Ryobi has long been the go-to brand for weekend DIYers and hardcore hobbyists — but it’s hardly the only game in town. If you shop at Lowe’s, Walmart or Harbor Freight instead of Home Depot, there are affordable brands that give Ryobi a real run for its money on both budget and power. Here are the four biggest contenders.
Hercules power tools (Credits: How-To Geek)
Kobalt at Lowe’s: Ryobi’s closest rival
Lowe’s closest Ryobi alternative is the Kobalt 24V lineup. Its main lineup, the Kobalt 24V Brushless series, is quite comparable to Ryobi in quality and options — and many consider it better, with a bit more power and a longer warranty.
Kobalt also offers a wide range of 40V outdoor power equipment, like chainsaws, string trimmers and other lawn care items, plus all the usual drills, drivers, impact wrenches, circular saws and lighting. The lineup isn’t nearly as expansive as Ryobi’s ecosystem, but for casual DIYers it’s more than enough. You can even get four popular 24V tools, a battery, charger and carry case for $299.
Hercules at Harbor Freight: punching above its price
Harbor Freight is famous for budget-friendly tools — and its small but rapidly expanding lineup of Hercules cordless power tools punches way above its price. The brand was revamped in 2022 into Harbor Freight’s highest-tier, “pro-grade” offering, with advanced brushless motors, larger battery packs and a decent 5-year warranty.
Many recent Hercules items look similar to what you’d find from Ryobi or Milwaukee. And if you want to spend even less at Harbor Freight, the budget Bauer line is the step-down option.
Hyper Tough at Walmart — and don’t forget Craftsman
If Ryobi and Kobalt aren’t easy to find near you, don’t overlook Walmart’s house brand Hyper Tough — around 100 products including compact 12V and regular-size 20V cordless tools, usually at roughly half the cost of Ryobi equivalents. Walmart also carries HART Tools as a step-up option.
Finally, Craftsman (owned by Stanley Black & Decker, widely available at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware and select Walmart locations) offers nearly 150 cordless power tools at decent prices that compare reasonably with Ryobi’s.
Also Read: Ryobi Launches 18V Storm Preparation Kit With 3 Must-Have Emergency Tools | Bosch Has an 18V Battery That Works With 10 Different Tool Brands and 150+ Tools
Source: How-To Geek — read the full story there.
