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 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.
Some brands go further than just those 4 basic cordless tools. You’ll see some kits that include oscillating multi-tools, grinders, and more. But what I’m looking for here is the smallest kit each brand offers that includes (where possible) those 4 core products—or something offering a great starting point for Pros. I’ll make our recommendations and then go through our best picks from some of the main tool brands as well.
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Best Power Tool Combo Kit Overall
Milwaukee 3697-25 M18 FUEL 5‑Tool Combo Kit
Milwaukee takes the top spot when it comes to getting a kit that delivers all of the key core flagship tools. You get 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.
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
In my opinion, it’s hard to beat DeWalt ergonomics. Their 20V XR tools fit really 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. We love this kit for its blend of no-nonsense tools and it includes a grinder that every Pro should have in their arsenal.
This particular DeWalt kit includes its capable DCF887 impact driver. You also land the compact DCS367 reciprocating saw which we find handy for getting into tighter areas. 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. It also gives you a great set of flagship-level tools you can easily upgrade over time.
What’s Included:
Best Power Tool Combo Kit for the Money
Flex FXM601-2B 24V 6pc Combo Kit
Value combines what you get for what you spend. When we came to our best power tool combo kit for the money 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 Flex 6-Tool combo kit delivered the goods.
We can’t help but steer people towards Flex and the FXM601-2B combo kit for its baseline tools. Flex, like Milwaukee and DeWalt, has a fairly deep product line. With that said, this kit delivers 5 solid power tools plus an LED work light for just $649.
Pros
- Flex consistently performs at the top of our charts
- Excellent run-time
- Lifetime warranty
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
This Skil tool kit includes just about everything except an impact driver. While you’ll need to pick that up separately, we still like the value presented here—and the fact that it includes a radio. The batteries can charge devices via USB-C technology (don’t confuse these with new batteries that recharge via USB-C). You get both a 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah battery, letting you save some weight when using the compact pack on the drill or multi-tool.
With a 20V sander and oscillating multi-tool, this kit sets you up for a variety DIY projects. I like the variety and Skil has a wide variety of tools on its 20V line. In particular, their brushless power tools punch way above their weight class.
Pros
- Wide range of tools in the lineup
- Pro-sumer performance for less
- USB-C outputs on batteries for charging cell phones, etc
Cons
After you buy this $459 kit, be sure to add an impact driver. Then, have fun with all of the available Skil 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 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 backs their tools with a 3-year limited warranty.
After you buy 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
It’s actually tough to get a comprehensive 12V combo kit. However, Milwaukee tool comes close. They do a uniquely solid job of providing the widest array of 12V tools in this category. The M12 Fuel line delivers the performance, power, and runtime of older 18V tools. The kit also includes a compact 2Ah battery and a 4Ah extended-capacity pack.
After buying this kit, you may also want to add the M12 Fuel 5-3/8″ circular saw or a 12V jigsaw. From there you can add anything—from nailers and staplers to planers and 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 12V starter kit runs about $339, and we feel it’s a great lead-in to a solid 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
We 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
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 $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. 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. Pros like them because they get a lot for their hard-earned dollars. We like them for the same reason.
Included Tools:
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 build up from. It even includes the XDT16 which held the top spot as our best cordless impact driver. At $874, this Makita combo kit doesn’t present much value, but it delivers serious performance. It certainly gets you well into the 18V LXT platform. Makita does have 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 excellent.
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 impresses. You also get an LED light, grinder, oscillating multi-tool, two 3Ah batteries, and a soft case.
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. 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 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 We 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.
