Milwaukee 3697-22 vs DeWalt DCK2100P2 Combo Kit
Updated · Price Drop Radar
Bottom line
Each kit is a hammer drill and an impact driver with two 5.0 Ah batteries, a charger and a bag or case. The Milwaukee 3697-22 pairs the M18 FUEL 2904-20 and 2953-20. The DeWalt DCK2100P2 pairs the DCD999B and DCF887. TechGearLab tested both impact drivers in the lab: the Milwaukee drove lag bolts in 15 seconds vs 23, hit 300 ft-lb of fastening torque vs 238, and is 22 mm shorter and quieter. Bob Vila tested the Milwaukee hammer drill and found it outperformed virtually every other hammer drill it tried. We found no accessible independent test of the DeWalt hammer drill. If you own neither platform, the Milwaukee kit has the stronger test results. If you own DeWalt batteries, the DeWalt kit fits.
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22
DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCK2100P2
Side by side
| Spec | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 | DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCK2100P2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tools in the kit [1][2][3] | 2904-20 1/2 in hammer drill and 2953-20 1/4 in impact driver | DCD999B 1/2 in hammer drill and DCF887 1/4 in impact driver |
| Batteries [1][2] | Two 5.0 Ah M18 REDLITHIUM | Two DCB205 20V MAX 5.0 Ah |
| Charger [1][2] | Multi-voltage charger | DCB1106 6 amp charger, compatible with 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT |
| Case [1][2] | Blow-molded case, side handle and belt clips | Kit bag |
| Hammer drill [1][2] | 1,400 in-lbs of torque; 6.9 in long | 3-mode LED with a 20-minute spotlight mode; up to 42% more power with FLEXVOLT batteries, sold separately |
| Impact driver [1][2] | Up to 2,000 in-lbs and 3,900 RPM; 4.47 in long; 4-mode Drive Control | 3 speeds; Precision Drive in speed 1; 3 LEDs with a 20-second delay |
| TechGearLab lag bolt test (impact driver) [3] | 15 seconds | 23 seconds |
| TechGearLab fastening torque [3] | 300 ft-lb | 238 ft-lb |
| TechGearLab length and noise [3] | 114 mm; 92 dBA | 136 mm; 100 dBA |
| Hammer drill test [4] | Bob Vila: outperformed virtually every other hammer drill it tested | No accessible independent test |
| Price [1][2] | Check the live price on Amazon | Check the live price on Amazon |
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22
- Impact driver was faster and stronger in TechGearLab's lab tests
- Hammer drill topped Bob Vila's hammer drill test
- Both tools are short: 6.9 in and 4.47 in, per Milwaukee
- Battery life is a weakness in TechGearLab's impact driver test
- Might be too powerful for delicate work, per TechGearLab
- Only fits M18 batteries
DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCK2100P2
- Two 5.0 Ah batteries and a fast 6 amp charger
- The hammer drill gets up to 42% more power with FLEXVOLT batteries, which are sold separately
- Fits DeWalt 20V MAX and FLEXVOLT batteries you already own
- Impact driver measured loud at 100 dBA and slower in TechGearLab's tests
- No independent test found for the hammer drill
- The 42% power gain needs FLEXVOLT batteries you buy separately
Which one is right for you
| If you are | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Own Milwaukee M18 batteries | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 | Fits, and has the stronger test results |
| Own DeWalt 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT batteries | DeWalt 20V MAX XR DCK2100P2 | Your batteries fit; FLEXVOLT adds power to the hammer drill |
| Starting from scratch | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 | Faster and stronger impact driver in TechGearLab's tests |
| Work in tight spaces | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 | Short tools |
| Want a quieter impact driver | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 3697-22 | 92 dBA vs 100 dBA |
What to look for
Battery platform
Why it matters: You'll buy more tools for the same battery, so the platform matters more than the kit.
How to check: Look at which batteries, chargers and tools you already own.
Watch out: Milwaukee kit batteries are M18 REDLITHIUM; DeWalt's are 20V MAX.
Impact driver performance
Why it matters: The impact driver does the heavy fastening.
How to check: Compare measured torque and speed.
Watch out: TechGearLab measured 300 ft-lb and 15 seconds for the Milwaukee, and 238 ft-lb and 23 seconds for the DeWalt.
Size
Why it matters: Shorter tools reach into tight spots.
How to check: Compare lengths for cabinets and studs.
Watch out: Milwaukee lists the drill at 6.9 in and the impact driver at 4.47 in. TechGearLab measured the DeWalt impact at 136 mm.
What's in the box
Why it matters: Kits differ in battery size, charger speed and case.
How to check: Compare batteries and chargers, not just tools.
Watch out: Both list two 5.0 Ah batteries. DeWalt's kit comes in a bag; Milwaukee's in a blow-molded case.
Tool-only upgrades
Why it matters: Later you can add tools without more batteries.
How to check: Check the tool range you want.
Watch out: Both brands sell the same tool-only drills and impact drivers separately.
Traps and timing
- The DeWalt kit's 42% power claim applies only with FLEXVOLT batteries, which are sold separately.
- One retailer lists a different DCK2100P2 battery and charger configuration than most. Check what is in the box.
- TechGearLab tested the impact drivers, not the whole kits. The hammer drill results come from Bob Vila's test of the Milwaukee kit's drill.
- Bob Vila tested the 2904-22 kit, which is a different bundle from the 3697-22.
- Check the live Amazon price for both kits.
Before you check out
- Count the batteries you already own.
- Check what's in each box.
- Compare the impact drivers' test numbers.
- Check tool sizes for your spaces.
- Check the live Amazon price.
How we put this together
We don't test combo kits in a lab. We compared the makers' published specs, the Amazon listings and independent reviews, all listed under Sources, and where they disagree we say so. Prices come from Amazon and are refreshed by our system throughout the day.
Price Drop Radar earns a commission on qualifying Amazon purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. That never decides which product we recommend.
Quick answers
What is in the Milwaukee 3697-22 kit?
A 2904-20 hammer drill, a 2953-20 impact driver, two 5.0 Ah batteries, a multi-voltage charger, a side handle, belt clips and a case.
What is in the DeWalt DCK2100P2 kit?
A DCD999B hammer drill, a DCF887 impact driver, two DCB205 5.0 Ah batteries, a fast charger and a kit bag.
Which impact driver tested stronger?
The Milwaukee 2953. TechGearLab measured 300 ft-lb of fastening torque vs 238 ft-lb for the DeWalt DCF887B.
Is the DeWalt hammer drill tested?
We found no accessible independent test. Bob Vila tested the Milwaukee hammer drill.
Do I need FLEXVOLT batteries?
No, but DeWalt says the DCD999 gets up to 42% more power with them, and they're sold separately.
Sources
- Milwaukee 3697-22 M18 FUEL 1/2 in Hammer Drill and 1/4 in Hex Impact, Toolnut
- DeWalt DCK2100P2 20V MAX Brushless Cordless 2-Tool Kit, Coastal Tool
- The Best Impact Drivers, TechGearLab
- Milwaukee Hammer Drill Review, Bob Vila