When shopping for a cordless power tool, you’ve probably noticed the word “Brushless” appearing on more and more models. But what does it actually mean? Is a brushless tool really better than a conventional cordless tool? Does it give you more power? Will the battery last longer? And, most importantly, is it worth making the switch?
The short answer is: if you regularly put your tools through demanding or extended workloads, brushless technology can make a noticeable difference.
RYOBI’s 18V Universal Power Platform combines cordless freedom with a growing range of tools designed for different applications, including Brushless models engineered for users who want increased performance, efficiency and runtime.
What Is a Brushless Motor?
To understand the benefit of a brushless motor, it helps to first look at what happens inside a traditional brushed motor. A conventional brushed motor uses carbon brushes and a commutator to transfer electrical current to the motor’s rotating parts. As the motor runs, these components physically make contact with one another to keep the motor turning. That contact creates friction.
Over time, the brushes can wear down, generate heat and reduce the efficiency of the motor. For tools that are used occasionally, this may not be a major concern. But when you’re using a tool for longer periods or putting it under heavier loads, the limitations of a brushed motor become more noticeable. A brushless motor removes those physical brushes and uses electronic control to manage the motor instead. Instead of relying on physical contact to switch the electrical current, the electronics control the motor’s operation. With fewer moving contact components inside the motor, there is less friction and less wear. And that is where the real-world advantages begin.
Brushed vs Brushless: What’s the Difference?
Think of the difference as being between a traditional mechanical system and a more electronically controlled one. A conventional cordless tool can still be an extremely useful piece of equipment. Brushed motors have been used in power tools for decades and can provide reliable performance for everyday jobs. Brushless technology, however, is designed to make more efficient use of the power available to the tool.
| Conventional Brushed Motor | Brushless Motor | |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Brushes | Uses physical brushes | No brushes |
| Friction | More friction from brush contact | Reduced mechanical friction |
| Wear | Brushes can wear over time | Fewer wear components in the motor |
| Efficiency | Good for many everyday applications | Designed for improved efficiency |
| Runtime | Dependent on tool, battery and workload | Can provide improved runtime |
| Performance | Suitable for general cordless work | Particularly suited to demanding applications |
| Maintenance | Brushes may eventually require attention | Less brush-related maintenance |
The important thing to remember is that brushless does not simply mean “more powerful.” The advantage comes from how efficiently the motor can use and manage the available energy. That can translate into more useful power, longer runtime and less wasted energy during demanding applications.
Why Does Brushless Technology Matter?
1. More Power When the Job Gets Tough
One of the biggest reasons users choose Brushless tools is performance. When you’re drilling through tougher materials, driving fasteners, cutting timber or grinding for extended periods, the tool needs to deliver consistent power without wasting energy unnecessarily. RYOBI’s Brushless range is specifically marketed around delivering more power, longer life and more runtime. For example, the New 18V Brushless Driver Drill Kit XBHD-18CK delivers up to 55Nm of torque and offers variable speed control for different applications. For the user, that means the benefit isn’t simply something happening inside the motor. It can be felt in how confidently the tool handles the job.
2. Longer Runtime
Cordless tools are only as useful as the power available to them. A brushless motor can operate more efficiently because it eliminates the friction and energy losses associated with physical brush contact. That efficiency can help you get more work from a battery before it needs to be recharged. Of course, actual runtime will always depend on several factors, including the tool, material, workload, technique and battery capacity.
That’s why pairing the right Brushless tool with the right battery is important. The RYOBI 18V Universal Power Platform offers a range of battery capacities, from smaller packs for lighter applications through to higher-capacity options designed for longer, more demanding work. RYOBI’s XB-8000 8000mAh battery, for example, is designed to provide greater capacity and longer runtime while incorporating protection against overloading, over-discharging, overheating and overcurrent.
3. Less Wear Inside the Motor
Traditional brushed motors rely on components that physically contact each other while the motor operates. Brushless motors remove those brushes from the equation. That means there are fewer brush-related components to wear down over time. This is particularly valuable for users who rely on their tools regularly rather than only reaching for them occasionally. For a tradesperson, contractor or serious DIYer, a tool that is designed to withstand repeated use can become an important part of the toolkit.
4. Better Efficiency for Extended Work
Here’s where Brushless technology becomes particularly interesting. If you’re only using a drill for five minutes to assemble a shelf, you may not notice a dramatic difference between brushed and brushless technology. But imagine using a drill, grinder, saw or polisher repeatedly throughout the day. The longer and harder a tool works, the more important efficiency becomes.
Pro Tip: If you regularly use a cordless tool for long periods, work under heavier loads or need to maximise the work you get from each battery charge, Brushless is worth considering.
It is one of those upgrades that becomes much more valuable as your workload increases.
Does Brushless Mean You Don’t Need to Maintain Your Tool?
Not quite… One common misconception is that buying a Brushless tool means you can forget about maintenance altogether. Your tool still needs to be looked after. Keep ventilation openings clean, remove dust and debris after use, inspect accessories and blades regularly, store your tools correctly and use the appropriate battery and accessories for the application. The difference is that you don’t have the same brush wear to contend with inside the motor.
So while Brushless technology can reduce one source of mechanical wear, good tool care is still essential for getting the most from your investment.
Brushless Isn’t Just About the Motor
There’s another important point when comparing cordless tools: the motor is only one part of the overall system. Battery technology, electronic controls, gearing, cooling, tool design and workload all influence how a cordless tool performs. This is where the RYOBI 18V Universal Power Platform takes a broader approach. The platform is designed around communication between the battery and tool, with intelligent electronics helping manage power delivery and temperature according to the tool’s requirements. This allows different tools to use the same 18V platform while managing power according to the application. Whether you’re drilling, cutting, grinding or polishing, the battery and tool are part of a connected cordless system rather than simply a battery supplying power to a motor.
When Should You Choose Brushless?
You don’t necessarily need a Brushless tool for every job. If you’re an occasional DIYer who uses a drill for small household projects, a conventional cordless tool may provide everything you need. But Brushless becomes particularly attractive when your tools are expected to work harder.
Consider going Brushless if you:
- Use your cordless tools frequently.
- Work for long periods without much downtime.
- Regularly work under heavier loads.
- Want to maximise battery runtime.
- Need consistent performance during demanding applications.
- Want to reduce brush-related motor wear.
- Are building a professional or serious DIY toolkit for long-term use.
Pro Tip: Think about how you actually use your tools. If your current cordless tool is regularly running flat, getting hot, struggling under load or simply spending hours in your hand every day, that is a good indication that investing in a higher-performance Brushless model could make sense.
The RYOBI Brushless Advantage
RYOBI’s 18V Universal Power Platform gives users the flexibility to build a cordless toolkit around a shared battery platform, with Brushless options available for applications where performance and extended runtime matter.
The range includes tools such as the 18V Brushless Driver Drill, 18V Brushless 185mm Circular Saw, 18V Brushless Polisher and 18V Brushless Die Grinder, giving users the opportunity to choose Brushless performance across different applications. And because these tools form part of the 18V Universal Power Platform, you can build your collection around a battery system designed to work across a wide range of cordless tools.
That means you don’t have to start from scratch every time you add another tool to your workshop.
Is Brushless Worth It?
For occasional, light-duty work, a conventional cordless tool can still get the job done. But if you’re asking more from your tools – more runtime, more demanding applications, more frequent use and longer working sessions – Brushless technology offers some compelling advantages. The biggest difference isn’t something you’ll necessarily see when you look at the outside of the tool.
It’s what is happening inside. By removing the brushes and using electronic control of the motor, Brushless technology is designed to reduce mechanical friction, improve efficiency and deliver the kind of performance that becomes increasingly valuable when the workload increases. So the next time you see “Brushless” on a cordless tool, you’ll know it’s more than just a label. Its technology designed to help your tool work smarter, work longer and keep up when the job demands more.
Ready to Go Brushless?
Explore the RYOBI 18V Universal Power Platform and discover a range of cordless tools designed to give you the freedom to work without cords – and the performance to get the job done.
One battery. A growing range of possibilities. Explore The RYOBI Africa’s 18V Universal Power Platform