Ryobi doesn’t make a router that will run a production shop all day. What it does make is a set of affordable, genuinely capable tools for edge profiles, hinge mortises, laminate trimming, template work, and small furniture joinery — most running off the same ONE+ battery you already own. Best first buy: the P601. Want fine adjustment and a work light: the RTR18-0. Once your projects outgrow edge profiles, the 1-1/2 HP corded and A25RT03 table make a solid pairing.
Top Picks at a Glance
| Product | Category | Score | Price | Power | Speed | Base |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RYOBI P601 ONE+ Trim Router | Best Overall Cordless | 90/100 | $99.00 | Battery (ONE+ 18V) | 29,000 rpm | Fixed |
| RYOBI ONE+ Compact Fixed Base Router | Best Budget Cordless | 88/100 | $82.99 | Battery (ONE+ 18V) — bare tool | 30,000 rpm | Fixed |
| RYOBI RTR18-0 Trim Router | Best for Fine Detail | 87/100 | $89.00 | Battery (ONE+ 18V) — bare tool | Variable to 30,000 rpm | Fixed (D-shape) |
| RYOBI 1-1/2 HP Corded Fixed Base Router | Best for Table Mounting | 86/100 | $109.00 | Corded (8.5A) | 25,000 rpm | Fixed |
| RYOBI A25RT03 Router Table | Best Router Table | 84/100 | $159.00 | N/A — table only | N/A | Router table |
| RYOBI 2 HP Plunge Router | Best for Plunge Cuts | 82/100 | $139.00 | Corded (10A) | 25,000 rpm | Plunge |
Which Cordless Trim Router Should You Buy?
Three of the six picks are 18V ONE+ cordless trim routers with similar speeds and the same 1/4” bit capacity. Here is what separates them:
| Model | Speed | Variable Speed | Depth Adjustment | Dust Port | Work Light | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P601 | 29,000 rpm | No | Knob with index markings | No | No | $99 |
| ONE+ Compact | 30,000 rpm | No | Simple depth ring | No | No | $83 |
| RTR18-0 | Variable to 30,000 | Yes | Micro depth adjust | No | LED | $89 |
None of the three will hog out a deep mortise in white oak — that is what the corded plunge router is for. All three run on ONE+ batteries. If the budget gap between the P601 and the Compact matters, buy the Compact. If micro depth adjustment and a work light matter more, spend the extra on the RTR18-0.
Full Reviews
1. RYOBI P601 ONE+ Trim Router
The long-running, most-reviewed ONE+ trim router. Fixed base, rubber overmold grip, depth knob with index markings for repeatable depths. Almost 2,000 owner reviews.
- 29,000 rpm for clean finish cuts
- Depth knob with index markings — return to a setting without a wrench
- Rubber overmold grip reduces hand fatigue
- Runs on ONE+ batteries you likely already own
- Most-reviewed Ryobi router at nearly 2,000 owner reports
2. RYOBI ONE+ Compact Fixed Base Router
The cheapest entry into cordless routing. 18V, 30,000 rpm, clear sub-base for visibility. Sold bare tool — budget for a battery if you are not already in the ONE+ system.
- Lowest entry price of the cordless three
- Clear base for a direct view of the cut line
- 30,000 rpm with smooth depth adjustment
- Light and easy to control one-handed
- Standard 1/4” bit compatibility
3. RYOBI RTR18-0 Trim Router
Variable speed, micro depth adjustment, LED work light, D-shape base. UK/EU-market router — the “-0” suffix means bare tool, no battery. Includes 6mm and 6.35mm collets; check your bit shanks.
- Variable speed for laminate, figured stock, and softer materials
- Micro depth adjustment for corrections without guesswork
- LED work light — useful in poor workshop lighting
- D-shape base for accurate edge-following
- Includes 6mm and 6.35mm (1/4”) collets
4. RYOBI 1-1/2 HP Corded Fixed Base Router
8.5-amp fixed-base router with steady corded power to 25,000 rpm. Sized and shaped to mount in the A25RT03 table below — the natural pairing for repeatable joinery without battery interruptions.
- Consistent corded power that does not drop off mid-pass
- Sized and shaped for router-table mounting
- Easy bit changes and straightforward controls
- Stable fixed base for repeatable cuts
- Best-value corded Ryobi router for hobbyists
5. RYOBI A25RT03 Router Table
28-pound metal-topped router table. Turns a handheld router into a stable, repeatable workstation. Designed around Ryobi corded routers — mixing brands usually means modifying the throat plate.
- Metal construction that stays put during cuts
- Work surface sized for longer stock
- Straightforward assembly
- Designed around Ryobi corded routers — least-friction pairing
- Portable enough for a modest shop at 28 lbs
6. RYOBI 2 HP Plunge Router
10-amp corded plunge router for cuts the trim routers cannot make: mortises, recesses, circles, sign carving, and template work starting mid-board. 2 hp for medium-duty work; the weight steadies the plunge.
- Plunge base for cuts that start in the middle of a board
- 2 hp motor for medium-duty routing in solid wood
- Weight that steadies the plunge cut
- Accepts both 1/4” and 1/2” shank bits
- Predictable plunge depth stops for repeat cuts
FAQ
Which Ryobi router should I choose?
Will a Ryobi router fit my router table?
What bit shanks do these take?
How do I get clean cuts?
Which direction should I feed the router?
Are Ryobi routers good enough for serious woodworking?
Comparing router brands? See our DeWalt router guide and Milwaukee router guide. For router bit selection: types of wood router bits.