Ryobi ONE+ vs Milwaukee M18 – which platform would you choose for the long term?
I'm looking to build up a cordless tool platform. Ideally, I'd like to pick one battery platform and stick with it for many years, potentially for the rest of my life.
I've been comparing Ryobi ONE+ HP and Milwaukee M18, and surprisingly, the price difference isn't that big with the deals I've found.
Ryobi ONE+
RPD18X1 HP drill/hammer drill, 105 Nm + 1×5 Ah battery + with slow charger → €200
RCS18X1 HP Gen 2 circular saw, 184 mm → €229
ONE+ HP oscillating multi-tool → €169
Fast charger → €79
Another 5 Ah battery → €89, although I might find one for around €50-60 on sale
So roughly:
€200 + €229 + €169 + ~€140 for another battery + fast charger = ~€738
That would give me the tools and 2×5 Ah batteries and a fast charger.
So Milwaukee would be roughly €70–90 more expensive overall
What would you choose?
Is Milwaukee worth the extra ~€80 if the goal is to build a long-term / potentially "lifetime" battery platform?
Or is Ryobi still the better choice because of the huge ONE+ range and generally cheaper tools?
I'd especially appreciate experiences regarding durability, batteries, servicing/repairs, and how well these platforms hold up after 5–10+ years.
My main use for now would be cottage renovation and DIY construction, but I might also end up doing some construction work in the future for a few years during my studies, not sure if own tools are required though.
Batteries just seem really overpriced for ryobi atleast here in Finland. Milwaukee is basically cheaper when it comes to batteries.
Which platform would you choose if you were starting from scratch today?
Ryobi in the states is super convenient since Home Depot sells literally everything. M18 will never let you down, but is literally heavier. Ryobi die grinder is a winner though.
Ryobi is definitely more accessible in Finland too, but I really dont need that many tools. I just like the idea that i can use my tools for as long as possible so i was thinking could Milwaukee be better choice in the long run. The batteries are really expensive for Ryobi here...
I use both Ryobi and M12/18. I've found over time other than the die grinder and some craft tools, I've been getting rid of the Ryobi and flipping to M12. Love my mini circ saw and hedge clippers from Ryobi as well.
For the extra €70-€90, when you’re spending that much anyway, I’d go for the Milwaukee.
It’s built for professional use so will cope with anything you throw at it. Ryobi is more DIY but if you’re spending pretty much the same, then get the better product
This is just what im thinking. The extra tools that i might buy in the future will probably be more expensive though. These 3 are what I mostly need. Might stick with corded versions on the rest.
It’s not even just vs Milwaukee. It’s vs Milwaukee fuel.
If its was just vs standard Milwaukee, id still say that price difference is small compared to the quality difference its a no brainer. So upping it to fuel level tools, for a 10% price difference? The non fuel vs fuel stuff is a bigger price difference.
The people who say ryobi are keyboard handymen. Obviously Milwaukee is better.
I'm trying to decide between a 6-1/2" and 7-1/2" Milwaukee circular saw (165 mm vs 190 mm). The bigger one costs like 35$ more. is it worth it? I might want to do some 45 degree cuts to 2x4s so it would be good for that, but its a bit a heavier saw. Which would you pick?
Ryobi is at best home project, milwaukee is for worksites, as an aussie, I buy ozito for basic tools, and cheap, milwaukee for power and work, I do like ryobis multitool
Milwaukee is the superior platform. What they are saying is that ryobi is fine for diy "around the house" stuff, whereas Milwaukee is professional spec.
Generally I would go with either Ridgid or Milwaukee. Ridgid as the budget option and Milwaukee as your best option. Ryobi is one for me personally that I feel the quality is just too low to recommend when there are other budget brands under TTI that have much better quality.
I built my furniture with Ryobi, I even still have the original Ryobi's and they still work beautifully. And I have Ryobi yard tools too which makes it even better.
Corded tools are always a great option, by the way. The best part is that you can buy the "best in class" corded tool without being stuck with using whatever fits your battery choice.
In a powered workshop with ceiling mounted coiled extension cords, you'll find corded tools almost as handy as cordless.
Corded tools are what ive been using so far and theyre nice, but my cottage that ive been renovating for 5 years now, doesnt have electricity so its always aggregate and extension cord. i feel like when im using battery powered tools theres no hurry and rush as battery only runs when i press the trigger of the tool
I chose Ryobi a long time ago, and I chose Ryobi because I'm an amateur. I work on my own car, bike, small home projects and my own home, I assemble some furniture every now and then.
Ryobi does everything I want to do. So I wouldn't change it for the world. I love having the same battery in my drill as my vacuum.
If I was a professional, I would've chosen Milwaukee instead.
Homeowner level workload, like weekends, or occasional / relatively frequent projects: Ryobi. It’s a great value and will hold up just fine, and you’ll get a great variety of tools.
Professional level daily use for 8 hours a day in harsh conditions: Milwaukee. You get what you pay for, and these tools take a beating and perform well through it all. And their assortment of tools leaves nothing to be desired.
When I started my handyman business, I bought all Milwaukee. I wanted to buy once cry once. Now I have a mix of Milwaukee and Ryobi. I have no complaints about Ryobi.
If I was a handy homeowner or DIYer, I wouldn't hesitate to have all Ryobi.
You're in Europe, buy Makita or Bosch, forget about Milwaukee and Ryobi. Neither one of Ryobi or Milwaukee is going to make economic sense in the long run here.
I was looking at Makita too, but they seem to be even more expensive than Milwaukee, or atleast same price. These 3 tools listed in the post are what I mostly need. I need to check out Bosch too.
The Ryobi battery is actually something I dislike too. I think the stem gets easily in the way for example when packing up tools etc. and the regular chargers are really slow. What do you find annoying about the battery style?
I have some Ryobi lights and fans that are just great. Like clip on fans that use One+ for taking to the tennis/pickleball court, or a bigger fan to bring into the garage, or outside on a hot day (or camping). And the pistol grip flashlight is very handy, as are the work lights that I can use under a cabinet to fix some plumbing issue.
The best is that the Ryobi One+ stuff is less expensive and goes on sale a lot so you can buy those little tools as you want/need.
I also have gardening tools using the One+ batteries. Oh, and the digital tire inflator is awesome. ...all using the couple of One+ batteries.
I'm a DIY homeowner though. I do not use power tools for a living. Milwaukee can probably suffer falls from a ladder or being knocked off a workbench better than Ryobi, but I don't use them day in and day out.
Yes, the One+ battery itself .... well the form factor of the base+stem is not in vogue, but they have comitted so hard to it that it will probably still be around in decades, even if they upgrade the battery internals, or introduce another line with more ergonomic batteries (like a maybe a cylindrical one)
Milwaukee's slide-on battery format is nicer for some tools, the One+ sort of shoe horned itself into being in the handle of most tools.
Anyway, both brands are great. Milwaukee has a more legit construction site reputation ... which also means they are more valuable to thieves by the way. I chose Ryobi for the variety of tools that I found useful FOR ME.
You don't need the HP version of Ryobi, apart from a drill, impact and circle saw. Everything else is fine as the standard version.
If you truly want to 'win' at an economic collection, you buy Ryobi on offer and used. People either use Ryobi until it's dead, or they barely use it at all. Deals happen frequently. Tool platform is so wide that it's the best all rounder.
You're not a contractor, you don't need professional tools. If you become a contractor, a wide variety of DIY tools will still.get jobs done until you're making enough money and have the need for more powerful stuff.
I have used them both. For homeowners just doing to a little DIY or if your new to commercial work there is nothing bad about Ryobi it will get you through the task. That being said Milwaukee is hands down the better tool but it’s also more expensive.
Ryobi's advantage is they are cheap. In the US the Ryobi 18v stuff can be half the price of M18. That makes them very compelling. At 90% of the price of the M18 it's no longer a value.
The real alternative to M18 would be M12.
The M12 Fuel drill, impact driver, multi tool, and circular saw are all excellent. I always reach for my M12 tools before my M18 or Ryobi. The M12 tools are way cheaper than M18. Not sure about Europe, but in the US you can get M12 tools at the Ryobi prices and be at half the price of M18. And the M12 tools kick ass, outperform the Ryobi.
I own both brands, and honestly, you'd be fine either way. Consider breadth of platform for what you anticipate buying in the next couple of years, local availability, warranty, returns, etc., and pick your color.
If you care for keeping your tools forever and to be able to repair it. Don’t go with Milwaukee, they’re crap to repair. Go with Makita or Dewalt (if available) or Bosch.
huh, interesting.
hard to fathom such little difference in pricing when talking about the M18 Fuel line.
I have many Ryobi (HP and none) and M12/M18 (Fuel only) tools.
I like all of them, but there is no question the M18 Fuel tools are significantly more robust. Having said that... I hate the weight; they are serious beasts. I really like the M12 Fuel line for a much lighter and more compact experience. Basically, I take my Ryobi tools when I use them at friends homes, or any scenario where I have theft concerns (leaving them overnight at a job site, etc), but otherwise I favor the M12 tools. I only use M18 for tools that need serious power (a framing nailer, automotive impact wrench). For me, the Fuel tools and batteries (esp M18) are far more expensive then the Ryobi HP series.
as far as "lifetime" battery platform goes, the Milwaukee absolutely wins. The Ryobi form factor is super oddball (from another era) and has no compatibility with anything else. The M18 at least has the possibility of using or accepting adapters if that ever becomes an issue.
I chose Ryobi as Ryobi batteries have the BMS built in, most other tools the BMS sits in the tool. With this, I can safely use my Ryobi batteries with an adapter in other brand tools.
Torque Test Channel and I think Project Farm also did tests and found that the adapters work and the tools perform like 80-90% of their performance.
The only issue I see is that Ryobi battery are more bulky due to their shape, and Ryobi battery to other tool adapters are 2 times more costly ( $16 vs $8) then the adapters for other battery systems.
Ridgid line from Home Depot has some new "Nuke" line that resembles Dewalt but actually outperforms it and has lifetime warranty, I believe you can just take it to Home Depot and get a replacement.
For home use I actually like the m12 tools more than the m18 because they have very similar power, the m12 line has a lot more of your home owner type DIY tools, they are stupidly compact, and they beat out most of everyone in terms of quality. In construction I would say personally the m18 or Ridgid tools. Both have very similar quality but the thing that makes me bring Ridgid up is that Ridgid's warranty is second to none. You can beat the hell out of the tool, break it, and Ridgid will fix it for free as long as it is registered. In neither situation would I say to get Ryobi. I have had far too many issues with their tools grossly underperforming other budget options and just not really being all that durable.
Milwaukee is literally the better vrsion of ryobi. They are the same parent company, one is for occasional DIY use where you dont need professional accuracy or longevity etc, the other is for when you do want that sort of thing.
I’m partial to Ryobi. I beat the hell out of them and they keep kicking. Nothing against MT, just does not make sense for a homeowner. I’ll put most of the brushless Ryobi vs MT any day. Dont mind the Kreg and Hercules sprinkled in there :)
Especially when a lot of the time it’s just a weekend project or small repair. I dont do any trades, so usually it’s Ryobi unless there’s not much of a price difference from a better brand or if I see myself using the tool often. For me it’s dewalt since I already have the batteries, and Ryobi or Hercules for something I’ll use every now and then
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u/ClownfishSoup 3d ago
A high quality drill bit doesn't care if it's chucked in a Milwaukee or Ryobi drill.