CRAFTSMAN V20 4-Tool 20V Combo Kit vs DEWALT 20V MAX XR 5-Tool Cordless Combo Kit (DCK510P2)

Every single tool in the DeWalt kit runs a brushless motor. The Craftsman runs brushed. This isn't a spec sheet flex — brushless motors run cooler, last significantly longer, and extract more work from every battery charge. If you're drilling into concrete, driving 200 screws into a deck, or cutting through thick lumber, the Craftsman will slow down and heat up where the DeWalt keeps going. For occasional use it won't matter. For real projects, it absolutely will.

Both kits include four or five tools, but what those tools are matters enormously. The Craftsman swaps a circular saw for a task light — which sounds fine until you need to cut a piece of plywood or trim a door. The DeWalt includes a circular saw AND an oscillating multi-tool, which together cover flooring, tile grout removal, flush cuts, and a dozen other tasks the Craftsman simply can't do. The Craftsman kit is a drill kit with extras. The DeWalt is a complete workshop.

The DeWalt ships with two 5.0Ah batteries. Craftsman's included batteries are smaller-capacity units. On a full day of work — say, framing a garden bed or installing a fence — the DeWalt batteries will outlast the Craftsman's by a wide margin. The DeWalt also ships with a fast charger that's compatible with 60V FLEXVOLT batteries, so your investment grows with you. The Craftsman charger is basic and the V20 ecosystem is significantly smaller.

This one stings because Craftsman used to be the gold standard for value. But since Stanley Black & Decker took over, the community has noticed a drop in quality — one Reddit user broke a new ratchet on day one. The DeWalt, also a Stanley Black & Decker brand, has maintained its reputation and consistently earns top-three placement alongside Milwaukee and Makita. At $189, Craftsman is a calculated risk. At $599, DeWalt is a known quantity.