Ryobi is at it again and this time has come out with a new 18V 4ah lithium high performance Edge battery with improved performance output. Let’s check it out below.
This article was originally published on January 23, 2024. Since then new info has been added and mention to when it was added will be included.
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Ryobi 18V 4ah Lithium High Performance Edge Battery PBP1104 – Features
Ryobi’s newest latest battery model, the 18V lithium high performance EDGE is pinned as the pinnacle in their battery lineup. And in it’s current form, it’s rated capacity is 4ah.
And according to Ryobi’s tests, this new battery outperforms several of their other batteries. This is thanks to this battery using larger than typical battery cells. It is using larger 21700 cells however its profile appears to be not too different from that of a regular 4ah battery.
Its higher performance is perfect for higher draw power tools like saws, angle grinders, etc. Ryobi says these new batteries feature upgraded tabless 21700 cells with a redesigned cell structure. This tech is said to enhance energy transfer efficiency which leads to increased power output, cooler operation, extended runtime, and longer overall lifespan of the battery.
Ryobi also ran some comparison tests of their own with several tools and a variety of batteries. The compared the performance of this new battery against a regular 4ah, a high performance 4ah, and a high performance 8ah battery. The tests were done with a 1/2″ hammer drill, 12″ chainsaw, and a 6-1/2″ circular saw. Their comparison videos can be seen below for reference.
Performance Comparison:
According to all three videos, the new 4ah high performance Edge battery outperformed the others, including the larger high performance 8ah battery!
However I must be objective when reviewing their comparison footage. Sure, according to the tests conducted, the new Edge battery does technically finish faster than the others. However a closer look provides crucial info. For example, in the drilling comparison, the new 4ah Edge battery finished the first hole at about the same time as the 8ah battery. The only reason the 4ah battery finished sooner was because of user variability where the user took longer in between holes when using the 8ah. If we only counted the time it took to drill and not the time in between holes, I believe the times would be roughly the same. Though the new Edge 4ah is considerably faster than the other two 4ah batteries.
Performance Comparison Continued:
In the chainsaw video, the Edge battery finishes sooner than the 8ah battery – by a small margin. The difference in cut speed could be user variability and also the variability in the log itself. While no doubt the same log, each cut while similar may be thinner or thicker and one could have more or less knots, different hardness values, different moisture, etc. Long story short, there are just too many variables and the cut was so close, I would still call it a tie, even though technically the Edge battery did finish sooner – but only very slightly.
The circular saw test also has the Edge battery slightly outpace the 8ah battery. This test was a bit more controlled as the cut was the same length, thickness, and material. The only variable here is the user and if you look closely, there are moments when there is a slight pause between some of the steps. Though this is more apparent with the edge battery and yet it still won. User variability aside, the cut with the Edge battery was going at a noticeably faster pace so I will have to give the win to Edge battery.
But another however that even though it won the test, the difference is so slight that you probably wont notice the difference between the Edge and an 8ah in the real world unless you do long cuts and film them and put the two cuts side by side. I will say that in all three tests, the Edge 4ah battery was noticeably faster than the other two 4ah batteries.
Features Continued:
Though the profile of the battery may be similar to a regular 4ah battery, the width stretches out further making it a wideboy. It has a nice design and also features the fuel gauge in the front.
New Info 7/22/24
With official release upon us, Ryobi has kindly provided a bit more info on this new battery’s release. This new battery is said to feature Cool-Core Pro which is their marketing tech phrase to mean that this high performance EDGE battery uses Ryobi’s Cool-Core Pro heat management system, with robust laser welded cell straps and upgraded heat sinks that help reduce the temp of the battery while in use. This improved energy transfer optimizes battery performance, which allows the battery to run 25% cooler, live 50% longer, and deliver fade-free power in any condition.
This battery can charge quickly in as little as 30 minutes when paired with the PCG008 rapid charger.
New Info 7/22/24
Ryobi 18V 4ah Lithium High Performance Edge Battery PBP1104 – Pricing & Availability
We can expect this new battery to launch August 2024 and it will be priced at $129.
Manufacturer Marketing Features List:
- RYOBI – Leading The Cordless Revolution: RYOBI continues to drive innovation and advancements in lithium battery technology with the next evolution of its 18V ONE+ battery.
- Tabless Cell Advantage: Utilizing upgraded tabless 21700 lithium cells, this all-new ONE+ battery provides more power and longer runtime while running cooler and living longer than other ONE+ batteries in a more compact size. With a re-designed cell structure, tabless cell technology enhances energy transfer efficiency, leading to increased power output and cooler operation in demanding scenarios. This results in extended runtime and an overall longer lifespan for the battery pack. These HIGH PERFORMANCE EDGE batteries will elevate the performance of over 300 cordless products in the RYOBI 18V ONE+ System.
- 18V ONE+ Compatibility: This all-new battery is forward and backward compatible with all RYOBI 18V ONE+ tools, giving users the Power To Do EVEN More.
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