Ryobi and DeWalt are two of the most popular power tool brands in the market today. They boast of the oldest and strongest rivalry that often gets consumers wondering which of the two is better.

Both companies provide great tools made of the toughest and strongest materials. This article takes a look at some of the features that the two brands provide in their products. This will be of help to consumers who want to compare Ryobi against DeWalt and make a decision.

The misconception that exists about DeWalt is that it produces the greatest products on the market today. This is not entirely true. Ryobi also sells great power tools. Another misconception is that Ryobi makes products that are cheaply assembled. They are believed to be great at light domestic projects only. This is not true either.

Both Ryobi and DeWalt provide a wide range of power tools that can be used for drilling, cleaning, and cutting. They produce satisfactory results when used on small and big projects. Matching the job at hand with the right tool is key.

However, both companies have their own weaknesses and shortcomings. This post takes a look at both brands, the features they provide and their strengths and weaknesses.

Ryobi Description

Ryobi was founded in Japan in 1943 as a die-cast manufacturing company. It took up power tools in the 1960s. It currently runs branches in New Zealand, North America, Europe, and Australia. Power tools are one of its major product lines.

The North American branches of Ryobi are listed under a subsidiary of TTI, one of China’s largest electronics companies. A look at its history reveals a manufacturer with extensive experience in producing power tools.

One of the things that makes Ryobi popular is its ability to provide professional power tools at an affordable price. It does this while still maintaining quality standards that match up to premium brands. The company currently boasts of 50 different tool lines, with the 18V being the most popular.

Cordless drills are also a major focus for Ryobi. These have put the company right in the middle of the competition, with DeWalt being one of its largest competitors. Its large portfolio of cordless drills delivers high speed and torque and features a relatively low weight to power ratio. The drills use a 4-pole motor that churns up to 275 pound-feet of torque for the 12V brand and 750 pound-feet of torque for the 18V brand.

Ryobi Strong Sides

• Ryobi has the best battery package in the market. It can run operations the entire day.
• Price is often lower compared to that of DeWalt power tools.
• It provides products with one of the highest torques in the market.
• Ryobi offers 24 clutches that allow you to accurately set your tool when working.

Ryobi Weak Sides

Ryobi doesn’t offer variable speeds with its tools.
Tools are a bit heavier.

DeWalt Description

DeWalt is widely recognized across America for its high-end power tools. It’s believed that these tools can handle the toughest of projects and are designed to last longer than those of other brands in the market. The company was founded in Pennsylvania by Raymond Dewalt in 1923. It was later sold in 1949 to American Machine and Foundry before being bought by Black and Decker in 1960. Black and Decker moved most of its operations to Asia, retaining only a fraction of the manufacturing and assembly plant in the U.S.

DeWalt products compete well within the market with other premium power tools. The company has built a reputation for providing premium builds and some of the strongest motors found in power tools. The packaging is also very attractive. The tools are, however, offered at a higher price compared to other brands.

While competing with other brands, DeWalt provides over 170 power tools which include a wide variety of impact drivers and cordless drills. 12V is one of the most popular brands, offering a 2-speed setting. The low-speed setting can get from 0-400 RPM while the high-speed setting can get from 0-1,500 RPM.

DeWalt Strong Sides

• DeWalt drills offer a lot more power and speed. The 20V can deliver more than 400 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 RPM.
• The material used is strong and has a high bit of retention.
• Performs tasks quicker.
• Products are the most compact with the 20V weighing only 2.75 pounds.
• DeWalt includes a 3-year limited warranty, a 90-day money-back guarantee, and a one-year free service with its drills.

Weak Sides

• DeWalt products are more expensive than those offered by other brands.
• Batteries do not last long. Buyers may need to replace them with a stronger set of batteries. The company offers a one-year warranty on batteries. The warranty comes with 2 batteries as a backup.
• DeWalt offers only 15 clutch positions. They are convenient but less accurate.

Overview and Conclusion

The choice of picking either Ryobi or DeWalt relies on the type of project one is about to carry out. Both brands offer everything that is needed, unlike other lower-tier tools. They are ideal for both professional and DIY needs. DeWalt wins over Ryobi is its premium material which is tough and powerful.

It also offers better speed control with a 15-point toque setting. The latter, however, has a lower setting that is too sturdy for delicate materials and screws. Ryobi offers better torque control but falls short when it comes to providing control over speed. DeWalt also boasts of better customer service and offers one-year customer support. Ryobi only offers a limited warranty.

Any of the two brands is a good investment. However, DeWalt is a great option if you have some extra cash to spare. If you only need a simple drill for domestic use and light to medium projects, Ryobi is a great option. It performs tasks and projects like other top tier tools and delivers satisfactory results. It’s not advisable to go for both brands since that wouldn’t be a wise strategy.