Messes Have Met Their Match: Ryobi One+ 18V Power Scrubber Review

Whether you need to clean a soiled barbecue grill, remove buildup from your home’s siding, or get your sinks and showers sparkling clean, a good power scrubber is, as they say, worth its weight in gold. These handy tools feature a fast-spinning head that thoroughly scrubs a surface, saving you all the hard work.

I recently pitted nine popular power scrubbers against each other, and the Ryobi One+ 18V Power Scrubber Kit was the clear winner. While it was one of the more expensive scrubbers I tested, the quality and durability were unmatched. I used it to scrub mildew from my concrete porch steps, deep-clean my porcelain sinks, and remove hard water spots from my shower handles. 

My husband doesn’t usually pay attention to cleaning tools. But after he saw me using the Ryobi power scrubber, he snatched it up to clean his pellet smoker and our camper, both with impressive results. 

Ryobi One+ 18V Power Scrubber Kit: At a Glance

What is the Ryobi One+ Power Scrubber?

The Ryobi One+ 18V power scrubber kit is a handheld scrubber that comes with a 6-inch medium stiffness bristle brush, a 2-amp-hour (Ah) Ryobi battery, and a charger. It has a clear case on the bottom, protecting the battery from moisture, and an IPX7 water-resistant rating. This scrubber can be submerged in 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes without damage.

The included medium-stiffness bristle brush is ideal for tackling outdoor surfaces and durable indoor surfaces, like sinks and ceramic tiles. However, there are a range of available attachments, like soft bristle brushes and microfiber heads, that can increase its versatility. The 2 Ah battery runs for up to an hour of continuous use before needing to be recharged.

Those who already own Ryobi tools can snag the power scrubber body alone (without the battery and charger) for a lower price than the kit. A telescoping model is also available, offering the same powerful scrubbing action with a greater reach.

Can you use the Ryobi power scrubber indoors and outdoors?

Upon receiving the Ryobi power scrubber, I was initially uncertain about its versatility for both indoor and outdoor surfaces. The medium-stiffness bristle brush felt soft but stiffer than the indoor power scrubbers I had used. So, I decided to test my luck.

I started outdoors, and the brush stiffness was perfect for grills, grates, and concrete steps. I was perhaps most impressed when my husband cleaned his soot- and grease-covered pellet smoker. He sprayed the smoker with a degreaser and then powered on the Ryobi. In 20 minutes, the pellet smoker was clean to the touch, and the Ryobi brush was completely black from lifting all the grime. Water wasn’t enough to clean the brush, so we sprayed it with a degreaser, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then rinsed it with a hose, which did the trick.

I then moved indoors, tackling a toothpaste-covered porcelain sink. The scrubber cleaned it in less than a minute, leaving zero scratches behind. I also used it on my shower and shower handles; again, it left the surfaces clean without a scratch.

I’d be hesitant to use the included brush on delicate indoor surfaces—I definitely wouldn’t use it on natural stone. Still, I plan on purchasing the microfiber and soft bristle attachments for future indoor use.

The Ryobi One+ 18V Power Scrubber is Powerful and High-Quality

One of my biggest pet peeves during power scrubber testing was when a scrubber’s motor would die after pressing it too firmly. I never had that problem with the Ryobi scrubber. If I needed to push hard to dislodge a tough mess, I could. I also liked the design—the power button locked into place, so I didn’t have to worry about holding the trigger as I cleaned. 

This scrubber is heavier than the average indoor-only model and feels similar to holding a standard-size drill. The weight wasn’t a hindrance, though—even my 7-year-old daughter enjoyed taking turns using it to clean our patio, and she had no problem operating it.

The Ryobi’s maximum rotating speed is 210 RPM, which isn’t super high. However, even though it spun slower than many comparable scrubbers, the speed was plenty fast to handle every job we put it up against.

It’s also durable, a trait I look for in any cleaning tool. The quality is on par with other Ryobi power tools. We dropped it several times and submerged it in water, and it came out unscathed. 

Is the Ryobi One+ 18V power scrubber kit worth the money?

The Ryobi power scrubber is worth the money if you’re after quality. It’s one of the highest-priced scrubbers I tested (most other models ranged from $40 to $60), but its durability and power are superior. 

The Ryobi power scrubber kit costs $119 and includes the handheld scrubber tool, one brush attachment, a 2 Ah battery, and a charger. Fortunately, Ryobi power tools have interchangeable batteries, so if you already own a Ryobi battery and charger, you can purchase the power scrubber tool separately for about $60 to $80, depending on where you buy it.

Aside from the price of the tool, you’ll also want to consider the cost of other attachments. This kit only comes with one 6-inch medium-stiffness bristle brush. Other attachments, including microfiber heads, soft bristle brushes, and hard bristle brushes, are available for purchase in varying sizes. Prices for these range from about $20 for stand-alone brushes to $50 for multipacks.

Is the Ryobi One+ 18V power scrubber kit right for you?

The Ryobi One+ checks the boxes for power, durability, and versatility. However, it may not fit every need. It doesn’t include a telescoping pole, which limits its reach, plus it only comes with one attachment. 

If you want to stick with Ryobi but need more reach, the Ryobi One+ 18V Telescoping Power Scrubber Kit is what you’ll want. It has the same features as the handheld version but offers a telescoping rod that extends up to 51 inches, making it easier to tackle jobs like cleaning eaves and siding. 

If you’re in the market for a power scrubber that offers a wide range of attachments at a budget-friendly price, the Losuy Electric Spin Scrubber is a top contender. I put it through its paces and found it to be a standout choice for indoor chores. It includes seven versatile attachments, such as sponges, brushes, and microfiber cloths, and a telescoping pole extending its reach to 54 inches. 

I used the Ryobi One+ scrubber and the eight other options in our best power scrubber guide for 4 weeks, cleaning every compatible material I could find. I didn’t go easy on any models, and the Ryobi One+ earned its top spot by excelling in all tests. I recommend it to anyone looking for a long-lasting, versatile power scrubbing tool.

Where to Buy the Ryobi One+ 18V Power Scrubber Kit

Get the Ryobi One+ 18V power scrubber at:

• The Home Depot for $119 
• Amazon (tool only) for $59.99 

Meet the Tester

Katie Barton has over 10 years of experience in product writing, has tested dozens of cleaning products, and has authored hundreds of articles for major media outlets. Her cleaning and organizing advice has been featured on GOBankingRates, Realtor.com, Yahoo!, Cabin Life, and more. She takes an unbiased approach to product testing, using each product multiple times or for several days/weeks to determine efficacy. Her goal is to help readers decide which products are worth their hard-earned money and which fall flat.