Comparison · 2026
DeWalt DCD771C2 vs Milwaukee 2903-20: Cordless Drills Compared
Researched by Dmitrii Pakhomov and Daria Govorina · SavingsHook editorial · Published October 16, 2026
The short answer
Verdict based on specifications, manufacturer documentation and owner reviews. We did not lab-test these products.
| Product | Key specs | Main drawback | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 20V MAX Compact Drill/Driver Kit with (2) Batteries | Compact 300 UWO motor, 2-speed transmission 1/2 in. single-sleeve ratcheting chuck Includes (2) 20V MAX 1.3Ah batteries, charger, contractor bag | Compact packs finished four task cycles and stopped during the fifth in testing, so long jobs need battery swaps. | Pros drilling all day on compact packs. |
| WEN 20V Max Cordless 3/8 in. Drill and Driver Kit (20119, 2.0Ah battery and charger) | 20V Max cordless 3/8 in. drill and driver kit with 2.0Ah lithium-ion battery and charger Up to 354 inch-pounds of torque Two speed ranges up to 1,500 RPM with 15 clutch settings | Consumer Reports limits it to smaller screws and drills, and large jobs may need battery swaps. | Big screws and large holes. |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Drill/Driver (Bare Tool) | POWERSTATE brushless motor: 1,200 in-lbs peak torque 2,000 RPM, all-metal ratcheting chuck Auto-Stop Control Mode in forward | New M18 buyers; hammer-mode work needs the 2904-20. |
How we picked these products
We compare product identity, specifications, pros/cons and retailer links. Until approved retailer API access is available, current Amazon price, star-rating and review-count data are not republished here.
Prices at a glance
| Product | Price | Stores |
|---|---|---|
| WEN 20V Max Cordless 3/8 in. Drill and Driver Kit (20119, 2.0Ah battery and charger) | Price not listed | 6 stores |
| Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver (PCL206B, bare tool) | Price not listed | 5 stores |
| Bosch 18V Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit (GSR18V-400B22, 2x 2.0Ah) | Price not listed | 7 stores |
| DEWALT 20V MAX Compact Drill/Driver Kit with (2) Batteries | from $129.00 · MaxTool | 16 stores |
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Drill/Driver (Bare Tool) | from $185.00 · Coastal Tool | 13 stores |
| Milwaukee 2415-20 | Price not listed | 5 stores |
Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.
These six cordless drills run on six different battery platforms and span a torque range from 100 inch-pounds (the Milwaukee 2415-20 right-angle) to a 1,400 inch-pound peak (the Milwaukee 2903-20). And the spread is not just paper: one owner of the DeWalt DCD771C2 reported smoke while boring with a 1-3/4-inch spade bit.
WEN 20V Max Cordless 3/8 in. Drill and Driver Kit (20119)
Consumer Reports called it fast at drilling and driving, but less powerful.
Key specs:
- 354 in-lb max torque (40 Nm)
- 0-400 / 0-1,500 RPM, 15 clutch settings plus drill mode
- 3/8 in. plastic keyless chuck per Consumer Reports
- 2.1 lb bare; two-year warranty, brushes and batteries excluded
Pros:
- CR-tested and called fast at drilling holes and driving screws
- WEN publishes an exploded-view parts list and sells replacements
Cons:
- CR limits it to smaller screws and drills; large jobs may need battery swaps
- Plastic chuck, brushed motor, no case, bits or side handle
- WEN warns parts sourcing can be significantly delayed
Ryobi ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver (PCL206B)
A bare-tool 18V ONE+ drill rated at 515 in-lbs, which a hands-on torque-wrench check met at about 552 in-lbs.
Key specs:
- 515 in-lbs max torque, brushed motor
- 0-450 / 0-1,750 RPM, 24-position clutch
- 1/2 in. keyless ratcheting chuck; about 2.6 lb bare
- Three-year warranty with a 14-business-day Rapid Repair path
Pros:
- Drills 2x4 and 2x6 lumber with 5/8 in. auger bits close to effortlessly
- Any ONE+ 18V battery works — existing platform owners add nothing to run it
- OEM parts store and service centers back the warranty
Cons:
- The LED cuts out the instant you release the trigger; sustained low speed heats the housing until it smells hot
- Bits loosen unless the chuck is hand-tightened until the ratchet clicks
Bosch GSR18V-400B22 18V Compact Brushless Drill/Driver Kit
The light pick: 1.95 lb bare (about 2.8 lb with battery), a 6.3-inch head, and a 5-year warranty on tool and charger.
Key specs:
- 400 in-lbs max torque, brushless motor
- 0-500 / 0-1,900 RPM, 20 clutch settings
- 1/2 in. all-metal ratcheting chuck
- Two 2.0 Ah SlimPacks, 63-65 minute recharge
Pros:
- One of the lightest cordless drill/drivers in its class
- All-metal chuck holds bits securely even at maximum load
- 5-year limited warranty on tool and charger, 3 years on batteries
Cons:
- 400 in-lbs stalls with 1.5 inches remaining on a lag screw in TechGearLab’s test
- Chuck jaw geometry can clamp small bits off-center, causing runout
- No hammer mode — that is the GSB18V-400 variant
DEWALT DCD771C2 20V MAX Compact Drill/Driver Kit
Check the motor label before trusting the marketing — teardown-era tests identify the DCD771 as brushed while DEWALT’s own US page says “Brushless.”
Key specs:
- 0-450 / 0-1,500 RPM per DEWALT; one comparison table lists 0-1,800
- 1/2 in. keyless ratcheting chuck, 16 clutch positions
- 8.4 in. long, 3.5 lb with battery; work LED stays lit about 20 seconds
Pros:
- Scored 10.0 in a controlled screw-driving subtest
- Two batteries in the box, so one charges while the other runs
- Shares packs across the DEWALT 20V MAX family; iFixit hosts a chuck-replacement guide
Cons:
- Testing finished four complete task cycles and stopped during the fifth; competitors with larger packs passed ten
- Owners report brush flashes and noise, a stripped chuck, and one report of smoke with a 1-3/4-inch spade bit
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. Drill/Driver (2903-20)
A fourth-generation M18 FUEL brushless drill rated at a 1,400 in-lb peak — the 1,200 in-lb figure in some third-party summaries belongs to an earlier generation. TechGearLab ranked it second of 17 drills in August 2025; a hole saw cut through a solid wood door in 11 seconds.
Key specs:
- 1,400 in-lbs peak torque, POWERSTATE brushless motor
- 0-500 / 0-2,100 RPM, 16-position clutch
- All-metal ratcheting chuck with carbide inserts and a spindle lock
- 6.9 in. long; 3.3 lb bare, 4.2 lb with a test battery
Pros:
- 9.9/10 drilling and 10/10 driving from TechGearLab; finished a long lag screw after a downshift
- Capacities of 1/2 in. steel, 1-1/2 in. wood and 3-1/2 in. hole saws
- Metal gearing, metal chuck, official parts diagram, five-year warranty
Cons:
- A commercial electrician reported it got very hot after a few step-bit holes in metal gutter
Milwaukee M12 3/8 in. Right Angle Drill/Driver (2415-20)
A 12V right-angle with a 3-3/4 in. head that fits between studs and inside cabinets, at 2.03 lb bare.
Key specs:
- Electronic clutch with 11 settings plus drill mode and an LED position indicator
- 3/8 in. ratcheting chuck with spindle lock; extended paddle switch
- 11 in. long; 5-year warranty
Pros:
- The 3-3/4 in. head reaches where no pistol-grip drill here can
- An electronic clutch is rare on a subcompact right-angle drill
- The spindle-lock ratcheting chuck grips better than the keyed chucks typical of this class
Cons:
- Brushed motor trails current M12 FUEL brushless tools — the 3403-20 rates 400 in-lbs
- No independent instrumented test verifies torque or speed under load
Batteries and platforms
No two drills here share a battery: WEN 20V Max, Ryobi ONE+ 18V, Bosch 18V, DEWALT 20V MAX, Milwaukee M18 and Milwaukee M12 are six separate systems. The DeWalt’s two compact batteries are its main value; the Bosch’s two 2.0 Ah packs recharge in 63-65 minutes.
Who should buy which
- Overhead work and small cabinets: Bosch GSR18V-400B22 — lightest here, 5-year warranty, but not for lag bolts.
- Daily pro use: Milwaukee 2903-20 — 1,400 in-lb peak and a #2-of-17 TechGearLab finish, if you already pay for M18.
- Between studs and inside cabinets: Milwaukee 2415-20 — 3-3/4 in. head, if you already own M12 batteries.
Prices and specs collected from manufacturer and retailer listings and public reviews; confirm price and stock on the linked page before buying.
