Ridgid is launching NUKE — six new 18V subcompact brushless tools landing at Home Depot in July 2026. The platform is Ridgid’s answer to Milwaukee’s M12 FUEL compact line, and it’s a more direct challenge than anything Ridgid has fielded in the subcompact segment before. If you’re shopping between the two, here’s what the announced specs and pricing actually mean in practice.
Quick context before the comparison: NUKE is Home Depot exclusive. Milwaukee is also Home Depot exclusive (no authorized Amazon channel). Neither platform has an Amazon affiliate path. If you want a subcompact tool you can buy on Amazon with our affiliate link, the Amazon-available alternatives at the end of this piece are worth considering — specifically the DeWalt ATOMIC series, which is a genuine subcompact platform at a comparable price point.
Ridgid NUKE: The Full Lineup
Six tools launching July 2026, all on the existing Ridgid 18V battery system. No new battery format required — current Ridgid 18V users can add NUKE tools without buying new packs.
| Tool | Model | Announced Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit (2Ah + charger) | RNKSDD01K1 | $139 |
| Impact Driver Kit (2Ah + charger) | RNKSID01K1 | $139 |
| Drill/Driver + Impact Driver Combo | RNKSCK201 | $219 |
| Hammer Drill + 4-Mode Impact Driver Combo | RNKSCK202 | $269 |
| 4-1/2″ Circular Saw (bare tool) | RNKSCS01B | $149 |
| High Speed Blower (bare tool) | RNKSWB01 | $79 (October 2026) |
These are announced prices. Confirm current pricing at Home Depot when available. NUKE tools are available at Home Depot; this is a retail-exclusive launch with no other authorized channel.
Key Specs Compared: NUKE vs Milwaukee M12 FUEL
Drill/Driver
Ridgid NUKE (RNKSDD01K1): 750 in-lbs of torque, 2.4 lbs, 20% shorter than Ridgid’s current compact drill. Runs on 18V.
Milwaukee M12 FUEL (2504-20): 400-500 in-lbs range for the M12 FUEL compact (check manufacturer specs for the specific model). 12V platform. Lighter weight in absolute terms, but also meaningfully less torque output. The M12 FUEL line is well-proven in finished carpentry and interior work where portability matters more than raw power.
The trade-off here is clear: NUKE delivers 18V torque in a package sized close to M12. If you need compact tools for work where you’re often in tight spaces but also driving structural screws or larger fasteners, the 18V platform gives NUKE the edge. For lighter finish work where the M12’s lower weight is more valuable than its lower torque, the M12 holds its own.
Impact Driver — The STEALTH FORCE Difference
The standout NUKE tool is the STEALTH FORCE Oil Pulse Impact Driver. Ridgid claims 73% noise reduction vs. a conventional impact driver through hydraulic oil absorption of the impact cycle. You still get the torque; you lose the loud hammering.
Makita and Milwaukee have offered oil-pulse impact drivers for years — Milwaukee’s M12 FUEL SURGE is the direct competitor. The SURGE runs on M12 and delivers about 450 in-lbs. NUKE’s STEALTH FORCE announces 2,000 in-lbs max torque at 18V. Check manufacturer specs for verified numbers; those figures come from Ridgid’s announcement, not independent testing. The size and weight comparison at launch will tell you more.
For trades doing finish carpentry in occupied spaces — remodels, schools, offices — an oil-pulse driver is a practical choice, not a gimmick. The noise reduction is real and matters on sites where conventional impact drivers draw complaints.
Battery Platform Compatibility
NUKE: Uses existing Ridgid 18V batteries. If you own Ridgid 18V tools, adding NUKE costs only the tool price.
M12 FUEL: Uses M12 batteries, which don’t interchange with M18. If you own Milwaukee M18 tools, adding M12 means buying into a second battery format. M12 batteries are smaller and lighter, which is the point — but it’s a separate investment.
Warranty Coverage
Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement (LSA) covers NUKE tools when registered within 90 days of purchase: free parts, service, and battery replacements for life. No purchase required beyond registration.
Milwaukee M12 FUEL tools carry a 5-year tool warranty and 2-year battery warranty. Good coverage, but the Ridgid LSA is objectively broader for long-term ownership. If you plan to keep tools for 10+ years, the lifetime coverage is a real financial argument for Ridgid.
Who Should Choose NUKE
- Already own Ridgid 18V tools and want to expand into compact options without a battery format change
- Work in occupied spaces where the oil-pulse impact driver’s noise reduction has practical value
- Need 18V torque output in a compact package for structural fasteners or demanding applications
- Prioritize long-term cost of ownership (Ridgid LSA vs. Milwaukee’s 5-year warranty)
- Budget-conscious: the $219 drill/impact combo undercuts equivalent Milwaukee M18 FUEL compact combos
Who Should Choose Milwaukee M12 FUEL
- Already invested in the M12 battery platform with multiple tools
- Doing finish carpentry, electrical, or interior work where the M12’s lighter weight and compact size matters more than maximum torque
- Need tools available now (M12 FUEL is shipping; NUKE is launching July 2026)
- Want a proven, widely-reviewed platform before NUKE has a real-world track record
Amazon-Available Alternatives (With Affiliate Links)
Neither Ridgid NUKE nor Milwaukee M12 FUEL has an authorized Amazon channel. If you want to buy a subcompact tool kit on Amazon with our affiliate link, the DeWalt ATOMIC 20V MAX is the strongest parallel option. It’s a genuine compact platform (not just a marketing label) on the same 20V MAX batteries as DeWalt’s full-size tools.
The DeWalt ATOMIC 20V MAX Drill/Driver Kit (DCD706) is the direct comparison point: compact, brushless, 20V, Amazon-available. If you already own DeWalt 20V tools, adding the ATOMIC line means zero battery overhead. More on the DeWalt platform in our best cordless drills guide.
Bottom Line
NUKE is a credible challenge to M12 FUEL at a lower entry price, with the lifetime service agreement tilting the long-term value argument toward Ridgid. The STEALTH FORCE oil-pulse impact driver is the most differentiated product in the lineup. The honest caveat is that NUKE hasn’t shipped yet. Announced specs from manufacturers don’t always match real-world performance; check reviews when the tools arrive in stores in July.
Both platforms are Home Depot exclusive. If you’re not committed to either ecosystem, the DeWalt ATOMIC on Amazon is a solid alternative with full affiliate support, a well-established platform, and a deep tool library. See our brand hub for a full cross-platform comparison.
When does Ridgid NUKE launch?
Ridgid NUKE launches at Home Depot in July 2026. The blower (RNKSWB01) ships October 2026. All other tools — drill/driver, impact drivers, hammer drill, circular saw — arrive in July.
Is NUKE compatible with existing Ridgid 18V batteries?
Yes. NUKE runs on the existing Ridgid 18V battery system. No new battery format required. Current Ridgid 18V users can add NUKE tools without additional battery purchases.
Is Ridgid NUKE available on Amazon?
No. Ridgid is a Home Depot exclusive. Milwaukee is also Home Depot exclusive. For Amazon-available compact tools, see the DeWalt ATOMIC 20V MAX line.
What makes the STEALTH FORCE oil pulse different?
The STEALTH FORCE uses hydraulic oil to absorb the impact cycle, cutting operating noise 73% versus a conventional impact driver. You keep the torque, lose the hammering racket. Useful in occupied buildings where noise is a constraint. Based on announced specs — verify at launch.
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