This Dewalt 20V Max cordless drill and impact driver combo kit, DCK240C2, is hugely popular for Father’s Day and Holiday shopping seasons, and in between whenever it’s similarly on sale.
A reader sent me a deal tip about it today, and I’m second guessing the unfavorable things I said about it.
Simply put, I’m not a fan.
Advertisement
The Dewalt DCK240C2 combo kit is a “limited time deal” at Amazon right now, and according to the product page they sold 20K+ of them in the past month.
It comes with the Dewalt DCD771 cordless drill, DCF885 impact driver, 2x 1.3Ah batteries, charger, and bag.
The drill launched in late 2013 for the holiday shopping season, and the impact driver launched in 2011. The 2pc combo kit launched in 2014.
These brushed motor tools are archaic.
Dewalt followed the DCD771 with the DCD777, which launched in 2016, and then the Atomic series DCD708, which launched in 2019. Both of those models were superseded by the DCD793, which launched in 2023, and Atomic DCD794, which also launched last year.
The impact driver was replaced in Dewalt’s main lineup long-ago.
Advertisement
Dewalt’s DCD771 cordless drill kit remains hugely popular, even though you can get a more powerful and more compact Dewalt brushless drill kit for the SAME PRICE.
The continued success of the Dewalt DCD771 cordless drill kit stopped making sense to me after the brand launched its brushless replacements a few years ago.
The 2-tool combo kit could be different.
I suppose that $139 for the Dewalt 2-tool combo kit isn’t a bad value. Or, at least you can’t get a better Dewalt combo kit without spending more.
Dewalt’s better Atomic series brushless combo kit is $169 at Home Depot right now, and their other better brushless combo kit is $169 at Lowe’s right now.
Going with Dewalt’s combo kit with 10 year old brushed motor drill and 13 year old brushed motor impact driver will save you $30 compared to their better brushless options, at least at the time of this posting.
Why might one buy this Dewalt combo kit?
One could argue that Dewalt has a better or at least broader system of cordless power tools, and that the combo kit can open the door to it. Although, how many other tools will the included 1.3Ah batteries be a practical choice for?
There are a bunch of competing 2-tool combo kits for under $150, but this Metabo HPT 18V cordless drill and impact driver combo kit stands apart.
The Metabo HPT kit gives you a brushless drill and brushless impact driver that both have better on-paper performance specs than what you get in the Dewalt kit.
Instead of 2x 1.3Ah batteries as with the Dewalt kit, you get 2x 2.0Ah batteries with built-in fuel gauges.
Forget brand considerations – the Dewalt kit is $139 and the Metabo HPT kit is $129, and it comes with better tools and better batteries.
On the other hand, I can only suggest just 1 alternate suggestion to the Dewalt DCK240C2 combo kit. This suggests that, despite its older tools and low capacity batteries, the Dewalt kit has some merit.
Going from Dewalt’s brushed motor entry-level 2-tool kit to their latest brushless motor entry-level combo kits kits is a $30 jump, which isn’t small. Milwaukee’s brushed motor M18 combo kit is $169, and their compact brushless M18 combo is $189.
I can point out numerous alternatives to the DCD771 cordless drill kit, with 3 of them from Dewalt’s same 20V Max cordless platform. But while there are plenty of 2-tool combo kits, Metabo HPT’s is the only pro brand brushless option I could find for less than $150.
I recognize that my feelings about the DCD771 cordless kit could be affecting my judgement about the Dewalt 2-tool combo kit.
At the same time, I’m struggling to see any reasons why one might buy the Dewalt kit over the less expensive Metabo HPT kit with superior and more modern tools.
Here’s the tough part. Let’s say the Metabo HPT cordless kit sells out or jumps back up in price. What’s the next-best alternative to the Dewalt combo kit at the same or lower pricing?
Home Depot has a Ridgid brushed combo kit for $129. Kobalt’s brushless combo kit is $149. Ignoring for a moment that these brands are in a different class than Dewalt, is that it?
And before anyone jumps in to yell at me about the “different class” comment, they are. Kobalt seems aimed at DIYers, and Ridgid tends to target more demanding DIYers and value-minded pros. In general, Dewalt targets pros and has some value-focused DIY-suitable tools, such as the combo kit discussed above. In a general sense, they’re not direct competitors.
Are there really just 2 combo kits competing with Dewalt’s – the Metabo HPT brushless kit and Ridgid brushed motor kit?
Maybe I have been judging Dewalt’s entry-level 2-tool combo kit too harshly. I still wouldn’t buy it, though, I’d get the Metabo HPT kit, or spend more for a brushless combo kit from Dewalt or Milwaukee.
Jared
It’s amazing that kit is still around. It’s ongoing success seems to depend on the uninformed perceiving value in the brand name – even if the tools in the kit are so outdated they don’t represent the brand well anymore.
If I were to play devil’s advocate, I suppose this kit probably still does everything the people who buy it expect. It’s only the knowledge that MUCH better options exist that makes this a poor choice.
Stuart
The cordless drill kit is an example of popularity begetting popularity. That there are few comparative values to the combo kit makes me reluctant to say the same about it.
Part of the problem are the mass media “shopping experts” that will say things such as “WOW, save 45% off the regular price of $179 for a limited time!”
I’ve seen countless recommendations for the DCD771 drill, and no one ever says “here are 10 newer and better alternatives for the same price.”
MM
This situation reminds me a bit of the Victorinox Forschner kitchen knives. I’m not sure exactly who started it but a number of books and influencers started recommending them as good value for money for people getting interested in cooking. But what nobody bothered to mention was that the Forschners are just one example out of a whole class of kitchen cutlery–the cheap NSF certified stuff that line cooks use–and there are many alternatives with an essentially identical product for a comparable or better price. Instead of focusing on “buy a cheap line cook’s knife” people focused on “Buy Forschner model XYZ”. It’s especially silly nowadays when the alternatives like a Dexter-Russel are half the price of the Forschner but those old recommendations just stick around.
jkrl73
Off topic, but from my experience (and others as well), at least when it comes to toothed vegetable knives in the “NSF handle” category – Victorinox is simply the best. I don’t know how they do it, considering the price, but throughout the years, I tried the Zwilling, Wusthof as well as other brands – none cuts as well.
Sometimes the “hype” is justified….
fred
As Jared says – value may be in the eye of the beholder. The Father’s Day recipient and the gift-giver of one of these kits may be perfectly happy based on the Amazon hype, Dewalt brand recognition and not knowing that there were better tools to be had at a competitive price.
I just recently used my nearly 17-year-old Milwaukee M12 2401-20 pistol grip screwdriver to assemble a daybed for a relative. The 2401 is still being sold despite Milwaukee having introduced the 2402 Fuel version and 2406 that both provide added features (like 2-speed). If I were buying a replacement today, I might stick with the antiquated model – but that’s because it can be bought (on Amazon – not an official Milwaukee source) for $57 versus $125 for the Fuel version. I’d also might buy it because having used it extensively for many years – I know that it does pretty much everything I want it to do, This example is different than the Dewalt kit – in that the price differential is quite substantial ($ and %) and if the Dewalt Kit were priced at 50% of the cost of something more modern – then the appeal might well be better.
Stuart
Interestingly, the 2401 was updated at some point over the years, and the newer model (2406) was released alongside it, with Milwaukee specifically noting it wasn’t a replacement.
The 2401 wasn’t just updated in color, as its housing construction also changed.
I asked Milwaukee about the 2401 in 2018, upon finding two different appearances when I bought a set during a holiday season deal, and was told that it was updated in 2012 with no change in specs.
I found the tools’ housings to be very different, but it seems that not changing the performance specs led Milwaukee to reuse the same model number.
I have posts in 2013 and 2014 about Father’s Day and Holiday deals, and they show the older-style 2401, and so I can’t tell if the 2401 was really updated in 2012, or if the older model persisted through at least 2014.
Regarding age, Amazon has Bosch’s brushed motor 12V Max cordless drill and drivers on sale – even now for Father’s Day – despite the tools having launched 14 years ago.
I see the Dewalt DCD771 in a different light as it has like-price replacments.
At this time, Dewalt has (4) different cordless drill kits that are all promo-priced at $99 each. They updated one of those kits with 1x 2Ah battery instead of 2x 1.3Ah batteries, and so it can be argued that the DCD771 kit has the sole advantage of being bundled with 2 batteries instead of just 1. Other than that, there’s no practical reason to opt for that model drill kit.
Milwaukee and Bosch’s 12V Max cordless screwdrivers and brushed drivers remain as low-entry-cost options, with brushless versions available alongside them.
Even with the DCF885 in this kit, there’s the brushless DCF787, DCF840, and Atomic DCF809, with all 3 available in $99 promo kits. I suppose the DCF885 has a much lower cost for Dewalt to be able to price the combo at $129-$139.
Alexk
I love my 2401. It was my entry to Milwaukee tools. I got a radio, battery and charger along with the screwdriver. Probably am remembering wrong, but I feel like it was $79 during a Christmas sale. When installing hardware for cabinets, my m12 fuel impact can strip out screws and the fuel drill is heavier and stronger than I need for little screws.
With regards to the Dewalt kit, it does seem too close in price to the brushless and because of that, I wouldn’t recommend it, but I’m sure most people that don’t research tools would find it perfectly useful and be happy with it. Can’t think of any brand name tool that doesn’t do the job. Some just do it quicker, are lighter, can fit in smaller spaces etc.
fred
I paid $55.29 for my 2401 in 2008. Considering inflation, the $57 price on Amazon today – seems a bargain.
I find that I can use mine even for running in brass screws as long as I use a light touch and do the final tightening by hand.
I keep my M18 2760-20 for construction screws and use my 2765-20 for garden timber projects (both drilling and driving large lags).
Dude
If you’re like me, I own at least 20 different Dewalt tools. I will never go to a second brand due to the fact I don’t want a bunch of different batteries and chargers.
I know this might seem shallow in thought to some but I can reach for any of my tools and any of my batteries and I will always have a working tool to do a great job with.
Thanks
Dude
Rog
I understand this kit prints money for Dewalt but I’d be embarrassed as a company putting that drill on sale in this, the 2024th year of our Lord.
However, a relative bought this exact kit for my father last Christmas and he’s tickled pink with it so what do I know.
Stuart
Dewalt has launched better entry-level drills, and this one keeps selling at the top of Amazon’s charts.
Bonnie
Why would a company be embarrassed to keep selling a kit with a (presumably) very high margin?
MM
Because of brand image. They may not want their brand name associated with something so out-dated. When someone hears the phrase “Dewalt drill” what do they think of first? Do they picture an ancient dinosaur of a design like this one? Or do they picture something modern, compact, and powerful? Dewalt is supposed to be the higher tier “professional” brand under the SBD umbrella so it’s not really a good thing if people start associating the name with “value” rather than “high performance”.
Kingsley
At least with a brushed motor you can change the switch/trigger.
I recently went to look for a new switch for my dewalt sds brushless drill. You can’t buy it it on its own, only with the motor (apparently they are balanced to each other at the factory).
The drill costs £109 new, the motor+switch is £180.
So a new drill it is! Annoyingly it’s warranty only expired in March.
Luis Solano
I’m carpentry student, so I’m still learning about this universe, but my teachers… They explained that brushless motor are the new fashion, but that doesn’t mean better. With a high tech explanation about brushes in the motor, that eventually burns, so the brushless seems to be a better option, no brushes no burn. But at the end a brushed motor can be repaired in a low cost compare with the price of a new tool, while brushless… You already have the answer…
Stuart
It depends on the brand.
Generally speaking, brushed motor tools have simpler tech, but brushless tech provides significant benefits and advantages.
Would you rather have a large and heavy brushed tool that can be more easily repaired in 5 years, or a brushless tool that’s smaller, lighter, faster, AND more powerful?
TdotW
You can usually disassemble the switch, clean insides with spray electric contact cleaner, lightly bend open the spring to create better functioning switch, reassemble everything. Should be fine afterwards, unless you really damaged the switch. Check out @deandohertygreaser on YouTube -he does all these tool repairs on his channel, based out of Ireland. It’s really cool to watch him work on all these things like he does everyday! He is a master for sure!
kri
would buy anything ergonomicly designed over a perfect 90 angle drill
John L Fox
I’m 65 and have been using cordless tools for many years, mostly DeWalt and Milwaukee. I have never had to replace brushes or had a tool so working because of the brushes. Ever. I do some diy remodeling cabinet making, but I’m not a professional. So I don’t use them a lot. But, when I do, I love the power and control.
I love deals like this so I can get inexpensive tools. I didn’t need the best or most advanced. Just something that works.
There are plenty of people getting started these cheap deals are good for. I own several DeWalt and Milwaukee tools because I got started in the lineup buying these cheap sets and DeWalt knows that.
Stuart
So you’re saying you’d go for the older, slower, less powerful, and more expensive Dewalt combo kit, or the newer, faster, more powerful, and $10 less expensive Metabo HPT combo kit?
Brushless motors have many significant advantages beyond not having brushes to possibly replace over time.
Derek
I get there are better options out there, even for not much more money, but I don’t think the average person are heavy users of tools.
On my street of 12 townhouses I would guess 6-7 of the 12 homeowners have cordless drills. You don’t need much drill to hang a picture.
Most of the retired people on my street are the ones I would say don’t have cordless drills. There could be a couple corded Black and Decker keyed chuck drills collecting dust in their basements.
Ben
i would agree completely. I’m heavily biased toward thinking the average person is way more knowledgeable about tools than they are. I work in the power tools industry. One neighbor is a remodeling contractor who’s deep into DeWalt 20V, 60V, and Milwaukee M18, as well as some Festool stuff. Another is a major gearhead who’s torn down and rebuilt his old Subaru a couple times. And here I am on a tool-oriented blog.
Relevant XKCD, “Average Familiarity”: https://xkcd.com/2501/
Ben
This was something I was thinking but I didn’t know how old the DeWalt kit was, id gladly pay $30 more. Excellent article.
KG21Unth
Solid recommendation and a no brainer. Hope people look past the power of yellow and black, and recognize innovation and value by choosing where their hard earned $ goes. Thanks for sharing.
Michael F
That Metabo HPT kit is just such a steal I can’t imagine recommending anything else at the price point. The rest of the Metabo HPT lineup is great, too, especially for how cheap they tend to be. For a homeowner or DIYer I think it’s a great step above something like Ryobi without breaking the bank on red tools.
Bob
We have this kit and the Ryobi HP kits at work. We use them mostly to install TVs, cameras, and drill holes for wire in block and metal stud drywall. The Ryobi kit is a lot better and is the preferred kit people grab.
Farkleberry
I’ve had good luck with this kit, and for $129 feel I got an amazing bargain. It was actually $99 for a while. The drill is solid and even has a metal chuck, though it is pretty loud, and the lightweight version is handier for small stuff. The impact is no frills but adequate.
Pretty much everybody makes a great drill and driver, and so many brands have great lineups they hope you will stay loyal to, for battery simplicity if nothing else.
Metabo HPT has a (goofy) new, unknown name and spotty brick and mortar availability.
The criticism that the selection is limited, I would mostly disagree with. They are constantly introducing new models, starting overseas. I would consider most of their top line offerings to compete on performance with anyone, especially considering power to weight ratio. Even more so when considering price.
The multi volt system has lots of merit with lighter 18v tools and powerful 36v tools with great runtime, with (one way) battery compatibility and an AC converter.
Multiple sizes and configurations of drills and impact drivers, small and large recip saws, multiple sizes and features in circ saws, finally a seemingly decent multi tool, grinders, compact and mid size 1/2 and 3/4 impact wrenches, 1/4 trim and 1/2 plunge routers, multiple vacs and small blowers, tons of nailers, small and large compressors, table saws, miter saws, rotary hammers, grease gun, etc., etc. What else does one need?
If you’re an electrician, plumber, or maybe even HVAC tech, go Milwaukee for their specialty tools, but I don’t see that HPT’s selection is limited, apart from OPE, which will hopefully be imported and expanded soon.
MM
In my opinion it depends on your perspective. If you’re a contractor or an experienced tool user then Metabo HPT has a great line of tools. Like you listed they have all the typical contractor sort of tools. But here we’re talking about a new homeowner, not a pro or even a hobby woodworker. They are much more likely to want things like a hot glue gun for craft projects or some basic OPE for the yard, and that is where Metabo HPT falls short compared to brands like Ryobi. There is no question that HPT makes better quality tools, but they don’t have the homeowner/hobbyist oriented tools.
Farkleberry
Fair point in general.
Regarding your Ryobi examples, my $4 Wal-Mart corded glue gun works surprisingly well, and is tiny and weighs almost nothing. I can’t imagine something with a giant ryobi battery hanging off the bottom would be more convenient at a crafting table. The “compact” version that requires constantly setting back down to reheat also seems less convenient. I read some positive reviews so I’m just guessing here.
When I’m at HD I see lots of people buying the Ryobi 40V stuff and I’d imagine that’s what I’d go for, were I Ryobi inclined. In this case, the 40V batteries are not compatible with the drill or other 18V tools anyway, right?
When I was researching and shopping around for a major cordless upgrade, I was determined to only have only battery system. Milwaukee came very close, but had no long pole saw at the time, and HPT’s value was compelling.
I agree in part with your typical homeowner reasoning, but I think it’s often worth the tradeoffs to simply have a separate OPE system, and apparently Ryobi does as well.
Andrew Cooper
The goofy name thing is even more confusing for those of us in the UK (and Europe). First they were called Hitachi and are now Hikoki. Then we learn in the US they are called Metabo HPT.
Dr. Westside
Let’s not forget the 36v Metabo are the only IP rated tools out there . That’s why I use them as an industrial HVAC pipefitter . I have ruined many Milwaukee DeWalt ect in the water .
John
Any of these are better than the generic alphabet overseas 12V garbage driver kits.
Stuart
Yes.
Sean MG
There has to be something to be said for battery compatibility. If someone owns several of cordless Ryobi, DeWalt, Metabo, or whomever and the better batteries work on all platforms they already own. They will be more likely to stick to their brand instead of having to have another set of batteries for each set they own.
Now, if my DeWalt tools would take Metabo batteries, then you are more likely to break brand loyalties.
Stuart
I imagine that most people in the market for a 2-tool combo kit like this, and at this price point, are not thinking too much about future compatibility.
Jay Roberts
I already know that I’m going to really upset some people but as professional contractor I think that craftsman cordless tools can’t be beat for there price, I know couple people who have hung up there Milwaukee and Dewalt tool for craftsman
Stuart
Depends on the product.
I spoke to a siding contractor a year or two ago, and they lamented how their Craftsman drill couldn’t keep up with the first job they bought it for.
Craftsman’s brushless tools are on the value-pro side of the power and performance scale. Their lowest priced brushed motor tools are on the entry-level homeowner and DIYer end of the scale.
JoeM
Yeah, I hate that kit as well. I would rather take a sledgehammer to the groin than buy, support, or receive, that kit… And that goes for the superceding kits as well. They’re “Deal Kits” that are only dragged out for holiday sales. I know I favour DeWALT to a disgusting level, but even I refuse to support these things. They’re awful.
There are kits available from the same retailers, but they have the full featured tools in the kit. My first foray into the 20V Max family is a kit I still have, and use regularly. It had the DCF 885 Original Brushed Impact Driver, and the DCD 785 Compact Hammerdrill/Driver. They came in a kitbag, among the first of the DeWALT lineup to start shipping in tool bags instead of the traditional boxes, and I forget the exact model number of the kit, but I bought it to replace my last-model 14.4V NiCD DeWALT Drill. I have never regretted the purchase since buying it. Was it the cheapest deal at the time? No. But it was on sale, for about $50 CAD less than its twin kit that had the DCD 780 Drill/Driver instead of Hammerdrill/Driver. At the time, if you converted to USD, that’s probably about a $20 difference to you Americans, but in Canadian, that was a big difference. I would highly recommend getting the kits that are Not Seasonal, Holiday, or Cheapened combo kits that they pull out just to keep cash flowing. It’s worth the small amount of money extra, to get the full featured kits sitting, either next to those “Deal Kits”, or very near by them. Are they a bit more? Yeah, they are. But you’re getting the main-line tools, without the iffy Provenance behind them. I admit, I bought my kit before they started making the 771 at all. I spent… $240? But they still work fine in 2024, and I may have bought them in 2012. Plus, it wouldn’t stop me from also buying their latest Brushless main-line tools either. It just means, I paid for the full product, I’ve maintained it properly, and even if I do purchase the newer models, I don’t have to dispose of the originals. They. Work. Beautifully.
I don’t know if Milwaukee, or any of the other tool brands for that matter, have these kinds of “Deal Kit” models… But I am certainly ashamed whenever the DeWALT ones come out throughout the year. It’s one of the only times I’m Ever ashamed of buying into DeWALT of all the brands. I’m older, I’m wiser, I’m not afraid to admit that I feel shame over these “Deal Kits” that they release.
Goodie
I have some DeWalt and Metabo HPT. Pretty happy with my 20v DeWalt tools. But, I often think these should be sold as Blck and Decker tools. If I were king for a day at SBD, I’d make the Black and Decker tools and DeWalt batteries and pinouts the same. That way they could market a “seemless homeowner to Pro” system, but not dilute the DeWalt brand with low end stuff.
Ben
How come no one is mentioning other brands particularly Makita? They have a ton of drills and kits (maybe too many it gets confusing) and are a huge player.
Stuart
Ignoring for a moment my sentiment that Makita 18V is stagnant and no longer competitive, their most affordable 2-tool brushed motor combo kit is $189 and their least expensive brushless compact combo kit is $249. Their subcompact combo is $239. I feel these are terrible values for what you get.
Dewalt, Milwaukee, Metabo HPT, and others offer more for less money.
Steve L
Should Dewalt be selling a brushed motor kit today? Guessing high margin is one reason. Another is if the customer wants brushless then Dewalt will sell it to you – for a higher price.
To me this shows Dewalt, like Milwaukee or the other brands, is in business to turn a profit. They are not in business to sell me the best tool at the lowest price. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing to be ashamed of. The burden is on me to figure out what is best for me.
If I am an occasional user, want a tool sold by Dewalt or don’t know enough to look at other brands, these brushed tools will last for years and do the job. And even though I bought old tech I will be happy
TdotW
Basically these lower end ‘beginner tools’ are just that. They’re targeted to the homeowners who see a yellow tool and know that means it’s good cause that’s what we professionals use every single day! Honestly these tools will do all of the miscellaneous tasks(5times/year) the homeowners asks of it and more. They don’t know or care about [motor]brushes or lack thereof, they just see yellow tools = ‘professional’, and they’re on sale = good deal. If anyone is slightly (tool)educated or serious about using any of these tools, they will, in fact go with the better brushless options (usually) for the slight dollar increase for a much better tool. Basically this comes down to the public being uninformed, confused or uneducated on what is what in the tool aisle -DeWalt’s model numbering system doesn’t help either. Those who don’t know just see all the ‘yellow’ tools as being the same -good, contractor-grade, built-tough, professional quality tools even though there are multiple levels of good yellow tools to choose from. DeWalt knows exactly where their target audience is for this set, especially when wife or kids are out buying fathers day gifts for Dad who wants\needs a drill & probably would love this yellow ‘pro’ set here that happens to be on sale right now! Wink-wink :,-) ;-)
Carabas Alintole
You are missing the point. This is an entry-level kit to get people hooked in the Dewalt battery ecosystem. Probably most of DIYers will find it enough and be proud of owning a “pro” tool. Next time they go buy a new cordless tool, they will be biased by already being in the Dewalt system. Heck, I already have 2 “great” 1.3Ah “20V” max batteries (using the same cells as eveeubody else’s 18V batteries)!
You may be asking, if the goal is to hook up consumers, why wouldn’t Dewalt sell this kit at a steep discount then? Well, first they don’t want to erode the brand allure. Dewalt is pro, therefore costs more. If they sell cheap, they’ll devalue the brand. Second, people buy it anyway! They are making a s**t load of money in these entry-level outdated cheapo kits. If customers are happy and you are making money, keep doing it!
Stuart
Every brand has the same goal with their 2-tool combo kits.
My point is that there’s a much better combo kit for less money, and that 1.3Ah batteries won’t help with most future expansion tools anyway.
Sam
I’ve used Metabo tools and honestly think they are great, but they are only available at Lowe’s and their product line up has nothing on Dewalts 20V series. Honestly even a Skil, Ryobi, or Kobalt setup would be better than these ancient things. The newer stufff from the entry level brands far surpasses these in terms of specs, battery capacity, and motor technology.
Stuart
Ryobi is only available at Home Depot, Kobalt is only available at Lowe’s. Metabo HPT is available at a wide range of independent and online dealers.
John C
Dewalt is all I use in Battery Tools except for my Rechargeable Ratchet that is Milwaukee… Dewalt is the best, and that is all I get… For get the rest.. Tried others, have always let me down.