Best Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kits
For most first-time buyers, a drill and impact driver combo kit is the cheapest way into a cordless platform. The catch is that kits vary wildly in what is actually in the box, especially the batteries.
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The best drill and impact driver combo for most people is the Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLCK01K: two brushless tools, two 2 Ah batteries and the cheapest platform to grow on. Pros should buy the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 (2953 driver, two 5.0 Ah packs). DeWalt fans get a compact pro kit in the DCK2050M2 (DCD805 + DCF850 Atomic), and Makita users the XT269M (two 4.0 Ah packs). Judge every kit by its batteries first.
On this page
Best drill and impact driver combo kits at a glance
| Pick | Kit | Drill | Impact driver | Batteries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for most people | Ryobi ONE+ HP PBLCK01K | PBLDD01 drill/driver | PBLID01 | 2 x 2.0 Ah |
| Best for pros | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 | 2904-20 hammer drill | 2953-20 | 2 x 5.0 Ah |
| Best compact pro kit | DeWalt DCK2050M2 | DCD805 hammer drill | DCF850 Atomic | 4.0 Ah kit (confirm count) |
| Best for Makita users | Makita XT269M | XPH12 hammer drill | XDT13 | 2 x 4.0 Ah |
| Best 12V | Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3497-22 | 3404-20 hammer drill | 3453-20 | 1 x 4.0 Ah + 1 x 2.0 Ah |
| Cheapest DeWalt entry | DeWalt DCK240C2 | DCD771 drill/driver | DCF885 | 2 x 1.3 Ah |
Kit contents come from manufacturer and authorized retailer listings at the time of writing. Brands revise kits and sell promotional versions with extra tools, so confirm the model numbers and battery sizes on the current listing. We do not print prices.
Why buy a combo instead of two tools
A drill and an impact driver do different jobs. The drill makes holes and drives small screws gently with its clutch; the impact driver drives long screws and lags fast without twisting your wrist. Our impact driver vs drill guide explains the split. If you are not sure you need both yet, read do I need an impact driver.
The value of a combo comes from the batteries. A charger and two batteries are often a large share of what you pay for any cordless kit. A combo spreads that cost across two tools, so the second tool can cost little more than a battery bought on its own. That is why combos are the default recommendation in our best impact driver for DIY guide.
The best combo kits
Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless 2-Tool Combo Kit (PBLCK01K)
Best for: homeowners and DIYers starting a cordless collection.
- Drill
- PBLDD01 1/2-in drill/driver
- Driver
- PBLID01 1/4-in impact
- Batteries
- 2 x 2.0 Ah (PBP003)
- Charger
- PCG002
- Warranty
- 3 years
Two brushless HP tools, two batteries, a charger and a bag, on the platform with the widest range of affordable home and yard tools. It is often bundled with a free extra tool under promotional SKUs. The included PBLID01 is an earlier HP driver, not the PBLID02 flagship, so check the listing for its specs if torque matters to you. See our Ryobi impact driver guide.
Strengths
- Brushless tools at an entry-level price
- Huge, low-cost platform
- Frequent free-tool promotions
Weaknesses
- 2.0 Ah packs are small for a deck build
- Drill/driver, not a hammer drill
- Bulkier than DeWalt and Milwaukee tools
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit (3697-22)
Best for: contractors and serious DIYers who want flagship tools and big batteries.
- Drill
- 2904-20 1/2-in hammer drill
- Driver
- 2953-20 (2,000 in-lbs)
- Batteries
- 2 x REDLITHIUM XC5.0
- Warranty
- 5-year limited (most M18 tools)
This kit pairs Milwaukee's M18 FUEL hammer drill with the 2953 impact driver, rated at 2,000 in-lbs with 4-Mode Drive Control, plus two 5.0 Ah packs, a charger and a case. The 5.0 Ah batteries make it the best-equipped kit here for decks, framing and masonry drilling. Full details on the driver are in our M18 FUEL 2953 guide.
Strengths
- Flagship tools, not kit-only models
- Large 5.0 Ah batteries
- Hammer drill for masonry
Weaknesses
- Heavy with 5.0 Ah packs
- Usually one of the most expensive two-tool kits
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill and Atomic Impact Driver Kit (DCK2050M2)
Best for: DeWalt users who want compact tools for remodeling and cabinet work.
- Drill
- DCD805 1/2-in hammer drill
- Driver
- DCF850 (1,825 in-lbs, 4.0 in)
- Batteries
- 4.0 Ah per listings; confirm count
The DCF850 Atomic is one of the shortest 20V drivers at 4.0 inches, and pairing it with DeWalt's XR hammer drill makes a compact, capable kit. DeWalt's warranty is 3 years limited plus 1 year of free service and a 90-day money-back guarantee through authorized sellers. See our DCF850 guide.
Strengths
- Very short impact driver
- Hammer drill included
- Widely available platform
Weaknesses
- Kit contents vary by retailer; check batteries
- Driver lacks assist or self-tapping modes
Makita 18V LXT Brushless 2-Tool Combo Kit (XT269M)
Best for: buyers who want Makita's ergonomics and 4.0 Ah batteries.
- Drill
- XPH12 compact hammer driver-drill
- Driver
- XDT13
- Batteries
- 2 x 4.0 Ah (BL1840B)
- Charger
- DC18RC rapid
Two 4.0 Ah batteries are generous for the class, and Makita's rapid charger is quick. The XDT13 is a simpler driver than the XDT16, without its four speeds and assist mode, so buyers who want maximum control may prefer to add an XDT16 bare tool later. Makita's 3-year limited warranty covers tools, batteries and charger.
Strengths
- Two 4.0 Ah batteries
- Hammer driver-drill included
- Fast charger
Weaknesses
- Driver is not Makita's most capable model
- 3-year warranty vs Milwaukee's 5
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit (3497-22)
Best for: electricians, HVAC techs and homeowners who mostly work indoors.
- Drill
- 3404-20 1/2-in hammer drill
- Driver
- 3453-20 (1,500 in-lbs)
- Batteries
- 1 x 4.0 Ah XC + 1 x 2.0 Ah CP
Light tools with one large and one compact pack, so you can choose runtime or weight. The M12 FUEL driver is rated at 1,500 in-lbs with four modes. It is not the kit for building a deck, but it is pleasant all day indoors.
Strengths
- Light and compact tools
- Mixed battery sizes
Weaknesses
- Slower on lags and big deck jobs
- Promotional variants swap tools; check the listing
DeWalt 20V MAX Drill/Driver and Impact Driver Kit (DCK240C2)
Best for: light home use on the DeWalt platform at the lowest cost.
- Drill
- DCD771 drill/driver
- Driver
- DCF885
- Batteries
- 2 x 1.3 Ah compact
A long-running, often discounted entry kit. It gets you onto DeWalt 20V MAX, but the tools are brushed and the 1.3 Ah batteries are small. Treat it as a starter, and plan to add larger batteries if you take on bigger projects. Do not confuse it with the DCK241C2, which has 1.5 Ah packs and an accessory set.
Strengths
- Low entry cost to a pro platform
- Light tools
Weaknesses
- Brushed motors
- Very small batteries
- No bits included
Value math: kit vs buying separately
Prices change too often to print, but the method stays the same. For any kit you are considering:
- Look up the current price of each tool as a bare tool.
- Add the price of the same batteries and charger bought separately (or as a starter bundle).
- Compare the total with the kit price. The difference is your real saving.
- Divide the kit price by total battery capacity (number of packs x Ah) to compare battery value across kits.
| Kit | Packs | Total battery capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 3697-22 | 2 x 5.0 Ah | 10.0 Ah |
| Makita XT269M | 2 x 4.0 Ah | 8.0 Ah |
| Milwaukee 3497-22 (12V) | 4.0 Ah + 2.0 Ah | 6.0 Ah at 12V |
| Ryobi PBLCK01K | 2 x 2.0 Ah | 4.0 Ah |
| DeWalt DCK240C2 | 2 x 1.3 Ah | 2.6 Ah |
Remember that 12V and 18V amp-hours are not equal in stored energy; a 12V pack holds less energy than an 18V pack of the same Ah rating. If you already own batteries, our bare tool vs kit guide shows when bare tools win.
Which combo kit for which buyer
| Buyer | Kit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First home, general DIY | Ryobi PBLCK01K | Brushless tools, cheapest platform to expand |
| Deck or shed build this year | Milwaukee 3697-22 or Makita XT269M | Larger batteries for long sessions |
| Remodeling, cabinets, tight spaces | DeWalt DCK2050M2 | 4.0-inch Atomic driver |
| Electrician, HVAC, apartment dweller | Milwaukee 3497-22 | Light 12V tools, mixed battery sizes |
| Lowest cost onto DeWalt | DeWalt DCK240C2 | Starter kit; add bigger packs later |
Promotions change the answer more than specs do. Several times a year, brands bundle a free tool or an extra battery with these kits. If you were going to buy a circular saw or a sander anyway, a promotion that includes it can beat any discount on the kit itself. Just confirm that the free tool is a bare tool you actually want, not filler.
How to choose the right kit
- Hammer drill or drill/driver? If you will ever drill brick, block or mortar, get a kit with a hammer drill. Our hammer drill vs impact driver guide explains the tools.
- Brushless. Worth paying for if you use the tools more than occasionally.
- Battery size. 2.0 Ah for home use, 4.0 to 5.0 Ah for decks, framing and heavy drilling. See our impact driver battery guide.
- Platform. The kit is your entry ticket. Make sure the platform has the next five tools you want.
- Check model numbers. Some kits use older or kit-only tools. Compare them with the brand's current bare tools.
Safety: Wear safety glasses for drilling and driving, and hearing protection for long sessions with the impact driver. Use the side handle on hammer drills; a bound bit can twist the drill hard.
How we chose
We compared kit contents from manufacturer and authorized retailer listings, the specs of each included tool where published, battery capacity, warranty terms, platform breadth and owner feedback. We did not run our own hands-on tests for this guide, and we do not print prices.
Verdict
For most homeowners, the Ryobi PBLCK01K is the best drill and impact driver combo: brushless tools on a cheap, enormous platform. Pros should buy the Milwaukee 3697-22 for its flagship tools and 5.0 Ah packs. Choose the DeWalt DCK2050M2 for compact tools, the Makita XT269M for generous 4.0 Ah batteries, and the M12 FUEL 3497-22 if you mostly work indoors.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy a drill and impact driver combo?
Usually, yes, if you own no batteries. Batteries and chargers are a large share of a kit's cost, and combo kits bundle two tools with them at a discount. If you already own two or more compatible batteries, bare tools are often cheaper.
Do I need both a drill and an impact driver?
If you only do occasional small jobs, a drill alone covers most of them. Once you build decks, fences, sheds or do regular renovation, the pair saves time: the drill makes holes and drives delicate screws, and the impact driver drives long fasteners without changing bits.
What is the difference between a hammer drill and a drill/driver in a kit?
A hammer drill adds a hammering action for drilling into brick, block and mortar, and otherwise works like a drill/driver. It is slightly heavier and usually more expensive. If you will ever drill masonry, the hammer drill kit is worth it.
What battery size should a combo kit have?
For home use, two 2.0 Ah packs are fine. For decks, framing or heavy drilling, look for 4.0 Ah or 5.0 Ah packs; they run longer and hold power better under load. Very small 1.3 to 1.5 Ah packs keep kits cheap but run down quickly.
Are combo kit tools the same as the ones sold separately?
Usually yes, but not always. Some kits contain kit-only or older models that are not the current flagship. Check the model numbers of both tools in the kit listing and compare them with the brand's current bare tools.