The ultimate drill driver combo for the workshop contains two tools. Drills and drivers have become very popular as tag teams. They are similar but also very different. So what’s the difference? It gets confusing since they overlap a bit but hang on:
A drill (also referenced as a drill/driver, not at all confusing) spins at a set speed with a set clutch setting. This is very valuable when drilling holes in things. Think of the clutch setting as resistance. No matter what you’re drilling through, the bit will continue plowing through material at the power you have determined. This is good for drills because you want steady performance no matter what you encounter. When you drill through a 2×4 and meet a knot, you want the drill to keep going no matter the resistance.
A driver (also referenced as an impact driver) spins at a variable speed depending on the resistance it meets. This is very valuable when driving screws in holes. If the screw you are driving meets extra resistance, you want to back off on the power input, and drivers do this automagically. Otherwise, you’ll strip the screw; that means you make the bit rattle over the screw and bugger up the whole screwhead (please excuse the technical terminology). Drivers variate the torque to ensure maximum tightness without damaging the bolts and screws that you’re driving.
Sometimes you don’t; but often you will.
Drill/drivers include clutches just behind the bit that allow you to dial in the exact torque you need for any operation. The problem is that we really don’t know the exact torque needed for any operation. Impact drivers aim to fill this gap by allowing variable torque for a host of driving applications.
The Quick Answer
Looking for the ultimate drill driver combo for your workshop? It depends on what you’re looking for, but we’ve narrowed it down a bit:
- Looking for raw power? Go for the DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX. Its 1450 lbs of torque leads the competition by an absurd amount.
- Fancy the extra features? MILWAUKEE’s 2494 brings all the basics along with a host of extras, especially a third battery (which none of the competition offers).
- Wanting a great combo kit at a low price? The MAKITA CT232 is your best bet. It includes everything you’ll need at a compelling price.
MAKITA CT232
The CT232 package from MAKITA includes two batteries that slide into each tool; the flat-footed design allows you to stand the tools upright when not in use.
The charger is a smart one; it communicates directly with the batteries to ensure that voltage and amperage are regulated in such a way to extend battery life. This is key since the number one killer of batteries is suboptimal discharge and recharge cycles.
LEDs on both tools keep the workpiece lit for jobs in dark spaces. A bag is included to keep everything together.
MILWAUKEE 2494-22
MILWAUKEE continues to impress with the 2494 combo that includes a drill, impact driver, charger, and three batteries. This is definitely more than average so extended work sessions are near guaranteed to be uninterrupted.
LED lights are located underneath the chucks so both tools are well-illuminated. Rubberized grips keep everything confident and so hard-to-reach spaces won’t be an issue.
The impact driver delivers a very impressive 1000 lbs of torque. The most stubborn of bolts don’t stand a chance against the 2494. This is particularly helpful for disassembling rusty screws or bolts that refuse to budge.
Battery indicators on both tools are a plus and the charging unit includes status lights so you know how much juice is contained within any battery.
DEWALT DCK221F2
DEWALT’s DCK221F2 combo packs a punch a delivers solid performance we’d expect from the black and yellow brand. Both drill and driver are very compact and can fit in most tight-spaces.
The duo includes LED lighting, but with a different approach (literally) than the competition. Lights are incorporated into the base just above the battery, so workpieces are illuminated from below. In our experience, this works just fine. It’s a deviation from the norm but we didn’t find any issue with the unique lighting configuration.
The two batteries mount on the bottom of both tools. They also allow the drill and driver to be stood on their handle when not in use. An incorporated belt clip lets you keep both units within short reach.
BOSCH CLPK27
The CLPK27 from BOSCH is a strong contender in this race. The drill and driver are both lightweight, ergonomic, and powerful for just about any task they’re presented with.
Both units utilize a quick-change chuck, an uncommon but welcome feature. No more twisting to tighten bits with the drill; the chuck insures that all bits can be quickly engaged and spun.
LED lights on both units are welcome additions. Typically, a light is included only on the driver due to the drill’s chuck constraints. Since the chuck design of the drill allows for a light, DEWALT has seen fit to grace both units with ample illumination.
Two batteries and a charger minimize interruptions from dead batteries.
SKIL CB742901
SKIL’s CB742901 includes all the standard features in their drill and driver combo. The two-speed drill ensures that both soft and hard materials can be powered through with ease.
The quick-change chuck in the driver is handy and includes an incorporated magnet to help seat drill bits. The impact driver includes an integrated light to make your workspace more visible; the drill doesn’t include the same, unfortunately.
The battery charging features are ahead of the pack with its PWR JUMP technology. A battery can be brought from zero to 25% in only five minutes, which is immensely helpful for that final burst of power. The charger can take a battery to full charge in under an hour.
Only one battery is included in SKIL’s combo pack. We consider this a downside as most competitors include two (and sometimes three) batteries in their offerings. The inclusion of only a single battery seems to us to be a bit blind to the competition.
So Which is the Best Drill Driver Combo?
We’ve summarized the strengths and weaknesses of each combo kit above. We’ll continue to pit them against each other below to determine which is the best drill + driver combination for your workshop. Beyond these summaries, full reviews for each tool can be found here:
- MAKITA CXT Combo Kit (CT232)
- MILWAUKEE M12 12V Combo Kit (2494-22)
- DEWALT XTREME 12V MAX (DCK221F2)
- BOSCH 12V Max 2-Tool Combo Kit (CLPK27)
- SKIL PWRCORE 12 12V Drill/Driver Combo Kit (CB742901)
Scoring will be based on each combo’s performance in four categories. Also, units can score equally if deserved in a particular category (e.g. a first, second, third, etc isn’t forced). For this comparison, the max score possible is set at 100 and the minimum score is 20.
Which Driver Has the Most Torque?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
All drivers in these kits perform at or above average. Most units range from 970 – 1100 lbs in torque. The outlier is the DEWALT at 1450 lbs. This extra oomph sets the XTREME 12V MAX apart from the crowd in terms of driver power.
MAKITA, BOSCH, MILWAUKEE, and SKIL earn 15 points. DEWALT earns 25 points.
Which Drill Driver Kit is the Most Ergonomic?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Comfort and portability are largely unique to the individual user. That said, we’ve made an honest effort to rate each combo kit according to our experience as well as those of others.
Weight balance was a major factor in our ranking in this category. Most of the units are engineered to provide a central center-of-gravity that reduces awkward weight distributions. The only combo kit we didn’t like in this category was the SKIL. It’s weight distribution just seemed a little bit off.
SKIL earned 5 points. DEWALT, BOSCH, MAKITA, and MILWAUKEE earn 15 points.
Which is the Best Drill Driver Combo in Terms of Features?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Extra features is a contentious category, but we’ll do our best to lay out the above-and-beyonds that each unit provides.
The SKIL CB742901 includes a battery with an integrated USB port. This feature is particularly handy when you find yourself with a dead phone on a jobsite. To be honest, most of us have a phone charger on hand at any given time so while this addition is thoughtful, it’s true utility may be a bit dull. Counteracting the USB charger is the fact that the SKIL includes only one battery. This is near unforgiveable considering two batteries is standard.
The BOSCH includes everything you need without any extraneous frill. The batteries charge quickly and integrate into the tools unconstructively. LED lights are included on both tools.
The DEWALT also includes lights on both tools, but they’re located at the base of the tool. While this is atypical, it still works. Our workpieces were illuminated just fine. Two batteries are included in this package.
MAKITA’s offering includes the standard two batteries and LED lights below both chucks. The smart charging system lengthens battery life by intelligently throttling voltage during charging cycles.
MILWAUKEE’s entry rises above the rest with integrated battery indicators on each tool, charging status lights on the battery charger, and a third battery. All (but one) of the other units include two batteries, which is standard. The 2494 kit from MILWAUKEE goes above and beyond by including a beefy third battery that’s twice the power of the other two included batteries.
SKIL earns 5 points. BOSCH, DEWALT, and MAKITA earn 15 points. MILWAUKEE earns 25 points.
Which Drill Driver Combo is the Lowest Priced?
Exemplary = 25 points
Satisfactory = 15 points
Below Average = 5 points
Pricing varies and is likely a function of features and power.
Nevertheless, the SKIL and MAKITA are aggressively-priced at under $100. The other three entries are priced around $150, which is standard for this caliber of tool combo.
We’ve seen some pretty compelling deals on all of these tool kits, so keep checking the price if there’s one combo that’s caught your eye.
SKIL and MAKITA earn 25 points. DEWALT, BOSCH, and MILWAUKEE earn 15 points.
Final Results
This comparison was incredibly close and was ultimately decided by the individual strengths of each drill & driver combo kit. The DEWALT, MILWAUKEE, and MAKITA are our recommendations depending on your specific needs:
- The DEWALT DCK221F2 provides the most impressive power. Take a look at this unit if you need to process both soft and hard materials without compromising power output.
- MILWAUKEE’s 2494 includes the most features. The third battery is especially handy during prolonged drilling jobs.
- The CT232 from MAKITA is a fantastic value play among the winners’ circle. It’s consistently priced below the rest and includes all of the features you need for a solid drill/driver combo set.
