Are Ryobi Tools Good Quality? 18V and 40V Cordless Power Tool Reviews (Updated 2020)

Are Ryobi tools any good?

Like most budding young woodworkers, I agonized over the question of which brand of tools to invest in when I first became interested in carpentry. Ultimately my bank account made the decision for me, and I settled for the most affordable line of tools that I could find: Ryobi.

Over the last five years, I’ve put many of their tools to the test as both a professional and a DIYer, and I must say that my experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. I’ve never had a tool or a battery break, or fail on me in any way.

I’ve built barns and decks, finished basements, laid hardwood floors, constructed furniture and even cleared overgrown woodlands for fire safety with Ryobi tools.

As someone who lives off-grid with a minimalist solar setup, electricity is a precious commodity in my daily life, and nearly all of my devices are powered by rechargeable batteries. I use both the 18-volt and 40-volt Ryobi systems almost every day for one reason or another.

Many professionals and DIYers alike will insist that if you buy Ryobi today, you’ll end up starting all over in a few years with a higher-end brand like DeWalt or Makita when you begin to find the entry-level stuff to be lacking. 

As for me, I’m only continuing to expand my Ryobi collection after five years, and I see no reason to switch to one of the more expensive brands – with a few rare exceptions, which I’ll come back to later on. 

First, let’s run down my most-used Ryobi tools, both in the One+ system and the 40v system.

Note: this post contains affiliate links that will lead you to products on Amazon. If you make a purchase, they give me a small cut. Buying through these links is a great way to support my work at no additional cost to you. I only link to things that I actually use and find worthwhile.

Best Ryobi One+ 18V Tools

1. Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless Impact Driver

The workhorse of any carpenter’s tool set. I would be lost without my Ryobi impact driver! I got mine in this six-piece bundle that also includes a drill/driver, two batteries, and a charging station. You can save a lot of money by picking up bundles like this. (This bundle, for example, costs hundreds of dollars less than what you’d spend on all of the individual tools separately.)

2. Ryobi One+ 18V Circular Saw

A close second in terms of my most-used tools. This is my go-to for 90% of the cuts I need to make for just about any project. I stubbornly clung to a corded circular saw for years, and this cordless model was a total game-changer when I finally went for it. I use the 6 1/2” size, but Ryobi also offers a 5 1/2” and 7 1/4” brushless. Ryobi’s circular saw is also available as part of this awesome 8-piece contractor’s bundle.

3. Ryobi One+ 18V 2-Speed Drill Driver

Stubborn carpenters like myself have to learn the importance of pilot holes the hard way. My drill/driver sits right next to my impact driver in pretty much all situations. I use Ryobi’s P277 model. More recently they’ve introduced the brushless P252 drill/driver — brushless tools are often more expensive, but in this case the prices are almost the same so I’d opt for brushless here if I didn’t already own the P277.

4. Ryobi One+ 18V Crown Stapler

Staplers are incredibly handy in so many woodworking projects, but often require air compressors. Not the case for Ryobi’s P360 crown stapler, which offers all the power of a compression tool in cordless form. I’ll never go back to a compression stapler now that I have one of these in my arsenal.

5. Ryobi One+ 18V Random Orbit Power Sander

Orbital sanders are a crucial part of any fine woodworking project, and like crown staplers, they’re most commonly found tethered to a wall outlet or air compressor. Ryobi’s cordless random orbital sander allows you to get to those places and projects that fall outside the range of your air compressor hose.

Best Ryobi 40V Tools

1. Ryobi 40V Cordless String Trimmer

I live in a climate (northern California) where lawns are pretty uncommon, so in lieu of a lawnmower I always keep a string trimmer handy to deal with overgrown weeds. Before I got into landscape construction I worked as a gardener, and I found Ryobi’s 40V string trimmer to be indispensable. It has all the power of a gasoline trimmer with none of the pollution and much less of the noise. (One downside of the Ryobi 40V system is that the batteries are bit expensive, so the fact that this tool is bundled with a battery and charger is a big plus.)

2. Ryobi 40V Cordless Jet Fan Leaf Blower

As a landscaper who’s passionate about sustainability, I am not a big fan of gas-powered leaf blowers. Very few activities in life are as big a waste of time and energy as burning fossil fuels to rearrange leaves. That said, when a space needs to be cleared of debris and the alternative is a broom and a weekend of sweeping, it becomes clear why any sane person would prefer a blower. Ryobi’s 40V leaf blower can do anything a gas-powered blower can, plus it’s quieter and doesn’t pollute the air around you. That’s all the reason I need to ditch the gas blower for good.

3. Ryobi 40V 24-Inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer

For seasonal hedge trimming, a power hedge trimmer can shave many hours off of a project. I routinely used Ryobi’s 40V hedge trimmer in my time as a professional maintenance gardener and it always held up to the task, even after years of service.

4. Ryobi 40V Brushless Cordless 14” Chainsaw

Listen, I get it: no serious professional arborist is going to bother with a cute little toy like this. But how many of y’all reading this are professional arborists? If you’re reading this, chances are you’re someone who needs a chainsaw to clear some brush or take out a few dead limbs in the backyard — weekend warrior stuff. If you’re not planning to make a career out of cutting down trees, Ryobi’s 40V cordless chainsaw will do everything you need it to. Trust me: if it’s too big for the Ryobi chainsaw, then you might be better off hiring professionals.

Ryobi Batteries and Chargers

Of course, if you’re going to buy into the Ryobi toolset, you’re going to need to collect some batteries and chargers along the way as well.

Lithium-ion batteries for the 18V system come sizes ranging from 2.0 - 6.0 Ah . In my experience, the 4.0 Ah batteries provide the best balance between runtime and bulkiness. I have a few 2.0 Ah batteries that work just fine but don’t last very long on a charge. Your mileage may vary. As is often the case, you’ll save money by purchasing bundled battery packs.

(Also worth considering: if you want to save even more cash, there are off-brand alternatives that are compatible with Ryobi One+ tools. These Powermall 6.0 Ah Li-ion batteries cost 30% less than Ryobi’s 4.0 Ah batteries and will run significantly longer per charge.)

Lithium ion batteries for the 40V system range from 4.0 - 6.0 Ah. All of mine are 4.0 Ah, and the runtime leaves a bit to be desired. The next time I need 40-volt batteries I will be going with the High-Capacity 6.0 Ah. Like the 18-volt batteries, there are more affordable off-brand alternatives available, like this 6.0 Ah battery from Biswaye or this 5.0 Ah battery from Powermall.

Which Power Tool Brand Should I Buy?

One thing to keep in mind as you begin to build up your tool collection, is that you don’t necessarily have to commit to one sole brand.

Think about it: is it really that big of a deal to have two or three different kinds of batteries and chargers to keep up with? Not really. 

Is it ideal? Obviously not. But don’t let brand loyalty stop you from jumping on a good deal when you see one. If DeWalt or Makita or one of the higher-end brands is running a sale that’s too good to pass up, just go for it. You’re smart! I promise you can keep track of different kinds of batteries.

Another consideration: I use battery-powered tools almost exclusively, but if you have the ability to plug in corded tools, then it really doesn’t matter which brand you choose in that case. Go with whatever brand offers the tool with the power and the specs that you need to get the job done within your budget.

I own a corded Makita Reciprocating Saw that doesn’t get a ton of use, but is totally dependable and has all the power I could ever ask for out of such a tool. And although I’m perfectly content with my corded Ryobi miter saw for DIY projects, if I needed a miter saw for professional work I would prefer to have a professional-level DeWalt on hand.

The bottom line: don’t sweat if Ryobi is all you can afford or care to invest in! If my experience is any indication, these tools are totally reliable and suitable for professionals and hobbyists alike — over the long term.