DeWalt 20V Max Drill and Impact Driver Kit vs Milwaukee M12 Cordless Drill/Impact Combo Kit

Buy the DeWalt 20V Max kit if you want full-size 20V power for decking, framing and heavy driving, and you value a proven brushless pair with two batteries, a charger and a bag. Buy the Milwaukee M12 kit if you work overhead, in cabinets or on service calls where a compact 12V tool and a 50-piece bit set matter more than raw torque. DeWalt owners praise the torque and the complete kit but report short battery life and a fragile bit-retaining collar; Milwaukee's M12 line has a strong reputation for compact build and smooth triggers, though 12V limits it on the heaviest jobs.

• Choose the DeWalt 20V Max kit if you need 20V torque for framing, decking and heavy fastening and want a drill and impact driver that share one battery platform.
• Choose the Milwaukee M12 kit if you mostly work in tight spaces, overhead or on light assembly and want a compact 12V pair with a 50-piece bit set included.