Is Ryobi’s Link modular system worth it? Here’s what users are saying

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In recent years, power tool brands have gone head-to-head when it comes to making modular storage solutions, including Ryobi. Using a common locking interface that works with its wall and mobile system, the Ryobi Link modular system gives you the option of using products compatible with both. At the time of writing, Ryobi lists 63 Ryobi Link Modular System products and kits on its official website, which include everything from slot boxes, hooks, baskets, cabinets, to all kinds of organizers. It is interesting to note that they also market it for tool-free storage of products such as sports equipment.

To get the best of both worlds, you’ll want to invest first in its Link accessory rails, which measure 10″ by 2.5″ and can support up to 75 lbs per linear foot of weight. After that, you may want to consider the Link Rolling Base, which can serve as a base for stacking your mobile solutions. With swivel wheels and lockable front wheels, it is designed to carry up to 200 lbs.

That said, it’s important to note that Ryobi only lists 54 products that work with its mobile storage options. For this reason, some products, such as the Stowaway Wall Mounted Workbench, are more of a fixed space saving solution as there is no compatible mobile storage mechanism. Not to mention, this isn’t the only issue owners have raised before, as reviews for the Ryobi Link modular system have been a mixed bag.

Read more: 13 Ryobi Niche Tools (And What They’re Used For)

What do users have to say about the Ryobi Link modular system?

While Ryobi is a generally beloved brand for other product lines, it falls short of expectations for storage and is at the bottom of our list for major portable toolbox brands. With the Link modular storage range in particular, users have bemoaned a number of common issues, which include issues with durability, lack of water resistance and a lack of stability for its cabinet offerings.

If you still want to try the basic setup, its 7-piece wall storage set is quite popular with wall rails, pair of utility hooks, two power tool hooks, and double organizer basket. Priced at just under $65, over 140 people have rated it an average of 4.8 stars on the official Ryobi website. On the other hand, it has a slightly lower but still mostly positive 4.6 star rating from nearly 400 Home Depot customers. Along the same lines, Home Depot also sells the $189 Ryobi Link Wallet 20-Piece Storage Set, which boasts a similar average rating of 4.6 stars from about 640 users.

If you’re wondering how much you should expect to spend on each type, its cheapest attachment is the Link Reversible J Hook, which retails for just under $6. On the other hand, the most expensive Link-compatible product is the $219 Link Speed ​​Bench Mobile Workstation.

Who will benefit from using the Ryobi Link modular system?

Although at first glance, one might assume that the people who can benefit most from investing in the Ryobi Link Modular System are those who already use Ryobi tools, it is quite flexible even if you use other systems. On the Tool Review Zone YouTube channel, they mention that it’s the heaviest wall organizer they’ve tried, as well as the easiest to set up. If you care about aesthetics, it is recommended to paint it, in case you prefer power tools from other brands. That said, other popular brands have also released similar solutions that may be more suitable for your needs.

In the past, I’ve mentioned before how satisfied owners of the Milwaukee Packout kit have been and how they feel it’s worth the premium price when used properly. In a comparison video, YouTube creator Ben Grimsley Woodworking notes that the Link’s button-locking honeycomb design isn’t as stable as the Milwaukee’s slide-lock system, and he also lamented that Link-compatible toolboxes don’t offer as much variety in terms of internal storage boxes. Still, they agreed that it’s impressive for the relatively cheaper price.

Alternatively, you can get a pretty comprehensive Craftsman 230-piece mechanic’s tool set for under $200 that pairs perfectly with the VersaStack system. If you think both price points are still too expensive, you can get a similar experience for wall storage by using wallboard instead, which is a great budget DIY solution to desk clutter.

Methodology

To help you decide if Ryobi’s Link Modular system is worth it, we’ve gathered feedback from a variety of sources for a comprehensive view of its performance. To understand how it works as a whole, we considered what people liked and disliked about it both as a system and as key components.

In addition to overall average ratings across multiple platforms, such as the official Ryobi website and Home Depot, we’ve also referenced issues raised by dedicated reviewers from official product pages, reputable editors, YouTube creators, and other members of the SlashGear team. Finally, we referenced alternative modular storage solutions with unique features that may appeal to the flexible on a larger or smaller budget.

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Read the original article on SlashGear.