Home & Kitchen · Head-to-head
DeWalt ATOMIC DCD794 20V MAX Brushless Compact Drill/Driver vs RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit (PBLDD02K1)
Which should you buy? Here's the honest call, pulled from our full The Best Cordless Drills: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The DeWalt ATOMIC DCD794 is the drill most homeowners should buy: compact, comfortable, and powerful enough for every realistic household job, on a battery platform you'll never outgrow. The RYOBI ONE+ HP kit gets you shockingly close for less money and includes everything in one box.
DeWalt ATOMIC DCD794 20V MAX Brushless Compact Drill/Driver
Buy itThe best balance of power, size, and comfort for home use - a pro-grade compact at a homeowner-friendly price.
- Brushless motor drives long screws and bores large holes without bogging down
- Compact, well-balanced body fits between studs and in cabinet interiors
- Half-inch ratcheting chuck, 2-speed gearbox, and 15 clutch settings cover nearly any home task
- Huge 20V MAX battery ecosystem to grow into
- Bare-tool versions require buying a battery and charger separately
- No hammer mode for masonry - you'd need to step up to a hammer drill for concrete
RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit (PBLDD02K1)
Buy itNearly top-tier driving performance in a complete ready-to-go kit, on the most affordable big battery platform there is.
- Brushless motor with driving performance reviewers rate close to pricier pro models
- Kit includes battery, charger, and bag - nothing else to buy on day one
- ONE+ platform batteries work across a vast range of affordable yard and home tools
- Very compact head length squeezes into tight spots
- Plastic-heavy build feels less refined than DeWalt or Milwaukee
- Charger included in the kit is on the slow side
Side by side
| DeWalt ATOMIC DCD794 20V MAX Brushless Compact Drill/Driver | RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit (PBLDD02K1) | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Homeowners and serious DIYers who want one drill that handles everything from furniture assembly to deck screws | First-time buyers and budget-minded DIYers who want a complete kit and a cheap path to more cordless tools |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the DeWalt ATOMIC DCD794 20V MAX Brushless Compact Drill/Driver - The best balance of power, size, and comfort for home use - a pro-grade compact at a homeowner-friendly price. Choose the RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit (PBLDD02K1) instead if first-time buyers and budget-minded DIYers who want a complete kit and a cheap path to more cordless tools.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Cordless Drills: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).