Best Milwaukee cordless combo kits

Top pick: Milwaukee 3697-25 M18 FUEL 5-tool kit. It's the best all-round answer to "one kit that does everything": hammer drill, impact driver and three more FUEL tools on the 18V M18 platform, two XC5.0 batteries, a bag and a 5-year warranty. FUEL is Milwaukee's brushless line, so it's the tier worth buying once.

Who the others suit:

• 3697-22 M18 FUEL 2-tool kit — the classic starter: drill and impact driver only, for someone who already owns other M18 tools or wants the essentials.
• 3697-22XBWR 2-tool kit — same drill/impact pairing with bigger batteries, for heavier drilling and driving.
• 3497-25 M12 FUEL 5-tool kit — the compact route: lighter and easier in tight spaces, less raw power.
• 2696-26 6-tool kit — most tools for the money, but older non-FUEL generation.
• Compact 18V 2-tool kits (3692-22CT) — light DIY use where budget matters most.

Rule of thumb: pick M18 FUEL for real work, M12 FUEL for tight spaces and light duty.