The 9 Best Milwaukee Tools 2024 - Best Milwaukee Tools Reviews

This brand’s power tools may be on the pricey side, but based on our testing and experience, you can’t beat the quality and value of these drills, saws, and drivers.

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You won’t find a brand with a better reputation in the power tool world than Milwaukee. The company’s tools are revered by pros and DIYers alike, and for good reason. Milwaukee’s line of tools is quite large, ranging from cordless drill drivers that tighten fasteners to table saws that maximize accuracy and precision when cutting wood. Their impressive angle grinder trims tile and removes grout as well as any other out there, and all of Milwaukee’s tools routinely last longer than those of the brand’s competitors thanks to a superior build quality. Below, we review some of the best Milwaukee tools we recommend for your workshop.

I’ve tested many Milwaukee tools over the years, including cordless drills, reciprocating saws, and socket sets, and I’ve found you really can’t go wrong with just about any of the brand’s tools. I used my extensive experience with this brand to choose the options below, and while many are on the pricey side, I’ve found that the tools are worth the investment for quality and reliability.

My list includes the company’s cordless drill drivers, which outshine those of virtually every other brand when it comes to power to weight ratio, features, and build quality. I also picked a few tools that demonstrate Milwaukee’s reputation for excellent performance and smart designs, including a mini chainsaw, compact reciprocating saw, and cordless circular saw.

Milwaukee’s flagship hammer drill packs a tremendous amount of power into a very compact frame. It puts out 1,400 inch-pounds of torque and reaches a top speed of 2,100 RPM—enough oomph for drilling into cement with larger bits or driving in three-inch- long lag bolts.

It also comes equipped with a removable side handle to help you control all that power and an auto-shutoff that prevents over-rotation and potential wrist injury. Even with all that power, the head of the tool measures just under seven inches long, and the tool’s total bare weight is just 3.3 pounds.

Milwaukee sells a variety of impact drivers, but this one tops the list. It puts out tremendous power with a max torque of 2,000 inch-pounds and runs at a top speed of 3,900 RPM, which means you won’t have trouble driving in three-inch lag bolts or using the tool to loosen and tighten lug nuts.

At 2.24 pounds without a battery, it also boasts an excellent power to weight ratio. This driver is compact, too, measuring just 4.5 inches tip to tail, so you won’t have a problem fitting it between studs or in other tight spots. I also like the four modes for changing the driver’s speed and power output at the push of a button on the base of the tool.

With its 12-volt battery, this Milwaukee 1/2-inch hammer drill is a standout, as most cordless hammer drills come equipped with at least an 18-volt battery. By going with the smaller size, Milwaukee keeps this drill very compact. It measures just 2.6 pounds without a battery and measures six inches long, so it fits easily into tight spots.

Its 400 inch-pounds of torque and max speed of 1,550 RPM don’t quite match top hammer drill specs, but it’s right in line with other sub-compact hammer drills. And it produces enough power to drill through studs and softwood with larger drill bits. This compact hammer drill has the build quality of its larger cousin, including a metal chuck and heavy-duty gear case.

Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL Hackzall takes the classic reciprocating saw and slims it down into a tool that’s much more streamlined. With a bare weight of just four pounds and a length of 14 inches, it’s a sawzall you can use with one hand so it reaches easily into tight spots to cut through a pipe or a stud, or up above your head to trim a few tree branches.

Despite its compact size, it doesn’t skimp on power. With a 7/8-inch stroke length and 3,000 stroke per minute (SPM) blade speed, it cuts through materials faster than other saws its size.

Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel Hatchet is a versatile powerhouse. It trims through branches or cuts through 4 by 4 lumber with ease. It weighs just five pounds, including a lightweight 12-volt battery, so it’s easy to wield with only one hand. Just place your off-hand on the top handle safely to stabilize it for even more precise cutting.

The chainsaw makes up to 120 cuts on a single charge and is powerful enough to cut through three-inch-thick hardwoods. Bucking spikes add stability when cutting through thicker material, and there’s a variable speed trigger for controlling the chain whether cutting through softer or harder materials.

We’ve always been impressed with how Milwaukee’s brad nailers perform, and its M18 Fuel 18 gauge brad nailer is one of the best. With its high power output, it drives 2-1/2 inch nails into denser woods without leaving nail heads you have to pound in with a hammer afterward.

Most cordless finish nailers are heavy machines, but at just 5.3 pounds, this one is easier to line up accurately, so you’ll have less fatigue over longer jobs. It’s also compact, so it maneuvers in corners and other tight spots with relative ease. Other notable features include tool-free jam clearing, an LED work light, and a bump firing mode that fires up to three nails per second.

Milwaukee’s rear handle saw is one of the pricer cordless models out there, but it’s worth the cost if you want power that matches some corded circular saws. We tested this model and were impressed with its ability to dice up 4 by 6 treated lumber—a credit to its max speed of 5,800 RPM.

What’s more, you also get a full day’s worth of cuts out of it, especially if you load it with a larger 12Ah battery. At more than 13 pounds, this saw certainly isn’t light, but if you have a strong arm and want a circular saw akin to a corded model, then it’s worth the extra weight.

This Milwaukee angle grinder packs a punch at a price that’s surprisingly affordable. It cuts through metal and grinds through material at an impressive max speed of 8,500 RPM.

It also comes equipped with a removable side handle that gives you tremendous control over the tool to keep you safe and your cuts accurate and straight. Plus, it’s loaded with other great safety features, including an electronic clutch that protects from kickback and a brake that stops the blade within two seconds of releasing the trigger. Overload protection also prevents the motor from overheating.

Milwaukee’s reputation for packing a lot of power into its compact drills and drivers carries over to this impact wrench. It produces 550 foot-pounds of fastening and 650 foot-pounds of loosening torque, yet it measures just six inches long and weighs only five pounds when loaded with the recommended 5Ah battery.

It’s not the smallest cordless impact wrench we’ve seen, but it’s certainly compact enough to fit into tight spaces, and it won’t leave you wanting for power. Its speed and power settings adjust, and it includes an auto mode that prevents overtightening. The wrench also assists with loosening, and it comes equipped with a friction ring to keep sockets from coming off the wrench.

Tony Carrick is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in technology, home improvement, DIY, home security, and outdoor recreation. He’s tested and written about everything from home security systems to power tools to gas grills. His product guides, how-to articles, and feature stories can be found in such publications as Bob Vila, Angi, U.S. News and World Report, Field & Stream, Futurism, and Switchful. When Tony isn’t writing, he can be found working on his latest home improvement effort at his home in North Carolina.

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