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Ryobi 40V RY40530 Review

A cordless chainsaw that is overpriced for its performance that we wouldn't recommend purchasing
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Price:   $240 List
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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46
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#9 of 9
  • Saw Performance - 35% 4
  • 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

(change comparison)
 
This Product
Ryobi 40V RY40530
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award  
Price $240 List$330 List$550 List
$457.90 at Amazon		$260 List
$247.24 at Amazon		$316 List
$277.48 at Amazon
Star Rating
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Pros Good cutting power, has tabs on oil cap for leverageExcellent sawing power, good battery life, relatively inexpensiveInstant wind-up time, metal bucking spikes, M18 battery system works with many other toolsSpectacular battery life, two chain speed settings, barely consumes bar and chain oilBarely consumes oil, good performance, weather-resistant
Cons Consumes an absurd amount of oil, no chain brake, awkward battery compartment locationHeavy, noisyExpensive, uses a lot of oil, bulkyNot the strongest cutting power, plastic chain tensioning system, electronic controls slow down sawingSlow wind-up time, no battery level indicator, no bucking spikes
Bottom Line A cordless chainsaw that is overpriced for its performance that we wouldn't recommend purchasingIf you’re looking for an amazing cordless chainsaw that performs better than the rest, we suggest you go with the ECHO CCS-58V4AHThis cordless chainsaw has zero wind-up time, cuts like a dream, and has a battery that works with a massive list of other Milwaukee toolsIf you aren’t concerned about having a top tier cordless chainsaw, the Husqvarna still offers a good degree of performance at a reasonable priceNot a bad choice for an efficient cordless chainsaw that offers a high level of performance
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Rating Categories Ryobi 40V RY40530 ECHO CCS-58V4AH Milwaukee M18 FUEL Husqvarna 120i EGO Power+ CS1400
Saw Performance (35%)
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10
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9
10
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8
10
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6
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7
Ease Of Use (30%)
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6
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8
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7
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6
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6
Battery (25%)
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4
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6
Noise (10%)
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Specs Ryobi 40V RY40530 ECHO CCS-58V4AH Milwaukee M18 FUEL Husqvarna 120i EGO Power+ CS1400
Model Number RY40503 CCS-58V4AH 2727-21HD 120i CS1400
Measured Body Dimesions 19.5x9x8 inches 16x8x9 inches 18.5x9x8 inches 19x7x7 inches 16x9x8 inches
Bar Length 14 inches 16 inches 16 inches 14 inches 14 inches
Measured Weight w/ Battery 11 lbs 8 oz 14 lbs 4 oz 14 lbs 4 oz 10 lbs 11 oz 11 lbs 10 oz
Measured Battery Weight 3 lbs 2 oz 4 lbs 3 lbs 6 oz 2 lbs 12 oz 2lbs 14 oz
Included Battery Size 4 Ah 4 Ah 12 Ah 4.2 Ah 2 Ah
Nominal Voltage 40V 58V 36V 36V 56V
Measured Runtime 24 minutes 34 minutes 33 minutes 40 minutes 24 minutes
Measured Run Time Eco Mode n/a n/a n/a 54 mins n/a
Measured Battery Charge Time 2.75 hr 1 hr 1.3 hr 2 hrs .75 hr
Measured Average Cutting Time 10.02 seconds 6.136 seconds 8.316 seconds 13.486 seconds 9.452 seconds
Measured Wind Up Time 2 seconds .5 seconds Instant .5 seconds 2.5 seconds
Measured Decibel Reading at 48in 97.8 dBa 87.5 dBa 86.8 dBa 85.9 dBa 85.3 dBa
Control Type Thumb safety Thumb safety w/ chain brake Side safety w/ chain brake Electronic button, side safety and brake Side safety w/ chain brake
Chain Replacement and Tensioning Type Included Tool Included Tool Included Tool Tool free Tool free
Metal Bucking Spikes No No Yes No No
Oil Conservation 2 8 6 8 8
Bar & Chain Tank Location and Type Top Side Side Side, flip-up Side, Screen

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.

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


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.

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 oil in a very short amount of time when compared to other models.
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.

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