Power tools · owner-verdict comparison

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill: 89% of 56 owners recommend it, vs 72% of 125 for the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver.

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 M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver

72%of 125 owners recommend
72% recommend · 10% neutral · 18% don't
Owners praise
  • Dramatically quieter than a standard impact, thanks to the hydraulic drive
  • Smooth with great trigger control and precision for driving screws
  • Plenty of power for most small-to-medium fastening and everyday jobs
Owners complain about
  • Less peak torque than a standard FUEL impact, not ideal for heavy structural screws or big lags
  • Some owners hit reliability issues like gearbox failures or oil leaks
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 M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver if
  • ✓Tradespeople working in occupied buildings who need quiet operation
  • ✓Electricians and cabinet installers driving screws all day
  • ✓Users bothered by noise and hand vibration from standard impacts
  • ✓Anyone driving small-to-medium fasteners smoothly and controllably
Skip it if
  • Breaking loose seized or stuck fasteners
  • Driving large lags and structural fasteners regularly

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 M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver owners say

“you need an impact driver that accepts the 1/4 hex bits. You’ll be able to adapt it for sockets as well. I recommend the Milwaukee Fuel Surge.”
— ElekChiken on Reddit
“Milwaukee M18 Fuel Surge you have my heart”
— BeastlyIguana on Reddit
“I really don't like that it cuts out so quickly.”
— @Skwish6952 on YouTube

DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver: frequently asked questions

Is the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill or the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver better?

Real owners lean toward the DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Drill: 89% of 56 owners recommend it, vs 72% of 125 for the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver.

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 M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver?

Owners point the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver at tradespeople working in occupied buildings who need quiet operation, and electricians and cabinet installers driving screws all day.

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 M18 FUEL Surge Impact Driver, it's less peak torque than a standard FUEL impact, not ideal for heavy structural screws or big lags.