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Walk into any Home Depot and you’ll see brightly colored Ryobi power tools everywhere. They’re incredibly popular, reasonably affordable, and often on sale, which is why I own a bunch of them for all my DIY projects. So, who makes Ryobi tools, and are they worth buying?
The Ryobi brand was founded back in 1943 and quickly became popular while making die-cast products in the 80s. Today, the brand makes printing equipment,power tools, lawnmowers, workwear, and various other tools and hardware. Here’s what you need to know.
Who Makes Ryobi Tools?
The Ryobi name has a long and storied history, but the tool segment isn’t quite as old and really started taking off in the early 2000s.
A common question we see online is who makes Ryobi tools. In 2000, Techtronic Industries (TTI Group) acquired thelicensing rightsto the Ryobi tool name and branding for North America, along with all its facilities and operations. A short time later, TTI partnered with the big box store Home Depot, and the rest is history.
TTI also manufactures Hoover, Dirt Devil, and ORECK vacuums. Ryobi has manufacturing plants in Indiana, but it’s a die-cast operation and does not deal with tools.
Where Are Ryobi Tools Made?
Ryobi Tools are popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Mexico. As you probably know, they are plastered throughout Home Depot’s aisles.
So, where are Ryobi tools made? Techtronic Industries (TTI) is a large-scale manufacturer based in China that produces a wide array of well-known tools, supplies, and home goods. Some familiar names include Ridgid, Milwaukee Tool,Walmart’s HART Tools lineup, and more. You heard me right; the same company that makes those popular red Milwaukee tools is behind Ryobi.
TTI says manufacturing occurs in China, Mexico, Thailand, and the United States, but most of it likely happens in China.
If you’re curious about finding tools that are “Made in America” or made in the USA, look for tools from Craftsman, DeWALT, STANLEY BLACK & DECKER, Mac Tools, and Snap-On. However, the “Made in USA” labeling is often misleading, and many power tools are likely manufactured outside the states.
Ryobi’s Ever-Expanding Tool Lineup
Now that you know a little more about Ryobi Tools and where they come from, you’ll be happy to find out that the company makes all sorts of stuff—from tools to Bluetooth speakers.
Walk through Home Depot, and you’ll find an ever-expanding selection of (corded and cordless) power tools. Ryobi also makes hand tools, automotive tools, driver bits, vacuums, rotary tools, storage bins, safety goggles or equipment, power inverters, lighting, battery-powered coolers, speakers, and other goodies. More importantly, the list keeps growing and growing.
The Ryobi 18V One+ system is the most popular, and it includes all the drills, impact wrenches, and small power tools for around the house that most people are familiar with. As of 2025, Ryobi’s 18V system includes over 300 different tools.
Ryobi also makes smallerUSB Lithium toolswith rechargeable USB-C battery packs,riding electric lawnmowers, push-mowers,leaf blowers, etc. The company does offer products powered by bigger 40V and 80V battery cells, like its push lawnmowers.
Lately, Ryobi has expanded into fans, coolers, and other electronics that also run on its 18V battery packs, which lets you do more with the same battery you already own. Basically, they’re into a little bit of everything, and you’ll find all sorts of products at yournearby Home Depot.
Are Ryobi Power Tools Worth Buying?
Power tool aficionados are passionate, and the debate about the best brand is never-ending. Ryobi tools get a bad rap, and you’ll see them being the butt of jokes on social media. That said, I think they’re excellent, and there’s a reason it’s one of the top-selling tool brands in the United States.
Naturally, having the correct tool for any job is essential, and that’s why Milwaukee often makes tools geared for mechanics. If you’re a professional mechanic, you might not want Ryobi. It’ll do the job perfectly fine, and everyone is different, but certain brands cater to specific markets.
For the average consumer or at-home DIY person, Ryobi is perfectly acceptable. I own more Ryobi tools than I care to admit, but I’ve never had a single tool fail, and I’ve never been in a situation where I needed a different brand. Sure, a few of my 8+ year-old battery packs no longer hold a charge, but that’s par the course. That’s no different from an old phone or laptop with a degraded battery.
I’ve used Ryobi tools to rebuild closets, install new suspension and leaf springs on my Toyota Tacoma truck, hang shelves, cut wood, and even build a patio awning. Those are just a few of my projects, and I used Ryobi tools on all of them. For quick random jobs around the house, you’ll find Ryobi tools are more than enough.
So, are those bright neon green (or is it yellow?) Ryobi tools worth buying? In my opinion, they are 100% worth buying for the overall price-to-performance, ease of access, and warranty. Obviously, the decision depends on your wants, needs, budget, and the task at hand. I’m not a professional, and I don’t need pro-level tools. There’s a good chance you don’t either.
