Choosing among cordless power tools often comes down to a practical question: do you need an impact driver alone, an impact driver with batteries, or a combination that also adds a drill? These four options span a $100 to $309 listed-price range, but their included tools and battery setups create very different starting points for fastening, construction, workshop, and home projects.
Quick take
The Milwaukee 3697-22 M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit is the clear fit when one setup needs both a 1/2-inch hammer drill and a 1/4-inch hex impact driver, along with two 5.0Ah batteries, charger, side handle, and case. For an impact-driver-focused kit, the Milwaukee 3650-22CT pairs a compact brushless driver with two included 2Ah batteries. The DEWALT DCF860Q1 is aimed at shoppers who want a 1/4-inch, three-speed impact driver kit with a 4Ah battery, charger, and contractor bag. The Milwaukee 2953-20 is the straightforward driver-only choice because its battery is not included.
Listed-price comparison
| Power tool | Listed price | Price position |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 3650-22CT M18 Compact Brushless 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver Kit | $100.00 | |
| Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL 18V Brushless Cordless 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver | $109.99 | |
| DEWALT DCF860Q1 20V MAX XR Impact Driver Kit | $179.98 | |
| Milwaukee 3697-22 M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit | $309.00 |
The listed range creates a $209 gap between the compact Milwaukee kit and the two-tool Milwaukee combo. That difference is principally about the type of setup: the 3697-22 includes a hammer drill in addition to its impact driver, while the other three choices focus on the impact-driver role.
Decision matrix
- Need drilling and driving in one kit: Choose the Milwaukee 3697-22 M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit. It includes both a hammer drill and an impact driver, plus two 5.0Ah batteries.
- Want an impact-driver kit with two batteries: Choose the Milwaukee 3650-22CT. Its package includes two 2Ah lithium-ion batteries and a compact brushless 1/4-inch hex impact driver.
- Want a higher-capacity included battery with a driver kit: Choose the DEWALT DCF860Q1. Its listed kit includes a 4Ah battery, charger, contractor bag, and three-speed impact driver.
- Only need the impact driver itself: Choose the Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL. It is a brushless 18V impact driver with no battery included.
Product notes
Milwaukee 3650-22CT M18 Compact Brushless 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver Kit
This Milwaukee kit makes sense for home and workshop users who want to begin with an impact driver and included power. The compact brushless driver has a keyless 1/4-inch chuck, a stated maximum torque of 330 in-lbs, and is described for working in tight spaces. Two 2Ah lithium-ion batteries are included, giving the kit a more complete starting configuration than the driver-only Milwaukee 2953-20. The stated 22-minute charging time is another useful detail for projects with repeated fastening tasks. Its limitation is that the package centers on one impact driver, rather than adding a hammer drill as the Milwaukee 3697-22 combo does.
Milwaukee 3697-22 M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit
Pick this Milwaukee setup when your job list calls for both drilling and impact driving. The contents include an M18 FUEL 1/2-inch hammer drill, an M18 FUEL 1/4-inch hex impact driver, two M18 Redlithium XC 5.0Ah batteries, a multi-voltage charger, side handle, and case. That makes it the broadest tool bundle in this comparison, particularly for projects that move between holes, larger fasteners, and routine driving. Both tools use brushless motors, and the impact driver is described as focused on fast driving speed without giving up control. Its tradeoff is the highest listed price here, so it suits shoppers who specifically want the included two-tool arrangement.
Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL 18V Brushless Cordless 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver 4GEN
The Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL is the focused choice for someone seeking an 18V brushless impact driver without an included battery. It is described with up to 3,900 RPM and a compact 3.9-inch length, features that align with fastening work in confined areas. A keyless chuck supports quick bit changes, while the stated 22-minute charging time adds useful context for the battery system. This is the closest listed-price alternative to the Milwaukee 3650-22CT, but the package format is meaningfully different. The concrete limitation is battery inclusion: the 2953-20 is marked as having no battery included, unlike the two battery-included kits.
DEWALT DCF860Q1 20V MAX XR Impact Driver Kit
The DEWALT DCF860Q1 offers an impact-driver kit configuration with a larger stated battery capacity than the 2Ah Milwaukee 3650-22CT kit. It includes a 20V MAX XR 4Ah battery, charger, contractor bag, and a compact 1/4-inch impact driver. Its variable three-speed transmission gives shoppers a specifically stated control option for different driving tasks, while the description lists up to 2,500 in-lbs of maximum torque. This package is a strong match for structural fasteners, lag screws, deck work, cabinetry, automotive tasks, and general construction applications named in its description. The limitation is scope: it remains an impact-driver kit, not a drill-and-driver combo like the Milwaukee 3697-22.
Final recommendation by use case
Choose the Milwaukee 3697-22 if your work benefits from a hammer drill and impact driver in the same package. Choose the Milwaukee 3650-22CT for a compact brushless impact-driver kit with two included batteries. Choose the DEWALT DCF860Q1 when a 4Ah battery, charger, contractor bag, and three-speed driver are your preferred combination. Choose the Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL when the priority is a compact brushless impact driver without an included battery.
