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Four Ryobi products highlighted in a 2026 How-To Geek article fill very specific gaps in the DeWALT lineup as that article presents it: a cordless PEX clamp tool, a battery-powered cooler, a lighted mechanic’s creeper that doubles as a seat, and earth or ice augers. They are useful examples of jobs covered by Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ ecosystem but not identified in the article as DeWALT products.
That is narrower than proving DeWALT is deliberately refusing to build them. The article does not document a complete catalog audit, a statement from either company, comparison testing, or current model and price verification. Treat the list as four niche Ryobi categories to investigate, not as a definitive ranking of either brand.
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The four Ryobi tools at a glance
Cory Gunther’s How-To Geek article, syndicated on Yahoo Shopping on August 12, 2026, frames these as tools readers may need but cannot get from DeWALT. The descriptions and figures below are the claims made in that article; current specifications, stock and pricing should be checked before buying.
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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minute| Ryobi category | Primary job | Details reported in the article | What is not established |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18V ONE+ cordless PEX clamp tool | Joining PEX tubing; some hose-clamp and home-installation work | Presented for remodeling and appliance installation; article price was $149 | Exact model number, current price, availability, compatibility limits and performance testing |
| Hybrid powered cooler | Portable cooling for work, travel or outdoor use | 24-quart capacity, stated to hold 40 cans; 18V battery, extension-cord and 12V car-adapter power; described as able to operate as a refrigerator or freezer | Current temperature range, runtime, cooling rate, insulation performance, model number and price |
| 18V dual-function lighted creeper/seat | Mechanic access under a vehicle and seated work beside it | Folds or lays flat as a creeper; built-in lighting, tool slots and storage | Weight rating, dimensions, light output, wheel design, model number and independent testing |
| Earth and ice augers | Drilling soil or cutting holes through fishing ice | Earth use cases include fence posts, trees and patio covers; ice version is aimed at ice fishing | Specific models, bit sizes, drilling speed, torque, runtime, included bits and performance comparisons |
The article also mentions soldering irons, compact fans, misting fans and various hand tools or accessories, but it does not develop those into the four main examples. The list therefore should not be read as a complete inventory of products one brand has and the other lacks.
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- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces
- Complete a wide range of applications with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 300 UWO, and an impact driver delivering up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
Why “DeWALT refuses to make” needs qualification
“Refuses” suggests a deliberate decision or an announced policy. The cited article supplies neither. It does not quote a Ryobi or DeWALT representative, explain how the catalogs were searched, or show that every current DeWALT product page was reviewed. It simply highlights four Ryobi categories that, according to its presentation, are not offered by DeWALT.
A more accurate reading is: these are niche products associated with Ryobi that the article did not find in DeWALT’s range. A company can omit a category because of market size, manufacturing priorities, distribution strategy, safety requirements or a decision to leave a job to specialist suppliers; none of those explanations is demonstrated here. The absence of a product in one article is not proof of intent, permanence or a universal absence from every regional catalog.
The article also describes the Ryobi ONE+ system as having more than 350 tools. That number is the article’s statement, not a separately checked current catalog count. ONE+ compatibility, battery bundles and model availability can change, so confirm the exact product page and battery requirements for your region.
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1. Ryobi’s cordless PEX clamp tool
What it is for
PEX tubing is common in residential water and heating installations because it can be routed around obstacles and joined without the same rigid layout required by some traditional pipe systems. The highlighted Ryobi tool is a cordless clamp tool intended to make a PEX connection by powered clamping rather than by hand-operated effort. The article also mentions hose clamps and general home projects such as remodeling or appliance installation.
That makes the tool most relevant when you are repeatedly making compatible PEX connections, working where a cord is inconvenient, or trying to reduce hand fatigue. It is not automatically a universal plumbing tool: the article does not specify which PEX sizes, clamp styles, brands of rings or fitting systems it supports.
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Price and model uncertainty
The article gives a price of $149. That is a dated figure attributed to the August 12, 2026 article, not a guaranteed current retail price, sale price or complete kit price. It does not provide an exact model number. Before purchase, identify whether the listing includes the battery, charger, dies or jaws needed for your connection system. A bare tool and a kit can look similar while having very different checkout prices.
Checks before using it on plumbing
- Read the current manual and confirm the permitted PEX diameter and clamp or ring standard.
- Check whether the tool requires a particular jaw or accessory for the fitting system you use.
- Confirm that the battery and charger are included or already available in your ONE+ setup.
- Follow local plumbing rules and the fitting manufacturer’s installation procedure; a powered tool does not replace a pressure test.
- Inspect every connection for correct seating and leaks before closing a wall, cabinet or appliance enclosure.
For a homeowner completing a single repair, the cost of the tool and accessories may outweigh the labor saved. For a remodeler or maintenance worker making many consistent connections, cordless operation and repeatability may be more valuable. The article provides no independent test to establish speed, clamp consistency or durability.
2. Ryobi’s hybrid battery-powered cooler
Capacity and power choices
The second example is a 24-quart hybrid cooler. The article says it holds 40 cans and can run from an 18V battery, an extension cord or a 12V car adapter. That combination is aimed at situations where the same cooler may move between a vehicle, a campsite, a jobsite and a mains-powered location.
Power flexibility is the key distinction. A battery can support use away from an outlet, a 12V adapter can draw from a vehicle and an extension cord can provide continuous power where a suitable outlet is available. Runtime will depend on battery capacity, ambient temperature, contents, set temperature and how often the lid is opened; the article does not provide a runtime figure or test conditions.
Refrigerator and freezer claims
The article describes the cooler as capable of functioning as either a refrigerator or a freezer. That wording should not be interpreted as a verified temperature range. Before storing medicine, meat or other temperature-sensitive items, check the current manufacturer specifications for minimum and maximum temperature, temperature control, monitoring, ventilation and low-voltage protection.
Rank #3
- 18V ONE+ oscillating multi-tool designed for cutting, sanding, scraping, and more across a variety of materials using interchangeable accessories.
- Variable speed dial lets you adjust the oscillation rate up to 20,000 OPM for precision work or more aggressive cutting.
- Lowest vibration in its class reduces user fatigue for longer periods of use and smoother control.
- Ergonomic design with lock-on button and convenient on-board accessory storage for quick blade changes and tool organization.
- Ryobi PCL430 18V Multi Tool (Tool Only)
“24 quarts” and “40 cans” describe different aspects of capacity. Can count depends on can size and how tightly the interior is packed, while usable space is reduced by baskets, dividers or cooling hardware. If you need to carry food containers, bottles or ice packs, compare the internal dimensions rather than relying on the can estimate alone.
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Practical buying questions
- Is the battery, charger, 12V lead and mains cable included, or are some accessories optional?
- How long does the cooler run on the ONE+ battery you already own?
- Can it cool below ambient temperature, freeze contents, or do both only within specified conditions?
- Does it have a drain, removable basket, lid lock and a display that shows the actual internal temperature?
- What ventilation clearance and operating orientation does the manual require?
Because the article gives no cooling-rate, noise, insulation or runtime measurements, it cannot establish that the cooler outperforms a conventional insulated cooler or another powered model. Its defensible advantage in this discussion is the choice of three power sources within one portable format.
3. The lighted creeper that becomes a seat
One tool for two working positions
The third product is an 18V dual-function creeper/seat. In seat mode, it is intended for work beside a vehicle or at a low workstation. Laid flat, it becomes a mechanic’s creeper for reaching under a vehicle. The article also describes built-in lighting, tool slots and storage, combining access and organization in one rolling platform.
This configuration can help when a job alternates between standing, kneeling, sitting and lying beneath a vehicle. A dedicated creeper may be lower or longer, while a shop stool may be more comfortable for extended seated work; the article does not compare either option. It also supplies no independent assessment of wheel smoothness, stability, padding, light brightness or storage capacity.
What to verify for safety and fit
- Check the published weight rating against the user and any tools carried on the platform.
- Measure the lowest clearance under the vehicle and compare it with the creeper’s height.
- Confirm that the seat-to-creeper conversion locks securely in both positions.
- Look for wheel construction, steering behavior and any brake or locking feature before using it on a sloped floor.
- Verify how the light is powered, where its switch is located and whether the battery adds height or affects balance.
Storage slots are convenient only if they fit the sockets, drivers and fasteners you actually use. A built-in light can illuminate a dark underside, but it does not replace proper work lighting or safe support stands. Never rely on a creeper to support a vehicle; use correctly rated ramps or jack stands according to the vehicle and equipment instructions.
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4. Ryobi earth and ice augers
Earth augers
An earth auger drills a hole in soil. The article associates Ryobi’s earth-auger category with fence posts, planting trees and installing patio-cover supports. Those jobs vary considerably: loose garden soil, compacted clay, gravel and roots place different demands on torque, bit design and operator control.
The article does not identify a model, bit diameter, maximum depth, runtime or recommended soil conditions. Confirm those details before treating an auger as suitable for structural post holes. A tool that handles planting holes may not be appropriate for repeated large-diameter holes or ground containing rocks and buried utilities.
Ice augers
An ice auger cuts through frozen lake or pond ice for fishing. Its priorities differ from an earth auger’s: cutting speed, blade condition, weight, balance, cold-weather battery behavior and the ability to clear slush from the hole matter more than soil penetration.
The article links the Ryobi category to ice fishing but does not provide a specific model, blade diameter, drilling rate or cold-temperature runtime. Check local ice-safety guidance separately; a powered auger does not make unsafe ice safe. Keep batteries warm when the product instructions require it, protect blades during transport and verify whether replacement blades or a cover are included.
Do not assume one auger serves both jobs
Earth and ice augers are named together in the article because both create holes, not because they are interchangeable. Their cutting assemblies, materials and operating conditions can be different. Use the exact model’s manual to determine its intended surface and accessories rather than fitting an earth bit to an ice tool or the reverse.
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- Cutting-Edge Circular Saw: The 5-1/2 in. Circular Saw can cut through 2-by material, delivering over 215 cuts per charge for efficient and precise cutting.
How these categories differ from ordinary cordless tools
Each example solves a specialized problem rather than adding another drill, saw or impact driver to a general workshop. That specialization explains why a buyer should compare the job first and the battery platform second.
| Decision factor | Questions to ask | Information available from the cited article |
|---|---|---|
| Intended task | Are you joining PEX, cooling supplies, accessing a vehicle or drilling soil/ice? | The four use cases are described; workload limits are not. |
| Power source | Does the tool use an 18V battery, mains power, a vehicle outlet or another source? | PEX tool and creeper are described as 18V; cooler has three stated power options; auger power details are not stated. |
| Capacity or output | What tubing sizes, cooler volume, weight rating, hole diameter or depth are supported? | Cooler capacity is stated as 24 quarts and 40 cans; other output specifications are not stated. |
| Included accessories | Are batteries, chargers, jaws, bits, cables, baskets or covers included? | Not stated for the four examples. |
| Price | Is the amount current, promotional, bare-tool or kit pricing? | Only the PEX tool’s $149 article price is given, and it may be stale. |
| Warranty and service | What warranty, replacement parts and local service apply? | Not stated in the article. |
This framework prevents a common mistake: assuming that sharing a battery platform makes specialized products equally suitable for every job. Compatibility can simplify charging and spare-battery management, but it does not establish performance, safety certification or accessory availability.
A verification checklist before you spend money
- Find the exact model. Search the current Ryobi listing or retailer page for a model number, not just a category name.
- Read the specification table. Confirm dimensions, capacity, supported materials, output, operating temperature and weight limits.
- Separate bare-tool and kit pricing. Note whether a battery, charger, cable, jaws, bits or other required part is included.
- Check regional availability. Stock, voltage labeling, warranty terms and accessory names can differ by country.
- Confirm consumables and service. Look for replacement blades, clamps, dies, seals, wheels and batteries before committing to the platform.
- Match the tool to the workload. Occasional homeowner use, daily trade work and structural installation can require different durability and support.
- Read the safety instructions first. Plumbing pressure tests, vehicle support, electrical connections, cold-weather operation and underground utilities all introduce risks outside the product’s marketing description.
Home Depot is named in the article as one place readers can check for Ryobi products, but a retailer mention does not guarantee that a particular model is in stock or covered by a current promotion. Verify the listing at the time you buy.
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- PEX clamp tool: Best suited to people making many compatible PEX connections who value cordless repeatability; less compelling for one small repair unless renting or borrowing is impractical.
- Hybrid cooler: Worth investigating when you move between vehicle, outlet and off-grid locations and want one power system; compare runtime and temperature specifications before relying on it for perishables.
- Lighted creeper/seat: Useful for home garages or mobile maintenance where storage and two working heights matter; verify clearance, stability and weight rating for the vehicles you service.
- Earth or ice auger: Relevant to recurring fence, planting, post or ice-fishing work; choose the correct surface-specific model and confirm bit dimensions and replacement parts.
Bottom line
The four products are credible examples of specialized Ryobi tools that the cited August 2026 article did not identify in DeWALT’s lineup: a cordless PEX clamp tool, a hybrid cooler, a lighted creeper/seat and earth or ice augers. They address different jobs and may appeal to buyers already invested in the ONE+ battery system. The evidence does not prove that DeWALT “refuses” to make them, nor does it establish current prices, model numbers, stock or performance. Use the list as a starting point, then verify the exact product and specifications for your job.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
