Ryobi’s newest 18V Impact Wrench is the perfect upgrade for your garage

Published Nov 14, 2026, 3:30 PM EST Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He's covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family. He's covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He's written over 9,000 articles. An impact wrench is a powerful and versatile tool I think everyone should own. And chances are, many DIY mechanics already have one that came in a combo kit. But as we all know, Ryobi is constantly releasing exciting new tools or upgrading its 18V ONE+ arsenal, and that includes an all-new impact wrench that's the perfect upgrade for your garage or shop. In recent months, Ryobi has slowly released dozens of new tools and accessories, like its customizable DIY workbench, capable new portable power cleaners, and it isn't slowing down anytime soon. More are coming this fall or early winter, but the one I'm talking about started hitting shelves over the last two months. Ryobi's new 18V Mid Torque Impact Wrench A 1/2-inch impact with 4 speed modes Whether you are rotating tires, building a patio deck, or tackling stubborn suspension bolts, the right tool can make frustrating and difficult jobs faster and easier than ever. Ryobi's latest 18V ONE+ Impact Wrench delivers the muscle you need in a more compact package than before, along with a power and torque upgrade, all without being overkill for most homeowners. More importantly, it doesn't break the bank. I'm talking about the latest Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP 4-mode Mid Torque 1/2 inch Impact Wrench (PBLIW25B). And while that name is a mouthful, the details, features, and specs matter. Ryobi has a regular model and a big, bad, expensive High Torque option, but this new one lands perfectly in the middle. There's a good chance most of you own one of the best-selling Ryobi 1/2-inch Impacts, in either an old brushed version (P261) or an upgraded HP brushless model. I have a 10-year-old brushed Impact, and while it handles most jobs, it's pretty old and has been used and abused. Eventually, I upgraded to the High Torque model, which retails for $219. It's a bit overkill, and if I waited, this new mid torque model is perfect. According to Ryobi, the new 1/2 inch Mid Torque (PBLIW25B) model is a solid upgrade over the outgoing P262. For starters, it's 18% more compact and features a new, improved brushless motor. The brand says it'll deliver 30% faster speeds, more power, additional torque, and a newer built-in triple LED light for late-night jobs. In terms of numbers, this Mid Torque option delivers 650 lb-ft of breakaway torque, 500 ft-lb of fastening torque, plus an upgraded internal assembly with a 4-mode speed dial capable of up to 3,800 IPM (impacts per minute). My aging P261 only offers 300 ft-lb of torque and 3,200 IPM, meaning this model offers more than 2X that breakaway torque. And sure, that's not nearly as much as the High Torque option that delivers over 1,100 lb-ft, but it's way more than the outgoing model. So, whether you have a 10-year-old Ryobi impact, or even one of the newer HP models released over the last few years, this upgraded Mid Torque model is a solid upgrade across the board. It's smaller, easier to use, more powerful, and, more importantly, available at Home Depot right now, bundled with an impact socket set for only $139. And as we all know, impact sockets are just as important as your tools themselves. Ryobi 18V Mid Torque 1/2 Inch Impact Wrench $139 $244 Save $105 The all-new Ryobi 18V HP 4-mode Mid Torque Impact Wrench is here. It's more compact and more powerful than the outgoing model, delivering 650 lb-ft of breakaway torque for all your projects. The combo above is pretty solid, although we're not sure how long that'll last. As a standalone tool, without any combo bundles or discounts, Ryobi is asking $199 for this latest model. That's a bit on the expensive side, especially considering the High Torque kit is only $220, so I'd recommend grabbing it on sale if you can wait. Thankfully, Ryobi tools constantly go on sale, and look out for specific deals every Tuesday. It's time to retire that old Impact Whether you have a corded impact or an older Ryobi impact that you've used for years, now might be the perfect time to retire it for something new. As the name implies, Ryobi's latest HP mid torque model is a solid middle ground in terms of price and performance, and it'll be up for the challenge regardless of the project at hand. It's not a low-end weak model, nor is it the biggest and best that might strip bolt heads and deliver too much power. It's right in the middle, with four speed modes, so you'll have an easy time breaking nuts free or rotating your tires. If you're a DIY mechanic like me who's constantly doing repairs or maintenance on vehicles, or aspire to be one, get yourself this impact and get to work.