RYOBI Goes All-In on 80V Riding Mowers (And This Is a Big Deal)

I kind of called this a few months ago. I said it was about time for an update — and here we are. This is a big release from RYOBI, and if you’re already on the 80V platform, or even thinking about jumping in, there are three important things you need to see here. This isn’t a small refresh. This is a real move forward for RYOBI’s outdoor power equipment lineup, and everything you’re about to read is scheduled to land Spring 2026.

RYOBI™ R1 80V HP Brushless 30" Riding Lawn Mower Kit
Model: RY80HPRM05K-R1
MSRP: $2,999

Yes — new riding mowers from RYOBI. It’s been several years since their last major riding mower releases, and this new R1 feels like it’s aimed directly at homeowners who want real riding mower capability without jumping to a massive zero-turn.

This mower runs on RYOBI’s new 80V HP Technology, combining three brushless motors, advanced electronics, and high-performance lithium battery tech. RYOBI claims performance exceeding a 16-horsepower gas engine, and if you’ve used modern electric mowers recently, that claim isn’t as wild as it might sound.

Electric mowers today are not what they were 20 years ago. These things have torque — a lot of it. Think electric cars. There are trade-offs between gas and battery, sure, but power isn’t the weak point anymore.

The R1 is rated to mow up to one acre on a single charge using the included 80V 14Ah battery. There’s also a second 80V battery port, so if you want to extend runtime by up to another acre, you can do that with a second battery sold separately.

Realistically, this mower makes the most sense for smaller to mid-size yards. One acre is the sweet spot. Two acres is doable if you don’t mind charging and coming back out.

One thing I have to point out — because I’ve lived it — is service. A lot of people were nervous when RYOBI first got into riding mowers. I’ve been using my RYOBI electric rider for years now, and despite all the “give it a year,” “give it three years,” “give it five years” comments… it’s still running fine.

The only issue I’ve ever had was blade damage — and that was on me.

RYOBI backs this mower with a 5-year warranty, and if something goes wrong, a certified RYOBI technician comes to your house to diagnose and service it. That said, it does say “available in select regions,” so if that matters to you, I strongly recommend calling RYOBI and confirming service availability where you live before buying.

Feature-wise, this mower checks a lot of boxes.

It has a compact footprint that fits through most standard gates and takes up less garage space.

The 30-inch, 14-gauge stamped steel deck uses dual blades and cuts better than you’d expect from its size.

There’s an integrated rear storage bed that can haul up to 100 pounds, plus a rear pin hitch rated for 250 pounds.

A built-in digital display shows battery level, charge status, blade life, and more.

App connectivity lets you track usage, battery health, and maintenance reminders from your phone.

ECO mode lets you dial back power when you don’t need full output — something I personally use a lot in summer.

Deck height adjusts from 1” to 4.5” across seven positions.

Charging is as simple as plugging into a standard 120V outlet, with no need to remove the battery.

The R1 kit includes the mower, one 80V 14Ah battery, charger, mulch plug, spare keys, and all assembly hardware. It supports mulching, side discharge, and bagging, with the bagger sold separately.

This mower will be available as a kit only at select Home Depot stores and HomeDepot.com.

RYOBI™ ZR3 80V HP Brushless 42" Zero Turn Riding Mower Kit
Model: RY80HPRM04-ZR3
MSRP: $3,999

Now this one is interesting — especially if you followed RYOBI’s earlier zero-turns.

The ZR3 delivers power equivalent to a 25-horsepower gas engine using four brushless motors and dual 80V 14Ah batteries. It’s rated to mow up to two acres on a single charge, with the option to extend runtime even further using an additional battery.

One thing longtime users will immediately notice: the paddles are back.

RYOBI previously experimented with a joystick control, and while I personally liked it, keeping perfectly straight lines wasn’t easy. A lot of people asked for the paddles to return — and RYOBI listened.

This model also introduces steering assist, which should directly address that straight-line cutting issue. Whether that’s electronic or mechanical remains to be seen, but on paper, it sounds like a fix for one of the biggest complaints.

Other highlights include a 42-inch, 12-gauge fabricated steel deck, tool-free deck removal in about 60 seconds, towing capability up to 250 pounds, built-in digital display, full app connectivity, ECO mode, 15 deck height positions in quarter-inch increments, speeds up to 7 mph, and standard 120V charging without removing batteries.

The ZR3 kit includes the mower, two 80V 14Ah batteries, charger, spare keys, and all manuals and hardware.

This model will be available exclusively on HomeDepot.com.

RYOBI™ 80V 14Ah Lithium Battery
Model: OP8014BCA
MSRP: $699

This is RYOBI’s most powerful 80V battery to date — and interestingly, it’s cheaper than earlier versions when they first launched.

The new 14Ah battery delivers up to 40% more runtime thanks to upgraded lithium cells, INTELLICELL™ electronics, and a COOL-CORE™ thermal design that helps reduce heat and extend battery life.

From personal experience, battery longevity has not been an issue for me. You might lose a little runtime over the years, but nothing that suddenly makes the mower unusable.

This battery includes a fuel gauge, carrying handle, and full compatibility with all RYOBI 80V tools and chargers. It can extend riding mower runtime by up to one additional acre depending on conditions.

It’s backed by RYOBI’s 5-year warranty and will be available only at HomeDepot.com.

One thing RYOBI clearly improved this time around is accessories. There are now bagging kits, suspension upgrades, mulching blades, dump carts, covers, hyper chargers, and even a 1000W power source available for both platforms.

RYOBI took a lot of heat years ago when they first entered this space, but after using their electric riders for four to five years with no major issues, it’s hard to argue they didn’t learn and improve.

This release feels more refined, more thought-out, and more confident.

Now I’m curious — are you excited about the paddles coming back, or did you actually like the joystick?

▶ Watch the Full Video Breakdown