Ryobi Power Tools

[Sea Change]

I was a Ryobi fanboy for a number of years, but have moved away from them recently as the value isn't as good. When I first started buying them, brushless tools weren't readily available (or cheap) and they had a good price point for brushed tools that was below the competition substantially enough to make them well worth it.

With the advent of brushless, they have effectively split the range - lower cost, brushed tools and higher cost brushless. This isn't unique to Ryobi, many tool brands have lower and higher price pioints in their range. The issue I have with Ryobi is that the performance and price of their brushed range is no longer good enough to compete with others (Bosch home & garden & Einhell are similar or cheaper and just as good IMO), and the price point of their brushless is too close to Makita, Bosch Professional or Dewalt to not justify buying those instead.

I have made the switch to Makita now and am happier, for tools that matter I buy Makita genuine (their multi tool is great), and for others there are a number of bare tools that fit the Makita batteries - I have a hot glue gun and cordless heat gun that take the Makita battery and were about £40 each. Between Makita and others, you can get almost any tool you want for the same battery platform, and I even have a 12V charger so I can charge the 18V battery from my car or boat.

Another aspect that may or may not matter to you is the battery platform. The Ryobi battery shape means that some tools such as cordless routers or sanders become less balanced that an equivalent with a slide in 'casette style' battery such as many others have. The Makita batteries are very good performance and charge quickly, I used to carry 3-5 Ryobi batteries for a days work and now take 2 Makita. They last long enough and charge quickly enough that this is just about doable, although 3 would be ideal.

If I was to start again now for a budget platform I'd probably go Einhell. I have no direct experience of them, but the price point is low enough that I could get enough tools to start and build from there - they also have plenty of accessories that make the platform cost worthwhile. I have a couple of Bosch Professional tools and would not buy them again - the quality is fantastic but i'm not that impressed with the battery performance. I will continue to build the Makita selection and have no issue recommending Makita to others.

That echoes my experience with Makita. I bought mine back in 2015 when I was building a house. They did that, then a complete renovation on a second house, a bunch of jobs around the croft, and loads of boat jobs too.
The drill is finally starting to wear out, there's a lot of play and it's hard to drill small holes in metal accurately.

 

[HughClayton]

My experience is that, onboard, you don’t really need any but a few of the smaller batteries. I have Ryobi onboard for a drill / driver and angle grinder but, for my “day job” I use DeWalt.

Ryobi used to be competitively priced for the “pro-user” however my recommendation now would be to price-check Amazon, Screwfix, ToolStation and the OEM webstore. Brushless DC motors and modern batteries have transformed tools. I’m an electrical engineer / electrician but am lusting after a dewalt cordless router after recently watching a chippie do amazing work on an oak interior refit!