Is Ridgid a Good Brand? (Ultimate Review)

Ridgid is one of the lesser-known tool manufacturer that’s often compared to Dewalt, Milwaukee Tools, and other leading tool brands.

But how does Ridgid stack up against the others and are Ridgid tools worth buying?

In this post, I’ll examine if Ridgid is a a good brand and if they’re worth buying. Let’s dig in!

History of Ridgid Tools

Ridgid is an American tool manufacturer that’s been manufacturing a wide variety of tools for more than 100 years.

Based in Elyria, Ohio since 1943, it was purchased by Emerson Electric in 1966.

These days, the company manufactures over 300 tools, most of which are for the plumbing, pipe-fitting, HVAC, and construction industries. The tool that’s most associated with the Ridgid brand is their classic red pipe wrench.

Ridgid power tools are manufactured by TTI, a Hong Kong-based company. The wet and dry vacs they sell are made by Emerson Electric.

On their website, they say their industry leading products can withstand extreme heat and cold, and they’re not easily worn down by dirt or mud.

Ridgid also offers a range of training courses so their customers can get the most out of their tools. They even provide custom, hands-on training.

So if you want to become a master with their range of cordless power tools, you can have a Ridgid expert teach you everything you need to know.

Types of Products Ridgid Manufactures

Ridgid manufactures a wide variety of tools for a range of industries, including hand tools, corded tools, cordless tools, and plumbing tools.

Below are 20 specific tools that carry the Ridgid logo:

• Pipe wrenches
• Pipe cutters
• Pliers
• Circular, reciprocating, & jig saws
• Drills
• Routers
• Grinders
• Screwdrivers
• Hand spinners
• Table saws & miter saws
• Tile saws
• Nailers
• Compressors
• Drum machines
• Thermal imagers
• Inspection cameras
• Line locators
• Line transmitters
• Gas detectors
• Distance meters

Ridgid Tools Pros & Cons

Pro: Built to Last

I’ve used a range of Ridgid power tools, corded and cordless, and I can attest to the quality of these tools. They’re built to last, mainly because they’re designed well and manufactured with high-quality materials.

You don’t have to worry about dust, moisture, or other fine particles wearing these tools down, and they also boast high impact resistance.

Going through forums, reviews, etc., I’ve found that others champion Ridgid power tools for their durability too, which should speak to how well these tools hold up over the years.

Most of the tools put out by the Ridgid Tool Company are without the flashy bells and whistles, which indicates to me that this company mainly focuses on producing simple yet well-made tools that won’t let users down when they’re needed most.

Pro: Wide Variety

Ridgid manufactures a wide variety of tools (relative to the company’s size).

But if you compare their line to Dewalt’s, Craftsman’s, or another larger brand, you’ll see that Ridgid doesn’t manufacture nearly as many tools as these other brands.

Still, you can find hundreds of tools that carry the Ridgid logos, most of them power tools and tools designed specifically for plumbers and pipe fitters.

I don’t have a lot of experience with their heavy-duty equipment, but judging by ratings and reviews online it seems that Ridgid heavy-duty tools hold up just like their power tools (which I am more than familiar with).

I’m a fan of companies that manufacture a wide range of good power tools because if you familiarize yourself with a few of a specific brand’s tools, it won’t take you long to get familiar with their new tools.

Plus, you can use one power tool’s charger to charge a different tool. For example, sometimes I charge my Ridgid screwdriver with my drill’s charger.

Pro: Time-Tested Brand

The fact that this company has been manufacturing tools for more than 100 years is definitely an important aspect for me.

If a company has built and maintained a solid reputation for more than a century because they’re always committed to delivering quality along with top-notch customer service, that’s huge.

In the ’60s, when they were bought out by Emerson Electric, Ridgid’s quality didn’t go down—it improved.

And even though the majority of their power tools are now built by another manufacturer, it’s still the Ridgid name that guarantees a tool’s quality.

Plus, Ridgid offering training courses for the tools they make is an added bonus, one that doesn’t just help users learn their tools but tools made by other manufacturers as well.

Pro: Easy to Work With

Aside from being durable, Ridgid tools are also easy to use, which is incredibly important.

I can’t stand when some tool companies over-manufacture simple tools to the point where they become ineffective. That’s never the case with Ridgid.

The simplicity of their tools allows for easy use, whether you’re familiar with the brand or not. Plus, if you’re familiar with a handful of their tools, there’s a good chance you’d be able to operate most, if not all, of their tools, as most of them employ the same inner components, power systems, etc.

And if you’re struggling with a Ridgid brand tool, you can always get 1-on-1 help from a Ridgid-licensed expert.

I strongly believe that their current line of easy-to-use products is a direct result of being in business for more than 100 years. Over that time, they’ve definitely received tons of feedback, and clearly they’ve used this feedback to improve their products so they’re more user-friendly.

Pro: Cost-Effective

For high-quality tools, Ridgid tools are sold at relatively low prices.

And when you consider their durability, ease of use, warranty coverage, etc., it’s clear to see that they’re cost-effective tools.

If you look online, you’ll find plenty of stories of Ridgid tool owners getting 10, 20, or even 30 years of use out of their products.

Especially if we’re talking about their larger products—like the ones they make for the plumbing industry—getting the most bang for your buck is imperative.

Other high-end tool brands will charge a pretty penny for equipment that’s decked out with all the bells and whistles, but usually these over-engineered tools break down a lot quicker than the simple ones made by Rigid, underscoring that simplicity and reliability are what really guarantee an attractive ROI.

If you want to save money on your woodworking hobby, Ridgid tools can be a great option.

Con: Inadequate for Certain Heavy-Duty Jobs

While going through numerous reviews of the Ridgid brand online, I read/heard numerous times that their heavy-duty tools are somewhat inadequate when stacked up against similar tools made by other manufacturers.

I can’t speak to this inadequacy because I’ve only used their power tools and hand tools, but judging by what I’ve seen I believe it’s fair to say: if you’re looking for something more heavy-duty, consider another tool brand.

That said, Ridgid heavy-duty products that they make specifically for the plumbing and pipe-fitting industries are definitely up there as some of the best on the market right now.

After all, manufacturing products for these two lines of work is what this brand has been specializing in for more than a century.

Con: Largely Incompatible With Other Brands

Because Ridgid is a more niche brand, you’ll find that a lot of accessories made by other companies are incompatible with Ridgid brand tools.

As somebody who has a range of accessories made by different manufacturers, I find this to be pretty inconvenient. It sort of restricts you to being a Ridgid-only customer, and I’m not a fan of manufacturers who still make their products this way.

Who Makes Ridgid Tools?

Ridgid power tools are currently being made by TTI, but they still carry the Ridgid logo. Essentially, Ridgid has TTI handle their manufacturing, but TTI still follows Ridgid’s designs and manufacturing processes to ensure the tools are up to the brand’s standards.

So if you have Ridgid cordless drills, circular saws, and other power tools that were made in the last decade or so, it’s likely you have products manufactured by TTI.

TTI also manufactures Ridgid’s outdoor power equipment.

The dry and wet vacs Ridgid puts out, along with a lot of their plumbing and pipe-fitting equipment, are manufactured by Emerson Electric, the parent company that bought them out in the sixties.

Where Are Ridgid Tools Made?

At present, Ridgid manufactures tools at their flagship location in Elyria, Ohio. Their original manufacturing site was in North Ridgeville, Ohio, but they moved in the 40s.

Ridgid Warranty Info

All Ridgid power tools, hand tools, etc. come with a lifetime warranty, which is particularly generous when you consider what other manufacturers offer as warranties.

The only thing that’s not covered by a Ridgid warranty is wear and tear caused by regular use.

Other power tool brands provide warranties that last for just a few years, and usually they’re replete with stipulations.

So if you purchase products made by the Ridgid tool brand, you can operate them with the peace of mind that comes from knowing: if something goes wrong—whether it be related to the manufacturing or the materials used—you can get your tool repaired or replaced at absolutely no charge to you.

And if they can’t fix the tool after three attempts, they will refund you in full.

Ridgid Tools vs Dewalt Tools

Ridgid and Dewalt are two tool manufacturers that often get compared, and both Dewalt and Ridgid have been operating for a very long time.

Both brands make a wide range of good tools, but a lot of Dewalt’s tools offer features that Ridgid tools don’t.

That said, Dewalt tools don’t come with the best warranties, and some of them are so elaborate it makes using them difficult.

In the end, DeWalt is slightly better quality. But if you want simplicity and affordability, go with Ridgid.

Final Thoughts

In the end, Ridgid is a 100-year-old brand that’s stood the test of time, and at present they manufacture over 300 products, focusing on the HVAC, plumbing, pipe-fitting, and construction industries.

So if you want strength, reliability, and simplicity from the tools you use every day, and you want all that for a fair price, consider using Ridgid tools.