Is Ryobi a Good Brand? (My Thoughts in 2024)
Ryobi is one of the most popular tool brands out there. They compete with other well known brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, and many more manufacturing a wide range of power tools, outdoor equipment, and much more.
But is Ryobi a good brand? And are they worth the money?
Ryobi tools are decent, but they aren’t the best brand you can buy. I’d give them a solid 6.6/10 stars. Not the best, but not the worst. For the average homeowner, these tools will get the job done. But I wouldn’t recommend them for professionals looking to take their work to the next level.
Ryobi Tools Pros
Price & Affordability
There’s no doubt that Ryobi tools are some of the most affordable on the market.
When compared to other brands like DeWalt or Milwaukee, I’ve found that Ryobi tools are around 15% to 25% less.
Additionally, when you find these tools on sale, you can score massive savings that make them extremely affordable.
If you need new tools and don’t want to put down some serious cash, Ryobi tools are certainly worth considering.
Product Lineup
Ryobi manufactures a wide variety of power tools, outdoor tools, plumbing tools, hand tools, and much much more. The list goes on and on.
With over 225 products, it’s going to be difficult to find something they don’t make.
One nice thing is that you can get an assortment of products from the same brand, so you’re familiar with how they work and operate.
Warranty
For their power tools, Ryobi offers decent warranties to back up their products.
There are a few main warranties depending on the type of product you own.
- 18V One+ Products: 3-year limited warranty
- 40V Lithium-Ion Products: 5-year limited warranty
- 40V Outdoor Batteries: 3-year limited warranty
- Hand Tools: Limited lifetime warranty
- Lawn Equipment & Automotive: No warranty
As you can see, most products will offer a warranty between 3 to 5 years – which is pretty strong.
Additionally, if you purchase your items from HomeDepot, you can easily return or exchange your products if something goes wrong within the first 90 days if there is no significant wear and tear.
The warranty Ryobi features is similar to those of DeWalt, Milwaukee, and others.
Interchangeable Batteries and Components
One of the most convenient aspects of Ryobi tools is the interchangeable battery among their cordless power tools.
This means if you own multiple Ryobi tools, you can easily swap out the batteries between products. Additionally, you can use the same charger, so you won’t need 10 different chargers laying around.
Ryobi’s cordless tools are a great option if you don’t want to spend a fortune purchasing new batteries and you want to save some space at the same time.
They offer two main types of batteries: the 18V ONE+ system and their 40V battery platform. While you can’t swap these batteries, you can swap those of the same type. Recently, they introduced a third battery system, an 80V battery, but this is only used for their most powerful outdoor equipment.
Lightweight
I’ve found that Ryobi tools tend to be lighter-weight compare to other power tool brands. While this might be due to the lower quality components, it’s good for people who aren’t used to the heavy weight of more professional major brands.
No shoulder pain when DIYing? Sign me up!
Ryobi Tools Cons
Durability & Longevity
There’s typically a trade off that comes with a lower price, and the durability and longevity of Ryobi products is certainly in question.
While most products have a warranty between 3 and 5 years, what happens after that?
I’ve discovered that Ryobi’s tools aren’t going to last for decades like some other tools.
Reliability & Battery Life
One of the most common complaints for Ryobi power tools is the reliability of the batteries they use.
I’ve found that I get less than an hour of use for most Ryobi tools that are battery powered – which is slightly less than other cordless tools I own.
I also found that the batteries deteriorate rather quickly. Because of how lithium ion batteries work, every time you plug it in to charge, the battery capacity is reduced. Overtime, the battery slowly become less and less.
So if you’re working on an all day project with a single battery, good luck!
Now, you can always opt for their corded tools, but this can also be an inconvenience also.
Ultimately, I question the reliability of Ryobi tools.
Manufactured Overseas
While this might not matter for some people, Ryobi tools are manufactured in Vietnam and China. While some components are made in the US, no products are fully built in America.
Color
I feel silly even mentioning this, but if you’re a tradesman, having bright neon green tools seems a bit ridiculous.
If appearance and look doesn’t matter to you, you can skip over this part.
Are Ryobi Tools any Good?
Wondering if Ryobi tools are good?
Here’s the quick and easy. If you’re an average person who needs to complete basic projects, yes, they’re fine for you!
That said, if you’re looking to become a professional and you plan to use your tools on a daily basis, I’d recommend going with another brand.
Ryobi is more of a middle-tier brand that suits normal people well, but craftsmen and professionals probably won’t like.
Many of their tools are made with plastic parts and their battery systems don’t stack up with the likes of DeWalt or Milwaukee.
How Long Do Ryobi Tools Last?
How long Ryobi tools last will obviously depend on how you use and how often. For example, if you’re pushing your tools to the limit on a daily basis, they won’t last as long as a weekend warrior using their tools on DIY projects.
It’s safe to say that Ryobi tools will last an average of 2 to 5 years. While some people have claimed their set of tools have lasted longer, I wouldn’t consider this the norm.
The good news is that because of their warranties, you can always have your tools replaced if something goes wrong in the first couple of years.
History of Ryobi Tools
Ryobi tools was started in 1943 by the Japanese company Ryobi Seisakusho Co.
The company originally manufactured die cast products in a small shop in Hiroshima. It wasn’t until the 1980’s and 90’s before the Ryobi name became more mainstream around the world.
They opened their first manufacturing plant in the United States in 1985 and now produce products all over the world.
Who Owns Ryobi?
Ryobi operates in the United States as a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries (TTI). While they are owned by the parent company Ryobi Limited.
Interestingly enough, TTI also manufactures Milwaukee tools and a few others.
Where are Ryobi Tools Made?
Ryobi products are manufactured in several locations around the world.
Most are made in Vietnam and China, according the Ryobi’s live chat support. There are some components and parts made in the USA, but not the entire tool.
If you’re specifically looking for brands made in America, you’ll want to go with another brand like Craftsman.
Types of Tools Ryobi Makes
Ryobi sells a wide range of tools including power tools, woodworking tools, outdoor tools, cleaning tools, metalworking tools, and more. I’ll explore some of their most popular products and categories below!
Cordless Power Tools
Ryobi offers many different cordless power tools ranging from drills to impact drivers, and even chainsaws.
They offer tools with both brushless motors and brushed motors, depending on which you prefer. Brushless tools tends to be longer lasting, more efficient, and more powerful when compared to brushed tools, but they’re also more expensive.
They have two main product lines for their cordless tools.
The Ryobi 18V ONE+ lineup of tools boast brushless motors and the use of the same battery between all 225 products.
They also offer a more powerful 40V cordless power tool line that features most of their outdoor power equipment like blowers, pressure washers, hedge trimmers, mowers, chain saws, and more.
Corded Tools
If you’re in the market for a corded tool, there are several options. The corded tools Ryobi makes include drills, a variety of saws, angle grinders, and more.
These are less expensive than the cordless power tools, and they can be more powerful – but the cord can be a major nuisance that gets in the way when working.
Saws
Ryobi also manufactures several types of saws including reciprocating saws, table saws, miter saws, and even a decent circular saw.
If you want to use the same battery as your other Ryobi tools, you can opt for the 18V ONE+ saws otherwise you can pick their corded saws that can deliver more power than most lithium ion batteries can produce.
Outdoor Equipment & Garden Tools
Surprisingly, Ryobi makes many pieces of outdoor equipment for a variety of jobs.
Whether you nee a generator, snow blower, lawn mower, pressure washer, or pole saw – you can find a Ryobi option.
You can find some outdoor equipment that run on the 18V ONE+ battery system, but many rely on the 40V batter for more power.
They also make garden tools like cordless pruning shears and a backpack sprayer.
Lighting
Ryobi makes an assortment of different lighting solutions whether you’re looking to provide a small amount of light or power your entire space.
Many of their lighting products run off of the same battery as the other cordless products, which makes them easy to use.
Crafting
While you might not think of the Ryobi name being attached to crafting at all, they actually offer some unique products that can help you complete DIY projects.
For example, you can find hot glue guns, soldering stations, and sandblasting equipment.
Storage
If you have tons of different tools, storing them can be a challenge. Luckily, Ryobi also makes a plethora of storage products that can help keep your woodshop or garage organized.
Between wall mounted storage and rolling tool boxes, these products can help you get organized so you don’t have to spend forever searching for the one drill you need.
Where to Buy Ryobi Tools
Ryobi tools are sold primarily at Home Depot, Walmart, and Amazon. Because Ryobi is Home Depot’s flagship power tool brand – you won’t find Ryobi products at Lowe’s or other competitors.
Ryobi Alternatives
Looking for other power tool companies? Here are a few you might want to consider:
If you’re searching for higher quality tools, you’re going to have to shell out more money, but I think it’s worth it if you use your tools on a regular basis.
How Does Ryobi Compare to Other Brands?
While Ryobi does produce high quality tools, they don’t stand a chance against the big guys like DeWalt or Milwaukee. Here’s how they stack up against others:
| Price | Quality | ||
| Ryobi | Medium | Medium | |
| Bosch | Medium | Medium | |
| Craftsman | Medium | Medium | |
| DeWalt | High | Great | |
| Kobalt | Low | Low – Medium | |
| Makita | High | Great | |
| Milwaukee | High | Great |
You can check out my full Ryobi vs Makita comparison for more info!
Final Thoughts
So, are Ryobi tools worth buying? Is the Ryobi brand a good brand?
Ultimately, it comes down to how you plan to use them. If you’re a homeowner looking to complete some basic projects around the home, then sure!
However, if you’re a more serious woodworker who’s looking for products that will last for decades, I wouldn’t recommend them as much.
They do offer an array of different tools that are backed by a great warranty – which is definitely something to take note of.