Ryobi One+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver PBLDD02K1 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
| Awards |  Best Drill For Most People | Best for Serious DIYers or Professionals |  Best Compact 5-in-1 Drill |  Best Budget Drill | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $159 List | $120 List Check Price at Amazon | $180 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $155 List Check Price at Amazon | $125 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This heavier drill toes the line between budget and brawny | This drill contains potent power in a compact package, especially for a 20-volt model | This tool delivers excellent performance across the board and is a stellar option for both DIYers and professionals | This is a compact, convenient, and very capable 12 volt drill that won't disappoint | Battery life and solid performance make this a good choice for average homeowner tasks |
| Rating Categories | Ryobi One+ HP 18V Br... | Dewalt Atomic 20-Vol... | Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1... | Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-... | Bosch 18V Compact Br... |
| Drilling (30%) | |||||
| Driving (25%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Battery Life (5%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Ryobi One+ HP 18V Br... | Dewalt Atomic 20-Vol... | Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1... | Dewalt Xtreme 12V 5-... | Bosch 18V Compact Br... |
| Battery Voltage | 18V | 20V | 20V | 12V | 18V |
| Motor Type | Brushless | Brushless | Brushless | Brushless | Brushless |
| Measured Weight | 3.9 lb | 3.2 lb | 4.2 lb | 2.1 lb | 2.8 lb |
| Five Inch Hole Saw Test | 17 seconds | 21 seconds | 11 seconds | 40 seconds | 56 seconds |
| Lag Screw Test | 5.0 in | 4.8 in | 5.0 in | 4.1 in | 3.4 in |
| Max Chuck | 1/2 in | 1/2 in | 1/2 in | 3/8 in | 1/2 in |
| Included Battery Pack(s) | 4.0 Ah Tested with 2.0 Ah |
2.0 Ah | Tested with 2.0 Ah | 2.0 Ah | 2.0 Ah |
| Manufacturer Peak Torque | 850 In-lbs | 404 UWO | 1400 in-lbs | 182 in-lbs | 400 in-lbs |
| Measured Charge Time | 63 min | 47 min | 25 min | 55 min | 63 min |
| Measured Length | 7.2 in | 5.9 in | 6.9 in | 6.5 in | 6.3 in |
| Clutch Settings | 23 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 20 |
| Manufacturer Stated RPM | Low: 0 - 700 High: 0 - 2150 |
Low: 0 - 450 High: 0 - 1650 |
Low: 0 - 500 High: 0 - 2100 |
Low: 0 - 400 High: 0 - 1500 |
Low: 0 - 500 High: 0 - 1900 |
| Drill Model Tested | PBLDD02 | DCD794 | 2903-20 | DCD703 | GSR18V-400 |
| Box Model (Kit) Tested | PBLDD02K1 | DCD794D1 | Tested tool-only, no kit | DCD703F1 | GSR18V-400B12 |
| Battery Indicator Location | Battery | Battery | Battery | Battery | Battery |
| LED Location | Above the battery | Above the battery | Above the battery | Above the battery | Above the battery |
| Included Belt Clip | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Drilling
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Fuel 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.
—Aspen Rain Weaver and Austin Palmer
