Gil sent in a deal tip via Facebook. Over at Home Depot, there’s a Milwaukee M18 cordless drill and impact driver kit on sale for just $169. The kit comes with 2 batteries, a charger, and a carrying case.
The promo kit has model number 2691-22, which is also the model number that was given to the older drill/driver and impact driver kit. However, as I’ll discuss below, I have reasons to believe that you’ll get Milwaukee’s latest (brushed motor) tools with this kit. Before that, here’s what Gil wrote:
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Home Depot has a new promotion now for a Milwaukee driver/drill combo.
$169 for that combo. The guy at HD was raving to me about this combo but I’m thinking about either the Makita XT260 or the Bosch 234 combo (is there a big difference from the 232?). What do you think about the Milwaukee set and specifically about the drill?
First of all, Home Depot’s product page has a lot of disagreeing details about this kit. The first photo shows Milwaukee’s latest cordless drill and impact, but the other photos show Milwaukee’s older versions of these tools.
Want to skip the discussion? Click here to just go and buy the promo kit. But this is ToolGuyd and I’m a stickler for details.
The product description says you get: (1) 2601-20 M18 cordless lithium-ion 1/2 in. compact drill/driver, (1) 2650-20 M18 1/4 in. hex compact impact driver.
But when you check Milwaukee Tool’s page for the 2691-22 combo, it says you get:
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- (1) M18™ Compact 1/2″ Drill Driver (Bare Tool) (2606-20)
- (1) M18™ 1/4″ Hex Impact Driver (2656-20)
Both descriptions mention the same 1.5Ah battery packs and M18/M12 multi-voltage charger.
I mentioned the 2606 drill in an Spring deal post, and the 2650 impact driver in another deal post. These are Milwaukee’s latest brushed motor drill and impact driver models. While there’s nothing wrong with the 2601 drill and 2650 impact driver, why buy last-generation tools when you can buy the current ones?
Some of Home Depot’s images, and their product description, suggest you get the older tools with the kit, but the front image and Milwaukee’s description suggests you get the newer tools. This is the problem companies and retailers face when model numbers are passed down from one generation of tools to the next.
Unless you get old stock, you should be receiving the newer tools. But if you ask me, someone who loves ordering tools online and receiving them straight to my door, this is going to one of those deals that require hiking it to the local store.
My 4 nearest stores have 14, 15, 19, and 33 of these combo kits in stock. That’s 81 “special buy” combo kits within 10 miles of here.
It is doubtful that Milwaukee produced enough of the older models to fill what I’m guessing is a 1/4 or 1/2 pallet display at Home Depot stores, but there’s enough of a chance that I would want to check it out in person, rather than spending $169 plus tax to find out.
If you’re a gambler, you can order online for home delivery or in-store pickup. If you’ve got some free time, check out the deal at your local Home Depot and report back with your findings.
Why are the updated tools better? Well, maybe they’re not. They have updated ergonomics, more powerful motors, higher top speeds, and are more compact.
Here’s the latest tool duo (2606, 2656):
And the previous ones (2601, 2650):
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
It’s unclear as to when the “special buy” promo deal expires, but I’m guessing maybe after Father’s Day.
OKAY, so now that I’ve discussed the “which tools do you actually get with this combo?” discrepancy, let’s tackle some other tough questions.
This Milwaukee M18 combo kit, or Makita’s? I discussed Makita’s XT260 cordless combo kit in a Spring deal post, and it’s still available on Amazon as part of a special 3-battery combo kit for $229. It’s the same as the 2-battery kit, but comes with a free 3rd battery pack. So that’s a cordless drill, impact driver, and (3) 3.0Ah battery packs.
To be absolutely frank, I’d still go with the Milwaukee combo kit. It’s well below the $200 price point, and although I like certain tools in Makita’s 18V cordless platform, I generally prefer Milwaukee’s M18 cordless platform, especially their Fuel premium brushless tools. But to each their own. If you’ve got a bigger budget and have your eye on some of Makita’s 18V tools, go teal instead of red.
OR…
What about Bosch’s cordless combo kits? Gil asks about the newish CLPK234-181 combo kit, and their CLPK232-181 combo kit. These links are to older deal posts, which I included for reference purposes. The prices mentioned in those posts expired years ago.
Both the CLPK232-181 and CLPK234-181 kits are currently priced at $200 at Amazon. And of course neither combo is eligible for Bosch’s $50 off $200+ Father’s Day discount promo. Update: the CLPK234-181 kit IS eligible for the $50 savings!
Both of these Bosch kits come with their 18V DDS181 drill/driver. I’ve owned this drill for a while, and like it a lot. It’s the Editor’s Choice drill/driver in our best cordless drill recommendations, as it’s a comfortable, powerful, and great all-around model.
The CLPK232 combo kit comes with a 25618 impact driver. The CLPK234 combo comes with an IDS181 impact driver. I addresses the difference in a comment to the IDS181 post after a reader asked about it. Essentially, the IDS181 delivers lower max torque than the 25618, but it’s a little more compact and slightly lighter. The 25618 delivers 1500 in-lbs of torque, and the IDS181 1150 in-lbs.
Do you want the more powerful impact driver? Or the more compact and lightweight one?
That all said, Bosch vs. Milwaukee? It’s really, really hard to say no to that Milwaukee kit, or at least the one that’s supposed to come with the updated tools.
I bought a Bosch kit a couple of years ago, and would not change that purchasing decision for anything. Then again, I scored the combo for less than $100. Today, I would possibly choose Milwaukee over Bosch. Again, the M18 lineup holds so much more potential for expansion. Bosch’s core 18V tools, at least those I’ve tried, are excellent. But they haven’t caught up to Milwaukee’s brushless innovation train yet. Although… Bosch has other noteworthy innovations, such as their wireless charging system.
What I’m trying to say is… go red, go blue, go teal. You cannot go wrong.
Thanks for the tip, Gil, and thank you also for not asking about Dewalt vs. Milwaukee. There’s enough of that in a recent discussion post. Trying to decide between Milwaukee M18 and Dewalt 20V Max cordless drill and impact driver combos is not something I would look forward to doing.
jason
Heads up guys, Internationaltool.com is selling this same combo for $149. You have to enter a coupon code of MIL20 at checkout but it is active and I just ordered one today with free shipping. This is a great deal for $169, but an even better deal at $149!
Kent
Wow – I just ordered it for $149, with free shipping, and no California sales tax.
Thanks for the tip.
moejoeblack
Jason thanks for the tip. I was looking for a drill combo set at HD . But I saw your post and jumped on it today. For 149$ I think it’s a steal. Thanks again
jason
The deal by the way is a 2606 with the free impact but I think it’s the same thing? http://www.internationaltool.com/milwaukee-2606-22ct-m18-compact-1-2-inch-drill-driver-kit
Connor
Thanks for the heads up. Just took advantage of the deal!!
Connor
The deal at International Tool comes with the 2606 and 2656. Same as the Home Depot deal. $158 with tax and free ground shipping.
Peter Petrakis
I purchased a similar Milwaukee combo a year ago at HD, hammer drill (2607-20) + 1/4″ impact driver for about the same price during some other sale where I also got 2 free additional batteries. That 1/4″ impact driver is a waste of space, I have yet to find a use for it. I tried putting an adapter on it to maybe help removing lug nuts but it just made a lot of noise and accomplished nothing.
Pete
Wow i have never heard some one say a impact is a waste of space lol. Thats the primary tool i use instead of a drill. And what most people i know use.
john
An impact driver is a complete waste of space in a kit……………. unless you put any screws in, drill any holes, do any nut driving, put any coach screws in, ever need to shift a stubborn screw.
Seriously its my most used tool. I use a drill driver for drilling for wall plugs and big holes and that’s it. The rest is impact all the way.
Faster, neater and more versatile.
Guu
Coincidentally, I would consider hammer drill to be the most useless power tool. Its no good at drilling holes in concrete and rest of the time the hammer mechanism just adds weight and complexity to the drill.
Jeff Van Voorst
I have debated getting this, but I need it to build a deck. I don’t want to get partially finished with the aluminum railing (4 5″ lags per post) and have 2 dead batteries. Same with putting the decking on at 12″ on center. On the other hand, as DIY it cannot really justify paying for m18 fuel with 2 4.0amp/hr batteries.
I have also thought about Ridgid gen5x, but I don’t need the saw at this time.
fred
I see that the “Father’s Day Deals” have started appearing in my inbox too.
Saw the Home Depot ads – plus one from Tool-Up for:
$25 off Milwaukee M18 Fuel Kits (use code Fuel25)
$50 off on $200 for Bosch (use code BOSCH50)
Todd
May have to go with the internationaltool option….the HomeDepot link takes me to a page that has it listed as $199 not $169 . Local store in Bothell, WA has inventory so may drive over and see if it’s a website typo or something.
Joe
Weather it’s brushless or brushed that’s a good deal wish it was a hammer drill though
Nick
The second Bosch combo kit you linked to – CLPK234-181 -looks like it is eligible for the $50 off $200 promo at Amazon, if you select the one with the canvas case.
I’ve been looking at combo kits recently and kind of want to go with one of the newer brushless models, but the CLPK233-181L kit for example is going for $370 compared to the ~$200 or so for the one above, would it really be worth it?
Stuart
You’re right, thanks! I was looking for the obvious “this product is eligible” note, but there’s a subtler note further down on the page. Excellent!
The CLPK233-181L kit comes with the brushless drill/driver and Bosch’s hybrid impact wrench driver (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/bosch-18v-brushless-hybrid-impact/%3C/a%3E%29. If you don’t have particular interest in that impact, there are still numerous advantages. You also get higher capacity battery packs.
After discount, the price difference is substantial: $155 vs. $319. For general purpose use, it might be better to spend the price difference on another tool or a lot of quality accessories, than the brushless premium. It’s a tough choice to make. For my cordless needs, I’d go with the CLPK234 kit. Unless I wanted the beefier impact, in which case I’d go with CLPK232. Although… the CLPK232 kit doesn’t seem to be eligible for the $50 savings. Maybe it’s eligible for the savings at a different Bosch distributor.
Joe
Or you can get brushless Milwaukees from CPO for around $260.
Kent
It appears to be $200 now.
Pat
Ace Hardware has the same kit for $149. The web site lists it as the older version, but I just picked one up at my local store, and it is the newer version with the 2606 and 2656 tools.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11085768
Mike
Did the Ace Hardware kit come with the plastic case or the contractor bag? The photo on the Ace website shows a plastic case, but the description of the combo kit says it comes with a bag (as does the Home Depot version with the same model number).
Pat
It came with a bag instead of the hard case.
william
I agonized over these vs the m12 equivalents for a bit and finally decided on these for 149. The decision made way harder by the fact that home depot just lowered the m12 equivalent kit to 99 from 169.
m.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-Driver-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-2494-22/203111686/
David
Not seeing the $99 price when I go to the link for the M12 2494-22 kit at home depot. Still shows this kit at $169.
william
Not sure. Just went to the link I posted and it was showing 99 dollars down from 169. Here’s the exact name of the product, maybe search that.
Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Drill Driver/Impact Driver Combo Kit (2-Tool)
william
Here’s the non mobile phone link that I found that also shows the 99 dollar price for me at least
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-12-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Drill-Driver-Impact-Driver-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-2494-22/203111686
David
Just searched again and tried the non-mobile link, but I’m still getting the $169 price. I wonder if HD is showing different prices for this item in different parts of the country. At least for the 20906 and 20815 zip codes, it’s giving me the $169 price.
Benjamen
I stopped by one of the local Home Depots to actually handle the tools that are included in the kit to see if it was worth it. I saw the exact same model number kit for sale for $169 so I took out my phone to double check the models.
The Rep was in the store saw me and asked if I had any questions. I asked him what was going on with the price. He said that somebody screwed up and didn’t ship the kits out to all the Home Depot Stores so the stores that didn’t get the kit got a case of them to sell at the $99.
He then told me the stores around me that had the $99 deal (the closest was Northtown in Blaine). Since my location on the website is set for that store I see the $99 price. If I set it for another store, I see the $169.
David
It does look like the $99 price for this kit is specific to particular locations. When I put in the zip code for where my father lives in Wisconsin, the Home Depot near him has the $99 price. So I ordered it to be delivered to my home in MD for the $99 price. If I don’t like it, I figure I can return it to my local Home Depot. The $99 price is good until June 7 according the the HD web page where you checkout.
Stuart
I’m also seeing the $169 price. I see the screwdriver and impact kit at $99 though.
Nathaniel
I just picked up the Milwaukee M18 combo at Home Depot. It is the latest model 2606. I brought in the Ace Hardware ad that showed the same kit for $149 (169-20 with Ace rewards card) to take advantage of Home Depots Competitor Coupon Policy they beat Ace’s price by 10% = $135 🙂 I tried too to see if Home Depot would honor a 20% coupon from Harbor Frieght, which they decline, but still very happy with the final price!
John
I’m ready to replace my aging DeWalt, and I’m considering this set. I’m not a contractor and am just a moderate DIY’er , however I appreciate the quality my DeWalt has brought over the years. That said, the Porter Cable PCCK602L2 has also caught my eye. While I realize Milwaukee is generally a cut above the rest, I’ve also used the Porter Cable PCCK604L2 combo (which is one step below the aforementioned Porter Cable set) and I am generally impressed with it, particularly the impact driver. Can anyone advise if there’s a compelling difference in performance between this Milwaukee set and the PC PCCK602L2, considering the Milwaukee is entry level? Also, the impact driver is also spec’d at 1400 in/lbs of torque, while the impact driver on the PC is 1450. I don’t know if the 4 ft/lbs will actually matter and perhaps the Milwaukee is just a conservative rating. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Stuart
The PCCK604L2 cuts corners in the way of the charger and Li-ion battery packs. PCCK602L2 is a great bargain for what you get, especially when it goes on sale.
At $159 for the Porter Cable vs. $169 same price for the Milwaukee combo, I’d definitely go for the Milwaukee. The tools are going to be a touch better, batteries are likely built with higher quality cells, and Milwaukee M18 offers a much wider add-on tool range should you want additional tools in the future. On the other hand, Porter Cable’s add-on tools are less expensive.
And so if you want more and better expansion, Milwaukee’s combo provides better entry. If you want cheaper expansion, Porter Cable’s combo might be better.
Just considering the tools you get, at face value, the Milwaukee combo is better. By how much? That’s hard to say, and some users might never see the difference in use.
John
Thanks, Stuart. I did end up grabbing the Milwaukee set last night as I wasn’t sure how long the deal was going to last. However, if I had to judge a book by it’s cover, this Milwaukee set feels cheaply made, even compared to the cost-cutting PCCK604L2 by Porter Cable, which is the set I got for Father’s Day (for $99 I might add), and I was considering exchanging it for the PCCK602L2. Granted I’m not crazy over the look of the Porter Cable, it just feels like the more durable unit. That said, I haven’t had a chance to try out the Milwaukee yet so I don’t have a true idea yet which I like better. But this is my first Milwaukee, and just knowing the brand’s track record, I’m surprised (if not astonished) by my initial impression. I’ll be putting both through their paces this weekend.
John
By the way, the Milwaukee set does have the newer models. The drill/driver in my set is the 2606-20, and the impact driver is the 2656-20.
John
So as a follow-up from my prior comments, I had some time to put this and the PC to use the last couple of days, and performance-wise the Milwaukee is the winner. However, I’m not entirely sold as the Dewalt DCK281D2 brushless design has also caught my eye. The Dewalt is considerably more expensive, but I thought I’d inquire if it would be worth it over this set, or should I just keep the Milwaukee and call it a day? Again, I’m not a contractor, jusr a moderate DIY’er who appreciates a good set of tools (and I do love DeWalt). Thanks.