Milwaukee vs Dewalt Tool Set: Prices, Pros & Cons

Authentic Professional Tools Up to 60% Off MSRP. Why Contractors & DIYers Choose GenuineTools! Get Milwaukee®, DeWALT®, Ring, etc tools at unbeatable prices. Highly rated by verified customers who trust authentic equipment. Why Choose GenuineTools: 100% authentic and factory-sealed tools Brand-new inventory in the original retail packaging Save up to 60% off retail (competitors offer only 10%–30% off) Bulk buyers are especially welcome with special incentives Personalized customer service from real tool experts 1 business day handling for all orders from our US warehouse 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Full refund for defective or unopened items; opened items may be subject to a restocking fee. Shop GenuineTools Now →

Milwaukee® Combo Kits

Milwaukee®’s cordless combo kits are built around two core voltage platforms: the M12™ (12V) and the M18™ (18V). The M18 platform is Milwaukee®’s flagship for heavy-duty professional work, while the M12 excels in compact, lightweight applications where maneuverability matters.

Milwaukee® M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit (3697-22)

The Milwaukee® 3697-22 Combo Kit comes with an M18 FUEL Hammer Drill and Hex Impact Driver, which are both designed to operate on sustained power. 

The Milwaukee® 3697-22 ($284.99 at GenuineTools) pairs the M18 FUEL™ ½" Hammer Drill with the M18 FUEL™ ¼" Hex Impact Driver, both driven by POWERSTATE™ brushless motor technology. It's built for sustained power through long work days without thermal shutdown or performance drop-off.

What's Included in the M18 FUEL Kit (3697-22)

• M18 FUEL™ ½" Hammer Drill/Driver
• M18 FUEL™ ¼" Hex Impact Driver
• Two M18™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery Packs
• M18™/M12™ Multi-Volt Charger
• Blow Molded Case for jobsite transport

The 2904-20 Hammer Drill/Driver measures 6.9 inches long and features a POWERSTATE™ brushless motor and AutoStop™ Control Mode that cuts power instantly during bind-up. The 2953-20 Impact Driver is Milwaukee®'s fastest at up to 3,900 RPM.

Both run on the included M18™ REDLITHIUM™ XC5.0 packs (48-11-1850): 5.0Ah capacity with onboard electronics that manage temperature, overload, and discharge. The blow-molded case protects the full kit in transit. Both batteries work across 250+ tools in the M18™ ecosystem.

Pros of the Milwaukee® M18 FUEL Kit (3697-22)

• AutoStop™ Control Mode for operator safety
• POWERSTATE™ brushless motor for sustained performance
• Compatible with 250+ M18 tools
• REDLITHIUM™ batteries with thermal management
• 5-year tool / 3-year battery warranty

Cons of the Milwaukee® M18 FUEL Kit (3697-22)

• Higher price point than entry-level kits
• Heavier than M12 or compact competitors
• Overkill for light residential DIY use

Milwaukee® M12 4-Tool Combo Kit (3494-24)

The Milwaukee® M12 3494-24 works on Milwaukee®’s M12 ecosystem. 

The Milwaukee® M12 3494-24 4-Tool Combo Kit ($219.99 at GenuineTools) runs on the 12V M12™ platform and packages four tools into a lightweight setup built for electricians, plumbers, and finish carpenters working in confined spaces all day.

What's Included in the M12 Kit (3494-24)

• M12™ Subcompact Brushless 3/8" Drill/Driver (3401-20)
• M12™ Subcompact Brushless ¼" Hex Impact Driver (3450-20)
• M12™ Multi-Tool (2426-20)
• M12™ HACKZALL® Recip Saw (2420-20)
• Two M12™ REDLITHIUM™ CP2.0 Battery Packs (48-11-2420)
• M12™ Charger (48-59-2401)
• Contractor bag

The 3401-20 Drill/Driver measures 5.4 inches and produces 350 in-lbs of torque, while the 3450-20 Impact Driver checks in at 4.3 inches with 1,100 in-lbs. Both weigh under 2 lbs with a battery attached.

The 2426-20 Multi-Tool runs at 5,000 to 20,000 OPM with up to 25% more runtime than competing 12V multi-tools. The 2420-20 HACKZALL® one-handed recip saw handles demolition and rough-in at just 11 inches and 2.2 lbs.

The two 48-11-2420 REDLITHIUM™ CP2.0 packs power all four tools and are compatible with 150+ M12™ tools. The 48-59-2401 charger fully repowers each pack in under an hour.

Pros of the Milwaukee® M12 Kit (3494-24)

• Four tools in one kit 
• Most compact and lightest drill in its class
• Multi-tool delivers 25% more runtime than competitors
• HACKZALL® adds real demolition versatility
• Compatible with 150+ M12 tools

Cons of the Milwaukee® M12 Kit (3494-24)

• 12V limits performance on heavy-duty applications
• CP2.0 batteries have lower capacity than larger packs
• 3/8" chuck limits larger bit use
• Not ideal for sustained high-torque fastening

DeWALT® Tool Sets

DeWALT®'s cordless lineup runs on the 20V MAX platform, one of the most widely adopted battery systems in the industry, and is compatible with 300+ tools and chargers. This breakdown covers two sub-series: the standard 20V MAX brushless kits and the compact ATOMIC™ series built for tight-space work.

DeWALT® 20V MAX Brushless 2-Tool Kit (DCK228E2)

The DeWALT® DCK228E2 2-Tool Kit includes a hammer drill and impact driver that run on the POWERSTACK™ battery technology.

The DeWALT® DCK228E2 2-Tool Kit ($249.99 at GenuineTools) pairs the DCD798 ½" Hammer Drill/Driver with the DCF840 ¼" Impact Driver. It runs on POWERSTACK™ battery technology, stacked pouch cells that DeWALT® says deliver 50% more power than standard 20V MAX compact batteries in a lighter, smaller package.

What's Included in the DeWALT® 20V MAX 2-Tool Kit (DCK228E2)

• DCD798 ½" Hammer Drill/Driver (Brushless)
• DCF840 ¼" Impact Driver (Brushless)
• Two 20V MAX POWERSTACK™ 1.7Ah Compact Batteries
• Charger
• Contractor bag

The DCBP034 POWERSTACK™ 1.7Ah batteries deliver 50% more power than the standard DCB203 compact battery in a package that is more compact and lighter. 

The DCD798 hammer drill measures 6.93 inches with up to 28,050 BPM in hammer mode. The DCF840 produces 1,700 in-lbs at up to 3,200 RPM. Both batteries work across 300+ DeWALT® 20V MAX tools.

Pros of the DeWALT® 20V MAX 2-Tool Kit (DCK228E2)

• POWERSTACK™ batteries deliver 50% more power vs. standard compact batteries
• Variable-speed impact driver for precise fastening control
• Compatible with 300+ DeWALT® 20V MAX tools
• Brushless motors for extended tool life

Cons of the DeWALT® 20V MAX 2-Tool Kit (DCK228E2)

• 1.7Ah capacity is lower than standard 2.0Ah packs
• Higher cost compared to non-POWERSTACK kits
• POWERSTACK is currently available in 1.7Ah and 5Ah only; fewer size options than DeWALT®'s standard battery lineup

DeWALT® ATOMIC 20V MAX 2-Tool Combo Kit (DCK226D2)

The DeWALT® DCK226D2 combo kit comes with a compact hammer drill and impact driver, fit for professionals who need and prefer compact performance. 

The DeWALT® DCK226D2 ATOMIC 20V MAX 2-Tool Combo Kit ($159.99 at GenuineTools) is built for professionals who need compact performance with full hammer drill capability in confined spaces. It pairs the DCD799 ½" Hammer Drill/Driver with the DCF809 ¼" Impact Driver, both brushless and purpose-built for tight-space work.

What's Included in the DeWALT® ATOMIC 2-Tool Kit (DCK226D2)

• DCD799 ½" Compact Hammer Drill/Driver (Brushless)
• DCF809 ¼" Compact Impact Driver (Brushless)
• Two 20V MAX 2.0Ah Compact Batteries
• Charger
• Contractor bag

The DCD799 is DeWALT®'s shortest 20V MAX hammer drill at 6.49 inches, a real advantage in cabinet boxes, wall cavities, and overhead joists. The full kit is compatible with all 300+ DeWALT® 20V MAX batteries and chargers.

The two included 2.0Ah batteries carry a slight capacity edge over the POWERSTACK 1.7Ah packs in the DCK228E2, without the newer cell construction. For general construction and renovation, they offer a solid balance of runtime and weight.

Pros of the DeWALT® ATOMIC 20V MAX 2-Tool Combo Kit (DCK226D2)

• Shortest 20V MAX hammer drill at 6.49 inches
• 552 UWO output for its compact size
• Compatible with 300+ DeWALT® 20V MAX tools
• Two 2.0Ah batteries included

Cons of the DeWALT® ATOMIC 20V MAX 2-Tool Combo Kit (DCK226D2)

• Lower power density than POWERSTACK batteries
• Not ideal for heavy, sustained drilling

Milwaukee® vs DeWALT®: Head-to-Head Comparison

Get Your Milwaukee® & DeWALT® Tool Kits at GenuineTools

Milwaukee® and DeWALT® are two of the most dependable cordless platforms in the trades. The right pick comes down to your work: heavy-duty sustained power points to Milwaukee®, tight-space efficiency points to DeWALT®, and best overall variety points to the M12 4-Tool Kit.

GenuineTools stocks Milwaukee® and DeWALT® combo kits at the best pricing, with customers consistently praising our fast shipping and quality tools. 

We carry authentic, factory-sealed Milwaukee® and DeWALT® combo kits at up to 60% off MSRP, shipped from our US warehouse in one business day. Browse our full inventory to find the kit that fits your platform, job, and budget.

Shop for Milwaukee® and DeWALT® tool sets at GenuineTools today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Milwaukee® or DeWALT® Better for DIY Home Projects?

For most DIY projects, the DeWALT® ATOMIC DCK226D2 is the practical choice. The compact DCD799 handles shelving, flat-pack furniture, and light framing, with hammer mode for masonry. Milwaukee®'s M18 FUEL is suited for serious structural work but is more than most home projects require.

Are Milwaukee® and DeWALT® Batteries Interchangeable?

No. Milwaukee® and DeWALT® batteries are brand-locked and will not work across platforms. Though available online, third-party adapters can void warranties and pose safety risks, so they are not recommended.

Which Tool Set Offers the Best Value for Money?

The Milwaukee® M12 4-Tool Combo Kit (3494-24) leads the pack in overall value, bundling four tools, two batteries, a charger, and a bag in a single purchase. For a two-tool setup with full masonry hammer-drill capability, the DeWALT® DCK226D2 (which includes the DCD799 hammer drill) is the stronger pick.

Can I Expand My Tool Collection With Either the Milwaukee® or DeWALT® Systems?

Yes. Milwaukee®'s M18 covers 250+ tools, the M12 covers 150+, and DeWALT®'s 20V MAX spans 300+ tools and chargers, all backward compatible with existing batteries.

Does GenuineTools Stock Tool-Only Milwaukee® or DeWALT® Options?

Yes. GenuineTools carries tool-only options for both brands, ideal for tradespeople who already own batteries and want to expand without paying for a duplicate pack.

 

*Note: Pricing and/or product availability mentioned in this post are subject to change. Please check the GenuineTools website for current pricing and stock information before making a purchase.