I was of a similar opinion 15 years ago. Bought into the ecosystem through Hobson’s choice. I needed a flood light in a hurry late at night, and a Ryobi 18v floodlight was the only one available. Since at the time I hadn’t really bought into any platform and that floodlight and the batteries for it cost me so much, I started buying more of their tools and equipment as needed. Over the years, I’ve seen the kit they offer go from, honestly, a bit knaf to on par with the power tools my grandfather and uncle would buy before they died (mainly Dewalt and Makita).

Only once have I been disappointed with a Ryobi battery tool. A dust buster style hand vacuum that was just not fit for purpose. Everything else has served me well.

My current opinion is, so long as you stay away from their really low end stuff, like what they put in the combo kits, Ryobi, over all, makes decent, well built, reliable kit suitable for a homeowner or DIYer, though I wouldn’t look down on a tradesman who pulled Ryobi out of their box. Some of their kit has gotten damned good.

If my house burned down today, while I would probably go with Ego for my yard tools (more repairable, better parts availability), I would probably buy back into Ryobi for everything else.