Ridgid Lithium-Ion 18-Volt Compact Drill - Review

Because Lithium Ion batteries are so much lighter and more powerful than standard batteries, tool companies have a lot more leeway as far as design is concerned. The problem is that most of them are still intoxicated by the technology, focusing on creating the "lightest ever" or the "most powerful ever" tools. The small little screwdriver-style drills are handy and the 36-volt tools are total overkill, but what about that middle range? What about having a nice, reliable, no-frills, 18 Volt drill? If you feel the same way, look no further than Ridgid's new 18-Volt Compact Li-Ion Drill.

The drill is very light, 4.5 lbs. to be exact. It's interesting, but when compared directly to the Makita 14.4, which is about 4.6 lbs, the Ridgid feels much lighter. We figure that this has something to do with the fact that two thirds of the weight is no longer in the battery and the balance is much more even. The Ridgid feels solid in the hands and once we put it to work, we were not let down at all.

As far as power goes, the drill had absolutely no problem driving 3" screws into some really damp pressure-treated wood. Again and again, we expected the drill to give out. But it was on day two of use that we finally killed the factory charge on the first battery. We're not saying that we were using the drill constantly for 36 hours, but we were using it enough to be impressed with the longevity of the Li-Ion battery. And what they say about the Li-Ion is true; when they die, they die. That's it. One screw goes in with no problem and on the next screw, the drill is dead.

But no worries, Ridgid's drill comes with a nice 30 minute charger, so it won't be long before you're back in action. The charger is nicely designed with a two light indication system and a easy to understand key to decipher what all the blinking means.

And speaking of blinking, Ridgid's drill comes equipped with a little light at the base of the chuck that lights up the work area when the drill is in use. Before we ever used this feature on our Makita impact driver many moons ago, we thought it was pretty dumb idea. But now, we're converts and are very happy to see it on this drill.

The one thing that we didn't like about Ridgid's new drill is the bag that it comes in. It's a little duffel, the same one that their Fuego comes in. For the circular saw, the bag is no problem. All you ever have in the bag is the circular saw. But with a drill, the bag doesn't work out. There's no way to contain the loose change of drill bits, driver bits, screws, and everything else that seems to find it's way into the average drill case. With a standard hard case, at least these things are easily seen and retrieved. With the bag, they might as well be lost. So, unless you get a nice small drill bit index (which you probably should do anyway), it won't be long before you've got a lot of clutter kicking around the bottom of the bag.

But, as always with Ridgid's tools, this complaint is a minor one and hardly detracts from the tool and its value. This is a very nice drill. It's powerful, lightweight, and perfectly balanced. We see this drill in the hands of everyone from the contractor to the occasional diyer. It's so light and easy to handle that even if you're not used to using a drill, you won't be intimidated.

The drill retails for $189.00 and comes with two batteries, the charger, and the bag. When compared to other Li-Ion drills is a real steal (The Hitachi is almost $300).

We assume that, like most of Ridgid's power tools, this drill is available at Home Depot, but we can't find it on their website or in our local store.

Read More in: All Reviews | Cordless | Lithium-Ion | Power Tools

Share this Article with others:

iRobot Roomba Pet Series - Review - Sep 25, 2009
Craftsman 12-Volt Nextec Multi-Tool - Review - Oct 15, 2009
Bosch 18-Volt Litheon Impactor - Review - Sep 18, 2009

Came straight to this page? Visit Tool Snob for all the latest news.

Posted by Tool Snob at July 10, 2007 5:40 AM

I am at this site because of a rebuilt 18v lithium ion drill set that I bought last month at the Prime Outlet shop in Williamsburg, VA. Understanding that Rigid has a right-respectable 18v system, I bought this tool and several other rebuilt gas and 110V tools. I still have to use the latter tools.
So, about the drill: upon first use all three batteries OR the charger were inop. When charging I soon got both red and green blinking lights. Assuming that there would be no problem in arranging a trade with the store, I drove back to Williamsburg (a 150 mile round trip) only to be told that i had ONLY a seven-day window for a trade - that I had to contact Rigid directly to learn where and how to get satisfaction. To the store managers credit, he did exchange chargers with me, but when I arrived home again, nothing had changed.

Now, coming to your website to get warranty-replacement information, I don't see any avenue for relief other than this "feedback" section. Will this get results or do i have to look further, elsewhere?

As I told the store manager, I was not buying tools: I was buying holes-in-wood, and so far it looks like some other manufacturer could sell me one hell-of-a-lot of holes for much less money and agrivation.

Posted by: David Timm at August 9, 2009 3:40 AM

I received this drill as a birthday present and absolutely love it. Right now, the package also includes an impact driver and Home Depot had a power tool sale where you could knock another $25.00 off the purchase.

I was working on a roofing project and had it just in time to screw down sheeting. Granted, the sheeting is thin and the screws are only 1 5/8, but the house is old and I was drilling into hard maple 2x6s. I ran it an hour and a half straight (no pauses, just drive drive drive) before I lost juice and had to swap batteries. Shortly after working off the 2nd battery, the 1st was already charged again.

Just for giggles, I ran 3 inch screws into a pallet I had outside for a couple years. The wood was nearly petrified and didn't experience any issues driving it.

For the two that had issues with the drill, I would recommend making use of Ridgid's warranty and taking it into a service center. The refurb should be good for the traditional 3 year warranty, the other should be good for life (provided ou filled out the LSA form). I would have preferred a different case then the duffel, but I won't quibble. This is a great drill.

Posted by: David Craig at September 20, 2009 12:48 AM

This drill,(18 Volt!), was a huge dissappointment for me. The drill has absolutely no power and the batteries run out with a quickness! Even pre drilling with the appropriate size bit, in fir, if I did'nt drill the exact depth of the fastner the drill would not do it. It would just stop. A huge difference compared to the Makita 14.4!

Posted by: armando at June 29, 2009 10:54 PM

I bought this Ridgid drill instead of the Dewalt. I have NEVER been more disappointed in a product. I have an old Makita 9.6v that will work circles around this drill. If you want some advice about Rigid battery powered drills, DO NOT BUY A RIGID, YOU WILL BE VERY DISAPPOINTED. The Ridgid Lithium 18 volt is a piece of JUNK!!!!!!!

Posted by: Bill at September 18, 2009 10:24 PM

Interesting. I had an experience much more like David's, above. I bought a whole kit, Hammerdrill, Circular Saw, Recip Saw, and found the tools completely worthless. The drill would barely drive four or five long screws into some damp, tough wood, the saw only made two and a half 24" cuts through the same. Only owned them for about four hours. Returned them to Home Depot, took the money to Lowe's and got a Makita kit which perform like champs, still using them today, five years later.
I have to wonder if Rigid is having Quality Control problems. I have a friend who has a newer Rigid Driver/Drill and it seems to work well for him. Very curious.

Posted by: John at September 23, 2009 12:10 AM

I bought this drill reconditioned with two (used and beat up) batteries from Amazon for a great price. I've used it for various home handyman uses, including drilling cable holes in block walls and building a utility trailer. I haven't been spoiled by Makita or other high-end, high-priced tools -- I'm willing to believe they have other advantages for their price -- but for less than half the price, I really like this Ridgid, especially compared to the brands I've been using for the past 50 years. I've never before had a hand chuck that I didn't have to hold from turning with my other hand while tightening. I've never had a cordless last as long on a single charge. One of my used batteries gave up the ghost today after a year's good service, and I don't begrudge it at all.

Posted by: CD at October 17, 2009 10:49 AM