The EGO Power+ ST1623T 56V String Trimmer meets
the Ryobi 40V String Trimmer
The most powerful mainstream trimmer with hands-free line management. We tested it head-to-head against the Ryobi 40V String Trimmer ($259) across 5 key dimensions.
EGO Power+ ST1623T 56V String Trimmer
“The most powerful mainstream trimmer with hands-free line management”
Ryobi 40V String Trimmer
“40V power that keeps pace with 80V trimmers at a fraction of the cost”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
EGO Power+ ST1623T 56V String Trimmer
- Project Farm measured it as the most powerful mainstream trimmer, clearing an 8x24-foot thick grass patch in just 1 minute 20 seconds
- Line IQ auto-feed and Power Load system wind 23.5 feet of line with one button press, per Tech Made Easy's long-term review
- Carbon fiber shaft keeps it balanced and rigid while reducing arm fatigue, praised by Pro Picks
- At nearly 14 lbs with battery, Project Farm measured it as the heaviest mainstream consumer trimmer tested
- No manual line-feed override button; Tech Made Easy noted the auto-feed can lag when you need line immediately
- Shaft may feel short for taller users even fully extended, per Tech Made Easy
Ryobi 40V String Trimmer
- Project Farm found it 'feels as powerful as the 80V Kobalt,' clearing thick grass only 2 seconds slower despite costing $60 less
- Lightest front-end weight in Project Farm's test at 3.63 lbs, making the cutting head easy to swing and maneuver
- Adjustable 14-to-16-inch cutting swath and 1.3-second trigger response give it above-average versatility for the price
- Project Farm measured handle vibration at 40 mm/s, the most aggressive in the non-commercial group; your hands will feel it
- At 96.3 dB it is exceptionally loud for a battery tool, per Project Farm's measurements
- Narrow debris shield offers poor protection; Project Farm reported getting heavily pelted by grass clippings and dirt
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
Project Farm put eight string trimmers through identical head-to-head tests on the same 8x24-foot patch of thick, overgrown grass. The EGO Power+ 56V finished in 1 minute 20 seconds, faster than every other mainstream consumer trimmer. It maintained high RPMs throughout without the bogging that plagued cheaper models, and the grass clippings dispersed cleanly instead of piling up in front of the cutting head.
EGO Power+ ST1623T 56V String Trimmer
Project Farm put eight string trimmers through identical head-to-head tests on the same 8x24-foot patch of thick, overgrown grass. The EGO Power+ 56V finished in 1 minute 20 seconds, faster than every other mainstream consumer trimmer. It maintained high RPMs throughout without the bogging that plagued cheaper models, and the grass clippings dispersed cleanly instead of piling up in front of the cutting head.
- Medium to large yards with mixed grass and weeds
- Anyone who hates manual line winding and wants Power Load automation
- Users who do 30+ minutes of trimming per session and need sustained power
- Homeowners who value quiet operation (88.6 dB vs 96+ dB competitors)
- People building out an EGO 56V ecosystem for multiple outdoor tools
Ryobi 40V String Trimmer
The Ryobi 40V pulled off something remarkable in Project Farm's testing: it cleared that same thick grass patch in 1 minute 57 seconds, just two seconds behind the $319 Kobalt 80V. That is 40-volt performance matching an 80-volt tool, at $259 with a 4Ah battery and charger included.
- Budget-conscious homeowners who need real cutting power under $260
- Ryobi 40V ecosystem owners who already have batteries on the shelf
- Small to medium yards with standard lawn maintenance needs
- Users with short trimming sessions who tolerate vibration and noise
- First-time battery trimmer buyers who want a low-risk entry point