Ryobi vs. EGO vs. DeWalt: Which Cordless Edger?
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The short answer
If you own none of the platforms, EGO's 56V stick edger cuts deepest and holds RPM best under load, which is what matters on a real border. Ryobi 40V is the value pick and completely adequate for maintenance edging on a suburban lot. DeWalt 20V MAX only makes sense if you already have a shelf of DeWalt packs — the attachment-based setup trades depth capability and balance for battery-platform convenience.
EGO Power+ 15" Edger
Deepest cut and best RPM retention under load of the homeowner platforms.
Almost nobody buys an edger in isolation. You buy the one that fits the batteries in your garage, which is why platform comparison matters more than a single-tool review.
Head to head
| EGO 56V | Ryobi 40V | DeWalt 20V MAX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical blade | 8 to 9 in | 7.5 to 8 in | 7.5 in attachment |
| Usable depth | Deepest, marked stops | Good, 3 stops typical | Shallower in practice |
| Under-load behavior | Holds RPM well | Slight bog on heavy mats | Bogs in overgrowth |
| Weight with pack | Heaviest | Middle | Lightest |
| Dedicated or attachment | Dedicated stick edger | Both available | Mostly attachment |
| Best for | Real reset passes, long borders | Weekly maintenance, value | Existing DeWalt owners |
Which one to buy
- No platform yet, borders over 150 feet or overgrown: buy into 56V and get a dedicated stick edger.
- Already own 40V yard tools: add the edger, not a new platform. The performance gap is not worth a second charger.
- Own DeWalt for construction tools: the attachment saves money, but expect to make two passes where a dedicated edger makes one.
- Borders under 100 feet: a corded edger or a half-moon manual tool beats all three on cost per clean foot.
Myth
Voltage numbers compare directly between brands.
The Fact
20V MAX and 40V are marketing measures of cell arrangement, not delivered power. Blade diameter, depth stops and whether the motor is brushless predict real cutting ability much better.
Runtime, realistically
Edging is intermittent work, so runtime is rarely the limiting factor. A mid-size pack on any of these platforms handles several hundred feet of maintenance edging. Deep reset passes through matted turf cut that roughly in half, which is the one case where having a second pack matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is EGO or Ryobi better for edging?
- EGO cuts deeper and holds RPM better under load. Ryobi 40V is meaningfully cheaper and completely adequate for weekly maintenance edging on a typical lot.
- Does DeWalt make a real lawn edger?
- DeWalt's edging is mostly an attachment on its 20V MAX outdoor system. It works for maintaining a border you already cut, but it is not the tool for resetting an overgrown edge.
- Are cordless edgers strong enough to replace gas?
- For homeowner use, yes. A 40V or 56V brushless edger cuts the same trench depth as a homeowner gas unit without fuel, filters or a spring carburetor rebuild.
The Gear We’d Buy
Everything referenced in this guide, in one place.
EGO Power+ 15" Edger
Top pickDeepest cut and best RPM retention under load of the homeowner platforms.
Typically $180 – $230 bare tool
Greenworks 40V Edger
Best valueThe 40V-class value answer: three depth stops and a curb-riding guide wheel.
Typically $120 – $160
Worx WG896 Corded Edger
Under 100 feet of border? Skip the platform debate and plug one in.
Typically $90 – $120
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Key Takeaways
- Buy the edger that matches batteries you already own unless your borders are long or overgrown.
- 56V-class dedicated stick edgers cut deepest and stall least.
- Attachment-based edgers trade depth and balance for platform convenience.
- Compare blade size and depth stops, not voltage labels.
Reviewed by
The Lawn Tool Hub Test Bench
We buy, borrow and break lawn tools on our own yards — clay in the back, sand-cut Bermuda in the front — and write down what actually changed the result.
Keep reading
Best Edger for Thick, Overgrown Borders
Overgrown edges need blade depth and torque, not a trimmer. Here is what cuts through matted Bermuda and turf that has crept over concrete — and the two-pass method that saves the blade.
Edger or String Trimmer — Which Actually Cuts a Border?
A blade edger cuts a vertical trench; a trimmer only shaves grass back. Here is what each tool does to a driveway edge, and when a trimmer is genuinely enough.
How to Edge a Lawn for the First Time
The exact order of operations for a first edging pass: depth setting, which direction to walk, what to do with the soil, and the two mistakes that ruin a new border.
Top pick
EGO Power+ 15" Edger