ToolGuyd

The Latest Tool Reviews, New Tool Previews, Best Tool Picks & Deals Blog

  • New Tools
  • Reviews
  • Guides
    • Best Cordless Power Tool Brand
    • Best Cordless Drills (New for 2016!)
    • Best Multi-Bit Screwdrivers
    • Best $100 Cordless Drills
    • Best Cordless Impact Drivers (2015)
    • Best Cordless Circular Saws
    • Best Tape Measure
    • Cordless Drill Comparison Guide
    • Best Cordless Oscillating Tools
    • Best EDC Gear
    • Best Multimeter
    • Best Precision Screwdrivers
    • Best Random Orbital Sanders
    • Best Modular Tool Boxes
    • Ultimate Tool Gift Guide
  • Hand Tools
    • Bit Holders & Drivers
    • EDC, Pocket, & Multitools
    • Electrical Tools
    • Flashlights & Worklights
    • Knives
    • Mechanics’ Tools
    • Pliers
    • Screwdrivers
    • Sockets & Drive Tools
    • Wrenches
    • All Hand Tools
  • Power Tools
    • Accessories
    • Cordless
    • Drills & Drivers
    • Oscillating Tools
    • Saws
    • All Power Tools
  • Brands
    • Bosch
    • Craftsman
    • Dewalt
    • Kobalt
    • Makita
    • Milwaukee
    • Milwaukee NPS18 Previews
    • All Brands
  • USA-Made
  • Deals
ToolGuyd > Power Tools > Cordless > New Ridgid 18V Gen5X Charging Radio

New Ridgid 18V Gen5X Charging Radio

Jul 11, 2018 Stuart 7 Comments

If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Ridgid 18V Charger Radio

Ridgid has come out with a new 18V jobsite Bluetooth radio charger, model R84085B.

It’s compatible with a new Ridgid radio app, which gives you enhanced functionality. The smartphone app lets you stream music, set jobsite alarms and alerts, control the radio from across the jobsite, and receive local weather updates.

Advertisement

There’s a USB charging port (1A max as per the user manual), auxiliary input, AM/FM radio, and built-in Ridgid 18V charger. Charge time is around 1 hour for 2.0Ah battery packs.

Ridgid 18V Charger Radio Battery Compartment

The radio is weather-resistant, and features typical jobsite-durable construction.

The AC power cord is permanently attached to the radio, but a built-in cord wrap can help you tame it.

Price: $179

Buy Now(via Home Depot)
See Also(Bluetooth radio for $129 via Home Depot)

First Thoughts

At first glance, it looks like Ridgid took their R84087 jobsite radio, added in a charger circuit, tweaked the electronics to allow for app-control (and it presumably works with simple Bluetooth connectivity as well), and changed the color scheme ever so slightly.

There’s nothing wrong with that, I’m just trying to drive the point home that this radio charger is built off of an established design, and that if you don’t want the enhanced features, that other model is still available.

I don’t know how I feel about the Ridgid radio app. Can’t you stream your phone through simple Bluetooth connectivity? What kind of radio controls can the app offer that you can’t already control through your streaming app or a phone’s native volume control?

Maybe they’re experimenting a little, or had to offer a little more to justify the $50 bump-up in price.

One thing I like about Ridgid is that they’re not afraid to try new things regularly. This looks to be one such venture into new, but not completely unfamiliar, waters.

Update: To my surprise, Ridgid also has a Bluetooth speaker, R84086B, which also features Radio App compatibility. Price: $70 via Home Depot.

Related posts:

Tool Nut Dewalt TStak Radio Deal October 2018New Dewalt Tstak Bluetooth Radio is Now Shipping A New Itty Bitty Makita 12V CXT Jobsite Radio Dewalt Tstak Tool Box Music PlayerNew Dewalt Tstak Bluetooth Radio and Charger Ridgid 18V 6Ah Bluetooth Octane Battery PackNew Ridgid 18V Hyper Octane Batteries with Bluetooth

Sections: Cordless, Jobsite Radios and Speakers, New Tools Tags: Ridgid 18V, Ridgid R84085BMore from: Ridgid

« Festool CT Cyclone Dust Extractor Pre-Separator
Milwaukee, Dewalt, Ridgid, Ryobi Cordless Power Tool Deals of the Day (7/12/2018) »

7 Comments

  1. Bryan says

    Jul 11, 2018 at 10:20 pm

    Seems cool, just a bit pricey. I’m not invested in the Ridgid platform so it’s a pass for me. I’ll stick with my Ryobi stereo.

    Reply
  2. audiovideofreak says

    Jul 12, 2018 at 11:22 am

    Meh. Both USB and Battery charging are slow. A Ridgid Rep told me those features were just placed there for convenience. I guess you can crank up the bass and not worry about killing the battery too rapidly as well as keeping your phone charged at a break even point instead of losing battery power. If it included a 6ah Battery, I just may jump on the band wagon.

    Reply
  3. Jim Felt says

    Jul 12, 2018 at 11:49 am

    Really. Why would you need yet another App if the thing has Bluetooth in the first place? Just use iTunes or whatever Google has for Android. Or any of the 100 it seems streaming sources.
    As for the not really common battery plateform. Naw. But thanks “Ridgid” whoever you may be.

    Reply
  4. Framer joe says

    Jul 12, 2018 at 12:35 pm

    There is only 1 real jobsite radio, DeWalt tough system radio…..this Ridgid is just a waste….

    Reply
  5. Brian says

    Jul 12, 2018 at 6:32 pm

    I have the last model. It has the app also. You can use it to tune your radio station from your phone. Since I stream music usually, I skip that step and don’t use their app. I do like that it can charge batteries though.

    Reply
  6. Frank D says

    Jul 12, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    … maybe if it came in the form of one of the tough tool cases and cost a fair bit less.

    There’s plenty of bluetooth options for less and bolting the charger component into a radio should’t cost much. If anything as it goes with technology, the prior model should become cheaper and this one take its place.

    Reply
    • Frank D says

      Jul 12, 2018 at 11:25 pm

      PS … and I’d like the radio I take somewhere to be able to run off of a battery, soI’d rather take a small radio and compact charger.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ToolGuyd Forum

Join our Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tool news.

Your info won't be shared. Unsubscribe anytime.

Recent Comments

  • ktash on My Journey to an Organized Workshop with Modular Tool Cabinets: Part 1, Design: “I was looking at the same casters in the 3" size two days ago. I decided against them and…”
  • Stuart on Cordless Power Tool FAQ: What Does “Ah” Really Mean?: “I can't find enough information online to answer this. Have you contacted Black & Decker for their advice?”
  • John on Will Lowes Replace Kobalt Tools with Craftsman Products?: “I tried to get my broken kobalt ratchet replaced but lowes couldn't order a replacement and did not stock…”
  • Mike Parenteau on Cordless Power Tool FAQ: What Does “Ah” Really Mean?: “My B&D GCO1200 drill's HPB12 battery is dead. It has no Ah markings, but I think it's a 1.5Ah…”
  • Benjamen on Craftsman Pro Smart-Lock Tool Storage Combo Review: “I was told you should be able to force the key -- that the key should be able to overcome…”
  • Stuart on Hardware for Connecting T-Slot Aluminum: Anchors, End Fasteners, and Brackets: “T-slot aluminum has pre-formed center holes. You can enlarge them a little, but it can be hard to center the…”

Recent Posts

  • Hardware for Connecting T-Slot Aluminum: Anchors, End Fasteners, and Brackets
  • New Milwaukee M18 Cordless Threaded Rod Cutter
  • Pros and Cons of Preordering New Cordless Power Tools
  • PB Swiss Tools Coin Driver - There's a Screwdriver for Everything!
  • Dewalt Rolling Shop Stool
  • New Makita Compact Band Saw with More Durable Blade Housing
  • Acme Tools - Save 14% off $350+ thru 2/14/2019
  • Review: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Metal-Cutting Circular Saw
ToolGuyd New Tool Reviews Image

New Tool Reviews

Buying Guides

  • Best Cordless Drills
  • Best Cordless Impact Drivers
  • Best Cordless Multi-Tools
  • Cordless Power Tool Brands
  • Modular Tool Storage Systems
  • Ultimate Tool Gift & Upgrade Guide
ToolGuyd Knife Reviews Image

Knife Reviews

ToolGuyd Multi-Tool Reviews Image

Multi-Tool Reviews

ToolGuyd LED Flashlight and Worklight Reviews Image

LED Light Reviews

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stores
  • Videos
  • Gear
  • AMZN Deal Finder
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Disclosure