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If you’re a new homeowner (or love one enough to drop more than $300 on a housewarming present), this Ryobi 18-volt tool kit is for you. This well-thought-out collection of handheld power tools includes most of the items a new homeowner or occasional DIYer will need to build or repair things around the house.
I tested this set for more than a month, pitting the kit’s various tools head-to-head against similar tools in my collection, as well as using them in a friend’s home renovation. I also used them for building furniture in my home shop.
Key Takeaways
- Perfect for new homeowners. The Ryobi 18V tool kit offers essential tools for DIY projects at an affordable price.
- Solid performance for entry-level tools. While not the most powerful, these tools handle most home tasks effectively.
- Versatile and ergonomic. Includes a variety of tools with comfortable grips, though some may feel bulky.
- Great value during sales. Often discounted below $370, making it a budget-friendly option for occasional DIYers.
Bottom line: The Ryobi 18V tool kit is an excellent choice for new homeowners seeking reliable, affordable tools for home projects.
Best Entry-Level Kit
Ryobi 18V ONE+ 8-Tool Combo Kit
Buy at The Home DepotWhat We Like
- Includes almost every tool a new DIYer needs
- Performance outpaces price
- Part of Ryobi’s battery ecosystem (300+ tools included)
What We Don’t Like
- Underpowered compared to some tool lines
- Several tools can feel clunky
- Plastic materials on some tools feel less durable
Included Tools
- ½-inch drill/driver
- ¼-inch impact driver
- Oscillating multi-tool
- Jigsaw
- Reciprocating saw
- 5½-inch circular saw
- Random orbital sander
- Flashlight
How the Ryobi 18V ONE+ 8-Tool Combo Kit Performed
These are all entry-level tools with brushed motors; Ryobi prioritized affordability over the high-torque performance of their more expensive competitors. In real-world conditions, this means drilling into a dense piece of hardwood may take a second or two longer, or, say, the circular saw might get bogged down in the middle of cutting that same board. But if you’re building a fence or a deck or maybe even a pine shelf for your living room, you probably won’t even notice that lack of extra oomph.
In terms of ergonomics, Ryobi tools are, for me at least, hit-or-miss. The drill and driver felt good in my hands, while the random orbital sander felt a little too bulky and unwieldy. However, I liked that all the tools had a rubberized grip, which seemed to offer more comfort.
Drill
Ryobi claims the drill delivers up to 515 in-lbs (inch-pounds) of torque and 1,750 RPM, and I had no problem drilling through hardwood, plywood, 2x4s, and anything else I threw at it. (I wouldn’t expect it to work well on concrete or thick metal.) It wasn’t exceptionally light or heavy. Though the plastic keyless chuck felt flimsy (as if I might break it if I torqued it too hard), I’d have no issues using this all day.
Impact Driver
The impact driver performed well compared to my DeWalt 20V Atomic model when driving screws into pine 2x4s, as well as scrap walnut and oak boards. As long as you don’t overtax the motor, this impact driver should serve you well into the future.
Oscillating Multi-tool
On the higher settings, the six-speed oscillating multi-tool ripped through wood like vintage Reggie Miller cutting through the Knicks’ defense. It performed nearly as well as my multi-tool from a different manufacturer that also costs more than twice as much, even if it did take a split second to get up to speed. I didn’t care for how the blades attach to the tool, even if the overall performance exceeded my expectations.
Jigsaw
I was also very impressed by the jigsaw performance. It cut curved lines on a piece of scrap cedar quickly, cleanly, and accurately. The three speed settings allow you to control your cut based on the thickness or hardness of the wood. When working on a friend’s stair remodel, I found that the jigsaw helped us trim the treads and risers precisely.
Reciprocating Saw
Smaller and less powerful than my reciprocating saw from a different manufacturer, the Ryobi still got the job done. The variable-speed trigger did a great job regulating power. I wouldn’t hesitate to use this when demolishing an outdated kitchen or pruning tree branches, although the job may take ever-so-slightly longer. That said, given how often the average homeowner may use this tool, it bears asking: Do you need a more expensive reciprocating saw?
Circular Saw
The circular saw performed relatively well, cutting through 2x4s with no problems at all. Given the underpowered brushless motor, I’m not sure how well this saw will long term. The 5.5-inch blade is smaller than the standard 7.25-inch blade used in most circular saws or the 6.5-inch blade used in many 20V tool lineups. (Luckily, several tool brands and stores offer a wide selection of blades in that smaller size.)
Make sure the knobs are tightened down so that the base doesn’t move around during a cut. If you don’t own a table saw, I’d suggest buying a higher-tooth blade, say 40-tooth, to supplement the 18-tooth ripping blade that comes standard with this package. The higher-tooth blade will ensure a cleaner cut with less tear-out.
Random Orbital Sander
The random orbital sander felt unwieldy and didn’t have variable speeds. Using the 80-grit sanding disk that came with the kit, I was able to quickly sand down rough, raised grain on a board, making it smoother with each pass of higher-grit paper. I’m not sure I’d trust it for fine woodworking or on a piece with a thin veneer, but it should perform fine on most projects around your home.
Flashlight
The flashlight has its uses, but the claimed rating of 280 lumens doesn’t offer the brightness my old eyes need. In my estimation, it’s only included to bring the tool total to eight.
Is the Ryobi 8-Tool Combo Kit right for you?
If you’re not in the trades or doing serious DIY work most weekends, this Ryobi kit will likely be more than enough for you for years to come. If you do find yourself frequently needing higher performance from one of these tools, it’s easy enough to upgrade to Ryobi’s more powerful, and aptly named, ONE+ HP (High Performance) line, allowing you to remain in the Ryobi battery ecosystem. I loved that this combo kit came with three batteries: two 4Ah and one 1.5Ah battery. At least one more battery would have been even better, but you can often buy batteries with free tools (or vice versa) during frequent Home Depot sales.
MSRP for this kit is $529.99, which is a decent price for these tools, but Home Depot often marks it down below $370 during their frequent Ryobi Days sales throughout the year. At that price, it becomes an absolute steal, especially for those who like to DIY but don’t want to write an IOU for a tool purchase.
Where to Buy
Ryobi 18V ONE+ 8-Tool Combo Kit
Buy at The Home Depot