Milwaukee M18 FUEL Router & Jig Saw Combo Kit vs DeWalt 20V MAX XR Hammer Drill & Impact Driver Kit

These kits solve different jobs. The Milwaukee kit pairs a router with a jig saw, so it suits trim carpenters, cabinet installers and remodelers who cut curves and roundovers. The DeWalt kit pairs a hammer drill and impact driver with a router, so it suits framers, deck builders and general contractors who drill and drive all day. Milwaukee's router runs to 31,000 RPM and its jig saw to 3,500 strokes per minute, both backed by REDLINK electronics; DeWalt's router adds an electronic brake and its impact driver is under 4 inches long with 1,825 in-lbs of torque. Owners of both brands praise the brushless motors and battery life; the deciding factor is which two tools you actually reach for.

• Choose the Milwaukee kit if you cut wood profiles and curves, and want a router and jig saw that match corded trim-tool performance.
• Choose the DeWalt kit if you drill masonry, drive fasteners and only occasionally route, and want three tools that cover framing and finish work.