Ryobi HP 18V ONE+ Second Gen: Five Brushless Tools Aimed at the Value Pro

Introduction

Ryobi has launched a second generation of its HP line, the range the brand positions a step above its standard DIY tools. Ryobi describes the HP line as aimed at the value pro market: people who get paid for their work but still care deeply about return on investment. Five new brushless tools headline this launch, and the numbers attached to them are ambitious enough to deserve a close look.

Cosmetically, these tools look a lot like the previous generation. That is easy to overlook, but the specs are where the story lives, and the claimed improvements hover around 45 to 65 percent across the lineup. Whether the tools live up to those figures once real testing lands will determine whether this is a quiet coup or just another spec sheet. Here is what each new tool brings.

Why the HP Line Matters

The power tool market is typically split into entry level, DIY or homeowner, prosumer, value pro, and pro. The value pro tier sits just below the pro segment: buyers doing paid work where money still matters and every purchase is judged on ROI. That is the market Ryobi says it is targeting here.

The HP line is priced above traditional Ryobi, so it is not the bargain play the brand is known for. But on sale at Home Depot, or from Ryobi’s outlet stores, the value equation improves considerably. If the claimed performance numbers hold up, a roughly 50 percent improvement at Ryobi-adjacent pricing is a genuine shake-up.

HP 18V ONE+ Brushless Drill Driver

Ryobi claims this is its most powerful drill driver yet, with over 45 percent faster drilling and 65 percent more torque, up to 850 inch-pounds. A two-speed gearbox delivers 0 to 700 RPM in low and 0 to 2,150 RPM in high, which is a solid working range for both precision starts and fast hole making. Ultimate user control is part of the pitch, and the numbers back the idea that this is a real step up rather than a refresh.

HP 18V ONE+ Brushless Hammer Drill

Ryobi already made a decent hammer drill, and this second-gen model claims to be a serious upgrade: 45 percent faster hammer drilling, 65 percent more torque, and up to 850 inch-pounds of torque again. It is rated to drill through concrete, brick, and block, with up to 34,000 beats per minute. For anyone punching anchor holes in masonry on a regular basis, those figures put it in the conversation rather than on the sidelines.

HP 18V ONE+ Brushless Impact Driver

This one is a sleeper build. While other brands chase exaggerated, over-the-top styling, Ryobi keeps the impact driver deliberately nondescript and lets the numbers talk: 45 percent faster driving, 2,300 inch-pounds of torque, three speeds plus an assist mode, and up to 4,200 impacts per minute. Assist mode in particular is a practical feature for controlled starts in soft material or delicate fasteners.

HP 18V ONE+ Brushless Reciprocating Saw

The reciprocating saw carries a small but telling detail: a rafter hook. That is the kind of feature aimed squarely at value pro and pro users who hang a saw off a ladder or joist all day. Ryobi calls it its most powerful recip saw yet, with two times faster cutting, 470 cuts per charge, 0 to 3,200 strokes per minute, and a 1-1/4 inch stroke length.

Ryobi’s recip saws have always looked like decent value, and the real test for this one will be vibration. If the second-gen model keeps the comfortable feel the brand is known for while delivering the claimed cutting speed, it will be a strong contender.

HP 18V ONE+ Brushless Circular Saw

The most interesting physical change in the lineup is here. On the older Ryobi circular saw, the front handle sits higher up in a traditional position. On this new model, the handle is mounted much farther forward. That extra hand distance helps keep the blade straight and manages vibration during long cuts, and it is a layout many users will appreciate.

Specs include three times faster cutting, up to 370 cuts per charge, an adjustable depth gauge up to 2-9/16 inches, and a bevel up to 56 degrees. Combined with the forward handle, that makes this the most ergonomically thoughtful tool in the launch.

Buying Advice

If you are a value pro or a serious DIYer already in the Ryobi 18V ONE+ battery system, this second-gen HP lineup is worth watching closely. The drill driver and impact driver are the natural first picks for general work, the hammer drill earns its place if masonry is on your job list, and the recip and circular saws round out a framing or demo-capable set.

Do not get attached to the cosmetics; the look has barely changed. Buy on specs, and buy on sale. The HP line is getting expensive for Ryobi, so catching a Home Depot promotion or an outlet deal is the difference between good value and great value.

Conclusion

Ryobi’s second-gen HP tools may look like a quiet update, but the claimed numbers tell a different story: roughly 45 to 65 percent performance improvements across the lineup, plus pro-leaning touches like a rafter hook and a forward-mounted circular saw handle. If testing confirms the specs, this lineup could be one of the best value propositions in cordless power tools this year.