Ryobi has come out with 3 new fast chargers for their 18V One+ cordless power tool system.
Each of the new chargers features a 4A charging rate, which Ryobi says doubles the speed of their standard 18V One+ charger.
There are 3 new chargers – a single-battery charger (PCG004), a dual-port charger (PCG005), and a 6-port charger (PCG006).
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The chargers can recharge a Ryobi 18V High Performance 2Ah battery in less than 30 minutes.
The dual-port charger is a simultaneous charger that can recharge (2) Ryobi 18V One+ batteries at the same time.
The new 6-port (sequential) charger is said to be 30% faster than Ryobi’s P135 charger.
All of the chargers are described as being wall-mountable, and they can of course also be used on a benchtop or other flat surface.
The 6-port charger also features a carrying handle and USB-A charging port with 2A max output.
Pricing & Availability
Single Battery Charger (PCG004): $50
Dual-Port Charger (PCG005): $79
6-Port Charger (PCG006): $99
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The new chargers are expected to launch in October 2022.
Discussion
Higher performance battery chargers? Sounds good. Not everyone is going to want to upgrade to a faster Ryobi charger, but it’s great to have the option.
Is this their first dual-port charger? It’s also a simultaneous charger, and at a considerably lower price point than having to buy two of the single battery chargers.
The 6-port charger is an upgrade over Ryobi’s existing 6-port Supercharger, which launched 6 years ago.
All of the new chargers cost more than Ryobi’s existing standard-rate chargers – $5 more for the single battery charger, and $20 more for the 6-port charger. The dual-port charger is new.
In my opinion, the simultaneous dual-port charger is the star of the show here, but the single and 6-port chargers are also welcome additions to Ryobi’s 18V system.
David
I like the 6 port chargers as a way to both charge and store my batteries – I have two lined up vertically on a wall in my shop and just grab batteries from them as needed. I’m a little disappointed to see a USB-A port instead of a C and an A in the new model, it doesn’t feel particularly forward looking.
I agree – for those who use the batteries a lot and need faster charging, the two port charger is the winner.
And a discussion question: do folks end up with piles of the Ryobi single port chargers that come with tool sets like I do? Over time I’ve ended up with quite a few, and using the 6 port chargers means they’re extra. I give them away when I give friends and family Ryobi inflators for their car emergency kits.
MM
Extra single-port chargers seem to breed like rabbits. I’m not on the Ryobi platform but it’s certainly true for my Dewalt and M12 chargers.
Jamie Lee Davis
Agreed. I have many M12, Skil, and Craftsman V20 chargers….. Two containers to be exact.
razl
Love the idea of using the 6 charger as “storage” but haven’t I read before that you’re not supposed to do this? That leaving the battery long term in the charger is bad for one or both?
MM
Theoretically it is not good for the battery to leave them on the charger for a very long time. That said, I think the problem is very overblown and it isn’t much of a concern given my own experience. Modern chargers monitor the voltage and temperature of the batteries and they reduce and shut off the charging power as needed based on feedback from the pack.
I bought into Dewalt 20V MAX for my business back in 2012. The tools and their batteries were kept in an un-airconditioned building and the batteries were regularly left on chargers for days. Around 2018 I moved the batteries into an airconned building, but they still spend days (sometimes weeks) on the charger. Aside from two batteries which took one too many falls onto concrete I am still using those batteries from 2012. I likewise have Milwaukee M12 batteries from around 2015 that have been treated the same way and they’re still going strong too.
I have a family member who bought into Ryobi 18V OPE in 2018. This person stores the batteries on their chargers 24-7 inside a sheet-metal garden shed in Texas, no insulation, where the summertime temps are something like 140F inside, and it freezes during the winter. Their batteries are still going strong to this day.
I’m not suggesting that is the proper way to treat rechargeable batteries, but it’s been the reality that I’ve experienced. Now perhaps if those older batteries were to be tested against other batteries of the same age which were treated differently one could see that they might perform worse, but if such a difference exists it is small. I have 20V Max and M12 batteries that have withstood several years of that treatment and others that are about a year old and I can’t tell any difference in runtime or power comparing batts of the same AH capacity. My 2012 4ah packs perform like my 2021 4ah packs.
I don’t worry much about leaving batteries on the charger long term.
GNew
Ryobi is so close to getting the 6 bay charger right, but still misses the mark. If Ryobi can make a 2 bay charger that charges 2 batteries at the same time, the 6 bay should be able to fast charge 2 at a time. Its also 2022, should have high output USB-C.
Stuart
A simultaneous 6-port charger might be out of the question. A 6-port with 3 charging circuits might be more doable, like Milwaukee’s M18/M12 3+3 port Rapid Charger, but perhaps it would cost too much compared to what typical Ryobi 18V customers might be willing to pay.
As a user, I’d like for a 6-port simultaneous fast charger. But the 6-port sequential charger might be more justifiable from a brand, engineering, or marketing perspective, especially if backed up by historical sales data for the two (or more?) preceding models.
Tim E.
I think what was being suggested was a 6 port with two charging circuits, so it could do like pairs of opposite slots (or just one slot from each side, say) at the same time. Agree a full 6-simultaneous is not realistic though. Maybe the price even doing a 6 port 2-at-a-time was higher than they could do to hit the $99 point? Maybe that’ll come out as the next revision at $129 or 149, so this one can replace the current supercharger, and then introduce a fourth relevant charger and price point?
Stuart
I did miss that part – sorry GNew!
With a lot of multi-chargers like this, everyone always automatically comments about how it should be simultaneous.
I think a 6-port dual charger might be confusing for end users. Milwaukee’s M18/M12 is more straightforward due to having 3 of each port and 3 charging circuits, one for each pair of ports.
Sequential chargers make sense as a more economical “charge everything at the end of the day/project” type of charger, and I think it still leaves room for a 6-port with 2 or more simultaneous chargers if or when Ryobi sees enough user interest.
David
Well, there’s your problem! You’ve left them together too long and now there are more! You need to separate them. That way you can just keep finding them everywhere.
But seriously, after I’ve put one in each of my major work locations, and have given them as gifts, I’m pondering if the local makerspace needs some extras…
Davethetool
I like the dual port charger and the faster charging speeds yes, however I have quite a few of the current fast chargers already and it I need to charge more than one at a time I plug the others In. Takes up outlets and a bit more space but who does t have power strips in their garages? I also have the Ryobi car charger in each of my vehicles to use as needed. I am good. As was previously posted, if the 6 battery charger would charge more than one at a time I would purchase it.
Pops
This is great and all, but I wonder why they haven’t come up with a 18v+40V dual charger yet. Seems like an obvious evolution. I love the Milwaukee 12v+18v charger; almost enough to switch battery platforms. It’s even from the same parent company… what gives?
Rog
They do have one:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ONE-Lithium-Ion-Dual-Platform-Charger-for-ONE-18V-and-40-Volt-Batteries-P137/311937301
DannnyB-
Does anybody know where there is a home depot that has the daul charger instock that i could order one from it?
I cant find ant available near me!
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks, Dan
Stuart
ETA is October 2022, and so they should be appear in stores soon.
Ct451
I would rather use slower chargers if I have them and get extra batteries to cover the gap. Put 2 batteries through 1 cycle instead of 1 battery through 2 cycles. The 5v port I would straggle to find a use for.
MT
Agreed. Fast charging can be convenient, but I question how healthy it is for the battery.
Jared
https://toolguyd.com/do-fast-chargers-damage-power-tool-batteries/
Kevin
For all intents and purposes, it doesn’t make any kind of appreciable difference. It’s not so much about the amount of current flowing into the pack, rather, the heat associated with higher energy levels. Most will incorporate a massive heat sink, sometimes also combined with active cooling via fan to dissipate the heat. This is just my personal example, but if I charge a battery on the Milwaukee super charger (fan cooled with a very large aluminum heat sink), HO battery packs come off considerably cooler than if I charged them on the standard rapid charger, even though the charger is delivering quite a bit more current. I can fully charge a 12 Ah pack on a super charger faster than I can charge a standard 5Ah pack on the rapid charger, and the 12 Ah pack will still come off the charger cooler than the 5
Ct451
Ok. Let’s assume the charging rate is within acceptable parameters for the batteries this charger can handle so that it won’t degrade them more. (Others question this but that is not the point I was making.)
If I want more run-time I will go get another battery and not try to charge the one I got faster by spending money I could have used for a battery. If you charge one battery twice a day vs once you’re cutting the life expectancy in half. Let’s say one year instead of two. If you had two batteries from the start it will be infinitely more convenient.
Obviously others might have different needs and budgets.
Frank D
Am I the only one with concerns about repeated 30 min fast charging probably not being good for battery longevity … when regular charging is just fine?
Steve
I’m interested in the dual port Ryobi 40v simultaneous rapid charger that just got to Depot. When that hits the outlet TTi stores I’m all over it, one the blem ones, the first time they have a holiday weekend 20% off sale.
Greg
Would have liked for this updated 6port charger to allow USB charging by battery when not connected to power.