Three New Tool Launches Worth Watching: Ryobi, Ridgid, and Milwaukee

Introduction

Three recent launches from Ryobi, Ridgid, and Milwaukee show just how different the priorities of each brand can be. Ryobi is rethinking jobsite audio with a speaker system that can pair over 100 units together, Ridgid is refreshing its 18V radio lineup with noticeably clearer sound, and Milwaukee is finally answering a long-standing request from HVAC technicians with a fully cordless vacuum pump. Here is what each launch offers and who each one makes sense for.

Ryobi 18V ONE+ Verse Clamp Speaker

Ryobi describes this as a second iteration of its lifestyle speaker line, and the headline feature is the Verse technology. Users can connect multiple speakers together quickly for a multi-room or larger listening experience, with the ability to control over 100 speakers from a single device. Pairing is done at the press of a button, no app required, and once connected the speakers stay synced until the connection is intentionally broken.

Bluetooth range is claimed at over 250 feet from the streaming device to any primary speaker, which Ryobi calls best in class. Speakers then maintain a range of up to 150 feet between each other, so you can effectively extend audio coverage across a large site. Any Verse speaker can be designated as the primary during pairing, and you can control volume on each unit individually or from your mobile device across all paired speakers.

The clamp mount accepts up to 1-3/4 inch surfaces, so the speaker can attach to fencing, scaffolding, or tailgates, and Ryobi claims over 32 hours of continuous runtime to keep everything in sync all day. It is backed by Ryobi’s three-year manufacturer’s warranty. The practical appeal is easy to see: instead of one jobsite radio blasting from a corner, you can place several lower-volume speakers around the site so everyone hears the music comfortably.

It launched in May 2023 at $59 for a single speaker, $99 for a two-pack, and $99 for a kit with one speaker, a battery, and a charger.

Ridgid 18V Hybrid Job Site Radio with Bluetooth

Ridgid’s new 18V hybrid radio delivers its sound through dual 3-inch speakers and a 15-watt amplifier, which the company says provides nine times clearer sound than the previous R84087 18V hybrid jobsite radio. That is a bold generational claim, and it frames this as a meaningful upgrade rather than a minor refresh.

The hybrid design is the standout flexibility feature. It runs on any Ridgid 18V battery, or you can use the included AC/DC adapter to keep it running even longer. Battery runtime reaches up to 30 hours when paired with an 18V 6Ah max output battery, easily covering a full workday.

Bluetooth pairing works with any Bluetooth-capable device at a range of 150 feet, and there is also AM/FM reception with storage for up to 20 preset stations. A 2.1 amp USB charging port keeps your mobile devices topped up while the music plays. One small caveat: power comes from an adapter-style wall plug rather than an attached cord, so you will need somewhere to store that adapter.

The radio is available now exclusively at The Home Depot for $159.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 5 CFM Vacuum Pump

This is the launch many HVAC technicians have been waiting for. Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 5 CFM vacuum pump eliminates the hassles of hunting for outlets, operating generators, or running long extension cords, delivering instant power during the evacuation stage of HVAC repairs and installations. The POWERSTATE brushless motor allows evacuations as fast as corded pumps during system pull-downs.

The industry-first manifold mode is the clever part. For flow-restricted manifold setups, it maximizes speed and run time, providing up to 90 minutes of runtime per charge for evacuations using direct connections and large half-inch hoses, and up to 60 minutes for residential and light commercial work. Half-inch, 3/8, and 1/4-inch ports deliver fast evacuations, especially with large hoses.

Milwaukee has also clearly thought through the failure scenarios technicians worry about. An isolation ball valve lets you isolate the pump for easy battery changes, and an internal check valve protects the system vacuum when the pump is not running. REDLINK PLUS intelligence provides maximum performance and protection from overload, while a gas ballast valve extends oil life and reduces how often oil changes are needed. A large oil port and angled oil drain allow changes without a funnel, and the pump was designed with easily replaceable parts for quick in-field repairs.

The pump launched in June 2023 at $849, which is a reasonable price for a cordless tool in this category.

Buying Advice

Each launch targets a different buyer. If you want flexible, distributed audio across a backyard, tailgate, campsite, or jobsite, the Ryobi Verse clamp speaker system is the most interesting option, especially since single units are affordable and the system scales. If you just want one solid radio that can run on battery or wall power, the Ridgid hybrid radio is the straightforward pick with strong sound and USB charging built in. For HVAC technicians, the Milwaukee pump is the easy call: cordless evacuation with the runtime and protection features to handle real-world service work, at a price that undercuts many corded pro alternatives.

Conclusion

Ryobi, Ridgid, and Milwaukee each brought something genuinely new to the table here: scalable multi-speaker audio, a much clearer hybrid radio, and the first cordless vacuum pump with manifold mode. Match the tool to the work you actually do, and each of these launches has a clear case for itself.