Ryobi Expand-It String Trimmer Review

No compromises with this adaptable tool—it can wack weeds with the rest of them.

Multi-purpose tools are often a compromised solution—they can do multiple things decently, but perhaps not as well as a dedicated tool. The compromise with the Ryobi Expand-It system is having a tool base that runs a variety of different implement heads, saving space compared to having all of those implements as separate, dedicated tools. If storage is at a premium in your garage, Expand-It and similar systems offer a flexible solution.

With the grass finally starting to grow, I tested out the Ryobi Expand-It string trimmer to see if it could hold up to the rigors (okay, that may be exaggerating a bit) of maintaining my half-acre suburban property.

Most Versatile String Trimmer
Ryobi
40-Volt 17-Inch Cordless Expand-It String Trimmer

$239Home Depot

Is it a Real String Trimmer?

Once assembled, the Expand-It string trimmer is a full-length straight-shaft string trimmer. Two string ends emerge from the head, and the line is advanced with a strong bump of the head onto the ground. This is how most other trimmers work, those used by regular homeowners and professionals alike.

I haven’t used a ton of string trimmers in my life, but replenishing string in this machine is easy and takes just a few steps.

1. Remove the battery for safety.
2. Turn the head’s cap to align a couple of marks with corresponding ones on its base
3. Feed your line into the hole on one side and out through the other (aligning the marks in the previous steps lines up the winding mechanism with the holes that the string emerges from).
4. Pull your line out so that you have about 4 feet on each side—if you are feeding from a bulk package, you’ll need to cut the line once you’ve reached the desired length.
5. Turn the head cap in the direction listed to wind the string in.

Colin Aylesworth
Adding more string works just like any standard string trimmer; it’s simple once you get used to the process.

How Does it Work?

I use a string trimmer to trim grass along the perimeter of my property, along my fence, and around my garden beds, with either direct transitions to mulch or with a stone border. I also edge along my driveway and where my grass meets the road. For these purposes and in these scenarios, I was impressed with the capability of this tool. The string whips around quickly and forcefully. It’s strong enough that, if you’re not careful, you could cause damage to fencing or wooden barriers.

The Expand-It trimmer made quick and easy work of my edging and did a nice job trimming around my lawn border areas. Never once did I feel like this tool was a compromise in any way. Additionally, the 40-volt battery platform the tool runs on is plenty powerful, and you can fit any capacity battery depending on what you have and how much work you are doing.

Colin Aylesworth
Despite being an interchangeable multi-tool, the string trimmer attachment performed just as well as any other string trimmer I have used.

Who Is This For?

If you are a homeowner with limited space for yard tools and don’t need a ton of big equipment, the Expand-It system is a good option. I think this setup would be especially handy if you own a townhouse, where you likely don’t have a ton of property but do have some that needs to be maintained, and storage space is at a premium.

With this system, you can get attachments like a hedge trimmer, pole saw, and gutter blower, among others. And when winter comes, you can slip on the electric snow shovel attachment to clear off your walkway or patio.

There’s value in not dedicating all of your storage space to lawn and garden tools, and Ryobi’s Expand-It system capitalizes on that. Fortunately, you can save some space and still have a top-quality string trimmer that can handle whatever you put it up to.

Other String Trimmers We Recommend

Best Overall

Husqvarna 110iL FLXi Cordless Grass Trimmer and Edger

$250 at Amazon
$256 at Walmart
Best Value

Worx

Cordless GT3.0 PowerShare 12-Inch Edger & Weed Trimmer
$120 at Amazon
$85 at Walmart$78 at Lowe's
Most User Friendly

Ego Power+

Powerload 16-inch Telescopic Shaft String Trimmer
Now 11% Off
$359 $319 at Amazon
$359 $319 at Walmart$359 $329 at Lowe's

Colin Aylesworth
Deputy Editor, Reviews

Colin Aylesworth attended Binghamton University and is a Deputy Editor with the Gear team at Popular Mechanics and Runner’s World, where he has been since 2022. Prior to joining Hearst Magazines, he worked for 11 years at U.S. News and World Report on the autos team.

His personal pursuits fit in well with the work he does for PM and RW. Aylesworth was on his college’s club rowing team and has maintained a routine running habit through most of his adult life as a means of getting exercise and spending time outdoors. Running creates a hearty appetite, which brings us to Popular Mechanics. That publication's expertise in the area of grilling is relatable to Aylesworth, who is an adherent to charcoal grilling. In fact, he’s been primarily using the same Weber charcoal kettle he bought on Craigslist in 2012.

Aylesworth also has experience in the lawn mower industry. Not only has he been mowing his and neighbor’s lawns during adolescence, one of his more recent endeavors is a side gig of repairing and restoring gas lawn mowers given up by their previous owners. Since joining PM, he has gotten more involved with the publication’s mower testing efforts and especially enjoys testing out new electric and zero turn mowers.

Reviewed byDavid Dritsas
Reviews Editor

David is a Reviews Editor for Hearst’s Enthusiast Group, contributing to Popular Mechanics, Runner’s World, Bicycling, Best Products, and Biography. He has over 25 years of experience writing about and reviewing consumer electronics, kitchen appliances, DIY products, outdoor gear, and more. He also spent years covering the ever-changing world of online retail. To relax, he loves experimenting with new recipes, tweaking his smart home setup, and spending time outdoors on his bike or camping.