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Ryobi 40V RY40530 Review

A cordless chainsaw that is overpriced for its performance that we wouldn't recommend purchasing
Ryobi 40V RY40530
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Price:   $240 List | $174.50 at Amazon
Pros:  Good cutting power, has tabs on oil cap for leverage
Cons:  Consumes an absurd amount of oil, no chain brake, awkward battery compartment location
Manufacturer:   Ryobi
By Ross Patton ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Oct 23, 2019
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50
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#12 of 12
  • Saw Performance - 35% 5
  • Ease of Use - 30% 6
  • Battery - 25% 4
  • Noise - 10% 4

Our Verdict

The Ryobi 40V RY40530 does a good job of cutting, but it doesn't keep up in other aspects. The noise that this saw produces is difficult to endure for the operator as well as anyone who may be in the immediate vicinity. It lacks a chain brake, which we see as a serious design flaw. The biggest issue that we found with the Ryobi is that it dumps oil out at a ludicrous rate.

Compare to Similar Products

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Ryobi 40V RY40530
This Product
Ryobi 40V RY40530
Awards  Best Buy Award   Top Pick Award 
Price $240 List
$174.50 at Amazon		$270 List
$273 at Amazon		$250 List
$175.99 at Amazon		$252 List
$249.99 at Amazon		$130 List
$124.98 at Amazon
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Pros Good cutting power, has tabs on oil cap for leverageSpectacular battery life, two chain speed settings, barely consumes bar and chain oilBarely consumes oil, good performance, weather-resistantQuiet, metal bucking spikes, light, quietCompact, light, quiet, affordable
Cons Consumes an absurd amount of oil, no chain brake, awkward battery compartment locationNot the strongest cutting power, plastic chain tensioning system, electronic controls slow down sawingSlow wind-up time, no battery level indicator, no bucking spikesSlow wind-up time, not the best battery life, unimpressive performanceMediocre battery life, slow at making cuts
Bottom Line A cordless chainsaw that is overpriced for its performance that we wouldn't recommend purchasingA good degree of performance and an exceptional battery life at a reasonable priceNot a bad choice for an efficient cordless chainsaw that offers a high level of performanceA mediocre saw that's fine for smaller jobs and people that own the battery and charger from another G-MAX toolThis cordless electric chainsaw is our favorite 20V model for small, quick projects around the yard
Rating Categories Ryobi 40V RY40530 Husqvarna 120i EGO Power+ CS1400 Greenworks G-MAX 40V Worx WG322
Saw Performance (35%)
5.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Ease Of Use (30%)
6.0
6.0
6.0
6.0
7.0
Battery (25%)
4.0
8.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
Noise (10%)
4.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
Specs Ryobi 40V RY40530 Husqvarna 120i EGO Power+ CS1400 Greenworks G-MAX 40V Worx WG322
Model Number RY40503 120i CS1400 20312 WG322
Bar Length 14 inches 14 inches 14 inches 16 inches 10 inches
Measured Weight w/ Battery 11 lbs 8 oz 10 lbs 11 oz 11 lbs 10 oz 12 lbs 6 lbs 10 oz
Measured Battery Weight 3 lbs 2 oz 2 lbs 12 oz 2lbs 14 oz 2 lbs 15 oz 1 lbs 10 oz
Included Battery Size 4 Ah 4.2 Ah 2 Ah 4 Ah 2 Ah
Nominal Voltage 40V 36V 56V 40V 20V
Measured Runtime 24 minutes 40 minutes 24 minutes 27 minutes 22 minutes
Measured Run Time Eco Mode n/a 54 mins n/a n/a n/a
Measured Battery Charge Time 2.75 hr 2 hrs .75 hr 2 hrs 3 hr
Measured Average Cutting Time 10.02 seconds 13.486 seconds 9.452 seconds 12.582 seconds 38.382 seconds
Measured Wind Up Time 2 seconds .5 seconds 2.5 seconds 2.25 seconds 2 seconds
Measured Decibel Reading at 48in 97.8 dBa 85.9 dBa 85.3 dBa 83.8 dBa 80.0 dBa
Control Type Thumb safety Electronic button, side safety and brake Side safety w/ chain brake Electronic button, side safety and chain brake Thumb safety
Chain Replacement and Tensioning Type Included Tool Tool free Tool free Tool free Tool free
Metal Bucking Spikes No No No Yes No
Oil Conservation 2 8 8 7 8
Bar & Chain Tank Location and Type Top Side, flip-up Side, Screen Top Top
Measured Body Dimesions 19.5x9x8 inches 19x7x7 inches 16x9x8 inches 16x8x8 inches 13x8x7.5 inches

Our Analysis and Test Results

In the category of cordless chainsaws, the Ryobi is not the most impressive model.

The Ryobi 40V RY40530 is not our favorite saw.
The Ryobi 40V RY40530 is not our favorite saw.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Performance Comparison



Likes


It might make sense to buy this saw if you already own a Ryobi 40V battery in order to save some money. It did ok in our dimensional woodcutting test where we made several timed cuts through a set amount of wood.

The aspect of our review where the Ryobi did the best was during our...
The aspect of our review where the Ryobi did the best was during our dimension woodcutting time trials.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman


Dislikes


Our main gripe with this saw is that it consumes oil at a rate that we have never seen. The Ryobi is a total pain because you have to stop and check the oil all of the time.

The Ryobi uses a wrench/screwdriver combo which we are a fan of, but the tool for this model is so small that it's difficult to use. The tool is also unusually challenging to remove from the handle.

The "scrench" that is included with the Ryobi is unusually small.
The "scrench" that is included with the Ryobi is unusually small.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

The RY40530 has a less than average battery life, and it takes hours to charge. This can really hinder getting your project done in a timely manner. This saw has a very slow wind-up time, which further complicates issues regarding timeliness and efficiency.


During our sound meter testing the Ryobi put emitted a painful reading of 97.8 decibels at a distance of 48 inches. Although you should be wearing ear protection while using power tools, this is still a high level of noise for you while you're working.


Value


The Ryobi is very expensive for the performance that it offers. We recommend investing your money into a saw that does a better job.

The Ryobi 40V RY 40530 does an ok job of cutting, but it runs out of...
The Ryobi 40V RY 40530 does an ok job of cutting, but it runs out of oil in a very short amount of time when compared to other models.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Conclusion


This saw offers some decent cutting power, but it falls short in many other aspects. It doesn't have a chain brake, it does not have the best battery life, and its charge time is laughable. Worst of all it dumps bar and chain oil as fast as can be which makes it a very inefficient tool.

— Ross Patton