Ryobi is launching a new 18V cordless screwdriver kit, model PCL212.
Described as an “everyday DIY screwdriver,” the new Ryobi driver is about as basic as they come. It features 125 in-lbs max torque, 600 RPM max speed, and a variable speed trigger.
The new Ryobi cordless screwdriver comes in a kit with a 1.5Ah battery and charger for $60.
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Ryobi says that the new tool “has the power and speed to tackle every day projects around the home that involve fastening, including furniture assembly, small repairs, and hanging items.”
It also features an LED work light, at the base of the handle near the battery connection.
The driver has a single speed, with the variable speed trigger providing some control.
There’s no adjustable torque clutch.
It has a quick-change 1/4″ hex chuck, which Ryobi shows off being used with 2″ power-style screwdriver bits. Ryobi has not made it clear whether the driver can also fit 1″ insert-style bits.
The kit, PCL212K1, comes with a 1.5Ah battery and charger.
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Price: $60 for the kit
ETA: May 2024
Ryobi’s PR for the new launch reminds that the new tool will be available exclusively at Home Depot.
Discussion
Cordless screwdrivers are awesome complements to drills and impact drivers, although I’m not sure I feel the same about this one.
There’s no torque clutch. That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to drive smaller fasteners to repeatable depths – you’ll just have to do it manually and with care.
125 in-lbs isn’t a lot of max torque, and 600 RPMs isn’t a lot of speed. However, it should be plenty for casual driving applications.
This is basically a screwdriver version of the basic 18V cordless drill that Ryobi launched earlier this year. The two tools look identical except for the different chucks.
I wouldn’t buy a cordless drill or screwdriver without a torque clutch.
I don’t think the new screwdriver is bad, and am saying all this to ensure you know and understand what it’s offering.
There are better cordless screwdrivers on the market, but they start at 2X the price. The Dewalt 12V Max Xtreme model would be my pick.
See Also: Dewalt Xtreme 12V Max Cordless Screwdriver Deserves More Love
I recent posted about the Hyper Tough 12V Max 3-in-1 cordless drill/driver that Walmart recently launched. It has 2 speed ranges, a torque clutch, 220 in-lbs max torque, and comes with a battery and charger for $35.
Is $60 for the Ryobi 18V cordless screwdriver a good price? Maybe. Alternatively, you can get an 18V 2-tool combo kit for $129 at Home Depot. I’m sure they’ll have another $99 bundle around Father’s Day. Craftsman’s V20 2-tool combo kit is $99 at Amazon.
In my opinion, if a cordless screwdriver is stripped down and compromised for the purpose of lower pricing, I’d rather compromise and get a drill. Sure, there are compromises there, such as with a heavier weight, a longer head length, and more time consuming bit changes unless you use a quick change bit holder.
If one already has a cordless drill for drilling holes and driving fasteners with adjustable torque clutch settings, and an impact driver for higher speed and torque applications, is this screwdriver a good 3rd tool?
Ryobi doesn’t have another 18V cordless screwdriver – at least not a modern model I can find.
This model fits in somewhere between weaker 4V Max-class screwdrivers and 18V-class drills and impact drivers.
I would go with a better-featured 12V-class cordless screwdriver, but they tend to be far better featured, such as with brushless motors, and pricier.
Milwaukee has an excellent M12 cordless screwdriver kit for $99 at Home Depot.
If you’re patient, Home Depot usually has it as a Black Friday doorbuster for $59.
For my preferences, the new Ryobi cordless screwdriver looks to miss the mark. A torque clutch at the same price point would have made it compelling.
I suppose that Ryobi is targeting more price-conscious homeowners and beginner DIYers.
Would this be a good first cordless power tool? I am more inclined to say that a drill would be better. A basic 18V cordless screwdriver might be suited to DIYer or homeowners’ common light duty fastening tasks, but many example applications presumably involve pre-drilled holes.
In the image shown just above, the DIYer is using the basic drill and this basic screwdriver. Together, the two $60 kits cost $120. I would spend the same money – or less – 10 very different ways on my hypothetical first cordless power tools.
As an aside, my first cordless drill was a 2-in-1 Black & Decker 12V Firestorm. It had a built-in 1/4″ hex bit holder and its drill chuck attached over it. That, in my opinion, was a perfect starter screwdriver and drill. I was ready to upgrade a few years later when I need a 1/2″ chuck.
Would this be a good second cordless power tool? Third?
I started off very excited to see Ryobi launch a new 18V cordless screwdriver, especially since there are so few options in the market in 12V and 18V classes. My mood quickly changed, and I can’t help but feel very underwhelmed about what it offers, mainly because of what it leaves out.
I think it’s suitable to specific DIYer needs, but not without qualifications.
Does it fill holes in Ryobi’s 18V cordless power tool lineup? Yes, I think so. But not in the way that would optimally benefit users, even those shopping with price as their top priority.
As it doesn’t have an adjustable torque clutch, an impact driver that you feather the trigger with can do the same jobs and much more. Right?
Maybe this will sell well to impulse shoppers and gift-givers.
Scott F
Seems like a cheap “why not” way to fill the gap in their lineup. I think all sales will be to the novice homeowner crowd who already own Ryobi and do not know the options that are available/what this tool is lacking.
I can understand why this specific void would be filled in the cheapest way possible though – what is the exact target market for a cordless screwdriver in the Ryobi ecosystem? Probably not the prosumer or even DIYer, those folks will likely stick to the tools they already have, even if this had a clutch/more power – or they would buy in another color. This is just there to sop up market share from consumers already within the Ryobi base who want “another new tool”.
I bought the Milwaukee one on BF deal for the wife, because of price and for a few extra small batteries to have around. I wouldn’t buy it in Ryobi, though I am in the Ryobi platform.
Jared
There’s better options from Ryobi. I just checked and the PCL206K1 is selling for $68 in Canada – probably at least 25% less in the USA. That drill has a 24 position clutch, 2 speeds and 500 in/lbs of torque.
Who is looking at this single speed screwdriver when that Ryobi drill is an option?
…. unless the retail price ends up much, much lower.
Bob
This new Ryobi has a impact driver style bit holder instead of a chuck. My in laws have been working on various projects with me and both mother and father in law have trouble getting regular drill chuck tight enough with their hand strength. My wife always goes for the impact driver because she doesn’t like the chuck either. This is for people like them.
Jared
You can put a bit holder into a drill – or check out the Skil drill/driver I was referring to in another comment.
Stuart covered this awhile ago, but that Skil drill has a 1/4″ hex recess all the way at the bottom of the chuck – so your in-laws wouldn’t even have to tighten the chuck to use it:
https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/skil-pwrcore-12-brushless-drill-review/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Laith De Marchi
Agree with you Bob, the chuck is old technology, it’s hard to tighten for old people in comparison to the impact driver.
Jared
This looks pretty disappointing. I’m having trouble imagining who this tool would actually be good for.
I’d rather spend $60 on either the 12v or 20v Skill drills. 350in-lbs, higher speeds, and a clutch. Add a bit holder if you don’t want to hold bits in the chuck.
I suppose the Ryobi is so wimpy and slow that a clutch might not be badly missed – but that’s just more reason why this tool isn’t very compelling.
Didn’t you post about a new stripped-down Ryobi drill recently too? Seems like I have a vague memory of that. Maybe these will be promotional items that have much lower retail prices?
MM
I agree with you and Stuart, I’m having a hard time seeing just who this would be best for. Obviously the wimpy specs and lack of a clutch mean any sort of serious user would have zero interest in this. Okay, what about the lower end market, beginners and DIY applications? I can totally see people wanting an inexpensive, basic, tool but this particular one doesn’t seem like a good choice to me. A basic drill is more capable, especially if you consider the photograph where they suggest you might have both a drill and a driver. A $120 tool would kick the crud out of two $60 ones.
Stuart
Yup – it looks like they just swapped out the chuck.
Peter
These seem like they’re practically built for the “$30 tool!” door buster deals to get you into the Ryobi system or to add to your battery collection, especially if they change the kit to the HP battery. The small charger also might be a plus for some people.
Truthfully, I like the idea of the “power screwdriver” and a lot of the items on the market are rebadged drop-ship garbage (even the cheapest Warrior and Hyper tough ones are re-badged wholesale ones). The few exceptions are from the big name brands and Ryobi probably can’t afford to lose business to Harbor Freight or Walmart
Mark M.
Yep, Dewalt 12v Extreme as a far better alternative. DCF601 I think. Love mine. I don’t have any cordless Ryobi but I’ve handled some. They aren’t horrible but in this instance the battery is HUGE compared to the body of the tool! I’d argue nobody needs/really wants an 18v screwdriver. But I understand Ryobi making an attempt to slot this into their product line. I’d love to have someone use that thing for 20 minutes and then hand them the Dewalt 12v or even the M12 Surge. lol
Wayne R.
I think this is likely perfect for those in this situation: “You don’t know exactly what you need? Then this is what you want.”
No details needed, no specs to review, no too-many-choices, just a thing for a new adult to turn a few bits in a new apartment or house. If this doesn’t get it done, call a Professional.
Bonnie
Pretty much. The lack of a torque setting seems like a non-issue for the person this is targeted at. They won’t know or care what the setting is even for. And honestly, for stuff like hanging a picture, assembling Ikea, or screwing in shelf standards like pictured in the ads it basically doesn’t matter.
People like us in this blog are the last market this kind of tool is catering to.
Ron
This looks like the same Ryobi kit I bought this past Christmas time for $39. I was going to give it as a gift…..,I forgot I bought it….and just found it a few weeks ago.
Torchy
(I don’t own my own power tools at the moment, I might just not understand.)
For that large of a form factor, why wouldn’t you just use a drill?
Joe H
Doesn’t have the precision or form factor of a good cordless screwdriver nor the power and versatility of a drill driver so it’s kind of pointless considering other options available.
Steve
Yeah if you don’t know what you need. I picked up a Ryobi Drill years ago, barely any power to drill studs, perfect drill to use as a screwdriver….
Jerry
I call it a swing and a miss. Stuart made a good point that if you want to buy this driver, and the basic drill, you will spend about $120 for the pair. That will give you a drill, a non-impact driver, 2 batteries and 2 chargers.
However, right now you can buy a 2 tool combo pack with a drill that has adjustable torque settings, and an impact driver, 2 batteries and one charger for $129. IMO, the extra $9 would be an absolute no-brainer to upgrade to a drill with a torque clutch and the driver to an impact driver, even the low end basic one. Probably a better deal yet would be to upgrade to the brushless XRP versions for another $50, and you’d be getting much better tools as well as upgraded batteries.
I’m with you, at this price point, it should have an adjustable clutch, or the price should be a bit lower.
TonyT
I have too many Ryobi tools, but this one is a hard pass for me, especially since I already have a Bosch Flexi-Click. And I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, either.
A hex screwdriver is so much more useful when it has a good clutch and variable speed.
jayne erin defranco
I have a Milwaukee 12 volt and a Ryobi brushless driver and even an old ridged 12 volt model still works fine. I kind of like my Milwaukee the best. But this looks intriguing. Too bad I’m done buying tools Yea’, right…..
bob
Seems large and “expensive” for a basic screwdriver compared to what else is available.
If I’m looking for something to just drive screws, I’m thinking of something like this:
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/power-tools/powered-screwdrivers/2032150
teicher
I know exactly who that’s for, people like my cousin and their friends. They all have one very young kid who is the center of their attention, are tired from not sleeping at night, and need to do basic stuff like hang a curtain rod or a picture, or fix something in the kitchen. They don’t have the interest in researching a drill or screwdriver, and could care less about any of it.
Its not for anyone who reads this site.
Frank D
You don’t need 18v for an electric screw driver, let alone have it shaped like a hefty traditional cordless drill …
Saulac
I must have forgotten that screwdriver, which is a drill with a bit holder instead of a chuck, is a thing. Given that drills have kickback, low torque probably is a good thing? I have always associated bit holder = no kick back, and would hate to discover the kickback mid use. Don’t want to remember back to the days that I used a corded drill to drive screws.
Jeff
The M12 screwdriver is $49 tool only, on amazon. Earlier this year, itwas $39. This screwdriver, the 2401-20, has the lowest torque clutch settings of the M12 drivers, which makes it the most gentle. It still can punch well above its weight class.
Mr. Creek
I’m wondering if there is a more simple explanation for this. Some regulation where a drill can be used in an elementary school if it meets certain specks. Some obscure tax break/insentive. maybe a 1 off trade, like an engineer in a clean room. There market research gave them a reason. could be they know of anothe
Honestly I could do
eddiesky
Its cheaper than Harbor Freight. Whoa.
Sam
I have the older brushed version of the M12 cordless screwdriver and absolutely love it. I keep it with my electrician and assembly load out. Had the chuck set to 12 and put a grill together with it yesterday. This Ryobi seems too clunky with the big 18v stick battery in the back and likely won’t be too good at actually driving screws with that weak torque rating. I’d do my driving screws with an impact or drill, my cordless screw driver is mainly for low torque assembly items- Such as furniture or light fixtures and the Ryobi would be too cumbersome for that.