For the budget-conscious DIY enjoyer who occasionally needs to cut wood and drill holes, Ryobi tools are perfect.Like any power tool manufacturer, Ryobi isn’t infallible, and there are some tools that I’ve learned to stay away from.Add How-To Geek on Google Add as Preferred Source Follow on Google Discover Here’s what I’ve gleaned from the experiences of others (and one return that I had to make myself).
Ryobi portable jobsite table saw One of Ryobi’s most-complained-about products All saws can be dangerous, but I’ve read some especially ominous things about the Ryobi compact portable corded jobsite table saw.Chief among them is the fact that the fence, which is the guide that runs parallel to the cutting blade, is flimsy and refuses to stay straight during cuts.This can lead to a sub-par finish or wasted materials.
One Home Depot review titled “Nearly lost my hand” complained that “the plastic face plate broke pulling a large chunk of my work piece with it.” Build quality in general appears to be a concern, with another reviewer noting that “this saw looks like it will fall apart if you look at it funny,” and returning the item.There are more complaints about the version that comes bundled with a stand, noting that the stand itself is wobbly on top of the existing issues.I bought a table saw last year, and I noticed this was an issue with a lot of cheaper saw tables, so it’s not an issue limited to Ryobi by any stretch.
There’s a lot of praise for DeWalt’s table saws on the internet if you’re interested in buying new, though you should note that you’ll spend more upfront.Alternatively, you can do what I did, and buy a used saw from Facebook Marketplace for a fraction of the cost of a new model (you should be able to get something sturdier than the Ryobi for similar money, ideal for occasional use).Ryobi 40V brushless cordless leaf blower and vacuum It blows I’m not a leaf blower kinda guy.
The leaf litter that lands on my backyard ends up on the garden beds as a mulch, adding nutrition to the soil and maintaining moisture.This aside, it’s hard to avoid the poor reputation that Ryobi’s 40V brushless cordless leaf blower has.During my searches, this was Ryobi’s poorest-reviewed product on Amazon (keeping in mind that Ryobi is officially distributed by Home Depot in the U.S., with Amazon listings coming from resellers).
Even so, that 2.1-star rating sticks out like a sore thumb.Reviewers complain that the unit has poor suction, clogs easily, overheats, and is heavy.Multiple reviewers complained that the unit broke and required replacement, with the overall build quality being poor.
Personally, I’d look at brands like CRAFTSMAN, where the 20V model reviews well and costs less than half the price at $100.Ryobi 6.5-inch 18V track saw Another Ryobi saw spot As the aforementioned table saw, Ryobi’s 6.5-inch 18V track saw also has a fair amount of criticism online.Personally, if I’m investing in something that could damage the job you’re working on and take a few fingers with it, I’m inclined to take notice of the bad reviews.
One reviewer notes that “it wants to curve away from the track, leading to cuts that aren’t straight.” This sounds like another case of poor build quality when cutting costs to hit a budget price point, though this isn’t the only problem raised.Another reviewer complains about the tool’s lack of power, noting that “it bogged down repeatedly” and that the track itself was difficult to align.This review was gathered from a paid promotion, from which the reviews are usually overwhelmingly positive.
The same reviewer noted that they have plenty of Ryobi tools and that they “love most of them but this was the biggest letdown.” Given the lack of quality control mirrors the other table saw, I’d opt for a track saw that you can inspect in person before you buy it from a brand like DeWalt or Milwaukee, which will cost more but potentially save you money in material costs when you’re not screwing up your cuts.Ryobi USB lithium compact scrubber No scrubs I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a scrubber while browsing the tools at my local hardware store, but apparently they exist, and Ryobi makes a mediocre one.I can see the appeal if you’re cleaning an old swimming pool by hand or have to restore some bathroom tiles that have been neglected, but it looks like this cheap Ryobi option isn’t the way to go.
According to the negative reviews, power seems to be the biggest issue.According to reviewers, it doesn’t spin particularly fast the battery life is underwhelming.It’s worth noting that this is the USB lithium compact scrubber, which retails for around $50 and uses a smaller 2Ah battery.
By comparison, Ryobi’s own 18V VORTEX power scrubber has much better reviews, even though it’s a heavier item.It also costs around $80 for the tool alone, though you should be able to score a deal.Personally, I’d consider using my 3D printer to adapt a drill or a driver to do the same job.
Ryobi’s 150-piece driving kit It’s not a power tool, but I implore you to avoid it Close Last but not least is an experience that I personally had when I picked up a cheap and cheerful Ryobi impact driver.While I don’t regret saving money on the tool, I absolutely made the wrong decision picking a Ryobi 150-bit driver set.The first time I used it, I managed to turn the Phillips head bit into a turbine.
I ended up returning it and spending an extra $10 on a set of DeWalt impact driver bits, and the difference is night and day.Do you own any tools from Team Yellow? Make sure your Ryobi tools aren’t on any recall lists.
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