Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W Review

Ryobi RLM16E36H1600W Review
Ryobi RLM16E36H
Performance/Cut Quality
88
Features
86
Durability
82
Value
82
Warranty/Support
88
What I Like
2-in-1 cutting features – cut & collect and mulching.
Cuts to edge so reduced trimming required.
Ergonomic handles with four starter buttons.
Easy to fold up and store.
2 + 1 = 3 year warranty when registered.
What I Don't Like
Power cable a little short at 9 metres.
NO Rear roller for striped lawn appearance.
Folding bars at lower point is a little tricky.
85
My Overall Rating

Ryobi RLM16E36H Review

Summary

The Ryobi RLM16E36H is an electric lawn mower that has a 36cm (14″) cutting deck and comes supplied with a large 45 litre grass collection bag, mulching plug and ergonomic folding handles. This mower has a wide range of cutting heights (5 stages, 20mm to 70mm), weighs 15kg and is provided with a powerful 1600 watt motor.

Ryobi is one of the best consumer brands out there with a huge range of garden and power tools that are reliable and effective. So, when I heard about the Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W electric lawn mower, I just had to check it out. It is a powerful little 1600w lawn mower with enough features to suit the needs of most domestic users, and some handy storage quirks that make it perfect for anyone who is limited on space.

Designed for small to medium sized gardens, the Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W comes with a 36cm cutting width and a selection of five cutting heights. I’ll admit that I have seen mowers with more than this but I’d say this number was average and certainly more than what you’ll need for a smaller garden throughout the seasons.

Where user comfort is concerned, Ryobi has gone above and beyond. This is largely thanks to the ergonomic Vertebrae handles which I’ll go into in more detail later in this Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W review. So, let’s take a look at some of the other exciting features and see if there are any downsides to this mower.

Main Features

  • 36cm cutting deck with cut to edge grass combs
  • 5 cutting heights from 20mm to 70mm
  • 1600w motor
  • Larger rear wheels for improved manoeuvrability and stability
  • 9m power cable
  • 45 L hybrid folding collection bag
  • Mulching plug included
  • Comfortable ergonomic handles with 4 starter buttons
  • Angle of handles can be adjusted for a comfortable mowing position
  • Quick release folding handles
  • 2+1 year Ryobi domestic warranty

 


Power System

Ryobi RLM16E36H Power System

The Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W is a corded electric lawn mower that comes with a powerful 1600w motor. Most lawn mowers sit somewhere between 900 watts and 1500 watts so this one could be considered slightly more powerful than the competition. In any case, it will certainly give you the get up and go you need to tackle longer grass in a small to medium garden with ease.

If you are looking to break free from the power cord, Ryobi do have an equivalent cordless model with 37cm cutting deck available. You can see a full review of the Ryobi RY18LM37A model here.

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Performance

One of the things that really jumped out at me about the Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W was how conveniently it cuts. It makes use of EasyEdge technology which causes the blades of grass to be pulled into the blade’s path meaning that nothing goes uncut. This is perfect for getting right up to the edges along fences, walls and pathways. In turn, this means that you won’t need to be messing around with a grass trimmer after mowing. Remember that no mower is going to cut every strand of grass against walls and fencing, however this Ryobi does perform better than some competing brands that claim “cut to edge”


Features In Detail

Cutting Diameter

The Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W features a 36cm cutting width which is ideal for small to medium sized lawns. However, Ryobi hasn’t stopped there; if you have a very small patch of lawn, this may still be a little too big so don’t forget that there is also the 1300w 33cm Ryobi RLM3313 if you want to drop down a size.


Height Adjustment

Ryobi RLM16E36H Height Adjustment

The Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W features a choice of five cutting heights. While this isn’t the largest number I’ve ever seen on an electric mower, it is definitely enough to tackle a small garden over the course of the year.

What’s more, switching between the cutting heights is beautifully simple as the mower boasts a single point adjustment to set the height anywhere between 20mm and 70mm.

Not all electric mowers have a 20mm lower cut, so its nice to see this on this Ryobi.


Handles

Another of the most outstanding features of the Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W is the handles. In terms of user comfort and storage, Ryobi has paid real attention to detail. Primarily, you will notice the ergonomic Vertebrae handles that offer you the choice of positioning the handles in either a vertical or horizontal manner depending on what you find more comfortable. What’s more, the handle is height adjustable meaning that you will never have to hunch or overreach while mowing again.

The handles reminded me of, and function in the same way as, the Bosch Universal and AdvancedRotak models that are market leading in terms of ergonomic design.

As well as this, the handles fold down at the mid and lower points making storing the lawn mower much more convenient, especially when you are pushed for space. This function uses a quick release mechanism for added ease of use. That said, the lower point can be a little trickier to use since you must make sure that the quick release is unscrewed far enough to allow the handles to fold. But once you get used to it, the process will become second nature.


Wheels

It is great to see that Ryobi have added larger rear wheels on this mower. Larger rear wheels ensure that turning the mower is far less hassle and better over uneven terrain.


Roller (Stripes)

There is NO rear roller on this Ryobi RLM16E36H electric lawn mower. If you simply have to have a striped lawn, see my Best Electric Mower For A Striped Lawn.


Mulching

Ryobi RLM16E36H Mulching

The Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W comes with a mulching plug. This can be inserted and will change how the clippings are disposed of. Rather than being sent to the grass collection box, they will be circulated around the deck and delivered back to the lawn acting as a natural fertiliser.

Learn more about mulching here.

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Grass Collection Bag

Considering that this lawn mower is designed for much smaller areas, it still comes with a pretty decent sized grass box at 45 litres. What I really liked was that Ryobi designers have clearly continued the idea of easy storage over to the grass box and as such, you get a fully collapsible box that is a breeze to store, even when space is limited.

As well as reduced storage, the mesh sides provide good air circulation making this mower effective at both collecting and mulching the grass cuttings. There is also a full flap indicator so you know when it needs emptying. The quality of the mesh sides are good but not the best I have seen. You will need to be careful around thorn bushes or sharp edges, as this will damage the bag.

The grass collection bag attaches securely and will not bounce off like some I have tested.


Ryobi RLM16E36H Electric Lawn Mower User Manual

You can download the Ryobi RLM16E36H Electric Lawn Mower user manual guide here.


What’s Included in the Box

  • 1 x Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W
  • Mulching plug
  • 45 litre grass box
  • User manual

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 2-in-1 cutting features – cut & collect and mulching.
  • Cuts to edge so reduced trimming required.
  • Ergonomic handles with four starter buttons.
  • Angle of the handles can be adjusted to suit the operator.
  • Easy to fold up and store.
  • Centralised deck-height lever.
  • Easy storage grass box complete with full flap indicator.
  • Larger rear wheels.
  • 2 + 1 = 3 year warranty when registered.
Cons
  • Power cable a little short at 9 metres.
  • NO Rear roller for striped lawn appearance.
  • Folding bars at lower point is a little tricky.

 


Practicalities

When you buy any electrical product, you want to feel rest assured that you are going to receive excellent customer service should anything go wrong. Now, as I mentioned earlier, Ryobi is typically a reliable brand but as with anything, there are going to be problems from time to time. But it is what a company does about it that sets them apart from the rest. Well, imagine my joy when I discovered the excellent support and customer service offered by Ryobi as well as easy access to spare parts. All backed up by a 3 year warranty with registration of you mower.

Something else that really stood out to me when it comes to practicalities was how lightweight this Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W electric lawn mower is. At just a little over 14kg, it is far from being the heaviest mower out there which makes it easy to manoeuvre and effortless to carry.

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Should You Buy the Ryobi RLM16E36H?

Ryobi RLM16E36H Should You Buy the Ryobi RLM16E36H

When it comes to the kind of person that would suit this mower, I would have to recommend it to anyone who wants convenience, a superior cut and the ability to cut longer neglected lawns thanks to the 1600w motor. Thanks to the EasyEdge feature, it’s great for walled or fenced gardens and will limit the amount of additional work you need to do.

I’d also say that this was a good choice for someone who wants an electric mower with a fair amount of features but not one that is showy. You have a good degree of versatility in that there are five cutting heights and the option to mulch. For people with a small to medium sized garden, this is a small package with much to offer. Yes, it is true the quality of the plastics is a little flimsy when compared to some other brands. But having said that, the build quality is perfectly adequate for domestic use and helps to keep the weight down to a respectable 15kg.


Conclusion

Ryobi RLM16E36H Conclusion

The Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W is a compact lawn mower that folds down for easy storage and comes with a good choice of mowing options as well as being easy to use. One of the most impressive things about the mower is that it offers excellent user comfort with height adjustable handles that can be moved into a horizontal or vertical position. It also boasts amazing power for such a small machine and gives you an immaculate finish to your lawn.

In terms of value for money, this mower is priced around the same as comparable models from other brands. Yes there are cheaper alternatives from Flymo for example, but you will only be getting a 1300 watt motor. If you are looking for a mower that has to have a rear roller, matches the 1600 watt power and has the same features as this Ryobi, then you may want to take a look at my Cobra GTRM38 review.

In summary, this electric mower from Ryobi would make a great purchase for domestic situations and those that require additional power when cutting longer grass. You are getting a 2 year Ryobi warranty (extended to 3 years with registration) and all the benefits of purchasing a mower from a trusted and quality brand. This includes, good and responsive customer support and the availability of spare parts etc.


Where Should I Purchase This Model

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Ryobi RLM16E36H 1600W 36cm Lawnmower, [Amazon Exclusive]
  • Powerful 1600W motor with a 36cm cutting path time
  • Mow right to the perimeter with the EasyEdge feature
  • Single-point, 5-position height adjustment from 20 mm - 70 mm
  • Vertebrae ergonomic handle design with both vertical and horizontal handle positions
  • Foldable handle and collapsible grass catcher for easy and compact storage
  • Amazon Exclusive

Last update on 2024-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


Not sure about this mower? Click here to see more Electric Corded Lawn Mower Reviews.


 

Lawnmower Product Expert, Reviewer and Author at EasyLawnMowing.co.uk | 01284 615144 | info@easylawnmowing.co.uk | Website | + posts

As a seasoned expert in the field of garden power tools, I have dedicated over a decade to working with and reviewing a wide variety of lawn mowers. My extensive experience has allowed me to gain a deep understanding of the benefits and limitations of different types of mowers and garden tools.

Over the years, I have honed my skills in writing informative articles and creating helpful videos for various blogs and publications. This has given me the ability to not only recognise what makes a good lawn mower, but also to help you choose the perfect garden tool for your specific needs and requirements.

With my wealth of knowledge and expertise, I am confident that I can provide you with valuable insights and recommendations when it comes to selecting the right lawn mower for your lawn. So, whether you're looking for a battery cordless, electric, petrol, or robotic mower, you can trust in my expertise to guide you towards the best option for your garden.

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