Ryobi Limited is a Japanese electronics, automobile and telecom components manufacturer which was started in 1943. Ryobi Tools in North America, New Zealand, Australia and Europe belongs to Techtronic Industries from Hong Kong, an OEM manufacturer for brands like Ryobi, Craftsman, and Ridgid.
Ryobi has 12 manufacturing facilities in 6 countries and it launched the manufacturing facility in Shelbyville, Indiana, which is its only production location in the US in 1985. Ryobi power tools are sold online and via Home Depot mainly in the US and in Canada. In Australia, the power tools are exclusively sold by Bunnings Warehouse and in the UK, Ryobi power tools are available in hardware stores.
Ryobi has positioned itself as a “pro-featured” tool brand that is very affordable and the tools are targeted towards homeowners, DIYers, and hobbyists. However, the target audience is not restricted to just these categories and today, Ryobi power tools are used by professionals too.
Ryobi P883 One + 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Contractor’s Kit Review
The Ryobi P883 One + 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Contractor’s Kit is a great buy and includes some extremely useful lithium-ion tools. This kit offers a variety of tools which will help you to get all your projects done efficiently and quickly. The Ryobi P883 One + 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Contractor’s Kit consists of 8 pieces – a reciprocating saw, a circular saw, a drill/driver, a flashlight, 2 batteries, a battery charger and a carrying bag. The tools in the kit are battery-powered and make use of the new lithium-ion batteries which offer great value and best performance.
Power Drill/Driver
The drill has a ½-inch single sleeve, heavy-duty keyless chuck which has a 24-position clutch that is suitable for your different driving and drilling requirements. It features a magnetic tray to hold the fasteners and bits and allows you to change the bits conveniently without the requirement of any tools.
Circular Saw
The circular saw is cordless and is equipped with a 51/2-inch blade which is carbide-tipped and can tear through materials and sheets. The blade is positioned on the left side to provide improved visibility when cutting. The circular saw also has a side handle with a rubber over-mold that improves the grip of the saw.
Reciprocating Saw
The reciprocating saw is great for general cutting purposes for a variety of materials and for demolition work and the tool-free blade clamp allows you to change the blade easily and quickly. The reciprocating saw has a variable speed trigger and the ergonomically designed saw offers excellent balance. The saw is equipped with a handle that has anti-vibration features and a rubber over-mold which helps to improve the grip.
Flashlight
The kit includes a flashlight which has a swivel head that can be directed in whichever direction you require.
Batteries
The kit also has 2 lithium-ion batteries which provide 20% more runtime when compared to a 18V Ni-Cd battery and holds their charge 4 times longer. The battery is also extremely lightweight around 45% lighter in weight when compared to Ni-Cad batteries, which helps to reduce user fatigue. The battery gives you maximum performance with fade-free power. The batteries are compatible with a wide range of tools in the Ryobi family.
Charger
The kit also has a dual chemistry charger which is equipped with the patented Intelliport technology that helps to protect the cells of the battery, conserves energy and also aids in maximizing battery life.
Carrying Bag
The tools and all the accessories come in a convenient wide-mouth contractor’s bag. The sturdy bag is made of tough fabric which helps to keep your tools safe and secure and the cross-x stitching on the handles makes the bag very durable and allows you to carry the bag everywhere you go conveniently.
Features of the Ryobi P883 One + 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Contractor’s Kit
- Weight: 18.2 lbs
- Size: 9.1 x 19.3 x 11.6 inches
- Color: Green
- Requires 2 18V lithium-ion batteries
- Power Source: Electric
- The kit comes with a drill/driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw, flashlight, 2 18V lithium-ion batteries, charger and carrying bag.
Pros and Cons of the Ryobi P883 One + 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Contractor’s Kit
- Quick and efficient tools suitable for DIY and home projects at a very affordable price.
- Easy to use tools.
- Easy to change the drill bits and easy changing between the drill settings.
- Batteries don’t last for very long and take a long time to charge.
- Flashlight quality not very good, does not have LED light.
The Ryobi 18V power tools reviews have been rather positive and have many pros. The big plus is that Ryobi keeps adding innovative offerings to their product portfolio, which offer value for money.
The Ryobi product range, as well as the selection, is very good and the tools are very “usable.” These tools, are definitely worth considering if you are a hobbyist, DIYer or a woodworker. Overall, Ryobi is one of the “best value” brands in the market.
Makita vs Milwaukee vs Ryobi
Makita
Makita offers a wide range of products and the selection is expanding. In terms of innovations, the brand has been introducing new tool categories, which has the end-user quite satisfied. Some of the drawbacks of Makita as a brand are that they are sometimes slow to adapt to the industry trends. Many times, Makita has too many products like impact drivers or hammer drills that have the similar features and characteristics, which makes it difficult to differentiate between them.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee as a brand is popular for its reliability and excellent quality. Their 18V cordless tools are excellent and offer both basic models as well as specialty tools, particularly meant for professional use. Milwaukee has introduced many innovative tools to the market. The fuel brushless tools from Milwaukee are especially popular tools that deliver superior performance. The only downside of this brand is that the M18 battery is not sufficient to drive the high-powered cordless tools.
Ryobi
Ryobi offers a very solid variety of specialty tools, core tools, and problem-solving tools. In terms of the price, Ryobi’s offerings are very affordable and are value for money. Overall, Ryobi is more of a DIYer brand, but the tools are also used sometimes by professional users and homeowners. Predominantly, the Ryobi AirStrike nailers are popular. However, the downside of the brand is that the tools are not up to the rigors of heavy-duty usage.
Ryobi Tools Warranty
All Ryobi power tools that are portable or their stationary/bench tools that have been bought after 1st January 2011, come with a 3-year warranty. All the products that come under the Ryobi brand are covered by a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty. And, if you register your 40V lithium-ion power tool within 30 days of buying it, the warranty of the product is extended for 2 more years officially. All the 40V lithium-ion power tools from Ryobi bought on or after 1st January 2014 are eligible. However, you need to keep your receipt as the proof of your purchase.