Ryobi launched their new USB Lithium cordless power tools earlier this year, and are already hard at work to expand the lineup.
The new additions to the USB Lithium cordless lineup includes a 3-port battery charger and two LED lighting products – a flashlight and a pivoting-head worklight.
All three new products will be available starting in October 2022, exclusively at Home Depot.
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Ryobi USB Lithium 3-Port Battery Charger (FVCH01)
The new multi-port battery charger is said to deliver 80% faster charging compared to charging Ryobi’s USB Lithium batteries using a USB charging cable.
It can charge up to 3 batteries, one at a time, and has LED lights for indicating charge status.
The charger also has an energy saver mode to help conserve energy when it’s not actively charging or maintaining batteries.
Ryobi adds that the charger is a convenient plate to store Ryobi USB Lithium batteries when they’re not being used.
The charger can be placed on a flat surface or wall-mounted to save space.
Price: $39.97
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Ryobi USB Lithium Flashlight (FVL51K)
The new USB Lithium flashlight can deliver up to 600 lumens of brightness, and has 3 lighting modes (high, low, strobe).
It’s water and dust resistant, with an IP54 rating.
The flashlight can deliver more than 18 hours of runtime on low when powered with the included 2Ah battery.
Price: $39.97 (kit)
The kit comes with the flashlight, a 2Ah battery, and USB charging cable. (A wall adapter is not included.)
Ryobi USB Lithium Flip Light (FVL52K)
Ryobi has also added a pivoting Flip Light LED worklight to the USB Lithium lineup.
It can deliver up to 500 lumens of light output and has 3 modes (high, medium, low). Runtime is over 24 hours on low with the included 2Ah battery.
As with the flashlight, this worklight is also water and dust resistant with an IP54 rating.
Ryobi says that the light is built to withstand the toughest conditions.
It has a folding magnetic base that can pivot over 180°.
Ryobi says:
This light is a great personal lighting solution that can illuminate tight spaces such as an engine bay, under a cabinet, or inside ventilation ducts.
They also say that it features 2-by mounting capability, although it’s unclear how.
Price: $39.97 (kit)
The kit comes with the worklight, a 2Ah battery, and USB charging cable. (A wall adapter is not included.)
Discussion
All three new Ryobi USB Lithium tools and accessories are smart additions to the lineup. Lighting products were expected, and the 3-port charger seems convenient.
Early adopters might lament that Ryobi went with kit options for the lighting products, but most users could probably benefit from having an extra battery.
In my opinion, the lighting products’ kit configurations make them more appealing to Ryobi USB Lithium newcomers, as it lets anyone get started as long as they have a USB charger/wall adapter to use with the included cord. Who doesn’t have a USB charging brick these days?
I know some users might wish the 3-port charger offered simultaneous charging, rather than sequential, but there’s still the potential for that in the future. Sequential charging is still convenient.
I like that Ryobi says you can use the charger as a battery storage dock.
Ryobi is taking the USB Lithium line in an interesting direction, and I can’t wait to see what else is on their expansion roadmap.
Jared
Those lights actually look really good.
Sure, you could “upgrade” to an Olight or similar flashlight, but I bet the Ryobi is a simpler product and one that will be available at Home Depot. 600 lumens is plenty for most uses.
I’m curious how long it lasts at that output? e.g. lots of flashlights achieve their maximum brightness for only a few minutes before stepping down. If the Ryobi can sustain 600 lumens for a longer period of time… it might be an even better product than it looks like on paper.
The worklight seems to fit right in with the competition too. Astro Pneumatic is probably still the automotive worklight leader, with Snap-on and Olight making some good options too (plus a host of copycats). This Ryobi has competitive specs though – and the long runtime (presumably on low) might actually give it an edge.
Adam
I love my Milwaukee flip style flood similar to this. I suppose having the ability to charge thru the light makes up for not being able to charge the battery with a cable.
The only way I see that light clamping to 2x material, is if there is a secondary spring arm that pivots off the main, to create a “C” shape to clamp.
I’ll wait for some the USB-C tools to drop in price before investing. Only tool I don’t have something similar to already would be the carving tool, and probably won’t need.
Think you meant to say place, not plate for the charger description.
Koko+The+Talking+Ape
I’m Milwaukee-only for lights, just because they aren’t irritating to look at, and the color rendition is better. But Milwaukee’s M12 rotary tool gets mixed reviews, so I might look at Ryobi’s version. And this charger looks handy.
Adam
The M12 rotary was my first M12 tool 6 or 7 years back on a BF deal for $49, and has been one of my favorite tools to use. The collet that comes with it, often breaks prematurely it seems, but that is considered a consumable. I also think any don’t push the bit on first to release.
I had figured they would have maybe put out a Fuel model by now, as other companies have brushless versions.
Anyway, their are promo’s for the M12 rotary tool with battery at most retailers, so I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up.
Koko+The+Talking+Ape
Good to hear! Thanks!
AL
I have a B&D screwdriver with rotary cutter attachment for opening packages. All in for 50 bucks.
The concept of replaceable battery is nice. But I’ve assembled a roomful of Ikea furniture or several server racks of equipment without needing a recharge.
Does anyone need the replaceable batteries enough to justify double the cost? Especially when getting weak Dremel substitute. Or, no glue gun.
Jared
I think this depends what product you’re talking about.
Take the $40 Ryobi flip light kit for example. It’s 500 lumens with a 2ah battery. It’s very similar in my opinion to the $40 Olight Swivel – which peaks at 400 lumens and has a 2.6ah battery (actually less than the claimed lumens according to Torque Test Channel’s recent test, though it is unusual for Olight to have misleading specs).
Those specs and prices are close enough to be a wash in my opinion – so no obvious “premium” for Ryobi’s replaceable battery.
The flashlight doesn’t count right? I’m sure there are built-in battery flashlights, but they are rare. There’s no good Olight parallel here that I can think of. Maybe the Nebo Torchy 1000 lumen for $30? While the Nebo boast higher peak lumens, I bet it only does that for 2-3minutes max, at which point it would likely drop down to Ryobi levels. And I suspect the Ryobi has a larger battery.
Tim D.
Hey Al,
The cost on these is a bit high. I had one of the older 4v ryobi drivers. It did last a long time, and worked well. The issue I had was the proprietary charger that I only had one of, and was always trying to remember where it was plugged in.
I bought the new driver mainly because it charged via usb-c and was a brand that I already knew worked well
However, I will say that the new usb-lithium screwdriver from ryobi kinda sucks compared to some of their older models. Single speed transmission, and a poorly designed over-torque safety that simply wasn’t needed.
Mikedt
I get the feeling that if you crack one of those batteries open you’ll find a generic 18650 cell. I do like the addition of the USB-C port that would allow you to charge the battery using a random phone charger when you’re away from home.
I’d skip the flashlight (and stick with my Sofirn SC31 pro) but I like the design of the flip worklight
cj
They just need a few more tools in this range. I loved the tek4 line and still use the stud finder, laser level, flashlight, and screwdriver all the time. They are all showing their age, but remain great tools for occasional use.
Tojen1981
Milwaukee needs an integrated redlithium usb/m12/m18 charger or at least something like this charger. I hate fiddling with charger cords all the time in the shop when the usb battery needs charged.
Bud
Ryobi needs to make 6 slots fast battery charger that charges them all at once not sequentially
Flotsam
My question is how similar these batteries are to Ryobi’s Tek 4 batteries in terms of form factor and voltage. USB is nominally 5v but i was just curious.
I have a Ryobi screwdriver and and cutter that are Tek 4 and i really like them.
Stuart
They should be comparable at the least, and probably better given the Li-ion cell advancements in the years since Tek4.
USB is the charging method, but the cells are still 4V Max/3.6V nominal.
Slo
Are the old tek4 batteries backwards compatable?
Stuart
Not that I am aware of, this is an entirely new system.
Gary
I’m waiting for Ryobi to make these batteries a source for recharging portable devices (phones/tablets). It seems like they’re already there with a USB C port; that would expand the use for these batteries to a whole other market.
Stuart
A single battery doesn’t hold much energy. Maybe it can top off a phone, but definitely not a tablet.
Matty D
My Tek 4 lights, ear protection and Mp3 (outdated!) are still useable howver like another poster mentioned, you always have to find the wall charger. I like the idea of this stationary charger. to always keep some batteries going. THats cool.
I am looking for a replacement/addition for the Tek4 flashlights…this looks like a good solution. Its pricey but what isnt nowadays…iI’ll just take my time with recycling our cans for extra funny money. Its not going to break the bank.
If they come out with even more compatible tools thats awesome. I hope the line doesnt fold all the sudden like Tek4.
Robert Bennett
Where can be buy the Ryobi USB LITHIUM Compact LED Flashlight Kit model #FVL51k. reviews are all over the internet buy neither Ryobi nor Home Depot can tell me where or when I can buy this item,
Stuart
It hasn’t launched at Home Depot yet. Maybe they’re waiting for after the New Year.
Ken Kuhlman
I wish Milwaukee would have done this style of charger years ago. I requested it at least in 2016/2017 so we could use Milwaukee headlamps at work. But because they didn’t have a mass charging unit we couldn’t move to them. Ah well