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Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit vs DeWalt Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on power, battery & charging, durability. DeWalt Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit wins on size & handling, kit value.
The biggest complaint about the Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit is bulky battery, basic led; for the DeWalt Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit it's not built for heavy, all-day work. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit | DeWalt Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in cordless drills | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Drill/driver | 12V compact |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 3% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Power | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Size & handling | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Battery & charging | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Kit value | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Price tiers: $ under $80 · $$ $80–180 · $$$ over $180. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit
- Bulky battery, basic LED
HGTV liked it a lot but says the wide battery spoils its sleek, compact frame and the LED is basic.
Source: HGTV - Chuck operation
Chuck operation is a mixed aspect in Amazon's review summary.
- Not the strongest in its class
In HGTV's drilling and driving tests the DeWalt DCD800 outperformed it; HGTV placed it second.
Source: HGTV
DeWalt Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit
- Not built for heavy, all-day work
Wirecutter says it isn't powerful enough for all-day aggressive work and can't drill masonry. Its 18V upgrade pick drilled five 1-inch holes in 20 seconds; this drill took a full minute and often bound up. HGTV lists slow drilling and driving as a con.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), HGTV - 3/8-inch chuck limits bit size
HGTV lists the 3/8-inch chuck as a con. HGTV also says the LED could be better, but Wirecutter found its low-mounted LED lit the work better than most.
Source: HGTV, Wirecutter (NYT) - Battery and early-failure reports
Amazon's review summary rates battery life as mixed, with some owners reporting charging problems. Several 1-star Walmart reviews describe batteries that wouldn't hold a charge, a drill that stalled or started smoking, and a slow mail-in warranty process.
Who should pick which
Pick the Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit if
Bigger DIY projects (decks, framing, remodels)
Lots of large holes and long screws
Starting on the Milwaukee M18 platform
Skip it if: You only hang shelves and assemble furniture; You want the lightest possible drill; You need a hammer mode for concrete
Pick the DeWalt Xtreme 12V Max Brushless 3/8 in. Drill/Driver Kit if
Most home repairs and furniture assembly
Smaller hands or overhead work
A first drill that stands up on its own
Skip it if: You'll build decks or drill lots of big holes; You need a 1/2-inch chuck or masonry drilling; You already own 18V/20V batteries from another brand
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