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Comparison Cordless Drills

DEWALT DCD796 vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL M18FPD3: Which Should You Buy?

Quick answer

Choose the DEWALT DCD796D2T for most home projects at a fairer price; choose the Milwaukee M18 FUEL if you need more torque for big bits and daily heavy use.

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Buy

DEWALT DCD796D2T 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill Kit

Best for Most homeowners

Typically £199–£259

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Buy

Milwaukee M18FPD3-502X M18 FUEL Combi Drill Kit

Best for Serious DIY and pros

Typically £349–£449

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureDEWALT DCD796D2T 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill KitMilwaukee M18FPD3-502X M18 FUEL Combi Drill Kit
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price£199–£259£349–£449
Best forMost homeownersSerious DIY and pros
Key featureBrushless power and LED modes at a fair priceTop-tier torque in a compact brushless body
Voltage18V XR18V
Chuck13 mm13 mm
MotorBrushlessBrushless
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Power

Milwaukee FUEL delivers more torque for large holes and hole saws.

Price

DEWALT kits typically cost about £100 less.

Weight

DEWALT is a little lighter in the hand.

Platform

Both have huge battery platforms; stick with the one you own.

Which should you choose?

Choose the DEWALT DCD796D2T 18V XR Brushless Combi Drill Kit if you

  • do typical home projects
  • want a lighter drill
  • want better value
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Milwaukee M18FPD3-502X M18 FUEL Combi Drill Kit if you

  • drill big holes or use hole saws often
  • work on job sites
  • already own Milwaukee M18 batteries
Check Price Paid link

Which specifications matter?

Focus on the differences above rather than headline numbers. For more options, see our list of the best cordless drills in the uk.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Ryobi · Cordless Drills

Ryobi R18PD3-220S 18V ONE+ Combi Drill Kit

Buy it if You are starting a tool collection on a budget and want access to Ryobi's long list of 18V tools.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Budget and beginners
Typical price
£99–£139

Pros

  • Low price with battery and charger
  • Works with hundreds of ONE+ tools

Cons

  • Brushed motor

BLACK+DECKER · Cordless Drills

BLACK+DECKER BDCDC18 18V Cordless Drill Driver

Buy it if You need a drill for flat-pack furniture, curtain rods and the odd picture hook.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Occasional small jobs
Typical price
£49–£69

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • 3/8 in. chuck limits bit size

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, the DEWALT DCD796 or the Milwaukee M18 FUEL M18FPD3?

Choose the DEWALT DCD796D2T for most home projects at a fairer price; choose the Milwaukee M18 FUEL if you need more torque for big bits and daily heavy use.

Which is better value?

The DEWALT DCD796 typically costs £199–£259 and the Milwaukee M18 FUEL M18FPD3 typically costs £349–£449. The better value depends on which differences above matter to you.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.