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For most buyers, the best Ryobi drill set is a ONE+ HP brushless drill/driver and impact driver two-tool kit with two batteries. It drills, drives lag screws and handles cabinets without a second purchase. A brushed ONE+ two-tool kit is the budget choice for light DIY, and a drill-and-saw combo makes sense only if you need a circular saw now. Ryobi’s lineup changes often, so it helps to know what separates the kits. You can then judge whatever bundle is on the shelf in 2026.
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What we cover
What every Ryobi ONE+ drill set shares
All current Ryobi cordless drill sets in the US run on the 18V ONE+ battery platform. Every ONE+ battery fits every ONE+ tool, including the older and newer generations. That compatibility is the main reason to buy into Ryobi: the batteries from a starter kit later run a sander, a leaf blower or a glue gun. Within ONE+, the two lines that matter for drills are:
- ONE+ (brushed): the basic drills and impact drivers. They are lighter on the wallet, a bit heavier and less efficient, and fine for occasional use.
- ONE+ HP (brushless): more compact for the power, longer runtime per charge and more torque. These are the better choice if you drive long screws or drill large holes.
Ryobi drill set types compared
| Kit type | Tools included | Batteries usually included | Chuck / collet | Typical price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single drill/driver kit (brushed) | 1/2″ drill/driver | One 1.5–2.0Ah | 1/2″ keyless | $60–$100 |
| Two-tool kit (brushed) | Drill/driver + impact driver | Two 1.5Ah or one 1.5Ah + one 2.0Ah | 1/2″ keyless + 1/4″ hex | $100–$170 |
| Two-tool HP brushless kit | Brushless drill/driver + brushless impact driver | Two 2.0Ah or larger HP packs | 1/2″ keyless + 1/4″ hex | $150–$260 |
| HP hammer drill kit | Brushless hammer drill | One or two packs | 1/2″ keyless | $120–$220 |
| Drill and saw combo (4–6 tools) | Drill, impact driver, circular saw, recip saw, light | Two packs | 1/2″ + 1/4″ hex | $200–$400 |
Kit contents change seasonally, and holiday bundles often swap in a larger battery or add a bare tool. Compare kits by tools, battery capacity and brushless or brushed motor, not by the box art.
Picks by situation
First apartment or occasional repairs
A brushed ONE+ two-tool kit is enough for picture hanging, furniture assembly and drilling wall-plug holes in drywall or plaster. The impact driver earns its place the first time you drive a 3-inch screw into a stud. Small 1.5Ah packs keep the tools light, which helps overhead.
Homeowner doing decks, fences and shelving
Go for the ONE+ HP brushless two-tool kit. Brushless motors keep their speed under load, which matters with spade bits, hole saws and long structural screws. If the kit comes with 1.5Ah packs, add one 4.0Ah pack for the impact driver on long sessions.
Masonry anchors in brick and block
Choose a kit with a hammer drill instead of a plain drill/driver. It handles 3/16″ and 1/4″ holes for concrete screws in brick and block. For frequent work in poured concrete, a ONE+ SDS-plus rotary hammer is a better add-on than a stronger hammer drill.
Renovation starter: the drill and saw set
A combo with a circular saw is worth it when you are cutting plywood, 2x lumber or deck boards right away. Ryobi’s ONE+ circular saws come in compact 5-1/2″ and standard 6-1/2″ sizes. The 6-1/2″ blade cuts about 2 inches deep at 90°, enough for 2x lumber even on a 45° bevel with some sizes, while 5-1/2″ models are lighter and easier to handle on plywood and sheet goods. If you are not sure you need the saw, buy the two-tool kit and add a bare saw later. The kit price advantage is real but smaller than the price of a tool you never use.
Worked example: what a combo kit really costs per tool
Suppose a five-tool drill-and-saw combo sells for $299 with two batteries and a charger. Bought separately, a typical ONE+ battery-and-charger starter pack might run about $100 at that price level, which leaves about $199 for five bare tools, or roughly $40 per tool. That is good value if you would use at least three of the five tools within a year. If you only need the drill, driver and saw, the leftover light and reciprocating saw are worth little to you, and a two-tool kit plus a bare circular saw often comes out close to the same total.
The 95-piece Ryobi drilling and driving kit
The 95-piece Ryobi accessory kit is a separate purchase from the tools. Accessory kits of this size typically include:
- Black-oxide or titanium-coated twist bits in common sizes from about 1/16″ to 1/4″
- A few masonry bits (3/16″–5/16″) and spade bits
- Many 1-inch and 2-inch driver bits, including Phillips, square, Torx and slotted
- A magnetic bit holder and nut drivers in common SAE sizes
It suits a new kit owner who has no bits at all. Like most big accessory kits, much of the count is driver bits, and the 1/8″ and 9/64″ twist bits will need replacing first. Impact-rated driver bits are the better upgrade if you plan to use the impact driver heavily.
Batteries: the part that wears first
| Pack | Best use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5Ah compact | Overhead work, cabinet assembly, light drilling | Runs down fast with spade bits and lag screws |
| 2.0Ah | General drilling and driving | Good balance, standard in many kits |
| 4.0Ah | Decks, fences, hole saws, circular saw | Heavier and less balanced on a compact drill |
| HP high-output packs | Brushless HP tools under heavy load | Highest price per amp-hour |
Store packs partly charged in a cool place, avoid leaving them in a hot truck, and let a pack cool before recharging after heavy work. Heat, more than charge cycles, ends battery life early.
Common mistakes when buying a Ryobi set
- Choosing a kit with a drill/driver when you need a hammer drill for brick.
- Paying more for a large combo with tools you will not use in the next year.
- Ignoring battery capacity: two 1.5Ah packs and two 4.0Ah packs make very different kits.
- Using non-impact bits in the impact driver, which leads to snapped tips within a few screws.
For most homes, the ONE+ HP brushless two-tool kit is the best Ryobi drill set. Drop to the brushed kit for light use, and pick the drill-and-saw set only when the saw has a job waiting.