RYOBI 18V Hybrid Cooler Fridge Freezer [12V 18V 120V] 

Not charging the batteries when plugged in, is a huge miss. Priced way too high.

For everyone lambasting the price; you’re looking at this wrong. This is a true compressor fridge/freezer that runs on AC and 12v. It also just happens to use Ryobi 18v batteries when in between power. Similar sized fridges from normal brands like Dometic are about $500-900 bucks. I own one. It’s amazing having a cold fridge in my truck all the time (solar and auxiliary battery setup). This isn’t some thermoelectric cooler you buy for $199 bucks and it sort of keeps things cool. It’s an actual compact compressor refrigerator/freezer. Those are expensive. Edit: I do agree that not charging the batteries while on AC power is a miss. Also, yes, portable fridges have relatively small compartments, you have to realize though that when you don’t have a jumble of ice to deal with, it’s actually way more roomier than you thought.

Anyone else kind of shocked at that price? I was expecting about $300.

Once a year, me and the family go on a months-long camping trip. Im looking to grab one of these coolers since I'm HEAVY in the Ryobi line up. I've looked everywhere though to see if anyone knew if the 12ah batteries would fit. Thank you for covering this, you have once again sold me on another tool. 🤣

put everything in it, plug it into the wall or 12v outlet to get it down to temp then use the batteries to maintain it. Odds are you're gonna either be in your yard or have to transport this somewhere before its used so just use external power to boot

Im excited to check it out. I have a 22qt $300 one that stays in our truck, itx great for groceries, bringing drinks to the beach and we use it almost everytime we go to town. Only problem is when we go to the beach for the day we kill our battery running it. So having the battery power to run it through a night of camping or a day of beaching is really ideal. I would like to solar charge inputs though, that would be a real sweet setup.

I travel a lot and had this last summer for a few trips. I’d run it on 12v all day while driving. And I’d charge the batteries while driving. When I was done moving for the day I’d clip the batteries in and leave it in the truck overnight. It worked great but it’s bulky for the cold space that it has.

So many better options available but I like the ability to use the Ryobi batteries. Maybe a larger unit using 40v batteries?

A little bit of forward planning goes a long way-plug it into mains power the night before with beverages in. The next day when you’re ready to go out on your day, it won’t have to cool it down from a high temp.

Great video, I enjoyed your testing of its performance and also showing that even the 12ah batteries fit. As a tradesman who keeps a cooler in the van stocked year round for me and my help this looks like a great idea. However for a "worry free" experience with this cooler it sure seems like an expensive way to go about it. By "worry free" I would want to have at least four 8 or 9 amp hour batteries to go with it and a dual bay charger so a set of 2 batteries could last 24 hours without issue even with the van having to set in the sun. Then at the end of the work day switch out the batteries and charge the dead ones simultaneously. Rinse & repeat daily. Any more effort than that and I might as well stop at the gas station every day {in the summer} and buy ice like I currently do. So a little math and even cheating a little by buying four 9ah batteries from Direct Tools at $78 a piece and driving 45 minutes one way to a Direct Tools to get them I'm at $1000 all in. A little more math and it would take around 2 to 2.5 years to break even on the purchase versus buying a $35 cooler and on average buying ice around 2.5 to 3 times a week (depends on the season obviously). So it can be cost effective but it definitely has a steep entrance price. Sorry for the long winded post but for someone like me the math was worth it to know how to spend my hard earned money! Hopefully someone else gets something out of it. Cheers!

We have just bought a very similar fridge made by worx (who also make a tool system with shared batteries). I was lucky to find one for £149 in the recent sales. 2 compatible batteries set me back £58 (20v , 6AH). Its just me and my husband camping so we dont need a huge fridge. I like that it can run off a powerstation, car 12v, AC AND the batts. I believe what is happening with the batteries is, it uses one, then the other. If you plug into AC it will charge the needy one and then the other.

Shocked that at that price point it doesn't charge the batts when plugged into AC wall power. That is a huge feature oversight for $500 😒

I can wait for it to hit Direct Tools.

This gives me hope that a actual small portable Air Conditioner is rite around the corner!!!😊

Milwaukee needs this

As a OTR trucker I like this. I like the fact that it is a freezer and has battery options. I think it is a little small. It would be nice to see bigger options. Would be nice to know how durable and long lasting this is as many electric coolers like this don’t last very long if you use them all the time 24/7 as truckers do. Comparing price to a Dometic cooler it is a little bit lower plus you have the battery option. But it is smaller and you don’t have several sizes to pick from. I’m interested. Wish EGO would make this since I already have their batteries and lawn tools. Thanks for the review!

This would actually be a game changer for people that live in their cars / cans since it can not only cool things but also freeze

If this could run off of solar panels and also doubled as a battery charger, I would happily pay $1000 for this. Also, RYOBI, why on earth didn't you make the lid white? That's just stupidly counter productive. I'm still gonna have to get one. Thanks for the great review. Cheers.

Thanks for the review. I was looking for something like this a few months ago when we were taking a trip to Atlanta.

I'm gonna get one and paint it red and put a Milwaukee sticker on it. 3d print a Ryobi to Milwaukee battery adapter and boom I get to piss off offend everyone. 😮😊😅😂

How necessary is it to keep a 6 pack cold? $500 worth?

They are all over priced. But I’d buy the Makita for a little more money. It’s worth the extra cash! Sent one of these back. They are sketchy in operation, build quality isn’t near as good, Makita has an internal led light, also run time was longer, drain plug didn’t leak like the ryobi did and I trust it more than the ryobi after the experience we had! The Makita for what it’s worth can also be used as a warmer. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I like My Ryobi tools. and would immediately buy this if it would CHARGE THE DAMB BATTS WHILE IT IS PLUGGED IN. btw, coolers are made to keep things cool. freezers and fridges are made to cool things that are warm.

When you plugged it into the adapter and the battery voltage jumped up on the one battery indicated that it would charge the batteries. I wish you would have plugged it back in after the batteries were dead to find out if it will charge them. I guess the manual will tell me.

You have a thermal (flir) thermometer Why not tell us specifically what the drink temps were when the cooler was at 34?

Alexandria Egypt? Not meaning to pry but that surprised me far more then the rest of the video. Great review by the way, thank you sir!

Yeah, no pass through charging of the batteries is a massive loss. My use case is to leave it in the trunk of the car with waters and gatorades all the time. I drive my car at least once a day, or probably even every 16 hours. The battery keeps them cold when the Alternator is off, the car charges the 18v batteries up and runs the cooler when it’s on. Plus you always have a place for cold groceries.

The Anker everfrost imo is a better deal. It comes with a battery and it’s bigger storage than the ryobi, it charges the battery when plugged in. It cools faster and the 33 qt cooler is the same price. It has better wheels and a table that doubles as a pull handle. It also has a much better app. So Anker everfrost is a better buy.

Excellent idea by Ryobi. But with that little run time, I will stick to my middle of the road Igloo cooler & ice for 1.5 days.

At that price it just doesn't make sense for that small of a fridge/freezer. Maybe the next version they'll free up cooler space and move the batteries outside the main dimensions? You can get a BougeRV fridge/freezer with dual zones for less with much more space. A battery is extra, but it makes more sense to me. Or go Iceco with a proven track record as well. These might sell to some, but these and their 1800w power sources just aren't competitive price/performance.

Is it waterproof? Can it get rained on if you were to take it camping?

I really like this concept! I currently use an Igloo iceless cooler, it works okay especially if the chest and product is pre-cooled. But a TE-Cooler device can only do so much plus it can and will run a starter battery down if you forget to keep an eye on it.. I like the capability to freeze, auto off feature and still portable & off grid if needed. Like most every other Ryobi product I'll wait until they offer a couple 8 or 9 AH batteries in that price ;)

For that price point there are others on the market with two compartments that can both freeze or refrigerate.

The better option is to get a Amazon fridge/cooler and a jackery. It will last way longer. And or be way cheaper vs buying enough batteries for this to make sense to own.

Would be nice if they made one that can use 2x 36v batteries. Could use the two big batteries from the lawnmower on a cooler when away for a day or two

Pre-cool it with 120v, then switch 12v when traveling, then switch to 18v battery's, then invite Kid Rock over to shoot your cool Bud Light. lol

They should invent a box that holds a bag of ice and a twelve pack. It would be way more convenient and maybe even cost less.

Is it possible to partially fill the compartment with ice and maintain it ?

I tried putting two 12ah batteries in mine and it won't close. If I put the 12ah at the back like Tim did then yes but 2 it will not close

That’s pretty nice kind of expensive $500 and then you gotta go out and buy the big batteries to really get more runtime really looking closer to like $650 maybe. I don’t know I think just buying a regular yeti cooler with ice would be better for me I think.

Informative video , Thanks. Now lets talk about how Ryobi has left its primary market that allowed them to grow to the mammoth they are today. I am 60 years old and have well over 200 Ryobi tools and at least 40 batteries . I even have some European Ryobi tools that were never offered here in the USA. The past 3 years Ryobi has deserted their customer base in pursuit of BIG PROFITS by jacking almost all the tools up in price so much that the normal user can no longer justify the purchase . Drills, saws, whatever they are making have gone from starting at the $49 dollar range to almost $200 for each tool. Its pretty bad.. Take the power source they came out with at $59, I used mine every single day in the truck. The same and new model is out at $100, REALLY? Basically doubling the price. The sad part is Ryobi went from the McDonalds Theory of selling EVERYBODY a hamburger at .29 cents and making a ton of money to now selling only a select few a hamburger at $5 bucks. What you will see is people leaving the brand, or like me buying hardly anything new from them at all when in the past I was always the first to have whatever tool came out that month being that early adopter/ tester to not even buying one single tool or battery during this years Ryobi Days...NEVER, EVER thought I would NOT buy something but they have left a BAD BAD taste in my mouth by jacking up the prices to triple and quadruple of what they used to be. I think this will come back to bite them HARD when the economy slows down or other people feel the way I do. I also think your seeing all theses new tool releases at high prices they will see bad sales numbers because they are charging DeWalt prices and its not a DeWalt , Once theses sales numbers drop they will drop the making of these tools thus any parts you need for them further alienating the customer base they are losing now. Hopefully Ryobi will see and read this but I know they won't change until they are force too, hopefully the Ryobi fans that made this company what it is will still be around and forgive them. If you agree with my thoughts please post your thoughts too so Ryobi people will have a better chance os seeing how the customer feels when they have that STICKER SHOCK of $500 for a tiny 11 inch by 11 inch cooler then $300 worth of batteries needed to have it run for a full day . Y'all enjoy your $800 dollar coolers !

Surely the fridge should automatically switch to the batteries after being disconnected from 240v and 12v. So if you ever have it plugged in your car, then turn your car off, it'll still be powered by the ryobi batteries

Like Makita it probably has a small condensing unit in it and that is not cheap.

That was a lot of imperial numbers :)

I like reaching into a cooler with ice water to find my drinks.

How does it do in the outdoor heat ? Thank you

Pretty cool idea. If it were Milwaukee branded and half the price, I'd be in. $500 for a Ryobi tool only with no batteries that'll typically last for 3 hours on 2 batteries... I'm out.

In Australia, its $800, with 2x4ah batteries...............having said that, i had to have one! Ive recently bought a pair of 9ah batteries, primarily for this. I hope the lid closes, i didnt check first.

Awesome review, also, I think the BT in the model name stands for Bare Tool

Oh Lord!!!! For 500 dollars, you can buy high end fridge freezer with batteries and larger size. I think Ryobi wants to be just like big brother Milwaukee. Very expensive 😂

I'll pass on it for that price and wait for Kobalt to come out with one

I've had this cooler for about a month now, & I absolutely love it, except the pricing is too high for only 24quarts, but other than that, it's an awesome cooler. But May I ask where did you get that "Unplug with Ryobi 18v one +" decal sticker decal from? Please help.

Maybe RYOBI got their 24 hours run time on the norwegian north or south poles where the thing was already deep frozen when they started to measure? You weren't even close to what they claimed.

How much are the 12AH batteries?

I just got mine for fathers day for half off the price so im more excited than anything but it definitely a big miss the no charging capability when plugged to the wall

For less money you can buy the best small fridge and freezer dual zone portable fridge , iceco go 20

Good review, appreciate the content. Just some slight repetition in the first minute where you covered the power inputs twice.

40 Mile drive for ice or just quiet solar panel, micro MPPT/super cap. and this would be COOL. Charging battery pair if you got em. Stay put for weeks.

Yeah, for $500 you can buy both a 23Qt. AND 30Qt. BougeRV OR a 30Qt. BougeRV and Jackery 300wH portable power station.

I would buy one if it can recharge the batteries when plugged with 12V or 110V/230V power source. Strange design without a recharging function.😢

120v, not 110v. So how does it perform when +100F.

This wouldn’t be bad at all if you had some ice in there with the drinks!

I do like the fact that it comes with the wall and 12v plug. But the price point seems pretty steep. When you can get a pretty decent battery power station and a 12v fridge for about that price..

If ryobi gives you a spec of 20 hours then figure that to be running with nothing inside and on like 45 degrees. Thats like a fan. If they say 20 hours of run time thats gonna be on the largest battery and on low

When does Ryobi plan to release the new 8ah and 12 ah batteries. I just got two new 9ah batteries. For my duel port 36v Ryobi miter saw. The 9ah last 3-5 days in the construction site. The 12ah will last for ever. 👍Great video I like the cooler. But I'll stick with my Coleman power cooler for now.

Great review. One question How many beer bottles do you think you could get in there? 24?

only use case i can see is driving groceries from the store or keeping lunch cold a few hours. for well under $500 i can get a small 300wh power station and a 21qt setpower 12v fridge.

What about the freezer?

man, I was excited until I saw it wasn't for the 40v battery line. But I guess it's probably running the same SECOP 12/24v compressor that all the other portable fridges on the market are using. Just needs better options to plug it into a 3rd party battery pack. having to run the power brick on 120v just to get 12v again will tank the efficiency.

So, no Ryobi retention system plates integrated into it, I suspect that one of their deeper portable toolboxes, some pink styro board, and a plastic bag will get you a cooler that will work for most people for a lot less. As others have noted, $500 covers a lot of ice.

Would of been better two compartments for freezer and cooler than batteries inside. They should of put them on the outside or some other design. Also they say compressor shouldn't be turn on its side or upside down. The oil runs away and dry the lubrication they say. Could damage things.

STICKER SHOCK! $500 is too steep, perhaps in time, the economies of scale will bring down the price. The battery issue can be overlooked if you use the 6ah or higher and carry a ryobi six port fast charger with you. Another way is some type of charger, i.e. Jackery to power the unit.

When you plug in to mains power , does that also change the batteries?

excellent video

Perfect in a boat

If I compare it to wynter Dometic freezers it is inferior I was hoping to find the 18 volt feature to last longer than it does other comparable freezers that run on 12v/110v are more efficient and give more freezer/fridge space they do cost more but the cost is Justified because they are also more efficient on energy and space

how well will it hold a 1 gallon jug of milk?????

Crazy idea. If you can't chill it in advanced can you put ice in it to speed up the process with cooling? I was thinking of using this to bring ice cream to a picnic and have it stay Frozen

Nice review 👌

The light in the cooler only works if the compressor is running...any way to fix this via one of the E codes?

Your videos are awesome 🎉

Id get one from China that works in 12v that is much bigger for like half the price but it would be awesome for keeping beer ate like 29° or some

Better features than the Pricey Yeti coolers

I would like to see a review on the skil mid torque impact wrench

I can only think of specific occasions I would use this, rigging it up to my golf cart, or going to my son’s little league games. And $500 is just a bit to steep when my normal cooler and making my own ice works perfectly fine. Sorry Ryobi I got a few grand in your electric power tools but this doesn’t hit the mark for me.

Seems to me this has very poor insulation to keep things cool. Should have temped the walls or lid to see how well it retains the coldness.

The lukewarm sodas caused the cooler to heat back up Had they been at temp they would have help the cooler maintain temp

Send it over to the Outdoor gear review Luck will give it a real test 😂

I use the 12v charger and it will blow my power port fuse so i understand why they couldn't offer pass thru charging. If charging one batt pulls so much theres no way you can run a compressor too. Maybe charging while the comp is off?

$250 on Amazon the same Mellif cooler for Dewalt battary

You need to lock the white balance before you start recording.

That's crazy high priced.

Really wish it would charge the batteries while plugged

Lot's of preparation for $500.00 more like $250.00 is ideal for the manual labor preparations required for maximizing the narrative of having a 🔋 Extremely over priced battery powered cooler 🥶

Leave it to Ryobi? Makita has had this for well over a year now.

Can you plug it into the Ryobi solar panel?

Great concept, but appears to be a battery hog. Definitely think adding ice is required to get any respectable time out of it. Might just be better off with a nice 7-10 day cooler and ice.

You need about 12 batteries to go camping. I think that a bag off ice it’s much better .

Price is out of the park.Are those HP batteries?

just looked up price on HD site ... Retail: $499 - are you freaking kidding... lol