Which 18V Drill should I buy?

Hi,

So I've been looking to buy a nice cordless 18V drill for a really long time. This x-mas I got some gift cards to home depot and am finally going to pull the trigger. However, I dont know which drill kit to buy. So far I've nailed it down to 4. The items and reasons are listed below:

Ridgid 18v combo -
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-1...-Combo-Kit-3-Tool-with-Radio-R9601/203810442#

Reasons:
1. Lifetime warranty
2. Radio (I know it's dumb but I think that the radio is pretty cool)


Milwaukee -
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cat...Error?storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&langId=-1

Reasons:
It's a milwaukee

Dewalt -
http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-Max-Li-Ion-Cordless-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-DCK280C2/202922366#

Rasons:
1. It's a Dewalt
2. 20V (although I'm not sure what the difference is)

Makita -
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Makita-18-Volt-Lithium-Ion-Compact-Combo-Kit-2-Tool-LCT200W/100596872#

Reasons:
1. Charge time of 15 mins


All feedback is welcomed.

 

I've never had any of those brands. I DO however have the new Ryobi 18V stuff. With the new batteries, they are much better than they used to be. Less expensive too!

 

Love my 18V Makita tools

 

Milwakee FTW. Seriously, I work the sh!t out of mine and they are still going after 6 years.

 

I really like my Rigid hammer drill. Never had a problem.

 

My Ridgid hammer drill has 4 years of pretty hard abuse. Still runs like a champ. Just got new batteries for my set this year.

 

I love my 20v dewalt kit- TONS of power it'll drill through just about anything. and the saw is great for working on the roof.

Dewalt is my vote.

 

Rigid FTW. Makita and Milwaukee are great but Rigid's just as good, and you'll probably never need it but, you can't beat a lifetime warranty.

If you read the fine print on the packaging, you'll find that "With respect to 20V MAX*:Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18." Meaning that as soon as you pull the trigger, your drill is actually operating at 18v.

 

I put a 4" hole saw on a 18V DeWalt and went through 1/4" steel diamond plate no problem. I use DeWalt at work and at home. Just make sure its the XRP model. More expensive but worth it!

 

No shit.

 

I should probable mention I'm trying to stay in the $200 range since its just for DIY. I'm not a pro of any sort and dont expect to use it every day.

 

I've got 2 of the Dewalt 20v lithium combo kits with the 1/2" Drill and hex Impact driver's. We use them around my shop daily and have done so for about a year without any problems. They dont get treated the greatest either... Employee's never treat equipment like the person that bought the tool would. I dont really have experience with the others, but the dewalt's get my vote based on a few of the other Rigid and Makita tools I have and have used in the past.

 

Damn , ain't that the truth

 

Earlier this year I picked up the Rigid kit but it didn't come with the radio. That's pretty cool. That must be something new.
I've had pretty good luck so far with them. Can't go wrong with the lifetime warranty either.

 

How's the battery life? I've heard a lot of complaints about long charging time and poor battery life.

 

I would cross the rigid off the list we have that same kit in our shop tools and it stays in the shop as the battery life and power is pretty poor and that radio is junk.

All the guys I work with run dewalt and all my tools are makita 18v and have good power and battery life. I have a 5 piece 18v makita kit that I have been using daily for 3 years and it all still works great. I would say they are fairly similar in performance of course depending on model, battery size etc

I always heard good stuff about milwaukee but have never tried it because of the price. However I just spent 3 weeks working in -30 to -40 putting 500 screws in a roof per day and my makita batteries were dying quickly and so were the other guys dewalt gear so I went to home depot and picked up the new milwaukee fuel brushless impact..... damn that thing is awesome battery life in the cold was over double or triple other tools and the thing had power to burn, had to turn it to the second setting to stop snapping screws.

For home use I would go with the makita or dewalt

 

I work for HD and own the Makita set you posted the link to.
Excellent tools - I use the shit out of the drill weekly with my grills.
I bought a step bit and it blew through boring out a hole in my LCA for mounting the skids like nothing.
Best of luck with your decision!

 

Most of the tool reviews I've read all say that Ryobi is the best bang for your buck, if your a home DIY type person. Makita for more DIY and contractor duties.

 

I've had the ridgid combo for over a year without any complaints or problems

 

I have the Makita, but the blue one. I don't have much experience with other full size drills but the Makita hasn't let me down. I also have the impact and the blower. The blower is the best, which is why I would recommend Makita. I use it so often! Cleaning, blowing water off of the truck after washing... its the best for the mirrors, grill, emblems, you name it... also for cleaning out the bed, stoking campfires and bbqs. Just got one for my gf's dad for Christmas since he loved mine so much. I vote Makita!