No need to drive a hard bargain to get a free impact driver

In Consumer Reports latest cordless drill Ratings, the Ridgid R9600, $180, is a CR Best Buy. But Home Depot shoppers may consider it a great buy when they learn that the top-performing drill comes with a comparably priced impact driver for free. Although its mediocre run time made the impact driver a near miss for our recommended list, it matched the drill in charge time and power.

The 18-volt R86034K impact driver normally sells for $160. But for $180, you get both the 18-volt, R9600 drill/driver and the R86034K impact driver. Included as well are two lithium-ion batteries with charge-indicator lights, a smart charger, and a tool bag. There's also a lifetime service agreement that promises to replace batteries and other parts for free, subject to certain limitations (no replacement bits, for example), but you'll have to register within 90 days of purchase.

Shop around online and in stores, and you can find other combos. We found a pair of CR Best Buys at Lowe's that combine a general-use drill/driver, the Hitachi DS18DSAL with the WH18DSAL impact driver for $200, which includes two lithium-ion batteries, an LED work light, smart charger, and a carrying case. Separately the tools cost $330.