The Truth About Ryobi Tools in 2024

[@sawinery-woodworking]

We’re giving away 14 Free Woodworking Plans! Get them here: shop.sawinery.net/pages/free-plans

[@aquahombre]

Still using the combo kit I was given in 1999 as a Christmas present

[@lucasspivey]

Ive been doing contract and trade work my whole life. Heaviest on wood working but also auto mechanics and HVAC. I originally started with Ryobi in 2010 with the drill, saw, flashlight combo. Since then I’ve added multi-tool, router, sander, jigsaw, impact driver, reciprocal saw, vacuum, even an angle grinder all on batteries. It made a lot of sense for me because I live in three different places and need to have duplicates of my tools in each locale, specifically a drill, circ saw, impact driver, reciprocal saw, and multitool in each locale. Of the 30 some Ryobi tools I’ve owned, only one broke: my original drill from 2010 “only” lasted 10 years before the chuck broke. The other three newer drills are going strong. The vacuum was terrible but I have tried other brands wasn’t happy with them either. Of all the batteries Ive had - probably a dozen- only one stopped working. And the two original ones I got in 2010 definitely don’t hold up very long anymore but they are still functional. I bought the old style “blue” jigsaw in 2011 and my only complaint there is that the laser didn’t line up well. But I haven’t tried the new green version of the jigsaw. I have a hard time seeing Ryobi as sub-professional grade but I also can’t lump them into pro grade. I would say they sit right down the middle of the road.

[@jimjon1161]

Ryobi has come a ways in recent years. It's a good starter brand for your everday DIYer or homeowner. I think it has trouble shaking the stigma with the name. I just upgraded tool by tool as i had more money through the years and my skills grew.

[@SuncoastGuy]

Building up my Ryobi collection!: • Brushless Drill PSBDD01 • Brushless Impact Driver PSBID01 • 5 1/2" Cordless Circular Saw PCL500B • Cordless Compact Router PCL424B • 18ga Brad Nailer P321 • 2x 4AH, 1 x 2AH, 2 x 1.5AH Batteries If after the 3yr warranty something dies, I may upgrade to Rigid.

[@Griffinwoodworks]

I fell down the KZbin tool reviewer rabbit hole and went with Milwaukee, and I regret it. I already had Ryobi batteries for lawn tools when I picked up woodworking, but everyone poo pooed on them so hard. I came to find out, even after a while of having a woodworking side hustle, that battery powered tools are an afterthought for us. I spend most of my time behind a saw or holding a sander or nailer, all of which have a cord or hose attached. Yes you need a drill, but I’ve never needed 1200 inch pounds worth of force to drill a pilot hole lol. I get disgusted with myself when I walk into Home Depot and see a pair of 4ah Ryobi batteries for $99 and a single m18 2ah for the same price.

[@aaronsmith593]

Ryobi has no major problems with reliability. It's just that Ryobi pricing is not competitive anymore. Best to just buy pro tool brands now because now they are the same price as Ryobi. Ryobi needs to get a clue, Ryobi is not worth their double the price gouging. 😮

[@grahamcooper3399]

I'm collecting more and more Ryobi tools all the time (as I need them). I'm a guy who will use the recip saw 2-3 times per year. I use the drill 4-5 times a year. Impact? Probably 1-2 times per year. So why would I spend 40% more on something red or yellow or weird blue when the seriously bright green works and works for me just perfectly? I really like Ryobi products, like the quality, like the selection and really like the pricing!

[@ryanmiskin]

The greatest thing about Ryobi tools is they have used the same one+ batteries FOREVER. I was given a set of tools when I was in college because the old ni-cad batteries were bad. I bought some cheap Chinese knock-off batteries and I was off to the races.

[@ConsolidatedPBY]

Even back in the day, sure, we thought Ryobi tools were sus, but the dudes that used them are still here and thriving. I went and got on their system cuz they've got so much innovation.

[@seanmayhugh1674]

I’ve got Ryobi at home and Milwaukee at work. Not much of a difference between the Ryobi HP and Milwaukee. But at home I have so many other Ryobi products that use the same batteries it’s worth a lot to me. Things like the fans, stick vacs, propane heater, sprayer, glue guns, and the list goes on and on. As for drills and impacts, yes they make some cheap models but you can buy the better grades if you’ll use them much and be happy with them.

[@kogalaber]

not to mention, milwakee and ryobi are made by the same manufacturer

[@kwizmon]

Lol. That does not make them the same tool. There's a reason Milwaukee are more expensive and used by pros.

[@hellrell1817]

i love ryobi i’m not a pro it helps me maintain my house i don’t need a certain amount of power or time shit gets done lol that’s all that matters

[@anmphotos]

Its also about quality.... I bought Ryobi tool bits for drill, screwdriver bits and drill bits, and they were all rusted within 6 months !!!.... in a dry garage, I then bought professional BOSCH bits and they are as new 1 year later !!!!.... so it about quality also mate.

[@bryantawney581]

For people who are just getting into woodworking or homeowners working on their house, Ryobi is perfect. No hate on Ryobi, I own a few but if you are using tools for a living they just don’t have the punch of professional grade. They were the first company to get the battery thing right. Same batteries work on all there tools. They are innovative.

[@Jakepp235]

I met a vendor at Home Depot and they told me Ryobi and Milwaukee are made by the same company, you don’t mention that. Is that not true ?

[@wildbill23c]

Yes, Techtronic Industries (TTI) makes Ryobi tools. They also make Milwaukee, and Ridgid tools. Homelite, Dirt Devil, Oreck, Hoover and a few other companies as well. Dewalt is actually owned by Stanley Black & Decker...who also make Craftsman tools, Cub-Cadet, Troy Bilt, and a few others.

[@marc7491]

Lowe's does not carry Ryobi tools.

[@JimmieWomack]

Lowe's Carry's junk

[@johnmack537]

I don’t believe Lowe’s carries Ryobi.

[@ScarletKnightAGK]

They don't. It's the only non-truth in the video.

[@wildbill23c]

They don't...Ryobi is an exclusive to Home Depot.

[@gateslattes4686]

Maybe just the drills But cutting tools you’ll be doing bad cuts until u learn to adjust the machine Most of them are off Own the circular and other tools

[@sawinery-woodworking]

Read our deeper take on Why Ryobi is a good brand for woodworking beginners: www.sawinery.net/why-ryobi-is-a-good-brand-for-beginners/

[@saulorellana8207]

I like Ryobi

[@tropic5264]

IMO the reason ryobi gets so much hate is because in the past, idk how much now but some of their marketing was directed at professionals, not homeowners or light users. That is why ryobi gets compared to brands like Milwaukee and Dewalt, even though it was never supposed to be as good if even close. You don't see other similar entry level tool brands getting that type of hate like Hart, which shares the same parent company and similar internals to ryobi tools.

[@SuncoastGuy]

Reminds me of when I bought my Taurus pistol. I'm not using the items professionally, so value is one of the most important factors.

[@Trashed20659]

You can buy top quality and expect to keep using it forever, or you can buy tools that get the job done and are cheap to replace.

[@patbird9694]

Ryobi is not a good brand for beginner woodworkers its Makita. Founded in 1915 . Its power tools are aimed at carpenters and woodworkers. Using Ryobi power tools will turn you off woodworking with it s limited power capacity . You know you to blame when your ryobi drill starts smoking when you drill into hard timber or end grain.😂

[@patbird9694]

This video is so subjective. He doesn’t mention how annoyingly long it takes for a roybi battery to charge. Even with it super rapid charger. Or that it has a high failure rate that the batteries completely die either from malfunctioning or being knocked over and cracking both the tool and battery. You are just wasting your money buying into an inferior brand. Just make your first purchase your last with a decent brand. That you wont regret when you use it for a long period of time. The roybi cordless for example only has one base plate. So if you wanted to use it to plunge you will need to buy a plunge router which is corded.

[@SuncoastGuy]

All my Ryobi batteries (2ah and 4ah) charge very quickly. Are yours older?

[@luisodriozola79]

@@SuncoastGuy Yup, those One+ do charge quite fast

[@OGWolfofAI]

My 2, 4’s and 6’s charge fast AF. Sounds like a great opportunity to try out the 3 year warranty. lol

[@wildbill23c]

Inferior brand...umm, the same company that makes Ryobi tools also makes Milwaukee tools.

[@Kevin-mi2xj]

Never had an issue with them. Maybe just some bad luck on yours?