10 Ryobi Tools That Are No-Brainers At Their Price

Whether you own your own home or you're a renter, there's a good chance you are going to need some power tools at some point. Whether it's routine maintenance around the house, a small upgrade or two, or just a project you want to work on, a solid power tool is something you'll come back to over and over.

Ryobi has been making power tools since the 1960s and has become one of the more common names in the category. They're well-built, reliable, and cover a wide range of categories, which is important because when you're picking up a new tool, you'll often want to stay within the same ecosystem since batteries and chargers won't be interchangeable between brands.

If you're on team Ryobi, you probably already have a few batteries and chargers already, and if you don't, we recommend the 4.0 Ah batteries for their great combination of longevity and weight. As of this writing, there's a 2-pack of batteries with charger for $99. As for what they'll be powering, here are five tools we recommend that are no-brainers at their price.

If there is such a thing as a "classic" tool that everyone needs to have, it's probably a drill/driver. It's a tool that is used on just about any project you can think of. A drill can be used for drilling holes, screwing and unscrewing screws and bolts, putting things together, taking them apart, and just about anything in between.

The drill/driver we selected is currently priced at $59 as of this writing, and it comes with one 1.5Ah battery and a charger. That battery will be interchangeable with other Ryobi tools as well. If you are a woodworker, we'd recommend this 2-Tool Combo Kit that includes the drill/driver and a circular saw. It's currently $149, so the more, the merrier. This kit also includes two batteries, a charger, and a carrying bag for everything.

Ryobi also has larger combo kits with even more tools in them. It's not a bad idea to get a lot of tools as a bundle if you have the budget (and the need for them), but if you want to stick to the basics, you can't go wrong with a good drill/driver.

A rotary tool is a little more niche, but you'll be surprised how quickly this tool can pay for itself when you're working on smaller projects or even a bigger project that requires a more noble tool. A rotary tool spins its attached tips up to 35,000 rpm, and the different tips determine what kind of job you can do. There are saw blades, grinder tips, brush tips for polishing, cutting tips, and more. This kit comes with a number of different tooltips which will cover a lot of different projects, but there are so many more tips you can pick up.

The best part about this tool is that it's completely cordless and doesn't have a separate battery. The 12V battery is integrated into the tool and charges via USB. The downside to that is the rotary tool won't last as long as its 18V counterparts, plus the battery is not interchangeable. 

Still, it's truly wireless, making it easy to get into nooks and crannies that might otherwise be inaccessible when attached to a battery base. If you prefer a long-lasting battery with a base attachment, Ryobi makes that too. The 12V cordless rotary tool and the 18V rotary tool (with the base) are available for $79 and $89, respectively, as of this writing.

The most important part of any job is the cleanup. You can build the most beautiful bookshelf man has ever seen, but if you leave a pile of sawdust and discarded screws in the living room, nobody is going to be happy. Ryobi has a cute little 1-gallon wet/dry vac that is battery-powered, so there's no need to worry about cables. One gallon isn't a ton of volume, so you may want to spring for the 3-gallon vacuum. The 1-gallon vacuum is $49.97 and the 3-gallon is $129 as of the time of this writing.

The bonus that the 1-gallon vacuum gives you is storage. It comes with a bracket that allows you to hang it on a wall, which is nice for keeping it out of the way until you need it. Of course, the same batteries that power your vacuum will also work for your other Ryobi tools.

This won't apply so much to the renters out there, but if you're a homeowner, you'll need a cordless string trimmer, aka weed whacker, aka weed eater. This combo comes with a blower as well for $203. The blower is useful for blowing grass trimmings off the sidewalk or blowing leaves in the fall. Basically, both tools are part of the lawn maintenance 101 package that every homeowner needs. The string trimmer can also turn 90 degrees to serve as a sidewalk edger as well if you are the sort to go for that crisp look.

These tools come with a 4.0 Ah battery and charger, which is great for longevity. So if you're looking for a good string trimmer and a good way to clean up after some yard work, this combo has what you need for a pretty good price.

Not everything Ryobi makes is electrical, and as much as you might think you'll use a drill/driver for every project around your house, sometimes you just need a good screwdriver. Drills can be bulkier and in some cases a bit of overkill for projects like fixing a leaky faucet or adjusting the tension of a screen door.

This 12-piece set has a good mix of large and small drivers in Phillips head, flathead, and star bits. There are also six precision drivers for small projects. Those precision drivers have rotating caps so you can apply consistent pressure. Plus, all the screwdrivers have cushioned handles for comfort and an anti-roll design. There's nothing more frustrating than setting down a screwdriver and finding it in a different place when you come back. These screwdrivers are just $14.97 at the time of this writing, which is a good deal for this wide range of tools.

One of the top-rated Ryobi air pumps is the brand's 18V One+ High Pressure Digital Inflator — on Ryobi's website, customers have rated it a near-perfect 4.9 out of five, based on over 180 reviews. It's also very affordably priced, considering you're getting a tool that can quickly inflate sports balls, balloons, and — perhaps most importantly — small tires. The inflator can reach up to 160 psi and has an auto shut-off so you can reach the exact pressure you need. It's able to re-inflate a car tire to 32 psi in just 42 seconds.

A digital pressure gauge on board, the tool will make it easy for you to keep track of your progress by displaying accurate measurements, as well. Also integrated into the inflator is onboard accessory storage, so you can keep the tool, as well as a hose, needle, and adapters all in one place. Its compact size makes it both easy to store and carry around with you. Plus, the 24-inch hose gives you a lot of room to work.

The 18V One+ High Pressure Digital Inflator (product code PCL001K1) is just $25, if not less. However, this price does not include the Ryobi 18V battery and charger you'll need to power the cordless inflator.

Not only does the USB Lithium Desktop Vacuum Kit have a reasonable price, but you're also getting a Ryobi Lithium battery and a USB charging cable along with the useful gadget. The battery can be used with other tools in Ryobi's USB Lithium line, such as the Ryobi USB Soldering Pen and Ryobi USB Electric Screwdriver, and can conveniently be charged via USB-C.

That means you can charge it right on your desk, which is great because the tool is perfect for sucking up crumbs and dust from your computer and work area. An included crevice tool can even reach those hard-to-reach spaces in your keyboard debris, as well as your couch cushions.​​ The desktop vacuum is lightweight and has a smartly-designed compact shape that allows you to easily grip it from the top and move it across flat surfaces, like workshop benches, countertops, coffee tables, and desks.

Its transparent dust cup allows you to see how much dirt you're collecting and if you've accidentally sucked up something important by mistake. It's also easy to remove and empty when needed. Of course, you'll want something stronger for bigger debris, and customers have noted that it's not ideal for pet hair. But, for keeping your workspace tidy, the USB Lithium Desktop Vacuum is a no-brainer.

The USB Lithium Desktop Vacuum Kit has product code FVH67K and is available for $59 on Amazon, though you can currently find it for $9 less on Home Depot's website.

There are several useful Ryobi lighting accessories that can be handy for working at night or during power outages. Older lighting products made by the brand used incandescent lights, which you can replace with LEDs. However, you can also just buy a new Ryobi 18V One+ LED Flashlight for not that much money. It's a handheld flashlight that weighs less than a pound, but conveniently has an upright design so you can also stand it on a flat surface for hands-free use.

Its head pivots 130 degrees so you can aim the light toward where you need it most. It has a decent brightness level of 280 lumens and a beam distance of 500 feet. It runs on any Ryobi 18V battery and can last up to 22 hours before needing a recharge. 

When you're not using it, you conveniently store it by using the hanging loop built into its body. This loop can also be used if you want to hang the light overhead, as well. It's easy to see why this is one of the highest-rated Ryobi tools available, with a near-perfect 4.9 out of five overall customer score on the brand's website, based on over 400 reviews. The Ryobi 18V One+ LED Flashlight, which has product code PCL660B, is available for $30.

While it's possible to attach a scrubber to your power drill, an easier option may be to grab yourself a Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Compact Power Scrubber. The tool has a high performance motor to scrub away tough stains and grime using either the included 6-inch bristle brush or one of many other attachments that are compatible with its triangle connector. It can spin up to 210 rpm.

With a Ryobi 18V 4 Ah battery, it can run up to two hours continuously, allowing you to get a good deal of cleaning done. Since the scrubber has an IPX7 water resistance rating, you won't need to worry about splashing — in fact, the tool can be submerged in up to three feet of water for up to a half hour. It has an upright design that allows you to stand it up when it's not in use, and an ergonomic pistol grip so you can comfortably control exactly where you clean. 

Based on nearly 250 user ratings, the scrubber has an overall customer score of 4.5 out of 5. Some reviews mention that the tool is heavy, though that's subjective — without a battery, its body weighs just one pound. The Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Compact Power Scrubber (product code P4510) is at The Home Depot for $79.

One of the smallest (and coolest) Ryobi tools available is the USB Lithium Power Carver Kit, which comes with the tool, battery, charger, and three different attachments that provide a range of carving options. These attachments include a quarter-inch U-Gouge that can clear large amounts of wood and a 90-degree V-Gouge ideal for relief carving, as well as a straight chisel for more detailed carving and furniture restoration.

Based on over 180 ratings from Home Depot customers, the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Carver Kit has a solid 4.2 out of five average user score, with 83% of surveyed customers recommending the product. Ryobi calls the tool — which won a Pro Tool Innovation Award — the industry's first cordless power carver. It's lightweight and uses a pen-grip design that offers more control when carving.

The tool offers a 1-millimeter stroke length and up to 14,000 spm, so you'll be able to use it on many jobs and DIY projects. An onboard LED indicator lets you know the tool's battery life with the push of a button. A similar LED gauge is also included on Ryobi's USB Lithium battery, which powers the device and can be easily recharged with a USB-C cable. The USB Lithium Power Carver Kit has product code FVH51K and costs $69.

To ensure that the recommended items in this list of affordable Ryobi tools are actually worth investing in, the reviews and user ratings of customers who've purchased and operated them were referenced. Each recommended tool in this list has a strong user score of at least four out of five stars, based on dozens — if not hundreds — of customer ratings, which were sourced from both Ryobi's website, as well as major retailers like Amazon and Home Depot. They were also selected because of their utility — especially when compared to their relatively low cost. Whether you're a woodworker, repairman, or just trying to keep your home clean, you'll almost certainly get a lot of use out of one or more of these recommended Ryobi tools.