Best Ryobi Drill Reviews: Which Model Should You Buy in 2026?

Ryobi is one of the most popular power tool brands, with solutions for everyone from the greenest DIYers to value-minded Pros. Whether you meet one of those criteria or you’re somewhere in the middle, Ryobi surely has something to offer.

In this article, however, I’m going to focus on Ryobi’s 18V drills and hammer drills. Since there are quite a few to choose from, it can be hard to differentiate between them to see which one is right for your needs. Rather than recommend a single tool for everyone, I’m breaking my recommendations down into different categories based on performance, ergonomics, and value.

Best Ryobi Drill – Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: 18V One+ HP Brushless PBLHM102
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• Best Compact: Ryobi 18V Hammer Drill PSBHM02
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• Best for the Money: Ryobi 18V Drill/Driver PSBDD02
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• Best Budget: Ryobi 18V 1/2-inch Drill Kit PCL206K1
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• Best Drill Combo Kit: Ryobi 18V Hammer Drill/Impact Driver 2-Tool Kit PBLCK122K2
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Best Ryobi Drill Overall

Ryobi 18V HP Brushless Hammer Drill PBLHM102

• Motor: Brushless
• Top Speed: 2150 RPM
• Hammer Rate: 34,400 BPM
• Max Torque: 850 in-lbs
• Bare Weight: 3.1 lbs
• Length: 7.5 inches
• Price: $129 bare, $179 kit

Buy at The Home Depot

Highlighted Features

• Brushless Motor: Improves performance, runtime, and service life compared to brushed motors.
• Hammer Mode: Optional mode for drilling into stone, brick, or other masonry.
• Side Handle: Offers greater control when the risk of bit bind up is higher.

With no-load speeds of up to 700 RPM on low and 2150 RPM on high, the PBLHM102 beats the rest of Ryobi’s lineup in speed, even besting the first-gen model (PBLHM101) by a good margin.

This tool’s hammering function produces up to 34,400 BPM, and it reaches up to 850 in-lbs of torque, which is 100 in-lbs more than the previous iteration. Combined, these specs give the Ryobi PBLHM102 a respectable performance level that toes the line into the prosumer class.

As the highest-performing drill in Ryobi’s lineup, this is the best one for professionals or serious DIYers. In fact, many Pros made a living not that long ago with premium drills that had similar performance stats.

While this is a lightweight drill compared to the broad landscape of what’s available, you can still go lighter in Ryobi’s lineup if that’s a higher priority. There are also even more affordable options if all you really need is a drill for light home improvement projects.

Best Compact Ryobi Drill

Ryobi 18V HP Brushless Hammer Drill PSBHM02

• Motor: Brushless
• Top Speed: 1700 RPM
• Hammer Rate: 27,200 BPM
• Max Torque: 450 in-lbs
• Bare Weight: 2.25 lbs
• Length: 6.5 inches
• Price: $119 bare, $159 kit

Buy at The Home Depot

Highlighted Features

• Brushless Motor: Improves performance, runtime, and service life compared to brushed motors.
• Hammer Mode: Optional mode for drilling into stone, brick, or other masonry.

Compact tools don’t necessarily require you to sacrifice a ton of performance anymore, especially if you value size and weight more than top-end power. Such is the case with my pick for the PSBHM02 hammer drill.

This tool sees up to 450 in-lbs of torque, with a 2-speed gearbox that gives you speeds of up to 450 RPM on low and 1700 RPM on high. The PSBHM02 also has a blow rate of up to 27,000 BPM to help you drill through concrete and brick.

Obviously, that’s a drop in performance from my top overall pick, but this is a drill that’s capable of handling the majority of your light to medium-duty tasks with less fatigue. If you’re looking for the best combination of performance, size, and weight within Ryobi’s lineup, this is it.

However, if you often use larger bits or higher productivity is something you value, the full-size HP Brushless model is likely a better fit for you.

Best Ryobi Drill for the Money

Ryobi 18V HP Brushless Drill/Driver PSBDD02

• Motor: Brushless
• Top Speed: 1700 RPM
• Max Torque: 450 in-lbs
• Bare Weight: 2.25 lbs
• Length: 6.5 inches
• Price: $96 bare, $139 kit

Buy at The Home Depot

Highlighted Features

• Brushless Motor: Improves performance, runtime, and service life compared to brushed motors.

The Ryobi PSBDD02 drill has largely the same specifications as the hammer drill in the previous entry— in fact, this is that tool’s non-hammering counterpart.

If you’re looking for a compact drill but don’t necessarily need a hammering mode, this might be the right Ryobi drill for you. It also shaves off around $20 for both the bare tool and kit compared to the hammer drill, which makes it my best pick for the money.

Pro Tip: You can drill through concrete and masonry without a hammer mode. You just won’t drill as quickly. Be sure to use a drill bit rated for masonry, though.

The PSBDD02 keeps the same two-speed settings of 450 RPM on low and 1700 RPM on high, as well as the same max torque of 450 in-lbs. It is ever-so-slightly shorter in length than the PSBHM02 hammer drill, however, with a head length of 6.25 inches.

Since woodworkers, fabricators, some DIYers, and others typically don’t need to drill through concrete, this is an attractive balance of performance, size, weight, and price.

If you drill through masonry materials often, you really should opt for a hammer drill, though. I’d also step up to the top HP Brushless model if you often use larger bits or want faster drilling speeds.

Best Budget Ryobi Drill

Ryobi 18V 1/2-inch Drill Kit PCL206K1

• Motor: Brushed
• Top Speed: 1750 RPM
• Max Torque: 515 in-lbs
• Bare Weight: 2.60 lbs
• Length: 7.8 inches
• Price: $64 bare, $59 kit (Special Buy)

Buy at The Home Depot

Highlighted Features

• Nothing notable, but it’s a sweet deal on a basic drill

With top speeds of 1750 RPM and max torque levels of 515 in-lbs, this model, at least on paper, outperforms the PSBDD02. However, its brushed motor is a limitation for some, as brushless options offer higher performance, longer lifespans, and less motor maintenance.

But, for a budget pick, there’s nothing to shy away from, especially since (at the time of writing), the kit actually costs less than the bare tool!

If you don’t use a drill every day but need something for the occasional DIY project or home repair, this model should serve you well. Is it Ryobi’s cheapest model? No, but it will get you the most bang for your buck if you’re sticking to a tight budget.

Best Ryobi Drill Combo Kit

Ryobi 18V HP Brushless Hammer Drill/Impact Driver 2-Tool Kit PBLCK122K2

• Included Tools:
  • PBLHM102 Hammer Drill
  • PBLID04 Impact Driver
• Price: $239 w/ 2.0Ah battery, 4.0Ah battery, and charger

Buy at The Home Depot

If you’re looking for the best Ryobi drill/impact driver combo kit you can get your hands on, look no further than the PBLCK122K2 One+ HP Brushless hammer drill/impact driver kit.

Not only does it feature our top Ryobi hammer drill pick (the PBLHM102), but you’re also getting the Ryobi PBLID04 impact driver in this kit, which is Ryobi’s current flagship impact driver model.

If you’re new to Ryobi’s 18V platform and need a good entry point to start building your tool arsenal, this kit is a great way to jump in with a high performance focus. Plus, at a price point of $239 for the two tools, two High Performance batteries, a charger, and a carrying case, you’re saving quite a bit of money compared to buying everything separately.

If high performance isn’t what you’re going for, Ryobi also has a combo that targets compact models, as well as a $99 combo that’s a great fit for budget shoppers.

Best Ryobi Drills: More Options

While the models listed above are my picks for the best drills and hammer drills in their categories, you might still be looking for the Ryobi drill that’s right for your needs. If that’s the case, here are some other models that I recommend.

Best for Concrete

18V One+ HP Brushless 1-inch SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer

Ryobi’s most powerful SDS-Plus rotary hammer, ideal for tackling tough concrete-drilling jobs.

Price: $249 (kit)

Best Right-Angle Ryobi Drill

18V One+ HP Compact Brushless Right Angle Drill

Work in tight spaces with quick drilling performance with this tool, which sees speeds up to 1700 RPM.

Price: $75.97 (kit)

What We Look for in the Best Ryobi Drill

Performance: Performance is our number one priority for good reason—if the drill can’t do the job, it’s worthless. Given the choice between two or more models, we’ll typically go with whichever one can do the job most effectively and efficiently.

Ergonomics: Comfort level and size can make or break your drilling experience. One that’s overweight, poorly balanced, or doesn’t feel right in your hand can make every day feel like Monday. Ideally, we want the lightest and most compact tool that still does the job effectively. That keeps the fatigue to a minimum while maximizing access.

Features: Features that make the job more efficient, easier, or more convenient come into play as you work your way up the price scale. Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles, but if you can add some (or all) within your budget, you get a tool that you can genuinely enjoy using.

In general, here are the features we look for on a drill:

• Brushless Motor: Offers higher performance, more battery efficiency, and less motor maintenance.
• Hammer Mode: While not necessary for all drilling, hammering modes are used when drilling into stone.
• Side Handle: Often found on hammer drills, side handles offer more control on tough drives.
• LED Light: We prefer head-mounted LEDs, but foot-mounted lights still get the job done.
• Chuck Size: 1/2-inch chucks provide the most versatility, while 3/8-inch chucks often hit a lower price point.
• Belt Hook: This optional accessory is often included with your tool, aiding in hands-free storage.

Price and Value

Most people have a budget they’d like to stay in when they’re buying a drill. As I’m shopping, I first consider the performance, followed by features and ergonomics, and then see which models fit into my budget.

I’m value-minded, too, so I’m always looking for the best balance of everything (plus a sale price if I’m lucky). However, your priorities may be different—that’s why we offered so many recommendations and information to help you compare.

Remember to look beyond just the drill you’re considering, though. Take a look at what other tools you can power using the same batteries. When you go with Ryobi’s 18V system, you have the benefit of compatibility with more than 300 products that all work on One+ batteries.

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