If you’re looking for a Ryobi cordless impact wrench but you’re not sure which model is the latest and greatest or which one is best for you, you’ve come to the right place! We have a breakdown of all the current models so you can compare them more easily and decide which one you need.
Want to consider even more options? Check out our recommendations for the best cordless impact wrenches!
Ryobi Cordless 1/2-Inch Impact Wrenches
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless PBLIW01: The High-Torque Option
If you want the most powerful Ryobi cordless impact wrench the PBLIW01 is your tool. As part of the 18V One+ HP Brushless line, it has Ryobi’s latest motor technology and is capable of delivering up to 1170 ft-lbs of breakaway torque and 700 ft-lbs of fastening torque.
Four modes include a standard low/medium/high configuration along with an assist mode that prevents overtightening in forward and offers controlled removal in reverse. The tri-beam LEDs surrounding the chuck are also helpful with their more effective light throw.
The trade-off is weight and size, and this tool weighs 5.1 pounds as a bare tool. By the time you add a 4.0Ah High-Performance battery, you’re looking at 6.8 pounds total. It’s also a long tool, measuring 8.2 inches from front to back.
Price: $219.00 bare, $259.00 kit with 4.0Ah High Performance battery and charger
- Model: Ryobi PBLIW01K1
- No-Load Speeds: 2100 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 2800 IPM
- Max Torque: 1170 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 8.2 in
- Weight: 5.1 lbs (bare)
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Compact Brushless PSBIW25: The Top Compact Choice
If compact is your highest priority and you want to stick with a brushless motor, the HP Brushless PSBIW25 is the best choice. At 5.4 inches long, it can fit into areas the high-torque model above wouldn’t dream of attempting. It’s also far lighter, weighing 2.3 pounds as a bare tool and right at 4.0 pounds with a 4.0Ah High Performance battery. Of course, you can shave a little more weight by going with a 2.0Ah pack.
For performance, you’re looking at 275 ft-lbs of breakaway torque and 200 ft-lbs of fastening torque with a top speed of 2900 RPM/3800 IPM. Controlling it are four modes. Similar to the high-torque model, you have three standard modes and an assist mode that works in both forward and reverse. This model also sports the tri-beam LEDs.
Price: $139.00 bare
- Model: Ryobi PSBIW25
- No-Load Speeds: 2900 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 3800 IPM
- Max Torque: 275 in-lbs
- Head Length: 5.4 in
- Weight: 2.3 lbs (bare)
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Impact Wrench P262: Mid-Torque Balance
If you’re going to buy just one Ryobi cordless impact wrench to cover the widest range of applications, go for the P262. Another member of the HP Brushless lineup, it balances size and performance well. At 3.8 pounds bare (5.5 pounds with a 4.0Ah High Performance battery) and 7.2 inches long, it’s both lighter and smaller than the high-torque model.
For performance, it boasts 600 ft-lbs of breakaway torque and 450 ft-lbs of fastening torque, making it far strong than the compact model. As with the other models we’ve discussed, this one has three standard and one assist mode along with the tri-beam LED setup.
Price: $189.00 bare, $279.00 kit 4.0Ah High Performance battery, 11-piece impact socket set, and charger
- Model: Ryobi P262
- No-Load Speeds: 2800 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 3200 IPM
- Max Torque: 600 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 7.2 in
- Weight: 3.8 lbs (bare)
Ryobi 18V One+ PCL265: Brushed Value
Moving away from the HP Brushless line, Ryobi has a cordless 1/2-inch impact wrench kit for less than $100.00 as a Special Buy at Home Depot. The PCL265 comes with a 4.0Ah battery and charger. Considering the battery retails for $99.00 by itself, it’s like getting a free charger and impact wrench.
Under the hood, this 1/2-inch impact packs 400 ft-lbs of breakaway torque and 375 ft-lbs of fastening torque to go with its 2700 RPM/3100 IPM top speeds.
The high-value price tag doesn’t leave with the bare basic, either. There are three standard control modes with a switch on top of the motor and the tri-beam LED configuration we love so much.
Price: $99.00 with 4.0Ah battery and charger
- Model: Ryobi PCL265B
- No-Load Speeds: 2700 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 3100 IPM
- Max Torque: 375 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 8.1 in
- Weight: 3.75 lbs
Ryobi 18V One+ P261: The Classic
Ryobi’s P261 is the longest-serving 1/2-inch cordless impact wrench in the line and it’s been around since 2015. This brushed model is capable of torque up to 300 ft-lbs and 2900 RPM/3200 IPM for speed. It has three standard speed modes and the tri-beam LEDs.
At the time we’re writing, the kit with a 4.0Ah battery and charger is actually less than the bare tool. It’s $129.00 on Special Buy at Home Depot and normally runs $222.00.
Price: $149.00 bare, $129.00 kit with 4.0Ah battery and charger
- Model: Ryobi P261
- No-Load Speeds: 2900 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 3200 IPM
- Max Torque: 300 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 7.75 in
- Weight: 3.45 lbs
Ryobi Cordless 3/8-Inch Impact Wrenches
Ryobi 18V One+ HP Compact Brushless PSBIW01: The Lightweight Champ
Moving to a 3/8-inch drive, there’s only one HP brushless model currently available and it’s compact. From tip to tail, it measures 5.4 inches and the bare tool weighs just 1.9 pounds. Adding the 1.5Ah battery that comes in the kit keeps the weight at a very manageable 2.8 pounds. If you want to go with the larger 4.0Ah High Performance battery, it’s 3.6 pounds.
This model tops out at 160 ft-lbs of fastening torque 2900 RPM with 3900 IPM, making it a great choice for driving lag screws and other structural fasteners along with many of the nuts and bolts mechanics deal with. While it doesn’t have the tri-beam LEDs, you do get the assist mode to go along with three standard modes.
This one has Special Buy pricing at the moment with both the bare tool and kit running $60.00 below its regular price.
Price: $89.00 bare, $99.00 with 1.5Ah battery and charger
- Model: Ryobi PSBIW01
- No-Load Speeds: 2900 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 3900 IPM
- Max Torque: 160 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 5.4 in
- Weight: 1.9 lbs (bare)
Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Impact Wrench PCL250: The 3/8-Inch Value Pick
Stepping over to a brushed motor but with more torque, the PCL250 has 220 ft-lbs of torque with 2600 RPM and 3100 IPM. It’s a bit heavier and longer than the compact model above, but you expect that with the step up in power. Realistically, it is suited for similar applications, but you’ll notice that it’s able to encourage stubborn bolts more confidently.
One of the big differences is that this is a single-speed model. If you want to adjust the speed and torque, you need to rely on feathering the variable speed trigger.
At the time we’re writing, the kit has Special Buy pricing and matches the bare tool with a $99.00 price tag.
Price: $99.00 bare, $99.00 with 1.5Ah battery and charger
- Model: Ryobi PCL250K1
- No-Load Speeds: 2600 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 3100 IPM
- Max Torque: 220 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 6.7 in
- Weight: 2.5 lbs (bare)
Ryobi 18V One+ P263: The Budget Pick
Wrapping our roundup of Ryobi cordless impact wrenches, we have the P263. It matches the PCL250 above with 220 ft-lbs of torque and has a speed advantage. It comes at the cost of a slightly higher weight and a longer body design.
However, the bare tool is just $69.00, making it a bit more affordable for shoppers on a tighter budget. There was a kit available, but Home Depot does not have any in stock and there’s no indication at the moment that more will be coming in. As another model that launched in 2015, that’s not a big surprise.
Price: $69.00 bare
- Model: Ryobi P263
- No-Load Speeds: 3200 RPM
- Max Impact Rate: 3400 IPM
- Max Torque: 220 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 7.7 in
- Weight: 2.6 lbs (bare)
Why Buy a Ryobi Cordless Impact Wrench?
Ryobi cordless impact wrenches do a nice job of bracketing the needs of DIYers and even budget-minded Pros. The launch of the HP Brushless line pushed its top-performing models much higher and gave the 1/2-inch models a real mid-torque option.
As usual, there are some excellent bargains available and several models with sale pricing as we’re writing. Plus, there are more than 250 tools and lifestyle products that all work with the 18V One+ batteries.
Take a look at Ryobi’s entire cordless lineup by clicking here.
