I Used the Ryobi 18V One+ Brushless Drill for a Month—Here’s the Truth

I’ve spent a good amount of time using the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Drill, and I want to share everything I’ve noticed—both good and bad. I’ll break it down step by step, starting with how it feels, how it works, and what it’s like to use in different situations.

First Impressions

When I first picked up the drill, I noticed it felt lighter than I expected. That was nice because I don’t have the strongest wrists. It wasn’t too bulky, and the handle felt decent in my hand. The rubber grip helped keep it from slipping. It seemed sturdy but not too heavy, which is important for long jobs.

There weren’t a lot of extra pieces in the box. It was pretty simple—just the drill, the battery (if you get the kit), and the charger. I did notice there’s no belt clip or spot to hold a bit. That might sound small, but later on I realized it would have been helpful to have those.

The Feel and Build

The body of the drill is mostly plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. The chuck is metal, and that part feels solid. When I tightened it onto a drill bit, it locked in nicely. There was no wobble. That gave me some confidence before I even started working.

The trigger was responsive. I could control the speed depending on how hard I pressed. There’s also a switch for changing the direction—forward and reverse—and a button to lock the trigger. Everything worked without sticking.

The LED light on the front is helpful. It turns on when you press the trigger. It’s not super bright, but it’s enough to see what you’re doing in a dark corner or under a cabinet. Still, I wouldn’t rely on it as your main light.

Performance with Wood and Screws

Most of my first tests were on wood. I used softwood and hardwood. It had no trouble drilling into pine or driving screws into it. With hardwood, like oak or maple, it took a bit more effort, but the drill didn’t slow down too much. I was using a 2Ah battery.

I drove about 50 screws into a 2×4 without the battery running out. The drill didn’t get hot either. The grip stayed cool, and there was no strange burning smell. That’s a good sign. I tried both short screws and longer ones. The clutch helped a lot to keep from overdriving the shorter screws.

The two-speed gear selector came in handy. The low-speed setting is better for driving screws, and the high-speed one is good for drilling holes. It’s not the most powerful drill I’ve used, but it had more than enough for all the jobs I tested.

Using It on Metal

I also tried drilling into some thin sheet metal. It worked fine with the right bit. I wouldn’t use this drill for heavy metal work, though. It’s not really made for that. But if you need to drill a hole through aluminum or light steel, it can do the job. You just have to go slowly and use a good bit.

When I tried thicker metal, like a steel bracket, the drill struggled a bit. It didn’t stall, but it made some unpleasant noise and felt like it was working hard. That’s where I could tell it has limits.

Concrete and Masonry Use

Next, I tested it with a masonry bit on a brick wall. This is not a hammer drill, so I knew it wouldn’t be great, but I still wanted to try. It was able to drill a hole in the mortar line, but it took a while. I wouldn’t recommend using this drill for serious masonry work.

If you only need to hang something on brick and don’t want to buy a separate tool, it’ll get by. But if you have a lot of holes to make in concrete or brick, you’ll want something stronger with a hammer function.

Battery Life

I used the 2Ah High Performance battery that comes in the kit (if you get that version). It held up well. I drove a few dozen screws and drilled maybe 20 holes before it ran low. That’s pretty good for a battery that size. I also have a 4Ah battery from another Ryobi tool, and that one lasted much longer—almost double.

One thing I liked is that the drill didn’t slow down much even when the battery was low. It kept working at full power almost until the very end. When the battery did run out, it stopped fast, with no warning. That could be annoying if you’re halfway through a job.

The charger is decent. It’s not the fastest, but it’s quiet and reliable. The battery clicks in easily and charges in about 45 minutes to an hour for the 2Ah version.

Everyday Use

Over a few weeks, I used the drill for all sorts of things—building shelves, fixing a fence, installing a ceiling fan, and making a raised garden bed. It handled all those tasks without issues. I did notice a few things:

• When working overhead, the drill felt just light enough to hold for a while.
• The LED light was useful in tight spaces.
• The metal chuck never came loose or slipped on the bit.
• I wish it had a bit holder. I had to keep my extra bits in my pocket or on the ground.
• There’s no battery gauge on the tool itself, so you have to look at the battery to see how much charge is left.

Strengths

Here’s what I liked most about this drill:

• It has plenty of power for most household and light construction jobs.
• The brushless motor seems efficient. It gives more runtime than older brushed models.
• The metal chuck is solid and doesn’t slip.
• It feels well-balanced in hand.
• It doesn’t overheat easily, even after long use.
• It’s part of the Ryobi ONE+ system, so you can use the same battery with other tools.

Weaknesses

There are also some things that could be better:

• No belt clip or bit holder included. That’s surprising for a tool in this price range.
• Not great for heavy-duty metal or concrete drilling.
• The battery runs out faster with big jobs, especially when using small capacity packs like the 2Ah.
• A bit loud when running at full speed. Not painful, but you notice it.
• No built-in place to store a second bit or driver.

How It Compares to Others

I’ve used drills from other brands too, including Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Makita. Here’s how the Ryobi stacks up:

• Power: Not as strong as high-end Dewalt or Milwaukee tools, but enough for most home projects.
• Battery System: Ryobi’s 18V line is big. That makes it easy to use your battery across lots of tools. That’s a big plus.
• Price: Ryobi tends to cost less, but still offers decent quality. You won’t get premium features, but you also won’t pay premium prices.
• Durability: Feels solid. Not built for job site abuse like some pro tools, but good enough for regular use.

Should You Buy It?

That depends on what you need. If you do home projects often, or even light contractor work, this drill should be able to handle it. It’s especially useful if you already have Ryobi tools. Then you can save money by using the batteries you already own.

If you only drill a few holes a year, this might be more tool than you need. But it will last a long time and is easy to use. If you need serious power every day for work, you might want to go with a pro brand like Milwaukee or Dewalt.

Final Thoughts

I’ve now used this drill for over a month on all kinds of tasks. It hasn’t let me down. It’s not perfect, but it’s reliable. I like that it’s not too heavy, it has a good chuck, and the battery lasts long enough for most jobs.

I do wish it came with a few more features like a belt clip or bit holder. But those are small things. The important part is that it drives screws, drills holes, and doesn’t overheat or stall under normal use.

I think this drill is a good fit for homeowners, hobby builders, and even contractors who want a backup tool. If you already have Ryobi batteries, it’s a smart choice. If you’re starting from scratch, the kit version gives you what you need to get going.