If you missed the premiere of our new buying guide series of articles, here’s the scoop – we’re putting ourselves in your shoes. We know what it’s like to stare at a wall of options and have no idea what the best drill and impact driver kit is or how to decide what of those features and specifications are meaningful and what’s just hype. So take it from the Pros at Pro Tool Reviews – here are our picks for the best drill and impact driver 2-tool combo kit in several major categories.
Editor’s Note: See our best cordless drill kit under $150 article.
Keep in mind that we’re focused on the 18V/20V Max class – 12V is a whole other category and it’s deep enough that we could go through each of the same recommendations you find here.
Best Drill and Impact Driver Kit Overall
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2-Tool Combo Kit (3697-22)
When you need the best overall 2-tool drill and impact driver combo kit, we go with the spend money to make money” way of thinking. With that said, it’s hard to go wrong with the Milwaukee 3697-22 M18 Fuel Drill and Impact Driver Kit. These 4th generation brushless tools include more torque and speed than their predecessors. One of the best cordless drills on the market, the 2904, adds Auto-Stop to keep you safer when drilling. We also love the tri-LED light on the new impact driver and 2000 in-lbs of torque borderlines is almost more than you need in a tool like this (heresy, we know). The kit runs about $399 and includes two 5Ah batteries.
Drill Specs
- Model: Milwaukee 2904-20
- Max No Load Speed: 2,100 RPM
- Impact Rate: 0 – 33,000 BPM
- Max Torque: 1,400 in-lbs
- Weight: 3.3 lbs
Impact Driver Specs
- Model: Milwaukee 2953-20
- Max No Load Speed: 3,000 RPM
- Impact Rate: 0-4,400 IPM
- Max Torque: 2,000 in-lbs
- Weight: 2.24 lbs
Best Drill and Impact Driver Kit for Pros on a Budget
GEN5X Brushless 18V Compact Hammer Drill/Driver and Impact Combo
Not everyone has the benefit of a major construction firm’s spending power and sometimes the money you save on tools means more money in your pocket. That doesn’t mean you want the cheapest tool you can get away with. After all, you’re a Pro and you need Pro performance. Go for the Ridgid R9208 Brushless Drill and Impact Driver Kit for $269 if that’s you. We also see it on sale quite frequently. With a variety of other budget-minded Ridgid tools available as add-ons, this further tips the scales in favor of this top pick.
Drill Specs
- Model: Ridgid R86116
- Max No Load Speed: 2,100 RPM
- Impact Rate: 27,300 BPM
- Max Torque: 700 in. lbs
- Weight: 3.0 lbs
Impact Driver Specs
- Model: Ridgid R86037
- Max No Load Speed: 2,750 RPM
- Impact Rate: Not listed
- Max Torque: 2,250 in-lbs.
- Weight: 3.0 lbs
DeWalt Atomic 20V 2-Tool Combo Kit DCK254E2
The DeWalt DCF850 20V impact driver broke all records with its compact <4″ head length. It even makes the 4th generation Milwaukee 2953 impact look large in comparison. With 1825 in-lbs of torque and 3250 RPM, this tool competes well with its peers. Don’t expect it to hold up as well under extended periods of maximum torque driving, however. The physically larger DeWalt DCF887 still beats it there.
Still, it’s hard not to love the compact size and power you get with this kit. That goes double when you realize it also includes two 2.0Ah DeWalt PowerStack batteries.
Drill Specs
- Model: DeWalt DCD709
- Max No Load Speed: 1,650 RPM
- Impact Rate: 0-28,050 BPM
- Max Torque: 340 UWO (see our: unit watts out article)
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
Impact Driver Specs
- Model: DeWalt DCF850
- Max No Load Speed: 3,250 RPM
- Impact Rate: 0-3,600 IPM
- Max Torque: 1,825 in-lbs
- Weight: 2.1 lbs
Best Value Drill and Impact Driver Kit
Ryobi HP 18V Brushless Compact Drill and Impact Kit PSBCK01K
Sure, you don’t work in the trades for your day job, but you’ve got a talent for building and fixing things and expect professional results. Jumping all the way up to Pro level pricing isn’t an option, but you want a value tool kit that delivers. Perhaps you’re willing to trade off some of the most recent features for solid performance. If that sounds like you, grab the value-priced Ryobi PSBCK01K drill and impact driver kit for around $179.
The ONE+ HP line really did a great job of reducing the bulk inherent in prior Ryobi 18V tools. Both the tools and batteries just feel slimmer and more easily managed. If you want something with more modes and a hammer drill, the higher-priced Ryobi PBLCK02K kit gets you there for an additional $50.
Drill Specs
- Model: Ryobi PSBDD01
- Max No Load Speed: 1,700 RPM
- Max Torque: 400 in-lbs
- Weight: 1.0 lbs
- Length: 6.4 in.
Impact Driver Specs
- Model: Ryobi PSBID01
- Max No Load Speed: 2,900 RPM
- Impact Rate: 3,800 IPM
- Max Torque: 1,700 in-lbs
- Weight: 1.84 lbs
Best Drill and Impact Driver Kit for Homeowners
HART Tools 20V Cordless Combo Kit HPCK202BN
If you consider yourself a DIYer or homeowner looking for a basic tool set, HART Tools has some excellent products. We don’t recommend them for professionals, but plenty of our readers don’t need more than occasional-use tools. With that being the case, this basic tool set from HART delivers uncommon value. Retailing at $129, we frequently see it on sale for $99—that includes two 1.5Ah batteries and a charger.
The brushed HART HPDD01 1/2-inch drill covers the basics and should work well for wood drilling and basic fastening. The HART HPID01 impact driver delivers up to 1700 in-lbs of torque and works great for just about any basic fastening job you can think of. You really don’t need to pay more for an occasional-use drill/impact combo kit.
Drill Specs
- Model: HART HPDD01
- Max No Load Speed: 1,600 RPM
- Weight: 3.0 lbs
- Length: 7.7 in.
Impact Driver Specs
- Model: HART HPID01
- Max No Load Speed: 2,500 RPM
- Max Torque: 1,700 in-lbs
- Weight: 2.6 lbs
Best FLEX Drill and Impact Driver Kit
FLEX FXM204-2B 24V Drill w/Turbo Mode and Quick Eject Impact Driver Kit
This 24V drill and impact driver kit gives you the capable Flex FX1171T drill with Turbo mode and the FX1371A impact driver with Quick Eject. The drill boasts 1400 inch-pounds of torque while the impact driver delivers 2500 in-pounds. These are seriously powerful tools. If you want a hammer drill and FLEX Stacked Lithium batteries, then go with the upgraded FXM202-2G kit for about $150 more.
The only downside to all this power is weight. Expect these tools to sacrifice compactness for the increased power they deliver. Based on feedback we’ve received, many of our readers don’t mind that one bit.
Best Makita Drill and Impact Driver Kit
Makita 18V LXT Lithium‑Ion Brushless Cordless 2‑Pc. Combo Kit
We can’t help but love the Makita XT268T hammer drill and impact driver combo kit. You get similar performance to Milwaukee, but without some of the features (like Auto-Stop). We do feel Makita wins on ergonomics, though, and it’s priced a bit lower. Makita batteries have been one of the more reliable brands over the years and their included charger gets them back to full in around 45 minutes—quicker than most.
This kit gets you the really quick and powerful Makita XPH07 hammer drill along with the 3-speed Makita XDT14 impact driver that holds its own. All that and a hard case to keep it all safe in the back of your work truck.
Metabo HPT KC18DBFL2CM MultiVolt 2-Tool 18V Brushless Combo Kit
Metabo HPT seems to be inflation-proof. The prices of their tools seem to have either stayed the same or even dropped over the past year. In either case, the Metabo HPT triple-hammer impact driver continues to impress. This kit costs just $199 and includes two solid tools, a couple of 3Ah batteries, and a charger. Toss them in the included soft bag and you should be set for any jobsite.
With 1832 (oddly-specific) inch pounds on the impact driver and a respectable hammer drill, this kit offers a lot of performance for the price.
Why a Drill and Impact Driver Kit?
The drill and impact driver 2-tool combo kit is the most popular kit sold and everyone has them. For Pros, you have your drill bit in the drill and driver bit in the impact driver to drill pilot holes and drive screws without having to change the bits. Even when that’s not the task at hand, the drill is your go-to tool for making holes and the impact driver is your screw driving specialist. Projects are always easier and faster when you have the right tool for the task at hand – and in many cases, that’s a combo kit of tools.
What are the Criteria?
We looked at each of the brands that offer a 2-tool drill and impact driver combo kit to find the overall best performance, price, ergonomics, depth in the 18V/20V Max lineup, and warranties. Many brands offer more than one combo kit at multiple price points and we considered those as well. Advertising partners are included but do not receive unfair consideration in our picks. It’s all about what kit is the best in each category from an objective standpoint.
We didn’t include 12V tools for this group even though there are some great options available. Some even have performance that gets near this higher voltage group. In the end, however, they really need to be considered in a group of their own. So keep your eyes open for the 12V buying guide!
Disagree With Our Choices?
That’s okay! We know personal preferences take a front seat in determining the best drill and impact driver 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 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!
At Pro Tool Reviews, we have our finger on the pulse of the tool industry. We’re constantly keeping up with the latest press releases and researching the newest tools. The most relevant tools for our Pro audience make it into our editorial calendar for review. We do hands-on reviews of more than 200 tools each year as standalone evaluations. We run dozens more through our head-to-head tool comparisons. Additionally, we get our hands on hundreds of other tools at media events and trade shows throughout the country and internationally. With a team of Pro reviewers across every major trade involved in the construction process, you’re sure to get an expert opinion every time.
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