It might be an unpopular opinion, but I think almost all power tool combo kits are a waste of money, especially if you already own a few tools or battery packs. We’ve all walked into a hardware store and found a 5-tool or 7-tool combo from Ryobi, DeWALT, Milwaukee, or others at what looks like a good price, but it’s rarely the smart move. Here’s why.
There are several reasons that all the big brands offer combo packs, and it’s not just to give you the most tools at an affordable price point. Those combos typically have older (brushed) models or less popular tools, tiny battery packs that aren’t worth keeping, and the main goal of locking you into a battery ecosystem.
How many of those tools do you actually need?
The holiday season is on the horizon, and we’ll see all sorts of power-tool combo kits hit the shelves. Most tool users and DIYers should skip those and buy bare tools instead.
Don’t get me wrong, I’ve bought these kits before, and you probably have, too. In the long run, they’re rarely worth the price. Sure, you get 4–5 tools, or more, but there’s a good chance you only need 1–2 of them. You’re better off spending $150 on a solid hammer drill or impact driver by itself, or even a drill and driver combo.
Why? For starters, those combo kits are usually older, outdated tools. A prime example is Ryobi’s endless 5 or 7-tool combo kits with old brushed or regular 18V tools. If you want a capable tool you’ll love, and that’ll last for years, get a newer standalone Ryobi 18V HP Brushless model.
Regularly $200 but on sale for $70, the 5-tool combo from Ryobi above sure sounds fun. But really, you’ll use the old drill or circular saw a few times, and maybe the flashlight, but that’s all. Those bonus tools are usually the weakest versions in the lineup, rarely sold, and will just end up wasting space in your garage. More importantly, you’re getting two tiny 1.5Ah battery packs that won’t hold a charge long enough for most projects. Eventually, you’ll need to upgrade, and battery packs can easily cost $199 each.
A good battery for that drill will cost more than this entire kit. And that’s the problem. Ryobi (or Milwaukee, or whoever) knows you’ll eventually need to buy a battery, so it subsidizes the cost of these combos. Once you buy a Ryobi 18V ONE+ battery, it’ll power over 350 different items. As a result, you probably won’t buy tools from another brand. It’s a win-win, and that’s the main goal of these combos.
That’s precisely why your first power tool purchase is more important than you think. You’re not just buying a brand or a drill; you’re buying an entire battery platform that locks you in. Find the brand that has the tools you need, not just the cheapest combo available.
This is just one example, but you’ll find dozens of them all over Home Depot. Even this $200 kit looks passable, but they’re still older brushed tools. Hey, at least it has a 4Ah battery.
The better decision would be to buy the tool you need, especially if it comes with a 4Ah or bigger battery. Spend the savings on better batteries or one specialty tool you’ll actually use.
When a combo kit is worth buying
Beginners only
The only exception here would be someone who’s an absolute beginner. If you’re buying your very first power tool, certain tool combo kits can be a pretty good deal. After all, you’re not a professional, so you probably don’t need the biggest or the best. You just need a few household essentials to get you started.
That said, you still want to be careful when selecting a combo kit and find one that actually has power tools, not vacuums, flashlights, and fans. Those can certainly come in handy, but you can always get those later during a buy-one-get-one-free sale that happens several times a year.
If you’re looking to buy your first power tool or combo, look for Ryobi 18V HP Brushless models, but make sure it’s “High-Performance” and brushless, or choose a Milwaukee M12 or M18 FUEL kit that’s worth spending your money on. Otherwise, there’s a good chance you’ll end up replacing it sooner rather than later with what you should have bought the first time.
That combo kit will get you a few essentials, a battery or two, and a charger, so it’s a decent place to start. But once you own a few tools or large batteries, stick to “tool only” purchases to save money and get better tools.
Power tools that are actually worth buying
At the end of the day, it all depends on your wants, needs, and budget. And on the flip side, if you already own several Ryobi tools, don’t fall for a Milwaukee bare-tool deal that looks like a steal. Now you’ll need an expensive battery because none of them are compatible with each other, and another charger, making your garage or workshop messy and cluttered.
Basically, choose the power tool brand that’s right for you, get a few capable tools and large capacity battery packs, and then slowly grow your collection by finding the tools you actually need. Not just whatever comes in a big combo pack.