The Ryobi R18PD3 is an excellent combi drill – perfect for DIY & more. Ideal for all materials, it’s powerful & with a large 13mm chuck, it’s capable of handling all tasks around the home without fuss.
Verum compares 100s of power tools and this cordless drill truly stands out. It’s endorsed by real-world insight and scores well across our tests & rating criteria.
OVERALL RATING: 87%
- 13 mm chuck – Good for large (& small) drill bits
- Supplied with two batteries and a charger
- Battery & charger compatible with a wide range of Ryobi power tools
- High torque – Best in class (under £100)
- Spend more for a brushless motor
Ryobi R18PD3 Review
This model from Ryobi is a combi-drill. This means it has three specific functions. Screwdriver, standard drill and hammer setting for masonry. This is essential if you ever need to hang a picture, shelf, curtain rail or any task that requires drilling into a wall or similar.
The Ryobi R18PD3 cordless drill has a number of standout features, that are usually only associated with more expensive models.
When choosing a new drill, the greater the maximum torque (or turning force), the better. Whether you’re making large holes in wood, tightening coach bolts or drilling into concrete & masonry, the 50Nm of torque delivered by this Ryobi drill will help you get the job done quickly & professionally.
Torque (not speed) is important when drilling bigger holes.
Hammer Action for Masonry
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.
Also important, are the controls. It’s easy to deliver the right speed & torque to match the specific job.
Control is always important, but it’s especially so with a high-power drill. Twenty-four torque settings, two gears and a variable speed trigger make it easy to adjust the setup for each & every task, regardless of whether you’re a professional tradesperson or an occasional DIYer.
Why ‘Chuck Size’ Important
Sooner or later you will need to drill a hole greater than 10mm in diameter. For this, you need a 13mm chuck – this comes as a standard on this Ryobi model. If you decide not to buy the Ryobi R18PD3 make sure your chosen model has a 13mm chuck.
Interchangeable Batteries
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 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.
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].
These are significantly cheaper – you then use the same batteries (& charger) across all your power tools, saving yourself a small fortune.
Is Ryobi a Good Brand?
Ryobi has built a strong reputation for a wide range of quality cordless power tools – they all use the same ONE+ battery technology. Ryobi has been manufacturing power tools since the late eighties and is part of the same group responsible for Milwaukee, AEG, Hoover and Vax.
Perhaps better known in the US, Ryobi is now building a loyal following here in the UK – based on excellent specifications, robust build quality and value for money.
In short, Ryobi may not be as well known as Bosch & alike, but if you’re after well-made, affordable power tools – it’s a great brand.
What Else Do I Need to Know?
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.
Along with the trusted Ryobi brand reputation, the 3-year warranty gives a good assurance, that it’s built to last.
This high-end DIY or occasional trade drill really does tick all the boxes.
The well-balanced technical specification is more than a match for drills costing significantly more.
Negatives
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.
Specification
- WEIGHT: 1.3kg
- MAX TORQUE: 50Nm
- MAX SPEED: 500 / 1800 RPM
- HAMMER ACTION: 23,400 BPM
- GEARS: 2 (with variable speed)
- CHUCK SIZE: 13mm
- WARRANTY: 3 Years
- INCLUDES: 2 x 1.5Ah Batteries, charger, double-ended driver bit
Ratings
- PERFORMANCE: 4.4/5
- DESIGN: 4.3/5
- EASE OF USE: 4.3/5
- OVERALL: 87%
Verum ratings are calculated with data from multiple sources, weighting criteria and comparative metrics to give a quantitative measure of the product, based on key decision-making factors.
Ryobi R18PD3 Review Summary
If you’re looking for the best cordless drill under £100, the Ryobi R18PD3 is hard to beat. However, for professional use, spending more will get you a brushless motor. This has a number of advantages. It can keep going all day, will wear less and therefore last longer. Plus, it will deliver more torque and mean your batteries last longer on each charge. If you’d like to know more, click to see the best options from Dewalt, Bosch Pro and Makita.
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UK VERDICT 2023
This Ryobi cordless drill is more than a match for drills costing significantly more. Decent torque (50Nm) and a 13mm chuck make this model from Ryobi stand out for all the right reasons. Plus, right now, it’s exceptional value costing less than £100 for the drill, 2 batteries and charger.
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