DIY Tool Picks

How to Choose a Bare Tool or Battery for Your Cordless Power Tool Setup

Choose between two brushless bare tools, a low-cost M18-compatible drill driver, and a 20V MAX-compatible battery by first matching the item type to the batteries, charger, and jobs already in your setup.

Last updated Aug 1, 2026

Buying cordless power tools gets complicated when the choices mix bare tools with a replacement battery. The first decision is not simply which item costs less: it is whether you need a fastener-driving tool, a drill driver with a chuck, or battery power for an existing 20V setup. All four choices here are sold without a battery included or are a battery by itself, so matching the item to the rest of your equipment is central to making a useful choice.

Quick take

  • Pick the Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver*Tool Only** when a 1/4-inch hex impact driver is the target and an 18 V brushless Milwaukee tool is the priority.
  • Pick the DEWALT DCD805 20V Brushless Cordless Impact Drill Electric Screwdriver Only for a new, brushless 20 V tool described with a variable-speed trigger, LED light, and ergonomic grip.
  • Pick the Cordless Brushless Drill Driver for Milwaukee M18 Battery-45N.m Torque Only Tool when a 13 mm chuck and Milwaukee M18 battery compatibility matter more than spending much on the bare drill.
  • Pick the Generic 20V 8.0Ah Li-Ion Battery Compatible with 20V MAX Cordless Power Tools only when the immediate need is battery capacity rather than another hand tool.

The price range runs from $10.80 to $54.99, with the lowest price 80% below the highest. That wide spread mainly reflects different item types: the battery is not a drill or driver, while the three bare-tool choices are not ready-to-use kits.

Listed price comparison

ItemMain formatListed priceRelative listed priceBest fit
Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver***Tool OnlyBrushless 1/4" hex impact driverUSD 54.99Hex-bit driving work
DEWALT DCD805 20V Brushless Cordless Impact Drill Electric Screwdriver OnlyBrushless cordless impact drill/driverUSD 48.99Compact repair and DIY tasks
Cordless Brushless Drill Driver for Milwaukee M18 Battery-45N.m Torque Only ToolBrushless drill driver with 13 mm chuckUSD 10.80M18-compatible drilling and driving
Generic 20V 8.0Ah Li-Ion Battery Compatible with 20V MAX Cordless Power Tools20 V 8 Ah lithium-ion batteryUSD 39.99Adding battery capacity to compatible tools

Decision matrix: match the format to the job

Choose a hex impact driver for bit-based driving. The Milwaukee 3650-20 is explicitly a 1/4-inch hex impact driver. That makes it the focused option in this group for tasks centered on hex-shank driver bits, rather than a general drill chuck. Its brushless motor and 18 V designation suit shoppers who specifically want those stated specifications.

Choose a drill driver when you need a chuck. The CISIVIS drill driver lists a 13 mm chuck and 45 N.m maximum torque, along with 25+3 clutch settings and a two-speed gearbox. Those details make it the most clearly drill-driver-oriented choice, especially for shoppers moving between drilling and controlled screwdriving. It is also specifically described as compatible with Milwaukee M18 batteries.

Choose the DEWALT DCD805 for compact control features. This 20 V brushless tool is described with a variable-speed trigger, built-in LED light, and ergonomic grip. Those are practical details for household repair, woodworking, and workshop tasks where trigger control and visibility are useful. Its title calls it an impact drill electric screwdriver, while its attributes categorize it as a cordless screwdriver; focus on the listed tool format rather than treating it as a battery package.

Choose the 8 Ah battery when runtime capacity is the missing piece. The Generic 20V 8.0Ah Li-Ion Battery is described as a two-pack with LED charge indicators and compatibility with named DeWalt 20V MAX series DCD, DCF, DCG, and DCS tools. It is the only selection here that supplies power rather than performing drilling or driving itself.

Product notes

Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver***Tool Only

The Milwaukee 3650-20 is the direct pick for shoppers seeking a brushless 1/4-inch hex impact driver rather than a drill with a larger chuck. The hex format keeps its purpose straightforward: pair it with compatible driver bits for fastening-focused work. It is identified as an 18 V Milwaukee tool and carries an open-box condition, while the description characterizes the tool as retaining its original finish and functionality despite not having its original box. The tradeoff is equally clear: no battery is included, and this format does not offer the 13 mm chuck listed on the CISIVIS drill driver. Choose it for the specified impact-driver form factor, not for a complete cordless setup.

DEWALT DCD805 20V Brushless Cordless Impact Drill Electric Screwdriver Only

The DEWALT DCD805 stands out for shoppers who want a new 20 V brushless tool with control-oriented features named in its description. A variable-speed trigger, built-in LED light, compact design, and ergonomic grip give it a practical feature set for home repair, installation work, and garage projects. The description also frames it for construction, woodworking, and maintenance use. Its limitation is that it is sold as a tool only: both the battery and charger are excluded. It also sits near the top of the price range, so it makes the most sense when its described 20 V format and compact-control features fit the work at hand.

Cordless Brushless Drill Driver for Milwaukee M18 Battery-45N.m Torque Only Tool

For a shopper who already uses Milwaukee M18 batteries and wants a drill-driver layout, the CISIVIS 45 N.m model is the distinct low-price route. It combines a 13 mm metal chuck with a brushless motor, two-speed gearbox, LED work light, and 25+3 clutch settings. The description positions those controls for drilling and screwdriving across woodworking, construction, metalwork, automotive tasks, and home maintenance. The important constraint is platform-specific: it is a bare tool intended for Milwaukee M18 batteries, with no battery included. It also lacks an auxiliary handle, so it is best selected for its stated M18 compatibility and drill-driver features rather than as an all-in-one kit.

Generic 20V 8.0Ah Li-Ion Battery Compatible with 20V MAX Cordless Power Tools

The Generic 20V 8.0Ah Li-Ion Battery fills a different role from the three tools: it is for powering compatible equipment rather than creating holes or driving fasteners itself. Its listed 8 Ah capacity, lithium-ion chemistry, LED indicator, and described two-pack configuration make it relevant for shoppers adding batteries to a compatible 20 V MAX tool collection. The description names compatibility with DeWalt 20V MAX DCD, DCF, DCG, and DCS series tools and several charger models. The limitation is fundamental: it includes no drill, driver, or charger. Select it when compatible battery capacity is the goal; select one of the bare tools when the job calls for a working tool body.

Final recommendation

Start with the tool format. For a dedicated 1/4-inch hex impact driver, the Milwaukee 3650-20 at USD 54.99 is the clearest match. For a new brushless 20 V tool with a variable-speed trigger and LED light, the DEWALT DCD805 at USD 48.99 is the more feature-specific choice. The CISIVIS M18-compatible drill driver is the strongest fit when a 13 mm chuck, 45 N.m torque claim, and a USD 10.80 bare-tool price are the deciding factors. Finally, choose the 20 V 8 Ah lithium-ion battery at USD 39.99 when expanding compatible battery power matters more than buying another tool.

Products in this article
Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver***Tool OnlyUSD 54.99View on eBayDEWALT DCD805 20V Brushless Cordless Impact Drill Electric Screwdriver OnlyUSD 48.99View on eBayCordless Brushless Drill DriverUSD 10.80View on eBayGeneric 20V 8.0Ah Li-Ion Battery CompatibleUSD 39.99View on eBay
Milwaukee 3650-20 M18 Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver***Tool OnlyUSD 54.99View on eBayDEWALT DCD805 20V Brushless Cordless Impact Drill Electric Screwdriver OnlyUSD 48.99View on eBayCordless Brushless Drill DriverUSD 10.80View on eBayGeneric 20V 8.0Ah Li-Ion Battery CompatibleUSD 39.99View on eBay