Ryobi 18V One+ HP Compact Brushless Drills

The Ryobi 18V Compact Brushless Drills Balance Weight and Power

Ryobi traditionally earns high marks for value with good performance at a wallet-friendly price point. Many of their drills and drivers are pretty bulky, though. That’s changing with a new line of compact tools, and we’re starting with a deep dive into the brand new Ryobi 18V One+ HP compact brushless drills.

The entire line promises a more compact design with lighter weight. At the heart of the matter is a compact brushless motor. The “HP” in the name stands for “High Performance” and the team doesn’t plan on letting you down when you pull the trigger.

Pros

Excellent power to weight ratio
Great value
Lightweight design
Compact profile
Brushless motor

Cons

No significant drawbacks

Hammer Drill $149

Drill Driver $139

Ryobi 18V One+ HP Compact Brushless Drill Performance

Even with such a small size, Ryobi still gets relevant performance out of this model. We ran these drills through our standard compact drill tests using a 1-inch spade bit and a 1 1/2-inch self-feed bit.

The brushless motor is capable of running up to 1700 RPM in high speed and delivering up to 450 in-lbs of torque in low speed. That’s 50 in-lbs more than the previous generation, and plenty of power for a compact drill, in our experience.

Ryobi 18V Compact Drill Gearbox and Clutch Settings

While these models still lag behind some of the top-tier premium professional models of the compact group, they moved through both tests without any issues.

Overall, they have the performance to handle a wide variety of tasks. Plan on being able to drill through your entire range of twist bits, spade bits up to 1-inch, and hole saws or self-feed bits up 1 1/2 inches in wood.

For metal and concrete drilling, your 1/2-inch bit is possible, but 3/8-inch or less is where they’re really going to shine.

Ryobi HP Compact Brushless Drill Design Notes

Size and Weight

If you’ve used other Ryobi drills, the very first thing you’ll notice when you pick up the Ryobi 18V One+ HP drill is that it’s very light and compact compared to previous models.

The hammer drill head length measures just 6.5 inches long, while the drill driver measures 6.25 inches from tip to tail. This rivals some of the most compact 18V drills we’ve ever tested. It doesn’t get much more compact than that without dropping to 12V, though.

Overall, Ryobi’s compact drill is the best combination of size and weight we’ve tested for 18V drills, even against the major professional brands.

Ryobi HP Compact Brushless Drill Design Pricing

Ryobi nails the value we expect with a $139 price tag for the PSBDD02 drill driver kit, and $149 for the PSBHM02 hammer drill kit. The PSBDD02 kit includes two 1.5Ah batteries with a charger, while the PSBHM02 comes with a single 1.5Ah battery and charger. It’s a solid price for what you get.

In a world going for more power and bigger batteries, the smaller pack goes against the trend. We don’t mind the call, though. It keeps the overall weight down, but you can always grab a larger 18V battery if you need a little more runtime to get you through the day.

The Bottom Line

Ryobi prioritizes compact size, lighter weight, and high value with their HP compact drills. With its brushless motor providing plenty of performance for your light-duty tasks, it’s a welcome addition to the 18V One+ line. Whether you’re a value-minded Pro who needs a light-duty drill, or a DIYer who wants something light and compact, the Ryobi 18V One+ HP compact brushless drills are a fantastic option to have on hand.

Hammer Drill Kit $149

Drill Driver Kit $139