Quick Take
You are choosing between four cordless power tools that are all sold as bare tools, so the biggest decision is not which brand badge you prefer but which job you will point them at. The lineup is a compact drill/driver, a brushless drill/driver, a hex impact driver, and a hammer drill/driver. Listed prices run from USD 54.99 to USD 74.99, with no battery or charger included in that amount. All four are 18V-class tools, so the choice comes down to chuck style, motor type, and whether you need hammer mode.
Listed Price Comparison
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 2606-20 M18 Compact Drill Driver | USD 59.99 | |
| Milwaukee 3601-20 M18 Brushless Drill/Driver | USD 68.99 | |
| Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless Impact Driver | USD 54.99 | |
| Makita XPH14Z LXT Brushless Hammer Drill Driver | USD 74.99 |
Decision Matrix
| If your typical task is... | Pick this tool | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Long runs of screws in wood or drywall | Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless Impact Driver | The 1/4-inch hex collet accepts driver bits and the impact mechanism is built for high-torque driving. |
| Drilling in tight cabinets or between studs | Milwaukee 2606-20 M18 Compact Drill Driver | Its compact body and 500 in-lbs torque fit awkward spaces without giving up drilling power. |
| Everyday holes in wood or metal with a brushless motor | Milwaukee 3601-20 M18 Brushless Drill/Driver | A 1/2-inch drill/driver with a brushless motor for general use. |
| Occasional masonry or concrete work | Makita XPH14Z LXT Brushless Hammer Drill Driver | Hammer mode plus an auxiliary handle gives you two-handed control. |
Product Notes
Milwaukee 2606-20 M18 Compact Drill Driver
The 2606-20 is the compact option, with a 4-Pole frameless motor that delivers 500 in-lbs of torque and up to 1,800 RPM. That combination is useful when you are working in a tight space but still need enough muscle for standard drilling in wood and drywall. It has a keyless 1/2-inch chuck and no auxiliary handle, so one-handed compactness is the priority. It is listed as an open-box tool only, with no battery or charger included. If your goal is a small drill/driver that does not take over the tool bag, this is the one to consider.
Milwaukee 3601-20 M18 Brushless Drill/Driver
The 3601-20 is the drill/driver for someone who wants brushless technology in a conventional 1/2-inch body. It has no hammer mode, so it is not a masonry drill; you would pick it for straightforward drilling and driving. The condition is listed as open box, and the tool is bare, so you supply your own 18V battery. That makes it a practical second tool if you already own Milwaukee M18 batteries, and its brushless motor is the main reason to choose it over the brushed compact model.
Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless Impact Driver
The 3650-20 is the tool to reach for when the job is driving rather than drilling. Its 1/4-inch hex collet is built for screw-driving bits, and the brushless 18V motor works with the impact mechanism to manage repetitive high-torque fastening. That is a different motion from a drill/driver, and it is the main reason to add it to a kit that already has one of the drills. The product is listed as open box, with no battery or charger included. Because it lacks a 1/2-inch chuck, it is not the tool for smooth-shank drill bits; plan on hex-shank accessories.
Makita XPH14Z LXT Brushless Hammer Drill Driver
The Makita XPH14Z is the only hammer drill in this comparison, and it comes with an auxiliary handle plus a belt clip. Hammer action makes it suitable for brick or concrete when you need occasional masonry holes, while the 1/2-inch keyless chuck keeps standard drilling convenient. The tool is sold as an open-box bare unit, so you pair it with your own 18V LXT battery and charger. If you already work on a Makita battery platform, this is the one to select when hammer mode is non-negotiable; if you never drill masonry, you can skip the extra function and stay with a simpler drill/driver.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
Pick the Milwaukee 3650-20 when your week involves many screws and little drilling. Choose the Milwaukee 2606-20 when job sites get crowded and you need the smallest drill that still has 500 in-lbs of torque. Go with the Milwaukee 3601-20 if you want a brushless drill/driver for everyday holes and do not need hammer action. Select the Makita XPH14Z when masonry is in the plan and you value the extra control from the auxiliary handle.
