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When it comes to power tools, you want to be sure that the brand you choose uses the best materials to deliver fantastic quality, don’t you? Especially if these tools are the way, you put food on the table. For a handyman or any other profession, tools are our livelihoods, and we must pick the right ones. They allow us to complete our job quickly and efficiently without rogue hammers or drills that only Thor can lift! So how do we decide which is the best brand of power tools? Ridgid and Ryobi are well-known brands used globally by professionals and might be high on your brand list of choice. But which is the better of the two brands? Stick with us, and we will find out which is the best! A brief history of the brands Before we get into all the fantastic things the brands have to offer, let’s take a quick look back at their history. Ryobi initially began in Japan as Ryobi Seisakusho Co. Ltd. way back in 1943. They rocketed from success to success, manufacturing offset printing presses in 1961 and producing power tools in 1968. Ryobi Seisakusho Co. became the Ryobi that we know and love in 1973. Even older, Ridgid was founded in 1923. They are an American company, created in North Ridgeville, Ohio, manufacturing Ridgid hand tools. These tools were incredibly popular thanks to their durability and how easy they were to use. In 1943 the company moved to Elyria, Ohio, and in 1966 became a subsidiary of Emerson Electric. Ryobi runs 12 factories across six countries, launching production in Shelbyville, Indiana, in 1985. The power tools are manufactured by Techtronic Industries, with their headquarters located in Hong Kong. What’s interesting is that Techtronic Industries also manufactures tools for Ridgid and other brands such as Milwaukee, Dirt Devil, and Vax. You can find Ryobi’s tools at Home Depot and online in the United States and Canada. Now that we have covered the history of the brands let's dive in closer to look at what the brands can offer you. Who has the best quality? When it comes to your tools, you need to make sure that the quality is there. After all, what use is a subpar tool to you with a full day of work ahead of you? Thankfully, you get fantastic quality from Ridgid and Ryobi, although Ryobi has made power tools for longer than Ridgid. When we assess quality, some customers like to consider where the tools were made to understand the process and the materials used. So where are they made? When it comes to Ridgid, they have an easy system you can follow. As a general rule, red Ridgid tools are made in the US by Emerson, and orange tools are manufactured over in China by TTI. Ridgid has a strong reputation for producing excellent quality tools, especially their red tools as a brand. But what about Ryobi? They have made a name for themselves as an affordable tool brand. Their market is not necessarily professionals; they advertise themselves as excellent tools for DIYers, homeowners, and budding tool enthusiasts. It doesn’t mean to say some professionals don’t use Ryobi; many do! However, its reputation as a DIY tool does put some professional users off. Yes, Ryobi is viewed as more of a consumer brand, but as we said earlier, that doesn’t stop professionals from using the tools. Their 18V One+ cordless power tool range features a great selection of tools for tough, professional jobs! Talk warranties to me Although the quality is there in both brands, it is still essential to consider the warranty period. Should anything happen, you want to know that you are covered and able to get a replacement or repair the product. So, where do you stand with Ridgid and Ryobi? Ridgid offers a three-year limited warranty on its products, allowing you to contact the manufacturer directly for help regarding the issue at hand. They also offer a Lifetime Service Agreement for its power tools that you can gain access to! Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, it almost is! The scheme is industry-leading, with few brands offering it. So how do you gain access to it? If you purchase one of Ridgid’s cordless power tools, corded power tools, tile saws, bench, stationary power tools, or pneumatic products and register it within 90 days, you are in! You will be given access to free parts, free service, and free batteries for life! Some conditions need to be met, as with any warranty, so be sure to read the fine print carefully beforehand. The warranty covers a range of parts, including chucks, motors, switches, gears, batteries, O-rings, piston stops, and driver blades! We know, that’s a lot of parts covered! Replacing them is simple, too; you call the dedicated helpline and place a service request! You can also have them repaired at your nearest service center following instructions online. It cannot be easier! To request the service, make sure you have proof of purchase documentation with the date you purchased it for a smooth process. But what about Ryobi? Well, they offer a three-year limited warranty across all their products! If you need a repair, simply return the power toll to an Authorized Service Center with proof of purchase documentation. The document will need to have the date of purchase on it, so be sure to keep any receipts! Ryobi works to have any repairs or replacements of defective parts completed within 90 days or less, so you won’t have to wait too long. There is also a 90-day exchange policy if you change your mind! Simply contact who you bought the tool from, and they can assist you with this. Remember, proof of purchase will also be required! While both brands offer excellent warranty periods, Ridgid Lifetime Service Agreement sets it apart as a clear winner. You have complete peace of mind that should anything break or become damaged; you are covered for free. What about the products? When it comes to selecting the brand, you might be wondering about the product portfolio that Ridgid and Ryobi have to offer? Well, wonder no more! Ryobi has an expansive portfolio of 18V One+ power tools and accessories. There are hundreds of tools in the collection, including drills, blowers, drivers, foggers, work lights, and many more! They boast over 13 drivers and drills that you can purchase as combo kits and individually, great for beginners after a well-rounded collection! As well as power tools, Ryobi’s 40V product line offers an extensive range too. They offer plumbing, woodworking, chemical sprayers, vacuums, gardening equipment, and chemical sprayers. With so many tools available, DIYers never need to look at another brand again! What about their product line? It’s not as expansive as their 18V One+ line, but you can expect to see lawnmowers, pole saws, chain saws, leaf mulchers, and several other garden-related products. It might not be as expansive as their tool range, but it still contains all you need! Now, Ridgid offers over 30 different 18V power tools! You can choose from wet/dry vacuums, nailers, grinders, circular saws, impact drivers, rotary hammers, blowers, radios, and fans! While the catalog is smaller than Ryobi’s, it still covers all the categories of tools. If you are after a brand with a fantastic range of tools, Ryobi takes the lead here as the brand of choice! What about cordless tools? There comes a time when every person must cut the cord, and cordless tools offer fantastic flexibility and diversity during tasks. But which brand is better? Ridgid offers more than forty different 18V cordless tools, including saws, drills, impact drivers, angle grinders, routers, vacuums, rotary hammers, and many other power tools. It sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Well, Ryobi offers even more cordless tools pushing Ridgid out of the competition! Ryobi’s expansive range makes it a favorite among budding DIY-ers. Ridgid or Ryobi: which should you choose? It can be hard to choose between brands, can’t it? As we have seen, both Ridgid and Ryobi have fantastic offerings that will be a welcome addition to any tool kit. If you are a DIYer, woodworker, or need some tools for jobs at home, you can’t go wrong with Ryobi! The brand has everything you need to complete any DIY task imaginable at home! However, for those professionals in the room that are after long-lasting tools with fantastic performance, Ridgid tools are the choice. Not only are the tools of excellent quality, but the Lifetime Service Agreement ensures that you are covered should anything go wrong. Final word And just like that, we have reached the end of our power tool journey today. Whether you choose Ridgid or Ryobi, you are sure to be purchasing great quality tools that will stand the test of time. The brand that you choose will undoubtedly be a personal choice, so be sure to consider all the factors we have discussed today as you step forward as a power tool expert and make your purchase!