Author: Leb
Personal blog: https://lebshare.blogspot.com

 

When you find yourself in need of some new power tools, consider buying a complete corded or cordless tool combo kit to get great value for your money.

We researched over 40 kits and spent 30 hours testing the most highly rated cordless power tool kits from a variety of power tool brands. Whether you need a professional-quality kit for heavy construction and demolition work or a lightweight ergonomic kit for small home repairs, this guide can help. Read on to find the best power tool set for your shop.

 

Best Power Tool Sets Of 2023

 

Best Overall: Milwaukee M18 18V 6 Tool Combo Kit

Best Value: Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless 4-Tool Combo Kit

Best Brushless: DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless 6 Tool Combo Kit

Best Compact: Ridgid 18V SubCompact 8 Tool Combo Kit

Best Drill Set: Craftsman V20 Cordless 2-Tool Combo Kit

Best Battery Life: Makita 18V LXT Cordless 6-Piece Combo Kit

 

Our Top Choice

 

We tested these kits side-by-side in a controlled shop environment to determine the best power tool set for different needs. Read on to learn more about these combinations and their performance.

 

1. Milwaukee M18 18V 6 Tool Combo Kit

 

Milwaukee offers more than 200 products in its M18 line of contractor-grade 18-volt cordless tools. This six-piece set includes two brushless tools, a ½-inch drill/driver and a ¼-inch impact driver, as well as a 6½-inch circular saw, a variable-speed Sawzall reciprocating saw, a 4½-inch cutting grinder and an oscillating multi-tool, all with brush motors. The kit includes two 2 amp-hour (Ah) batteries, a charger and a tool kit.

Of all the power tool sets we tested, the Milwaukee six-piece kit offers the best combination of tool selection, cost-effectiveness, heavy-duty performance, operator comfort and battery life.

We especially like the saw and grinder in the kit. The circular saw includes a safety blade brake, an easy-to-use lever action depth adjuster and a large footprint that allows for a smooth glide and good stability. It provides plenty of power without hesitation when ripping plywood and cutting 2×4 and 4×4 lumber. While Milwaukee's circular saws and cutting grinders were neck-and-neck with DeWalt's product performance in our tests, the cordless Sawzall scored highest in strong cutting power of all the reciprocating saws we tested.

At less than 2.5 pounds, the brushless drill driver is the second lightest of all the drills we tested, but it scored second in our drill test, proving it is more powerful than most drills. However, for consistent heavy-duty applications, the cordless hammer drill is preferable to the lighter drill/driver here, especially considering that the kit also comes with a powerful ¼-inch hex drive impact driver.

We also really like the oscillating multi-tool. It can be used for powerful demolition cutting or sanding. In our tests, we found it to be very effective at cutting and sanding with minimal vibration transfer to the hand.

 

2. Ryobi One+ 18V Cordless 4-Tool Combo Kit

 

No need to spend a fortune on professional-grade tools if they are used infrequently or only for light projects. This Ryobi power tool kit includes four reliable tools to help you complete your weekend chores without spending a fortune. The kit includes a ½-inch drill/driver, a ¼-inch hex-drive impact driver, a 5½-inch circular saw and an LED work light, all with a cost-effective brush motor. It comes with a 1.5Ah battery, a 4Ah battery, a charger and a tool kit.

Quality, inexpensive power tools tend to be heavier than their high-end counterparts, and the Ryobi drill/driver (third heaviest) and impact driver (heaviest) outperform some of their more expensive competitors while offering similar working power. While the added weight may increase operator fatigue for several hours, the savings may be worth the extra effort for smaller jobs. The kit sells for about half the price of the next cheapest kit we tested.

Ryobi's cordless circular saw features a compact 5½-inch blade, built to scale for cutting small-sized lumber. When we tested it on 2×4 lumber, it was constrained and hesitant after only a few cuts. Prolonged use drained the battery more quickly than other saws we tested. However, when we cut 1×4 lumber, the battery lasted more than twice as long. We found it best to use the included 4Ah battery for the chainsaw and the 1.5Ah battery for the drill and impact driver.

 

3. DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless 6 Tool Combo Kit

 

This DeWalt 6-tool combo kit allows users to drill through wood, metal, plastic and even mortar with the included ½-inch hammer drill. It features three-speed settings and an all-metal ratchet chuck to keep the user's drill secure during use. The ¼-inch impact driver is lightweight and compact, with three LED lights, making it ideal for working in small, dimly lit spaces.

The power tool kit includes a reciprocating saw and an adjustable four-position blade clamp for more precise cutting. 7¼-inch circular saw with a rugged carbide blade. Also included is a convenient LED work light with a hanging loop and ratchet tilt adjustment. In addition to six 20-volt brushless tools, the kit includes two 5Ah batteries, a quick charger and a large carrying bag.

In our tests, the DeWalt six-piece tool kit proved its worth for heavy-duty projects and long-term use. With the included 5Ah batteries and their efficient brushless motors, these tools consistently outperformed the competition in terms of operating power and run time.

The hammer drill opens holes faster than any other drill we tested, and the DeWalt circular saw is the only product in our line that can trim 6×6 posts with a reverse cut. It does it with ease and without hesitation or binding. However, both tools are much heavier than the competition, which may be a drawback for some users or lighter applications.

It's also worth noting that the DeWalt cordless circular saw is the only saw we've tested with the blade on the right side. This is the way most corded circular saws have always been manufactured. For habitually right-handed workers who use the front and rear handles to guide the blade, the right blade configuration is safer because neither hand crosses over the moving blade. But it also puts the weight of the saw on the waste side of the wood and may obscure the cutting line to some extent when operated with one hand.

The reciprocating saw weighs less than the best-performing saws and has a more compact design. However, it transmits more vibration through the handle, which may be uncomfortable for extended use. The cut grinder worked well without qualification. We like the comfortable paddle trigger. This brushless kit would be a great choice for the seasoned DIY enthusiast or construction professional who prioritizes a durable tool with longer battery life.

 

4. Ridgid 18V SubCompact 8 Tool Combo Kit

 

Compact power tools offer work performance comparable to other tools, but they are lighter in weight and easier to maneuver in tight areas where larger tools don't fit. They are also excellent for users with limited storage space or to reduce user fatigue from long hours of work.

This eight-piece Ridgid tool set includes all of the most popular cordless tools, each powered by a high-efficiency brushless motor: ½-inch drill/driver, ¼-inch impact driver, 6½-inch circular saw, reciprocating saw, LED work light 3-inch multi-material saw, ⅜-inch impact wrench and ⅜-inch right-angle drill. The kit also comes with one 4Ah and two 2Ah batteries, a charger and two tool bags for easy portability.

In our tests, all Ridgid power tools provided excellent run times and excellent power-to-weight ratios on every charge. To be clear, this is not a heavy-duty kit, but the compact size and ergonomic design of each tool complement the powerful brushless motors. These tools score highest in comfort and ease of use, making them an excellent choice for a variety of home repairs, DIY and small to medium-sized construction projects.

In theory, the Ridgid drill/drivers and impact drivers were not as good as most of the competitors we tested in terms of torque and revolutions per minute (rpm). The two were also the lightest in their class. However, in our test program, they drilled and screwed with similar results to the rest of the test group - except for the heavy-duty DeWalt impact drill.

The 6½-inch circular saw was also the lightest in its size category, with only the Ryobi 5½-inch circular saw weighing less. It cuts plywood and 2×4 lumber easily and cleanly but hesitates a few times in the 4×4 column. Again, the lightweight reciprocating saw was easy to operate with one hand and easily cut through 2×4 frames with nails but felt underpowered when using steel bolts.

The tool run times for this kit were excellent. We did not run out of batteries in any individual tool tests during our allotted test time. Also, this is the only kit that includes three batteries; others only offer two. Their total capacity of 8Ah is second only to the 10Ah total capacity provided by the DeWalt kit's two 5Ah batteries.

 

5. Craftsman V20 Cordless 2-Tool Combo Kit

 

Since cordless tools have become increasingly popular, drills and drivers have led the category. While some projects are easy to progress with a corded saw or handsaw, the mobile convenience of cordless corded tools cannot be ignored. This Craftsman 20-volt cordless drill kit meets all drilling and fastening needs. It includes a two-speed ½-inch drill/driver and a ¼-inch impact driver, as well as two 1.5Ah batteries, a charger and a heavy-duty tool kit.

We like the general-purpose Craftsman cordless drill kit; the drill performs well in wood and concrete drilling. It ran smoothly, felt comfortable, and didn't drain its relatively small battery during testing. The impact driver drove dozens of square-headed bolts smoothly into treated wood with similar comfort and consistency to the competition.

Both the drill and impact driver scored in our test group in terms of weight and power, but the kit price and average price per tool fell at the lower end of the group. For those who just need a drill and driver kit, and for fans of the Craftsman brand, this is a great value for a quality set of tools.

 

6. Makita 18V LXT Cordless 6-Piece Combo Set

 

The Makita six-tool combo kit has enough tools for larger projects and the battery power to keep them running all day. The kit comes with a two-speed ½-inch drill, a ¼-inch impact driver, a 6½-inch circular saw, a variable-speed reciprocating saw, an LED work light and a cordless vacuum for quick cleaning. It also includes two 3Ah batteries, a quick charger and a storage bag with wheels for easy portability.

In our tests, the Makita power tool was the closest in size and weight to the Ridgid kit, but slightly heavier, with smoother operation and more power. Of all the units we tested, the Makita had the best battery life and charging time overall. The fast charger charged a fully depleted 18-volt 3Ah battery in 31 minutes, second only to the Milwaukee M18 2Ah battery's 22-minute charge time. But the Makita battery provides more drilling, screwing and cutting time per charge. When we bring these tools to our project sites that day and use one battery to work while the other charges, the second battery is always fully charged before we run out of the one we're using.

While the kit doesn't drill or cut as vigorously as our construction-grade Milwaukee and DeWalt kits, the tools feel more comfortable and are built stronger than other medium-weight kits, and the motors run more smoothly. The drill and impact driver produces more torque, and the circular saw blade cuts cleaner than competing products of the same size. We also like the vacuum included in this kit for quick cleanup of sawdust or drill chips after completing a project.

 

Recommended books for electricians

1.10 must-read books for electricians in 2021! Recommended by Master Electricians

2.Best Books For Electricians|Must-read books for those who want to become electricians

3.5 Best Home Electrical Wiring Books for Beginners | Electricians Guide

4.Top And Best Books And Guides For Electricians And Apprentices | Knoweasy Electrician Guide

5.The Best Electrician Books For Beginners: Top Six Sellers In 2022

6.12 Must ReadBooks For Electricians In 2022 Recommended By Master Electricians| Knoweasy Electrician Guide