Ryobi 18V One + HP Brushless Air Raid 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Review P322

Ryobi Improves the Power of the Latest AirStrike Size 18 Brad Nailer

Since its original introduction, Ryobi's AirStrike cordless nailers have been the perfect balance of performance and price. Still, it's clear there's room for improvement, with advances in battery and motor technology paving the way for a new generation. We got our hands on a Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Air Raid 18 Gauge Brad Nailer to get some trigger time and see the improvement first hand.

advantage

• Lighter and more compact than the P320
• Brushless motor drive is more powerful and runs longer
• AccuDrive nose design for better visibility
• Dry fire lockout and low spike indicator
• Collision and sequential fire modes

shortcoming

• slight trigger delay
• The nose blocks the LED lights

The HP Brushless Upgrade has pushed many Ryobi cordless tools to a whole new level of performance and allows for a more compact size. This is definitely the case with the Ryobi P322 Brad Nailer. Thanks to its HP brushless motor paired with a high-performance battery, Ryobi's cordless brad nailer can now drive nails in hardwood with more confidence than ever—even up to 2 1/8 inches.

We tested with 2-inch nails and had no problem driving them into our oak test block with or without the grain.

Unlike some brands, there is a slight ignition delay when the trigger is pulled. While it won't immediately give you the feel of a pneumatic nailer, we don't expect it to have a huge negative impact on your workflow.

With a 4.0Ah high-performance battery, expect to drive 2250 nails on a single charge. With runtimes like these, shedding some weight and using the smaller 2.0Ah performance pack should be no problem.

Ryobi 18V One + HP Brushless Air Raid 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Design Instructions

size and weight

This nailer has been reduced in size and weight compared to the P320 it replaces. The bare tool weighs 5.5 lbs, and the 4.0Ah high-performance battery makes it a hefty 7.1 lbs. Considering the runtime provided by the brushless motor, we recommend the 2.0Ah high performance pack, making the total pack weight 6.5 lbs.

AccuDrive handpiece

If you've ever gotten your hands on the original Ryobi AirStrike 18 Horn Head Nailer, you'll be impressed by the visibility of this update. As the name suggests, it has an AccuDrive handpiece. This means it has a narrower tip for excellent visibility. Even a novice can shoot accurately within a millimeter or two with a few minutes of practice once you get used to the position of driving the nail from above the tip.

set drive depth

Setting your drive depth is based on the hardness of the material you're using and the length of your nails—this is nothing new. There's a two-step process for dialing it in on this nailer, though. First, you have a typical depth thumbwheel on the front of the tool. Then there is a pressure dial on the back of the tool.

When you first test shoot, start with the pressure plate. It is quite possible to get only the depth you need from it. If it still doesn't sink quite the way you want, turn to the thumb wheel.

Additional features

• Tool-less selectable ignition modes (bump/sequential)
• Easy tool-free jamming with latch above the magazine
• Spare no-mar tip shop in magazines
• LED light activated, secondary trigger located below main trigger
• Dry fire lockout and low spike indicator

Ryobi 18V One + HP Brushless Air Raid 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Price

The Ryobi P322 sells for $179 bare-bones and comes with a 3-year warranty. Currently, there are no kit options available. If you don't need that high level of performance, the brushed P321 has a very similar design and is coming soon, we expect $129.

Ryobi Airstrike Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Quick Comparison

the bottom line

Adding a brushless motor and improving the head design makes the Ryobi P322 Cordless 18 Horn Head Nailer a leap forward from the P320. Consistently strong drives and more accurate shots in hardwoods underscore a thoughtful redesign and a price tag that offers excellent value compared to premium brands.

Specification

• Model: Ryobi P322
• Power: Ryobi 18V One+ battery (high performance battery pack recommended)
• Nail size: No. 18
• Nail Length: 5/8 to 2 1/8 inches
• Capacity: 105
• Weight: 5.5 lbs naked
• Length: 11.7 inches
• Price: $179
• Warranty: 3 years