Recommended Free Tools
Brushless is easiest to justify on Ryobi tools that regularly face demanding or repeated work: a drill/driver, impact driver, reciprocating saw, angle grinder, and string trimmer. Ryobi says its ONE+ HP brushless system is designed to provide more power, longer runtime, and longer motor life, but that is the manufacturer’s claim—not independent proof that every brushless model earns its price premium. The picks below are model-specific examples, not a claim of personal testing; compare each with a similar brushed tool and its kit contents before paying more.
When does brushless make sense?
Ryobi describes ONE+ HP as a combination of brushless motors, advanced electronics, and high-performance lithium technology intended to deliver more power, longer runtime, and longer motor life. Those are Ryobi’s product claims, not results from a controlled comparison. The practical case for paying extra is strongest when a tool sees sustained or frequent demanding work, where the claimed power and runtime advantages could matter more. For occasional light-duty tasks, a less expensive brushed model may be the better value.
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Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ collection includes more than 300 compatible products, but check the specific tool and battery requirements rather than assuming every battery configuration is suitable for every job. See Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ collection.
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1. Drill/driver: PBLDD02B
Ryobi lists the PBLDD02B as an 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 1/2-inch Drill/Driver. A drill/driver is the more versatile choice for drilling holes and driving screws, making it a plausible first brushless upgrade if those jobs are regular parts of your workload. Ryobi’s separate five-tool kit page gives a drill/driver in that kit a rating of up to 400 in.-lbs. of torque and a length of 6.4 inches; those figures describe the kit-page tool, not necessarily the separately listed PBLDD02B. Check Ryobi’s ONE+ collection listing.
#1 Best Overall
- 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)
Before buying, compare the PBLDD02B’s current listing with a similar brushed drill/driver, including the price difference, battery and charger inclusion, size, and warranty. Confirm whether the offer is tool-only or a kit.
2. Impact driver: PSBID02K
Ryobi lists the PSBID02K as an 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver Kit. An impact driver is the more specialized option for driving fasteners; it complements rather than replaces a drill/driver, which handles drilling as well as screwdriving. Ryobi’s five-tool kit page states up to 1,700 in.-lbs. of torque and a length of 5.3 inches for the impact driver in that kit. Those specifications are for the tool described on that page and should not automatically be assigned to the PSBID02K.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL BRUSHLESS MOTOR: Delivers up to 19,500 RPM for fast, clean cuts through tough materials including metal, plastic, tile, pipe, wire shelving, drywall, cement board, PVC, and vinyl siding
- ULTRA-COMPACT DESIGN: Only 8.5 inches long and lightweight for superior one-handed control, reduced fatigue, and easy access to tight spaces
- ADJUSTABLE GUARD & DEPTH GUIDE: Features an adjustable guard for safety plus customizable cutting depth (up to 0.62 inches) to handle precise multi-material applications
- DUAL LED LIGHTS & QUICK-STOP BRAKE: Dual LEDs illuminate the work area from multiple angles (before the blade and on the shoe) for better visibility; electric brake stops the wheel rapidly for enhanced safety
- CONVENIENT FEATURES: Includes forward/reverse cutting capability, onboard blade wrench storage, 3-inch wheel compatibility (with included metal, carbide abrasive, and diamond tile blades in some kits), and compatibility with all RYOBI ONE+ 18V batteries.
Because Ryobi identifies the PSBID02K as a kit, check exactly which battery and charger are included and compare that bundle with the cost of buying the tool and any needed accessories separately. Find the model in Ryobi’s ONE+ collection.
The Tool Desk
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A reciprocating saw is a reasonable brushless candidate when cutting demands are frequent or sustained. Ryobi’s page for its HP brushless five-tool kit describes a one-handed reciprocating saw rated at 0–3,000 strokes per minute (SPM) and 13 inches in length. The same page marks that kit, model PSBCK05K2, discontinued, so it is not a current standalone buying recommendation. The available source does not establish a current standalone reciprocating-saw model to recommend; verify the model, availability, and specifications on Ryobi’s current product pages before choosing one.
Ryobi’s discontinued five-tool kit page is useful for identifying what its cited saw specification describes, not for establishing a current purchase option.
4. Angle grinder: PBLAG02K1
Ryobi’s second ONE+ collection page lists the PBLAG02K1 as an 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 4-1/2-inch Angle Grinder/Cut-Off Tool Kit. Grinding and cutting can put a tool under sustained load, so this is a category where the manufacturer’s claimed brushless power and runtime benefits may be relevant for regular use. That is a workload-based inference, not a measured comparison against a brushed Ryobi grinder.
Rank #4
- NEXT-GEN 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Multi-Tool delivers up to 80 % faster cutting and 2.5× more cuts than previous generation models, perfect for demanding renovation, demolition, and remodeling tasks.
- Versatile oscillating performance with variable speed control (up to 20,000 OPM) makes cutting, sanding, grinding, and scraping wood, drywall, metal, plastic, and more easier than ever.
- Tool-free accessory change system lets you swap blades and attachments quickly without downtime, boosting efficiency on any jobsite.
- Reduced vibration and built-in LED work light provide increased comfort and better visibility in tight or poorly lit spaces for confident precision work.
- Converts to a detail sander with included sanding pad and accessories, expanding its usefulness beyond just cutting and trimming tasks.
Check the current kit contents, included accessories, and compatible discs before purchase; the collection listing alone does not establish those details. Compare the complete kit price and warranty with the closest brushed alternative. See Ryobi’s ONE+ collection page two.
5. String trimmer: P20190
Ryobi lists the P20190 as an 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 15-inch String Trimmer Kit. Trimming a larger area or working repeatedly could make additional runtime useful, but whether it does depends on the yard, cutting conditions, and battery configuration; the listing does not establish a runtime advantage over a matched brushed trimmer. Compare the kit with a tool-only offer and check the included battery capacity before deciding.
Best Value
- Stens replacement parts have become a favorite among lawn and landscape professionals thanks to exceptional performance.
Check Ryobi’s ONE+ collection listing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is brushless worth it for a Ryobi drill?
It can be, if you drill or drive fasteners often enough to value the claimed power, runtime, and motor-life benefits. For occasional household repairs, the price difference and whether a battery and charger are included may matter more than the motor type. Ryobi’s up-to-400 in.-lbs. torque and 6.4-inch length figures apply to the drill/driver described on its discontinued five-tool kit page, not necessarily to the current PBLDD02B listing.
How to compare brushless and brushed listings
- Match the job: compare tools intended for the same tasks, not just the same brand or voltage.
- Compare the complete purchase: distinguish tool-only listings from kits and account for the battery and charger you need.
- Check workload fit: consider how often and how hard the tool will be used; the case for paying more is less compelling for occasional light work.
- Verify specifications: make sure torque, dimensions, accessories, and disc or cutting compatibility apply to the exact model being offered.
- Check warranty and current price: compare the exact models and listings available where you live. The cited collection pages do not establish matched current prices or warranty terms.
Ryobi’s pages confirm the brushless categories and named models above, but they do not provide controlled head-to-head tests or matched current prices against brushed counterparts. Treat the performance rationale as Ryobi’s claim and the workload-based buying advice as a practical inference, not a guarantee that brushless always pays off.
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.
