tiers let you match the tool to the task — a lightweight 24V blower for patios, a mid-range 48V mower for suburban yards, and a premium 80V self-propelled mower for larger properties. The Greenworks lineup also includes full-size riding mowers (the 60V CrossoverT and 60V CrossoverZ), which Ryobi doesn't offer in Canada.
Build Quality and Motor Technology
Greenworks uses brushless motors across most of its premium lineup (48V, 80V, 82V). Brushless motors last longer, run more efficiently, and deliver more consistent power than brushed alternatives. This translates to longer battery runtime, less heat buildup, and a longer motor lifespan.
Ryobi offers brushless motors in some higher-end products but still uses brushed motors in many of its entry-level outdoor tools. If you're comparing products at the same price point, check whether the Ryobi model uses a brushless or brushed motor — it makes a real difference in long-term value.
Price Comparison
Ryobi's entry-level products are often cheaper than comparable Greenworks models, especially on the 18V platform. This makes Ryobi attractive for budget-conscious buyers or anyone who already owns Ryobi batteries from indoor tools.
At the mid-range and premium tiers, Greenworks is competitive on price and often delivers more power per dollar. The Greenworks 48V 17″ Push Mower competes directly with Ryobi's 40V mowers on price while offering the POWERALL ecosystem with 200+ compatible tools.
Canadian Availability and Support
Greenworks is available at Costco, RONA, Canadian Tire, and directly through greenworkstools.ca. The Canadian headquarters in Holland Landing, Ontario includes a dedicated warehouse, service centre, and trilingual customer support team. Warranty claims are handled locally.
Ryobi is primarily available at Home Depot in Canada. Online availability is strong, and Home Depot's return policy is consumer-friendly. Ryobi's customer service for Canadians is handled through TTI's North American support infrastructure.
Greenworks has a slight edge on retail breadth (particularly the Costco relationship), while Ryobi benefits from Home Depot's extensive store network.
Warranty
Greenworks offers a 4-year warranty on 80V tools and batteries and 3 years on 24V/40V products. Ryobi offers a 3-year limited tool warranty across most of its outdoor lineup, with battery warranties varying by product.
Greenworks' 4-year coverage on the 80V platform is among the strongest in the industry and reflects confidence in the product's durability.
Our Verdict
If you already own a collection of Ryobi ONE+ 18V batteries from indoor power tools and want a basic mower and blower that shares those batteries, Ryobi makes practical sense for light-duty yard work.
If you're buying outdoor power tools on their own merits — evaluating power, build quality, warranty, and long-term value — Greenworks is the stronger choice. Purpose-built outdoor platforms, higher maximum voltage, brushless motors across the premium range, and local Canadian support give Greenworks an advantage where it matters most: in the yard.
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