Just in time for spring landscaping, Ryobi announced a new addition to its 18V shear shrubber lineup, which now holds three models. While there are several similarities between each one, the newest Ryobi 18V Shear Shrubber features key upgrades that solve some common user issues. I’ll show you what I discovered about the new model and compare it against the previous iterations to give you some context and help you decide if it’s time for an upgrade.
Ryobi 18V Shear Shrubber Overview
- Model: Ryobi PBLSH01
- Runtime: 35 min (with 2.0Ah battery)
- Shrubber Cut Capacity: 5/16 in
- Shrubber Blade Length: 8 in
- Shearing Blade Width: 4 in
- Max Speed: 2800 SPM
The Ryobi PBLSH01 is a 2-in-1 lawn care tool on the 18V One+ platform, equipped with both an 8-inch shrubber and a 4-inch grass shear. This is the third iteration of combination shear and shrubber on the One+ system, after the P2980’s release back in 2021.
Ryobi tells us the PBLSH01 delivers 22% more power than the previous model. This is thanks in part to its brushless motor, which offers increased power and battery efficiency over the old tools’ brushed motors.
However, this doesn’t necessarily equate to increased runtimes when you compare it to the previous two versions. The new model reaches top speeds of 2800 SPM, more than double the 1200 SPM provided by the P2980.
That increased power output means the new PBLSH01 has a max runtime of around 30 minutes (in both modes) when paired with the kitted 2.0Ah battery. Using the same battery configuration, the previous iteration could run for over 95 minutes, according to Ryobi. Even the first version (the now-discontinued P2900) had a stated runtime of 85 minutes with a 1.5Ah pack.
Clearly, dialing up the speed trades off some runtime, but it should increase both your productivity and the quality of your cuts.
If you’d like more runtime on the new model, a 4.0Ah 18V battery will give you around 70 minutes, and the weight/size difference is unlikely to affect the balance too significantly. If you’re after the kitted version, however, 30 minutes is plenty of time to shape smaller shrubs or trim small patches of grass.
On the design side, Ryobi kept the same tool-free accessory changes we saw in the last two models, allowing for quick changes between the shrubber and shear attachments. If you’ve seen some of the original models that came out in this space, the tool-free swap is much more convenient that having to grab a screwdriver or hex wrench.
From a size perspective, the PBLSH01 is also 37% more compact than the P2980, and weighs just 2.5 pounds for the bare tool.
What’s New?
The Ryobi PBLSH01 is equipped with anti-jam technology to prevent the shrubber blades from locking up when trimming. This is a feature that wasn’t present in the last iteration, and it’s a nice addition that we’ve seen before in the brand’s standard-length hedge trimmers.
It’s especially useful since this tool’s 5/16-inch cut capacity is much smaller than standard-length trimmers, so if you accidentally run into a branch that’s on the thicker side, your blade won’t jam up in the process.
Comparing Ryobi’s 18V Shear Shrubbers
We’ve talked plenty of comparison already between the new Ryobi 18V shear shrubbers and the old models, but I brought them all together in a table so you can see the important specs side-by-side.
| Ryobi PBLSH01 (New Model) | Ryobi P2980 (Second-Gen) | Ryobi P2900 (First-Gen) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed: | 2800 SPM | 1200 SPM | 1000 SPM |
| Blade Length: | 8 in | 8 in | 8 in |
| Shrubber Cut Capacity: | 5/16 in | 5/16 in | 5/16 in |
| Shear Width: | 4 in | 4 in | 3.75 in |
| Runtime: | 30 min (with 2.0Ah battery) | 95 min (with 2.0Ah battery) | 85 min (with 1.5Ah battery) |
| Attachment Change: | Tool-free | Tool-free | Tool-free |
| Price: | $99 bare, $129 kit | $79 bare, $119 kit | N/A (discontinued) |
Ryobi 18V Shear Shrubber Price
This tool retails for $99 as a bare tool, or $129 as a kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger. Both configurations include an 8-inch Hedge Shrubber attachment and a 4-inch Grass Shear attachment. Ryobi backs your purchase with a 3-year warranty.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re looking for a lightweight way to keep a few hedges in check, or you have landscape elements that require precision shaping, you may not need a full-size hedge trimmer. That’s where the Ryobi 18V One+ Shear Shrubber comes into play. The 2-in-1 function prevents you from buying separate tools for shrubbing and shearing, and the 18V compatibility is ideal for those already on the One+ system.
On the same token, it can also be used as a supplementary lawn care tool for any size lawn, even if a standard hedge trimmer is already part of your landscaping routine. The 8-inch shrubber works well for those with intricately designed shrubs, and the shears can help you maintain grass in areas where you can’t fit a mower or string trimmer, like in gardens or around angled fencing.
However, if you’re not disappointed managing your grass and yard shrubs with standard equipment, you’re probably fine sticking with your normal routine, rather than adding another tool to the roster.
