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Ridgid has announced a new 18V SubCompact right angle drill, model R87701B, and they’re making two very notable claims.
First, Ridgid says that this is the industry’s most compact right angle drill, with a 3-1/2″ head length.
Second, Ridgid says that their new 18V SubCompact right angle drill delivers best-in-class power – up to 375 in-lbs of max torque.
I asked for readers’ 18V right angle drill recommendations more than 6 years ago, and it doesn’t look like there have been many developments since then.
Indeed, the new Ridgid does out-spec Dewalt, Milwaukee, and other brands’ 18V-class cordless right angle drills.
Ridgid’s SubCompact right angle drill features a 3/8″ keyless chuck, a brushless motor, two-finger trigger switch, and 2 speed settings.
Key Features & Specs
- 3/8″ chuck
- 3-1/2″ head length
- 0-500/0-1900 RPM
- 375 in-lbs max torque
- LED worklight
Price: $129 for tool-only (R87701B), $189 for the kit (R87701KN)
ETA: February 2022
* Press materials list the tool-only price at $129, but Home Depot has it at $139. We asked Ridgid for clarification and are waiting to hear back.
The kit comes with a charger and 2.0Ah “Max Output” battery.
Discussion
A higher powered and more compact 18V cordless right angle drill? Sounds great for users who work in tight spaces. Marketing images show the drill being used to drill between studs and drive fasteners in cabinetry and under-sink installation applications.
The new Ridgid 18V SubCompact right angle drill bears some resemblance to Ryobi’s 18V One+ HP model, which also features a brushless motor. The Ridgid bests the Ryobi with respect to size (3.5″ vs. 3.6″), torque (375 vs 350 in-lbs), and speed (0-450/0-1700 RPM).
The Ryobi is priced slightly lower than the Ridgid, at $119 for the tool-only. At the time of this posting, the Ryobi kit (PSBRA02K), which comes with a charger and 1.5Ah battery, is on sale for $109.
Ridgid and Ryobi cordless power tools are developed by TTI North America, and so some resemblance is unsurprising. We have also seen cross-brand products before, although it’s rare.
Obviously there are differences between the tools, at least according to their on-paper specs. Some of the components look to be shared between brands, such as the keyless chuck and two-finger trigger, and there’s nothing wrong with this.
The Ryobi tool offers a nearly identical compact size – where it matters – 90% of the max speed, and 93% of the max torque. That, coupled with the current $109 kit pricing, might make the Ryobi a more compelling choice than the Ridgid.
One final thing to note is that the Ridgid tool and battery are eligible for their Lifetime Service Agreement for users that register within 90 days of purchase.
Both brands’ cordless right angle drills look better than competitors’ outdated brushed motor models.
I’m curious – which would you go with?
