Ryobi P252 18V One+ Compact Brushless Drill Review

No Matter Which Kit You Get it in, the Ryobi P252 is an Excellent Value

If you’ve been keeping up with the site for the past few weeks, you know this story already. But for the folks just checking in to see what the Ryobi P252 has to offer, we recently tested over 50 drills for our Best Cordless Drill Shootout. This Ryobi cordless drill was one of those, and it blends a solid value with the performance to get the job done in the Compact class.

Pros

• Excellent value
• Improvements in size and weight
• New hybrid chuck seats 1/4″ hex bits easier

Cons

• Low torque rating

Ryobi P252 Feature Set

The Ryobi P252 features a brushless motor for better runtimes, more power, and longer motor life.  It features a 23+1 position clutch, which really allows you to get real specific with your driving depths. A two-speed gearbox lets you choose between higher torque or speed, with a maximum speed of 0–1,800 RPM (1735 no-load  RPM in our tests) that you control via the variable speed trigger.

This is all pretty standard fare, of course, but one thing the Ryobi has going for it is a dual function 1/2″ chuck. It has the standard chuck jaws for securing bits with a 1/4″ collet inside for securing driver bits more easily.

The Ryobi P252 also features a Magtray for securing screws and bits, a belt clip, another bit holder, and an LED light that stays on after you’ve finished holding down the trigger.

Performance

We test soft torque and speed under load as performance indicators. For more information about how we test, check out our Best Drill Head to Head Review.

Torque Testing

Our soft torque test rig showed us that the Ryobi cordless drill squeezed out an average 130.8 in-lbs of torque. The class ranges from 98.0 in-lbs to 312.0 in-lbs, putting Ryobi on the lighter side. It’s in pretty good company, though. Milwaukee (2801), Makita (XFD12), and Hilti (SFC 22-A) all tune their compact models in around the same point.

Speed Testing

For our speed under load tests, we started with a 3/4″ Bosch Daredevil High-Speed Auger Bit. The Ryobi P252 averaged 1,189 RPM in this test—69% of its tested no-load speed. While DeWalt’s DCD797 zipped through with 1948 RPM, the rest of the class ranged from 1089–1409 RPM. While Ryobi is on the lower side of that range, it continues to hang out with Milwaukee and Hilti.

With the efficiency rating creeping below the 70% mark, it’s taking an effort from the motor, but it’s capable of more. In fact, it’s still able to drive a 1″ auger bit handily.

We measured another series of tests using a 1-1/2″ Milwaukee SwitchBlade Self-Feed Bit. Here, the Ryobi compact drill averaged 337 RPM, which is 71% of its 474 RPM tested no-load speed. Again, it’s on the lower side of the group, but not low enough to make us think it doesn’t belong.

Let’s take a moment and put things in perspective a little. The Ryobi P252 compact drill’s performance doesn’t challenge the top names, but we didn’t expect it to, either. What we’re seeing is a compact drill that’s capable of boring holes a little bigger than 1-1/2″ (larger with a hole saw). For a compact drill, we’ll take it.

Footprint and Weight

Ryobi’s drills and impact drivers tend to be bulkier than other models in both the Pro and DIY classes. The Ryobi P252 reverses that trend a bit with a 7.3″ head length and 7.5″ height. It’s enough to move Ryobi into the upper half of the class instead of near the bottom.

The drill weighs 2.65 pounds bare and 3.01 pounds with its compact 2.0Ah battery pack. It’s in the dead center of the class in a log jam of other models within 0.2 pounds on one side or the other.

Price

We expect Ryobi to score well in value and there are no surprises here. The simplest way to snag the Ryobi P252 is in the P1815 kit. For $139, you get the compact drill, two 2.0Ah batteries, and a charger.

You can go with a 2-tool combo and get with a brushless impact driver, two 1.3Ah batteries, and charger for $159. It’s also part of the $299 P1984N brushless kit that includes the drill, an impact driver, angle grinder, LED light, two 1.5Ah batteries, and a charger.

That’s among the best pricing we see in the compact class. Here’s a quick breakdown of other DIY/Prosumer options:

• Hercules HC92K1: $109 kit (1 x 2.5Ah)
• Skil DL529301: $129.99 (1 x 2.0)
• Ryobi P252: $139 (2 x 2.0Ah)
• Masterforce 241-0480: $139 kit (2 x 2.0Ah)
• Craftsman CMCD720: $119 bare/$159 kit (2 x 2.0Ah)

Conclusion

The final results are a bit of a mixed bag. Compared to the rest of the Compact class, the Ryobi P252 18V One+ Compact Brushless Drill’s performance ratings aren’t great on one hand. On the other, it didn’t have any trouble completing the work we asked it to do.

Its feature set checks off the right boxes and introduces a hybrid chuck to grab driver bits more easily. It also turns a corner for the brand, rising from the bottom of the pack into the middle for size and weight. Most importantly for Ryobi 18V One+ users, it’s a fantastic value, especially in its 2-tool combo form.

It shines brightest in the Budget class, where it finishes in 2nd place overall.

Ryobi P252 18V One+ Brushless Compact Drill Specs

• Model Number: Ryobi P252
• Max Torque: 460 in-lbs
• Speeds: 2
• Max Speed: 0-500 RPM / 0-1,800 RPM
• Clutch Positions: 24
• Warranty: 3-Year Limited
• MSRP: $159 for the kit, which includes Ryobi P252 Cordless Drill, P239 Cordless Impact Driver, P118 Dual Chemistry Charger, (2) P102 18V Compact Batteries, Belt Clip, and Tool Bag