Cordless power tools, compared by battery platform

The DCD1007 is DeWalt's flagship 20V Max XR hammer drill, replacing the DCD999 with a shorter 7.5 in head, a 3-speed all-metal transmission, and 1,530 MWO of output (up to 2,100 in-lbs rated max brake torque). It pairs a torque-sensing anti-rotation system with a pivoting 3-position LED and a 1/2 in nitro-carburized metal chuck with carbide jaws. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.7/10, finding it outperformed the DCD999 in nearly every metric.

Makita's 18V LXT mid-torque puts 520 ft-lbs of fastening and 740 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque into a 6-11/16-inch body that weighs 6.0 lbs with a battery. Four speeds sit alongside three forward and three reverse Auto-Stop modes, the most granular control in this class, plus a full-speed mode that cuts the trigger travel. XPT sealing and a flexible joint that isolates the battery from grip vibration are aimed at daily professional use; the XWT18 is the detent-pin twin.

Craftsman's September 2025 flagship replaces the CMCF820 at the top of the V20 Brushless RP line, bumping output to 1,800 in-lbs, 3,200 RPM, and 4,200 IPM with a proper 3-speed selector. Pro Tool Reviews scored it 9.7/10 almost entirely on value: it hangs with mid-tier pro impacts for $119 bare or $169 with two 2.0Ah batteries, and Lowe's buyers rate the kit 4.9 stars. The trade-offs are a longish 5.2 in head and no smart assist modes.

The flagship of Craftsman's V20 recip lineup, the Brushless RP CMCS351B (launched with the RP line in 2022, superseding the CMCS350) delivers up to 75% more power than the brushed CMCS300 and tops the value class at 3,200 SPM. A two-speed selector, tool-free blade release, and LED light cover the essentials, and Ace Hardware buyers rate it 5.0 stars across 76 reviews — though it skips pro features like orbital action and a rafter hook.

DeWalt's high-torque XR flagship, out-muscling Milwaukee's 2953 and Makita's XGT drivers at 2,500 in-lbs. The compact Atomic DCF850 remains in the lineup for tight-space work; the DCF860 is the max-power pick.

Milwaukee's Gen 2 mid-torque packs 650 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque into a 6-inch head and 3.5 lbs bare, which is why it lives on so many shop carts. Four-mode Drive Control gives three speeds plus Mode 4, which quits at about 35 ft-lbs when snugging and backs off RPM once a bolt breaks free in reverse. Three LEDs ring the anvil, and the friction-ring 2962 has pin-detent (2962P) and 3/8-inch (2960) siblings built on the same body.

Launched in August 2023, the 3602 is the volume mid-tier of Milwaukee's M18 drill lineup: their first compact brushless hammer drill, slotting between the entry cordless line and the M18 Fuel 2904/2905 flagship. It packs 550 in-lbs and 25,500 BPM into a 5.8-inch, 2.3 lb body - more torque than the old 2801-class compact in a body over 12% shorter, replacing the larger 725 in-lb 2902 as the sensible-money pick. What you give up versus the Fuel is top-end torque and speed, not build quality: the all-metal chuck and gear case carry over.

The FX1371A is Flex's flagship 24V hex impact driver, released in early 2022 as part of the brand's Stacked Lithium generation. Its brushless motor produces 2,500 in-lbs of torque with three speed modes topping out at 4,000 RPM and 4,450 IPM, plus two self-tapping screw modes that detect torque changes and stop before stripping. The signature Quick Eject collet has an eject button above the trigger so bits can be inserted and released with one hand.

Ryobi's HP brushless mid-torque doubles the old brushed P261 with 450 ft-lbs of fastening and 600 ft-lbs of breakaway torque, and its 2,800 RPM top speed ties Ridgid's R86012 for the fastest here. Three speeds plus Auto mode handle the finesse: Auto stops after a few impacts in forward so you can finish with a torque wrench, and in reverse it ramps up to break a fastener loose, then quits. A friction-ring anvil, three LEDs around the nose and a die-cast gear case round it out; the high-torque PBLIW01 is a separate, much larger tool.

Bosch's flagship 18V hammer drill pairs its BITURBO brushless motor with CORE18V high-power batteries to deliver a class-leading 1,330 in-lbs of torque, 0-2,200 RPM, and 30,000 BPM. It features a 25-position clutch, all-metal 1/2-inch chuck, KickBack Control, and optional Bluetooth connectivity via a separately sold module. Announced in January 2022 as part of the PROFACTOR high-power lineup.

The Gen 2 M18 Fuel Sawzall, Milwaukee's mainstream cordless recip saw since late 2020. Marketed as the fastest-cutting saw in its class and lighter than the generation it replaced. The 2822 Super Sawzall sits above it for all-day demolition with orbital action.

Milwaukee's braking M18 Fuel grinder, rated equivalent to an 11-amp corded tool with an 8,500 RPM brushless motor. The paddle-switch no-lock configuration is the OSHA-friendly pick; slide-switch and variable-speed siblings (2888) fill out the family.

Flex's 24V in-line sidewinder is one of the sleeper hits of the cordless saw world: 5,800 RPM, a 2-5/8 in depth of cut that clears 3x lumber in one pass, and Pro Tool Reviews' 9.5/10 'elite cutting performance' verdict. The balanced in-line design gives a clear view down both sides of the blade, and with a 10.0Ah Stacked Lithium pack Flex claims up to 610 cuts in 2x4 lumber. Magnesium footplate and guards keep it durable without the bulk.

Makita's answer to 36V-class saws without a new battery ecosystem: the XSH06 gangs two 18V LXT packs for a 6,000 RPM brushless motor with a class-leading 2-5/8 in depth of cut. Magnesium base, blade guard, and dual LEDs round out a saw that Pro Tool Reviews scored 9.3/10 for its unusually smooth, fast cutting.

Makita's flagship LXT recip saw is an X2 tool: it gangs two 18V LXT packs for 36V of power (hence voltage listed as 36 — it still lives on the 18V LXT platform with no new charger or batteries needed). The 2-speed brushless motor drives a long 1-1/4 in stroke at up to 3,000 SPM, and a refined crank mechanism keeps vibration and blade deflection unusually low. Tool-less blade change, electric brake, XPT weather sealing, and an LED with preglow/afterglow round it out.

The PBLID02 is the flagship 4-mode impact driver in Ryobi's ONE+ HP brushless line, released in early 2021. Its brushless motor delivers up to 2,200 in-lbs of torque, 0-2,900 RPM across three speed ranges, and 4,000 IPM, plus an Assist Mode that slows the driver as the fastener seats. It runs on the same 18V ONE+ batteries as 260+ other Ryobi tools and is sold exclusively at Home Depot.

The PBLHM101 pairs Ryobi's HP brushless motor with its High Performance batteries to deliver 750 in-lbs of torque, 0-2,100 RPM, and 31,000 BPM from a compact 7.5-inch, 2.8-lb body. It uses a 24-position clutch with dedicated hammer mode and a 1/2-inch ratcheting metal chuck, and runs on the 300-plus tool ONE+ 18V ecosystem. Pro Tool Reviews found it outdrilled Ryobi's older P251 flagship by a wide margin while shrinking in size and weight.

Ryobi's brushless ONE+ HP sidewinder brought a full 7-1/4 in blade to the value platform. It shares blades with every pro saw and cuts standard framing lumber in one pass — the spec that separates it from compact 6-1/2 in budget saws.

The R861152 replaced the discontinued Octane R8611506 in late 2022 as the flagship of Ridgid's 18V hammer drill lineup, sitting above the mid-range R86115 and SubCompact R87112. It pairs a brushless motor making 1,250 in-lbs of torque with a 2-speed gearbox (0-550/0-2,000 RPM), 32,000 BPM hammer mode, anti-kickback technology, and a 24-position clutch behind a 1/2-inch all-metal ratcheting chuck. Pro Tool Reviews called it a legitimate contender among professional drills at a price well below the premium brands.

The 4th-generation M18 Fuel impact driver and Milwaukee's mainstream flagship. Shorter and slightly stronger than the Gen 3 2853 it replaced, with four drive modes including a dedicated self-tapping screw mode. A 2957 One-Key variant adds tracking and customizable profiles.

Replacing the DCF894, DeWalt's current mid-range 1/2-inch wrench is rated at 600 ft-lbs fastening and 800 ft-lbs breakaway, the biggest paper numbers in the 18V-class mid-torque field. A push-button selector gives three impacting speeds plus Precision Wrench, which pauses briefly once impacting starts in forward and slows down in reverse so a loose nut doesn't fly off. The DCF891 uses a hog-ring anvil; the DCF892 is the same tool with a detent pin.

Milwaukee's fourth-generation M18 Fuel drill/driver shares its motor and gearbox with the 2904 hammer drill but drops the hammer mechanism, keeping the same 6.88-inch head length. It makes 1,400 in-lbs, 200 more than the previous generation, with 0-500 and 0-2,100 RPM ranges. This generation brought AutoStop anti-kickback to the standard (non-One-Key) model and went back to a mechanical 16-position clutch after the Gen 3's electronic one drew complaints. Milwaukee ships it with a side handle and belt clip.

The 2904 is Milwaukee's Gen 4 M18 Fuel flagship hammer drill, bumping torque 17% over the Gen 3 2804 to 1,400 in-lbs while staying just 6.9 in long and 3.3 lbs bare. It was the first non-One-Key Milwaukee drill with AutoStop kickback control, and it returned to a mechanical clutch with improved motor cooling. Pro Tool Reviews named it best cordless drill overall in its head-to-head against Flex, DeWalt, Makita, and Hilti.

DeWalt's FlexVolt 60V worm-style-power sidewinder, the saw that made corded 7-1/4 in saws optional for framing crews. FlexVolt batteries auto-switch between 20V and 60V, so packs bought for this saw also run every 20V Max tool.