The Ryobi P1813 is the cordless drill I bought for my dad after his old Black and Decker finally died. I tested it at my own house first for two weeks before delivering it, and then I borrowed it back periodically over the next six months for projects of my own. The verdict is consistent across both users: this is a great cordless drill for homeowners who do not need pro-grade performance, packaged at a price that includes everything a first-time buyer needs.
Why you should trust this review
I write reviews of cordless tools and have owned, at various times, drills from DEWALT, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, and Ryobi. I bought the P1813 kit at retail (Home Depot, no manufacturer involvement) primarily as a gift, but secondarily as a benchmark to test against the pro-grade drills we have already covered on this site. My father is a 68-year-old retiree who builds birdhouses and helps neighbors with light repair work. Between the two of us, the drill has been used for furniture assembly, deck board replacement, hanging shelves, and a kitchen-pantry refresh.
How we tested the P1813
- Drove 3-inch deck screws into pressure-treated 2x10 with one of the included 4 Ah HP batteries until cutout, three runs averaged.
- Compared screw count against a DEWALT DCD800B with a 5 Ah PowerStack battery on the same test.
- Drilled 1-inch spade bit through doubled 2x4 to test power under sustained load.
- Bored 2-1/8 inch door knob holes with an Irwin bi-metal hole saw.
- Built two pre-fab Ikea bookcases to evaluate clutch precision on small fasteners.
- Measured the kit weight on a digital scale (drill plus battery, not bag).
- See our methodology page for our standard cordless-tool process.
Who should buy the Ryobi P1813?
Buy this kit if you are a homeowner buying your first serious cordless drill, if you already own One+ tools and need a drill that will keep up with the rest of the platform, or if you want a drill that pairs with affordable accessories for occasional weekend use.
Skip this kit if you are a working contractor (the DEWALT and Milwaukee pro drills are worth the extra cost), if you need a sub-7-inch drill for tight stud-bay work (the P1813 is 7.5 inches long), or if your projects regularly involve 1-inch or larger self-feed bits (a higher-torque tool will be less stressed).
Torque and power
The P1813 is rated at 750 in-lb of torque. On the deck-screw test, one 4 Ah HP battery drove an average of 268 screws across three runs. The DEWALT DCD800B with a 5 Ah PowerStack pulled 312 on the same test. The gap is real but small for casual use. On the 1-inch spade bit test, the Ryobi did not stall in standard 2x4, though I noticed slightly more bog-down on the second of two doubled bores than the DEWALT showed. For homeowner-level work, this is plenty of drill.
Kit value: where the P1813 wins
The kit includes two 4 Ah HP batteries, a 55-minute fast charger, and a soft-side bag, all for $179. The DEWALT equivalent kit (DCD800D2 with two 2 Ah batteries) lists at $249 and includes smaller packs. The Milwaukee 2904-22 kit lists at $299. If you measure the kit by total useful work delivered out of the box, the P1813 wins by a noticeable margin. The two HP 4 Ah batteries are also forward-compatible with high-draw One+ tools like circular saws and reciprocating saws.
Build quality and ergonomics
The P1813 is heavier (4.7 lb with battery) and longer (7.5 inches) than the compact pro drills. The body feels less premium in hand, with more visible plastic flex around the gearbox housing under maximum torque load. The clutch ring rotates smoothly through 24 settings, which is enough granularity for cabinet work. The bottom-mounted LED throws a shadow when working overhead, which is the one ergonomic complaint I have.
Battery system and ecosystem
The HP batteries shipped with this kit are the higher-current cells designed for high-draw tools. Runtime on the deck-screw test was within 14 percent of the DEWALT 5 Ah pack, which is a reasonable result for a kit at this price. The bigger story is the One+ ecosystem: more than 300 compatible tools means that buying into Ryobi today gives you access to inflators, lights, vacuums, and yard tools that pair with the same battery. Few platforms offer that breadth.
Verdict context
Against the DEWALT DCD800B and the Milwaukee 2804-20, the Ryobi P1813 is the homeowner pick. Pros should spend more. Everyone else should put this kit in the cart.
Ryobi P1813 18V One+ HP Brushless 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver Kit vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Includes | Torque | Brushless | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryobi P1813 Kit | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | 2 batt + chrgr | 750 in-lb | Yes | $179 | Best Budget Kit |
| DEWALT DCD800D2 Kit | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 2 batt + chrgr | 340 UWO | Yes | $249 | Top Pick Pro |
| Milwaukee 2904-22 Kit | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 2 batt + chrgr | 1200 in-lb | Yes | $299 | Top Pick Pro |
| Hart 20V HPDD25 Kit | ★★★★☆ 3.8 | 1 batt + chrgr | 350 in-lb | No | $99 | Skip |
Full specifications
| Voltage | 18V One+ HP |
| Motor | Brushless |
| Max torque | 750 in-lb |
| Chuck | 1/2 inch all-metal ratcheting |
| Speeds | 0-450 / 0-1750 RPM |
| Length | 7.5 inches |
| Weight (with battery) | 4.7 lb |
| Batteries included | Two 4 Ah HP |
| Charger | 55-minute fast charger |
| Warranty | 3 year limited |
Should you buy the Ryobi P1813 18V One+ HP Brushless 1/2-Inch Drill/Driver Kit?
The Ryobi P1813 is the best-value full kit a homeowner can buy in 2026. The brushless motor produces 750 in-lb of torque, the kit includes two 4 Ah batteries and a charger, and the One+ platform supports more than 300 tools. It will not match Milwaukee or DEWALT pro drills under sustained load, but for weekend projects the value is hard to argue with.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ryobi P1813 worth $179 in 2026?+
For homeowners and weekend DIYers, yes. The kit price gets you a brushless drill, two 4 Ah batteries, a charger, and entry into the One+ ecosystem. Pro contractors should choose DEWALT or Milwaukee instead. For everyone else this is the easiest cordless drill recommendation.
P1813 vs P252 (older Ryobi brushless): what changed?+
The P1813 uses the newer HP architecture with higher torque (750 vs 600 in-lb) and includes the larger HP 4 Ah batteries. If you have a working P252, no need to upgrade. New buyers should choose the P1813 every time.
Will this drill handle deck framing and cabinet installs?+
Yes for most weekend deck repairs, hanging cabinets, and general framing work. It will not match the Milwaukee 2804 under sustained 4-inch lag screw work, but for the typical homeowner deck rebuild this drill handles the load comfortably.
Should I buy this kit or a DEWALT DCD800D2 kit?+
If you already own One+ batteries or want access to the larger Ryobi ecosystem, buy the P1813. If you plan to use the drill heavily on jobsites or want pro-grade torque under sustained load, spend the extra $70 on the DEWALT.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Refreshed May pricing and confirmed batteries-included spec.
- Nov 4, 2025Initial review published after 6 months of weekend use.
