A Look into Cordless Combo Kits

Cordless tools are overtaking their corded cousins. Case in point: cordless drills. Does anyone own a corded drill anymore? Now, cordless drills are being packaged with other cordless tools: circular saws, reciprocating saws, and jigsaws, to name a few. When you buy a cordless tool, you're really buying into a system of cordless tools. In this review, Andy Beasley presents a big-picture overview of what's available in the combo kit world, and a small-picture test of 18-volt drills and circular saws, which are the main reasons for buying a combo kit. A sidebar on battery technology contains a handy do's and don'ts section.

Product Finder: Tools in this Article

Porter-Cable - 9987QP Combo Kit
The tools in this cordless combo kit from Porter-Cable are well-made, and the circular saw's dust-exhaust nozzle is a terrific feature

Metabo - BSZ18/KSAP18 Combo Kit
Metabo offers good tools in this cordless combo kit, as well as a 30-minute fan-cooled charger

(1 user review) Panasonic - EYC152GQW Combo Kit
The hammer drill and the saw in this cordless combo kit from Panasonic work a long time on a single charge

(2 user reviews) Bosch - CPK40-18 Combo Kit
Bosch provides a good saw with real dust collection and a solid hammer drill in this cordless combo kit

Hitachi - KC18DVF Combo kit
The tools in this cordless combo kit from Hitachi look more ergonomic than they feel

(1 user review) Makita - LXT400 Cordless Combo Kit
This cordless combo kit from Makita includes four tools that run on 18v lithium-ion batteries

Craftsman - C3 11404 Combo Kit
This cordless combo kit from Craftsman includes a fine drill with great balance and an LED that illuminates the work area