Published: 16 June 2026 Category: Power Tools, Ryobi, Batteries, Compatibility Image: 05_reference-images/2026/06/2026-06-16/06-are-ryobi-one-batteries-interchangeable-full-compatibil-1.jpg Image credit: Reference only
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Title tag: Ryobi ONE+ Battery Compatibility UK: Complete Guide to Which Tools Work Together Meta description: Not all Ryobi ONE+ batteries work with all Ryobi tools. This guide explains exactly what is interchangeable, what is not, and why the 36V MAX POWER range is a different system entirely. Slug: ryobi-one-plus-battery-compatibility-uk-guide
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Ryobi's ONE+ battery system is one of the most popular cordless platforms in the UK, partly because the entry price is accessible and partly because the range of tools that runs on it is very broad. But the platform has grown considerably over the years, and not everything is as interchangeable as the name suggests.
This guide clarifies exactly what works with what, saves you from buying a battery that turns out to be incompatible with your existing tools, and explains where the ONE+ system ends and a different voltage family begins.
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What Ryobi ONE+ means
ONE+ is Ryobi's brand name for its 18V battery platform. Every tool in the ONE+ range is designed to accept any ONE+ 18V battery, regardless of when the tool or battery was made. That is the core promise of the system: buy into it once and your battery investment spans the whole range.
In practice, this means a battery bought today will work in a Ryobi drill that is five or ten years old, and a battery bought years ago will work in a tool purchased this week. Ryobi has maintained backward and forward compatibility across the ONE+ range as new tools and batteries have launched, which is one of the reasons the platform remains popular with homeowners and light-trade users who build up their tool collection over time.
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Does a newer battery work in an older tool?
Yes, with a practical note. Newer Ryobi ONE+ batteries are often physically larger and heavier than older versions because they have higher capacity, measured in amp hours. A 5.0Ah battery is noticeably heavier than a 1.3Ah battery. The tool will function correctly, but the additional weight may make it awkward to handle if the tool was designed with a smaller battery in mind.
The reverse also applies: older, lower-capacity batteries will work in newer tools, but the tool may not reach the performance levels it is designed for. A newer M18 FUEL-equivalent demand tool running on a thin, older pack will either deliver less power or drain the battery more quickly than it would with a high-capacity modern pack.
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Does an older battery work in a new tool?
Yes. The electrical connection and physical form factor are the same. The difference is capacity. A 2.0Ah battery from several years ago will power a new ONE+ tool, but it holds less charge, so runtime will be shorter.
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What about the HP (High Performance) tools?
Ryobi has introduced a subset of ONE+ tools branded as HP, using a brushless motor. These tools still accept any standard ONE+ battery, but they perform significantly better with the higher-capacity packs (4.0Ah and above). In a brushless tool running on a 1.3Ah battery, you might find the battery drains within minutes on demanding tasks. The physical compatibility is there; the practical performance match may not be ideal.
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The 36V MAX POWER range: a separate system
This is where confusion is most common. Ryobi's 36V MAX POWER tools are not part of the ONE+ system. They use a different, larger battery that operates at twice the voltage. A ONE+ 18V battery will not fit a 36V MAX POWER tool, and a 36V battery will not fit a ONE+ tool.
The 36V range exists for higher-demand outdoor power equipment: ride-on mowers, large-capacity lawn mowers, heavy hedge cutters, and similar tools where 18V is not sufficient. If you are buying a Ryobi outdoor power tool, check the voltage carefully before assuming it shares batteries with your existing ONE+ kit.
To be clear: 36V MAX POWER batteries and ONE+ 18V batteries are not compatible with each other in either direction.
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Which ONE+ battery should you buy?
A practical guide:
1.3Ah to 2.0Ah packs are light and compact, fine for occasional DIY tasks and low-demand applications. They drain quickly in anything power-hungry.
4.0Ah is the starting point for a useful all-day pack. Handles most ONE+ tools including drills, jigsaws, and circular saws for a reasonable amount of work before needing a recharge.
5.0Ah and above makes sense if you are using ONE+ tools regularly and want to minimise time on the charger. The HP tools in particular reward a higher-capacity pack.
Running two batteries and one charger is the standard approach. One on the tool, one on charge: by the time the first is flat, the second is ready.
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ONE+ chargers: do they all work together?
Yes. Any ONE+ charger will charge any ONE+ 18V battery. The difference between chargers is speed. A standard charger might take a 4.0Ah pack from flat in around 90 minutes. A rapid charger cuts that significantly. If you only have one battery and work regularly, a rapid charger is worth considering.
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Are all Ryobi ONE+ batteries the same voltage?
Yes. All ONE+ batteries are 18V. The difference between them is capacity (Ah), physical size, and weight.
Can I use a 5.0Ah battery in a basic Ryobi ONE+ drill?
Yes, it will work. The drill will not produce more power than its motor allows, but the larger battery means it will run for longer between charges. The only downside is that a 5.0Ah pack is heavier, which can make a smaller drill feel unbalanced.
Are Ryobi ONE+ batteries compatible with other brands?
No. The ONE+ battery system is proprietary to Ryobi. Batteries from Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, or other manufacturers are not compatible.
Is there a limit to how many ONE+ tools I can run from one battery?
No limit in principle, but the battery can only power one tool at a time. If you are working with multiple tools simultaneously, you need a battery for each tool in use or accept swapping.
Does the 36V battery charge in a ONE+ charger?
No. The 36V MAX POWER battery requires the specific 36V charger. It will not connect correctly to an 18V ONE+ charger.
What is the difference between ONE+ and ONE+ HP?
ONE+ HP tools use brushless motors and are designed for heavier duty work. They accept the same batteries as all other ONE+ tools, but perform better with higher-capacity packs. ---