Backward, Forward Compatibility? Simplification? Answering All of Your 18V One+ Questions
Ryobi announced some changes to its 18V One+ battery lineup, and Ryobi users may have some questions. I’m sharing what’s changing, what you can expect from 18V Ryobi batteries going forward, and how it affects your current One+ power tool arsenal.
Have any more questions? Drop a comment below, and we’ll do our best to help.
New Ryobi 18V Batteries: The Overview
In an effort to simplify its battery roster, Ryobi is changing the branding on its lineup of 18V One+ batteries. Until now, there were standard batteries, High Performance-branded batteries, and High Performance EDGE-branded batteries.
With this relaunch, Ryobi is simplifying the lineup down to just two types of batteries. Here’s what Ryobi says you’ll find going forward:
- 18V ONE+ High Performance batteries will be rebranded as 18V ONE+ Lithium batteries
- 18V ONE+ High Performance EDGE batteries will be rebranded as 18V ONE+ Lithium EDGE batteries
It seems the brand is nixing the High Performance designation in favor of a simpler 18V One+ Lithium marker. It also seems that, in effect, the current standard-capacity batteries (the batteries without the High Performance nomenclature) are no longer going to be available. Ryobi describes this change as intentional to deliver the advanced performance technologies that One+ users value.
Every 18V One+ battery will now feature Intellicell Electronics, which has been present in the majority of Ryobi 18V batteries since around 2012. Ryobi claims this feature provides maximum performance and higher runtimes, even during demanding applications. All of the new batteries will also be equipped with Cool-Core heat management to ensure the packs run cooler and deliver longer runtimes.
What it Means for Your Tools
The question of tool compatibility with your current 18V roster may be on your mind. Well, we have good news for you—your current tools will still accept any of the newly-branded Ryobi batteries, and you’ll still be able to use your current battery arsenal in any new One+ tools you buy going forward.
In other words, all 18V One+ batteries will continue to be compatible with all 18V One+ tools.
In total, there are three updated 18V One+ Lithium batteries: a 2.0Ah, a 4.0Ah, and a 6.0Ah. For Edge batteries, there’s a 4.0Ah, an 8.0Ah, and a 12.0Ah pack.
Ryobi 18V One+ Battery Pricing
While Ryobi doesn’t have any published prices for the new battery roster at the time of writing, we can speculate on a few things. First, the elephant in the room—the (old) standard 18V batteries have been the most value-driven option. We don’t yet know if the new 18V One+ Lithium (formerly, High Performance) batteries will come down in price closer to the price point we’re used to with the previous standard battery iterations.
Next, as the new batteries roll out starting in August 2026, there’s a good chance you’ll find good deals on old stock batteries at Home Depot stores as they clear out space for the new arrivals. Be on the lookout during this period if you plan to stock up on some extra runtime and don’t mind the trade-offs of the older packs.
