Ridgid SubCompact Expansion: Three New Cordless Tools Worth Watching

Introduction

Ridgid’s SubCompact line launched a few years ago as an answer to a simple complaint: the brand’s larger, bulkier tools did not suit users who needed something more compact that still performed well. The line has been well received, and that success has driven requests for more SubCompact tools. Three new additions now round out the family: a one-handed reciprocating saw, the brand’s first brushless blade-left circular saw, and a brushless 3/8-inch right angle drill.

Each one targets a specific trade audience, from electricians and plumbers to remodelers and trim carpenters. Here is what stands out about each.

One-Handed Reciprocating Saw: Compact Cutting Power

The new one-handed reciprocating saw was developed with direct input from electricians, plumbers, and remodelers to nail the right size, weight, and power. It is built to cut through metal, PVC, and wood, which covers most of what a one-handed saw needs to handle on site.

The headline specs are 3,200 strokes per minute and a 7/8-inch stroke length, with a pivoting shoe for stability during cuts. Ridgid states that, through its own testing, this is the fastest one-handed reciprocating saw on the market at launch. In side-by-side cutting comparisons shown at the launch event, it visibly outpaced a competitor, which is the kind of result that matters when you are making repeated cuts all day.

For anyone doing demo work, pipe cuts, or occasional framing cleanup with one hand free, this is a tool worth shortlisting.

Blade-Left Circular Saw: Better Line of Sight, Less Weight

This is Ridgid’s very first brushless blade-left circular saw, and it has been one of the most requested tools in the SubCompact expansion, both in the field and on social media. A blade-left design gives right-handed users a clearer view of the cut line, which is exactly why remodelers, framers, and trim carpenters keep asking for it.

The specs back up the compact positioning: 5,000 RPM, a 2 to 4-inch depth of cut depending on the setting, and the lightest 6.5-inch class circular saw on the market thanks in part to a magnesium guard. The lighter package is aimed at people making cross cuts all day, where a heavy saw becomes genuinely tiring.

If your current saw feels like a two-handed workout, this one is designed to solve precisely that problem.

Right Angle Drill: Small Size, Serious Torque

Right angle drills live or die on compactness, and this is where the SubCompact brushless 3/8-inch right angle drill makes its case. Ridgid claims it is the most compact right angle drill available at launch, and the size difference against a leading competitor is described as night and day, letting the tool fit into far more tight spaces.

Compactness did not come at the cost of power. The tool delivers over 375 inch-pounds of torque, which Ridgid positions as best in class. In a head-to-head demonstration with a competitor’s brushed unit using a one-inch spade bit, the Ridgid clearly won on performance.

Two further details deserve attention. The chuck has been optimized to hold the bit further in than most right angle drills, improving control when swapping bits in tight quarters. The trigger and grip ergonomics were refined through extensive field research. And on price: the Ridgid brushless unit retails at $129, the same price as the competitor’s brushed model, which makes the value equation hard to argue with.

Buying Advice for the SubCompact Lineup

All three tools share the same design goal: power, size, and weight in balance. The reciprocating saw suits electricians, plumbers, and remodelers who want a fast, controllable one-handed cutter. The blade-left circular saw is aimed at carpenters and framers who value cut-line visibility and low fatigue. The right angle drill is the clear pick for anyone working in tight cavities between studs, joists, or cabinets.

One broader note: expanding a platform with tools like these is a good sign for a brand’s direction. Ridgid has previously drawn criticism for gaps in its lineup after discontinuing its Octane line and batteries, and a clear, consistent product roadmap helps buyers commit to a battery platform with more confidence.

Conclusion

The SubCompact expansion shows a manufacturer listening to specific field requests: the fastest one-handed reciprocating saw claim, the lightest 6.5-inch circular saw, and the most compact right angle drill with best-in-class torque at a competitive $129 price point. If you already own SubCompact batteries, all three are natural additions. If you are new to the platform, the right angle drill’s price-to-performance ratio is arguably the strongest starting point of the three.