Ryobi 18V One+ High Performance Edge Battery: A Real Step Up for the One+ System

Introduction

Ryobi’s newest battery release, the 18V One+ High Performance Edge pack, pushes performance higher thanks to emerging cell design technology. It is built for the popular 18V One+ system, which now includes more than 300 tools, and it keeps Ryobi’s long-standing commitment intact: every 18V One+ battery works with every 18V One+ tool, and the HP Edge pack is no exception.

The short answer to which tools benefit is all of them, but the difference is most noticeable in more power-hungry tools.

What Makes the Edge Battery Different

Two major upgrades define the High Performance Edge pack. The first is the use of 21700 cells, the larger format that has been appearing in power tool batteries for several years. The larger cell maintains the same series grouping, five cells per row for an 18V (20V Max class) battery, while increasing the capacity and available power it can transfer to the tool.

The second upgrade is tabless cell connections, a design first seen with the launch of Milwaukee’s Forge batteries. By using a tabless design, the High Performance Edge battery can deliver more power while running cooler. The design also allows for faster charging and significantly longer service life.

Performance: Real Cutting Tests

Ryobi’s internal testing gives a concrete picture of what the Edge pack adds. In the first test, the 6-1/2 in. HP brushless compact circular saw cut two sheets of stacked 3/4 in. OSB. The standard 4Ah battery took 19.4 seconds, the 4Ah High Performance pack took 16.2 seconds, and the 8Ah High Performance pack took 12.5 seconds. The 4Ah High Performance Edge battery finished in just 12 seconds.

Prior to the Edge’s release, the recommendation for this saw would have been the 4Ah High Performance battery. The fact that the Edge pack beat it by more than four seconds is eye-opening, especially on a standard test that tends to expose big power differences between saws.

A second test used the 12 in. HP brushless chainsaw cutting a 10 in. log. The standard 4Ah battery needed 25.15 seconds, the 4Ah High Performance pack needed 23.23 seconds, the 8Ah High Performance pack took 20.02 seconds, and the 4Ah High Performance Edge needed 19.81 seconds. Again, Edge finished ahead.

Hammer Drill Test: Where the Gap Shows

The third test was the HP brushless half-inch hammer drill in high speed, using a 2 in. self-feed bit in white pine 2x lumber, with a three-hole set for each battery. The standard 4Ah battery took 12.67 seconds, the 4Ah High Performance battery needed 8.34 seconds, and the Edge once again led, finishing the set in 7.92 seconds.

This test is interesting because it pushed the limit of what the battery could accomplish in that tool. Working in high speed, the standard battery had to start and stop to complete the test, while the two High Performance batteries completed the holes without delay. The Edge still held the edge, and the name seems well earned.

What the Edge Means for the One+ System

The Edge battery moves the edge of Ryobi’s current capabilities further out, revitalizing the tools you already own. It also pushes back the limitations of the 18V One+ system itself: with a power source that has higher performance potential, the product team can take core tools to the next level and develop designs that might have seemed out of reach before.

There may be broader implications too. Seeing Edge design move into the 40V system has the potential to make it more efficient and boost power even higher, which matters as more areas of the country look for gas engine replacements in outdoor power equipment.

Availability and Pricing

As usual, Home Depot is the exclusive retailer for Ryobi’s newest battery. The price was still to be announced at launch, with availability expected sometime in the summer of 2024. For DIYers and value-minded pros, it is worth watching for the pack to hit shelves.

Conclusion

The Ryobi 18V One+ High Performance Edge battery is a meaningful upgrade on paper and in practice. With 21700 cells and tabless connections, it cut faster than the packs that came before it in circular saw, chainsaw, and hammer drill testing, and it runs cooler while charging faster and lasting longer. If you are already invested in the One+ system, it is a battery worth considering, especially for power-hungry tools.