Get Prepared For Winter Storms With The Help Of This Ryobi Tool Kit

As winter storms approach, there are a number of smart tips that can minimize costly weather damage to your home, and you can prepare by stocking up on essentials. One thing you can't do much about is a power outage when bad weather causes the grid to fail. The Ryobi One+ 18V Storm Kit can help you cope until power is restored.

The kit comprises an LED area light, a Bluetooth radio/speaker, and a 150W power source that has USB ports for laptops, tablets, and phones, plus a standard 120V outlet. Ryobi claims the radio will run for up to 32 hours, and the lamp has three brightness settings — high, medium, and low. Both of these products also have USB charging ports.

Each device is powered by the One+ 18V batteries that run many of Ryobi's DIY tools and those for tackling winter tasks in the yard. If you already have any of those, your batteries will slot right in. If you don't, a 2Ah battery and charger are included. It could be argued that having detachable batteries that can be swapped if one fails is a better idea than relying on devices like storm lanterns or power packs with built-in batteries that might not work when you need them most. Bear in mind that running all three devices together requires three batteries, and if you want to maximize run times, it's a good idea to choose those with higher Ah ratings than the one supplied.

The Ryobi One+ 18V Storm Kit currently costs $295. Although the various pieces can be found at exclusive retail partner Home Depot, as a kit, it is only in stock on Ryobi's website. Customer feedback is somewhat limited, but it gets an average of 4.7 stars, and there are very few complaints. As one buyer pointed out, the radio cannot receive NOAA weather alerts, but warnings from the National Weather Service can be sent to your phone.

Of course, the kit isn't just useful for storm preparation. Having a small, portable device for charging your phone can be convenient. The radio/speaker can be used out in the yard for music while you're working, or when you have family or friends around. The LED area light can help if the bulb goes out in the basement, if you're looking for something in the loft, or working under the car, for example.

Whether you are expecting heavy snowfalls, prepping for the hurricane season, or just working around the home, the Ryobi One+ 18V Storm Kit offers a number of benefits. That said, there is a lot of competition. It's always worth shopping around to see if alternatives meet your needs better, or if buying individual devices saves you money.