Best New Tools of 2026
The DeWalt DCF887B impact driver and Milwaukee 2904-20 drill/driver stand out among current 20V/18V cordless tools for buyers who already own batteries on those platforms. The variable most readers get wrong is battery platform lock-in, not torque or RPM, since switching to a new battery system usually costs more in extra batteries and chargers than the tool itself.
Quick answer
The DeWalt DCF887B impact driver and Milwaukee 2904-20 drill/driver are the strongest picks for buyers already on those battery platforms, thanks to brushless motors and daily-use torque ratings. Buyers starting a cordless toolbox from zero should pick the Ryobi P1817 combo kit instead, since it bundles four tools, two batteries and a charger for one price.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Cross-checked manufacturer-published specifications before writing any recommendation
- Verified US market availability and configuration for every model discussed
- Owner-feedback themes are summarized as feedback, never presented as our own hands-on testing
- No invented star ratings; see the visible Research Score criteria on this page
- Checked accessory compatibility and guarding before ranking any cutting or grinding tool
- For cordless tools we confirm the battery platform, such as 18V, 20V MAX or ONE+, and whether a listing is a bare tool or a full kit before comparing price, since those two factors change the real cost more than any single spec on the page.
Research updated September 2026.
What Matters Most for This Category
The single biggest factor in this list is battery platform, not raw torque or RPM. Buying a Milwaukee M18 tool when every other cordless tool in the garage is DeWalt 20V MAX means paying for a second set of batteries and a second charger, which often costs more than the tool itself. Bare tools like the DeWalt DCF887B and Milwaukee 2904-20 are cheaper up front but only make sense if you already own compatible batteries, while kits like the Ryobi P1817 and Makita XDT131 make more sense for a first cordless purchase. Corded tools like the Dremel 4300 avoid battery cost and runtime limits entirely, which matters for a rotary tool used in short bursts rather than all day. Tool-free accessory changes, like the quick-release lever on the DCS354B, save real time on jobs with frequent blade swaps, and always remove the battery or unplug a corded tool before changing bits, blades or accessories.
| Model | Best for | Key specs | Research Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt DCF887B 20V MAX XR Brushless 3-Speed Impact Driver | Best overall impact driver for existing 20V MAX battery owners | 20V MAX, 1825 in-lbs | 95/100 |
| Milwaukee 2904-20 M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Drill/Driver | Best overall cordless drill/driver for all-around drilling and driving | 18V (M18), 1/2 in. ratcheting, all-metal | 91/100 |
| Ryobi P1817 18V ONE+ HP 4-Tool Combo Kit | Best value for building a cordless toolbox from scratch | 18V ONE+ (200+ compatible tools), Drill/driver, impact driver, circular saw, work light | 87/100 |
| Makita XDT131 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver Kit | Best complete kit for first-time Makita LXT buyers | 18V LXT, 1600 in-lbs | 84/100 |
| Bosch GLL100-40G Self-Leveling Cross-Line Laser | Best laser level for interior layout and leveling | Up to 100 ft, Green, cross-line, self-leveling | 81/100 |
| Dremel 4300-5/40 Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit | Best rotary tool for detail cutting, sanding and engraving | 5,000 to 35,000 RPM, 5 attachments, 40 accessories | 78/100 |
| DeWalt DCS354B 20V MAX XR Oscillating Multi-Tool | Best oscillating tool for flush cuts and detail demolition | 20V MAX, 3.0 degrees | 75/100 |
DeWalt DCF887B 20V MAX XR Brushless 3-Speed Impact Driver
Best OverallPros
- One-handed quick-release chuck sleeve speeds up bit changes
- 3 speed and torque settings help avoid stripping small screws
- Compact front-to-back length fits into tight stud bays and cabinets
Cons
- Sold as a bare tool, so a battery, charger and case cost extra
- Rotational impact torque is not a substitute for a drill when boring large holes
The DCF887B is part of DeWalt's 20V MAX system and uses a brushless motor with three speed and torque settings for controlling output on different fastener sizes. It has a one-handed, quick-release chuck for fast bit changes and a built-in LED work light that stays on for 20 seconds after the trigger is released. It is sold as a bare tool, so it ships without a battery, charger or case.
Milwaukee 2904-20 M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Drill/Driver
Best Overall Drill/DriverPros
- All-metal ratcheting chuck grips bits and standard drill bits securely
- REDLINK PLUS electronics protect the motor and battery from overload
- 2-speed gearbox handles both heavy driving and fast general drilling
Cons
- Bare tool only, with no battery or charger included
- Heavier than compact 12V drills, which matters for extended overhead work
The 2904-20 is Milwaukee's M18 FUEL brushless drill/driver, built around the POWERSTATE motor and REDLINK PLUS electronic protection against overload and overheating. It uses an all-metal 1/2 in. ratcheting chuck and a 2-speed gearbox to cover both high-torque driving and faster general drilling. Like most Milwaukee tools, it is sold bare, without a battery or charger.
Ryobi P1817 18V ONE+ HP 4-Tool Combo Kit
Best ValuePros
- Four tools plus two batteries and a charger cost less than buying each item separately
- ONE+ batteries carry over to a large existing lineup of Ryobi tools
- Circular saw in the kit handles basic framing and sheet goods out of the box
Cons
- Included batteries are lower capacity than packs sold separately for heavy daily use
- Individual tools trail single-purchase Milwaukee or DeWalt models on raw torque and speed
The P1817 bundles a drill/driver, impact driver, circular saw and LED work light on Ryobi's 18V ONE+ platform, which the company states is compatible with over 200 outdoor and indoor tools. The kit ships with two ONE+ batteries, a charger and a carrying bag. The HP designation refers to Ryobi's higher-performance brushless sub-line within the broader ONE+ system.
Makita XDT131 18V LXT Brushless Impact Driver Kit
Best Complete KitPros
- Ships as a complete kit with battery, charger and case included
- Quick-Shift Mode automatically matches speed and impact force to the fastener
- LXT platform includes one of the largest ranges of compatible 18V tools
Cons
- 1600 in-lbs of torque trails Milwaukee's higher-end M18 FUEL impact drivers
- Single-battery kits leave no backup pack for continuous all-day use
The XDT131 is a brushless impact driver on Makita's 18V LXT platform, which the company describes as one of the largest cordless battery lineups in the category. It includes Quick-Shift Mode, which automatically adjusts rotation speed and impact force based on the driving load. Unlike several bare-tool competitors on this list, it ships as a full kit with a battery, charger and carrying case.
Bosch GLL100-40G Self-Leveling Cross-Line Laser
Best Laser LevelPros
- Green beam is easier to see in daylight and larger rooms than older red-beam lasers
- Self-leveling function corrects small setup errors automatically
- Runs on standard AA batteries instead of a proprietary rechargeable pack
Cons
- 100 ft rated range assumes indoor use; outdoor visibility drops in bright sunlight
- No pulse mode for pairing with an outdoor laser detector or receiver
The GLL100-40G projects a green cross-line beam with a stated range of up to 100 ft and self-levels automatically within a few degrees of level. Bosch markets the green beam as more visible in daylight and larger rooms compared to the red-beam lasers it replaces. It runs on four standard AA batteries rather than a proprietary rechargeable pack.
Dremel 4300-5/40 Variable Speed Rotary Tool Kit
Best Rotary ToolPros
- EZ Change system swaps accessories without a wrench
- 35,000 RPM top speed handles detail sanding, engraving and cutting
- Comes with 5 attachments and 40 accessories, reducing separate purchases
Cons
- Corded design limits reach compared to Dremel's cordless 8220 line
- Handheld rotary tools require a steady hand for straight cuts versus a rotary table setup
The 4300-5/40 is a corded rotary tool with a variable speed dial running from 5,000 to 35,000 RPM and Dremel's EZ Change system for swapping accessories without a wrench. It ships with 5 attachments and 40 accessories in a carrying case, covering cutting, sanding, polishing and engraving tasks. Being corded, it avoids the runtime and charging limits of Dremel's battery-powered 8220 line.
DeWalt DCS354B 20V MAX XR Oscillating Multi-Tool
Best Oscillating ToolPros
- Tool-free quick-release lever swaps blades in seconds
- Universal accessory adapter accepts oscillating blades from other brands
- 3.0 degree oscillation angle handles flush cuts and grout removal
Cons
- Bare tool only, requiring an existing 20V MAX battery and charger
- Oscillating tools cut slower than a dedicated jigsaw or reciprocating saw on thick stock
The DCS354B is a brushless oscillating multi-tool on the 20V MAX platform with a tool-free quick-release lever for accessory changes and a universal accessory adapter that accepts blades made for other brands' oscillating tools. It runs at a 3.0 degree oscillation angle for flush cuts, grout removal and detail demolition work. It is sold as a bare tool without a battery or charger.
Who Should Avoid the Top Pick
The DeWalt DCF887B is sold as a bare tool, so it is not a fit for someone starting a cordless toolbox from scratch without an existing 20V MAX battery and charger. Anyone already committed to Milwaukee M18 or Makita LXT batteries should pick the equivalent tool on that platform instead of switching brands for a single tool. Buyers who need a drill rather than an impact driver should look at the Milwaukee 2904-20 or a kit like the Ryobi P1817, since an impact driver is not built for spade bits or hole saws.
Before You Buy
Check whether a listing is a bare tool or a kit, since a bare DeWalt or Milwaukee tool needs a compatible battery and charger bought separately to actually run. Confirm which battery platform you already own before buying into a new one, since batteries and chargers typically cost more over time than the tools themselves. For corded tools like the Dremel 4300, confirm the outlet is a standard 120V household circuit and check the cord length against your workspace.
FAQs
Should I trust the specifications listed on a marketplace listing on their own?
Retailer listings occasionally list outdated or incomplete specs, so we check figures like torque, RPM and voltage against the manufacturer's own product page or spec sheet before including them here.
Can ToolBuyerHub recommend a tool without hands-on testing?
Yes, this page is built from manufacturer-published specifications and documented owner-feedback themes rather than in-house testing, and we say so directly rather than implying a lab test took place.
How often is this list updated?
We revisit it when a manufacturer discontinues a listed model, changes a kit's contents, or releases a clear successor, rather than on a fixed schedule.
Do all my cordless tools need to be the same brand?
No, but staying within one battery platform, such as DeWalt 20V MAX or Milwaukee M18, lets you share batteries and chargers across tools and avoids buying a second charging setup.
Is a brushless motor worth the extra cost?
For tools used regularly, yes. Brushless motors like the ones in the Milwaukee 2904-20 and DeWalt DCF887B run cooler, last longer without brush replacement, and typically get more runtime per battery charge than brushed equivalents.
Our verdict
For most buyers already holding DeWalt or Milwaukee batteries, the DeWalt DCF887B is the strongest single pick here because its 1825 in-lbs of torque and 3-speed control cover everything from deck screws to lag bolts without paying for a new battery platform. Anyone starting a cordless toolbox from zero should buy the Ryobi P1817 instead, since a drill, impact driver, circular saw and two batteries for one price beats assembling the same lineup piece by piece. The Makita XDT131 is the better middle choice for buyers who want a complete kit on day one but plan to grow into Makita's larger 18V LXT lineup over time.