Choosing the right power tools usually comes down to one question: do you need a single tool for a specific job or a complete cordless lineup for everything from drilling to cutting? The products here cover both ends of that decision. At the low end, a $30 Ryobi drill kit can handle light drilling and driving. At the high end, a $400 Milwaukee six-tool combo gives you a whole cordless arsenal. In between, there is a brushless impact wrench and a sliding compound miter saw. This guide matches each tool to the work it supports.
Quick take
- If you need one compact drill for small repairs, the Ryobi PCL201 kit is the least expensive way in. It is listed as open box and includes a 2 Ah lithium-ion battery and charger.
- If you do a lot of wrench work, the Makita DTW285 puts brushless 18V power into a compact impact wrench.
- If trim, crown, or angled cuts are the job, the Milwaukee 2734-21 miter saw brings a 10-inch blade, dual bevel, sliding compound action, and a shadow cut line indicator.
- If you are building a cordless toolkit, the Milwaukee 2696-26 includes six M18 tools: hammer drill/driver, impact driver, reciprocating saw, circular saw, cut-off/grinder, and work light.
Listed price comparison
Price bars show the listed price order from $30 to $400 across these four power tools.
| Product | Listed Price | Price Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Ryobi ONE+ 18V PCL201 3/8in Keyless Drill Kit w/ 2Ah Li-Ion Battery Charger | USD 30.00 | |
| Makita DTW285 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Impact Wrench W/ 6.0Ah Battery+Charger | USD 89.99 | |
| Milwaukee 2734-21 M18 FUEL 18V 10\" Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw Kit | USD 350.00 | |
| Milwaukee 2696-26 M18 18V Cordless Power Lithium-Ion 6-Tool Combo Kit | USD 400.00 |
Decision matrix
| Use case | Pick | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Light drills and screw driving | Ryobi PCL201 drill kit | $30, keyless chuck, LED worklight, 2 Ah battery and charger |
| Bolts and heavy fasteners | Makita DTW285 impact wrench | Brushless, 550 Nm max torque, 18V LXT |
| Trim, crown, and angled cuts | Milwaukee 2734-21 miter saw | 10-inch dual bevel sliding compound, shadow cut line indicator |
| Broad cordless coverage | Milwaukee 2696-26 combo kit | Six M18 tools in one package |
Product notes
Ryobi ONE+ 18V PCL201 3/8in Keyless Drill Kit w/ 2Ah Li-Ion Battery Charger
At the listed price of USD 30.00, the Ryobi drill kit is the most accessible entry point in this power tools lineup. It is listed as open box and comes with a 2 Ah lithium-ion battery and charger, so small drilling and screw-driving jobs have what they need right out of the gate. The keyless 3/8-inch chuck speeds up bit swaps, while the LED worklight improves visibility in cabinets, closets, and other dim spots. It also has variable speed and a lightweight build. For a first drill or a spare, this one keeps the cash layout low. The trade-off is the smaller 3/8-inch chuck and 2 Ah pack, which suit quick tasks better than long, heavy drilling sessions.
Makita DTW285 18V LXT Brushless Cordless Impact Wrench W/ 6.0Ah Battery+Charger
The Makita DTW285, listed at USD 89.99, is the dedicated fastening tool in this comparison. It runs on the 18V LXT platform, uses a brushless motor, and delivers a maximum torque of 550 Nm, making it a strong option for bolts, lugs, and stubborn screws. It has no auxiliary handle, so you grip the tool body directly. The blue housing and 2-hour charge time round out the basic profile. If your main work is tightening or loosening fasteners, this impact wrench will be more useful than a standard drill. The obvious limitation is that it is an impact wrench, not a drill/driver, so hole drilling still needs a separate tool. It is also the only product here focused on a single fastening role, so it works best when you already have a drill or driver in your collection.
Milwaukee 2734-21 M18 FUEL 18V 10\" Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw Kit
At USD 350.00, the Milwaukee 2734-21 sits below the six-tool combo in listed price but above the smaller kits. It is a 10-inch dual bevel sliding compound miter saw in kit form. The feature set includes a POWERSTATE brushless motor, REDLINK PLUS electronics, a shadow cut line indicator, and a miter detent plate with 11 locations. Tall sliding and removable fences provide support for larger baseboards. For trim, molding, crown, or angled cuts, this is the most specialized tool here. The limitation is the dedicated role: a miter saw is for crosscuts and angled cuts, not general drilling, driving, or demolition work. At this price, it makes sense when accurate cutting is a regular part of your projects rather than an occasional extra.
Milwaukee 2696-26 M18 18V Cordless Power Lithium-Ion 6-Tool Combo Kit
The USD 400.00 Milwaukee 2696-26 is the full-system answer in this group. It bundles six M18 tools: a 1/2-inch hammer drill/driver, a 1/4-inch hex impact driver, a Sawzall reciprocating saw, a 6-1/2-inch circular saw, a 4-1/2-inch cut-off/grinder, and a work light. That spread covers drilling, driving, cutting, grinding, and illumination from one cordless platform. The combo is built around the M18 Lithium-Ion system and includes a lithium-ion battery. If you are starting a cordless toolkit from scratch, this gets several major tool categories into a single purchase. The main limitation is that the included tools are core construction and workshop items; there is no miter saw in the kit, so the Milwaukee 2734-21 would still be a separate addition if trim cutting is central to your work.
Final recommendation
For small home repairs, the Ryobi drill kit covers the basics at the lowest listed price. For fastening and torque work, the Makita DTW285 is the specific tool to consider. For clean angled cuts, the Milwaukee 2734-21 miter saw earns its price for serious trim work. For a multi-tool cordless setup, the Milwaukee 2696-26 six-tool kit delivers the broadest capability in one package.
