Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw
Reciprocating Saw
$99

Ryobi

Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw

4.6(1,753 reviews across retail listings)

Ryobi's brushless ONE+ HP recip saw — the highest stroke rate in this comparison at 3,200 SPM and the lightest tool in it at 5 lbs, for roughly half the price of the pro flagships. Runs on the same ONE+ batteries as 300+ other Ryobi tools.

Bare Tool
$99
Kit
$179
Platform
Ryobi ONE+
Weight
5.0 lbs (bare)
Best for: Homeowners and DIY remodelers who need real demo capability a few weekends a year

Specifications

Category
Reciprocating Saw
Battery Platform
Ryobi ONE+
Voltage
18V
Motor
Brushless
Model
PBLRS01B
Weight
5.0 lbs (bare)
Released
2021
Stroke Length
1-1/4 in
Strokes/min
0-3,200 SPM
Blade Change
Easy-release lever
Shoe
Pivoting

Features

LED Light

Pros

  • At around $99 bare it delivers most of the pro saws' cutting speed for half the money — the classic Ryobi value story.
  • 3,200 SPM is nominally the fastest stroke rate in the class, and owners confirm it moves through studs and PVC quickly.
  • Five pounds bare makes it the easiest saw here for overhead and cramped-position cuts.
  • The ONE+ ecosystem spans 300+ tools on one battery — unmatched breadth for a homeowner platform.
  • Direct Tools outlet and Home Depot promos regularly put the kit near $100.
  • The pivoting shoe and easy blade lever are genuinely well-executed, not cost-cut.

Cons

  • Under sustained heavy load it bogs where the pro saws power through — thick hardwood and cast iron expose the gap.
  • Vibration damping is minimal; extended demo sessions are noticeably harsher than on the Makita or Milwaukee.
  • Build plastics and the shoe feel less durable, and pro users report shorter service life under daily abuse.
  • No rafter hook and no orbital action.
  • Ryobi's 3-year warranty requires registration and its service network is thinner than the pro brands'.
  • Lime-green tools hold resale value poorly compared to Milwaukee and DeWalt.

Common Questions

Is a $99 recip saw actually capable of real demo work?
For weekend-scale demolition, yes — the 3,200 SPM stroke rate is nominally the fastest in its class, owners confirm it moves through studs and PVC quickly, and the full 1-1/4 in stroke matches the pro saws. The gap shows in sustained heavy cutting: thick hardwood and cast iron bog it where pro saws power through.
Will my old blue Ryobi batteries from years ago fit?
Yes — ONE+ has kept the same battery interface since 1996, so every ONE+ pack ever sold runs this saw, and its batteries work across 300+ other Ryobi tools. That backward compatibility is unmatched by any other platform and is most of the value story.
How heavy is it for overhead cuts?
Just 5 lbs bare — the lightest full-size recip in its comparison class — which makes it the easiest saw to hold overhead or work into cramped positions. The trade-off is minimal vibration damping, so extended demo sessions feel noticeably harsher than on a Makita or Milwaukee.
What pro features are missing?
No orbital action, no rafter hook, and build plastics and the shoe that feel less durable — pro users report shorter service life under daily abuse. The pivoting shoe and easy-release blade lever, though, are genuinely well-executed rather than cost-cut.
Does Ryobi's warranty require anything from me?
Yes — the 3-year warranty requires registration, and Ryobi's service network is thinner than the pro brands'. Worth doing for a tool this cheap anyway; between Home Depot promos and the Direct Tools outlet, the kit with a 4.0Ah High Performance battery regularly lands near $100.

Compare the Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLRS01 Reciprocating Saw

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