Tools brands cause just as much debate as sports teams. Everyone has their opinion on what’s the best. Today we’ll compare the blue and the red: two drill and impact driver kits from Bosch and Milwaukee. We’ll help you decide which one is the best value for the money.
Bosch CLPK232-181 18V 2-Tool Combo Kit (Drill/Driver & Impact Driver) with (2) 2.0 Ah Batteries
Bosch tools rarely rack up negative reviews online. Their power tools tend to be durable and powerful so they are a great value for the money. If Bosch promises something, their tools live up to it.
This Bosch CLPK232-181 kit lives up to expectations. It contains the DDS181-02drill and the 25618 hex impact driver. It’s the perfect set for someone who wants to build a deck or a fence. Professionals use these tools in their daily work drilling metal and wood to install garage doors, and even mixing drywall mud. They really are that strong. In fact, both of these tools are more powerful than the tools in the Milwaukee kit described below.
The DS181-02 has a ½” ratcheting chuck that will let you change bits one-handed. The short 7” head makes itquite compact for a drill. It weighs just 3.4 pounds. The motor has two speeds, 18 clutch settings, and a variable-speed trigger. The maximum rated torque is 600 inch-pounds. Bosch has overload protection on the motor so it won’t burn out under heavy use.
The drill runs off 18V lithium-ion batteries included in the kit. The batteries are rated for 2.0Ah and also have their own protection against overload and overheating. Each battery has a fuel gauge so you can see when it’s time to put them on the charger. The charger tops up the batteries in about an hour.
The 25618hex impact driver included in this kit has a ¼” chuck and a short barrel. It measures just 5.7 inches long and weighs just 3.3 pounds. It’s rated for up to 1500 inch-pounds of torque and up to 3200bpm (blows per minute).
Both tools have LED work-lights and soft, ergonomic grips.
More features of the Bosch CLPK232-181 Drill and Driver Kit
- 3-year warranty on the power tools and 2-year warranty on batteries
- Comes with two 18V batteries, charger, two screwdriver bits, and contractor bag
Milwaukee 2691-22 18-Volt Compact Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit
Now we have the 2691-22 kit from Milwaukee. It also contains a drill and driver, batteries, and charger. The tools and batteries are both protected by a 5-year warranty. Out of over 500 reviews on Amazon, this kit rates almost five stars. The few negative reviews center around poor manufacturing quality.
The M18 ½” drill doesn’t have the same amount of torque as the drill in the Bosch kit. It’s rated for 400 inch-pounds. It’s also a little bigger at 7-3/4” long and heavier at 4 pounds.
The M18 ¼” hex impact driver puts out 1400 inch-pounds of torque. It’s smaller and lighter than the drill. Both tools have variable-speed triggers.
Both tools also have LED work-lights and ergonomic grips. They run on 18V lithium-ion batteries included in the kit. These batteries have a 1.5Ah capacity, so they might run for a little less time than those in the Bosch kit above. Their on-board fuel gauges show if they need a recharge. The included charger fills them back up in about 30 minutes.
More features of the Milwaukee 2691-22 drill and driver kit
- Milwaukee offers a 5-year warranty on this kit
- Comes with 2 batteries, charger, belt clip, and soft carrying case
Recommendation
If you’re a professional contractor looking for a decent drill and driver kit, get the Bosch CLPK232-181. The tools in that kit are more powerful, and it includes larger capacity batteries for longer working time between charges. Both tools and batteries have overload protection to keep them from being damaged by heavy use.
If you’re a homeowner, or like to do your own building, either kit will provide you with good tools. The Milwaukee kit has a longer warranty, if that is important to you. The batteries charge faster than the ones in the Bosch kit, but that’s because they have a smaller capacity. If you only need a drill and driver combo for occasional projects, and the price is right, consider getting the Milwaukee kit.
Click here to purchase Bosch CLPK232-181 on Amazon!
Click here to purchase Milwaukee 2691-22 on Amazon!