What To Know About Ryobi's 12-Tool Combo Kit Before Buying

Ryobi makes literally hundreds of tools for the home and garden. The One+ cordless range alone consists of over 300 devices that run off the same batteries. Okay, so there's plenty of choice, but is Ryobi actually a good brand for your home improvement needs? Absolutely. They have a reputation for solid quality when used as general-purpose DIY tools. They are not designed to compete with pro tools from DeWalt and Milwaukee, but they don't cost that kind of money either.

If you're just starting on your homeowner or DIY journey, Ryobi's ONE+ 18V Cordless 12-Tool Combo Kit is bound to be tempting, and over at The Home Depot, almost 10,000 people have given it a 5-star rating. It's as comprehensive a set of tools as you're likely to find anywhere. However, even with the great value that Ryobi typically offers, the complete kit will currently set you back $629. Ryobi claims it's a $1,330 value if bought separately, but it's still a fair chunk of change. So what must you know before shelling out that kind of money? Let's take a look at exactly what you get and whether that makes it a good value for you.

You get all the basics you would probably buy for a starter tool kit: a drill driver, circular saw, multi-tool, and orbital sander. Added to those are a jigsaw, impact driver, brad nailer, impact wrench, and reciprocating saw (commonly called a sawzall). There's a grinder, a useful worklight, and a miter saw. Those are the 12 tools mentioned, and you also get three batteries (two are high-capacity 4Ah versions), a charger, and two tool bags to carry everything around in (except the miter saw, which is too large). Each component has real value. There's no junk added just to make up the numbers.

For many, it will be the ideal collection for working around the home and yard. For example, there are all of the tools that would come in handy during a kitchen renovation. A reciprocating saw with the right blade can cut through wood, nails, plastic pipe, and tough metals like angle iron and rebar. An impact wrench is the perfect tool for amateur auto enthusiasts who want to change wheels quickly. A miter saw is great for a whole bunch of woodworking projects. The only thing the DIYer might want to add if they were splurging is a Ryobi shop vac. They offer several that will run off the same batteries, so that's not a problem. The impact driver is something of a specialist tool, so some might prefer a hammer drill, but it's a minor gripe.

So, is it worth it? The answer to that is going to depend on the level of DIY you imagine taking on. A drill driver and an oscillating multi-tool are all you need to tackle a lot of small household tasks. On the other hand, if you like fixing things and making things, the Ryobi 12-tool combo could be a great investment. If a money-saving combo appeals to you, but there are several tools included that you don't need, Ryobi also offers kits with fewer devices. That could then leave room in your budget for some Ryobi tools that can help whip your lawn into shape.

There's also the question of whether Ryobi tools are the right way to go. They are aimed at general homeowner use but are not really designed for heavy-duty tasks. If you're a serious DIY enthusiast or into major remodeling, you might want to look at combos offered by DeWalt or Milwaukee, tools that are popular with contractors and other professionals. They do come with a considerably higher price tag, of course. There are a lot of competing kits out there to suit all kinds of budgets, so it's certainly worth shopping around before you make your choice.