RIDGID has officially launched its first cordless PEX expander, the RPE 100, with the full kit up for pre-sale at Home Depot at $599. The bare tool runs $289, and a battery kit (battery and charger only) lists at $389.
This is the new top-tier option in RIDGID’s 18V plumbing line, replacing the older manual and corded expanders plumbers have been working around for years. The headline feature is AutoReturn, an industry-first setting that automatically resets the expander head between cycles, so the operator never has to manually pull it back.
For a plumber doing 200+ PEX-A connections on a rough-in, that’s a real ergonomic win. The repetitive wrist motion of pulling an expander head back out of every fitting is what wears down thumbs and slows the cycle.
Specs at a Glance
- Model (kit): RD80703
- Model (bare tool): RD80763
- Model (battery kit): RD80773
- Motor: 18V brushless
- Battery platform: RIDGID 18V (any 18V battery)
- Tubing compatibility: PEX Type-A, 3/8″ to 1″
- Auto-rotating head: Yes
- Head reset: AutoReturn (industry-first, per RIDGID)
- Trigger: Paddle with dual-press safety startup
- Work light: Integrated LED
- Belt hook: Yes
- Kit price: $599
- Bare tool price: $289
- Availability: Pre-sale at Home Depot, ship date TBA
What’s in the Kit
The RD80703 kit ships with the tool, a battery, a charger, a carrying case, and 1/2″ through 1″ expander heads. That covers the most common residential and light-commercial PEX-A sizes in one box.
Smaller and larger heads are sold separately:
- 3/8″ head: RD80713
- 1/2″ head: RD80723
- 5/8″ head: RD80733
- 3/4″ head: RD80743
- 1″ head: RD80753
Stainless-steel head construction, per Ohio Power Tool’s coverage of the launch. RIDGID also sells an Expander Head Cone Grease (RD81008) to keep the head mechanism smooth over time.
Why AutoReturn Matters
Every cordless PEX expander on the market today requires the operator to physically retract the head after each expansion. The motor drives the head out, the expansion happens, and then the operator manually pulls the head back to start position.
It’s not a huge motion, but it adds up. On a 1,000-foot repipe with 3/4″ PEX-A, a plumber can do 60-80 connections per day. That’s 60-80 manual head-retractions. AutoReturn collapses that into a single trigger pull per cycle.
RIDGID calls it an industry first for cordless expanders. The auto-rotating head (also new) handles the index-rotation step, so the operator doesn’t have to twist the tool to space the expansion marks evenly around the fitting.
How It Compares to Milwaukee
Milwaukee has the M12 PEX Expander (2471-20) at $329 bare tool on the M12 12V platform. It’s been the go-to for pros already in M12, and the small form factor is a real plus for overhead work.
The trade-off is power and head range. The M12 model covers 3/8″ to 1″ PEX-A but is built around the smaller M12 motor. RIDGID’s 18V platform has more headroom for heavy use and is a better fit if you’re already running RIDGID 18V batteries and tools on the truck.
DeWalt and Makita don’t currently have cordless PEX expanders in their U.S. lineups, so this is still a two-horse race between RIDGID and Milwaukee for the professional plumbing market.
Where It Fits in the RIDGID 18V Lineup
The RPE 100 joins the broader RIDGID 18V platform, which is exclusive to Home Depot in the U.S. and includes the new NUKE subcompact line, the NUKE subcompact comparison, and the standard 18V drill and impact driver combo. RIDGID also sells the RP 251 Press Tool (78178) for copper and stainless press-fit connections, which pairs naturally with the RPE 100 on a full plumbing job.
Existing RIDGID 18V batteries work with the RPE 100, so no extra battery investment is required if you’re already in the system.
When and Where
The RPE 100 is up for pre-sale at Home Depot now. RIDGID has not published a firm ship date as of this writing. Pre-sale customers get first access when stock arrives. Check Home Depot for the latest ETA.
RIDGID backs the platform with its Lifetime Service Agreement (LSA) when you register the tool within 90 days of purchase, which is one of the strongest warranty programs in the cordless tool market.