One of the best ways to jump into a new battery platform is by buying a cordless tool combo kit. The best power tool combo kit gives you the tools you need. It should also include a couple of higher-capacity batteries and more than just entry-level products.
Some manufacturers offer really comprehensive kits that can run $2,000 or more. However, the most popular kits include those 4 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.
Some brands go further than just those 4 basic cordless tools. You’ll see some kits that include other tools. But what we’re looking for here is the smallest kit each brand offers that includes (where possible) those 4 core products. We’ll make our recommendations and then go through our best picks from some of the main tool brands as well.
Makita XT507PT 18V LXT Brushless 5‑pc Combo Kit
Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee really go head to head for the best overall in this group. When it came down to it, we just liked the grouping and value in the Makita kit a tiny bit more. All the top kits take advantage of brushless motors and are awfully close in performance specs. They also give you outstanding tools all the way around and are a step above the rest with their circular and reciprocating saws.
Makita, DeWalt, and Milwaukee also have very deep product lines to keep you on the platform for all your cordless tools. At around $749, you get a lot of bang for your buck when jumping into the Makita 18V LXT platform. This is also our pick for the best Makita power tool combo kit. They have larger kits, but this hits the sweet spot.
What’s Included:
We Also Recommend:
- Milwaukee 2998-25 M18 FUEL 5-Tool Combo Kit – $699
Milwaukee 2998-25 M18 FUEL 5-Tool Combo Kit
Value combines what you get for what you spend. When we came to our value recommendation, we had the trades in mind. We wanted to suggest a kit that lets them build up their tools over time. In the end, we decided this Milwaukee Tool combo kit delivered the goods.
We can’t help but steer people towards Milwaukee and the 2998-25 combo kit for its baseline tools. Milwaukee, like Makita and DeWalt, has a very deep product line. With so many tools customized for the plumbing and mechanical industry, we just felt the Milwaukee 5-tool combo kit made for a solid recommendation—particularly for anyone in the trades. In our opinion, it’s the best Milwaukee cordless M18 tool kit you can buy if you want to quickly build up a system.
With that said, how on earth is this kit a value since it runs $699??? Simple. Buying these tools separately, you’d spend around $905. On top of that, Milwaukee and Acme Tools frequently run sales during holidays—watch out for those to save even more. Of course, if you want something less expensive, see our Best DIY tool combo kit recommendation and also our combo kit picks by brand below.
What’s Included:
Once you get these core tools under your belt, be sure to check out the Milwaukee M18 Pipeline Inspection System machine.
Also Recommended:
- DeWalt DCK592L2 20V MAX Premium 5-Tool Combo Kit – $629
- Makita XT507PT 18V LXT Brushless 5‑pc Combo Kit – $749
DeWalt DCK2100P2K-3 20V Max Brushless 5‑pc Combo Kit
Once again DeWalt takes the top spot when it comes to overall ergonomics. Their combination of tools that fit well in hand, compactness, and light weight is unmatched at this stage. We love this kit for its blend of powerful tools that have a nice comfortable grip. Unlike most kits in this list, you also get a cordless grinder tossed in for good measure!
We also love how this particular DeWalt kit includes their flagship FlexVolt Advantage 20V Hammer Drill as well as their best impact driver. You also land a full-size reciprocating saw. Many of the kits include the DCS367 compact recip saw that we find heavy and one with lots of vibration. As a bonus, the hammer drill, recip saw, circ saw, and grinder (DCD999, DCS386B, DCS573B, and DCG416B) are DeWalt Tool Connect Chip-Ready.
At around $896 this kit isn’t cheap, but you should be set for just about anything the trades throw your way.
What’s Included:
Also Recommended
Ryobi PSBCK06K ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 6-Tool Combo Kit
The new Ryobi One+ HP line of tools has really impressed us to no end. Ryobi 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 Makita, Ryobi backs their tools with a 3-year limited warranty. After you buy this kit, add a larger circular saw and consider a full-size recip saw. Still, for just $399, how do you beat the value of these tools?
We also like the value presented by options from the Kobalt 24V line of tools as well as what you can find from Ridgid. Both supply high-performance brushless combo kits for less than $500. For both Ridgid and Kobalt, the limitation comes in the number of tools available on their battery platform. However, as they continue to expand, they’ll both be legitimate options as a primary Pro platform.
What’s Included:
Also Recommended
- Kobalt XTR 5-Tool 24V Max Brushless Combo Kit with Hard Case – $449
- Ridgid R9638SBN Brushless 5-Tool Combo Kit – $599
Hart HPCK302BPTA 20V 3-Tool Combo Kit
While you’d think we might limit our recommendations to “full-sized” tools only, the 6-1/2″ circular included in this 3-piece kit from Hart Tools does pretty well. For a basic set of tools, this Hart combo does more with less.
Ryobi might have the edge as to how many products live on their One+ 18V platform, but Hart is catching up. It’s also expanding quickly into lifestyle products that DIYers will love to have around the house.
For $148, this gets you into a very usable set of tools on a fast-growing platform. Hart Tools has everything from drills, impact drivers, and saws to battery-powered fans and tire inflators.
Included in This Kit:
- 20V drill/driver
- Hart 20V impact driver
- 20V circular saw
- 50-piece accessory set
- 2 x 20V 1.5Ah Lithium-ion batteries
Worth a Mention:
- Ryobi PSBCK06K ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 6-Tool Combo Kit – $399
Skil PWRCORE 12 Brushless 6-Tool Combo Kit
It’s actually tough to get a comprehensive 12V combo kit. However, if your heart is set on 12V, Skil has you covered. They do a uniquely solid job of providing a wide array of tools in this category. The PWRCore 12 line seems perfect for those wanting smaller ergonomic tools for light-duty work. In particular, we like the inclusion of a 5.5-inch circular saw and right-angle impact. The kit also includes a pair of PWRCore 12V batteries. Almost as a cherry on top, they added the Skil 12V inflator which we found to be an excellent product.
After buying this kit, you may also want to add the Skil 12V jigsaw and perhaps their 12V brushless reciprocating saw.
This adept 12V starter kit runs about $385, and we feel it’s a great lead-in to a solid 12V system from Skil Tools.
Includes:
- PWRCore 12 1/2″ Drill Driver
- PWRCore 12 5-1/2″ Circular Saw
- Skil PWRCore 12 Right Angle Impact Driver
- PWRCore 12 Multi-Tool
- Skil 12V Inflator
- Skil 12V LED Worklight
- PWRCORE 12 Batteries (2.0Ah and 4.0Ah
- PWRJUMP Charger
- Various accessories and blades
DeWalt DCK2100P2K-3 20V Max Brushless 5‑pc Combo Kit
Once again this 5-piece combo kit from DeWalt takes our top recommendation due to what it includes. You get tools that blend—almost perfectly—power and great ergonomics. We love the key tools DeWalt includes in this rather obscure kit. It puts together some really powerful tools that let you do almost anything.
This $896 kit doesn’t come cheap, but it gives you more than enough core tools to jumpstart your trade, DIY, or contractor business.
What’s Included:
- DCD999 20V Max FlexVolt Advantage Hammer Drill
- DCF887 20V Max 3-speed Impact Driver
- DCG416B 20V Max 4.5–5″ Angle Grinder w/E-Clutch
- DCS386B 20V Max Reciprocating Saw
- DCS573B Circular Saw w/Electric Brake
- DCD999 3-mode LED light
- DCB1106 6A Battery Charger
- 2 x DCB205 20V Max 5.0 Ah Batteries
- 1 x DCB606 20/60V Max FlexVolt Battery
Makita XT507PT 18V LXT Brushless 5‑pc Combo Kit
As mentioned above in our top-spot pick, this brushless kit from Makita is hard to beat—though some come close! The kit gives you a well-rounded start with some top tools that you can really build up from. It even includes the XDT16 which was held the top spot as our best impact driver. At just $749, this Makita combo kit gives you a whole lot of value when getting into the 18V LXT platform. Makita does have some larger kits—much larger, in fact—if you want to really splurge. This one just seems to hit all our key metrics.
What’s Included:
Milwaukee 2998-25 M18 FUEL 5-Tool Combo Kit
Value combines what you get for what you spend. When we came to our value recommendation, we had the trades in mind. We wanted to suggest a kit that lets them build up their tools over time. In the end, we decided this Milwaukee Tool combo kit delivered the goods.
We can’t help but steer people towards Milwaukee and the 2998-25 combo kit for its baseline tools. Milwaukee, like Makita and DeWalt, has a very deep product line. With so many tools customized for the plumbing and mechanical industry, we just felt the Milwaukee 5-tool combo kit made for a solid recommendation—particularly for anyone in the trades. In our opinion, it’s the best Milwaukee cordless M18 tool kit you can buy if you want to quickly build up a system.
With that said, how on earth is this kit a value since it runs $699??? Simple. Buying these tools separately, you’d spend around $905. On top of that, Milwaukee and Acme Tools frequently run sales during holidays—watch out for those to save even more. Of course, if you want something less expensive, see our Best DIY tool combo kit recommendation and also our combo kit picks by brand below.
What’s Included:
Bosch GXL18V-496B22 4pc Combo Kit
We love the ergonomics of these Bosch power tools. They feel solid in the hand and comfortable. Picking up a Bosch, we often wonder why we don’t reach for these tools more often. Quality also never seems to fail on these tools.
You’ll enjoy the build quality with this kit, but it only includes a compact recip saw and hammer drill. The Bosch Freak 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 $339, 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
- 18V Charger
- Carrying Bag & Accessories
Ridgid R9652 18V 5-tool Combo Kit
This Ridgid 5-tool combo kit provides an excellent value at $399. 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. Ergonomics fall away from the design that contours well to your hand that some other brands have. If we can find a downside to this kit, it’s that you get no brushless tools here—but once on the platform, you can upgrade at will. We do hope they add new kits with tools from the Ridgid brushless power tools line.
Included Tools:
Ryobi PSBCK06K ONE+ HP 18V Brushless 6-Tool Combo Kit
This best Ryobi combo kit also showed up as our best value pick. It has 6 serious tools, and all of them utilize HP brushless motors. That’s not the case with most Ryobi combo kits. provides an amazing value at $399. 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.
What’s Included:
Kobalt XTR 5-Tool 24V Max Brushless Power Tool Combo Kit w/Hard Case
We have remained impressed with the Kobalt XTR power tools line. Their Kobalt 24V XTR 5-tool combo kit provides an almost ridiculous bargain at $449. The tools carry a 5-year limited warranty and you get a really nice starter set of cordless power tools. Included is a full-size 7-1/4-inch brushless circular saw, an XTR impact driver, reciprocating saw with orbital action, XTR hammer drill, and LED light. Kobalt tosses in both a compact 2Ah battery and a 4Ah extended runtime pack.
The Kobalt XTR vs Ridgid debate wages on, but both of these brands seem destined for Pros looking for value solutions. Pros like them because they get a lot for their hard-earned dollars. We like them for the same reason. Performance even approaches what we see from the likes of Milwaukee, Makita, and DeWalt.
Included Tools:
- XTR hammer drill driver
- Kobalt 24V XTR impact driver
- 24V XTR circular saw
- XTR cordless reciprocating saw
- 700 lumen LED work light
- 24V Max 2.0Ah battery
- 24V Max 4.0Ah Ultimate Output battery
- Charger
- Hard-sided rolling case + accessories
Craftsman V20 6-Tool Power Tool Combo Kit
At $299, 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
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.
What Are the Criteria?
At the least, each kit needs to contain a drill (or hammer drill), impact driver, and some kind of saw (preferably a circular saw). Our Pro-level kits go a little further. While our DIY tool combo kit recommendations might substitute a smaller circ saw or one-handed recip saw, Pro kits go full-size…Typically. Of late, Bosch has some skimpy kits and if we wanted to stay up-to-date, we had to drop down to the one-handed recip saw. With those recommendations, you really need to add some tools to get to our desired baseline.
We also recommended a 2-tool cordless combo kit for our 12V recommendation. Given the dearth of 12V tool platforms on the market, we wanted a solid base from which to build. Milwaukee’s M12 platform offers that, but their larger M12 kits include older compact tools we no longer recommend. Also, while Ridgid offers a 12V platform it seems very limited. Makita seems to have moved from emphasizing its 12V CXT platform to its sub-compact line of tools. That leaves DeWalt and Milwaukee Tool. Of these, we like Milwaukee better as it has more solutions for the trades.
These aren’t the most comprehensive kits that each brand offers, but it is the best that gets the closest to having just the 4 key tools we’re looking for. A great example is DeWalt – they have a brushless 6-tool kit that compares more favorably with Milwaukee and Makita, but they have a smaller kit that’s closer to what we want. The other two don’t. Perhaps we’ll have to come back around to the best kit each brand offers in another article.
Disagree With Our Choices?
That’s okay! We know personal preferences take a front seat in determining the best tool combo kit, and every trade is different. Do Pro Tool Nation a favor and tell us what your top pick is and why you love it. Feel free to put it in the comments below or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
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 actually use it ourselves and we don’t really 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 more than 250 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 end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.
