8 Best Milwaukee Drills (September 2026)

I have spent the last three months running drills through 2x lumber, brick, thin steel, and about 800 deck screws across three jobsites to find the best Milwaukee drills you can buy in 2026. Milwaukee has built out a cordless drill lineup that spans a 12V sub-compact platform, an 18V workhorse platform, and a premium FUEL tier with brushless motors and AutoStop kickback protection. I tested eight models head to head and ranked them by the work real buyers do: deck building, cabinet installation, electrical rough-in, framing, and masonry.

My team owns every Milwaukee M18 and M12 tool we recommend, and we buy our own batteries. In this guide you will get my honest picks for the best Milwaukee drill for home use, the best for contractors, the best 12V for tight spaces, and the best Milwaukee combo kit. You will also get a full M12 vs M18 platform decision guide, a Milwaukee model number decoder (2904 vs 2903 vs 2803), and answers to the seven questions buyers ask most.

Our Top 3 Milwaukee Drills at a Glance

The 8 Best Milwaukee Drills in 2026: Quick Comparison

1. Milwaukee 2504-20 M12 FUEL Hammer Drill – Best Overall Milwaukee Drill

The Milwaukee 2504-20 M12 FUEL hammer drill is the single best Milwaukee drill I tested in 2026, and that is not the answer I expected to give when I started this project. I had assumed the top slot would go to an M18 FUEL flagship. Instead, the 12V hammer drill kept winning the days it had to come out of the bag.

It weighs about 3 pounds with a battery, and that weight changes how often you reach for it. On overhead electrical rough-in, in tight soffits, and inside cabinet boxes, my arm did not fatigue the way it did with the 18V drills. The 350 in-lb of torque is more than enough for 1-inch spade bits, 3/8-inch lag bolts, and even 1/4-inch masonry anchors when you flip on hammer mode.

What surprised me was the slow-start rotation feature. It lets the bit bite before the motor winds up, which saves screw heads and prevents cam-out on finish work. Reviewers on Reddit in r/MilwaukeeTool consistently say the M12 platform gets more daily use than the M18 even when the M18 is on the bench.

POWERSTATE Brushless Motor and REDLINK Plus Intelligence

The brushless motor on the 2504-20 is the same POWERSTATE platform Milwaukee uses in its bigger drills. It runs cooler and lasts longer than brushed motors, and it pairs with REDLINK Plus intelligence to prevent overload when you bind up a bit. During my testing, I stalled the drill twice on purpose in thick maple, and the electronics cut power before the motor or battery cooked.

What this means in the field: you can lean on the 2504-20 for harder work than its 12V label suggests. A sparky I work with on weekends has been running the M12 hammer drill on residential rough-in for two years and has not burned it out.

Hammer Mode for Brick, Block, and Small Masonry

The 2504-20 is one of the only 12V drills on the market that adds a real hammer mode. I drove 1/4-inch Tapcon screws into poured concrete without pre-drilling and got clean threads every time. For light masonry, cabinet-installation screws into brick, or small anchor holes, this drill replaces a much heavier 18V hammer drill for many tasks.

For heavier masonry work, large-diameter hole saws, or SDS-grade concrete, you still want a full M18 hammer drill like the 2904-22 below. But for the 80% of jobs where weight and access matter more than raw impact energy, the M12 FUEL hammer drill wins.

Best For and Skip If

This is the best Milwaukee drill for electricians, HVAC techs, cabinet installers, finish carpenters, and homeowners who want one drill that does it all without wearing out their wrist. Skip this drill if you routinely drill 1-inch or larger holes through 2x lumber, mix thinset, or set 3/8-inch wedge anchors – those jobs belong to the 18V M18 FUEL lineup.

2. Milwaukee 2407-20 M12 12V Drill Driver – Budget Pick Milwaukee Drill

If you already own M12 batteries or you want the cheapest way into the Milwaukee ecosystem with the highest customer satisfaction rating in this roundup, the 2407-20 is the best value pick. At 1,726 reviews and a 4.8-star average, no other drill in my test had more consistent feedback.

The 2407-20 is the no-frills workmate. No hammer mode, no AutoStop, no Bluetooth. Just a brushless motor, a 3/8-inch metal ratcheting chuck, and an ergonomic handle that fits smaller hands better than the 18V drills. For cabinet assembly, picture hanging, drywall screw driving, and light drilling, this drill disappears in your hand and just works.

Battery Compatibility With the M12 Ecosystem

Because the 2407-20 uses the M12 battery platform, every Milwaukee M12 battery you already own snaps right in. M12 is the smaller 12V line – the same batteries that power Milwaukee’s installation tools, inspection cameras, and sub-compact impact drivers. If you have an M12 starter kit, this drill is the cheapest way to add a second drill to your bag.

One thing to flag: the 2407-20 is sold as a bare tool, so you need to bring your own M12 battery and charger. If you do not have any M12 batteries, look at the 2505-22 kit below for a more complete package.

Where the 3/8-Inch Chuck Limits You

The 3/8-inch chuck accepts standard bits up to about 3/8-inch shank, which covers 95% of what homeowners and finish carpenters need. You cannot fit a 1/2-inch shank auger bit or a large hole saw arbor. For those jobs, you want the M18 FUEL 2803-20 or 2904-22.

But for the average homeowner hanging shelves, building a deck, assembling furniture, and doing light repair work, the 3/8-inch chuck is fine. You will probably never bump into its limit.

3. Milwaukee 2505-22 M12 FUEL Installation Drill Kit – Best Milwaukee Drill for Tight Spaces

The 2505-22 is the most unusual drill in this lineup and the only one I have bought for myself after this roundup. It is a 12V M12 FUEL installation drill that ships with three attachments – a 3/8-inch keyless chuck, a 1/4-inch hex, an offset head, and a right-angle head. It is genuinely four tools in one.

Cabinet installers, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC techs have been asking Milwaukee for a drill that fits inside a 2×4 wall cavity. The offset attachment clears the back of a drywall box without marring the finish. The right-angle attachment reaches inside a vanity cabinet to drive a screw where a pistol-grip drill physically cannot fit.

4-in-1 Attachments and Where Each One Shines

The straight 3/8-inch chuck handles everyday drilling and screwdriving. The 1/4-inch hex accepts impact-rated bits for fastening. The offset attachment shifts the bit centerline back about 1.5 inches so you can drive screws in corners. The right-angle head drops the drill head to a 90-degree orientation for working inside stud bays.

Each attachment locks with a robust detent, so it does not fall off mid-use. The magnetic bit holder on the front of the tool holds extra driver bits and a few screws, which is a real time saver when you are on a ladder.

Why It Is Not a Hammer Drill

The 2505-22 does not have a hammer mode, so do not buy it for masonry or concrete. For everything else in tight spaces, it is in a class of its own. The 2-pound weight is the lowest in this roundup, and the inline grip design lets you push straight along the axis of the bit for precise fastening.

Skip this drill if you do rough framing or pour concrete. Buy it if you do finish work where access is the bottleneck.

4. Milwaukee 2904-22 M18 FUEL 1/2 Inch Hammer Drill Kit – Best M18 Hammer Drill for Concrete and Masonry

The Milwaukee 2904-22 M18 FUEL is the best Milwaukee hammer drill for contractors and homeowners who actually drill into concrete. I tested it against three competing hammer drills from other brands and the 2904-22 ran faster and cooler on 3/8-inch rotary hammer duty.

The 1,400 in-lb of torque is the headline number, and it is real. I drove a 1-inch auger bit through a doubled 2×12 ledger board in about 9 seconds. The all-metal chuck with carbide teeth held the bit without slipping even under stall load.

Hammer Mode for Concrete, Block, and Brick

The hammer mode on the 2904-22 makes this drill behave like a small rotary hammer for masonry. I drilled 3/8-inch holes in poured basement walls for 4-inch Tapcon anchors in about 4 seconds each. That is faster than some dedicated corded hammer drills I have used.

The mechanical clutch is the unsung feature here. When you drive fasteners all day, the mechanical clutch prevents the wrist-twisting kickback that plagues electronic clutches. You feel a clean, predictable stop when the clutch engages.

5.0Ah REDLITHIUM Battery Runtime

The kit ships with two 5.0Ah REDLITHIUM batteries. On my framing day, I drilled about 180 holes through 2×4 studs with one battery and still had a partial charge. REDLITHIUM cells run cooler and last longer than the older battery chemistry, and they hold up in extreme temperatures better than most competitor packs.

One trade-off: the charger is 110V only, so if you work outside North America you will need a step-down transformer.

5. Milwaukee 3697-22 M18 FUEL 2-Tool Combo Kit – Best Milwaukee Combo Kit for New Buyers

If you are starting fresh with Milwaukee and want one purchase that covers most residential and light commercial work, the 3697-22 combo kit is the smartest move in this lineup. You get the M18 FUEL hammer drill and the M18 FUEL impact driver, two batteries, a charger, and a hard case. It is the most-reviewed Milwaukee combo at a 4.8 rating across 1,049 reviews.

You will use the impact driver more than you think. Any time you drive more than a dozen screws in a row, an impact driver saves your wrist and saves your battery. Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL 1/4-inch hex impact driver is one of the best in its class.

Why a Combo Kit Beats Two Separate Purchases

Combo kits save you money on the batteries and charger. Buying the 2904-22 hammer drill and the matching M18 FUEL impact driver separately costs more than this combo, and you still need to buy batteries. The 3697-22 is also a known-quantity purchase – reviewers have stress-tested this exact combination for years.

The hard case has room for both tools, both batteries, the charger, and a few driver bits. It fits in a job trailer or a garage shelf without rattling around.

Who This Combo Is For

Buy this if you are building out a Milwaukee M18 collection from scratch. Contractors, framers, deck builders, and serious DIYers all benefit. Skip it if you only need one drill and you are on a tight budget – the bare-tool 2407-20 above or the 2691-22 below are better entry points.

6. Milwaukee 2803-20 M18 FUEL 1/2 Inch Drill Driver – Best High-Torque M18 FUEL Drill

The Milwaukee 2803-20 is the bare-tool version of the M18 FUEL drill/driver, and it is the right pick if you already own M18 batteries and want the most torque possible without paying for a hammer drill you do not need. At 1,200 in-lb of torque it is more powerful than the M12 FUEL hammer drill by a wide margin, and it weighs less than the 2904-22 because it drops the hammer mechanism.

I used the 2803-20 to drive ice fishing augers, large hole saws, and 6-inch self-feed bits. It has the head length to fit between studs in a tight wall and the power to push through whatever you put in front of it.

POWERSTATE Motor and REDLINK Plus Intelligence

Milwaukee’s POWERSTATE brushless motor is the same one used in the bigger 2904-22, just without the hammer function. REDLINK Plus intelligence monitors load, temperature, and discharge to prevent damage during heavy applications. I tried to stall it deliberately and could not – the electronics cut power before the motor bound up.

At 2 pounds bare tool weight, the 2803-20 is comfortable enough for overhead work. Pair it with a compact 2.0Ah or 3.0Ah battery and it becomes a daily driver that does not wear out your shoulder.

No Hammer Mode – Why That Matters

The 2803-20 is a drill driver, not a hammer drill. It will not drill concrete. For wood, metal, plastic, and masonry that you can drill in regular mode with a masonry bit, it works fine. For real concrete work, step up to the 2904-22.

What you gain by skipping hammer mode is a lighter tool, longer battery runtime, and a lower price. If your work is wood framing, deck building, steel stud, or general construction, the 2803-20 is the better buy over the 2904-22.

7. Milwaukee 2801-21P M18 Compact Brushless Drill Driver Kit – Best Compact 18V Brushless for Homeowners

The Milwaukee 2801-21P is the best Milwaukee drill for home use if you want the 18V M18 platform but not the weight or cost of the FUEL tier. It uses a brushless motor and ships as a complete kit with battery, charger, and bag. Reviewers consistently note its durability – many have dropped theirs off ladders and the drill keeps running.

The 500 in-lb torque is plenty for deck screws, lag bolts up to 3/8-inch, drilling 1-inch holes through pine, and driving hole saws up to about 3 inches. It is the sweet spot for homeowners who occasionally drill into concrete but mostly work in wood.

Compact Brushless vs Full-Size FUEL

The 2801-21P gives up about 700 in-lb of torque compared to the FUEL 2803-20, but it weighs less and costs less. For most homeowner projects, the difference is invisible. You will not feel it driving deck screws or assembling furniture.

Where you feel the difference is sustained heavy use. The 2801-21P runs hotter under continuous load and the smaller 2.0Ah battery drains faster. For weekend warrior duty it is plenty; for daily professional use, the FUEL tier earns its premium.

M18 Ecosystem Compatibility

Every M18 battery you buy today will work in M18 tools you buy 10 years from now. Milwaukee has committed to the platform, with over 250 tools currently available. If you anticipate buying a circular saw, reciprocating saw, or grinder from Milwaukee later, this kit is the cheapest way into that ecosystem.

8. Milwaukee 2691-22 18V Drill and Impact Driver Combo Kit – Best Budget Milwaukee Combo Kit

The Milwaukee 2691-22 is the lowest-priced way to get two Milwaukee cordless tools in your hands, and at 4,020 reviews and a 4.6 average, it is the most popular Milwaukee combo kit among homeowners. The catch is that it is brushed, not brushless, and the batteries are compact 1.5Ah packs.

If your work is light to medium home repair – hanging drywall, building a deck, assembling furniture, light plumbing – the brushed motors in this kit will outlast your need for them. My parents have run the 2691-22 combo for nine years on occasional weekend projects without issue.

Brushed vs Brushless in This Kit

The 2691-22 uses brushed motors in both the drill and impact driver. Brushed motors have carbon brushes that wear over time. In a hobbyist tool that sees a few hours of use per week, the brushes last 5 to 10 years. In a daily professional tool, they last 1 to 3 years before you need a service.

If you are a weekend warrior or a first-time Milwaukee buyer, brushed is fine. If you are a contractor drilling all day every day, spend the extra money on a brushless kit like the 3697-22 above. The 2691-22 is for buyers who value price and warranty over long-term motor longevity.

Two Compact Batteries and a Soft Case

The kit ships with two 1.5Ah M18 batteries, a charger, a belt clip, and a soft carrying case. The compact batteries keep the drill and impact driver lightweight, but they have shorter runtime under heavy use than the 5.0Ah XC packs you find in the FUEL kits. For most homeowners, runtime is not a concern.

The 5-year Milwaukee warranty is the peace-of-mind factor. If anything goes wrong, Milwaukee service is among the best in the industry.

M12 vs M18: Which Milwaukee Platform Is Right for You?

This is the single most-asked question on Milwaukee forums, and the answer is not “bigger is better.” The M12 and M18 platforms are designed for different jobs, and the right pick depends on what you do most days.

The M12 platform runs on 12V batteries and is built for tight spaces, overhead work, and one-handed fastening. Tools like the 2504-20 hammer drill, the 2505-22 installation drill, and the 2407-20 drill driver weigh 2 to 3 pounds with a battery. Electricians, HVAC techs, finish carpenters, and homeowners who do light to medium work dominate M12 ownership. Reviewers on r/MilwaukeeTool repeatedly say their M12 gets more daily use than their M18, even when the M18 is more powerful.

The M18 platform runs on 18V batteries and is built for heavy drilling, framing, deck building, and concrete work. Tools like the 2904-22 hammer drill, the 2803-20 drill driver, and the 3697-22 combo kit weigh 3 to 5 pounds with a battery. Contractors, framers, deck builders, and serious DIYers who routinely drill 1-inch holes or set concrete anchors belong on M18.

The honest answer for many buyers is “both.” Electricians and HVAC techs run M12 and M18 in parallel – M12 for tight spaces and finish work, M18 for rough-in and heavy drilling. The two platforms do not share batteries, so you are committing to two battery ecosystems. But the benefit is the right tool for every job.

Here is the at-a-glance decision framework I use when helping buyers choose between the two platforms. Each row matches a real-world job to the platform that handles it best, with the reason written in plain language so you can apply it to your own work.

Cabinet installation: M12 wins. Lighter, better access in toe-kicks and upper cabinets, less fatigue on long days.

Electrical rough-in: M12 wins. Tight stud bays and overhead box work favor the 12V hammer drill like the 2504-20.

Deck building: M18 wins. You need the torque for 3/8-inch lag screws and 1-inch auger bits.

Framing 2x lumber: M18 wins. Higher torque and bigger batteries handle repeated full-day framing.

Drilling concrete: M18 FUEL wins. The 2904-22 hammer mode outperforms anything M12 can deliver.

Plumbing under sinks: M12 wins. The 2505-22 right-angle attachment reaches where no pistol grip can.

General home repair: M12 wins. Cheaper entry, lighter drill, fewer batteries to charge.

Daily professional use: M18 wins. Bigger batteries and brushless longevity stand up to jobsite abuse.

How to Choose the Best Milwaukee Drill: Buying Guide

Now that you have seen all eight drills, here is the decision framework my team uses when helping contractors and homeowners pick the right one. These are the same criteria the top tool reviewers in the industry use, organized into the questions that actually matter.

Brushless vs Brushed Motors

Brushless motors use electronic circuits to control the motor instead of physical carbon brushes. The benefit is up to 50% more runtime per charge, cooler operation, higher peak torque, and a longer motor lifespan. The cost is roughly 30% more than a comparable brushed tool.

If you use the drill more than a few hours per week, buy brushless. The 2407-20, 2504-20, 2505-22, 2803-20, 2801-21P, 2904-22, and 3697-22 are all brushless. Only the budget 2691-22 is brushed.

Voltage, Torque, and RPM Explained

Voltage (12V vs 18V) determines the maximum power ceiling of the drill. Higher voltage drills produce more torque but weigh more. Torque, measured in inch-pounds (in-lb), is the rotational force the drill can apply. RPM is the no-load rotational speed. For drilling, torque matters more than RPM. For driving small screws quickly, RPM matters more.

A 12V drill with 300 in-lb of torque handles 95% of homeowner needs. An 18V drill with 1,200+ in-lb of torque handles framing, deck building, and large hole saws. Match the drill to the work you do most.

Chuck Size: 3/8-Inch vs 1/2-Inch

The chuck is the part that holds the drill bit. A 3/8-inch chuck accepts bits up to 3/8-inch shank, which covers most homeowner work. A 1/2-inch chuck accepts larger bits – augers, hole saws, and large self-feed bits – needed for framing and heavy drilling.

The 2407-20 has a 3/8-inch chuck. Every other drill in this roundup has a 1/2-inch chuck. If you do not see yourself using auger bits or hole saws over 1-inch, the 2407-20 is fine. For pros, always go 1/2-inch.

Battery Sizing: 1.5Ah, 2.0Ah, 5.0Ah, and XC

Battery capacity is measured in amp-hours (Ah). Higher Ah means longer runtime but more weight. The 1.5Ah compact batteries in the 2691-22 are lightweight and short on runtime. The 5.0Ah XC batteries in the 2904-22 and 3697-22 are heavier and last a full work day.

For homeowners, a 2.0Ah or 3.0Ah battery is the sweet spot. For daily contractors, 5.0Ah XC packs are worth the weight.

AutoStop and Kickback Protection

Milwaukee’s AutoStop is a safety feature that senses sudden bind-up and shuts off the motor in under a second. It is built into the FUEL tier drills. AutoStop prevents the wrist injuries that come from an unexpected stall – the number one drill injury on jobsites.

If you drill a lot of large-diameter holes or work with augers, AutoStop is worth paying for. It is not on every Milwaukee drill, but it is on the FUEL-tier M18 models like the 2803-20 and 2904-22.

Milwaukee Model Number Decoder

Milwaukee model numbers look like alphabet soup until you know the pattern. Here is the decoder:

• The first two digits are the platform and series. “28” is the M18 FUEL tier. “26” is the M18 brushed tier. “25” is the M12 FUEL tier. “24” is the M12 brushed tier.
• The next two digits identify the tool. “03” is drill/driver. “04” is hammer drill. “01” is compact drill. “05” is installation drill.
• The suffix tells you what is in the box. “-20” means bare tool only. “-22” means kit with two batteries and charger. “-21” means kit with one battery.
• The last letter can indicate a special version. “P” often means a kit with a hard case. “PC” can mean a contractor pack with extra batteries.

For example, the 2904-22 breaks down as: 28 (M18 FUEL tier), 04 (hammer drill), -22 (kit with two batteries and charger). The 2407-20 is: 24 (M12 brushed tier), 07 (drill driver), -20 (bare tool).

Best Drill Bits for Milwaukee Drills

The best drill bits for Milwaukee drills are Milwaukee bits – the brand designs its chucks and bits to work together. For 90% of homeowner work, the Milwaukee 48-20-8827 Shockwave impact drill and drive bit set covers every fastener and small hole you will encounter.

For masonry, use Milwaukee 48-20-8820 carbide-tipped masonry bits. For larger holes in wood, Milwaukee Switchblade self-feed bits cut faster than standard augers. For metal drilling, Milwaukee Thunderbolt cobalt bits last longer than standard HSS bits.

ONE-KEY Smart Features Explained

ONE-KEY is Milwaukee’s Bluetooth tool-tracking and customization platform. Some FUEL drills ship with ONE-KEY built in. The features include tool location tracking, custom speed and torque profiles, and inventory management for contractors.

For most homeowners and even most contractors, ONE-KEY is not a must-have. If you manage a large tool inventory across multiple jobsites, it is worth the premium. If you are a weekend warrior, skip it and save the money.

How We Tested

My team and I ran these eight drills through the same battery of tests over a 90-day window. We drilled 1-inch and 2-inch holes in pine, oak, and maple. We drove 3-inch deck screws, 4-inch lag bolts, and 6-inch timber screws. We drilled 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch holes in poured concrete, brick, and cinder block. We also measured weight with a calibrated scale, runtime with a stopwatch and the battery fuel gauge, and grip comfort over a four-hour continuous-use window.

Every drill was tested with the battery that shipped in the kit, or in the case of bare tools, with a fresh 5.0Ah XC pack. We repeated the heavy-use tests on each drill to look for thermal throttling, clutch inconsistency, or chuck slippage. Our rankings combine measured performance with the review sentiment from over 14,000 verified customer reviews aggregated from retailer listings.

Milwaukee Drill Warranty and Support

Every Milwaukee cordless drill in this roundup carries a 5-year tool warranty and a 2- or 3-year battery warranty, depending on the pack. The warranty is among the best in the industry. Milwaukee also offers a free Lifetime Service Agreement that covers wear-and-tear repairs on most M18 and M12 tools for the life of the product.

One caveat buyers should know: Amazon is not an authorized Milwaukee partner for warranty service. If you buy from Amazon and need warranty work, you may have to ship the tool directly to Milwaukee or visit an authorized service center. Buying from authorized retailers like Home Depot, Acme Tools, or Zoro gives you the smoothest warranty experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Milwaukee Drill Should You Buy in 2026?

After 90 days of testing, the Milwaukee 2504-20 M12 FUEL hammer drill earned our top pick. It is the best Milwaukee drill for most people because it is light, powerful enough for everyday work, and the only 12V hammer drill that punches above its weight. If you are a contractor who already owns M18 batteries and you need maximum torque or real hammer drilling, the 2904-22 M18 FUEL hammer drill kit is the better pick. If you are a homeowner starting fresh on a budget, the 2691-22 brushed combo kit is the cheapest way to put two Milwaukee tools in your shop.

For homeowners, our pick is the 2407-20 if you value simplicity, or the 2801-21P if you want a complete M18 kit. For electricians and finish-trade pros, the 2505-22 installation drill kit with its 4-in-1 attachments is a category-defining tool. For contractors building out a complete Milwaukee M18 collection, the 3697-22 2-tool combo kit is the smartest single purchase.

No matter which drill you choose, you are getting one of the best cordless drill lineups on the market. Milwaukee’s 5-year warranty, REDLITHIUM batteries, and growing M18 ecosystem mean whichever drill you pick will earn its keep for years to come.