Brushless and brushed describe how a tool’s motor works—not its battery voltage. In RYOBI’s explanation, brushed motors use carbon brushes that contact a commutator; brushless motors use magnets and electronic controls instead. That design difference can affect wear and how power is managed, but RYOBI’s published side-by-side example compares 18V ONE+ impact drivers, not matched 40V tools. It does not establish a measured 40V performance advantage.
How brushed and brushless motors differ
Brushed motors use physical contacts
RYOBI describes a brushed motor as transferring current through carbon brushes that touch a spinning commutator. The contact creates friction, and RYOBI says that friction wears the brushes over time. That is a description of the design, not a prediction that every brushed motor will fail on a particular schedule. RYOBI’s brushed-versus-brushless explainer provides the manufacturer’s overview.
Brushless motors use electronic switching
In RYOBI’s explanation, a brushless motor uses magnets and solid-state electronics rather than brushes contacting a commutator. The company says a circuit board adjusts power output to the material. RYOBI describes its 40V HP technology as combining a brushless motor, advanced electronics, and lithium battery technology.
What the 40V comparison does—and does not—show
RYOBI’s published side-by-side example is a comparison of 18V ONE+ impact drivers. It should not be treated as a controlled 40V comparison or used to assign a percentage performance advantage to 40V brushless tools. The official 40V pages identify brushless products, but the sources here do not establish a matched 40V brushed-versus-brushless pair of the same tool type.
The Tool Desk
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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That distinction matters because motor type alone does not tell you how a specific tool will perform for your job. Model, tool category, battery configuration, workload, and features all matter. RYOBI’s 40V product page says the system has over 85 products; that is the company’s catalog claim, and the count can change. RYOBI’s 40V HP Edger page also describes the company’s brushless technology.
A 40V brushless example: RY402011BTL string trimmer
RYOBI lists the 40V HP Brushless 17-inch String Trimmer, model RY402011BTL, as one example of a 40V brushless tool. The company claims up to 67 minutes of runtime when using a 40V 6Ah battery. This is a manufacturer-listed maximum, not an independently verified result or a guarantee of runtime in every yard or workload.
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The product page presents a tool-only option and an option with a 6Ah battery and charger. Check the current listing and exact kit contents before buying: a tool-only price does not include the battery and charger you may need.
RYOBI also lists other brushless 40V outdoor tools, including an HP Edger and an HP Earth Auger. Product-specific claims for those tools should not be generalized to the entire 40V lineup.
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How to choose between two specific 40V tools
- Start with the task. Compare tools designed for the same job and workload. A motor label cannot make unlike tools comparable.
- Check the claim conditions. Read the product page for the battery, material, or other conditions behind a power or runtime claim. Treat “up to” as a maximum claim, not a promise for every use.
- Compare battery and charger contents. Confirm whether each listing is tool-only or includes a battery and charger, and compare battery capacity where stated.
- Assess task-specific features and handling. Consider the features relevant to your work, along with ergonomics and any practical requirements of the tool.
- Compare the current total cost. Include any battery or charger you would need to add, then compare the current prices of like-for-like kits.
If the exact same 40V tool is not offered in both motor designs, the available evidence does not support a direct, controlled comparison. Choose based on the specific product’s features and clearly stated conditions rather than assuming that “brushless” alone settles the purchase.
Quick Recap
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