Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber
Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber Kit (FVG51K)
Deep cleaning of our homes and our cars are usually projects that many of us like to postpone. How many scrub brushes and other cleaning supplies have you purchased thinking, “This is the one that will make my cleaning task easier”? In the end, cleaning anything well is going to involve effort and time. If you want a tool to help you with your cleaning projects, then I would suggest that you investigate the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber Kit. Using it is really an enjoyable experience.
Specifications:
- Compatible with all Ryobi cleaning hex shank accessories
- Includes a 2-inch hex shank medium bristle brush
- 300 RPM on Max Speed setting
- 175 RPM on Low Speed setting
- Water ingress IPX7 rating
- Includes a 21” USB-C cable
- Includes a Ryobi USB 2Ah lithium battery
- 2-year limited warranty
- Available for $59.97 at The Home Depot
Ryobi Cleaning Line-Up
Ryobi manufactures many cleaning solutions. I have tested several of them in the past, including an 18V ONE+ Power Scrubber, an electric Pressure Washer, and an 18V ONE+ Chemical Sprayer. I use the Ryobi 18V ONE+ Power Scrubbers all the time on my patio, my stairs, and my shed. The handheld 18V Power Scrubber is a great device, but it can be a little too large and cumbersome for some projects. The smaller, tight-quarters cleaning projects are where the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber really shines!
Physical Footprint
The Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber is small enough to fit in your hand and it’s only 1 pound in weight. The handle side of the tool is a total of 6.25 inches in length. While I could grip it on its 3-inch handle, the handle itself could have been 1-2 inches longer to have facilitated a better grip for my entire hand. The side with the scrub brush is a total of 6.75 inches in length with the brush attached. Overall, the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber is large enough to hold in one hand and also compact enough to fit in tight spaces.
The entire body of the unit is plastic. The battery compartment is at the end of the handle and it includes a large washer to prevent water infiltration underneath the cap. Most of the handle area has a gray rubberized surface that extends up to the motor area and then again there is a rubberized surface near the scrub brush’s hex opening (collet). I really appreciated Ryobi’s decision to include this rubberized surface–especially above the motor and on the handle–since it ensured a secure grip while using the Scrubber in messy conditions.
Scrub Brush Compatibility
The Power Scrubber arrives with a 2-inch medium bristle brush. The medium bristle brush is ideal for cleaning durable surfaces, such as tile, grout, fiberglass, and many other surfaces. I have used it for several weeks both inside my house and outside my house and the bristles have endured throughout. The yellow bristles are not falling out of the head and they look like they have many more months of longevity left in them.
The USB Power Scrubber is currently compatible with 15 Ryobi Cleaning Hex Shank Accessories. Separately, you can purchase soft, medium, hard, and abrasive bristle brushes. Sponge and scour pads are also available for purchase. I think including a medium bristle brush in the package is the perfect starting point since it is so versatile for any number of projects. I anticipate someday needing to purchase the hard bristle brush for more stubborn dirt, as well as the sponge pads for cleaning windows and other fragile surfaces.
The hex shank accessories don’t lock inside the Scrubber’s head. The scrub brush inserts into the collet with a firm push and it can be removed by exerting some force to pull it out. While there is no “lock”, the medium bristle brush is very secure inside the unit’s collet and it never once appeared loose or fell out by accident.
Water Durability
The Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber goes beyond the normal IP54 dust and water resistance rating that so many of their other USB Lithium tools have. Since its purpose is to clean and it will get very wet as a result, Ryobi upgraded their technology for this tool. The Power Scrubber’s enclosure is IPX7 Water Resistance Rated, which means that the tool can be submerged for 30 minutes in up to 3 feet of water.
The benefit of such a rating is immediately apparent when you drop the Scrubber into the bucket of cleaning solution that you are using, which I did several times. While I didn’t leave the Power Scrubber inside the bucket for 30 minutes, it never failed to perform after falling to the bottom of the bucket for up to 20 seconds at a time.
To help you ensure the battery cap is on as securely as possible, you need to align the triangle icon on the handle with the rectangle on the battery cap–this is a nice visual clue. The engineering required for the IPX7 Water Resistance rating increased my confidence and trust in the Scrubber as I soaked it in multiple cleaning solutions.
Battery Powered Convenience
The Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber is powered by the included 2Ah lithium battery. The Scrubber is also compatible with the new Ryobi 3Ah battery if you were looking for more cleaning time. If you own several of Ryobi’s USB Lithium tools, then this is a great addition to your line-up since the batteries are so easy to carry with you and swap out.
Instead of on the battery itself, the Ryobi Scrubber has a built-in battery fuel gauge above the motor. On the rubberized surface between the MAX button and the power button, there is a battery icon that functions as an LED indicator. When the scrubber is powered on, the battery LED lights up a solid green. The LED becomes a solid red color when the battery is low (5%-25%). When the battery has less than 5% of battery life remaining, the LED flashes red 3 times. I really liked the installation of the LED battery strength indicator immediately atop the Scrubber because it was always within view while I used it—this was a nice touch!
Through the numerous cleanings we performed, we averaged 85-90 minutes of battery time operating the unit entirely on low power. When switching to MAX power entirely, the battery time drops to about 50-55 minutes. Since it would have been hard to measure, I didn’t track the time as closely when I used a combination of high and low speed. You will notice a reduced speed in the brush’s rotation as it reaches 25% life remaining. When the battery hits the solid red indicator, the battery dies shortly after.
You will need to remove the battery from the Scrubber to recharge it when necessary. Like the other lithium batteries that I have tested, the battery charges in approximately 95-100 minutes using the provided USB-C cord.
Powerful Motor
Ryobi’s USB Lithium Power Scrubber includes a small, yet powerful, motor. When you turn it on initially, the motor operates in the low-speed mode. At low speed, the motor runs at 175 RPM. When you want to initiate the high-speed mode, you must first have the motor operating in low speed and then you need to press the MAX button. Once the MAX button has been pressed, the motor accelerates to 300 RPM. You will notice the difference in speed both visually and auditorily, though even on MAX speed, the motor operates at only 68 decibels. To return to the low-speed mode, you will need to press the MAX button again. At any point, the motor can be turned off using the power button.
Having 2 speeds on a scrubber seems like a requirement based on the stubbornness of the dirt you are trying to remove. Almost doubling the RPMs at the MAX speed really did give me the additional power I needed for the embedded dirt on my car tires, as well as the wood exterior of my shed.
Performance In The Field
My wife and I both looked forward to receiving the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber as we each had plans for it. My wife tackled several indoor jobs with the battery-operated scrubber. She especially enjoyed using it inside the tub and shower enclosures to remove soap scum, including in the difficult corners and crevices. When it was used inside the sink, it easily wiped out the toothpaste and soap remains left behind by our son. On the tile floors, we both found it excelled on the grout lines and it easily fit around the base of the toilet. The Power Scrubber was very well suited for cleaning bathroom fixtures, floors, and enclosures because it was small enough to fit in tight spaces and it had no problem getting wet. If you don’t clean these areas often, then some scrubbing with a stiffer bristle brush might be necessary.
I brought the Power Scrubber outside with me for multiple projects. The grime that had accumulated on our car’s alloy rims was easily washed away on the low-power mode. Cleaning the embedded dirt and sticky substances from the crevices of the car’s rubber floor mats was also super satisfying. The bristles get into all of the tiny spaces that you need them to and the motor and scrub brush really do all of the work for you, reducing the manual labor needed.
I removed so much dirt from the balusters and handrails of my back stairs before I stained them. Again, the 2-inch head was instrumental in this work since it fit easily between the balusters and it cut my cleaning time in half practically. When I wanted to prepare our shed for staining, the Power Scrubber was perfect for the facia boards and the soffit areas. Prolonged scrubbing at MAX speed was best for the mildew and dirt on the wood since it had been a year since they were cleaned thoroughly.
Also outside, I found the Power Scrubber to be very beneficial for jobs that only needed a low-power touch. Our sling chairs and other plastic patio furniture get covered in stubborn pollen in the spring and summer. The plastic chairs easily could handle the MAX speed to remove pollen and other stains. I wanted a gentler approach with the fabric on the sling chairs and this tool was perfect for that. The Power Scrubber was also my go-to tool when cleaning the glass top tables outside since they could handle the medium strength bristles.
In many cases, my wife and I found it easiest to clean with our palm gripping the top of the motor area. Holding it by the handle was fine for most work, but to really have a secure grip and focused approach for a tenacious stain, we found our entire hand gripping the top of the unit was the best method.
I especially believe that those adults who suffer from arthritis or other wrist and hand ailments will find the Power Scrubber to be a tremendous asset that will make cleaning in and around their house so much easier.
Final Thoughts
I feel the Ryobi USB Lithium Power Scrubber needs to be appreciated for the commendable work it can do as a cleaning device. It definitely saved me time and effort when I employed it as a scrubbing device. Essentially, I guided the Scrubber across the surface I was cleaning and I let the bristles do all of the work. Who wouldn’t like that? With so many other hex shank brush and sponge accessories available to purchase, the Power Scrubber really increases in value as you can customize the cleaning head for the task at hand.
Ryobi has recently released many different USB devices that use their 2Ah lithium batteries. These tools each can satisfy a unique need in your home, office, or workshop. I encourage you to have a look at some of these other handy devices here:
- Ryobi USB Lithium LED Compact Area Light
- Ryobi USB Lithium LED Compact Flashlight
- Ryobi USB Lithium LED Flip Light
- Ryobi USB Lithium LED Clamp Light
- Ryobi USB Lithium LED Magnifying Light
- Ryobi USB Lithium Clamp Fan
- Ryobi USB Lithium High Volume Inflator
