Ryobi 18V One+ Jump Starter and Multi-Size Ratchet: Two New Tools That Stretch the System Further

Introduction

Ryobi keeps expanding its 18V One+ platform with products that sit slightly outside the usual drill-and-saw lineup, and two recent releases are good examples. One turns any One+ battery into a vehicle jump starter. The other condenses three ratchet drive sizes into a single cordless tool. Both are aimed at garage and roadside use, and both lean on the same core appeal: you are buying into one battery system rather than another proprietary pack that dies on a shelf.

Ryobi 18V One+ Jump Starter

This is the first One+ tool of its kind: a jump starter that runs on the same slide-in batteries as the rest of the system. It delivers up to 1,600 peak amps and is rated to jump start engines as large as a 6.0 liter V8, which covers most cars, trucks, and boats.

Cold weather is where jump starters usually earn their keep, and this one is rated to operate down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit with 800 cold cranking amps. Safety features include anti-spark technology, and an onboard quick start guide walks you through connecting the cables step by step. Ryobi claims a vehicle can be jumped and running in as little as 60 seconds.

There is also an onboard LED work light for roadside use at night or in other low light situations, which is a sensible inclusion on a tool designed for emergencies.

Practical notes on batteries: a 2Ah battery is included in the kit, and the launch materials claim up to 20 jump starts on a single charge cycle with that battery. If you already own larger One+ packs, those should work as well, but a very small 1.5Ah pack is likely not enough for the job.

It is available in two configurations: a kit with a 2Ah battery and charger, and a tool-only version. The kit is sold in Home Depot stores, while the tool-only configuration is exclusive to homedepot.com. The kit sits at $199 and the tool-only version at $179, so the $20 difference makes the kit the easier choice for most buyers.

The biggest advantage over traditional jump packs is longevity. Older dedicated jump packs have sealed internal batteries; when those degrade after a few years, the entire unit is usually thrown away. Here, if the battery fades, you slide in a fresh One+ pack and the jump starter itself keeps working.

Ryobi 18V One+ Multi-Size Ratchet

The second release solves a smaller but genuinely annoying problem: drive size compatibility. This ratchet accepts 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch drive sockets on one tool, a first for a Ryobi ratchet. The 1/2-inch anvil also accepts 1/4-inch hex driver bits, so it can drive fasteners directly.

Switching drive sizes is tool-free: slide the release latch on the ratchet head, insert the size you need, and keep working. The head rotates to four positions, and a variable speed metal paddle trigger gives you control from different grips and angles. Dual onboard LED work lights illuminate the immediate work area, which matters when you are underneath a vehicle or inside a dim engine bay.

Performance figures are 35 foot-pounds of torque and 260 RPM, which suits tasks like brake jobs, assembling outdoor equipment such as a basketball hoop or furniture, and general automotive maintenance. Cordless ratchets earn their place by reaching fasteners where a hand ratchet simply will not swing.

Pricing follows the usual Ryobi pattern: $159 for the kit and $119 tool-only. If you already have One+ batteries on the shelf, the tool-only version is the obvious value pick.

Which One Makes Sense for You

If your priority is emergency preparedness, the jump starter is the more distinctive of the two. It removes the need for a second vehicle and jumper cables, works in freezing temperatures, and its modular battery design addresses the main weakness of conventional jump packs.

If you spend time under vehicles or assembling equipment, the multi-size ratchet is the more everyday-useful tool. The three drive sizes, rotating head, and compact form factor make it a natural fit for automotive and installation work.

One point worth keeping in mind for both: the value of either tool grows if you already own One+ batteries, since you avoid paying for a pack and charger you do not need.

Conclusion

These two releases show a consistent strategy: take a tool category that usually relies on sealed, proprietary hardware, and rebuild it around a shared battery platform. The jump starter is the bolder move, replacing throwaway jump packs with a unit whose battery you can replace indefinitely. The multi-size ratchet is the quieter win, consolidating three tools into one for garage and assembly work. If either matches a real gap in your setup, both are easy to justify within the One+ ecosystem.