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Ryobi P236 vs P237 Impact Drivers: Which One’s Best for Your Needs?

Ryobi P236 vs P237 Impact Drivers

Ryobi P236 vs P237 Impact Drivers

Ryobi’s P236 and P237 are two similar tools on the same basic frame. Compounding that confusion is that both are compatible parts of Ryobi’s One+ tool family, which means they also share a power source … with literally more than a hundred other tools. Their primary difference is that Ryobi upgrades the power in the P237 and gave it three speed options. That, in turn, upped the price. In general, the extra features are worth the cost because sometimes you want power that can finesse instead of just brute strength. But, if cost is a serious consideration, the older model is a fine substitution affordable on almost every budget.

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What’s the Difference Between Them?

Rating Image Product Details
Best Choice
Winner
Ryobi P237 Ryobi P237
  • Easy to use
  • Three speed options
  • More torque power at 1
  • 800 inch-pounds
  • Best Price
    Second place
    Ryobi P236 Ryobi P236
  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
  • Good torque power at 1
  • 600 inch-pounds
  • Performance – Edge: P237

    Ryobi bumped up the torque power from the P236’s 1,600 inch-pounds to 1,800 inch-pounds in the P237. In terms of foot pounds, that hikes it from about 133 to 150. That’s not an insignificant boost in power. They also added the option to switch between three speeds, so that you can quickly and seamlessly go from high-speed powering of screws into a deck to a low-speed sinking of screws into soft sheet metal.

    Price – Edge: P236

    Without commenting on which one is the better for-dollar value, the P236 is quite a bit cheaper in terms of cost per tool. Neither of these tools will cause you to default on your mortgage in buying, but if you need to keep budget in mind when selecting the right tool for you and don’t really feel that you need the little extras, the P236 just simply comes in at a lower price.

    Ryobi P237 switch

    Features – Edge: P237

    We hate to sound repetitive, but the P237’s three speeds and higher torque get the nod as superior differences in features between the two. These two new features make it a more versatile tool equipped to do a greater range of tasks. The higher torque means being able to fit in more jobs that require additional power, and the three speeds mean you doing less beefy work with less worry that you’ll overpower the materials you’re driving together.

    Design – No edge

    We’ve already covered the little extras that separate both these tools, but the basic design is pretty much the same. Both come with keyless chucks and a magnetic strip to help hold bits and screws you’ll need for fast operation. Both are comfortable on the hands, and both have lights so you can see what you’re working on.

    Ryobi P236 side view

    Quick Rundown of Ryobi P236

    Ryobi One+ P236 18V 1/4 Inch 3,200 RPM 1,600 Inch Pounds Lithium Ion Cordless Impact Driver (Battery...
    • RUBBER OVERMOLD: A notched mold on the pistol grip allows you to keep a firm hold on this tool for improved accuracy, even in slippery...
    • TRI-BEAM LED LIGHTING illuminates your workspace upon activating the trigger, letting you see where you work
    • TOOL-FREE BIT CHANGING: Simply plug a bit into the chuck to lock it in. Pull the collar back to eject the bit into the palm of your...

    Older but still a great value, the Ryobi P236 brings great driving power at a price affordable on just about every budget.

    Pros
    • Affordable
    • Good torque power at 1,600 inch-pounds
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • One speed
    • Not really designed for auto work

    Quick Rundown of Ryobi P237

    Ryobi P237 18V One+ Lithium Ion Cordless Multi Speed 1-1/4 Inch Keyless Chuck Impact Driver w/ Belt...
    • 3 SPEED GEARBOX: Vary between 0 and 3200 Impacts Per Minute, letting you work on both delicate and difficult jobs at the flick of a...
    • TOOL-LESS BIT CHANGE: With this special chuck, you need only to insert your bits into the slot. Eject the bits by pulling back on the...
    • RUBBER OVERGRIP: Special notched rubber covers the handle, giving you a stronger grip on the tool even in slippery conditions

    Better torque at three speeds means greater versatility of what you can do with the P237. Just expect to pay a little more for it.

    Pros
    • More torque power at 1,800 inch-pounds
    • Three speed options
    • Easy to use
    Cons
    • Little more expensive

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    Conclusion

    Both of these are great impact tools, made even better because both are part of the wide One+ family of tools from Ryobi. They both have enough power to do most basic work in the auto shop but are really designed for woodwork. For more money, the P237 hikes the torque from 1,600 inch-pounds to 1,800 and offers three motor speeds to make it easier to do work that requires a lighter touch. We tend to think those features are worth the extra money, but if you need to go the budget route and forego them, the P236 is itself a great tool.

    You might also be interested in these Ryobi reviews: 

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