Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Gen 2 Lineup: Five New Brushless Tools Plus a Ridgid Inflator Worth a Look

Introduction

It has been a busy stretch for Ryobi. The brand rolled out five next-generation 18V ONE+ HP Gen 2 brushless tools in one go: a 1/2 in. drill driver, a 1/2 in. hammer drill, a 4-mode 1/4 in. hex impact driver, a 7-1/4 in. circular saw, and a reciprocating saw. Alongside them, sister brand Ridgid is launching an 18V hybrid dual-function inflator that looks like one of the more useful garage accessories in a while.

If you are already in the Ryobi ONE+ platform, this refresh matters. If you are shopping for your first cordless tool set, these Gen 2 releases are likely to become the default options on the shelf. Here is what each tool offers and who it makes sense for.

The Gen 2 HP Brushless Story

Ryobi positions these five tools as the most powerful options it offers, using ONE+ HP brushless motor technology, advanced electronics, and high-performance lithium cells to deliver more power, runtime, durability, and speed. The brand also notes that all five tools hit their best performance numbers when paired with an 18V ONE+ 4 Ah High Performance EDGE battery.

One practical detail to keep in mind: the kits ship with a standard HP high-performance battery, not the EDGE battery. If you already own EDGE packs, you will see the most out of these tools. If you buy the kit, the included battery still works fine, just with less of the headline performance on tap.

Ryobi Gen 2 1/2 in. Drill Driver

The Gen 2 drill driver is aimed at drilling through wood and lumber and driving fasteners in wood and metal. Compared to its brushed counterpart, Ryobi claims 45% faster drilling and 65% more torque, with an impressive 850 in. lbs. of torque, a 24-position clutch for precise control, and a durable 1/2 in. ratcheting all-metal chuck.

For general home use, deck building, furniture assembly, and most DIY tasks, this covers a wide range of applications. The kit is priced at $159 with a 4 Ah battery, which keeps it in familiar Ryobi territory.

Ryobi Gen 2 1/2 in. Hammer Drill

The hammer drill shares the same core specs as the drill driver, including the 850 in. lbs. of torque, 24-position clutch, and all-metal ratcheting chuck, but adds a hammer function delivering up to 34,000 BPM for drilling through concrete, brick, and block.

If your projects occasionally touch masonry, the upgrade over the standard drill driver is easy to justify. Pricing runs $129 tool-only or $179 for the kit with a battery, so the premium over the drill driver kit is modest.

Ryobi Gen 2 4-Mode 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver

This is the most powerful impact driver Ryobi has released, claiming 45% faster driving and up to 2,300 in. lbs. of torque. The 1/4 in. hex quick-connect collet with one-handed bit release makes bit swaps quick, and the mode selection gives you three speed modes plus an assist mode for control across everything from sheet metal screws to large lag screws.

The assist mode and digital control are notable steps up for this class of tool, and they make the driver more forgiving for occasional users who struggle with overdriving fasteners. Expect to pay about $10 more than the previous generation.

Ryobi Gen 2 7-1/4 in. Circular Saw

The Gen 2 circular saw claims three times faster cutting than its brushed counterpart and is designed to rip through triple-stacked materials at speeds up to 5,000 RPM. Cutting depth is 2-9/16 in. at 0 degrees and 1-13/16 in. at 45 degrees, which covers everything from ripping OSB to cutting dimensional lumber.

Bevel detents at 0, 15, 22.5, 30, 45, and 56 degrees make angled cuts quick and simple. Durability and control features include a die-cast upper guard and an improved integrated pommel handle.

This is also the tool where the EDGE battery difference is most noticeable. In cutting tests through sheet goods, the jump from a standard battery to the EDGE High Performance pack was described as a night-and-day improvement. If you buy this saw, budgeting for an EDGE pack is worth considering. It is priced at $139 tool-only.

Ryobi Gen 2 Brushless Reciprocating Saw

The Gen 2 reciprocating saw claims two times faster cutting than its brushed equivalent and is built for aggressive demolition work: hardwood, black pipe, rebar, and hardened steel. It runs at 0 to 3,200 SPM with a 1-1/4 in. stroke length.

On paper the speed numbers look similar to the previous generation, but the improved electronics should help the saw hold power under load with less bogging down, particularly when running an EDGE battery. Practical touches include a rafter hook for hanging the saw on a ladder or sawhorse, a non-marring shoe that protects the work surface, and a rubber overmold grip that reduces vibration and fatigue. It is priced at $139 tool-only.

What to Know Before Buying

All five tools are part of the ONE+ family of over 300 tools and were slated to be available exclusively at The Home Depot and HomeDepot.com starting in Spring 2025. As the Gen 2 versions replace the previous generation, expect the older models to show up on sale for a while before disappearing entirely.

If you already own EDGE batteries, the tool-only versions make the most sense. If you are buying a kit, know that you get the standard HP battery, which still performs well but does not unlock the full performance headline numbers. The $10 price increase across most of the lineup is a fair trade for the added performance, though the saws in particular benefit most from pairing with an EDGE pack.

Bonus Pick: Ridgid 18V Hybrid Dual Function Inflator

Ridgid’s release cadence is slower than Ryobi’s, but the brand’s combination of value and the lifetime service agreement, where registered tools are repaired or replaced, keeps its releases worth watching. The new 18V hybrid dual-function inflator is a good example: it is priced at $99 with the battery sold separately.

The inflator delivers up to 160 PSI, which is ideal for topping off truck tires, and it features a high-volume function with 16 SCFM for quickly inflating and deflating air mattresses and other large items. It can run off any Ridgid 18V battery or a 12V DC adapter, so it works corded in a vehicle or cordless around the garage.

Other details worth noting: it is claimed to be 40% quieter than Ridgid’s previous digital inflator model, it includes a 32-inch hose with a brass Presta valve chuck, and the build features a digital adjustment knob for setting a target pressure with automatic shutoff, a pause function, an onboard LED light, on-tool storage, and a spot to plug in the 12V adapter. Compared to the similar Ryobi inflator released a few months earlier, this one looks and feels a bit more robust.

Conclusion

Ryobi’s Gen 2 HP lineup is a straightforward performance refresh: more power, better electronics, and a handful of genuinely useful features like the impact driver’s assist mode and the reciprocating saw’s rafter hook. The main buying decision is battery strategy. Tool-only purchases make sense for existing EDGE owners, while kit buyers should know they are getting the standard HP battery. The Ridgid inflator rounds out the news nicely as a practical $99 accessory with flexible power options and the brand’s lifetime service agreement behind it.