Ryobi R18PD3-0 ONE+ 18V Cordless Compact Percussion Drill (Body Only),Hyper Green

Product Information

The working power for the R18PD3 comes from Ryobi’s celebrated ONE+ 18 Volt system. The reliable 1.5 Ah units that come with this tool can reportedly drive 160 13 x 50 mm holes into wood on a single charge. Not bad for a smaller battery unit! The only way this setup could be improved would be with a brushless motor. The brushed motor fitted to this cordless drill makes it a little less efficient compared with the brushless ones found on the DeWalt DCD796 or the Makita DHP484.

Cordless percussion drill ideal for drilling in wood or metal, driving screws or even drilling in masonry thanks to the hammer functionIf you’ve ever held a Ryobi tool before, you’ll know about their patented GripZone technology. It’s quite simply the best overmoulded grip on the market if you ask me. The rubberised sections contain hundreds of tiny plus signs that just seem to grip really well. Most Ryobi chargers have the 1 hour fast charge which is great as you don't have to wait hours on a charge As part of the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ system of over 200 cordless tools for the home, garden, automotive, crafting and much more, the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ R18PD3-2C20SLF Cordless Combi Drill & Torch Starter Kit is the perfect power tool set for drilling and screwdriving into wood, metal, plastic and masonry - day or night. I think that Ryobi have come a long way in the last few years. The quality of their tools has improved, and I’ve been impressed by a lot of their tools I’ve tested out. The R18PD3 is one of the best combi drills for DIYers, but it’s not going to challenge the more professional tool brands that take the top spots. Along with the trusted Ryobi brand reputation, the 3-year warranty gives a good assurance, that it’s built to last.

One innovation that Ryobi have included on this drill is the handy little bit holder on the bottom of the grip. Supplied with a double-ended PZ2 and no 6 flathead bit, it’s going to come in handy when other bits have been lost or forgotten about.

How I Tested The Ryobi R18PD3 Cordless 18V Compact Percussion Drill Kit

The hammer setting on a combi-drill is essential for masonry. This works by adding a hammer or vibrate action to the turning drill bit. And if that wasn’t enough to have you reaching for your wallet, you get two of these batteries included in the set. That simply means you’ve got more runtime, more power, and most importantly less downtime. It’s not just a grippy handle though, there’s also the brilliant ergonomic shape that makes the Ryobi R18PD3 an incredibly comfortable tool to hold on to. The extra ridge included on the grip sits nicely between the middle and ring finger and makes it just that bit easier to hold.

The easy answer is two batteries. While using one, the other is charging – simple! Plus, by using two small batteries (rather than a single large), the drill is lighter & easier to use. Plus, you can use the same batteries with all Ryobi cordless tools ranging from grass trimmers to power sanders, saving a small fortune. For regular trade use, it’s worth spending more to get a drill with a brushless motor. This technology delivers more power, is more efficient and lasts longer, but costs more. If this appeals, take a look at our Dewalt review.When it came to drilling a hole in a 3 mm steel plate, the R18PD3 performed reasonably well. Taking one minute and 15 seconds, it was in the range of being useful without being astonishing. I wouldn’t want to drill hundreds of holes with this cordless drill, but it wasn’t a terrible experience. This handy starter kit also includes an 18V ONE+™ LED torch which can sit flat on a worktop or be hung to flood the working area with white light. Use in-the-home during a power cut or away from home e.g. camping, with a range of up to 20 metres. This product carries a full 3 year manufacturers warranty covering both faulty materials and faulty workmanship, it does not cover general wear and tear or damage, batteries, blades, bulbs and other consumables. In the unlikely event of a fault the item returned is subject to fair wear & tear and must not have been used beyond the scope of it's design. Please note that cordless products will normally have a shorter warranty of just 1 Year for the battery and or charger supplied. When you buy any cordless power tool, it’s important to choose a good brand that makes a wide range of affordable quality power tools. Once you have Ryobi batteries and a charger, it makes sense to buy bare Ryobi power tools [sold without battery & charger]. Almost every Ryobi drill has a brushless motor which means the motor will last far longer than a motor that needs brushes to be replaced over time

As much as I admire the ONE+ battery system, the shape of the batteries limits the form of Ryobi’s power tools. The sheer size of the 1.5 Ah battery means the bottom of this drill is huge. Compared with the comparatively streamlined ones on the DeWalt DCD796N, this drill feels clumsy. Choosing a cordless battery drill (over a corded model) is about convenience. However, this all goes wrong if the battery is flat. Not being able to finish a job because of a flat battery, is very frustrating! The Ryobi R18PD3 cordless drill has a number of standout features, that are usually only associated with more expensive models. Remember that a "Bare body" tool means that there is no battery OR CHARGER with it, so keep this in mind when you ar comparing prices. The starter kits are a really good way to but this type of drill. Ryobi use only Lithium-Ion batteries for their drill which are faster to charge and hold their charge for much longer than the older style Ni-Cad batteries. All these model use 18v and this is a big sign of top qualityThe well-balanced technical specification is more than a match for drills costing significantly more. Negatives Even though this might not be the most powerful of the cordless drills on my list, you can still get an impressive 50 Newton metres (Nm) of torque on the business end. It also boasts an impressive 23,400 max impacts per minute (ipm) which should be plenty in hammer mode. With a maximum drill speed of 1,800 rpm, it’s not the fastest on my list but good enough for DIY tasks.