Ryobi Tools That Are A Waste Of Your Time And Money, According To Reviews

Ryobi offers a range of useful and high-tech tools that can simplify work around the home and in your garden. There are also some Ryobi products to consider even if you're not in the market for tools, as the brand makes other items like fans, coolers, and cordless vacuum cleaners. However, one of Ryobi's main selling points is accessible pricing, and as a budget-friendly tool brand, it's inevitable that some of its designs mightn't be all that reliable or long-lasting. 

Fortunately, we've put in the legwork to uncover which Ryobi tools are simply a waste of your time and/or money and should probably be avoided. We examined customer reviews — including the overall star rating, number of reviews, and percentage of 4- and 5-star reviews — to help us put together this list of Ryobi tools that you might want to skip over the next time you're thinking about making a purchase for your yard or toolbox. You can read more about our methodology at the end of this article. But for now, let's learn which Ryobi tools everyday customers say simply aren't worth buying, as well as alternative products we recommend checking out instead. 

If you want to add crown molding to your living room or secure other thick materials in place, then you might be looking for a finish nailer. However, you should probably keep scrolling if you come across the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 16-Gauge Straight Finish Nailer. To start, you can find cheaper options available through other manufacturers. For example, while the Ryobi nailer retails for $288, the Ridgid HyperDrive 16-Gauge 18V Brushless Straight Finish Nailer costs only $175 — a savings of more than $100. Not only is the Ridgid nailer cheaper, but it also has a better rating.

In contrast, the Ryobi nailer has received poor reports from buyers. It has only a 3.8 average star rating, which is based on more than 200 reviews. What's more, 21% of users gave it only a 1-star rating, with an additional 11% only giving it a 2- or 3-star rating. With these stats, it is pretty clear that many people are unhappy with their decision to purchase. Here is what one reviewer, who only gave the tool a 1-star rating, had to say, "This is the worst tool I've ever owned. I wanted to like it, but it's caused me more frustration and delayed projects than it's been useful. It throws an error every single nail when there's actually nothing wrong with it. We have to remove the battery to reset it between literally every single nail we fire. Just ridiculous and super infuriating. It's a big, heavy, useless piece of junk and waste of money. Would absolutely not recommend." There you have it!

When you're looking for ways to make it easier to remove snow from your driveway, a snow thrower can be a real asset. If you've decided that you're ready to make a purchase, you may be considering the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 21" Snow Thrower Kit. However, you're probably best off passing up this model and opting for something that is both more affordable and more reliable. Despite its poor reviews, this model from Ryobi still costs $599. You'd get a much better deal by trying the Snow Joe Electric Snow Blower, which retails for $249. Both models can clear snow up to 13 inches deep, and the Snow Joe is even an inch wider, allowing for slightly greater coverage with each pass.

Cost aside, it is also not one of the best-rated snow blowers and customers who purchased this Ryobi model are not very happy with its performance. It has only a 3.8-star rating, with 28% of users giving the blower 1, 2, or 3 stars, and the reviews reveal a concerning issue: This unit appears prone to sudden breakdowns, and buyers who've had this issue report unhelpful customer service from Ryobi and long wait times for repairs. One reviewer wrote, "I have owned two factory refurbished units of this snow thrower and one new one. They all had the same issue and I would not recommend this product to anyone. When these snow throwers worked, they worked well. The problem is that something is wrong with the electronics with these units. When they are pushed into snow, they run for about 6 inches and then they turn 'off' ... Something is inherently wrong with this product and should be avoided." Multiple buyers report similar experiences, with units ceasing to work within the first couple of seasons.

A cordless track saw can come in handy for a variety of flooring, carpentry, and other construction projects. It is one tool that can make it possible to cut down large pieces of wood without a table saw. One model you might be considering is the Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 6 ½-inch Track Saw. Unfortunately, while many other Ryobi products are a solid pick, this one doesn't look that great. In addition to the poor ratings from customers — which we'll look at more closely below — there are also some cheaper options out there. The Ryobi model retails for $329, which is $54 more expensive than the Wen Cordless 6.5-inch Track Saw, even when including the Wen tracks and Wen track saw clamps, which are sold separately.

If the price doesn't deter you enough, the 3.8-star rating from more than 150 customers should make you further question this purchase. Only 45% of reviewers gave the tool a 5-star rating. Even more alarming, however, is the fact that 33% gave it only a 1-, 2-, or 3-star rating. One unhappy customer titled their review "Waste of Money." They went on to explain how they had spent about 20 hours working with the tool to get it to cut a straight line, adding, "The two-piece track is a nightmare to try to keep straight. If you tighten the set screws too much, they start bulging the top of the track, and even then, a slight bump throws the 2 piece track out of alignment. I spend more time trying to adjust the thing, than using it. And now the pin that allows you to select between plunge, score, and blade change broke. Do not buy this." Similar complaints about the proprietary tracks are a common theme.

The Ryobi 4V Cordless Pivoting Screwdriver is another product that you probaby shouldn't waste your money on. It retails for $90, which is significantly higher than many other similar models. For example, both the Black+Decker 4V Max Cordless Screwdriver and the Skil 4V Pivot Grip Rechargeable Cordless Screwdriver offer a similar design with a pivoting handle and cordless operation, and they both also have a retail price of under $35.

Many customers who have purchased this pivoting screwdriver from Ryobi are not satisfied and it has only a 3.8-star rating. Although this is based on merely 53 reviews, 33% gave it only a 3-star or lower rating and quite a few reviewers report that the tool doesn't have enough torque. "Very low power, won't work on wood. Battery lasted a pathetic amount of time, mine had an issue and would never recharge after a few uses. Don't buy," wrote one person who clearly wasn't happy with its performance.

Leaf blowers can be a real time saver when you need to clean up leaves in the fall or remove other debris from your yard. Some — like the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 600 CFM Blower/Vacuum — can also be used as a vacuum and a mulcher. Unfortunately, this is another Ryobi tool that you'll probably want to skip over in favor of something that is more favorable rated by customers and available for a better price. This Worx 40V Leaf Blower, Vacuum, and Mulcher, for example, comes highly reviewed by customers and has a lower retail price ($279 compared to $369) than the Ryobi model. If you don't need all the power of a 40-volt blower, you could even consider this highly-rated Black+Decker Leaf Blower, Vacuum, and Mulcher that retails for just $99.

To top things off, the Ryobi blower/vacuum only has a 3.7-star rating. Fewer than half of customers (49%) gave it a 5-star rating. Moreover, 1 in 5 reviewers (20%) gave it only a single star. One customer who regretted wasting their money on it wrote, "Bought this to finish my yard clean up after my corded unit died. Used it once and am now returning it. It is HUGE, hard to handle and quits every time it sucks a few leaves. The design is horrible when switching from blowing to vacuuming." Other buyers echo these observations around awkward handling and operation.

Whether you're working on the job site or completing your latest DIY project, a Bluetooth speaker can help you pass the time by listening to your favorite tunes or podcasts. However, you'll probably want to consider something other than the Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless Compact Bluetooth Radio. Beyond its low customer rating, this model costs more than some other options that offer better features. For example, the Anker Soundcore Portable Bluetooth Speaker is IPX7 waterproof and costs only $45. Compare this to the Ryobi model, which isn't even described as water-resistant and costs $15 more (it retails for $60).

When you combine the higher cost and lackluster features with the 3.7 average star rating it's racked up from more than 300 customers, it's clear why this product will probably bring disappointment. More than a third of customers (38%) gave it a 3-star or lower rating. "Don't waste your money on this radio! Horrible non-working after only 2.0 months," shared one unhappy customer. "You could get another radio for half the cost and that actually works! Truly disappointing — given that I've been a Ryobi tool buyer and user for over 20 years," they continued. Multiple reviews also report that the FM antenna is weak and struggles to pick up radio stations.

If you need to sand something for your next DIY project or home improvement repair, you'd be better off considering an alternative to the Ryobi 0.4 Amp Corded Detail Sander. Its $64 retail price just seems out of line when you consider the other products that are on the market — especially since many of these cheaper alternatives also come more highly recommended by customers. For example, this Skil Multi-Function Detail Sander boasts a 4.5-star rating and retails for $39. If you're drawn to the Ryobi sander because of its smaller head that could make it easier to sand in tighter spaces, then you might consider this Genesis Multi-Purpose Oscillating Tool, which offers a compact sanding head. It has a 4.4-star rating and retails for $35.

Additionally, the Ryobi detail sander doesn't appear to impress customers all that much. With only a 3.6-star rating out of more than 500 reviews — including a measly 1-star rating from 22% of reviewers — this model doesn't seem worth it. Several customers complained that the sandpaper doesn't stay in place, making the tool basically useless. One shared, "The sanding pads fall off as soon as you start sanding. I thought that maybe the ones that came with it were just poor quality so I bought a different brand of sanding pads, those also would not stick. This is a waste of money and time."

If you want to clean your patio like a pro, then a pressure washer is essential — but definitely avoid the Ryobi ONE+ 18V EZClean Cordless Cold Water Power Cleaner. While it only costs $49, it doesn't stack up compared to some other products on the market (that also come with higher customer reviews). A more expensive, but still affordable, model to consider is the Craftsman Electric Pressure Washer. It retails for $109, so it is more than twice the cost of the Ryobi model. However, it is a much more powerful unit — delivering up to 1,700 PSI, more than four times the 320 PSI of the Ryobi model. It is also corded, so you won't have to worry about the battery life. The Ryobi only offers a runtime of about 20 minutes per charge, which may not be enough to finish a cleaning task.

The lack of power is one feature that several customers complained about in their reviews of this product. It has only a 3.6-star rating based on feedback from more than 3,000 customers. Only 41% of those reviewers gave it 5 stars, with 39% giving it a 1-, 2-, or 3-star rating. One person who was disappointed they spent their money on this item wrote, "Waste of money. Bought it to wash my vehicles. Gets them nice and wet, but the dirt is still there after it dries. Definitely not a pressure washer. Save your money and just buy a bucket and a sponge."

The Ryobi USB Lithium 3/8-inch Ratchet Kit might sound promising if you're getting ready to start a project that is going to involve loosening or tightening various nuts and bolts. Unfortunately, though, it doesn't seem like the best pick for most tasks. While the $94 retail price is in line with similar tools, many of these other options carry higher reviews from customers. This ACDelco Cordless Ratchet Wrench Tool Kit is not only more highly reviewed, with a 4.6-star rating, but it is also more affordable with its $80 retail price. The ACDelco tool even comes with an 8-piece socket set, which is something the Ryobi model doesn't offer.

Moreover, despite the compact size, the integrated LED lights, the two included lithium-ion batteries, and the other features Ryobi highlights for this tool, customers just aren't sold on it. With a 3.4-star rating, it is one of the poorest-rated products on our list. A whopping 27% of reviewers gave it a 1-star rating, with an additional 20% only giving it 2 or 3 stars. Many of these customers were dissatisfied with the lack of power the ratchet offers. One person, who gave it only 1 star, wrote, "Useless waste of money. Doesn't have enough power to do the job."

Zero-turn lawn mowers are known for their extra tight turn radius, making it easy to maneuver around the yard and cut your grass with ease. If you have a large yard or one with lots of obstacles, then you might be considering investing in one. These are not cheap machines, so you'll want to do your research to ensure that the one you buy won't end up being a waste of time and money. Based on its poor customer reviews, combined with the high price tag, it sadly appears that the Ryobi 42-inch Zero Turn Electric Riding Lawn Mower may be just that. The Greenworks 60V 42-inch Cordless Electric CrossoverZ Zero Turn Riding Mower is one example that may be a better use of your money. It costs about the same as the Ryobi model, but has a 4.4-star rating. While it may not be able to mow quite as much grass on a charge, it offers a slightly faster cutting speed and has an integrated rear storage bin for hauling up to 200 pounds of supplies.

In contrast, the Ryobi mower only has a 3.3-star rating, which is based on feedback from more than 200 reviewers. A full 40% of people who reviewed the mower gave it a dismal 1- or 2-star rating, indicating how displeased they are with its ability to help them efficiently cut their lawn, with many citing rapidly decreasing battery capacity and runtime as a serious issue. "After 3 mowing seasons, I am unable to mow my lawn on a single charge. I live on less than 1 acre and specifically bought the 100ah model to ensure I wouldn't run into any problems. Now, a mower that is advertised to cut up to 3 acres can't get through my lawn. I reached out to customer service who said that I need to replace the batteries (over $900) and they said that I should expect to replace my batteries every 3 years. This is totally unacceptable," shares one user about their experience.

To help us put together this list of Ryobi tools that are a waste of your time and money, we looked closely at reviews. All of the tools we selected were very poorly reviewed, earning an average star rating of 3.8 or below. Each of these ratings are based on feedback from a minimum of 50 customers, increasing our confidence that the poor rating wasn't the result of only one or two disgruntled purchasers. Additionally, fewer than 60% of reviewers gave each product that made our list a 5-star rating and 28% or more of reviewers only gave them a 1-, 2-, or 3-star rating (some products even had up to 40% of customers giving them a dismal 1-, 2-, or 3-star rating). We also analyzed the reviews to identify any common, reoccurring issues that buyers have had with these Ryobi products.