Best cordless power-tool combo kits: DEWALT vs. Milwaukee vs. Makita
A large cordless combo kit can be an efficient way to build a workshop or equip a small crew, but the tool count on the box hides the decisions that matter: exact tool models, battery quantity, charger speed, missing blades and accessories, and which jobs the bundle still cannot do. This research-based guide compares three current U.S. kits using manufacturer product pages, current retailer package listings, warranty terms, and OSHA power-tool guidance. It does not claim hands-on testing, sales rank, popularity, or price leadership.
Recommendations are based on current manufacturer specifications and documented features. We have not personally tested these products. Prices and availability can change.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, including through Amazon and, where linked, BLUETTI. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Products compared
DEWALT 20V MAX 7-Tool Combo Kit DCK751P1
Key specifications: Exact kit DCK751P1 combines a 20V MAX compact drill/driver, brushless 1/4-inch impact driver, 6-1/2-inch circular saw, brushless three-speed oscillating multi-tool, XR jig saw, brushless five-inch variable-speed random-orbit sander, and compact reciprocating saw. DEWALT identifies one DCB205 5.0Ah battery and one DCB1102 2-amp charger. Current U.S. retailer package listings identify one total battery and do not list a case; DEWALT's current manufacturer page lists a three-year limited warranty, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.
Best for: A homeowner, remodeler, or maintenance buyer who needs drilling, driving, straight cutting, curved cutting, flush cutting, sanding, and demolition coverage—and who is prepared to add batteries before running several tools through a long project.
Tradeoff: One 5.0Ah battery and a 2-amp charger are the defining limitations. The bundle also substitutes a jig saw, oscillating tool, and sander for the hammer drill, grinder, and impact wrench included in the other kits. The current Home Depot listing says the base kit does not include starter saw blades, so price the exact blades, sanding discs, and oscillating accessories needed for the first project rather than assuming the box is job-ready.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 7-Tool Combo Kit 3697-27
Key specifications: Exact kit 3697-27 includes the 2904-20 hammer drill/driver, 2953-20 impact driver, 2821-20 SAWZALL reciprocating saw, 2833-20 6-1/2-inch circular saw, 2880-20 braking grinder, 2962-20 mid-torque impact wrench, and 2735-20 work light. Milwaukee lists two 48-11-1850 XC5.0 batteries, one 48-59-1812 M18/M12 charger, and two contractor bags. The product page displays five-year tool and three-year battery warranty coverage; buyers should confirm the exact model-specific terms at purchase.
Best for: A contractor, facility-maintenance team, installer, or serious DIY buyer who needs a hammer drill, grinder, reciprocating saw, circular saw, and mid-torque impact wrench in one M18 system, especially when fastening and vehicle or equipment maintenance overlap.
Tradeoff: The seven-tool count includes a work light, while the bundle omits a jig saw, oscillating multi-tool, and sander. Two XC5.0 packs are useful, but six motorized tools can still outrun the single standard multi-voltage charger during a busy day. The kit's full value depends on actually needing the grinder and impact wrench rather than simply counting more expensive tools.
Makita 18V LXT Brushless 6-Piece Combo Kit XT617T
Key specifications: Exact kit XT617T includes the XPH14Z hammer driver-drill, XDT20Z four-speed impact driver, XRJ05Z reciprocating saw, XSH03Z 6-1/2-inch circular saw, XAG04Z 4-1/2- or 5-inch cut-off/angle grinder, and DML815 LED flashlight. Makita lists two BL1850B 18V LXT 5.0Ah batteries, one DC18RC Rapid Optimum Charger, and a tool bag. Makita's U.S. warranty covers its lithium-ion tools, batteries, and chargers against qualifying defects for three years from original purchase.
Best for: A remodeler, property-maintenance user, or homeowner starting an LXT system who values five core brushless work tools, two same-size 5.0Ah batteries, a rapid charger, and a straightforward drilling, driving, cutting, demolition, and grinding lineup.
Tradeoff: Makita counts the flashlight as the sixth piece and does not include a mid-torque impact wrench, jig saw, sander, or oscillating tool. The kit uses one rapid single-port charger rather than the dual-port charger found in some other Makita bundles, so simultaneous charging requires another charger. Buyers who do not need a grinder may be better served by a smaller kit plus the exact finish or woodworking tool they lack.
Our practical picks
Choose the DEWALT DCK751P1 when broad woodworking and renovation coverage—especially a jig saw, oscillating tool, and sander—matters more than receiving multiple batteries. Choose the Milwaukee 3697-27 when a hammer drill, braking grinder, mid-torque impact wrench, two batteries, and M18 trade-platform fit justify the larger professional lineup. Choose the Makita XT617T for the most balanced first purchase here: five core brushless work tools, two matching 5.0Ah batteries, a rapid charger, and a bag. These are workflow-based selections, not claims about sales, popularity, live price, or hands-on performance.
Tool count is not an apples-to-apples specification
DEWALT's seven tools include a jig saw, oscillating tool, and sander. Milwaukee's seven include a mid-torque impact wrench, grinder, and work light. Makita's six include a grinder and flashlight. A light counts the same as a saw in the headline number, even though the jobs and replacement costs are very different. Start with a task list—drill, drive, cut sheet goods, make curved cuts, flush-cut, sand, grind, remove fasteners, or perform demolition—then mark which exact tools solve those tasks.
Match the complete kit suffix
DCK751P1, 3697-27, and XT617T are exact package identifiers. Similar photos may represent a bare tool, an older-generation bundle, a retailer-created bonus package, or a kit with different batteries. Confirm the entire suffix, every tool model or category, battery model and quantity, charger model, bags, blades, wheels, guards, side handles, and included accessories before checkout. Save the listing because bundle contents can change while a familiar marketing name stays similar.
Battery count can matter more than the seventh tool
The DEWALT kit has one 5.0Ah battery for seven tools. Milwaukee and Makita each include two 5.0Ah packs. One battery can be reasonable for occasional home projects, but it creates a hard stop when it is depleted or cooling. Two batteries allow one to charge while another works, yet saws, grinders, and reciprocating saws can consume energy quickly. For a crew or long cutting day, price enough compatible packs and charger capacity to avoid turning a large kit into a single-battery queue.
Charger speed changes the working system
DEWALT lists a DCB1102 2-amp charger in DCK751P1. Milwaukee lists the 48-59-1812 M18/M12 multi-voltage charger, while Makita lists the DC18RC Rapid Optimum Charger. Charging claims are not directly comparable without the exact pack, temperature, state of charge, and charger. More important, each bundle includes one charger. Decide whether charging one pack at a time fits the workday or whether a second or multi-port charger belongs in the real purchase budget.
The missing-tool list prevents expensive surprises
DEWALT lacks a hammer drill, grinder, impact wrench, and work light. Milwaukee lacks a jig saw, oscillating tool, and sander. Makita lacks those three finish and detail tools plus an impact wrench. None of these kits replaces a track saw, table saw, miter saw, rotary hammer, dust extractor, or job-specific specialty tool. List the first ten jobs you expect to perform and price the missing tools before treating any bundle as complete.
Accessories may decide whether work can start
A saw without the correct blade, a grinder without an approved wheel and guard setup, or an oscillating tool without a suitable accessory is not ready for the job. DEWALT's current Home Depot listing says the DCK751P1 base kit does not include starter saw blades. For every bundle, verify the actual box rather than relying on a staged photograph. Include blades, wheels, sanding discs, drill and driver bits, sockets, hearing and eye protection, extraction adapters, and replacement consumables in the first-project plan.
Battery-platform value is personal
All three systems extend far beyond these bundles, but catalog size is not useful if the available tools do not match your work. Count the exact bare tools you are likely to add, local service options, authorized sellers, battery sizes you can comfortably carry, charger placement, and whether coworkers or family already share a platform. A slightly less complete bundle can be the better long-term value when it joins batteries and chargers you already own.
Combo kits mix generations and duty levels
A bundle is assembled to hit a tool-and-price target, not necessarily to provide the flagship version of every category. Milwaukee identifies exact current FUEL tool numbers throughout 3697-27. Makita identifies its brushless tool numbers throughout XT617T. DEWALT's DCK751P1 combines brushless and non-brushless categories and its current public pages are less consistent about exposing every internal bare-tool number. If a specific feature—electronic clutch, blade brake, dust port, cut depth, orbital action, or compact length—is essential, verify that individual tool, not merely the platform logo.
Do not let one battery encourage unsafe shortcuts
Remove the battery before changing blades or wheels, clearing a jam, servicing, cleaning, or making adjustments that are not intended during operation. Never hold the trigger or defeat a safety control to save time during battery changes. Inspect guards, handles, wheels, blades, chucks, shoes, and accessory retention before use, and use only accessories rated for the exact tool and operating speed.
Each tool creates a different hazard
OSHA notes that hand and power tools can cause severe injuries when used or maintained improperly. Drills can bind, circular and reciprocating saws expose cutting hazards, grinders can throw fragments from a damaged or overspeed wheel, and impact tools can transmit high reaction forces. Follow the individual manual, keep guards in place, support the work, keep both hands on designated grips when required, and wear task-appropriate eye, hearing, respiratory, hand, and footwear protection.
Dust control is a system, not a bag accessory
Cutting, sanding, grinding, and drilling can create wood, metal, paint, masonry, or silica-containing dust. A general shop vacuum is not automatically suitable for every hazard. Match the tool port, shroud, hose, extractor airflow, filter, and cleanup method to the material and applicable workplace requirements. Never use a combo-kit purchase as a reason to begin concrete grinding, lead-paint sanding, or other hazardous-dust work without a verified control plan.
Warranty coverage depends on records and exclusions
DEWALT lists three years of limited warranty coverage, one year of free service, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee for DCK751P1. Milwaukee displays five-year tool and three-year battery coverage on the 3697-27 product page, subject to its model-specific terms. Makita lists three years for qualifying lithium-ion tools, batteries, and chargers. Normal wear, consumables, misuse, unauthorized service, and seller status can be treated differently. Buy from an authorized seller and save the dated listing, receipt, package photo, model numbers, and serial numbers.
When a smaller kit is the smarter purchase
Buy a two-tool drill-and-impact kit plus selected bare tools when you already know the exact work mix, need newer flagship models, or want to spread battery and charger purchases over time. A large bundle is strongest when most included tools will be used within the first year. It is weaker when two or three tools remain in a bag while you still need to buy the nailer, sander, multi-tool, vacuum, or specialty saw that actually drives the project.
Bottom line
DEWALT offers the broadest woodworking and detail-work mix but needs additional battery investment immediately. Milwaukee supplies the most trade-focused and automotive-capable set, with two batteries and exact FUEL models, but leaves finish and detail tools for later. Makita provides the cleanest balanced starter system for drilling, driving, sawing, demolition, grinding, and lighting with two packs and a rapid charger. Choose the bundle whose missing-tool list is shortest for your real work—not the one with the largest number on the box.
Safety and research sources
- DEWALT DCK751P1 product page, package summary, and warranty ↗
- Home Depot DCK751P1 exact-model package listing and current manufacturer answers ↗
- Lowe's DCK751P1 package and battery details ↗
- Milwaukee 3697-27 exact tools, batteries, charger, bags, and warranty display ↗
- Milwaukee U.S. registration and warranty terms ↗
- Makita XT617T exact package contents and specifications ↗
- Makita U.S. warranty terms ↗
- OSHA hand and power tools overview ↗
- OSHA hand and power tools safety guide ↗