Is Ryobi A Good Power Tool Brand For Your Home Improvement Needs?
It's not hard to spot Ryobi products in stores with their signature bright green finish. The brand, which is sold online and at retailers like Home Depot, Amazon, and Walmart, makes electric, cordless, and gas-powered tools and outdoor equipment. Among its most popular products are drills, screw guns, saws, and sanders. Of course, when making a large purchase such as home improvement equipment, you want to ensure you're getting your money's worth. So, are these tools good for home improvement? The consensus seems to be that Ryobi is a decent brand. It's good for the average homeowner who needs to complete the occasional project around the house, think screwing together furniture or minor building projects.
However, it's not recommended for those who are looking for professional-grade tools or professional home improvement projects. Overall, the company makes entry-level products that will get the job done when needed, and they'll do it well. But if you're looking for a tool to use every day or on heavy-duty projects, opt for a different brand.
What you get for what you pay for, but that's not always a bad thing
One of the biggest benefits of purchasing Ryobi products is that they're inexpensive, especially compared to other large brands like DeWalt and Milwaukee. Ryobi products are, on average, between 30% and 50% less expensive than the same tools of these other large brands. For that lower price, you also get the benefit of having interchangeable batteries among the One+ power tools, allowing you to charge them all using one cord or move a battery from one tool to another. Ryobi products are also lightweight and compact, so they're a great option for casual projects around the house and are also great if you're new to working with power tools.
Matt Outlaw from 731 Woodworks suggests choosing products with a brushless motor since they are more efficient, have longer-lasting batteries, and generate more power. A brushless motor in any of Ryobi's tools is the best option if you're going to be using your tools a lot. Outlaw only cautions against two products: the table saw and the miter saw. Overall, it is a great brand for the average homeowner, casual DIYers, and apartment dwellers. If you aren't planning on extensive building or using them professionally, these tools are a great choice.
When you may want to skip Ryobi
At a lower price point and compact feel, Ryobi isn't typically best for extensive projects. These products are often considered an entry point when it comes to power tools. One of the major complaints is the durability of the tools. Ryobi doesn't have the horsepower to be used frequently or last a long time. Many Ryobi tools have plastic parts that wear down with use, making them a poor choice for those who are constantly using their tools.
There have also been some complaints about the batteries in Ryobi products. Though they are interchangeable, some purchasers complain about the batteries wearing out within a few years. However, some of these complaints about battery products could be from wearing out the tool from use rather than an unexpected malfunction. YouTube channel Tekamo HD tested a few Ryobi power tools in a heavy-duty setting and found that the batteries lost function after just five months. "The biggest weak points . . . was the batteries. This one only lasted a month. The tool itself is good; I'm actually pretty impressed." So, is Ryobi worth it? It depends on what kind of projects you want to tackle around your home. Occasional uses and small DIYs should be perfectly fine — anything other than that may require a heavier-duty tool.