Cordless Tool Combo Kits

Kits combine several tools that share batteries

It's cost-effective to buy several cordless tools that use the same batteries and charger, and most kits include a drill or hammer drill. Once you've selected the best cordless drill/driver for your needs, it's worth checking to see if you can get a kit with a light and/or impact driver for just a slightly higher price. For example, Taunton's 2011 Tool Guide recommends the two-piece Makita LCT200W (*Est. $250), which includes a compact 18-volt compact Li-ion cordless drill and impact driver as well as the batteries, charger and carrying bag.

Cordless combo kits with even more tools usually involve some compromise regarding performance and/or weight. If you're willing to put up with heavier tools with Ni-Cd batteries, you can assemble a full set of cordless tools for construction projects at a budget price. The relatively heavy 19.2-volt Craftsman C3 kits get good reviews from owners. For example, the five-piece Craftsman 11445 kit (*Est. $250) includes a cordless drill/driver, impact driver, reciprocating saw, circular saw and light. The price at Sears.com seems to vary often, but usually the entire kit doesn't cost much more than the top-ranked compact Li-ion drill alone, the Makita BDF452HW (*Est. $185). Craftsman C3 Ni-Cd budget kits with fewer tools also earn good ratings from owners.

For tools with lighter weight, more compact size and better battery storage between uses, budget Li-ion tools are an option. Several Hitachi Li-ion combo kits earn good reviews and are covered by a 10-year warranty. Objective comparison tests show that the 18-volt Hitachi Li-ion tools provide superior run time compared with the 19.2-volt Ni-Cd tools in the Craftsman budget kit. The Hitachi kits are significantly more expensive, though.

The five-piece 18-volt Li-ion kit, Hitachi KC18DBLWH18P4 (*Est. $500) includes a cordless hammer-drill for extra power when drilling masonry, as well as an impact driver, circular saw, reciprocating saw and light. The four-piece Hitachi KC18DBL (*Est. $450) omits the impact driver but performs very well in comparison tests.

American Woodworker editors recommend the three-piece Hitachi KC18DHL (*Est. $245), which includes a regular cordless drill-driver, impact driver and work light. Owners reviewing it at Amazon.com and at NorthernTool.com praise the kit for light weight and excellent performance.

For better performance with a circular saw, 28-volt Li-ion Milwaukee V28 tool kits get good reviews. The four-piece Milwaukee 0928-29 V28 (*Est. $700) is very expensive, but includes a hammer drill, circular saw, reciprocating saw and work light.