Best Cordless Drill Sets (2026): DEWALT vs Milwaukee vs Makita vs Ryobi

47,000 Amazon reviews at 4.8 stars is about as clear a signal as consumer products get. The DCD771C2 comes with two 1.3Ah batteries and a charger in a kit that costs less than most alternatives sell a single battery for. The drill itself is compact at 7.5 inches and runs a 2-speed transmission: 0–450 RPM for driving screws, 0–1,500 RPM for drilling. The 15-position clutch stops the bit when the fastener seats. This is the drill that ships to millions of homes every spring for a reason — it does everything a homeowner needs without making you pay pro prices.

500 in-lbs of torque from a brushless motor on an 18V platform. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL is noticeably more powerful than the DEWALT in sustained drilling — hardwood, tile, steel stud. The REDLITHIUM 2.0Ah batteries last meaningfully longer per charge than the DEWALT 1.3Ah, and the M18 ecosystem spans 200+ tool types if you expand later. Where it costs you: price. Milwaukee kit pricing runs $40–80 more than DEWALT for equivalent packages. If you have spring projects that involve real hardwood floors, tile, or structural work, the Milwaukee justifies the gap.

Makita splits the difference between DEWALT and Milwaukee: 480 in-lbs of torque (more than DEWALT, close to Milwaukee), 2.0Ah batteries included, and build quality that feels a step above consumer-grade. The compact 7.4-inch length and ergonomic handle make it one of the least fatiguing drills in prolonged use. The Makita LXT 18V ecosystem is broad: 225+ tools if you expand. Where it loses: Makita doesn't have the same retail distribution as DEWALT, and replacement batteries can run higher. But for homeowners who want a drill that feels like it will last 15 years, this is it.

The Ryobi PCL206K2 delivers 400 in-lbs and two 2.0Ah batteries at a price that reliably undercuts every other kit on this list. The ONE+ ecosystem is the largest cordless platform by number of tools — 280+ products run on the same 18V battery. For spring home improvement projects (hanging artwork, assembling furniture, building raised garden beds, basic deck maintenance), the Ryobi has every bit of performance needed at 60–70% of the Milwaukee's cost. It doesn't have the brushless motor, doesn't have the build precision, and won't handle sustained heavy drilling as well — but for most homeowners' actual project list, none of that matters.