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
Full owner report →

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