Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLHM101 Hammer Drill
Hammer Drill
$129

Ryobi

Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLHM101 Hammer Drill

4.7(849 reviews across retail listings)

The PBLHM101 pairs Ryobi's HP brushless motor with its High Performance batteries to deliver 750 in-lbs of torque, 0-2,100 RPM, and 31,000 BPM from a compact 7.5-inch, 2.8-lb body. It uses a 24-position clutch with dedicated hammer mode and a 1/2-inch ratcheting metal chuck, and runs on the 300-plus tool ONE+ 18V ecosystem. Pro Tool Reviews found it outdrilled Ryobi's older P251 flagship by a wide margin while shrinking in size and weight.

Bare Tool
$129
Kit
$189
Platform
Ryobi ONE+
Weight
2.8 lbs (bare)
Best for: DIYers and homeowners on the ONE+ battery platform who want near-pro hammer drill power at the lowest price in this class.

Specifications

Category
Hammer Drill
Battery Platform
Ryobi ONE+
Voltage
18V
Motor
Brushless
Model
PBLHM101
Weight
2.8 lbs (bare)
Released
2021
Max Torque
750 in-lbs
Top Speed
2,100 RPM
Max BPM
31,000
Chuck
1/2 in metal ratcheting
Speeds
2
Clutch Settings
24

Features

LED LightSide Handle

Pros

  • Delivers genuinely pro-level drilling power - owners routinely say it punches far above its price class.
  • At 2.8 lbs bare and 7.5 inches long it is remarkably compact for a 750 in-lbs hammer drill.
  • Hammer mode chews through brick, block, and light concrete anchoring jobs owners expected to need an SDS for.
  • Ratcheting all-metal chuck holds bits securely with little of the slippage cheaper Ryobi drills were known for.
  • Backed by the 300+ tool ONE+ ecosystem, so batteries owners already have just work - even decade-old packs.
  • Frequent Home Depot and Direct Tools promos drop the bare tool to $60-$100, an unbeatable value.
  • Included auxiliary side handle gives real control in hammer mode instead of being a cheap afterthought.
  • 4.7-star average across roughly 850 Home Depot reviews with a 3-year warranty behind it.

Cons

  • No belt clip and no mounting holes for one - a top recurring gripe among owners in owner forums and Home Depot alike.
  • Foot-mounted LED casts a chuck shadow right where you are drilling instead of lighting the bit.
  • Hammer mechanism slows dramatically in hard cured concrete - multiple owners say buy an SDS rotary hammer for serious masonry.
  • Best performance requires Ryobi's pricier High Performance (HP) batteries; older packs blunt its output.
  • No kickback control or e-clutch, so a bind-up with a hole saw will wrench your wrist.
  • A minority of owners report the clutch/gearbox failing or a burning smell under sustained heavy load.
  • Bulky lime-green styling and Ryobi's DIY reputation keep it off many professional jobsites.
  • Bare tool ships without battery, charger, or case - first-time ONE+ buyers face real added cost.

Common Questions

Will my old Ryobi batteries work with it?
Yes - every 18V ONE+ pack fits, even decade-old ones, which is the platform's superpower. The catch is that full 750 in-lbs output requires Ryobi's pricier High Performance (HP) batteries; older or basic packs blunt the drill noticeably. If you're buying batteries anyway, get an HP 4.0Ah.
Is 750 in-lbs enough for real projects?
For homeowner and serious-DIY work, comfortably. Owners routinely say it punches above its price class, and hammer mode chews through brick, block, and light concrete anchoring jobs people expected to need an SDS for. It gives up ground to $200+ pro flagships only on the biggest self-feed bits and sustained heavy boring.
Why doesn't it have a belt clip?
Nobody knows, and it's the top recurring owner gripe - there's no clip in the box and no mounting holes to add one. If you work off ladders, that's a genuine annoyance to factor in. The included side handle, at least, is a real one rather than a cheap afterthought.
Watch for any failure modes?
A minority of owners report the clutch or gearbox failing, or a burning smell under sustained heavy load - this is a $129 drill being pushed like a $250 one. It also lacks kickback control, so a bound-up hole saw will wrench your wrist. The 4.7-star average across roughly 850 reviews and 3-year warranty suggest most units hold up fine for intended use.
When's the best time to buy?
Almost never at the $129 list. Home Depot and Direct Tools promos regularly drop the bare tool to $60-100, which at 750 in-lbs is arguably the best power-per-dollar in cordless drills. Remember it ships bare - first-time ONE+ buyers need a battery and charger, so the $189 kit or a promo bundle may pencil out better.

Compare the Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLHM101 Hammer Drill

Related tools

More from Ryobi
Craftsman V20 BRUSHLESS RP CMCD726 Hammer Drill
$119
Hammer Drill

Launched in Craftsman's October 2024 V20 BRUSHLESS RP line expansion, the CMCD726 displaced the older made-in-USA CMCD721 as the brand's most powerful hammer drill, jumping from 400 to 495 UWO. A 2-speed gearbox (0-500/0-2,000 RPM) drives up to 34% faster drilling, hammer mode hits 34,000 BPM for masonry anchors, and the 3.09 lb body carries an LED light, bit holder, and belt hook. It is sold tool-only at $119 with a 3-year warranty and VERSATRACK compatibility.

495 UWO tops the V20 line3.09 lbs and 8.5 in shortFrequently deals under $100
Craftsman V2020V3.09 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: V20 platform owners and Lowe's shoppers who want the most powerful hammer drill Craftsman makes without paying pro-brand prices.
Full specs & owner notes
Makita XPH12 18V LXT Compact Brushless Hammer Drill
$154
Hammer Drill

The XPH12 has been Makita's volume-selling 18V hammer drill since late 2016: 530 in-lbs and 30,000 BPM in a 7-1/8 inch body that weighs just 3.6 lbs with a compact 2.0Ah pack. It sits well below the 1,250 in-lb XPH14 flagship, trading top-end grunt for the class-leading power-to-weight ratio and glass-smooth trigger control Makita is known for. Nearly a decade in production with a 4.4-star record makes it the known quantity of the compact class - even if the spec sheet now reads dated.

3.6 lbs with battery - among the lightest compact hammer drills tested2.0Ah LXT packs recharge in 25 minutesNearly a decade of proven reliability with 218 Home Depot reviews
Makita 18V LXT18V2.9 lbs (bare), 3.6 lbs with 2.0AhBrushless
Best for: Makita LXT loyalists and finish-first tradespeople who value smoothness, light weight, and proven long-term reliability over spec-sheet bragging rights.
Full specs & owner notes
Milwaukee 3602 M18 Compact Brushless Hammer Drill
$159
Hammer Drill

Launched in August 2023, the 3602 is the volume mid-tier of Milwaukee's M18 drill lineup: their first compact brushless hammer drill, slotting between the entry cordless line and the M18 Fuel 2904/2905 flagship. It packs 550 in-lbs and 25,500 BPM into a 5.8-inch, 2.3 lb body - more torque than the old 2801-class compact in a body over 12% shorter, replacing the larger 725 in-lb 2902 as the sensible-money pick. What you give up versus the Fuel is top-end torque and speed, not build quality: the all-metal chuck and gear case carry over.

5.8-inch body - Milwaukee's first truly compact brushless hammer drillNew mechanical clutch tuned for consistent fasteningM18 build quality at $60-100 under the Fuel flagship
Milwaukee M1818V2.3 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: M18 loyalists - electricians, installers, and homeowners - who want a light, short hammer drill for everyday holes and Tapcons without paying Fuel 2904/2905 flagship money.
Full specs & owner notes
Ridgid 18V R861152 High Torque Hammer Drill
$169
Hammer Drill

The R861152 replaced the discontinued Octane R8611506 in late 2022 as the flagship of Ridgid's 18V hammer drill lineup, sitting above the mid-range R86115 and SubCompact R87112. It pairs a brushless motor making 1,250 in-lbs of torque with a 2-speed gearbox (0-550/0-2,000 RPM), 32,000 BPM hammer mode, anti-kickback technology, and a 24-position clutch behind a 1/2-inch all-metal ratcheting chuck. Pro Tool Reviews called it a legitimate contender among professional drills at a price well below the premium brands.

1,250 in-lbs rivals premium flagships for $169Anti-kickback protection rare at this priceLifetime Service Agreement covers batteries too
Ridgid 18V18V3.4 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: Home Depot loyalists and value-focused pros who want Milwaukee-class hammer drill torque with a lifetime warranty for well under $200.
Full specs & owner notes
DeWalt DCD1007 20V Max XR Hammer Drill
$171
Hammer Drill

The DCD1007 is DeWalt's flagship 20V Max XR hammer drill, replacing the DCD999 with a shorter 7.5 in head, a 3-speed all-metal transmission, and 1,530 MWO of output (up to 2,100 in-lbs rated max brake torque). It pairs a torque-sensing anti-rotation system with a pivoting 3-position LED and a 1/2 in nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide jaws. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.7/10, finding it outperformed the DCD999 in nearly every metric.

1,530 MWO flagship powerAnti-rotation shutdown3-speed all-metal transmission
DeWalt 20V Max20V4.1 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: Pros and serious DIYers who want DeWalt's most powerful 20V drill for large augers, hole saws, and mixed drilling/driving on one platform.
Full specs & owner notes
Makita XPH14 18V LXT Hammer Drill
$175
Hammer Drill

The XPH14 is Makita's flagship 18V LXT hammer driver-drill, released in 2021 as the XPH07's successor with 1,250 in-lbs of max torque in a body 14% shorter (7.0 in). It runs a 2-speed all-metal transmission (0-550/0-2,100 RPM, up to 31,500 BPM) with an all-metal self-ratcheting 1/2 in chuck. It remains the torque king of the LXT drill lineup, though it predates the newer 40V XGT models.

1,250 in-lbs LXT flagship torque7.0 in compact lengthJapan-built gearbox quality
Makita 18V LXT18V4.0 lbs (bare)Brushless
Best for: Makita 18V LXT loyalists who want maximum torque for big hole saws and augers using the batteries they already own.
Full specs & owner notes