The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Ryobi Cordless Tools!

[@woguph]

Our company uses Ryobi cordless drills and screw guns. We have found that more cordless tools get taken out of service by theft, being dropped from heights, driven over by equipment, or other events than by simply wearing out. Ryobi screw guns and drills hold up well and are less expensive to replace and batteries are much cheaper.

[@ericeglish3948]

I was watching the SpaceX launch today and saw some handrails, I put up 12+ years ago. Me and a helper put up handrails around the top of the Vehicle Assembly Building and the Launch Control Center, all with 4 Robi tools and 8 batteries. A sawzall, hammer drill, a normal drill, and an impact driver. They performed flawlessly and 8 batteries, kept up with us for the most part. I think I still own, all but the hammer drill. I still have a piece of the aluminum pipe we used signed by the launch director an the crew of STS 124.

[@internalharm]

LOL that is sad. It is space X. They treat their employee like shit. Everyone in aerospace knows they have high turnover rate and bad culture. Reality is Ryobi is good enough at best. I know a lot of aerospace company use crappy tools but that doesn't mean anything, it's call budgeting.

[@B0redom13]

Ryobi is perfect for 99% of everyone’s needs if they can ignore ego

[@JubeProductions]

This is exactly how I bought Ryobi. I don't have any preconceptions about power tool brands. But I am an avid mountain biker for over 30 years and there are a lot of products I wouldn't buy, just because of the company that makes them. It might be a good product, but I wouldn't like the looks by other riders like me, for using a product by a certain brand. So for me, not knowing anything really about power tools led me to make the decision that Ryobi makes a good quality tool, that fits my needs and my budget, and I don't care what someone thinks of my tool collection.

[@y8DlQS9HKP79gRPrQZq]

I build maybe one thing a year plus some home improvement projects. Honestly it's perfect for my use and they are lightweight!

[@Yata69]

I work in commercial construction, all my battery tools are Ryobi. I even get requests by others to use my tools because they work great! Ridged, Dewalt, and some times Milwaukee users!

[@ThisPageIntentionallyLeftBlank]

If you’re ok with rebuying you’re tools, sure.

[@B0redom13]

@@ThisPageIntentionallyLeftBlank sadly I need to replace a very pricey dewalt band saw now

[@Scottybravo1]

I have been a carpenter for 30+ yrs and I use my Ryobi cordless tools pretty much every day. Hell I still have a bunch of the old blue ones still working too. Great tools at a great price, can't go wrong. Though I am not a huge fan of their 18v nail guns, not extremely reliable. But when it comes to the corded tools I will stick with my Milwaukee sawzall, Dewalt 12" sliding double compound miter saw etc etc. To all you ego maniacs who think what brand tool you use shows how much of a professional you are, remember it's the quality of the job you do that actually shows your professionalism, not the tool. Not 1 person on this planet is going to look at your work and be able to tell what brand tool you used.

[@scalpingtrades1114]

Thank you! That’s me realise that is not about the tool but most of the time the quality of the job!

[@will2071]

Beware tool snobs!

[@zacharyrogerssr9331]

Nah not in my line of work. You can tell a Milwaukee from a Dewalt job site 🤣

[@jacobpospischil]

I know it's annoying how people think they're great because they have certain tools. For me I just might use the same brand for battery tools so they can be used over all of them so buying batteries isn't as much.

[@kobelcofan]

Would've upgraded to another brand had my Ryobi tools not lasted. 7 years later I'm still using Ryobi.

[@GlennBrockett]

I still have blue Ryobi cordless tools. (Ok, just the drill and "flashlight") Once you buy into the battery line, the tools are pretty good.

[@jamesj.7750]

Yeah I initially bought ryobi for the cost savings but a decade later I'm still using the same ryobi tools and I keep buying more.

[@TheRaven078]

They also played a major part in making cordless lithium lawn tools popular.

[@MyGuyKirby]

I am a Ryobi guy, it was all about the price. I am a DIY guy so batteries go bad long before the tool stops.

[@dafirnz]

Ryobi isn't great, but they aren't crap either. They're cheap enough to not worry about buying, but good enough they're worth buying.

[@adamlaski9128]

dafirnz I picked up a cordless multi-tool on the fly (I have the cordless brad nailer so I had batteries) and it’s lasted me as a finish carpenter for about a year so far. In comparison, my boss got a corded Rigid that conked out after a week. Maybe circumstance, I’m no “brand guy” but it says something

[@B0redom13]

Well said

[@DavidJJJ]

Actually I think ryobi is great if you look at comparison videos they are often close to or at the top of the durability and reliability. I thought they were one of the ‘cheap’ brands but it looks like the one + are some of the best quality battery tools on the market.

[@alfredomonzalvo5899]

Agree!

[@jamesj.7750]

I still have a ryobi drill/driver bought brand new in 2001, and it still doesnt have a problem driving a 3" screw into a nice, moist block of cedar. And their 1/2" cordless impact rips man! Love that thing.

[@paulandrulis4672]

Pretty good overall assessment. I had the choice to get into whatever brand cordless line I wanted two years ago, and through research, and advice from contractors using tools on a daily basis I chose Ryobi. Went for mostly brushless. Big BIG smile, as these have been some of the best cordless tools I have ever used, and I used to be a construction subcontractor myself, who used cordless and corded tools on a daily basis. I am hard on tools and I expect them to do their job. I don't cut a DeWalt any more slack than I do a Milwaukee or my Ryobi tools. I push them all hard, and either they work as hard as I do, or they are worthless in my book. Ryobi One+ cordless tools have passed the test so far. As far as cost, consider whether the tool being compared is actually equivalent, as well. I remember watching a vid where someone compared an older Ryobi recip (homeowners special) with a 7/8 inch stroke to saws with 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 inch strokes and act amazed that the Ryobi was slower cutting. I don't care what brand you are talking, as, using the same blade/brand in the various saws, cutting speed in a recip equates to stroke length and average actual strokes per minute under load. A 7/8 inch stroke saw would have to be putting out a royal buttload of strokes per minute in comparison to keep up with a saw with even a 1 1/8 inch stroke, let alone a 1 1/4. Not a reasonable comparison in that case, especially considering that the newer brushless recip saws have larger and comparable stroke lengths. Honest fair reviews of basically "Chinese" tool brands can be very hard to find on youtube. That's one reason I like your channel, as you aren't a fan boy reviewer -- like most I find.

[@artistwo]

I have used Ryobi for ten years my main tool for pro. home repair and remodeling they have work fine

[@russmartin4189]

You did your homework on the back story of Ryobi. Interesting! You are right about redundancy. Still, I went with Ryobi because of their commitment to their battery platform, number of tools, and ease of and price of a replacement, if necessary. They also are "good enough" for my needs. I love their little cordless circular saws. I use mine with a Kreg Rip Cut. Excellent.

[@wildbill23c]

Ryobi isn't the only brand that has multiple versions of the same tool....with tiny nonsense variations with different prices and they do the same dang job LOL. Ryobi is a great homeowner/DIYer brand for many people because of the price point, and the wide selection of tools....plus that battery backward compatibility that no other tool company has...sure Dewalt had the 18V to 20V adapter, yeah that was a great way to make an already awkward tool, even more awkward by sticking the battery even further away from the tool....some tools that adapter wouldn't work with too, very few, but there were a couple if I recall. I have a few different platforms but I only have 2 Ryobi tools so far, and definitely will have more in the future as the need arises.

[@russmartin4189]

@@wildbill23c Ryobi would also be a good choice for a part time pro or if he doesn't use the tool a whole lot. I had two palm routers. I did probably over a 1000 feet of chamfers when I made some indoor shutters. Heck, it could have been 2000 feet. It was a lot. I burned out one of the routers, but they are relatively cheap for just the tool. I had a mason rebuild my chimney. He swore by Harbor Freight angle grinders because they were so cheap he could dispose of them. He kept a few new ones in his truck. Depends on how you work, your cash flow, and personal taste. Different tools for different fools. Anyway, I have found Ryobi tools to be OK. The downside is, you can't just take it back to the store and be handed a new one. I had a Ridgid shop vac that died. I called the company. After I sent them some pictres, they sent me a new one. I had a Ryobi pin nailer that broke and was almost new. I went back and forth with the repair shop, who was going back and forth with corporate. After 9 months, they sent me a new one. It was $135 so I was persistent. If it had been cheap, I would have written it off.

[@Prometheus1979]

Bought my first cordless weed eater.a ryobi 40volt big boy interchangeable shaft.blown away by the power it had.i got addicted, i now have a nice collection of the new ryobi products all purchased from home depot and now a fan of their products.

[@bannisher]

I just bought into the system. Its perfect for me, the weekend warrior.

[@kwinsc9273]

I live about 50 miles from the Ryobi headquarters and about 20 miles from a Direct Tools outlet. It's amazing with being so close to Ryobi how many used/refurbished tools are available on places like Letgo or Offer Up and small supply whse stores in the area. I recently stopped in one close to my work and got the small 18 volt blue tooth radio for $15 and the 18 volt brushed grinder for $25 dollars. I'm quite aware no warranty is included. These have worked great for me. I totally admit to being "fanboy" for Ryobi. I love the 18v and 40v system. They do the job I need them too. I absolutely don't have anything against the other brands. If I need a tool that Ryobi doesn't make than I'll definitely get whatever tool I need. I love having one battery work in all my tools and one work in all my yard equipment. It is so convenient. That is what it's all about. Value, Convenience, Quality and Innovation. So count me as one of the Ryobi Nation.

[@dickinjo1164]

KwinSC - We must be fairly close I'm 65 miles to Ryobi n 30 miles to Direct Tools so I figure I'm a little more NorthEast in SC.

[@kwinsc9273]

No place I'd rather be than Upstate SC.

[@wildbill23c]

What I've found over the years with tools is you'll either get it and it works out of the box and its fine for years, or decades...or you'll get it home and its DOA out of the box...I've only had 2 tools fail over the years and they failed on the first use, but they were bare bottom shelf stuff from Harbor Freight....one was a Chicago Electric belt sander, the other was a Chicago Electric Drill Bit Sharpener. I've had great luck with stuff from Harbor Freight over the years...and have dozens of power tools from them.... Ryobi, we had dozens in the door shop I worked at, with a lot of chargers and a lot of batteries...these were the old Blue ones from like 20 years ago....they worked fine, but the batteries didn't hold a charge very long so you had to have 4-5 times the batteries on hand that you need with today's Lithium battery platforms. Never did have any of the tools fail, did have several batteries over time that failed of course, but we used the drills, and impacts all the time without any problems. I had a Ryobi 9.6V drill/driver, I used that thing for years until the batteries failed, had them rebuilt and used it a few more years until the rebuilt batteries failed too....by then there were all sorts of tool options out there from 12V to 18V most commonly at that point. Right now I just have 2 Ryobi tools, which is the Drill/Driver and 1/4" impact driver...I'll definitely be adding to the Ryobi platform in the future.

[@RYOBIKING]

The bear really showed Ryobi in a fair light and for that I thank you.

[@davidknudsen4027]

Lowe's coupons

[@Chukijay]

He barely talked about ryobi at all lol

[@MrErictank]

I bought the old blue and orange $500 kit from Home Despot, gods, it must have been twenty or so years ago. The set that came in the formed-plastic rolling cart that had the flip-over tabletop, and a latching door to access the other tools in the molded shelves. A miter saw (non-sliding, 7.25"?), circular saw (7.25"), recip saw, flashlight, and drill driver. Two NiMH batteries and a charger. Now, I don't get a ton of use out of the tools, except the drill, but everything still works. The batteries and chargers have been replaced by the One+ lithium batteries - several of them 4Ah knockoffs. Twenty YEARS of household use. There's a couple of reasons I'm sticking with Ryobi for many of my upgrades, now that I'm picking up the pace on woodworking as I get older. The fact that the batteries are the same factor so I don't have to keep buying new tools is way up there - but I'm impressed that the TOOLS have held up so well.

[@wolfganghellmann9167]

I have a ryobi drill for the last 15 years , still working. I own many ryobi tools and have never had a problem with any of them except for the table saw, the fence is garbage. The batteries do suck and last about a year, I discovered the knock off batteries on Amazon and they work great. Will continue to buy Ryobi cause I'm cheap

[@MichaelGalletly]

A few years ago we built a semi-custom home (modified the builder's design) and every few days I went out to the site and took pictures, and more than once saw Ryobi tools in use. I asked a guy about that and he said basically that if you take care of Ryobi, they'll last as long as most other tools and that when they do break, they're not an arm and a leg to replace. I've been using Ryobi One+ since the line first came out, and I've only been disappointed once, with the first generation One+ angle grinder, which I returned for a full refund after it burned up and bought a Porter Cable corded one that has done the job ever since.

[@denoftools]

Yeh, I know quite a few pros who use them daily.

[@81Lord-Nikon]

Thanks Bear! I like Ryobi and have used them since the 90s. I have their drill and impact and they have been great so far.

[@shannonneal3563]

My P601 18Volt Router has seen a lot of use this past year. The P360 Airstrike 18 gauge narrow crown stapler is another that would be hard to do without now. The thing with Ryobi is that they are cheap enough to take a chance on and get you hooked once you start using them, then you get your buds hooked on them too. Now we have everything from grease guns to hot glue guns, chainsaws to planers.... it never ends!

[@patrickwhyte8311]

not going to lie. i watched the bear talk for the most part lmao

[@shadowwolfmandan]

My basic, non-brushless Ryobi impact has more lives than a cat. I beat the hell out of it, it's fallen off ladders, off buildings and looks like hell but still works just fine. I know one day I'll wear it out but will be replaced with another Ryobi. The drill that came with it though didn't like way I used it and got replaced with a One+ brushless after I let the smoke out..

[@TomBuskey]

I'm the target home user for Ryobi. I got one of the blue drill drivers w/ the old batteries about 20 years ago. I added a reciprocating saw, a router and a 2nd drill driver. They've been ok, but probably better corded. The drill is a p208 and the clutch/gears started going. I'm pretty happy that the batteries work and continue to work. I see all the other brands at yard sales with batteries are dead/charger broke and no way to ever fix them.

[@msack6904]

My father bought 2 "refurbished" 12volt Ryobi 12 volt drills from Odd Lots/Big Lots back in the 90's. We beat those drills to death, literally we wore them out until the died, dropped off a roof, etc. and they kept going. At one time, one version of a Makita battery fit the Ryobi as we would interchange them. I was given the 4 pc Ryobi set as a gift, now I have many of their tools and with the larger 4 or 6 amp batteries they do pretty well. We also have a factory tool outlet that carries them so I get decent deals on tools I normally may not buy. Not a fan boy, but I personally like their tools and use them regularly.

[@AncientHippie]

I am a homeowner/handyman, I have over a dozen Ryobi tools incl lawn devices. I only didn't like a battery hand held vac, not enough suction for my needs. That said, I tried other battery hand held vacs and returned them as well. I'm done trying to find a good one.

[@blahdiblah2169]

I got into Ryobi because of price and the One Plus battery line seemed super logical. Compared to Makita which has 10v and 18v in their line up. So far after about 6 months in. My feedback is EVERY job I've needed to do so far has been fine. The tools held up. Ok so I own that Brushless Drill, Brushless Circular Saw, a tire inflator and a random orbital sander. The drill I've used on concrete, metal and wood. Works great for concrete and wood. Metal it depends, but with a regular 2.5mha battery, it struggles on extremely hard metal, otherwise it's fine. Haven't had the slightest issue though drilling through walls or wood. A total pleasure to use. The circular saw is phenomenal. Extremely powerful and totally worth a buy. The tire inflator can indeed inflate your car tires, but I got the small one, and I recommend just paying a bit more for the larger one. The random orbital sander totally exceeded any expectation I had. I only have high praises for this. So as it stands, I'll continue to use Ryobi until I have a bad experience. But so far it's smooth sailing.

[@djcruiser9816]

It was great to hear the story behind some of the tools I regularly use. Ryobi has some special and unique product offering. It would not surprise me to see a 18 volt cordless blender.

[@covishen]

Makita has a cordless coffee maker. 🤯

[@akbychoice]

There is a blender out there without an electric cord, it has a gas motor.

[@miztatone918]

@@akbychoice a guy I watch just restored one of thoes . The channel is called Mustie1 check it out if you like to learn and watch wrenching.

[@akbychoice]

@@miztatone918 that was a long but good video, thank you.

[@miztatone918]

@@akbychoice no problem. I love watching that guy. It's a good channel and you can learn alot from him . AVE is another good one if your into the technical side of everything. Also precision transmissions is a good channel to learn about transmissions . That guy Richard really knows his stuff and takes time to teach the viewers. He also isn't stingy with the secrets of the trade and shares some really good information. 👌also another good one if your into old cars being brought back from the dead is Vice Grip Garage. Ohh and one more if your interested in learning mechanical work . It's called South Maine Auto and that guy really knows his stuff and is a great teacher . His videos are top notch .

[@SouthBaySteelers]

I work at HD and from what I can tell Ryobi is by far the most returned tool of all the 4 OEMs. When I’m on the floor selling tools I purposely steer customers away from Ryobi unless they’re already on their battery platform.

[@nelsonporter8387]

I have a Ryobi lawnmower, leaf blower, trimmer, and chain saw. Love them all

[@davidwallace3069]

I bought a craftsmen brushless weedeater off ebay, it stopped working and sent craftsman a pic of receipt. And they sent me a new one. They stand behind their products. Thats why i have brand loyalty.

[@jasonhenderson2001]

I have a few tools from the One+ line and they’ve worked great. I particularly like the commitment to the single battery platform. I have some Harbor Freight 18v tools that are going to be useless soon (if not already) due to abandonment of their Chicago Elec battery line.

[@deanfirnatine7814]

Harbor Freight really needs to expand their line up, Bauer does not even make a multi tool unless it was yanked from their website

[@wack.5796]

This series is a great way to figure out what to buy for first time buyers

[@stevenperry4941]

Only real issue I have ever had is when ever I chuck in anything into the drill/driver it almost always loosens up right away, tighten chuck again and it’s usually good to go! This is on all 3 drills I have!

[@Waltkat]

Great overview of Ryobi. I have a couple of Ryobi's One+ cordless tools and so far they've been great. I use Milwaukee batteries in mine with an adapter. I'll probably get some Ryobi batteries eventually. I also happen to like the color since it makes them easy to spot in a messy environment. Basically I'm saying I have a messy garage. I know this video is a couple of years old but like many other manufacturers, Ryobi (or TTI) has started to move their factories out of China. My new Ryobi impact wrench says it's made in Vietnam.

[@agustinduenas5902]

I have a variety of cordless Ryobi tools, including weed eaters, hedge trimmers, and drills and impact drivers. However, their drills and impact drivers are weak compared to the 20 volt Bauer drills and impact drivers. When it comes to heavy duty carpentry work (rebuilding a deck, etc.), I rely on Bauer. For light projects, I use the Ryobis.

[@gnestor9317]

I still have the the same blue ryobis since 2007 and they still work like new with the same yellow batterys. And yes the blue drill and saw work with the new lithium batterys the only thing the new lithium batterys won't charge with the old chargers and vice versa with he old batterys won't charge on the new charger. Today's date 12/01/2020 drill bought 2007 still works

[@miztatone918]

I just bought a 6 peice set with 2 batteries and an offer for a free tool or battery. It came with the circ saw, Sawzall, 3/8 ratchet, flashlight, impact drill, and standard drill, and oscillating multi tool . Then I separately ordered a hammer drill, 3/8th impact gun, 1/2 inch impact gun, and I was givin another 3 ah battery for a total of 3. A 1.5ah, a 3ah, and a 4ah battery . I did alot of research and I love my corded tools wich I have alot of and don't plan on getting rid of but I felt it was time I added a cordless collection to my tools . After all my research ryobi was the choice for me . I had a buddy with a set and was really impressed with his for the price . I'd still like to pick up a few more tools down the line and knowing that the batteries will remain the same is good to know . I think the majority of people who bash on ryobi probably have never even used thier tools before. I know I for one wasn't too keen on them until I helped my buddy out with a pretty big project and used his ryobi set and it blew me away for how well they performed and the price he paid. I have to say I really do love my new tools .

[@legendarypillow1450]

I only buy Ryobi when I have a couple 10s in hand and willing to buy a new tool. Otherwise, I buy dewalt or Makita. You can also buy Ryobi from Walmart, along with the the hart clones.

[@trentoscar5997]

Im a 2nd year plumbing apprentice and my shop is a smaller shop that does everything, and they used Ryobi because they are cheap. But they don't last long at all. Since im the new guy on the totem pole, I inherited them for my work van xD. And after just leaving a company that strictly used Milwaukee for commercial plumbing apartments, I gotta say Ryobi isn't that bad, but they won't last nearly as long as Milwaukee or even DeWalt. You can throw a Milwaukee impact drill off 3 floors and it's fine, you drop a Ryobi impact or sawzall off a ladder it's liable to break. Also, Milwaukee has a 8 year warranty. So you end up saving money in a business not having to replace stuff constantly.

[@covishen]

If I wasn't already invested in Ryobi I would be seriously considering the Bauer line of tools. Especially considering how many reciprocal saws I go through.

[@melgross]

Talking about referb tools. DeWalt used to have a referb store in NYC. I bought a few tools there, and became friendly with the manager. We were talking about the differences between manufacturer referb tools, and new tools. He made a very good point. He said that new tools off the line are tested at a rate of from one in a hundred to about one in a thousand. But referb tools are taken apart, inspected, every part that looks worn in the slightest is replaced, and it’s put together again, and again tested. So 100% of manufacturer’s referb tools are tested, and ok’d. Most of them are open box, which can’t be sold as new, or returned from the customer with almost no use. I would trust a manufacturer’s refurbished tool, but not one supposedly refurbished by some unknown entity, assuming that the refurbishing is more than a light outside cleaning.

[@patriot12189]

Half of my battery tools is ryobi that is blue and not green.i use mine daily in the plumbing trade.the other half are green ryobi,I don't care about name only quality,you might see some stuff on you tube abusing tools and hear things like entry tools but mine are pro level and used them way before anyone else and I'm still using and buying the new ones also.and also they use the same battery so you don't have to dump all your tools to buy new ones like all of the other brands did.

[@misterrobato8270]

I like my Lowe's Kobolt battery power tools. Got the 24V set and they work on everything from cars to cabinets. Very hard to pick out of the sea of tools at Lowe's this time of year. All have good and bad things about them. I'm happy with my purchase and the 24v impact was impressive to use on head bolts.

[@JettaRedIII]

Ryobi’s handheld vacuum (P714K) is one of the best handhelds I’ve had. However, the color really doesn’t go with my decor! 😜

[@michaelcharity]

I've had an ryobi impact driver for nearly 5 years, 2 years of that it's been abused in a bike workshop daily and the bloody things not dead yet. Battery is held together with electrical tape but that's on me for dropping it.

[@randybobandy9828]

I have had ryobi impact and drill for over 5 years now. They are going strong and have never had any issues. Very reliable but they lack in power compared to the new Milwaukee I just got but that is to be expected. People who talk down to ryobi dont know what they are talking about. They are reliable but not as powerful as the big boys.

[@efrmlr]

well, I'm having an issue.... I've used Craftsman 19.2 for years. Now I can't get them anymore. They took a beating, and ran flawlessly. I've had Ryobi 18 volt for my "home only" tools for ten years..... just so I could keep home and work tools separate. So I figured with all the Ryobi batteries I had, I'd start using Ryobi on the job. Two weeks ago, I bought the $159 drill/hammer drill at Home Depot(brushless). It lasted exactly 7 days. I replaced it, that one lasted 4 days. I had my third one for a week now. I think it's close to going down. I don't push them any harder than any other brand I've owned in my 35 year career.

[@lordrichard8184]

It’s true they pad their cordless tool numbers by having repeats of tools. Just look at the impact drivers. They have like 5 or 6 of them. And the trimmers is crazy too. But I still like them just cause they stuck with the battery design. I was charging my nicad batteries next to my hp batteries in my 6 port charger. Kinda laughing at how different the batteries are.

[@akbychoice]

Billy bob Smith have you seen how many versions of drills and impact Dewalt has? I own Dewalt tools but is there a need for 8 of the 3/8” drills!

[@mor4y]

@@akbychoice dewalt also have 3 recip saws,my mate made the mistake of grabbing the cheapest one when he was in a hurry, its brushed and you can't move the shoe in or out, it's locked, no use for plasterboarding 🤦‍♂️

[@akbychoice]

@@mor4y I know it’s crazy

[@robertrobinson3597]

Lets give Makita a try. I think they make some really good tools. I have several, and none of them fight me while using, & none of them has failed yet!

[@JubeProductions]

Thanks bear, I am a fledgling new DIY even though I've owned my house for 16 years. We bought it brand new construction and I've learned that 15 years is about the end of life for a lot of things around here. I've always dabbled in DIY, maybe a dimmer switch or a new garbage disposal, but I never had a real tool collection, for the home anyway, but as I tackle new projects like installing luxury vinyl floor planks in 3 downstairs rooms I had to expand my power tools. I like to do a lot of research, because I am a technical guy. My background is in computers so I know a lot about them, and the tools needed for those jobs and with the right tool it makes the job a lot easier. I bought a belt sander and a brad nailer by Ryobi and I thought they were very good quality. I am coming into this with absolutely no perspective on brand reputation. I mean, I know Dewalt makes good tools but I don't really have any bias towards some brands that some people place on them. It's nice to get a little background about the company, and not just a review on how a tool worked. I like to understand the reputation these brands have. I am very knowledgeable about who makes good computer stuff and who is known for cutting corners and using cheap materials. So seeing this video allows me to feel that I made a good decision about going with the Ryobi one+ line. Now if I could just figure out how to use this brad nailer I could finish the room and add the quarter round on the baseboards.

[@carltonwoodward]

I can’t vouch for other product lines. As I was gifted my set and started my collection from there. But I love that if you need to change a bit, blade, disc or anything else the wrench or Allen key , spanning wrench is supplied on the tool. Attention to detail and awesome

[@eyellgeteven9928]

I've had good luck with Ryobi tools. I bought a recip/drill kit 10 yrs ago and have used and abused the crap out of them, and the batteries even still work, although with lower runtimes. At this point I own many, many Ryobi 18v tools from drills and saws, to weedeaters and a water pump to a 1/2" impact wrench (my fav), to sheet metal shear and many more. I have no doubt I will buy more in the future. I'm not a fanboy at all, I use Milwaukee at work and have no problems admitting they are better tools, but I will say I am impressed with Ryobi.

[@kftc1980]

Eyellgeteven bought the old blue impact driver very used as part of a lot on eBay, looked pretty beat up but lasted me about 5 years. Replaced with the brushless 3 speed, which is awesome. Inflator/pump (the big one) isn’t great, the side that connects to needles broke a long time ago. The old blue sawsall is indestructible. The lithium ion batteries haven’t seemed to fade at all after several years. Love the “fuel gauge.” Overall, very pleased. Good deals on open box bare tools on eBay. Just picked up the rotary cutter today for 39.99 Biggest complaint I have heard of is that they are bulky tools and not all that sleek. I can see that, but oh well.

[@eyellgeteven9928]

@@kftc1980 I agree on all points. I do agree about the size of most Ryobi tools, I recently bought a brushless impact driver and it's still fairly bulky compared to several competitor's designs. For the most part, the size doesn't bother me much though.

[@dragnridr05]

If more companies stayed committed to their battery design like Ryobi, they might get more attention. With Ryobi sticking with the same battery design for every cordless tool, they can keep their customers for longer. I asked some representatives from Hart about their battery design and if they would change their batteries to match the designs of Ryobi (Which the SAME parent company owns both) then they might gain Ryobi customers. Plus with the compatibility of the batteries to both brands being the same, they can gain Hart customers to buy Ryobi. I had a 2 tool drill set from Ryobi just before the lime green tools came out and LOVED them. I had to pawn them to pay bills after my job fell through, and I regret it to this day. Now I am working on getting my tool arsenal filled with Ryobi tools.

[@JTP1967]

I'm a contractor and I use power tools DAILY. I have Milwaukie, Hitachi - yes Hitachi, Bosch, DeWalt, Rigid and of course Ryobi. There definitely are some tools that are better than others: my Bosch hammer drill is amazing, love it. My Milwaukie Sawzall is also amazing, I really like my Hitachi nail gun. But when it comes to drills, drivers & impacts, I use Ryobi. Why? because they work just as good as any others and they don't cost a fortune. I can buy 2 Ryobi's for the cost of 1 DeWalt. I recently purchased the Rigid line on black Friday, I have the cordless circular saw, impact driver, drill/driver, jigsaw, & shop vac. They are great tools. I wait for them to go on sale. I have the DeWalt DWS716, bought it on sale and it is a magnificent saw. Had the Ryobi 12 inch miter, but it didn't cut true. I have Bosch table saw, it was expensive but it is a beast. I have the Milwaukie framing nail gun, but it is heavy, great gun though. I did purchase the DeWalt brad nail gun on sale and it is a good gun. Some of the Ryobi stuff just isn't there in power; the router, jigsaw, and orbital sand I was disappointed with. But my Rigid line is great. The only tools I have in the cordless line are the Ryobi and Rigid. All my other tools are corded. Ryobi makes great cordless tools, but I only buy the 18V products. Like the bear said, the Ryobi brushless line are expensive. I will not waste my money on DeWalt cordless tools, or Milwaukie because they are 2 times and sometimes 3 times more expensive and just do not offer 2 times or 3 times more performance. I did buy the DeWalt 15 gallon oil less air compressor, on sale, and I regret it. It was not worth it. Live and learn.

[@SweeturKraut]

Just picked up their small table saw. So far, I'm pleased with it.

[@DrCoomer_1]

The warranty and replacement policies in place with Ryobi are possibly the best part about them. A 6 year on the spot replacement for tools & 3 year for battery's.

[@TheCharleseye]

I love it when people say that Ryobi tools are "now showing up on jobsites." In the past fifteen years, I and many others have been using Ryobi tools on jobsites. It's not a new trend. They're inexpensive and they do the vast majority of what needs to be done. Most guys in construction aren't driving 10" lag bolts or cutting 6x6 lumber 8 hours/day. My Ryobis do everything I expect cordless tools to do. On the rare occasion I have to tackle something bigger, I have these cool things called corded tools. They rarely get dusted off, so they're likely to last forever. Meanwhile, my Ryobis keep paying for themselves, over and over again. Seriously, nobody needs a DeWalt brushless hammer drill to drive 1 1/4" - 4" screws. My little Ryobi drill and impact driver handle that just fine. My little circular saw cuts siding, 2x, etc, without a problem. My recip saw has never failed to cut anything I needed it to. As far as I'm concerned, pro-grade means it will do the work a professional needs it to do for as long as they need it to do so. Seeing as how lots of professionals have been using their Ryobi tools in this manner for a long time, I'd call that pro-grade.

[@hydroaegis6658]

I left a ryobi drill outside for a week. No one took it. That alone is the reason why I use Ryobi.

[@armyfazer1410]

I still have a number of the blue tools. Sawzall, drills, lights, and skill saws. And I've slowly been updating with the brushless gear as I can find an excuse.

[@ratdog3055]

Good honest review. I have a bunch of Ryobi tools (+1 and bench units). Ryobi also made fishing reels (Still use one). Not top quality but very good for home use.

[@randacnam7321]

As of late 2021/early 2022, a lot of Ryobi tools are made in Vietnam, and their compact 6Ahr batteries (the 5S2P ones) are mostly Singaporean.

[@tristanduff]

One major selling point is the variety of equipment that takes the same batteries. Flashlights, stereos, fans, a hot glue gun and heat gun, even a remote control car. Having so many varied tools and pieces of equipment and tech all running the same power platform is a game changer.

[@wooksythewookie9832]

This video was great and sums up our experience with the Ryobi system! We had already purchased a couple Ryobi tools and were gifted a box of really old Ryobi tools so we were sold on their interchangeable battery system. We've had an older gen weed eater and leaf blower that competes well with my brother-in-law's new, fancy DeWalt. With Ryobi Days going on right now we splurged and added more to our collection. So far, great quality and power for what we're using them for (beginner/hobby woodworking and general first time homebuyer projects). Probably won't need to upgrade for another 5-10 years.

[@geraldkoth654]

I RV travel full time so I have only one type of cordless tool. Ryobi. I personally have 12 different tools and don't have an oscillating tool, a Pex deal a shear and many others. So far they are pretty much bullet proof. I did burn up a angle grinder. Definitely not Ryobi's fault I knew I was overheating it. So I just kept going til it melted down. Got my job done though. In 11 years 3 batteries go bad. El cheapo off brand batteries work just fine. None of my tools are brushless.

[@travyhaagy]

I have been using Ryobi tools for 20 years and I have yet to have one fail. They are affordable and last forever, what is not to love?

[@AthamAldecua]

I use Ryobi and Makita, and I am very happy with both!

[@keshmo12]

My dad uses his ryobi tools just about every day at home and not one tool has "broke". One of his 1/2 impact wrenches is probably wore out but its had a hard life on cars and trucks! It shuts off if you try driving 1/2 6 inch lag bolts into solid posts but we think it's the batteries lol.

[@robinperronjones5024]

I have used Ryobi for years for home and leisure use and found them reliable, tough, economical and has great accessories. I would admit that going to Home Depot for Ryobi is a little limiting as I do not buy on line. I want look at the tool, try it and see if it’s the product for the use I want it for. The colour by the way is really great, good channel well done

[@joshuaallen4739]

I’ve been thinking about getting my dad the entry level Ryobi drill/impact driver combo kit from HD for around $100 and I’ve been switching over from DeWalt myself. Thanks for the transparency and information on tools and companies. You’re a go-to channel for my tool purchases and have been for a year now.

[@NKWoodworks]

That's a downgrade imo. The batteries are ok, but they use the old "stalk type" batteries which every other company got smart about and changed to the slide in type 15 years ago.

[@brentsido8822]

The slide is prone to losing contact with the battery my guess is the stem type don't

[@IWasAllLikeG93]

@@NKWoodworks Got smart about what? Slide in batteries offer no advantages over stem batteries. I have cordless ryobi tools that are 15 years old that still work great. I'm impressed with their commitment to the one+ battery platform, which ensures my old tools don't get obsoleted just because I can't get batteries for them. That commitment is the primary reason why I switched to ryobi tools in the first place, and the fact they've kept their word since 1996 is downright impressive.

[@bryangrim6021]

I can respect their commitment to maintaining the same battery connection. Had a known that Dewalt was going to change theirs after I bought $1000 worth of tools (obviously some years ago now), I would’ve just invested in this line instead. I was pissed at the time. I’m not a contractor. Just a regular guy who was looking to invest in a solid set of tools that could take care of most things from here on out without a lot of tomfoolery with batteries not fitting this or that. Anyway, lot of years have already passed and I now have several brands of tools depending on what job I want to use them for. I’ve simply come to grips with the fact that there will always be multiple types batteries, chargers, adapters, whatever. There is truly no “all in one“ perfect solution for everything. That’s the first thing that a new tool owner has to get passed. My pipe dream of all Tool companies coming together and agreeing on a battery connection standard has long since gone the way of a similar dream where decades ago I was hoping that one day Apple computer and the PC could directly communicate and work in harmony together. Some things will just never happen. Now I just see it as a “not all my eggs are in one basket“ situation. Even if something dies, I’ll be able to grab something else (even if a different manufacturer) to get me by.

[@TheDaikashido]

I did get a warranty replacement of something I bought on ebay, it wasnt this kind of tool though. I only had to send a screenshot of the receipt, and they honored it. That suprises me now, because I didnt know they had authorized retailers; I just put the claim in because it broke. If I had known, I wouldnt have done so. The new one broke a month later. I use similar tools from another brand and never had a problem - but I did lose money even though the warranty was satisfied

[@airtow6766]

You are 100% correct. I won an eBay auction for a Ryobi gas chainsaw and of course it was drop shipped from Home Depot.

[@mattd9881]

Ryobi is the worst. The majority of customer repairs at our Home Depot are Ryobi. And its usually less than a week after that particular tool was purchased.

[@kevinragsdale6256]

I've been running a ryobi drill and impact driver for 4 years, just DIY automotive and household work. They have been worked pretty good, but they have held up. I want a new dewalt set, but my ryobi still work.

[@garbo8962]

Started out with a Ryobi drain cleaner. Then a drill, portable light, great air compressor/ inflator/deflater and a fan. Looking at their portable band saw. Promised the mrs. when I retired 3 years ago will stop buying toys mean toys. Just did not tell her when.

[@mikeeaton9822]

Hey Bear I'm a Ryboi fun boy but I also bought my first Ryboi starter kit in 2001. The only thing I replaced was the drill because I cooked it 😂 as well as the nicad batteries but still have a few that still work. I do use my Ryboi cordless tools several times a month. I do wish that HF had this kind of tools back than I probably would have bought than instead. But after 18+ years of use I'm still happy with my purchase.

[@staceymiller5046]

Hey thanks for the video... I bought a combo pack at Home Depot and it has replaced a bunch of old tools ( I gave the old tools away) and am very happy with the purchase. I have a home wood working shop and continue to add to the kit ( just purchased the cordless trim Router) YES the router rocks!!! Again Thanks I am very happy with my decision to go with the Ryobi Tools!

[@lucky15driver]

A friend of mine owns a solar screen company and has employees and multiple crews working all the time. When a cordless tool fails he has no intention on waiting for repairs. He sends someone to the closest store to buy a new one. When time is money you don't want to send someone past three stores or halfway across town to the Home Depot to get a Ryobi, or Ridgid. That's why so many pros use Dewalt, Mikita, or Milwaukee. The cost of the repairs is not even close to lost production.

[@andrewfidel2220]

My experience with Ryobi tools and HD it's that as long as the date code on the tool is

[@raybergeron2999]

I do house flipping. Bought (past tense) Ryobi tools. They ALL die really soon. I personally killed a Recip Saw in 1hr, it's replace did last for 3 days of 'kinda-hard' use, but overall lower quality. For the price I think they are over priced. The better quality Harbor Freight tools are actually better, and about the same or cheaper price. I buy the 'anything' warranty, eh, it;s gold.

[@PatrickBatty]

Thanks. Great video. I just picked up a nice ryobi set of tools at home depot. What convinced me was the complete battery interchangeability. I have had a 7 piece Kobalt set plus 2 batteries, where the tools and battery worked perfectly but the charger just died. Because it was from one or two battery models back in the Kobalt line, you can't by the charger any more. Kobalt doesn't sell them, Lowes does sell them. And I couldn't find one on ebay. End result 9 doorstops. So batteries being interchangeable way my main selection criteria, natually. Never want to replace an entire set because again because of that issue.

[@chuckd9145]

1st.. Loved the Bear and the info you gave - informative and fun to watch. 2nd Longtime Ryobi user.. and for average low yield home DIY projects... awesome tools. Have about 15 of the Blue/Yellow older model tools for 10+ years - still going strong (fav is the Table saw - folds up and has wheels - stores away nicely but works great and nice features. Adding the new Neon ones as needed. Sure a few bad design choices here and there.. probably the reason for some of the redundancy. But for the price and selection - pretty good stuff. Plus you gotta love that all the batteries can be used throughout the lineup - still had 2 of the Ni-Cd ones till 2 yrs ago - then switched to the Li-ion.

[@alandoesstuff.1254]

I wish they had a One plus power ratchet. I know it would be a bit bulky because of the battery, but I would live with it.

[@jamesmcarthur2490]

I love the video, I have 5 ryobi cordless tools, one corded tool. But I have Dewalt, Hercules, And others. I buy the tool I need for the jobs I do.

[@armyfazer1410]

They need to bring the magnet on the drill back! That thing is so useful.

[@trailertrash5175]

You have to remember that the trimmers are 18v and 40v. Gives options for both

[@kirkjohnson9353]

A personal tip that I have not seen mentioned by the Bear- I have the Home Depot credit card that costs me nothing. Every three or four months they send me a coupon for 10 percent off of my next purchase that is over 299.99. This is when I buy my next tool and other supplies. It is not too often that I buy big ticket items at HD and don't get 10 percent off. It adds up over the year.

[@craigphillips3154]

If it's not on the Ryobi cordless platform then either you don't really need it or it can't run on 20v. The only thing I know of that's missing is a powered reel mower...and they did release one in Australia. No other DIY level platform comes anywhere close to Ryobi's coverage.

[@adamlaski9128]

Oddly enough... I’ve had less Ryobi tools fail on me than Makita, DeWalt, Rigid... take your pick. I have a decent lineup with 2 4.0 batteries and a supercharger that I or my wife can use at a moments notice

[@adamlaski9128]

What NOT to buy from Ryobi? Saws. I have a 10” sliding miter, it’s the first one I bought, and for delicate work, they are wanting. The blade wobble is the main culprit. But if the “top tier” miter saw is that bad, I doubt any of the others are that great

[@avatar12008]

So far my ryobi tools have all held up, but then I’m not asking them to do what they aren’t built for!

[@Bandersnatch786]

Not going to lie, I have not had great experiences with Ryobi. We had a gas trimmer from Ryobi back in the late 90s. The thing never started, even when it was brand new. 20ish years later, I buy a Ryobi 10" sliding miter saw (last week) and returned it a day later because it wouldn't cut square to the fence. I'm directly in the target market for Ryobi tools (Homeowner/DIY'er) and I just can't trust Ryobi to get the job done right the first time. I know you rag on DeWalt because they're just a professional grade B&D, but my DeWalt tools haven't let me down (hammer drill/impact driver/recip saw & sander) and only my sander is the brushless version. I exchanged the saw for a 12" Milwaukee and that saw cut perfectly. Sure, Ryobi is a lot more affordable to than both DeWalt and Milwaukee, but to have a tool not do the job right in any scenario and at any price point does not make for a very good experience.

[@molegrip3860]

They are great value for money and perfectly adequate for most D.I.Y / hobbyists. Some of the range are even good enough as regular work tools.

[@BomJimmy]

Ryobi has the best color. Easy to find in my garage.

[@oldsourdough49er]

Last year at their Black Friday sale, I bought a Ryobi combo kit and ended up only using the drill and the impact driver. I have only used one battery this whole time. Yesterday I pulled out the 2nd battery and plugged it into one of the tools and it still was fully charged! Say what you will, I find that pretty amazing!

[@OllieNorth509]

Bought craftsmen supplier in 88, and not long after is when craftsmen power tools started going down hill. I worked a 2nd job selling tools at sears for a couple years in early 90s and thought then, craftsmen is going to hell in a hand basket

[@cinnreds18]

I recently looked at ryobi’s entire battery tool selection the other day. I counted 230 tools and if I remove redundant tools you’re looking at 100 variations of tools. It’s better but I must agree this is still A LOT. I did a quick tally, they’re selling almost 30 varieties of drill/impact tool and this is definitely excessive.

[@majormojo]

I have an assortment of Ryobi tools; I like the variety of tools for the single battery type. I’d thought about buying “better” tools to replace these when they fail, but then I realized that I’ve never actually had a Ryobi tool fail on me.

[@penitent2401]

Ryobi and Milwaukee is owned by same company, they use the same factories even. Ryobi is aimed at DYI and budget range while Milwaukee is aimed at more professional trade or industrial level. As for all the repeats, I think they're just releasing new version every year with slight differences like change to ergonomics and adjustments to certain functions and features while still producing the older model to see what sticks as more popular then phase out the unpopular ones or make their Milwaukee upgrade accordingly.

[@charredskeleton]

My Ryobi tools have been good. They represent a great value. My 4 year old C3 craftsmans(Ryobi) work fine with thier original batteries. The compact C3s and One+s give 18v power at 12v weight.

[@michaelburns8073]

Good work Bear on getting the facts right on Ryobi, I even learned a few things I didn't know. Direct Tools did have a store in San Ysidro, California (probably to be able for folks to buy them and take them to Mexico), but it closed. Too bad, it was a good store. Also, about the cost of buying from Home Depot, I don't generally do that. Usually, I pick up the tool from DT on one of their big sales. Also, like you said, you see a lot of tools taken from the pallet returns and also just sold used at flea markets, I pick these up a song.

[@SouthBaySteelers]

Michael Burns DTs $85 miter saw stand sells for $59 at HD...without the bonus blemishes you get at DT though.

[@michaelburns8073]

@@SouthBaySteelers Yeah, but they also sold them new in box for $29.00 at my DT store. I don't know why DT does that higher than retail price sometimes. You definitely need to know the general tool price.