Hi @Jeffersm963 I'm ex 30yrs in the powertool industry across many brands from sales, product development but mainly product training both locally and OS. The gap in recent years between the brands has closed considerably. In the early days it was all ball-bearings. These days it's technology with electronically controlled and managed lithium batteries and brushless motors. One of the main considerations is how often you intend to use the tool. If it's your all day-everyday tool, then go for a trade brand because the components are built for that purpose. If its occasional use tool then you can afford to go with one of the DIY brands providing your ok with two battery platforms. Personally I think thats the way to go. The other consideration is environment. If your say a landscaper and your tools are going to be working in dirt, mud and weather, then a trade tool can last just as long as a cheap DIY.
Regardless of trade or DIY, I always recommend "Brushless" motor tools where available. They are more reliable, battery efficient and powerful of standard motors and well worth the little extra investment.
As far as Ryobi tools go, they have very highly advanced electronics in both batteries and BL motors. They actually had this tech before a few top trade brands. Ozito now have this Tech in their tools for the past couple of years.
Regarding your last comment can ONE+ batteries work in 36V tools, no they can't. Completely different batteries and platform. Sometimes this can be confusing across all brands mainly when it comes to power garden tools as 36V using 18V batteries means the tool actually needs 2 x 18V batteries (36v) to run. In this case use the most powerful (highest Ah rated) you have. The higher the rating the bigger the fuel tank with more energy. 5Ahr Battery vs 9Ahr would be like 5ltr fuel tank with 91 octane fuel vs 90Ltr fuel tank with 95 Octane fuel.
Hope that helps and makes some sense.
Nailbag.
