Best Power Tool Combo Kit for 2024

Best Power Tool Combo Kit

I love recommending tools to friends and family. It’s kind of become my job over the past decade or so. Buying a cordless tool combo kit is probably the best way to get started. What I consider the best power tool combo set varies from person to person. After all, you’re jumping into a new tool battery platform that needs to last you a lifetime of upgrades. In my opinion, the best starter combo kits include more than just a drill and impact driver. I also like to see a couple of batteries so you can use one while you charge the other.


Some manufacturers offer comprehensive kits that can run $1,000 or more. However, the most popular kits include those 4-6 core tools every general contractor needs. Which ones? Core tools include a cordless drill, impact driver, circular saw, and reciprocating saw. Most brands tend to throw in a small work light as well. Others swap out the reciprocating saw for an oscillating multi-tool. Manufacturers never seem to include the exact same tools in their kits, so the below choices are only made better by adding those missing core bare tools over time.

In general, I tend to look for the smallest combo kit each brand offers that includes (where possible) those core tools. Sometimes a brand offers a really good deal on a comprehensive tool combo kit. That’s often a great starting point for Pros so I like those as well. I’ll make my recommendations and then go through my best picks from some of the main tool brands as well.

Best Power Tool Combo Kits – Top Picks

Also in this Article

Best Power Tool Combo Kit Overall

Milwaukee 3697-25 M18 FUEL 5‑Tool Combo Kit

milwaukee m18 fuel 5 tool combo kit-3697-25

Milwaukee takes the top spot when it comes to getting a kit that delivers all of the key core flagship tools. I have personally used every one of these tools extensively. For professionals just starting out, you get four solid core tools that you can build your reputation around. This Milwaukee Tool combo kit includes the newest 4th-generation 2904-20 hammer drill with Autostop. Also included is the 2953-20 impact driver with tri-LED lighting and 2000 in-lbs of peak torque.

For cutting, Milwaukee includes the 2821-20 SawZall with adjustable shoe and tool-free Quik-Lok blade change. You also get the 2730-20 6-1/2″ compact circular saw with magnesium guard and shoe. I like the Milwaukee 7-1/4″ sidewinder better, but the lightweight nature of this compact saw quickly cuts through two layers of plywood with no stalling—my go-to litmus test for saws.

Topping it all off is a handy LED work light, TWO 5Ah M18 RedLithium batteries, and an M12/M18 combo charger. For $849 this isn’t the cheapest combo kit you can find—but you didn’t ask for that, you wanted the best!

Pros

  • Includes latest-generation class-leading tools
  • M18 batteries have high long-term reliability
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • One of the pricier options

What’s Included:

Best Power Tool Combo Kit for General Contractors

DeWalt DCK695P2 20V Max XR 6-Tool Combo Kit

DeWalt DCK695P2 20V Max XR 6-Tool Combo Kit

In my opinion, it’s hard to beat DeWalt ergonomics. Their 20V XR tools fit well in your hand and deliver plenty of power. While DeWalt FlexVolt Advantage tools might offer a power boost, the company’s standard 20V XR tools continue to provide excellent performance. I love this kit for its blend of no-nonsense tools and it includes a grinder that every Pro should have in their arsenal. For a contractor just starting out, I can’t see anything better than getting 5 no-nonsense power tools for less than $900.

This particular DeWalt kit includes its capable DCF887 impact driver. You also get the compact DCS367 reciprocating saw which I find handy for getting into tighter areas. It’s not as compact as a one-handed recip saw, but you get some weight reduction compared to full-size saws. Add in the capable DCD996 hammer drill, DCS570 circular saw, LED work light, and a pair of 5Ah batteries and you have a very comprehensive starter kit for any contractor.

Pros

  • High-performance tools
  • Excellent ergonomics and power-to-weight ratio
  • Solid value for a 6-tool kit

Cons

  • DeWalt makes more powerful drills, impact drivers, and reciprocating saws.

At around $869 this kit offers an excellent value. It truly gets you ready for just about anything the trades throw your way. I love that DeWalt sells nearly every tool without batteries—making it less expensive to add a wood router, jigsaw, oscillating multi-tool, or just about anything else to your collection over time.

What’s Included:

Best Power Tool Combo Kit for the Money

Flex FXM601-2B 24V 6pc Combo Kit

Flex fxm601-2b 24v cordless 6pc combo kit

Value combines what you get for what you spend. When it came to making a recommendation for the best power tool combo kit for the money, I kept the trades in mind. I wanted to suggest a kit that lets you build up your tools over time. In the end, this Flex 6-Tool combo kit delivers the goods like no other. For one, you get five core trade-focused tools that each consistently place in the top of our head-to-head testing.

Flex, like Milwaukee and DeWalt, now has a fairly deep product line. That wasn’t necessarily the case when they launched. Now, however, the company has everything from cordless hand tools to miters saws, table saws, and even advanced storage systems. With that said, this particular kit gets you started for just $649.

Pros

  • Flex consistently performs at the top of our charts
  • Excellent run-time
  • Lifetime warranty (registration required)

Cons

  • Typically heavier than comparable tools

Buying these tools separately, you’d spend over $1,000! Flex also has a lifetime warranty on both its tools and batteries.

What’s Included:

Best Power Tool Combo Kit for DIY

Skil PWRCORE 20 Brushless 20V 6 Tool Combo Kit

Skil PWRCORE 20 Brushless 20V 6 Tool Combo Kit

I recommend Skil tools to anyone riding that line between DIY and Pro. This particular Skil tool kit includes just about everything except — oddly enough — an impact driver. While you’ll want to pick that up separately, I still like the value presented here (and the fact that it includes a radio!). The batteries can charge devices like your cell phone via USB-C (don’t confuse these with new batteries that be recharged via USB-C). You get both a 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah battery. I like that as it lets you save some weight when using the compact pack on the drill or multi-tool. Kits that only include two full-size packs give you the runtime but at the expense of a heavier tool.

With a 20V sander and oscillating multi-tool, this kit sets you up for a variety of DIY projects. Skil also makes circular saws, wood routers, 20V hand planers, and more. I like the variety of tools Skil has in its 20V line. Especially noteworthy, their brushless power tools punch way above their weight class in our testing.

Pros

  • Wide range of tools in the lineup
  • Pro-sumer performance for less
  • USB-C outputs on batteries for charging cell phones, etc

Cons

  • None at this price

After you buy this $459 kit, be sure to add an impact driver. Then, have fun with all of the available Skil 20V products. From impact wrenches and jigsaws to grinders and rotary hammers, you can do it all.

What’s Included:

  • Drill driver
  • Reciprocating saw
  • Multi-tool
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Sander
  • Spotlight
  • Auto PWRJUMP charger
  • 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah batteries, zippered tool bag, accessories

Best Power Tool Combo Kit for Homeowners

Ryobi PSBCK06K ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 6-Tool Combo Kit

Ryobi 18v HP Hammer Drill

Ryobi One+ HP line of tools has impressed us to no end. The company remains a perennial best value when it comes to entry-level tools for the trades. While they don’t quite match the build quality you’ll enjoy with brands like Milwaukee, DeWalt, or Flex, Ryobi performs quite well. The company also backs its tools with a 3-year limited warranty. Having tested just about every drill, impact driver, and saw the company makes, I can (and do) recommend them for any homeowner.

While I love brands like Milwaukee and DeWalt, none of them offer the value-for-performance Ryobi does. Ryobi also has one of the largest and widest cordless selection of products in the industry. Once you get on the 18V One+ platform, you can pick up inexpensive bare tools for just about anything you can imagine. After buying this $436 kit, consider adding a larger circular saw and a full-size reciprocating saw.

What’s Included:

Best 12V Power Tool Combo Kit

Milwaukee 3497-25 M12 Fuel 5-tool Combo Kit

milwaukee 3497-25 m12 fuel 5-tool combo kit

I wasn’t sure I should add this to the list—but some of us love lighter 12V tools. After all, M12 Fuel tools perform about as well (or better) than many first-generation 18V lithium-ion power tools. It’s actually tough to find a comprehensive 12V combo kit. However, Milwaukee Tool comes close. They do a unique and unmatched job of providing the widest array of 12V tools in the industry. This kit includes a compact 2Ah battery and a 4Ah extended-capacity pack so you get to choose between a more compact tool and having extra runtime.

After buying this kit, you may also want to add the M12 Fuel 5-3/8″ circular saw or even a 12V jigsaw. From there you can add anything—from nailers and staplers to planers and even vacuums.

Pros

  • Widest range of 12V tools in the industry (by far)
  • 18V tool performance
  • Several battery options

Cons

  • Thicker handles due to battery form factor
  • Expensive

This adept M12 FUEL starter kit runs about $339. I think it’s a great lead-in to a solid brushless 12V system from Milwaukee Tool.

Includes:

  • 1/2 In. hammer drill (3404-20)
  • Impact driver (3453-20)
  • Multi-tool (2526-20)
  • LED work flashlight (49-24-0146)
  • Hackzall (2520-20)
  • M12 XC 4.0 Ah battery (48-11-2440) and M12 CP 2.0 Ah battery (48-11-2420)
  • M12 battery charger (48-59-2401)
  • Contractor bag

Best-Selling Power Tool Combo Kits

I can make all the recommendations in the world, but it sometimes helps to see what consumers are buying in volume. Those indicators point to sales, great deals, and compelling options. Following are the best-selling tools from some of the top retailers.

Amazon

Acme Tools

Lowe’s

Home Depot

Best Power Tool Combo Kits By Other Popular Brands

Bosch GXL18V-496B22 4pc Combo Kit

I love the ergonomics of Bosch power tools and this kit has a nice cross-section of products. Picking up a Bosch, I often wonder why I don’t reach for these tools more often.

This kit include a drill, impact driver, and compact reciprocating saw. The Bosch 18V impact driver continues to impress and almost (almost!) makes this feel like a 5-tool kit. Run out and pick up the Bosch circular saw as soon as possible to round out this system. For $349, you really can’t go wrong if Bosch is your brand.

What’s Included:

  • DDS181A 18V Compact Tough 1/2 In. Drill/Driver
  • GDX18V-1600 18V 1/4 In. and 1/2 In. “The Freak” Bit/Socket Impact Driver
  • GSA18V-083 18V Compact Reciprocating Saw
  • GLI18V-300 18V Articulating LED Worklight
  • 2 x 18V Lithium-Ion 2.0Ah batteries, charger, tool bags

Craftsman V20 6-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit

At $324, this V20 cordless combo kit from Craftsman gives a solid base from which to build your system. The tools and batteries include a 3-year limited warranty, so you get some peace of mind. This kit also includes both a 6.5-inch circular saw and a reciprocating saw. You also get the expected drill and impact driver along with a handy oscillating multi-tool and LED light. Finally, Craftsman includes a pair of compact 2Ah batteries.

Included Tools:

  • Craftsman V20 CMCD700 drill
  • CMCF800 impact driver
  • Craftsman V20 CMCS300 reciprocating saw
  • Craftsman V20 CMCS500 6-1/2″ circular saw
  • CMCE500 oscillating multi-tool
  • Craftsman CMCL020B 140 lumen LED worklight
  • 2 x 2Ah batteries, charger, storage bag, and accessories

Kobalt 4-Tool 24V Max Brushless Combo Kit w/Soft Case

Following their XTR power tools line, the Kobalt 24V brushless tools provide excellent power and affordability. We’ve tested them all and find them to compete well with similar tools from Ridgid, DeWalt, and Flex. A bargain at $249, these tools include a 5-year limited warranty and you get a really nice starter set of cordless power tools. Included is a full-size reciprocating saw, and a brushless impact driver and drill. They even toss in an articulating LED light. The 4Ah extended runtime pack should provide plenty of use.

Regardless of where you stand on the Kobalt vs Ridgid debate, both brands seem destined for Pros looking for value solutions. The available tools Kobalt offers (through Lowe’s) also makes it easy to upgrade over time.

Included Tools:

Makita XT507PT 18V LXT Brushless 5‑pc Combo Kit

This brushless kit from Makita, while expensive, gives you a well-rounded jump start with some top tools. From there, you can build up to create a truly robust Makita arsenal. I particularly like that Makita included the XDT16 which held the top spot for years as our best cordless impact driver. At $874, this Makita combo kit doesn’t present much value, but it does deliver serious performance. Makita also has some larger kits—much larger, in fact—if you want to splurge. Aside from being one of the most expensive kits you can buy, it hits all our key metrics.

What’s Included:

Masterforce BOOST 20V Brushless 5-Tool Combo Kit

The Masterforce BOOST 20V brushless 5-tool combo kit includes 4 really solid and powerful tools along with a nice lantern-style LED work light. At $500, it gets you into the Masterforce family of 20V brushless tools and lets you upgrade over time as you expand your system. For those near a Menards, you really can’t go wrong with these tools—many of which we’ve tested and found to be similar in performance to Ryobi, Ridgid, and Kobalt brushless power tools.

What’s Included:

Metabo HPT KC18DBFL2QFM Brushless 7-Tool Combo Kit

The Metabo HPT KC18DBFL2QFM Brushless 7-Tool Combo Kit gives you nearly every cordless hand tool needed for cutting, drilling, and fastening. While the hammer drill and one-handed recip saw give you acceptable levels of performance, the triple hammer impact driver pushes more than 1800 in-lbs of torque. The brushless 6-1/2″ circular saw also punches above its weight class. You also get an LED light, grinder, oscillating multi-tool, two 3Ah batteries, and a soft case.

That’s 7 excellent tools for less than $700!

What’s Included:

  • Metabo HPT DV18DBFL2Q4 hammer drill
  • WH18DBDL2Q4 18V Triple Hammer impact driver
  • Metabo HPT C18DBALQ4 circular saw
  • CR18DAQ4 18V one-handed reciprocating saw
  • Metabo HPT CV18DBLQ5 18V oscillating multi-tool
  • Metabo HPT G18DSL2Q4 18V 4-1/2″angle grinder
  • U18DJL Cordless LED work light
  • 2 x 3.0Ah batteries, charger, tool bag

Ridgid R96263 18V 6-tool Combo Kit

This Ridgid 6-tool combo kit provides an excellent value at $479. It also gives you a 3-year warranty supplemented with a lifetime service agreement. You get a full-size 7-1/4-inch circular saw, impact driver, orbital-action reciprocating saw, and a solid hammer drill.

Ridgid continues to represent one of the best values among brands clearly at the Pro level. Performance isn’t as high all-around as we see with Milwaukee and Makita, but there are some bright spots to go along with solid mid-level performance. As this tool has no brushless tools you may be tempted to look at Ryobi HP brushless kits as an alterantive with even more options. We also hope Ridgid add new kits specifically made to work with their Ridgid Max Output batteries.

Included Tools:

Why Buy a Cordless Power Tool Combo Kit?

The 4-tool combo kit consisting of a drill, impact driver, circular saw, and reciprocating saw has become the foundation of the “general contractor’s kit” for most brands. It gives you the basics of what you need for cutting, drilling, fastening, and demo work before moving into more powerful drivers and benchtop saws. Want to start out with a larger system? Check out our best 6-tool combo kits article.

Features to Look For

I like core power tool kits to include a drill (or hammer drill), an impact driver, and some kind of saw (preferably a circular saw). I don’t make that mandatory, but when starting out, you want to ensure you cover the basics. My Pro-level kit recommendations go a little further. While my DIY tool combo kit recommendations might substitute a smaller circ saw or one-handed recip saw, I like my Pro kits to go full-size. With kits that miss the core tools, make sure you leave some budget for adding those additional tools.

I also made a specific 12V recommendation. Given the dearth of 12V tool platforms on the market, I wanted a solid base from which to build. Milwaukee’s M12 platform offers that, but their larger M12 kits tend to include older compact tools we no longer recommend.

To add to the issue, 12V tools from Ridgid, Makita, and several others are no longer available. That leaves DeWalt and Skil as your primary options. Of these, we like the breadth of tools Milwaukee offers much better. They most certainly have more solutions for the trades. For a starter kit, however, Skil may get you something better performing.

Why Pro Tool Reviews is a Reliable Source

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d use it ourselves and we don’t care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review hundreds of individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

The result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize every time we pick up and test a tool.

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