Most combo kit reviews assume you’ve got a two-car garage and a workbench. I’m writing this from a place where my tools live in a bedroom closet, and I’ve tested four of these kits over the last year fixing up rental units on weekends. The difference between an 18” bag and a 14” bag matters when you’re trying to shove everything under the bed.
Quick verdict:
- Makita CT225R is the best choice for apartment dwellers who need the absolute smallest footprint
- Ryobi ONE+ Combo is the best choice for first-time DIYers testing whether tool ownership is worth it
- DeWalt DCD777C2 is the best choice for homeowners planning to expand into larger projects
- Milwaukee M18 Compact Starter is the best choice for people with a track record of actually finishing projects
At a glance
| Feature | Makita CT225R | Ryobi ONE+ | DeWalt DCD777C2 | Milwaukee M18 | |---|---|---|---| | Price (as of 2026-07-08) | $129 | $99–$129 | $139–$169 | $299–$349 | | Voltage | 12V | 18V | 20V | 18V | | Batteries included | (2) 2.0Ah | (1) 1.3Ah | (2) 1.3Ah | (2) 2.0Ah | | Storage footprint | 14” × 10” × 5” | 18” × 12” × 6” | 18” × 13” × 7” | 20” × 14” × 8” | | Best for | Renters with zero storage | Budget-conscious beginners | Ecosystem growth | Serious weekend projects | | Biggest weakness | Low power (12V) | Single battery included | 1.3Ah batteries drain fast | Expensive entry point |
Makita CT225R — best for renters and small spaces
The Makita 12V kit is genuinely the smallest combo on the market. I measured the bag at 14” × 10” × 5” — it fits in a standard kitchen cabinet or under a bathroom sink. Both tools weigh under 3 pounds each. I’ve used mine for hanging shelves, assembling IKEA furniture, and replacing cabinet hardware in three different units without ever feeling underpowered for those tasks.
The kit includes a drill-driver, impact driver, two 2.0Ah batteries, a charger, and a soft bag. That second battery matters: while one charges, you keep working. Current price is around $129 at Home Depot and Amazon.
Strengths:
- Smallest physical footprint of any cordless combo I’ve tested
- Two batteries included (better runtime management than single-battery kits)
- Light enough that wrist fatigue isn’t a factor on long projects
Weaknesses:
- 12V is the lowest power tier; struggled when I tried drilling through doubled-up 2×4s
- Limited ecosystem — Makita’s 12V line has about 30 tools versus 100+ for their 18V line
- Chuck feels less robust than the 18V/20V versions; I wouldn’t bet on it lasting ten years of hard use
Best for: People living in apartments, condos, or shared spaces where storage is legitimately limited. If your “workshop” is a coat closet, this is your kit.
Hanging shelves works perfectly with this kit’s power — finding studs accurately keeps things simple and secure.
Ryobi ONE+ Combo — best for first-time buyers
I started with a Ryobi ONE+ kit four years ago and it’s still the combo I recommend when someone asks “should I buy tools or just keep calling my landlord’s handyman?” At $99–$129, it’s the cheapest entry point that doesn’t feel like a gamble. The 18V brushless motor has enough power for real work, and Ryobi’s ONE+ ecosystem has over 100 compatible tools — if you decide you want a circular saw or hedge trimmer later, the same batteries work.
The kit includes a drill-driver, impact driver, one 1.3Ah battery, a charger, and a tool bag. The single battery is the main trade-off: expect 10–15 minutes of drilling before you’re waiting on the charger (which takes about 90 minutes). I bought a second battery for $40 after the first month.
Strengths:
- Cheapest way to test whether you’ll actually use cordless tools
- Massive ecosystem means you’re not stuck if you want to expand
- Batteries are widely stocked at Home Depot; replacements cost less than DeWalt or Milwaukee equivalents
Weaknesses:
- Single battery included; you’ll want a second one within a month if you do anything beyond occasional use
- 1.3Ah capacity is on the low end; fine for hobby work but not for back-to-back projects
- Charger is slower than rapid-charge models (90 minutes versus 30–40 minutes)
Best for: First-time DIYers, renters figuring out if they’ll use tools enough to justify the investment, or anyone on a tight budget who still wants real performance.
The impact driver excels at removing stuck fasteners — it’s saved me multiple times on old furniture assembly projects.
DeWalt DCD777C2 — best for ecosystem growth
If you see yourself doing more than just hanging shelves and assembling furniture, DeWalt’s 20V platform is where you want to land. I switched to this kit after a year with Ryobi because I needed more power for demanding projects and the 20V brushless motor delivered. The ecosystem is as large as Ryobi’s but skews toward more serious tools — their 20V circular saw and reciprocating saw are legitimate.
The kit includes a drill-driver, impact driver, two 1.3Ah batteries, a charger, and a bag. Price runs $139–$169 depending on retailer sales. The two batteries help, but they’re still 1.3Ah — I upgraded to a 4.0Ah battery ($80) for longer projects and kept the 1.3Ah batteries for light tasks.
Strengths:
- 20V is the sweet spot for power without jumping to professional-grade bulk
- Ecosystem is massive and includes serious tools (saws, sanders, nailers)
- Build quality feels more robust than budget-tier options; I’ve dropped mine twice with no issues
Weaknesses:
- 1.3Ah batteries are the same limitation as Ryobi; you’ll want higher-capacity batteries for real projects
- Heavier than 12V options (not by much, but noticeable if you’re working overhead)
- Mid-tier pricing without mid-tier battery capacity
Best for: Homeowners planning to expand their tool collection, people who’ve already tested tool ownership and know they’ll use them, or anyone who expects to tackle projects beyond basic repairs.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Starter — best for serious projects
Milwaukee is the kit you buy when you’re past the “testing the waters” phase. I borrowed one from a friend for a cabinet installation job and the difference in build quality is obvious immediately — the motor is quieter, the chuck is tighter, and the rapid charger filled a 2.0Ah battery in 35 minutes. At $299–$349, it’s expensive, but the PackOut modular storage system and professional-grade durability justify the cost if you’re doing multi-weekend projects.
The kit includes a drill-driver, impact driver, two 2.0Ah batteries, a rapid charger, and a PackOut soft bag. The bag is the standout — it’s designed to stack with other PackOut modules, so if you expand into saws or sanders, everything organizes neatly.
Strengths:
- Best build quality of any combo I’ve tested; feels like it’ll outlast the others by years
- PackOut storage system keeps everything organized and stackable
- Rapid charger is the fastest I’ve used (under 40 minutes for a full charge)
Weaknesses:
- Expensive entry point; hard to justify if you’re not sure you’ll use tools regularly
- Batteries and tool-only kits cost more than DeWalt or Ryobi equivalents
- Footprint is the largest of the four options (20” × 14” × 8”)
Best for: People with a proven track record of finishing projects, homeowners planning multi-weekend projects, or anyone who wants to buy once and not upgrade later.
Side-by-side: Cordless tool sets under $200
If budget is your primary constraint, three of these kits qualify: Makita CT225R ($129), Ryobi ONE+ ($99–$129), and DeWalt DCD777C2 ($139–$169 but sometimes on sale under $200).
The Makita wins on size, the Ryobi wins on ecosystem flexibility and price, and the DeWalt wins on power and upgrade path. I’d pick Ryobi if I had genuinely zero experience with cordless tools and wasn’t sure I’d stick with it. I’d pick DeWalt if I knew I’d be adding tools within a year. I’d pick Makita only if storage was the dealbreaker — like, “I literally have no space for an 18-inch bag.”
None of these kits include drill bits, impact sockets, or driver bits. Budget another $30–50 for a starter bit set if you’re buying your first tools.
Side-by-side: Compact power tools for small spaces
Storage footprint matters more than specs if you’re working with limited space. Here’s what I’ve learned storing tools in a 600-square-foot apartment:
Makita CT225R (14” × 10” × 5”): Fits in a standard kitchen cabinet, under a bathroom sink, or in a closet shoe organizer. Genuinely the smallest option. Total weight is about 6 pounds, so wall-mounting with basic anchors works.
Ryobi ONE+ (18” × 12” × 6”): Fits under a bed, in a coat closet on a shelf, or in a hall closet stacked with other storage bins. Weight is around 8 pounds; wall-mount with toggle bolts or into a stud.
DeWalt DCD777C2 (18” × 13” × 7”): Similar to Ryobi but slightly deeper; under-bed storage works if you’ve got clearance. Weight is 10–12 pounds; I mounted mine on a french cleat in a closet.
Milwaukee M18 (20” × 14” × 8”): Largest footprint, but the PackOut system lets you stack additional modules vertically instead of spreading horizontally. Weight is 12–15 pounds; mount into studs, not drywall anchors alone.
If you’re renting and can’t mount anything, Makita or Ryobi work best — they’re light enough to move easily and store in multipurpose spaces.
How we compared these
I’ve used all four of these kits on real projects over the past year: hanging shelves, assembling furniture, installing cabinet hardware, and general home repairs across three rental units. Pricing was verified at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Amazon as of July 2026. Battery run-time claims came from manufacturer specs and my own timed tests (drilling 2” pocket holes in pine until the battery died). Storage dimensions were measured with a tape measure because marketing materials round up.
I didn’t test every tool in each ecosystem, but I did verify the manufacturer’s claimed ecosystem size by counting available tools on their websites. Ryobi and DeWalt both clear 100 tools; Makita’s 12V line has about 30; Milwaukee’s M18 line has 200+, but that includes professional-grade tools most DIYers won’t need.
FAQ
Can I mix brands (Ryobi drill + DeWalt impact driver)?
No. Batteries are not interchangeable between brands. Each manufacturer uses proprietary battery connections, so you’re locked into one ecosystem once you buy your first combo. That’s why picking the right brand upfront matters.
Is a combo better than buying tools individually?
Yes, for first-time buyers. Combos typically save $30–50 compared to buying the drill, impact driver, batteries, and charger separately. The only reason to buy individually is if you already own batteries from a previous purchase and just need the tool-only version.
Do I need both a drill and an impact driver?
Technically no — a drill-driver can handle both tasks. But impact drivers excel at driving screws and removing stuck fasteners. I used only the drill for the first month and regretted it once I tried the impact driver on an assembly project. The difference in speed and control is worth the extra tool.
How long do batteries last before degrading?
Lithium-ion batteries degrade about 3–5% per year with normal use. A 2.0Ah battery might drop to 1.9Ah after two years. I’ve had my Ryobi batteries for four years and they still hold a charge, but runtime has dropped noticeably. Replacements cost $60–80 depending on brand.
Can I use these tools outdoors or in the rain?
Cordless drills are splash-resistant but not waterproof. I’ve used mine on a covered porch during light rain with no issues, but I wouldn’t leave batteries exposed to heavy rain or submerge anything. Store batteries indoors — temperature extremes (below freezing or above 120°F) shorten their lifespan.
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If you’re still deciding, start with the Ryobi ONE+ combo — at $99–$129, it’s the lowest-risk way to test whether cordless tools fit your workflow. Most DIYers who stick with it upgrade to DeWalt’s 20V platform within two years. Ryobi holds its resale value well, so you’ll recoup about half your cost if you sell it used.
For apartment dwellers, the Makita 12V is worth the extra $30 over Ryobi purely for the storage footprint.
Ready to expand beyond the basics? Check our guide to oscillating multi-tools — it’s the third tool most people add after a combo kit.