If you’re familiar with Ryobi’s ONE+ battery system, you’ll know that by buying into their stable you have access to hundreds of different tools. The two batteries that come with this combi drill kit can be used in anything from air compressors to belt sanders, which is impressive. 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]. As part of the Ryobi ONE+™ system of over 150 cordless tools for the home, garden, automotive, crafting and much more, the Ryobi 18V ONE+™ R18PD3-0 Cordless Compact Combi Drill is the perfect power tool kit for drilling and screwdriving into wood, steel and masonry.

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. 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.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. 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.

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. 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. 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+™ R18PD31-215S Cordless Compact Combi Drill Set is the perfect power tool kit for drilling and screwdriving into wood, steel and masonry. This product will run for varying lengths of time depending on the battery used. The runtimes are as follows: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. 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. 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.

Cordless percussion drill ideal for drilling in wood or metal, driving screws or even drilling in masonry thanks to the hammer function This Ryobi R18PD3 is lightweight & compact, making it easy to use. Plus, the LED light is super useful. It aids accuracy in most situations and is a must-have feature for jobs in dimly lit areas.

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. Having a good grip is probably for the best though because this feels like a heavy cordless drill. Weighing in at 1.3 kg, it’s the same as the DeWalt DCD796, but the long body and brushed motor make it feel a little off-balance in comparison.

Along with the trusted Ryobi brand reputation, the 3-year warranty gives a good assurance, that it’s built to last. 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. Also important, are the controls. It’s easy to deliver the right speed & torque to match the specific job.

The values shown are for reference purposes and may vary according to the workpiece materials and other operating conditions.