New Cordless Tool Releases Worth Watching: Ryobi and Milwaukee Roundup

Introduction

Cordless tool releases keep arriving at a steady clip, and three recent announcements stand out for very different reasons. Ryobi has added a full-size carpet washer to its 18V One+ HP platform, while Milwaukee has expanded its professional lineup with a compact M18 Fuel SDS Plus rotary hammer and a next-generation M12 Fuel right angle die grinder.

Each of these targets a different buyer: one is aimed at households that want spot carpet cleaning without cords or rentals, the other two at tradespeople who need performance in tight, demanding applications. Here is what each one offers and what to weigh before buying.

Ryobi 18V One+ HP Swift Clean Carpet Washer

Ryobi’s Swift Clean carpet washer is a full-size machine, not a compact spot cleaner. It runs on the 18V One+ battery platform and uses Swift Clean technology with Motion Sense to remove embedded dirt, grime, and stains from carpets and rugs. Operation is simple: push forward to wash, pull back to dry.

It offers two useful modes. Spot Mode provides targeted cleaning for tough stains, while Dry Only Mode lets you finish a pass with minimal downtime. The lightweight cordless design makes it portable around the home, and removable, interchangeable brush rolls cover different jobs: a Gentle Clean brush roll for routine carpet care and a Deep Clean brush roll for focused spot treatment.

The machine weighs 15 pounds, with an 80 oz clean water tank and a 64 oz dirty water tank, and carries a three-year manufacturer warranty. Because it shares batteries with the rest of the One+ platform, the same pack powering your drill can power this washer too.

Pricing works in Ryobi’s usual two ways. The tool-only option is $299, which makes sense if you already own One+ batteries, especially larger packs like 6, 8, or 12 Ah units, since carpet washing is a demanding task that will drain smaller packs faster. The kit bundles two 18V 4.0 Ah High Performance batteries, a reasonable starting point if you are new to the platform. It was slated for release in June 2025 at The Home Depot.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 5/8” SDS Plus Rotary Hammer

Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 5/8” SDS Plus rotary hammer is a compact, high-performance solution aimed at mechanical, electrical, plumbing, facility maintenance, and remodeling professionals. It delivers 1.3 ft-lbs of impact energy, 1,400 RPM, and 5,100 BPM, which makes it the fastest 5/8-inch-class drilling solution in its class according to the manufacturer.

The Powerstate brushless motor pairs with Redlink Plus intelligence to protect against overload, overheating, and over-discharge. Safety and convenience features include AutoStop anti-kickback, an adjustable depth stop for holes up to 3 inches deep, and hook hangers for storage.

Size and weight are the headline story here: the bare tool measures just 10 inches in length and weighs 3.8 pounds, roughly 5.1 pounds with a battery, and 7 pounds when paired with the dedicated dust extractor. The warranty is five years on the tool and two years on batteries.

Pricing starts at $249 tool only. The M18 Fuel HammerVac 5/8” dedicated dust extractor is $169 and includes large and small diameter dust nozzles. A kit option adds two M18 Redlithium 3.0 batteries, an M18/M12 rapid charger, a handle with gauge, and a carrying case.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel 1/4” Right Angle Die Grinder

The M12 Fuel 1/4” right angle die grinder targets metalworking professionals doing removal, cutting, and cleaning on materials including mild steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. It claims up to 50% more power than pneumatic alternatives, with a 0.4 horsepower motor output at 20,000 RPM.

The Powerstate brushless motor design emphasizes performance, torque, and cooling. A variable speed paddle plus a remote control let you adjust speed to match the application, and enhanced handle ergonomics aim to reduce fatigue during long sessions.

It is worth noting how far the M12 line has come. Early M12 tools were handy in specific situations but often underpowered; the newer generation delivers genuinely competitive output, and this die grinder fits that pattern. It was slated for an April release with a model number 349.

Buying Advice

If you already own Ryobi One+ batteries and deal with regular carpet messes, the carpet washer’s tool-only price is an easy value proposition; just favor larger battery packs for longer runs. For mechanical, electrical, or plumbing trades, the compact rotary hammer is compelling if drilling speed in a light, all-day-usable package matters more than raw hole diameter. Metalworkers tired of air hoses will find the die grinder’s cordless power claim and variable speed control worth a close look.

Conclusion

These releases show the cordless platforms reaching further into niches once dominated by corded or pneumatic tools. Match the tool to your actual workload, check which batteries you already own, and the right choice among these three becomes fairly clear.