Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Reciprocating Saw Review (2026)

Why you should trust this review

I bought the Ryobi 18V One+ HP brushless reciprocating saw, tool-only, at retail. Ryobi did not provide a sample. I run a DIY remodel or two a year and already own a stack of One+ tools, so I wanted to know whether the budget platform could handle real demolition work or whether I would regret not stepping up to a pro brand.

Over six months I put it through a full bathroom demo, a fence tear-out, and the assorted dirty cuts a reciprocating saw exists for. That is enough hard, dirty work to know where the saw shines and where it gives away ground to the more expensive options. The notes below come from that use, with manufacturer figures filling in the published specs.

How we evaluated

I used this saw as my primary demolition tool across six months of real projects rather than benching it for artificial cuts. I worked it through the materials a sawzall is built for, cast-iron drain pipe, nail-embedded two-by stock, ABS pipe, and fence lumber, to judge cut speed and how the brushless motor held up under sustained heavy load.

I paid particular attention to vibration over long cuts, since that is the fatigue factor that separates a budget saw from a premium one, and I tracked runtime on a 4.0 Ah One+ HP battery across a typical demo day. I also tested the tool-free blade clamp through dozens of blade changes and noted the durability of the shoe and the overall build over months of abuse.

Cut speed and power

The brushless motor and 1-1/4-inch stroke length deliver genuine cut speed. Across a full bathroom demo it chewed through cast-iron drain pipe and nail-embedded studs without bogging down, and the 3,200 SPM top speed means it clears material fast once you commit to a cut. The longer stroke matters here: it moves more blade through the work per cycle, which on thick or dense material translates directly into fewer, faster cuts.

This is a clear step up from the older brushed Ryobi sawzall. The brushless motor runs cooler and sustains power better under continuous load, so it does not fade partway through a hard cut the way the previous generation could. For DIY demolition the power is genuinely there, and it never left me wishing for more grunt during a normal remodel.

Vibration and ergonomics

Vibration is where the budget tier shows, and it is the saw’s main weakness. On long demo cuts the Ryobi buzzes your forearms noticeably more than a Milwaukee M18 FUEL, which is smoother and easier to live with over a full day of cutting. For short bursts it is a non-issue, but when I was cutting steadily for an hour the difference in fatigue was real. If you run a reciprocating saw all day every day, the smoother pro tools are worth the upgrade for your arms alone.

The other ergonomic nitpicks are minor. The blade-clamp release lever sits where a gloved hand sometimes bumps it, which is more an annoyance than a real problem, and the foot is plastic-faced steel rather than the cast magnesium you get on premium models. None of these are dealbreakers for occasional use, but they are the small reminders that you bought the value option rather than the flagship.

Battery platform and blade changes

The One+ battery platform is the quiet reason this saw makes sense for so many people. It shares packs with hundreds of other Ryobi tools, so if you already own anything on the One+ system, you are buying a bare tool that draws on batteries you already have. That ecosystem value is a genuine part of the appeal and a big reason the budget price translates into real savings rather than just a cheaper sticker. On a 4.0 Ah One+ HP pack, a typical bath demo day of mixed cast iron, nail-embedded stock, and pipe gave me roughly ninety minutes of trigger time.

The tool-free blade clamp works well in daily use. It accepts standard reciprocating blades from any brand, so you are not locked into Ryobi consumables, and swapping a dull or broken blade is quick even with dirty gloves on. Across dozens of changes over six months it held blades securely without slipping, which is exactly what you want when you are cutting overhead or into something nasty.

Who should buy the Ryobi 18V One+ HP reciprocating saw?

Buy it if you already own One+ tools, you do occasional demolition work, and you want real cut speed without paying Milwaukee or DeWalt money. The brushless motor, long stroke, and shared battery platform make it an excellent value for a remodel project or two a year.

Skip it if you cut all day every day and want the smoother, less fatiguing feel of a Milwaukee M18 FUEL, or if you are not invested in the One+ ecosystem and would rather build around a different platform.

The verdict

The Ryobi 18V One+ HP brushless reciprocating saw is the best value in its class for DIYers and One+ owners. Six months of bath demos and tear-outs proved it has the cut speed and stamina to handle real demolition, and the shared battery platform stretches the value further. The vibration is rougher than the pro tools and a few details feel budget, but for occasional heavy work at this price, it does the job and does it well.