Question 1

Which is better, the CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit or the RYOBI 18V ONE+ 6-Tool Combo Kit (P1819)?

Accepted Answer

Buy the Ryobi if you want more tools and a bigger ecosystem. Buy the Craftsman if you want fewer, better tools at a lower price — and shop at Lowe's. The Ryobi P1819 wins on sheer breadth: six tools, a circular saw that the Craftsman kit doesn't include, and access to 300+ compatible ONE+ products. That circular saw alone is worth the price difference for anyone doing real home improvement work. The Craftsman kit is cheaper and performs admirably for basic tasks, but the Ryobi's higher consensus score (78 vs. 72), better tool count, and ecosystem depth make it the smarter long-term buy for most DIYers — even at $100 more.

Question 2

Who should buy the CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit?

Accepted Answer

Buy the CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit if: You're buying your first power tools and want to spend under $200 — the Craftsman regularly goes on sale below that threshold; You live near a Lowe's and want easy in-store returns and same-day pickup without ordering online; You only need a drill, impact driver, and occasional demo work — the four-tool lineup covers basic homeowner tasks without paying for tools you'll never use; You already own Craftsman V20 batteries from a previous purchase and want to expand without buying into a new platform.

Question 3

Who should buy the RYOBI 18V ONE+ 6-Tool Combo Kit (P1819)?

Accepted Answer

Buy the RYOBI 18V ONE+ 6-Tool Combo Kit (P1819) if: You're planning to add more tools over time — the ONE+ platform's 300+ compatible products means one battery platform covers everything from a jigsaw to a tire inflator; You need to cut lumber or sheet goods, because the included circular saw is a tool the Craftsman kit simply doesn't have; You want a multi-tool for trim work, grout removal, or flush cuts — again, not in the Craftsman box; You're outfitting a first home workshop and want a more complete starting lineup without jumping to DeWalt or Milwaukee prices.

Question 4

What's the biggest difference between the CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit and RYOBI 18V ONE+ 6-Tool Combo Kit (P1819)?

Accepted Answer

The Ryobi includes a circular saw. The Craftsman doesn't. That's the whole argument. A circular saw is the single most useful tool for home improvement projects — cutting plywood for shelving, trimming lumber, building a deck. The Craftsman replaces it with a task light, which is a nice-to-have, not a need-to-have. If you ever plan to cut a straight line through a board, the Ryobi kit is already ahead before you compare anything else.

CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit vs RYOBI 18V ONE+ 6-Tool Combo Kit (P1819)

Buy the Ryobi if you want more tools and a bigger ecosystem. Buy the Craftsman if you want fewer, better tools at a lower price — and shop at Lowe's.

CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit

RYOBI 18V ONE+ 6-Tool Combo Kit (P1819)

Which one is for you?

Where they really differ

Who wins each round

Pros & cons

CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit

What holds up

What to know

RYOBI 18V ONE+ 6-Tool Combo Kit (P1819)

What holds up

What to know