REASONS TO BUY
Drills well through metal
Includes carrying pouch
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre work light
So-so performance
Heavy
Ridgid R86001 Review
Capable of completing most jobs for most people but there are much better options
Credit: Abriah Wofford
By Ross Patton ⋅ Senior Review Editor ⋅ July 20, 2022
RELATED: The Best Drills of 2025
Our Verdict
The Ridgid R86001 is an all-in-all decent drill that performed decently in most of our assessments. Its strongest suits were drilling through sheet metal, utilizing a hole saw bit, and drilling into wood with a paddle bit. We found it to have some convenient attributes, and it finished about middle of the pack when we tested its tested its fastener driving capabilities. Sadly, the battery doesn't last very long and takes a relatively long time to charge especially when considering the size and weight of this power tool. If you're searching for a top-tier model to add to your collection of the best tools, take a look at our head-to-head drill review.
Our Analysis and Test Results
If you already own Ridgid tools, the R86001 might be a good fit for you.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Drilling
Overall, the Ridgid R86001 is a middling product.
The Ridgid had a decent drilling performance.
Credit: Austin Palmer
It was able to drill a hole in the door using the hole saw fairly easily, although it took 30 seconds to complete the task, while other models we've tested have gotten it done in 15 or 20 seconds. When we used a paddle bit with the Ridgid, we found that it tore through wood at a roughly average pace, provided it was in its lowest gear. The paddle stopped every time we tried to put extra pressure on the back of the drill to get it to go faster. It eventually broke through the bottom of the board just fine.
The Ridgid does just fine at drilling 1" holes in wood as long as you are in the proper gear.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Out of all the punishment and abuse we gave these devices during our review, drilling through 16 gauge sheet metal proved to be this model's favorite job. It drilled each hole in 3 to 4 seconds; almost on par with the top-tier models, which averaged 2 to 3 seconds. Several models took 10 seconds per hole.
Be sure to dial the settings all the way up if you're drilling holes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Driving
The Ridgid R86001 was not exactly what we call a strong performer for this metric, but it wasn't horrible.
The Ridgid R86001 has a middling driving performance.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
When attempting to driv a 5" long, 1/2" lag screw, the R86001 showed a strong start but then stopped with about 1 ⅛" of the screw left on the first attempt at driving. We were able to get it to tighten the screw down to ⅞" by pulling the trigger a few more times, but that's as far as it could go.
This model couldn't quite sink the lag screw all the way down.
Credit: Austin Palmer
During the 3" wood screw comparisons, our team found that the Ridgid R86001 could sink screws quickly and completely flush with the wood when the battery was fresh. Still, the device got slower and slower in an unusually short period compared to other models.
The Ridgid drives deck screws with ease.
Credit: Austin Palmer
Battery Life
Again, the Ridgid R86001 showed slightly below-average results in our battery tests. It made it through nearly four complete sets of screws and holes, but died after drilling the third hole on this round. The models that had the best battery life were able to get through ten sets of our drilling/driving routine.
It took this model's battery a full hour to charge, which is pretty bad considering it also has a short life.
The Ridgid battery doesn't last very long and it takes a long time to charge.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Convenience
The main feature we found that stands out on the Ridgid R86001 is that when you pull the trigger, there is a certain point where the light turns on before the device begins to spin. We found this feature helpful when working in dark spaces with certain fasteners.
With the Ridgid, you can activate the light by lightly pulling the trigger before drilling or fastening.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Should You Buy the Ridgid?
The main reason that we would recommend buying the Ridgid R86001 is if you already own the compatible battery and charger. If you buy the “tool-only” option of this model, you would drastically lessen the hit to your pocketbook. Although the R86001 is a few bucks cheaper than many of the drills in our review, there are models that cost much less but offer the same level of performance as the Ridgid.
What Other Drill Should You Consider?
If you want a cutting-edge, best-of-the-best drill, we recommend the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Drill Driver. This model outperformed every other we've seen to date. If you're in the market for a 12-volt version that packs a punch but is small enough to toss in your junk drawer, check out the Bosch 12V Max Drill/Driver Kit PS31-2A.
—Ross Patton
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