Milwaukee M12 3/8" Cordless Ratchet vs DeWalt 20V XR Sealed Head Ratchet

Buy the DeWalt if you need maximum torque and both drive sizes; buy the Milwaukee if you want the smaller, lighter tool that fits tight engine bays. The DeWalt's brushless motor and 75 ft-lbs roughly double the Milwaukee's 35 ft-lbs, and its sealed head resists oils and solvents. The Milwaukee is shorter and lighter with a lower-profile head, and its 4.8 rating from 144 owners edges the DeWalt's 4.6 from 304. Both are bare tools, so you pay into a battery platform either way.

• Choose the Milwaukee 2457-20 if you already own M12 batteries and want a compact 3/8-inch ratchet for tight spaces and light to medium fastening.
• Choose the DeWalt 20V XR if you need real torque for stubborn bolts and want 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch drive in one tool.