Ryobi One+ HP Brushless Impact Driver Review PBLID02

Ryobi One+ HP Brushless Impact Driver Review PBLID02
PTR Review
  • Overall Rating 8.9

The big deal for the Ryobi HP brushless impact driver is that it manages to drop some weight and make a more compact model without dropping real-world performance. Considering the improvements on the drill, it's worth grabbing that $199 HP brushless drill/impact driver combo and passing your old set off to someone who can use it.

Overall Score 8.9 (out of 10)

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver Continues Trend of More Compact Designs

The Ryobi One+ HP Brushless Impact Driver touts a more compact design. While its performance is up to 25% faster than the P235A, we were more curious about how it compares to the more recent brushless P238.


Pros

  • Excellent driving performance in our tests
  • Lighter and more compact than the P238
  • 3 standard modes plus new assist mode
  • Comfortable handle design

Cons

  • LED moves off the chuck back to the foot

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver Performance

The Ryobi HP brushless impact driver keeps the same 2200 in-lbs of torque and 4000 IPM impact rate as the previous generation’s P238. However, it drops from 3200 RPM down to 2900 RPM.

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver Profile

To see how that affects its overall performance, we turned to the PTR Impact Driver Test Track. Here’s a quick breakdown of what it entails:

  • 20 x 1 1/2-inch drywall screws (2×4 stud)
  • 10 x 3/4-inch self-tapping screws (20-gauge steel stud over 2×4 stud)
  • 10 x 1/4-inch twist bit (2×4 stud)
  • 10 x 1/4-inch x 3 -inch ledger screws (layered 3/4-inch OSB over 2×4 stud)

Along the way, we have to make 3 bit changes.

The P238 already had a very respectable 2:17 effort to complete the track. Despite the drop in RPMs, the Ryobi HP brushless impact driver still managed to come in a little quicker at 2:15.

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver Size and Weight

One of the draws to the Ryobi PBLID02 is that it has a more compact design than the P238. It’s nearly an inch shorter across the head. At 5.5 inches, it shifts from being one of the longest and gets closer to where the premium models are.

Connecting 2x10

There’s a decent weight reduction as well. The updated design is 4 ounces less with a bare tool weight of 2.3 pounds.

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver Design Notes

There are a few things you won’t see on the HP brushless model that were on the previous design. By far what we miss the most are the 3 LEDs that were surrounded the collet of the P238. Now, it has a more traditional foot mounted LED.

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver LED Light

There’s also no magnetic plate on the foot anymore, following the HP brushless hammer drill in dropping that feature.

Lastly, Ryobi doesn’t include a belt clip. That’s something we use frequently on our drill and impact drivers, so it’s a little disappointing. It’s certainly not a deal-breaker though, and you can add one separately if you like.

On the positive side, there’s now an assist mode to supplement the 3 standard modes. In forward, it adds control to your start. Once the screw engages, it ramps up the speed to match the fastener. Using drywall screws, it stayed at a lower power level but kicked up much higher using ledger screws.

In reverse, the assist mode gives a kind of pulsing power level, backing the screw out a little at a time until it releases to the point that the hammer and anvil don’t need to impact.

Full Feature Set

  • Brushless motor
  • 3 speeds plus Assist Mode
  • Die-cast gear case
  • One-handed bit release and spring-loaded bit ejection
  • Foot-mounted LED light
  • Battery system is compatible with over 175 other cordless tools

Ryobi Brushless Impact Driver Comparison

Brushless
(P238)
HP Compact
(PSBID01CN)
HP Brushless
(PBLID02)
Max Speed3200 RPM2900 RPM2900 RPM
Speeds313 + Assist
Torque2200 in-lbs1700 in-lbs2200 in-lbs
Impact Rate4000 IPM3800 IPM4000 IPM
Bare Weight2.7 lbs1.9 lbs2.3 lbs
Head Length6.4 in5.3 in5.5 in
PTR Test Track2:172:392:15

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver Price

You can snag the Ryobi PBLID02 for $119 as a bare tool or $159 with a 2.0Ah High-Performance battery, charger, and soft bag. It’s also part of a combo kit with the HP Brushless drill driver for $199.

Keep your eyes open for other combos and deals as the line continues to roll out.

The Bottom Line

The big deal for the Ryobi HP brushless impact driver is that it manages to drop some weight and make a more compact model without dropping real-world performance. Considering the improvements on the drill, it’s worth grabbing that $199 HP brushless drill/impact driver combo and passing your old set off to someone who can use it.

Ryobi HP Brushless Impact Driver Specs

  • Model: Ryobi PBLID02
  • Motor: Brushless
  • Collet: 1/4-in. hex
  • Speed: 0-850 / 0-2,000 / 0-2,900 / 0-2,900 (Assist) RPM
  • Torque: Up to 2,200 in-lbs.
  • Impact: 0-4,000 BPM
  • Warranty: 3 years
  • Price: $99 (bare tool), $119 kit, $199 drill/impact driver combo

Check out more information on Ryobi’s website.

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