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Printed Feb 19, 2026, 9:00 AM EST
Cory Gunther is a senior writer and Publication Editor at Valnet, covering lowering-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He’s roofed Android, automobiles, and technology for over a decade. When he’s now not reviewing the most in model system, that it is probably you’ll fetch him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing one thing open air with mates and household.
He’s roofed CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed endless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Earlier than Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also regarded on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He’s written over 9,000 articles.
Ryobi is one in all the preferred system producers around, notably with DIYers and owners, and for genuine reason. The label presents over 300 tools and tools at life like costs. The lineup continuously improves, and whenever you occur to are debating a Ryobi ONE+ system vs One+ HP, right here’s what you’ve got to know and why the “HP” model is more pricey.
Diverse vitality system producers create many of the same tools, and then internal branding on high of that makes every little thing a piece confusing. As an illustration, Ryobi has its ONE+ 18V 1/2-bound drill/driver combo system for $64, nonetheless then another system that looks practically identical, labeled ONE+ HP 18V 1/2-bound drill/driver combo for around $32 more. What presents?
The inequity between these two 1/2-bound drills is the “HP” in the title, which stands for High-Efficiency, and or now not it is more basic than you jabber.

Credit: Cory Gunther / How-To Geek
Ryobi HP (High Efficiency) tools aren’t ravishing a advertising and marketing decal; that branding basically makes a appreciable inequity in more techniques than one. The major component is a brushless motor.
Nearly 30 years ago, Ryobi supplied blue tools, then in the extinguish switched to the sparkling neon lime-inexperienced coloration we all know at the present time. The inexperienced tools signified a drastic trade to internal designs, ingredients, and performance. At last, those Ryobi ONE+ 18V tools started coming in an “HP” variant with a brushless motor and other in model enhancements, and that is the system it’s good to aquire. Here is why.
Ryobi HP tools procure:
Brushless motors
Smarter vitality provide (the battery talks to the system)
Better electronics
and more
Nearly all Ryobi HP (High-Efficiency) tools accessible at the present time feature new, improved brushless motors in its build of the older, much less capable brushed motors of yesteryear. Must you aquire any ONE+ HP 18V or 40V system, you are getting a brushless motor, better electronics, improved vitality provide, more torque, and usually a long runtime.
Without getting too technical, in model brushless motor vitality tools exercise digital controllers in its build of carbon brushes, that are heavy and add friction, heat, and vibration. As a consequence, you can uncover a system that is harder, lasts longer, delivers increased effectivity and better vitality provide, among other benefits.

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In step with Ryobi, most tools in the HP line veritably provide battery lifestyles improvements of 30–50% thanks to diminished heat, better performance, and improved effectivity. At the same time, you can journey bigger torque values and things of that nature.
Furthermore, brushless motors roam cooler and better withhold speed or torque below load, which draw faster drilling, lowering, and sawing, and no more time swapping batteries or recharging your 18V battery pack.
Many HP tools are upwards of 50% more pricey than non-HP models, nonetheless for smaller objects love drills, or now not it is usually easiest $30-$40 more.

Credit: Cory Gunther / How-To Geek
All Ryobi ONE+ 18V tools are successfully matched with ANY 18V battery pack from the company. Then again, ravishing love the tools, those battery packs procure diverse branding and labels.
Must you combine a Ryobi HP system with a newer Ryobi HP battery pack, you can peek an very excellent bigger amplify in performance and runtime. That’s because of the most HP tools and HP battery packs can check with every other.
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V battery packs procure an extra contact point (the metallic pins) on the stem and, when inserted into an HP system, allow increased communication with the upgraded internal electronics we talked about earlier. That manner, the system receives the excellent voltage and vitality provide, notably below load, ensuring soft, accurate, yet sturdy performance.

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Ryobi has rather a lot of thrilling new merchandise and tools on the manner when you are now not looking out for more tools.
Even whenever you occur to don’t spring for a more pricey “HP” version of a drill, driver, affect wrench, or other system, that it is probably you’ll additionally journey increased performance from an HP battery pack.
Must you combine both, notably on objects love round saws, reciprocating saws, grinders, or outdoors tools, you can journey a drastic inequity that is worth paying for. YouTubers and experts alike agree.

Ryobi ONE+ HP 1/2-bound Drill and Driver Combo Equipment
What’s Included
Battery Included, Charger, Tool Salvage
Tool Kind
Driver and Impact Driver
Warranty
3-one year Manufacturer’s Warranty
This Ryobi 18V HP equipment is all you’ve got to in discovering started around the residence. With a 1.2-bound drill, affect driver, two battery packs, a charger, and a carry case. Kind out all those initiatives!

Credit: Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek | Ryobi
Whereas most owners, DIYers, or experts listen to the HP branding on Ryobi’s substantial ONE+ 18V lineup of vitality tools and tools, it also extends to bigger 40V tools.
Ryobi makes 300+ 18V tools,



