REASONS TO BUY
Metal chucks
Large battery
Great work light
REASONS TO AVOID
Large
Overloads in speed two
Ryobi One+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver PBLDD02K1 Review
A heavier drill that fills in the gap between extreme budget and heavy-duty
Credit: Natalie Kafader
By Aspen Rain Weaver ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ August 4, 2025
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
RELATED: The Best Drills of 2025
Our Verdict
The Ryobi One+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver PBLDD02K1 not only delivers plenty of heavy-duty power to tackle a wide range of tasks but also comes with enough bells and whistles for a mid-priced product. Its drilling and driving capacity are top of the line, and we were able to accomplish many of our tests comparably to high-end tools. It also comes with numerous features, including a light, a belt clip, multiple speeds, 24 clutch positions, and a large ½-inch chuck size. In addition to these features, the kit includes a charger, carrying bag, and a 4-amp-hour battery. Although this drill is heavier than others, all things considered, this kit is high on power, value, and a drill that will work for DIYers and professionals.
Our Analysis and Test Results
This drill is both heavy and heavy-duty.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Drilling
To begin our review, we conducted several evaluations to assess the primary purpose of this tool, specifically its drilling capabilities. When it came to cutting a hole in a door, the Ryobi got it done in just 17 seconds. Considering that the average time for this test was more than a minute, this is fantastic timing.
The Ryobi was one of the fastest drills during our door saw test.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Using a ¼" bit, it punched through the sheet metal in under a second. When we increased the bit size to ½", it took just 2.7 seconds, which was genuinely phenomenal.
The high speed and torque of this product exceeded expectations against steel.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
When we used a 1" paddle bit, it started strong but slowed about halfway through the board. However, when we turned the drill down to a lower gear, it had no problem finishing the job.
Lumber was no match for this muscle-bound drill.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Driving
We found that this tool makes it easy to quickly sink screws. The fasteners are easy to get to the perfect flush, and the trigger has great speed control.
With a myriad of clutch settings, sinking screws was a no-brainer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
When we used this model for driving a lag screw, it was able to force the hex cap most of the way to the wood on our first try, leaving about ¼" of gap. After a few more trigger pulls, the Ryobi completed the task without very much stuttering.
Thanks to a powerful motor, the Ryobi was able to sink our lag bolt with relative ease.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Battery Life
The Ryobi was one of the top-performing models in this portion of our drill-testing marathon. It was able to get through nearly seven total cycles before dying. This model lost a few charge time points when it took the battery 63 minutes to get back up to 100% on its charger.
Drilling 1" holes was an easy portion of the drill's cycle test.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Convenience
The Ryobi One+ features include an LED light positioned just above the battery, a 24-position clutch, and a belt clip that can be attached on either side to make it easily accessible from your preferred storage location. Unfortunately, this is a heavier tool, but with this slight downside, we found a few more upsides.
A large chuck means larger jobs.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
It has a large ½" chuck that will fit a myriad of different bits, and a forward and reverse switch when you need to back something out. It also features multiple speeds, and sliding the battery on and off is a breeze, further adding to its convenience score.
The battery action on this drill was by far one of our favorites when switching out.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V?
The Ryobi One+ would make a great addition to your cordless power tool collection. It checks off all the boxes on the list of things that most people would want out of a drill. If you already own Ryobi tools and are in the market for a new one, this model is the best option. The kit is packed with everything needed to get started on your next DIY project at home or on a proper jobsite.
What Other Drill Should You Consider?
Although we love the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V, there are a few drills that may be better suited for your needs. If you require the absolute best of the best, the Milwaukee M18 Fue" 1/2" Drill Driver outperformed this model in every metric and has a similar cost, especially if you can find it on sale or already own Milwaukee Fuel batteries. For those looking for a light & compact 12-volt model, the Bosch 12V Max Drill/Driver showed some commendable results but hardly takes up any storage room. If you want an affordable model with a solid performance from a brand you can trust, check out the Craftsman V20 CMCD700C1.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Ryobi One+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver PBLDD02K1 versus top competing products:
—Aspen Rain Weaver and Austin Palmer
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