If you buy this Ryobi $99 starter kit with two 3Ah batteries and charger, you can get a free bare tool. The deal is mentioned in this week’s Home Depot promo flyer with a 5/22/19 end date, but the flyer also says while supplies last, so this deal may extend longer.
Online, they say the promo is valid 05/17/2019 – 06/20/2019.
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The special buy starter kit, P166, includes two P191 3.0 Ah Lithium+ HP Batteries, a P118B Charger, and a tool bag. Take note that these are the 3.0 Ah batteries, and not the usual 4.0 Ah batteries that you’ll often see on sale at $99 for 2.
The P118B charger is also a smaller charger, rather than their typical 18V chargers. Ryobi says it can charge 18V ONE+ batteries in as little as an hour.
The free bonus tool selection seems to be limited in stores, but if you go online you are presented with a lengthier list of eligible bonus options:
- Cordless 3-1/4 in. Planer (Tool Only)
- Hybrid Soldering Station (Tool-Only)
- 150-Watt Powered Inverter Generator for 18-Volt Battery
- 18-Gauge Offset Shear (Tool Only)
- Hybrid Stereo with Bluetooth Wireless Technology (Tool Only)
- Cordless 1/4 in. Hex QuietSTRIKE Pulse Driver (Tool-Only) with Belt Clip
- Cordless 3/8 in. 3-Speed Impact Wrench (Tool Only)
- Cordless Reciprocating Saw (Tool-Only)
- Cordless 3-Speed 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool Only)
- Cordless Orbital Jig Saw (Tool-Only)
- Hybrid LED Cable Lights (Tool Only)
- Cordless Fixed Base Trim Router (Tool Only) with Tool Free Depth Adjustment
- Hybrid 20-Watt LED Work Light (Tool-Only)
- Cordless 3/8 in. Right Angle Drill (Tool-Only)
- JobPlus Base with Multi-Tool Attachment (Tool-Only)
- Cordless 6-1/2 in. Circular Saw (Tool Only)
- Cordless 1/2 in. Hammer Drill/Driver (Tool Only) with Handle
- 2.0 Ah Compact Lithium-Ion Battery
- Lithium-Ion 2.0 Ah Battery and Dual Chemistry IntelliPort Charger Kit
- Hybrid LED Spotlight (Tool Only) with 12-Volt Automotive Cord
- Cordless Dual Function Inflator/Deflator (Tool Only)
- 90 MPH 200 CFM 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Leaf Blower – Battery and Charger Not Included
- Cordless LED Workbench Light (Tool Only)
- Cordless Compact Workshop Blower (Tool Only)
- 1.5 Ah Compact Lithium-Ion Battery
- Hybrid Portable Fan (Tool Only)
- Cordless 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder (Tool-Only)
- Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander (Tool-Only)
- Power Caulk and Adhesive Gun (Tool Only)
- Cordless 1/4 Sheet Sander (Tool-Only) with Dust Bag
- SPEED SAW Rotary Cutter (Tool Only)
- In-Vehicle Dual Chemistry Charger for use with 12V DC Outlet
- 40-Watt Soldering Iron (Tool-Only)
- Cordless Compact Radio with Bluetooth Wireless Technology (Tool-Only)
- Cordless 6 in. Buffer (Tool-Only)
- Corner Cat Finish Sander (Tool Only)
- Cordless 10 in. Orbital Buffer (Tool-Only)
- Cordless Full Size Glue Gun (Tool-Only) with 3 General Purpose Glue Sticks
- Cordless Area Light with USB Charger (Tool-Only)
- Cordless Power Inflator (Tool-Only)
- Cordless High Volume Power Inflator (Tool Only)
- Lithium-Ion Cordless Hand Vacuum (Tool-Only)
- Lithium-Ion Cordless LED Light (Tool Only
Strangely some of the eligible “free tools” are actually other batteries or chargers. Unless you really want one of the cheaper tools, the value of the deal is maximized if you select one of the more expensive tools, like the cordless planer for $84 or the new 150W power inverter for $80.
Ordering online is simple, just go to the link below, and there’s a listing of all the eligible bare tools you can choose from for the free bonus. Just choose the tool you want and add the starter kit to your cart. When you go to your cart both items will show up with a cart total of $99. I set my order for pickup at one of my local stores and retrieved it an hour later without having to hunt down any of the products.
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Buy Now (Starter Kit via Home Depot)
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Discussion
As I mentioned before, you should be aware that these are 3.0 Ah 10-cell 18650 batteries, not the standard 4.0 Ah 10-cell 18650 batteries, but I still think this is a decent deal. For instance, I was planning to buy a Ryobi tool that cost $80. I could just buy the $80 tool, or I could spend $20 more and get the tool plus 2 batteries and a charger.
After picking up my tool and starter kit from a Home Depot locker, I started wondering about the included charger. There was no mention of amperage on the wall wart or charger body and I couldn’t find any mention of the charge time other than “Charges ONE+ batteries in as little as 1 hour,” so I had to figure it out the hard way.
I pulled the back off the charger, which wasn’t easy because they used safety Torx with deep recessed holes, and I attached it to one of the new 3.0 Ah batteries which only had one bar of charge. After the battery started charging, I put the clamp-on ammeter around one of the input wires and measured 2.02A. This means that this charger should charge one of these 3.0 Ah batteries fully in about 1.5 hours.
I felt better knowing this wasn’t one of those “cup” or “slide-on” chargers that Porter Cable and Black & Decker sometimes ship with their tools. This charger even has slots for wall-mounting. It’s smaller and slower than their other chargers, but still seems to be decent.
Bolt
Yeah I was surprised that the charger that came with the kit was as good as it is. It does remind me that ryobi needs a more rapid charger now that they’ve got bigger batteries.
I got the little Inverter and for what it is it’s pretty dang great
Jerry
If you have Ryobi brushless tools the UP batteries give them notably better performance. I actually prefer the 3AH UP batteries over the standard 4 AH Lithium+. I wish Ryobi would allow us to upgrade the free tools to brushless for a small fee.
Adam
HP batteries, not UP.
Benjamen
I’ve read several people claiming that, but I’ve also seen people claiming the extra contact at the base of the stem is what allows this. I’ve got older batteries that have this contact, so I don’t think that matters. It’s probably the cells they use.
I’m going to take apart the new batteries and compare the cells to the old 4Ah, look up the specs, and see what the max current is…eventually.
Rob
New 3.0Ah batteries use 10x Samsung INR18650-15M. The total pack can discharge 30A continuously and 40A peak. “Old version” (non HP) 4.0Ah batteries use 10x Samsung INR18650-20Q. The total pack can discharge 40A continuously but the output voltage will sag quite a bit. The “HP” versions of 4.0Ah, 6.0Ah, and 9.0Ah, plus the new 2.0Ah non-HP battery packs all use Sony “VTC” cells and are superior in my opinion. The new 3.0Ah “HP compact” uses 5x Samsung INR21700-30T and is a mini-monster at 40A continuous, 50A peak, but will also run hotter at equivalent higher discharge rates than the 10x packs above.
Benjamen
Thanks for the info!
Lee hopkins
I got the deal with the 150W power inverter. Nice buy.
one thing about Ryobi batterys- I first bought my first kit of Tools (6 of them) almost 18 years a go with nickle metal hydride battery’s (i had a total of 4 of them) 2 are still working to this day 2 died about 1.5 years ago.
here is the kicker I have 5 dead lithium battery’s 2-4 years old seems the Lithium are not as robust at the nickle.
Gregg
I agree ? Lithium gives more burst power, but I had new lithium batteries die after a week of use. Nickle lasts much longer.
SteveW
Lee: Ryobi One+ tools never used nickle metal hydride batteries, they started with NiCad. They were never good past about 2 1/2 years. I bought my big set about the same time frame as you, when the lithium batts were introduced I jumped fast on those and have all of them still.
JC
You can buy the tool + battery kit for 99 and return the battery kit with receipt for a prorated refund. This results in a significantly discounted tools without having to buy batteries you dont need/want. For instance the power inverter is 79 regular price. Using this method I got it for $44.
aaron
In fact, if you order the item you want to keep as “pick up in store” and the item you don’t want as “ship to home” then the ship to home item becomes cancelable. You can cancel it within 30-45 minutes and there is no charge to your card.
I picked up a few items. It is indeed too bad that they haven’t included better stuff as part of this deal. I’d love to pick up the 23ga pinner, 16ga finish nailer, and the toolbox vac.
Doresoom
That’s a great tip! I might have to do this for the inverter. For anyone interested, the formula for your end price is $99/($99+$X)*$X. Comes out to $43.94 when you plug in $79.
Jeremy
Are you sure about that formula?
Vards Uzvards
This page may be easier to use, if one’s interested in an actual tool/battery combo.
https://www.homedepot.com/collection/Tools/RYOBI-Days-BOGO-Promotion/Family-310219090
Benjamen
Yeah, Stuart and I saw completely different pages when we clicked on the Buy Now link. Home Depot doesn’t make this easy sometimes.
Stuart
Thanks, I added that link to the post as well.
Those seem to be online-only bundles, but the bonus tools there overlap with the previous links and Ben’s list. The bundles page has 19 free bonus tool or battery options, the master list has 46.
Matthew
I’m glad to see the charger isn’t as anemic as it appears. Thank you for taking the time to figure that out!
However, it seems that Ryobi Days promotions are trending down in terms of selection. Last year I got these 2 batteries with the fast charger plus 2 free tools. I may look into the planer or radio, I have no need for another impact driver. Or I may skip this spring sale and wait to see what they have for Christmas deals.
Matthew
Planer is already out of stock.
Benjamen
Try changing your location. I still can add it to my cart.
There should be a way that you can pick up the battery at your store and have the planer shipped.
Matthew
That did it. Not sure why the location was the issue, but you were right. Thanks!
Scott K
I have been considering a Ryobi 18v chainsaw and this would definitely have pushed me to buying one. Wish there was one on the list…
Frank D
For light, around the house use, I have been satisfied with ours. Oil does tend to leak through (like my gas saws). Did have to take it in for service to replace the dead trigger switch, after only a few hours of use. But, I like the thing. For any small jobs, trim work from a ladder, etc it works quite well. And, it is quiet!
Scott K
I appreciate the feedback. I have a few big rounds I’d like to cut in half, but most of my use would be fallen branches and the like.
Frank D
Should be fine for that.
I have actually felled a couple 6-8-10” trees with it, de-limbed, … but the big one was pushing it. I just did it for safety because I was standing half way up on a ten foot high 45 degree bank with very loose soil, removing an invasive tree from inbetween other trees … and I wanted the instant power on/off as needed. So, it fits in nicely between a reciprocating saw with pruning blade and more powerful 18-24” saws.
KenZ
I’ve had the 18V version, but found the 40V (really, 36V) was considerably better.
Frank D
Depends on power needs and if one will go for one or more saws.
I have heard good things from people about the higher voltage brands of saws, but they mean another battery platform, charger, …
Personally, I would only go 40v or higher if I were able to buy a whole package of tools ( with a discount – like powertool combo kits ) and switch to battery only for all garden maintenance. With multiple acres of lawn, trees, woods, … gas power is a must.
But, I have supplemented with 18v Ryobi garden tools, because it is the same battery platform. It would be different if I could plug in two 18v batteries … instead of needing 40v batteries that will be idle 99% of the time, possibly fully drained with every use, … where the 18v ones can rotate randomly through weekly use.
Frank D
I was wondering when this promo would make it ToolGuyd. 😉
Great that Ryobi is running another promo.
However two points of frustration …
The little charger imho does not compare to the wall mountable 30min charger that was included last year. It looks weak & cheap. Less durable. Longer charging time.
Our HDs do not carry half or so of what is on the list. They have two pallets in front of the registers and that is pretty much the dozen hot picks you can get. Talk to two staff members, they say only what is on their small store pamphlet qualifies, unless you buy online. No hybrid radio, no planer, no …
Went home. Ordered online. Instead of 2-3 day promised free to home shipping on the website, it will be a week. And, the batteries were mandatory store pickup … so had to go back to the store already and wait in line at customer service (they tend to lack staff).
Some of the tools I’d gladly pick up at a discount (nailers) are of course outside of the scope of the deal.
I would be interested in the power inverter, but $79 is a bit high, would rather buy it standalone, then adding another set of two batteries.
But, all in all good that Ryobi is running the promo.
Bryan
Go to Home Depot’s website. Buy the 2 battery starter kit and select ship to home. Then as the free tool select the power inverter and select pick up in store (not ship to store). Immediately cancel the battery starter kit (you have 45 minutes to do so) and you are allowed to still pick up the inverter at the customer service counter that day. It will be pro rated to $44. You’re welcome.
Stuart
Sorry. More than a few people wrote in about Ryobi Days promos. I’ve been meaning to thank everyone, and to dig into the online deals and head out to my local Home Depot to see the in-store specials, but haven’t quite had the chance yet. Ben beat me to it.
DC
Ordered the battery starter kit and bare tool jigsaw.
KenZ
Hmph. I was JUST about to get this, but then realized that the tool-only price for the sheet sander was only like $40, so the overall deal wasn’t worth it. If I had a use for the planer….
Matt J
The charger is not as small as it appears in the pictures. It’s about the same size as the base of a Ryobi 18V battery.
It is also wall-mountable.
It seems they are transitioning from the old, larger grey/black chargers to these. All for it as it saves a bit of wall space.
Haven’t done testing to confirm, but it seems that the charge times are somewhere between the old slow black chargers and the green “rapid charger.”
aaron
a couple folks have been saying that it is the black charger guts just strewn about in a different way. no clue if they’re reputable folks though, none of the people I actually trust have weighed in.
Todd Barry
Anyone feel the soldering iron is a good item to get?
Rob
I have the soldering iron…it’s much nicer than you might expect. It’s at least as good as my commercial duty Weller station.
Matt J
There are two soldering irons available. Get the hybrid one. The base is larger and I think it’d be nice to have the ability to run it on AC power as well as battery.
Flotsam
This actually makes a good way for someone to get into Ryobi tools without getting another drill/driver set you may not need like Milwaukee & DeWalt primarily do. I know Ridgid does this from time to time. Wish Makita followed the same practice.
fm2176
Ryobi Days motivated me to invest in the “cheap” green tools last year. The charger included a year ago was a much better one than the P118B offered this year, but a little research gives some merit to Aaron’s comment above, as the regular black charger is named the P118. At first I was wondering it if was a P119, like the one I got with my clearance impact driver (and the Arctic Cove sibling the MAC119 that came with my fan), but it is indeed a better charger. The P119 takes hours to charge a 6Ah battery–possibly asking a lot but still something that may need to occur on occasion (if the main charger dies or gets lost).
Anyway, I needed a pole saw, so Ryobi Days offered the incentive to buy yet another brand of cordless tools. Shortly after I picked up the 2-pack of 6Ah batteries, followed by a few clearance deals such as the Devour and an edger. While I don’t rely on them daily, Ryobi has some outstanding value for the price, and offers tools (Devour, glue gun, rolling wet/dry vac) that other brands don’t.
Frank D
I have the Ryobi pole saw and have very mixed feelings about it, and would not recommend it. It is silent but rather un-wieldly. Once you put all the sections together and start raising it, it is more like a banana compared to my straight shaft gas powered pole saw. I have used it a fair bit with one extension section for trimming and that is about it.
Meanwhile my heavier gas powered n ft pole saw, I have held six + feet up overhead and cut branches with.
Adalberto Perdomo
The P118B that came with my double 3ah batteries (promo), doesn’t seem to want to charge my Ryobi 6ah batteries (P183). Not sure if mine is defective, or just made for 3ah batteries selected for the promo of buy the kit, and get tool for free.
SusanO
Tried ordering the Ryobi 2 battery starter kit with free tool from Home Depot and it’s no longer a valid offer. They claim it ended yesterday when all ads state 6/20/2019. This is why I rarely shop Home Depot. If you’re not going to honor your ad then don’t put one out.
Stuart
I’m sorry that happened to you.
Online, it DID say it ends 6/20/19.
I checked Google’s cache of the page, dated 6/19/19, and it also still says the price is valid thru 6/20/19.
In case it’ll help you, here’s a screenshot of the page as it appeared yesterday: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Ryobi-Days-6-20-19-End-Date.jpg%3C/a%3E .
Rob
Hey just do the live chat with them ad show that picture on the link you provided and they will honor it just did it.
Rob
But do it asap
IN
Live chat with Homedepot how?
Patrick
I think one of these types of sales got me (just a basic DIY guy) to buy into Ryobi a couple years ago. I think I’m at nearly a dozen 18v Ryobi tools now. This last promo I bought 2 x 2 starter kits, the stapler (already put nearly a box of staples through it for a ceiling tile project, mesh under fascia and a bunch of vapor barrier), the low pressure inflator, and the 15 ga finish nailer. Just fantastic stuff for their pricepoint. My lawn edger died right at the 12 month mark, but everything else has been great.
Paul Cohen
Hi,
1. Please post a picture of the wall wart label.
2. What is the output voltage of the wall wart into the charger unit?
Thanks,
Paul
Stuart
Sorry, we don’t have that information, but I’m sure Ryobi can help you.
Guillaume
What are the differences between the actual p118 and P118B chargers (except the transformer location)? Any difference about the lights, output or else? I’m talking about both black chargers.
thanks
Stuart
As far as I am aware, the charger form factor is the main difference. I have not come across spec sheets to make any determination about a difference in features or charging rates.