Power tools · owner-verdict comparison

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill vs Milwaukee 2997-22: what real owners say

Real owners rate these about evenly: 89% of 56 DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill owners recommend it, vs 84% of 105 for the Milwaukee 2997-22.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill

89%of 56 owners recommend
89% recommend · 6% neutral · 5% don't
Owners praise
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Powerful for its small size
  • Tough, solid, well-balanced build
Owners complain about
  • Triggers and switches can feel cheap
  • No kickback/anti-rotation protection
Full owner report →

Milwaukee 2997-22

84%of 105 owners recommend
84% recommend · 14% neutral · 2% don't
Owners praise
  • Exceptional durability, owners report these tools still running strong after 8, 10, even 15 years of regular use, including daily abuse
  • Excellent value for DIY and homeowner use, described repeatedly as more than enough tool for the price of the kit
  • Holds up to light trade and even full professional/industrial use despite being the non-Fuel line
Owners complain about
  • The bundled flashlight is considered the weakest/most useless item in the kit and goes largely unused
  • Batteries drain quickly or lose punch over time, the angle grinder is called a 'battery hog' and older tools feel like they've lost their get-up-and-go
  • A handful of individual tools eventually failed or smoked out, an impact driver or two, a circular saw, and one drill on first use
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill if
  • ✓Homeowners and DIYers wanting a capable everyday drill
  • ✓Tradespeople needing compact power in tight spaces
  • ✓Owners upgrading from older or entry DeWalt drills
Skip it if
  • Buyers who need a hammer-drill function (get the 805)
  • Anyone wanting built-in kickback protection
Get the Milwaukee 2997-22 if
  • ✓Homeowners/DIYers wanting a one-and-done starter kit for house projects
  • ✓Light-trade pros (HVAC, plumbing, handyman) needing durable tools without FUEL pricing
  • ✓Buyers who abuse tools daily and still expect years of service on a budget
  • ✓Anyone building a battery ecosystem who plans to add FUEL tools later
Skip it if
  • Commercial/industrial users running tools 8+ hours a day, every day
  • Buyers wanting the angle grinder or included flashlight for real work

What DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill owners say

“For the money I would say that this is a great setup for Professionals and DIY/Weekend warriors.”
— @morinbaptiste636 on YouTube
“The DCD800 is the latest and greatest drill and the DCF850 is the newest impact driver.”
— Cyral on Reddit
“definitely not worth the upgrade to the newer ones”
— @jncn1490 on YouTube

What Milwaukee 2997-22 owners say

“These are great. I have both lines in my job as a millwright for concrete plant assembly and they work side by side everyday. Going strong for 2 years now.”
— Nimbian-highpriest on Reddit
“Been using base model brushed drill at least once a week for the better part of a decade now. Keep saying I’ll get fuel when it stops working but it just won’t quit.”
— yemoodle on Reddit
“I was very disappointed with the non-FUEL line. Let the smoke out of the drill the first time we used it.”
— Cody0303 on Reddit

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill vs Milwaukee 2997-22: frequently asked questions

Is the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill or the Milwaukee 2997-22 better?

Real owners rate these about evenly: 89% of 56 DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill owners recommend it, vs 84% of 105 for the Milwaukee 2997-22.

Who should get the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill?

Owners point the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill at homeowners and DIYers wanting a capable everyday drill, and tradespeople needing compact power in tight spaces.

Who should get the Milwaukee 2997-22?

Owners point the Milwaukee 2997-22 at homeowners/DIYers wanting a one-and-done starter kit for house projects, and light-trade pros (HVAC, plumbing, handyman) needing durable tools without FUEL pricing.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill is triggers and switches can feel cheap. For the Milwaukee 2997-22, it's the bundled flashlight is considered the weakest/most useless item in the kit and goes largely unused.