Power tool brand Ryobi has listed three new products coming to shelves soon: a 12V rechargeable drill/driver, an 18V ONE+ storm preparation kit, and a 40V HP brushless hedge trimmer. Spanning 12V to 40V and starting at $34.98, the lineup targets light household work, power-outage emergencies, and yard maintenance respectively.
The cheapest of the trio is the 12V rechargeable drill/driver at $34.98 for the tool plus a charging cable. Its standout feature is the internal battery: no separate battery purchase needed, just plug it in and charge. It tops out at 525 RPM with a variable-speed trigger, sports a keyless 3/8-inch chuck for quick bit swaps, a front LED work light, and weighs just 2.2 pounds. Ryobi backs it with a two-year warranty. The brand's 12V subline has been thin but growing in popularity, and this drill could become a favorite for light DIY.
The most unusual entry isn't a single tool but a five-piece 18V ONE+ storm preparation kit (model PCL1310K), priced yet to be announced. Inside: an 18V 4-inch clamp fan (for powerless summer nights, camping, or tailgating), an 18V area light (400 lumens, up to 40 hours of runtime), an 18V power source (charges phones via USB off the same battery), plus an 18V 2.0Ah battery and charger — with a three-year warranty on the whole set. Similar emergency kits have retailed for around $300. Landing right in hurricane season, it's clearly aimed at households that lose power often.
The biggest of the three is the 40V HP brushless cordless hedge trimmer, sold as a bare tool or bundled with a 40V 2.0Ah battery and charger (price unannounced). It carries a 26-inch bar with a 1 1/4-inch cutting capacity, runs over 45 minutes on the 2.0Ah pack and up to 168 minutes on a 6.0Ah unit. Anti-jam technology keeps the blade from getting stuck mid-cut, and the five-year warranty is among the longest Ryobi offers.
All three are listed as coming soon and available through Ryobi's own site, with Home Depot stores expected to follow. For anyone already invested in Ryobi's battery ecosystem, the 18V and 40V entries slot straight into the packs they own.