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I’m sure you’re asking yourself, a what? Is this some sort of gimmick for air tools? They requires some serious power and batteries suck so they’ll be dead in minutes.
Turns out the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Air Compressor is small and uncomplicatid looking sitting on work bench. It’s powered by one of their regular battery pack. Maybe you saw it as something for kids to use to mimic their dads or maybe you thought it was only for times when corded tools isn’t practical.
But here’s the truth: This isn’t going to replace a stationary, heavy-duty compressor for framing a house. It won’t run a sandblaster. It will change the equation when it comes to running something quick and having to drag an extension cord up a ladder or across some mud on your jobsite.
Is the convenience worth the compromise in performance? Do you want something that gets the job done fast or just slows you down? On everything from sports ball inflation to hanging drywall, we’ve put this tool through its paces.
So what’s it like? It’s not as good as using a corded one but that requires a shift in expectation. Here’s what it does, what it doesn’t do, and whether it should of been in your tool bag.
Reviewing The Ryobi 18V Air Compressor Performance
Realistic Performance Expectations
Power Output and CFM Ratings
The big thing is power. At 90 PSI, the Ryobi claims five CFM (cubic feet per minute). That sounds low next to a two-gallon pancake compressor that may push ten or even a dozen CFM.
Depending off how the rating was measured, CFM can be misleading. More important are how much air this unit delivers to your tool when you need it. Because it employs a reciprocating piston design, it has to cycle on and off to keep up with demand.
It gets the job done but try running a high-consuming tool longer than a half-minute or so and you’ll notice a difference. Battery selection is very important. This thing sucks up a lot of juice, particularly while the motor engage and starts pumping out pressure.
Choosing the Right Battery Capacity
For light-duty tasks a four-amp hour battery is good enough to get you by. But if you do much with it be prepared for it to run out fast. With a twenty-amp hour battery, however, that’s a whole new ballgame.
Not only does the tool last longer but the motor has the juice it needs without bogging down either. Consider the battery like your fuel tank. A smaller one gets you from point “A” to point “B,” but you’ll stop more often then not.
A larger tank allow you to work until you’re done without constantly checking the charge level. But here’s where this Ryobi really shines: Mobility. Instead of raw power, its true strength is mobility.
Mobility and On-Site Convenience
Picture yourself hanging some drywall in a corner of your ceiling. You are dragging a long air hose around and a heavy tank on wheels from a corded compressor. Tripping over the cord, untangling lines.
Pick up the Ryobi. Strap the battery on the side, grab it by the handle in one hand. Work the nailer with the other.
The weight is negligible. And it’s really free. You are no longer tied to an outlet.
The trade-off is heat and noise. The reciprocating compressor are noisier. Because this one is small, it sounds even louder next to your ear.
Heat Generation and Noise Levels
When the motor is running, it makes a high pitched whining sound. The unit also warms up. Not dangerously so.
But it is warm enough to be noticeable if held for any length of time. Nothing unusual about that with small electric motors operating under a load. This is something worth knowing if you’re doing work in a tight space or hot attic.
This leads me to another point about function: tank size. At only two liters, that’s a small tank. That means it turn on and off quite a bit.
Tank Size and Air Recovery
You aren’t building a huge supply of air. However, you are using enough that your motor is constanty running to catch up. Not a problem if you’ve got a brad nailer or a finish nailer.
Fire a couple of nails and wait a second for the tank to top out. Then, wait another second or two as the motor fill back up. If you’ve got a small impact wrench or a stapler, maybe it won’t be able to keep pace.
Learn how the tool breathes. Fire, stop, give it time, then fire again. There is no constant flow.
So far, it has been pretty durable. Fittings are your standard quick-connects which will work on most air tools. And the plastic housing is tough.
Again, being part of Ryobi’s ecosystem is a big benefit. This compressor fit perfectly if you have purchased any other ONE+ tool. You do not need a separate battery or a special charger.
Durability and Ecosystem Compatibility
Just plug it in and go. That alone make it a big seller. One purchase adds another use for a tool you already own.
Should you buy it then? Probably not if you’re a pro framing contractor. You want something with more power and stamina.
Final Buying Verdict
But if you’re a finish carpenter, a DIYer, or just hate extension cords, this thing will be a game changer. For many, this tool solve the convenience problem better than anything else we’ve tested. It is easy to use, portable, and fast.
Just be sure to bring a big battery. This is the key to making this thing work. It offers raw power for freedom, which is a fair tradeoff for most people.