Cordless Power Tools, Decoded
Most cordless tool specs are comparable only after you decode them. "20V MAX" and "M18" describe the same 18-volt battery class measured two different ways. Amp-hours tell you runtime, not power. And torque is published in inch-pounds on one tool and foot-pounds on the next. We put the real numbers side by side.
The one thing to know: "20V MAX" is a peak, no-load marketing number — the same 5-cell lithium-ion pack is 18V nominal under an actual working load. DeWalt states this directly on its own spec sheets: 20V is measured fresh off the charger with no load; 18V is what the tool sees once you pull the trigger under real work. Milwaukee's M18, Makita's 18V LXT, and most rivals report the more honest nominal number directly, which is why a DeWalt 20V MAX tool and an 18V-labeled competitor are actually the same voltage class.
Start with the data
- The Voltage Reality Index — every platform's marketed label vs its actual nominal voltage.
- The Torque Unit Decoder — in-lbs vs ft-lbs across drills, impact drivers and wrenches.
- Key facts — the short version.
First cordless drill, by class
DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit (DCD771C2)
18V nominal (20V MAX), 1/2-in chuck, ~300 in-lbs torque, brushed motor, 2-speed, 2x 1.5Ah batteries
The long-running entry-class benchmark: a brushed 2-speed drill with a real 1/2-inch chuck at an entry-class price band.
Best for: First-time buyers who mainly drive screws and drill wood/light metal occasionally
Watch out: Brushed motor means shorter motor life and less runtime per charge than brushless, and 1.5Ah batteries are small — expect to recharge often on bigger projects.
Check price on AmazonMilwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill/Driver (2801-20)
18V nominal, 1/2-in chuck, ~275 in-lbs torque, brushless motor, 2-speed, all-metal chuck
A genuinely compact brushless drill from the M18 platform, so it drops into an existing Milwaukee battery ecosystem.
Best for: Buyers already invested in (or planning to invest in) the M18 platform
Watch out: Sold bare (tool-only) in most listings — you need an M18 battery and charger already, or must buy a kit version, which raises the real cost.
Check price on AmazonMakita 18V LXT Brushless Driver-Drill Kit (XFD131)
18V nominal, 1/2-in chuck, ~530 in-lbs torque, brushless motor, 2-speed, 2x 2.0Ah batteries
Notably high torque for its class thanks to Makita's brushless engineering, in a well-balanced compact body.
Best for: Buyers who want higher torque headroom for occasional tougher fastening or larger spade bits
Watch out: Makita's charger is one of the slower ones in this class, and the LXT ecosystem's higher-end batteries cost more than rival platforms.
Check price on AmazonRyobi ONE+ HP Brushless Drill/Driver Kit (PSBDD01K)
18V nominal, 1/2-in chuck, ~750 in-lbs torque, brushless motor, 2-speed, 1x 2.0Ah battery
The best torque-per-dollar in this list, and it runs on Ryobi's huge 280+ tool ONE+ battery ecosystem.
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners who want one battery platform for drills, yard tools, and more
Watch out: Ryobi's ONE+ platform is consumer-grade — it lacks the pro-tier durability and rapid-service network of DeWalt/Milwaukee/Makita, so it's a worse fit for daily jobsite use.
Check price on AmazonDeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Drill/Driver Kit (DCD800D2)
18V nominal (20V MAX), 1/2-in chuck, ~700 in-lbs torque, brushless motor, 2-speed, 2x 2.0Ah batteries
DeWalt's higher-tier XR brushless line, with noticeably more torque and a more durable metal chuck than the entry DCD771.
Best for: Buyers who want headroom for bigger bits and denser materials without stepping up to a hammer drill
Watch out: Costs meaningfully more than the entry DCD771C2 for a torque bump many casual users won't need — check the tougher tasks you'll realistically do before paying up.
Check price on AmazonImpact drivers
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Impact Driver (DCF887B)
18V nominal, 1/4-in hex, ~1,825 in-lbs torque, brushless, 3-speed + precision drive mode
A precision drive mode drops power for small screws so you don't strip or overdrive them — genuinely useful for cabinet/trim work.
Best for: Mixed-use buyers doing everything from deck screws to delicate furniture assembly
Watch out: Sold bare in most listings — needs a compatible 20V MAX battery and charger, which most first-time buyers won't already own.
Check price on AmazonMilwaukee M18 FUEL Impact Driver (2853-20)
18V nominal, 1/4-in hex, ~1,800 in-lbs torque, brushless FUEL motor, 4-mode drive control
Milwaukee's FUEL line pairs the brushless motor with dedicated electronics for stronger sustained output under load.
Best for: Users who drive lag bolts and large fasteners regularly, not just deck screws
Watch out: The FUEL line's batteries and tools carry a real price premium over Milwaukee's standard M18 lineup for a torque gain many users won't notice day to day.
Check price on AmazonHammer drills
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Hammer Drill (DCD996B)
18V nominal, 1/2-in chuck, ~820 in-lbs torque, brushless, 3-mode (drill/hammer/driver)
A standard combo hammer drill that adds a percussive hammer mode to normal drilling — good for occasional masonry anchors in brick/mortar.
Best for: Homeowners who occasionally drill into brick or mortar (not solid concrete) and want one tool for both wood and masonry
Watch out: This is a percussive hammer drill, not an SDS rotary hammer — it will struggle or fail in solid poured concrete or for larger anchor holes; that job needs SDS.
Check price on AmazonMakita 18V LXT SDS-Plus Rotary Hammer (XRH01Z)
18V nominal, SDS-Plus bit system, rotary hammer mechanism (not chuck-based), 3 modes (rotation/hammer/rotation+hammer)
A true SDS rotary hammer built for repeated concrete drilling and light chipping — a different mechanism entirely from a hammer-drill's chuck.
Best for: Concrete anchors, conduit runs, and light chipping/demo in poured concrete or block
Watch out: SDS bits are a separate, non-interchangeable bit system from standard drill/driver bits, and this tool is unnecessarily heavy and specialized for occasional wood/mortar work.
Check price on AmazonReplacement batteries
DeWalt 20V MAX XR 5.0Ah Battery (DCB205)
18V nominal (20V MAX), 5.0Ah, Li-ion, 18650-class cells, fits all 20V MAX tools
The DeWalt 20V MAX sweet-spot battery — enough runtime for most projects without the bulk/weight of the largest packs.
Best for: General-purpose use across drills, impact drivers, and saws on the 20V MAX platform
Watch out: Higher amp-hour batteries (6.0–9.0Ah) run cooler under heavy sustained load (like a circular saw) — this size can throttle on the toughest cuts.
Check price on AmazonMilwaukee M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT HD12.0 Battery
18V nominal, 12.0Ah, 21700-class cells, High Output for sustained heavy-draw tools
Uses larger 21700 cells for lower voltage sag and cooler operation under continuous heavy draw than standard 18650-cell packs.
Best for: Heavy-draw tools (large saws, grinders) or all-day use where you don't want to swap batteries often
Watch out: It's noticeably heavier and pricier than a standard-capacity pack — overkill for a light-duty drill/driver used occasionally.
Check price on Amazon