Verdict
Head-to-head · Best String Trimmers

Husqvarna 525L 25.4cc Gas String Trimmer vs Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Husqvarna 525L 25.4cc Gas String Trimmer comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Landscapers, large-lot owners (1+ acre), and anyone whose weekly cut includes tall weeds, ditches, or pasture edges where battery runtime would be a constraint. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Husqvarna 525L 25.4cc Gas String Trimmer
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best String Trimmers
Husqvarna 525L 25.4cc Gas String Trimmer
$320

The Husqvarna 525L is the lightest 25cc pro-grade gas trimmer most homeowners will encounter at 9.7 lb dry, with the brand's X-Torq engine delivering 1.21 hp to an 18.1-inch cutting swath. Pro Tool Reviews scored the closely related 525LS at 8.8/10 and ranked the 525LST third overall in their gas trimmer shootout at 89 points. The recoil is the soft spot and you're still pumping mixed gas, but for landscapers and homeowners running multi-acre lots in heavy growth, this is the trimmer that earns its keep all day.

Strengths
  • Pro-grade 25.4cc X-Torq engine produces 1.21 hp at 6,500 rpm
  • 9.7 lb dry weight is exceptionally light for a 25cc straight-shaft
  • Tap'n Go bump head reloads quickly and accepts standard 0.095-inch line
Watch-outs
  • Pull-start recoil is the part most commonly cited as a weak point
  • Two-stroke fuel mixing required and emissions/noise rule it out for some neighborhoods
  • Two-year limited warranty trails some battery competitors on coverage
Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber
Ranked #3 in Best String Trimmers
Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber
$299

Ryobi's flagship 40V HP Brushless string trimmer in the Whisper Series gives you the closest cordless approximation to a 30cc gas trimmer most homeowners will find under $300. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.4/10 and called out over an hour of runtime on the 6.0Ah pack. The trade-off is size — at 72 inches and nearly 13 lb with battery, it's a commitment — but for buyers who want adjustable 15-to-17-inch cut width and the ability to drop in 0.105-inch line for tougher growth, the Ryobi is the sharpest mid-tier value in the cordless segment.

Strengths
  • Brushless motor delivers gas-equivalent power roughly matching a 30cc 2-stroke
  • Cutting width adjustable from 15 to 17 inches for fast cleanup of large lots
  • Carbon-fiber shaft keeps total weight under 13 lb with the 6.0Ah battery
Watch-outs
  • Bare tool weight is still close to 9 lb, heavier than smaller-class cordless
  • 72-inch overall length can be unwieldy for shorter users
  • Higher line draw with the 0.105-inch line option shortens runtime noticeably

How they stack up

Husqvarna 525L 25.4cc Gas String Trimmer

Outcuts every battery option in this list — including the EGO ST1623T and Ryobi RY402110 — in tall heavy weeds thanks to the X-Torq powerband. The trade is the only gas pick here: fuel mixing and pull starts the cordless picks don't ask of you. About 3 lb lighter than other 25cc+ pro gas trimmers in its class.

Ryobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber

Slightly outpowers the EGO ST1623T on raw cutting throughput thanks to the 0.105-inch line option, but loses the auto-feed and POWERLOAD spool ease. Far more capable than the Worx WG170 GT Revolution on large or weedy lots, with three times the runtime and a real metal-bodied head.

Specs side-by-side

SpecHusqvarna 525L 25.4cc Gas String TrimmerRyobi RY402110 40V HP Brushless 17-Inch Carbon Fiber
Power SourceGas (2-cycle, 50:1 mix)40V battery (6.0Ah included)
Engine Displacement25.4 cc
Output Power1.21 hp
Cutting Width18.1 in15-17 in (adjustable)
Fuel Tank17.25 fl oz
Weight (dry)9.7 lb
Line FeedTap'n Go bump headREEL EASY+ 3-in-1 bump-feed
Warranty2-year limited consumer5-year tool, 3-year battery
Line Diameter0.095-0.105 in
RuntimeUp to 67 min
ShaftStraight carbon fiber
Weight (with battery)12.9 lb
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