Power tools,
compared honestly.
Drills, impact drivers, and circular saws all get marketed the same breathless way. Here's what actually separates a good one from an overpriced one, so you buy based on the job, not the ad.
Drills
The most-used tool in most toolboxes, and the one where brushless motors make the biggest practical difference.
Compact Brushless Drill/Driver
Handles drilling holes and driving screws for the vast majority of household projects. Brushless motors run cooler and last longer than brushed ones for a modest price premium — worth paying for if your budget has any flexibility.
Hammer Drill
Adds a hammering action for drilling into brick, concrete, or masonry — genuinely necessary for that work, and overkill for anything else. Buy this on top of a standard drill, not instead of one.
Compact / Subcompact Drill
A smaller, lighter body trades some torque for maneuverability in tight spots — cabinets, engine bays, under sinks. Worth a second drill for this use case rather than a replacement for a full-size one.
Impact drivers
Often confused with drills, but built for a different job entirely — see our full comparison for the details.
Standard 1/4" Hex Impact Driver
Drives long screws and lag bolts without stalling or stripping heads — the right tool for deck building, framing, and furniture assembly with long fasteners.
Compact Impact Driver
Same driving power in a shorter body, useful for working in cabinets or between studs where a full-size driver won't fit.
Angled Impact Driver
Delivers the same torque at a 90-degree angle, purpose-built for reaching fasteners in engine bays, under cabinets, and other spots a straight driver can't access.
Circular saws
Blade size and power source matter more here than brand loyalty.
7-1/4" Cordless Circular Saw
The standard blade size for framing lumber and sheet goods. Cordless versions have closed most of the performance gap with corded models for typical residential projects.
Corded Circular Saw
No battery to manage, consistent power for the entire job. Still the better choice for extended framing or subfloor work where stopping to swap batteries would slow you down.
Compact / Track Saw
A smaller blade and body for more precise, controlled cuts — useful for trim work, plywood, and situations where a full-size saw is awkward to maneuver.
How to actually decide
Match the tool to the fastener or material, not the marketing. A drill and an impact driver aren't interchangeable — see our dedicated comparison for that one. For drills and saws, brushless motors are worth the extra cost if you'll use the tool regularly; for occasional use, a brushed motor at a lower price is perfectly reasonable.