Ridgid just unveiled NUKE — a brand-new 18V subcompact brushless platform with six tools launching exclusively at Home Depot this July. It’s the brand’s first real answer to Milwaukee’s M12 FUEL compact line and Ryobi’s ONE+ HP subcompacts, but with a critical difference: NUKE stays on 18V, so you get subcompact size without dropping to a weaker voltage.
Full Lineup and Pricing
| Tool | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2″ Drill/Driver Kit (2Ah battery + charger) | RNKSDD01K1 | $139 |
| Impact Driver Kit (2Ah battery + 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 |
The blower ships in October 2026. Everything else lands at Home Depot in July.
What the Specs Actually Mean
The 1/2″ drill/driver delivers 750 in-lbs of torque in a 2.4-lb body that runs 20% shorter than Ridgid’s current compact drill. The hammer drill adds 0.2 lbs and is 30% shorter than the current compact model — both of those are real reductions, not marketing rounding. The impact driver hits 2,000 in-lbs max, which matches the output of Milwaukee M18 FUEL tools in a body sized closer to the M12 line.
The standout is the STEALTH FORCE Oil Pulse Impact Driver. It cuts jobsite noise by 73% using hydraulic oil to absorb the impact cycle — you get the torque without the hammering racket. That matters on remodels in occupied buildings, finish carpentry, and anywhere a conventional impact driver gets you kicked off the site. Makita and Milwaukee have offered oil-pulse options for years; seeing it in Ridgid at this price point is new.
The 4-1/2″ circular saw cuts through 2×4 dimensional lumber in a single pass at 1-9/16″ depth — positioned as a finish and trim saw, not a framing tool. Every NUKE tool runs on existing Ridgid 18V batteries, so current platform users can add tools without buying new packs.
The Lifetime Service Agreement Factor
Ridgid’s Lifetime Service Agreement (LSA) covers all NUKE tools when registered within 90 days of purchase — free parts, service, and battery replacements for life. No extended warranty to buy. That coverage is one of the strongest value arguments for Ridgid versus DeWalt or Milwaukee at comparable price points, and it carries over to every NUKE tool in the lineup.
How This Positions Ridgid
The $219 drill/impact combo puts NUKE directly against Ryobi’s HP compact kits and below Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL compact pricing. Ridgid has traditionally trailed Milwaukee on brand prestige, but the NUKE lineup’s specs, compact dimensions, and LSA coverage make it a serious comparison at this price range — especially for trades where a 12V platform can’t quite do the job but a full-size 18V kit is overkill.
Home Depot has also been discounting current Ridgid 18V inventory ahead of the NUKE launch — worth checking if you need a tool now and don’t want to wait until July.
New to cordless? Our beginner drill guide walks through what specs actually matter at the job site. If you’re on the fence between a drill and an impact driver, the drill vs. impact driver breakdown covers when each tool earns its keep. And for a head-to-head look at how the $219 NUKE combo will stack up at launch, see our best DIY combo kit rankings.
