Tools & DIY · 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? Our verdict on both, 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 one of the most affordable big battery platforms.
- Brushless motor with a 2-speed gearbox (0-700 / 0-2,150 RPM), up to 850 in-lbs of torque and a 24-position clutch
- Kit includes battery and charger - nothing else to buy on day one
- ONE+ platform batteries work across a vast range of affordable yard and home tools
- 1/2-inch ratcheting metal chuck and an on-board LED worklight
- Owners describe the build as plastic-heavy and less refined than DeWalt or Milwaukee
- Marketed as a drill/driver rather than a pure compact, so check the head length against your tight-space jobs
Side by side
The 7 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| DeWalt ATOMIC DCD794 20V MAX Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Our pick | 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 |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Chuck | 1/2" ratcheting | 1/2" ratcheting metal |
| Gearbox | 2-speed | 2-speed |
| Power class | Strong - handles long screws and large bores | Strong - 850 in-lbs of torque |
| Battery platform | DeWalt 20V MAX (very deep) | RYOBI 18V ONE+ (wide, budget-friendly range) |
| What's in the box | Bare tool or kit versions | Battery and charger kit, or tool only |
| Build quality | Excellent | Good, plastic-heavy |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the DeWalt ATOMIC DCD794 20V MAX Brushless Compact Drill/Driver if
homeowners and serious DIYers who want one drill that handles everything from furniture assembly to deck screws.
Know before buying: bare-tool versions require buying a battery and charger separately.
Pick the RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Compact Drill/Driver Kit (PBLDD02K1) if
first-time buyers and budget-minded DIYers who want a complete kit and a cheap path to more cordless tools.
Know before buying: owners describe the build as plastic-heavy and less refined than DeWalt or Milwaukee.
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).