Quick answer
Choose the combo kit by the battery platform you want to build on: DeWalt 20V MAX, Craftsman V20, Milwaukee M18 or M12, or Makita 18V LXT. The batteries and charger in the box are what you will keep buying into. Don't choose by torque numbers, because the manufacturers label them differently or not at all.
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What each manufacturer says is in the box
We read each manufacturer's kit page on 2026-10-06. Tool figures are exactly as the pages label them.
| Kit | Platform | Tools | Batteries and charger | Motors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCK240C2 | 20V MAX | DCD771 drill driver, DCF885 impact driver | 2 batteries, charger, bag | Brushed |
| Craftsman CMCK200C2 | V20 | CMCD700 drill driver, CMCF800 impact driver | 2 x 1.5Ah batteries, charger, bag | Brushed |
| Milwaukee 2691-22 | M18 | 2606-20 drill driver, impact driver | 2 x CP1.5 (48-11-1815) batteries, charger, bag | Not stated on the page |
| Milwaukee 3697-22 | M18 FUEL | 2904-20 hammer drill, 2953-20 impact driver | 2 x XC5.0 (48-11-1850) batteries, charger, case | Brushless |
| Milwaukee 3497-22 | M12 FUEL | 3404-20 hammer drill, 3453-20 impact driver | XC4.0 (48-11-2440) and CP2.0 (48-11-2420) batteries, charger | Brushless |
| Makita CT225SYX | 18V LXT compact | XFD10Z drill driver, XDT11Z impact driver | 2 x 1.5Ah batteries, charger, bag | Brushed |
Where the pages disagree with themselves, we say so: DeWalt's DCK240C2 page lists the batteries as 1.3Ah in one place and 1.5Ah in another, and the Milwaukee 2691-22 page names the impact driver as 2656-20 in one place and 2657-20 in another.
Tool figures, as each page labels them
| Tool | Speed | Figure as labeled |
|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCD771 | 0-450 / 0-1,500 rpm | "300 unit watts out", a power figure, not torque |
| DeWalt DCF885 | 2,800 rpm (from the tool-only page) | No torque figure on DeWalt's page |
| Craftsman CMCD700 | 0-350 / 0-1,500 rpm | "280 UWO" |
| Craftsman CMCF800 | 2,800 rpm, 3,100 BPM | "1,460 in-lbs. of torque" (type not stated) |
| Milwaukee 2606-20 drill | 0-400 / 0-1,800 rpm | "500 in./lbs. of torque" |
| Milwaukee impact driver (2691-22) | 2,750 rpm, 3,450 IPM | "1,500 in./lbs. of fastening torque" |
| Milwaukee 2904-20 | 0-2,100 rpm | "1,400 in-lbs of torque" |
| Milwaukee 2953-20 | 0-3,900 rpm, 0-4,400 IPM | "2000 in-lbs of torque" (type not stated) |
| Milwaukee 3404-20 | 0-1,550 rpm | "400 in-lbs of torque" |
| Milwaukee 3453-20 | 0-3,600 rpm, 0-4,000 IPM | "up to 1,500 in-lbs. of torque" |
| Makita XFD10Z | 0-600 / 0-1,900 rpm | "480 in.lbs. of Max Torque" |
| Makita XDT11Z | 0-2,900 rpm, 0-3,500 IPM | "1,460 in.lbs. of Max Torque" |
These are different labels (power, fastening, max, or unlabeled), so don't rank kits by them. The Milwaukee 2691-22 page also shows "Maximum Torque 400 in-lbs" in its spec table, which matches neither figure above.
Which kit for which buyer
- A first kit on a modest budget: the DeWalt DCK240C2, Craftsman CMCK200C2 and Makita CT225SYX are all brushed, compact kits with small batteries (around 1.5Ah). Choose by the platform you would add to later.
- A kit with brushless tools: Milwaukee's 3697-22 (M18 FUEL) and 3497-22 (M12 FUEL) are listed as brushless. M18 and M12 are different platforms: M12 batteries don't fit M18 tools. See our M12 vs M18 guide.
- Larger batteries: the 3697-22 includes two XC5.0 batteries, per Milwaukee's page.
We also saw a DeWalt DCK277D2 listing (brushless, two batteries, "1,500 in-lbs." in the listing). DeWalt's site has no readable page for it, so we can't confirm those specs. Treat it as a listing-only claim.
Where to buy
View the DeWalt DCK240C2 on Amazon (paid link)
View the Craftsman CMCK200C2 on Amazon (paid link)
View the Makita CT225SYX on Amazon (paid link)
View the DeWalt DCK277D2 listing on Amazon (paid link)
The Milwaukee kits we checked are sold by third-party resellers, not Milwaukee or Amazon. Their listings have gaps: the 2691-22 listing shows "Voltage 120 volts" and one battery in its attribute table while its text says two, the 3697-22 title doesn't carry the model number, and the 3497-22 listing's contents are cut off.
Check the Milwaukee 2691-22 listing (paid link)
Check the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 listing (paid link)
Check the Milwaukee M12 FUEL 3497-22 listing (paid link)
For battery size on the Craftsman kit: Craftsman's page says 1.5Ah, but the Amazon attribute table says 2Ah. Go by the manufacturer page.
Warranty
Terms differ by brand and by item (tool, battery, charger), so read the current page: DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita and Craftsman. Milwaukee's kit pages list battery and charger terms separately from tool terms.
FAQ
Which combo kit has the biggest batteries?
Among the manufacturer pages we read, the Milwaukee 3697-22 includes two XC5.0 (5.0Ah) batteries. The DeWalt, Craftsman and Makita kits here include batteries around 1.5Ah.
Are the Milwaukee M18 and M12 kits compatible?
No. They are separate platforms. Use our battery compatibility checker.
Is this the same as your other combo kit guide?
No. Our broader combo kit roundup covers more options. This one compares specific models from the manufacturers' own pages.