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Ryobi has launched a new cordless power tool system, USB Lithium, which is based on a new 4V Max/3.6V Li-ion battery.
The Ryobi USB Lithium battery is removable and interchangeable among all of the new – and potentially upcoming – tools in the product family.
Ryobi says that this new system provides compact, portable, rechargeable solutions for cordless power and productivity.
The new line of Ryobi USB Lithium tools will be available exclusively at Home Depot. Marketing materials say that the tools will be available at select Home Depot stores, and also on HomeDepot.com.
Here is what the lineup will include at launch:
- USB Lithium 2.0Ah Battery
- Rotary Tool
- Power Carver
- Power Cutter
- Cordless Screwdriver
The new tools are expected to be available starting in Spring 2022.
Ryobi USB Lithium Battery (FVB01)
The Ryobi USB Lithium cordless tool system will launch with a 2.0Ah battery.
The battery charges via USB-C port and has onboard LED charging indicator.
It looks like the battery must be removed from a tool for charging. There is no information yet about charging times or rates.
Price: $19.97
Ryobi USB Lithium Cordless Rotary Tool (FVM51K)
The new Ryobi USB Lithium cordless rotary tool kit features a quick-change collet that Ryobi says allows for 4X faster accessory changes.
The tool has a compact design and variable speed motor that delivers 5,000 to 25,000 RPM. It has a 1/8″ collet size.
The kit comes with (15) accessories and a storage case, collet wrench, and (1) battery.
Price: $59.97
Ryobi USB Lithium Cordless Power Carver (FVH51K)
Although this looks like another image of the new rotary tool, it’s actually Ryobi’s new USB Lithium power carver.
Ryobi says that their new power carver is the industry’s first cordless power carver.
The carver has a 1mm stroke length and 14,000 SPM.
Ryobi says that the carver is ideal for carving on all types of wood and furniture restoration.
The kit comes with a straight chisel, U-gouge, and V-gouge. The straight chisel is designed for detailed carving, the U-gouge is designed for removing large amounts of wood, and the 90° V-gouge is designed for relief carving.
It also comes with (1) battery and a USB-C charging cable.
Price: $69
Ryobi USB Lithium Cordless Power Cutter (FVC51K)
The Ryobi USB Lithium power cutter features a self-sharpening blade that can cut a variety of thin materials, such as cardboard, plastic, carpet, rubber, and leather.
The kit comes with the tool, pre-installed cutter blade, (1) battery, and USB-C charging cable.
Price: $59.97
Ryobi USB Lithium Cordless Screwdriver (FVD50K)
We don’t know much about the new “Twist Driver” cordless screwdriver, but it looks to have a pivoting handle that converts the tool from a traditional right angle screwdriver to an inline driver.
Discussion
This is not Ryobi’s first 3.6V/4V Max cordless power tool system. The Ryobi Tek4 system was vast, and included a wide variety of tools, electronics, and workshop gadgets and accessories. The Tek4 product line was discontinued maybe ~10 years ago.
Since then, Ryobi has introduced a couple of 4V-class tools, mainly different styles of screwdrivers with built-in batteries.
This new Ryobi USB Lithium system seems like a big deal.
Milwaukee’s RedLithium USB cordless platform still holds much potential, and has shown there to be user interest and demand in a USB-rechargeable removable battery system.
None of these tools look to have on-board charging ports, which means the battery must be removed and charged via USB-C cable directly. I’m fine with this.
On more premium products, like Milwaukee’s RedLithium tools and accessories, I like to be able to choose between built-in charging or connecting the battery to a charger.
Here, the battery itself has a built-in USB-C charging port, which means there’s no external charger to lose track of.
The tools could have rudimentary charge status indicator – the rotary tool product image shows a single green-lit LED. At these prices, I’m fine with that.
I must say, I’m excited about these tools, and also the path Ryobi is on.
