I bought a 20 v Dewalt Impact/Drill Combo because I was using someone else's Impact on a metal roof project and dropped it. It slid down 2 sections of roof and bounced across the asphalt parking lot. When I climbed down I figured it would be in pieces. Picked it up and went back to work. The batteries also lasted longer than the other ones used on the project. Last Fall I bought a 20/60 flex volt Dewalt leaf blower. You can interchange the batteries in the chargers and tools. Man when you put that 20/60 V battery in the impact or drill you feel like Tim the tool man Taylor.

I have gone Milwaukee battery powered - chainsaw, pole saw, skill saw, drills, and blower. Best decisions I have made and I love all of them. No more worrying about gas, gas-oil mixing, electrical cords. The power of the chainsaw and blower has been more than adequate. They also run quieter. My hunting partner uses stihl battery operated chainsaw and blower and they are nice also.

I have too much invested in Dewalt, if I had to do over Milwaukee all day long, just for the options

They are all three good...metabo just boght out hitachi an they make quality tools. I have all 20volt dewalt...but i have used milwaukee alot to and makita...of them all..the milwaukee fuel line os probly the best...they are insanely powerful..even more than dewalts highest end 20 volt stuff...but they are also more expensive. I use dewalt 20volt tools ever single day and they have yet to fail me...ever...nothin lasts forever tho...but any of the drills mentioned will seve you a very long time

I've used Milwaukee and Dewalt , I like Dewalt. Dewalt drills have much better chucks, Milwaukee won't hold a drill.

This

I have dewalt for work, i have a set of porter cable also and they work fine for around the house projects or out in the pasture and they are cheap enough to replace or add on

I have a Makita set (drill 2x. impact driver, grinder, trim saw, recip saw) and have had no problems with them. No real heavy usage, just normal working around the house.
I also have a bunch of Milwaukee (3/8 ratchet, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4 impacts, drill, impact driver) that belonged to my dad. I got all of his tools when he passed away. That 3/4" impact laughed at the lug nuts on the tractor tires. My 3/4" corded Dewalt wouldn't even budge them

If you have the $$$ go for the Milwaukee

Are brushless tools as much better (battery life) as i read on the inter-webs?

You can add me to the Ryobi list. I have drills and saws that are 6-8 years old that work great. We are building a house and my corded skil saw has not been out of the box.

Mom wanted a cordless weedeater, so I bought her the small Ryobi about 10 years ago due to the light weight. Still going strong, and she uses the crap out of it. Probably 4-6 hours a week during grass cutting season.

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the three honestly. Makita's 18v tools have been really really good and have held up to just as much hard use as any Dewalt I have owned. The only thing about Dewalt is they have service centers around where you can get the tools fixed. That has always been the reason I have used mostly Dewalt. If you really use them you are going to need a service center. If you aren't using them that much buy the best deal and go with it.

Dewalt and Makita's electic impact drivers have been a life changing experience. I am not sure which models we've got but I also have probably the best Snap-On air impact money can buy and I would say these are nearly as good. Working on something without a service truck with onboard air...... a 1/2 inch electric impact is a life changing experience. I think they both have breakaway torque over 1k ft. lbs. and they deliver.

I use Milwaukee now but have had good luck with Porter Cable. I have burnt up many a Dewalt drills doing electrical work!

I own both the Ryobi 18v kit and Milwaukee 12v stuff. I love the form factor/weight of Milwaukee 12v line. I am really impress with it. For larger construction stuff I use the Ryobi stuff. It is heavier but has the torque. Ryobi's tool options is huge plus too. Not on your list, the Hitachi stuff is pretty nice too.

Whatchoo gonna use it for?

I have just about everything 20v DeWalt. I tried some Milwaukee stuff a couple months ago and wasn't impressed enough to jump ship. The Milwaukee cordless miter box is nice enough, but lacks the power I need for nominal lumber...

Dewalt

I guess like most things you tend to think what you spent your hard earned $ on is the best. Having said that I’m a Makita guy. What made me go Makita is the same battery that powers my power hand tools also power the chainsaw, weed eater, blower etc

Brushless Dewalts are nice. All I use.
The little lights on them come in handy.

We use dewalt at my work, and they get abused daily, with no complaints