Cordless plumbing and construction tools live or die by their batteries and charging systems. Choosing a press tool kit with the right power platform, capacity, and jaw coverage means fewer interruptions on site and a lighter bag to carry up a ladder. The nine kits below cover everything from compact 12V service work to heavy-duty 18V copper pressing, so the right tool battery setup matches the way you actually work.
A Fast Comparison Of The Options
RIDGID 78208 RP 251 Compact Press Tool Battery Kit
RIDGID 78238 RP 251 Compact Press Tool with RLS Jaws
Qxphthorix 12,000mAh Dewalt 20V Battery and Charger Combo (2-Pack)
RIDGID 72553 Model RP 115 Mini Press Tool and Battery Kit
RIDGID 67178 Model RP 351 ProPress Standard Press Tool Kit
RIDGID 67183 Model RP 351 ProPress Standard Press Tool Kit
RIDGID 78148 RP 251 Compact Press Tool Battery Kit with ProPress Jaws
RIDGID 72558 Model RP 115 Mini Press Tool and Battery Kit
RIDGID 67053 RP 350 ProPress 8-Piece Pressing Tool Kit
Taking A Closer Look At The Options
The RIDGID 78208 RP 251 trades raw size for genuine one-handed usability, which is what service calls demand. The in-line body keeps the trigger forward and the SlimGrip handle narrow, so a tech working overhead on a copper riser can hold a flashlight in the other hand without awkward wrist angles. Compared with the bigger 351-series tools, the 251 fits in places those tools simply won’t reach.
It works across copper, stainless, PEX, and carbon steel, pressing up to 1-1/4″ on copper, 1-1/2″ on PEX, and 1″ on carbon steel. The included ProPress rings and C1 actuator make this a complete kit for residential water service, hydronic repairs, and most retrofit work without buying extras on day one.
Where It Delivers
- One-handed in-line design reduces fatigue on long overhead runs
- Multi-material pressing covers copper, stainless, PEX, and carbon steel
- Compact body reaches into joist bays and behind fixtures where longer tools cannot fit
- Complete ring and actuator kit included for residential service calls
Things To Consider
- Capacity tops out at 1-1/4″ copper, so larger commercial risers need a bigger press tool
- Compact size means a shorter body that some users find less stable on heavy joints
Who It Suits Best
Service plumbers and HVAC techs who need a light, single-handed press tool for tight residential work.
Where Another Pick Suits Better
The RIDGID 67178 Model RP 351 ProPress Standard Press Tool Kit suits commercial crews that need 2″ copper capacity.
The 78238 takes the same compact 251 platform and adds two things the basic kit skips: a 360-degree swivel head and Bluetooth connectivity through the RIDGID Link app. For a shop running five or ten press tools, that connectivity changes how maintenance gets scheduled.
You can pull cycle counts, lock out a tool remotely, check battery state, and see service intervals from a phone. The 12V battery delivers roughly 140 presses per charge, and the brushless motor is rated for 60,000 cycles without scheduled maintenance. RLS jaws cover 1/4″ to 1-3/8″ for broader fitting compatibility.
Notable Gains
- Bluetooth diagnostics turn tool data into a fleet management tool
- 360-degree head swivel reaches awkward angles in ceiling cavities
- Bright LED work lights help when pressing in dark basements and chases
- Up to 140 presses per charge covers most full-day service routes
Worth Noting
- Premium for the connected features that small shops may not use
- RLS jaw range limits coverage on large commercial copper runs
- Compact body may feel small in the hand for users used to full-size press tools
Key Specs
Made For
Fleet managers and multi-tool shops who want service data without tagging tools manually.
Not Your Match When
Solo residential techs get more value from the simpler RIDGID 78148 RP 251 Compact Press Tool Battery Kit with ProPress Jaws.
The Qxphthorix combo is the only entry in this list aimed squarely at expanding a tool battery fleet rather than pressing pipe. Two 12,000mAh lithium packs and a single multi-voltage charger come in one box, which makes sense for anyone already running the Dewalt 20V ecosystem for drills, impacts, saws, and grinders.
Compatibility covers the DCB200, DCB201, DCB203, DCB204, DCB206, DCB207, and DCB180 models. The charger accepts 100-240V input at 1.5A and outputs 10.8V-20V at 3.0A, so it works with both 18V and 20V Max tools. The claimed capacity is generous on paper, which is worth weighing against third-party cell sourcing.
Practical Pluses
- Two-pack format keeps one pack charging while the other works a full shift
- Wide compatibility across the common Dewalt 20V battery model numbers
- Multi-voltage charger works for both 18V and 20V Max tool platforms
- Higher stated capacity than many factory 5Ah packs at typical cost
Trade Offs
- Third-party cells carry variable real-world capacity versus nameplate ratings
- Some users report slightly heavier packs than original Dewalt batteries
- Charger fan noise is noticeable in quiet indoor settings
Who Should Grab It
Anyone with a fleet of Dewalt 20V tools who wants backup power at a friendlier cost than factory packs.
Consider Something Else When
You need a press tool, not a battery, in which case the RIDGID 72553 Model RP 115 Mini Press Tool and Battery Kit is a better starting point.
The RP 115 is the smallest member of the RIDGID press family, and that’s the whole reason to consider it. Where the 251 in-line design already trimmed bulk, the 115 trims more, with a 210-degree head swivel that lets you work in joist cavities and behind tubs without removing drywall.
The kit ships with a 2V Li-Ion battery, a 12V charger, 1/2″ to 3/4″ ProPress jaws, and a carrying case. You will not press 2″ copper with this one, but for sink replacements, water heater swaps, and tight manifold work, the compact body pays off in speed and reach. Compared with the full-size 351 kits, you give up capacity for portability.
A Few Strong Suits
- 210-degree head swivel handles awkward angles in confined spaces
- Lightest press tool in the RIDGID family reduces arm fatigue overhead
- Complete kit with battery, charger, jaws, and case included
- 1/2″ to 3/4″ jaw range covers the most common residential branch sizes
Minor Gripes
- Jaw range stops at 3/4″, so larger supply lines require a bigger press tool
- Smaller body means less leverage on stubborn fittings in cold weather
Quick Facts
Right Fit For
Residential repair techs who press mostly 1/2″ and 3/4″ fittings in tight spaces all day.
Look Elsewhere When
You regularly need 1″ or larger press capacity, where the RIDGID 67183 Model RP 351 ProPress Standard Press Tool Kit takes over.
The RP 351 is RIDGID’s first in-line Standard Series press tool and the broadest-coverage kit in this list. With 1/2″ to 2″ jaws in the box, a brushless motor rated for over 100,000 press cycles, and a 360-degree swivel head, it covers the bulk of commercial plumbing work without swapping tools.
That cycle rating matters for daily production crews. A tool that runs 200+ joints a week needs a motor that will not start showing brush wear after a season. Compared with the compact 251 series, the 351 trades weight for capacity, and the trade shows up clearly on a job where you press 1-1/2″ and 2″ copper all day.
The Practical Payoff
- 1/2″ to 2″ jaw range covers residential, commercial, and light industrial work in one kit
- Brushless motor rated for 100,000+ press cycles with no scheduled maintenance
- 360-degree head swivel handles overhead and tight cavity work
- Battery, charger, jaws, and case all included in a single purchase
Room For Improvement
- Heavier body than the 251 series, which shows on ladder work
- Larger kit takes up more shelf space in a service van
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Commercial plumbing crews running mixed residential and light commercial copper pressing daily.
Skip It When
You mostly do small residential repairs and would do better with the lighter RIDGID 72558 Model RP 115 Mini Press Tool and Battery Kit.
The 67183 is the 351 chassis trimmed to a residential jaw set, and that distinction matters for the right kind of workload. With 1/2″ to 1″ ProPress jaws, this kit handles everything in a typical single-family home without paying for 1-1/4″ and 2″ jaws that would just sit in the case.
You still get the 100,000-cycle brushless motor, 360-degree swivel head, battery, charger, and carrying case. The trade-off is plain: same tool body, smaller jaw range, leaner price. For a new residential plumber or HVAC tech building a kit, that equation often makes more sense than buying the full 1/2″ to 2″ kit up front.
Positive Points
- 1/2″ to 1″ jaws cover the most common residential water and hydronic lines
- Brushless motor shared with the larger 351 kits for long service life
- 360-degree head swivel aids work in joist bays and wall cavities
- Complete kit with battery, charger, and case included
Points To Keep In Mind
- Not designed for 1-1/4″ to 2″ commercial work without buying additional jaws
- Heavier than the compact 251 series, which adds up on long overhead runs
Who Will Love This
Residential plumbers and HVAC installers who rarely press anything above 1″ copper or PEX.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
Crews pressing 1-1/2″ or 2″ copper daily should choose the RIDGID 67178 Model RP 351 ProPress Standard Press Tool Kit instead.
The 78148 slots between the bare 251 tool and the Bluetooth-equipped 78238, giving service crews a complete compact kit without the connected features. ProPress jaws in 1/2″ to 1-1/4″ ship in the box, which matches the 251’s natural capacity on copper and stainless.
The in-line body, forward trigger, and SlimGrip handle keep one-handed overhead work comfortable. Compared with the bigger 351 kits, you sacrifice 1-1/2″ and 2″ coverage, but you gain a tool that disappears into a service van drawer. For a residential-only crew, that trade is usually the right one.
Why It Works Well
- Complete kit with ProPress jaws included for residential copper and stainless
- Compact in-line body fits where full-size press tools cannot reach
- One-handed operation reduces fatigue on ladder and ceiling work
- Multi-material capacity covers copper, stainless, PEX, and carbon steel
A Few Limitations
- No Bluetooth diagnostics like the 78238 model offers
- Top capacity on copper is 1-1/4″, limiting larger commercial work
Best Suited To
Residential service crews running dedicated compact press kits in their vans for daily call work.
Reach For A Different Pick When
Fleet managers who need tool data should consider the RIDGID 78238 RP 251 Compact Press Tool with RLS Jaws instead.
The 72558 is the 115 mini press body with a different jaw mix: ProPress copper jaws plus PureFlow jaws for PEX and PE-RT systems. That combination suits techs who work on hybrid plumbing where copper stubs transition to PEX branches and need a single tool for both fitting families.
You still get the 2V battery, 12V charger, and carrying case. The 210-degree head swivel helps in tight mechanical rooms. Compared with the 72553 kit, the difference is purely the jaw set, so the right pick depends on whether your typical job includes PEX or stays on copper.
What Makes Sense
- ProPress and PureFlow jaw combo handles copper-to-PEX transitions in one kit
- Lightest press tool in the RIDGID family for low arm fatigue
- 210-degree head swivel reaches awkward overhead and cavity angles
- Complete kit with battery, charger, and case included
Softer Spots
- 1/2″ to 3/4″ jaw range limits work on larger supply lines
- Less leverage on stubborn fittings in cold weather conditions
- Carrying case takes up storage space in a packed service van
Who Will Love This
Plumbing techs who regularly transition between copper and PEX systems on residential jobs.
Swap It Out When
You press only copper, in which case the RIDGID 72553 Model RP 115 Mini Press Tool and Battery Kit keeps things simpler.
The 67053 is the largest kit in this list and the closest thing to a turnkey solution for outfitting a new crew or starting a press tool program from scratch. Eight pieces include the 18V RP 350 tool, battery, charger, four ProPress jaws from 1/2″ to 2″, and a case. Nothing is left to chase down separately.
The 18V platform delivers more force than the 12V tools in this roundup, which shows when pressing 1-1/2″ and 2″ copper in cold weather. The RP 350 is also RIDGID’s Standard Series tool compatible with all Standard Series jaws, rings, and actuators. For a shop standardizing on one press platform across multiple crews, that compatibility simplifies inventory.
The Upside
- Eight-piece kit covers every common press size from 1/2″ to 2″
- 18V platform delivers the power needed for larger copper pressing
- Standard Series compatibility opens access to the full RIDGID jaw catalog
- Complete kit simplifies outfitting a new crew or starting a press program
Potential Drawbacks
- Heaviest and largest tool in this roundup, which adds up on ladder work
- Larger investment than a compact kit for crews that only press small fittings
- Carrying case takes up significant shop storage space
Perfect Match For
Shops outfitting a new crew, training programs, and contractors who want one complete kit to start.
Another Choice May Suit
Solo service techs mostly pressing under 1-1/4″ will get more value from the RIDGID 78148 RP 251 Compact Press Tool Battery Kit with ProPress Jaws.
What To Weigh Before Picking A Press Tool Battery
Three attributes matter more than any others when sizing a press tool kit. First, jaw range, because the right tool covers 1/2″ to 2″ and the wrong tool means swapping kits mid-job. Second, battery platform voltage, where 12V keeps weight down for service work and 18V delivers the muscle for 1-1/2″ and 2″ copper in cold weather. Third, head swivel, where 360-degree rotation handles ceiling cavities and 210-degree rotation handles the tightest residential spots.
A brushless motor rated for tens of thousands of cycles is a worthwhile upgrade for anyone pressing more than a few joints per week. Smart features like Bluetooth cycle tracking matter most for shops with multiple tools across multiple crews. Residential-only techs get more value from a lighter body than from a connected dashboard. Commercial crews pressing all day get the most from a Standard Series tool that accepts the full jaw catalog.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Where Shoppers Go Wrong
A common mistake is buying a compact press tool and expecting it to handle 2″ copper, which it physically cannot do. Another is choosing a 12V tool for daily commercial production and running out of battery before lunch. Match the tool body to your most common fitting size, then verify the jaw set matches the materials you actually press. The wrong combo means buying jaws later that the tool was never designed to drive.
When Paying More Pays Off
Higher-tier kits in this category usually add Bluetooth diagnostics, 360-degree head swivels, and brushless motors with longer cycle ratings. Those features earn their place for fleet managers and high-volume crews, where tool data and motor longevity offset the upfront cost. For occasional residential work, the simpler compact kits deliver the same fitting quality at a friendlier price without features that will sit unused.
