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A RYOBI compact drill earns its place in a home toolkit on the jobs where a full-size drill gets in the way: fixing a hinge inside a kitchen cabinet, mounting a closet rod, replacing a drawer slide or drilling between wall studs. What matters most is length from the back of the tool to the tip of the chuck, weight in the hand, and enough torque for the screws you actually drive. The other question is batteries. RYOBI’s 18V ONE+ tools share one battery platform, so if you already own a pack, a tool-only drill costs you less and keeps the drawer tidy.
According to the listings, the range here covers four approaches. The ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 1/2 in. drill/driver is sold as a kit with battery and charger or as the tool-only PSBDD01. The ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 3/8 in. Right Angle Drill reaches into spaces a normal drill cannot. The PCL201 is a basic, lightweight 3/8 in. drill, sold tool only or in a drill set with battery, charger, bits and bag. Finally, the 4V Pivoting Screwdriver is not a drill at all, but a small USB-charged driver for light household screwdriving.
RYOBI Compact Drill Lineup at a Glance
| Model | Type | Torque listed | Battery included |
|---|---|---|---|
| ONE+ HP Compact Brushless Kit | 1/2 in. drill/driver, 6.4 in. long | Up to 400 in-lbs | Yes, 1.5Ah |
| RSDP4-120G 4V Pivoting Screwdriver | Pivoting screwdriver | 5 Nm | Yes, 4V 2.0Ah |
| PSBDD01 Compact Brushless | 1/2 in. drill/driver, 6.4 in. long | Up to 400 in-lbs | No |
| ONE+ HP Right Angle Drill | 3/8 in. right angle, 3.6 in. head | Up to 350 in-lbs | No |
| PCL201 3/8 in. Drill/Driver | 3/8 in. drill/driver | Listing does not specify | No |
| 18V Drill Set (PCL201) | 3/8 in. drill/driver kit | 55 in-lbs listed | Yes, 1.5Ah |
The Models in Detail
RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit Compact size at 6.4 in. and lightweight. Brushless Motor provides longer
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.6/10
Best for: New ONE+ owners wanting a brushless kit
Pros
- 4-inch brushless drill
- Battery, charger and bag
- 24-position clutch
Cons
- Small 1.5Ah battery
- Torque listed as 400 and 380
The RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit comes with a 1.5Ah lithium-ion battery, charger and bag. At 6.4 inches long, RYOBI says it is 30% more compact and 20% lighter than the brushed model, which helps inside cabinets and for overhead work. The brushless motor offers longer runtime and motor life.
It has a 2-speed motor at 0-450 and 0-1,700 RPM, a 24-position clutch, an LED worklight and a single sleeve ratcheting chuck. The battery has an on-board fuel gauge. Torque is listed as up to 400 in-lbs in the features and 380 in-lbs in the description, and the spec block’s 1200 revolutions per second is clearly an error.
This is the best first RYOBI drill for a homeowner with no batteries: compact enough for a closet shelf install, strong enough for decking screws and pilot holes. The small 1.5Ah battery keeps the tool light but will need recharging on long jobs. If you want a bigger kit, see our RYOBI tool set guide.
Ryobi RSDP4-120G 4V Cordless Pivoting Screwdriver The usb lithium pivot screwdriver is ideal for all types of screwdriving
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.4/10
Best for: Flat-pack furniture and quick household fixes
Pros
- Pivots straight or right-angle
- USB lithium, 2.0Ah battery
- Two bits included
Cons
- Only 5 Nm torque
- Screwdriving only, not drilling
The Ryobi RSDP4-120G 4V Cordless Pivoting Screwdriver is a USB lithium screwdriver with a 4V 2.0Ah battery. Its pivoting body switches between a straight stick driver and a right-angle driver for confined areas, and it has a two-finger trigger and ergonomic handle. Two 25mm screwdriving bits come in the box.
It delivers 5 Nm of torque at 200 rpm and measures 10.04 x 2.95 x 3.15 inches. RYOBI pitches it at flat-pack furniture, kids’ toys and simple repairs. The listed 55 g weight seems too low for a tool with a battery, so treat it cautiously.
This is not a drill. It suits a home office or apartment where most jobs are tightening screws on desks, shelves and battery covers. For drilling holes, choose any of the 18V drills.
Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Cordless Compact Brushless 1/2″ Drill/Driver PSBDD01 2X more torque than previous model
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.2/10
Best for: Inside cabinets and between studs
Pros
- 6-inch right angle head
- Up to 350 in-lbs torque
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Tool only
- May be an international import
Best for: ONE+ battery owners wanting compact power
Pros
- Brushless, up to 400 in-lbs
- 4 inches long
- Two-speed gearbox
Cons
- Tool only
- Bulk packed, no retail box
The Ryobi ONE+ HP 18V Cordless Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver, PSBDD01, is the tool-only version of the kit above. It lists the same 6.4-inch length, up to 400 in-lbs of torque, 0-450 and 0-1,700 RPM two-speed gearbox and 24-position clutch that helps prevent stripping or overdriving screws.
It works with any RYOBI 18V ONE+ battery, a system the listing puts at over 280 products. It ships in bulk packaging with no retail box. The spec block labels it an impact driver, which does not match the drill/driver description.
For anyone with ONE+ batteries already charging, this is the most sensible compact drill here. If you do not have a battery, the kit version saves a separate purchase.
RYOBI ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Compact 3/8 in. Right Angle Drill Brushless Motor for Maximum Power
Check price on Amazon Our score: 9.6/10
The RYOBI ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Compact 3/8 in. Right Angle Drill is built for the tightest spots. The head measures just 3.6 inches, letting you drill and drive between joists, inside base cabinets or behind appliances. It has a brushless motor, up to 350 in-lbs of torque, which RYOBI says is 2x the previous model, a 2-speed motor at 0-450 and 0-1,700 RPM and a 3/8 in. chuck.
It is tool only. The listing includes a notice that international products may be sold from abroad and differ in labeling or instructions, so check the seller.
Choose it when a straight drill simply will not fit, such as installing cabinet hardware from the inside or running cable through studs. It complements rather than replaces a standard drill.
Ryobi 18V Cordless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver PCL201 Lightweight design at only 2.8 lbs
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.6/10
Best for: Light drilling on a battery you own
Pros
- Lightweight design
- LED work light
- 3/8 in. keyless chuck
Cons
- Only 600 RPM
- Weight listed inconsistently
The Ryobi 18V Cordless 3 8 in. Drill/Driver, PCL201, is the basic tool-only option. It lists up to 600 RPM, a variable speed trigger, a 3/8 in. keyless chuck and an on-board LED. It works with RYOBI 18V ONE+ batteries and comes in bulk packaging.
The weight is given as 2.8 lbs in the features and 1.8 pounds in the specs. The listing does not give torque or say whether the motor is brushless; given the brushless models are all labeled as such, assume this one is not.
It suits light jobs like pilot holes and small screws for someone who already owns a battery. For more power in the same footprint, the PSBDD01 is the upgrade.
Ryobi 18V Drill Set with Lithium-Ion Battery, Charger, Bits and Bag Ryobi PCL201, PBP002 18V ONE+ Compact Battery, Charger
Check price on Amazon Our score: 8.4/10
Best for: Beginners wanting drill, bits and bag
Pros
- Battery and charger included
- Drill bit set included
- On-board bit storage
Cons
- Third-party bundle extras
- Low listed torque figure
The Ryobi 18V Drill Set with Lithium-Ion Battery bundles the PCL201 drill/driver with a PBP002 18V ONE+ compact 1.5Ah battery, a charger, a multipurpose drill bit set and a tool bag, which the listing identifies as a third-party bag rather than a RYOBI item. The description highlights a 3/8 in. keyless chuck, LED light and on-board bit storage.
The spec block lists 55 in-lbs of torque and 24 speeds, which likely refers to clutch settings; confirm the figures on the product.
This is a practical starter set for a first apartment where you need to hang shelves and assemble furniture. For masonry, see our RYOBI cordless hammer drill kit guide.
Matching a Model to Your Setup
- Your first RYOBI tool for cabinets and closet projects: the ONE+ HP Compact Brushless Kit.
- You already own ONE+ batteries and want a small, strong drill: the PSBDD01.
- Drilling inside base cabinets or between joists: the Right Angle Drill.
- Mostly assembling furniture and tightening screws: the 4V Pivoting Screwdriver.
- Light holes and small screws on an existing battery: the PCL201 tool only.
- A beginner who wants bits and a bag in the box: the 18V Drill Set.
Before You Buy
Several specs conflict or look wrong: torque on the brushless kit, weight on the PCL201 and the screwdriver, and tool type on the PSBDD01. The PCL201 listings give no torque figure you can rely on. None of the listings state warranty terms.
Two listings ship in bulk packaging, and the right angle drill may be an international unit. Bits are only included with the drill set and the screwdriver, so plan on buying a bit set with the other drills.
FAQ
Which RYOBI drill is most compact?
The Right Angle Drill with a 3.6-inch head, then the 6.4-inch brushless drill/driver.
Is the PSBDD01 the same as the kit drill?
Based on the listings, yes: same length, torque and speeds, but without battery and charger.
Do these work with my RYOBI batteries?
The 18V models work with RYOBI 18V ONE+ batteries. The 4V screwdriver uses its own USB lithium battery.
Can the 4V screwdriver drill holes?
Its listing only describes screwdriving tasks at 5 Nm.
Which RYOBI drill should I buy for cabinets?
The compact brushless 1/2 in. drill for general work, and the Right Angle Drill for hard-to-reach spots.
Is the PCL201 brushless?
The listing does not say so.