Customer Reviews for Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Li-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver & 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Friction Ring

I love this tool! I waa excited when I purchased it online and had to wait for it to ship to store, could have got it delivered to my home the next day but felt safer waiting. It has tons of power, feels great in the hand, can't wait to use it on a big project.

Great Compact Impact Wrench! A lot stronger than its size. Easily removes car lug nuts

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver (Tool-Only) review: This is the latest development of the famous Milwaukee impact driver. They have moved the single light from in front and above the trigger to three (3) lights surrounding the collet - and that makes viewing the screw and target wood so easy and clear! What a tremendous improvement of the use of this fabulous tool! Yes! No more shadows on the target area! I just love, as in previous versions of this tool, how you can select the driving and impact ferocity by pushing a button on the tool. This is the best impact driver I have ever used. It is brushless - yes. It is also quite small and powerful. Actually, this makes a great drill in speed selection 1 - I use it frequently to drive pilot holes with Milwaukee hex shank titanium drill bits and then pop out the drill bit and insert a screw driving bit. So easy. Yes, this is a tool you want in your arsenal even if you only use it occasionally. This is a tool that just WORKS. Love it. There ya go!

This particular ¼ in Hex Impact Driver and other powerful tools available on the M18 FUEL product line will attract the attention of others working with you. This has been only the second tool from Milwaukee while I have amassed many from DeWalt, but the two Milwaukee tools I now own have converted me into a believer that they in fact offer tremendous quality products that withstand the depends of our jobs. This powerful impact driver with its tri-LED lighting; speed control switch (4-way switch control top speed); smooth trigger pull; 2,000 lbs., of torque (yes, that is right); and at just 3.8 lbs., put this class of impact drives above all in my opinion. You almost want to make a grunting sound whenever you need to use the tool to drive large self-tapping screws into a concrete column. The power is being supplied by a brushless motor that you’re beginning to see in other drills. This kit comes with not one but two M18 batteries and a battery charger with as many features as the drill, and with an extra bay for charging smaller batteries that are used with the Milwaukee line of products. Versatility and Growth with a 5-year warranty. Complete your jobs sooner with powerful tools.

Balanced good sized easy to handle- everything it needs to be. More than expected for a quarter inch impact driver. M18 power is my favorite; lasting, quick charging- versatile for a variety of tasks. Compact design fits hand, good grip allows control- keeping driver centered & aligned while applying pressure. Great for DIY use. Trigger control is precise, allowing feathering, especially effective on screws, or hammering, when needed. Used for several DIY tasks & Milwaukee’s Model 2953-20 performed excellent and is easy to use. Easily loosened rusted bolts allowing quick adjustment roller on boat trailer. The ¼” brushless motor has plenty of power and easily removed 3” corroded screws from PT stair treads for a low cost repair. Made disassembling hammock stand super easy & quick. Will be great for use on small engines & equipment. Satisfied with another handy powerful Milwaukee M18 tool. Highly recommend.

Sometimes reviews for different models get grouped together. This review is for the Milwaukee 2953-22 impact bit driver kit, which includes a 1/4" hex impact driver, two M18 5.0 a/h batteries, a battery charger, and a hard sided tool case. Starting with the hard sided case - fit and finish is excellent. Tool, batteries, and charger are secure when the dual clasps are locked into position. The case offers a space for the manuals (see photo) but no designated space for storing drive bits. If I had one suggestion for Milwaukee it would be to leave room for one or another of their drive bit collections. Everything in one case would be very handy. The hinges are not the flimsy "bendy plastic" design; the hinges swivel on pins (like a dual piano hinge design). There's a swiveling carry handle and a hole for a padlock. Oddly, the Milwaukee user manual says not to store the battery in the tool - but if you use the case as designed there's a slot for one battery and the other battery does stay in the tool. The engineers and technical writers at Milwaukee should talk together and resolve this. (My solution - not recommending it to anyone else - is to store the second battery in the tool as it comes new, but make sure that the forward/locked/reverse switch is always in the locked position when storing the tool (YMMV)). The batteries are the Milwaukee 5.0 a/h M18 batteries, interchangeable with all M18 batteries. Both batteries I received were at a "1 bar" state of charge according to the fuel gauge on the batteries. It took a bit over an hour to get both batteries up to a full charge (not using the kit-included battery charger; I have two M18 "Fast Charge" chargers set up in my basement shop so I was able to charge both batteries simultaneously). For a homeowner / DIY'er those batteries provide a LOT of run time. Of course, run time is dependent upon the work at hand (some fixtures require a lot of force, others not so much, ambient temperatures vary, etc). For quick jobs (such as assembling a metal shelving unit) I'm using a 2 a/h battery because it's lighter and will get the small jobs done. The 5.0 a/h cells weigh more - but I'd be hard pressed to run both of them to empty on any project that I'd normally tackle around the house - especially since one can be on charge while the other is in the bit driver. The tool itself is simply outstanding. I can't comment on longevity expectations, but the fit and finish is top-notch, the controls all work seamlessly, there is no "wobble" after mounting a bit, the trigger control is smooth. I have found nothing to complain about - other than the tool comes with a reversible belt hook that I’ll never use. In many tools such a hook is supplied in an accessories baggie, but Milwaukee delivers the tool with the belt hook pre-installed for a right-handed user. It can be removed using a small straight blade screwdriver (which I did); YMMV but, to me, those hooks just get in my way. It's easier for me when those things come in a baggie - I don't have to uninstall them. There are three LED lamps grouped in a triangle (see photo) for highlighting the work area. These work very well. There's a setting on the control panel ("Self-Tapping Screw Mode" see photo) that is designed to help control the setting of (for instance) wood screws - select that setting, pull the trigger all the way back, and the tool will drive the fastener into the work and stop when the torque is correct. It's a neat feature and appears to work quite well (I only tested the feature; I've not got a project on hand to actually run it through a day's work out). In use the tool has (so far) proven to work exactly as advertised. It's a brushless motor design that doesn't spark and seems quieter than previous "brush motor" tools. You'll still want to wear hearing and eye protection, of course. Balance is good with the 5 a/h battery but, as noted above, for quick tasks I prefer the lighter weight of a 2 a/h battery. I think that the best thing I can say about this new bit driver is that once I got familiar with the controls and got over playing with this new toy, now I don't even think about it; I pick it up, set the controls, install a bit and go to work. No muss, no fuss, the tool simply works well. The tool comes with a 5-year warranty, the batteries have a 3-year warranty (see photo) and there's a 90-day return policy from Home Depot.

There seems to be something off about a lot of reviews especially on YouTube which I think is influencing reviews left on Home Depot and other sites. First watching the YouTube reviews a lot of things weren’t touched or even talked about. So I headed over to Home Depot to pick up a set of the new Milwaukee driver and drill (Generation four) and take advantage of the free battery promotion so I could run some test of my own. 1) The trigger control on the GEN4 compared to the GEN3 is noticeably better and improved. Not only is it smoother and just has a premium feel there is less trigger lag and more range and precision. 2) Power! I have been running 5/16 x 6“ T 30 GRK construction fasteners into lumber also ran T 25 3 inch wood screws into lumber and the GEN four set the screws faster every time. 3) it does have the tri-LEDs which is an improvement over the previous model (GEN 3) but the tri-LED still manage to cast a shadow so it’s a decent improvement but not great. 4) The last thing is something I haven’t had a chance to experience because the set is relatively new but apparently it’s supposed to have A.I /muscle memory the impact will tune itself through repetition of driving the same fastener and become more efficient and faster at that task, curious to see how well this works.

I have several Milwaukee M18 system power tools and I’ve had good success with each one. This 1/4-inch-hex impact driver is my latest acquisition. The main reason I got it was to be able to drive screws in spaces with not much clearance. I’ve used it to drive screws for a countertop installation, used it to install window blinds, and used it to remove bolts while disassembling a suspended ceiling. A fully charged M18 battery powers the driver for a long time. It has plenty of torque and the ability to select between three maximum speeds (1700, 3000, 3900 RPM) is very helpful. I have not yet used the self-tapping screw mode that is intended for driving screws in sheet metal. The three LED lamps on the driver provide excellent illumination of my work area. Driver was made in Vietnam.

This is a powerful, compact impact driver. If you already own some Milwaukee M18 batteries, this tool-only driver is a relatively inexpensive option to get a powerful brushless impact driver. This impact driver has a lot of torque, with 4 speeds to improve control. However, I also own the Milwaukee "Surge" Impact Driver, and find that the speed on this non-surge model is quite a bit faster. On setting 2, this impact driver requires quite a bit more finesse and trigger control, as it drives much faster than the Surge model. If you are regularly working with long screws or bolts, the extra speed of this model will be nice. This driver is a "traditional" style impact driver with an anvil design. While it's simple and reliable, it is extremely loud compared to the Surge model. If you don't mind the noise, this model is less expensive, but if you need a quieter impact driver, I would recommend the Milwaukee Surge driver, which is much quieter and I think is easier to control. One very nice feature of this new model is the 3 lights on the front edge of the driver. All of my other cordless tools only have a single light, which always casts a shadow. The 3 lights on this driver completely illuminate the work area and are very bright. I really like the large tool hook that is included with the M18 cordless tools. They work great and make it easy to hang the tool on a belt or pocket, but they don't get in the way. This tool uses the Milwaukee M18 Lithium batteries, and given how compact and relatively light this tool is, I prefer the smaller M18 2.0 size batteries. If you don't need hours of run time, the 2.0 size batteries make this driver well balanced and easy to handle.

I love this 18 volt Fuel impact driver. I had on a few years ago and I loved it. It was the best impact I ever had. Until somebody stole off of a job site. I finally replaced it. This is the new generation and it's even better than my old one. Comes with two !8 volt batteries a charger the gun and a hard case. I has four speeds. It has a self tapping screw setting to help reduce stripping out fasteners. A belt clip an led light. Just a great all around tool couldn't be more happier.

I have the Milwaukee 2nd generation impact driver and it is still serving me well. I went with this 4th generation (2953-20) for the improved lighting (Tri-LEDs) and the improved speed control. The bonus for me was a more compact tool. This matters to me for tight spaces for vehicle work I do. The 2953-20 performs considerably better than my 2nd generation. I like the added tether hook for tethering the tool when working at heights, and improved belt clip which allows the driver to clip onto my tool bag a lot better. The improved 3 LED lights get light on the work regardless what angle I have the driver set to the work. The power is everything I expect from an impact driver, but the power/torque is so versatile thanks to the button selection speed control and responsive trigger. This driver has no trouble driving 1/2-inch X 6-inch wood lag screws into wood posts but has the ability to drive sheet metal screws without stripping them out. Trigger response is great and easy to control variable speed for starting screws. I did not experience the driver getting very hot even when driving the dozen 1/2-inch lag screws.

This hex driver is one of the most powerful cordless tools I've used yet. They sure seem to have caught up to, maybe surpassed the corded versions. There are three settings to match the job your doing. I think the self tapping screw setting will prove to be extremely helpful when driving self tapping screws. The torque this thing has is truly impressive, as are the built in led work lights.

Replacing 16 feet of cedar fence was the perfect first project for my new Milwaukee GEN-4, ¼ in. Hex Impact Driver. I secured the replacement fence posts with straps and ½ inch Lag screws to an existing chain length fence posts behind my cedar fence. I drove the ½ inch Lag screws using a ¼ Hex drive by ¼ inch socket drive adapters from Milwaukee (not included in kit). I drove 36, 3 1/2 inch long, T25 deck screws to secure 9 cross connecting 2x4 boards to the new posts. With this work completed, I drove 315, 1 5/8 inch, T25 deck screws installing 35 new cedar fence pickets (see the pictures). The GEN-4, ¼ in. Hex Impact Driver has 4 speeds and can drive Phillips screws, Straight screws, T Drive Deck Screws, Allen Screws, ¼, 3/8 and ½ in. sockets, wood and metal drill bits. Adapters for all these different fasteners can be bought separately from Milwaukee. To change the speeds of the impact driver is easy, just push the mode button located on the top of the base. The different Modes have the following performance; Mode 1 – max 1700 rpm & 1400 impacts per min (IPM), Mode 2 – max 3000 rpm & 3600 IPM, Mode 3 – max 3900 rpm & 4400 IPM and Mode 4- is for self-tapping screws. I found for driving the screws on my fence project that Mode 2 worked the best. Another thing I noticed on my new GEN-4 hex driver, was how sensitive and precise the trigger is when controlling rotational speed of the bit. The Hex Driver Kit comes with two 5 Ah batteries and a charger for those batteries. The kit has a rugged plastic case where everything can be stored until your next project. I would recommend the kit for this Milwaukee GEN-4, ¼ in. Hex Impact Driver. It is a great tool and makes any fastening jobs fast and easy. The rubber boot shown in the hex driver pictures is "not" included with the hex driver kit. It was obtained separately.

This impact driver presents a number of significant improvements over an earlier M18 (2757-20) impact driver. 1. It is more compact, shorter by 3/4” and just a bit fatter. This is really nice when you need to drive something in a confined space. 2. Three speed ranges 3. The LED lighting now has three lights and they are all positioned radially around the driver, resulting in excellent illumination on the fastener 4. There is a new special self-tapping screw mode in which the driver automatically shuts off when the screw gets to its hilt. It is very easy to use too, select the mode and then just pull the trigger for full power. It magically stops when the screw is done. The trigger control of the speed is very nice and easy to control, very responsive. There is a belt clip attached, which can be removed if not needed. An all round, excellent tool, well designed and great quality. Tool made in Vietnam, belt clip made in China

With 2 batteries, the charger and the nice case on top of a really well made tool this one is a winner. There’s a lot of reasons to get this even if you have Milwaukee drills and impact drivers. This will fit into tight places those others will not. Yet it has tons of power. And swapping bits out is a snap, literally. I have a couple Milwaukee drills with the quick change bit holders on them but they take up space, can easily come loose especially when operated in reverse. This has none of those issues and the tool weighs less and takes up less room without sacrificing any power that I can tell whatsoever. It’s just a top notch kit and the tool has tons us uses. With the quick change bits it can also be used as a drill in addition to working well with any number of driver bits. I’ve got a variety of Milwaukee tools but I foresee this quickly becoming one of the most widely used ones. I’m very happy with it. It’s an easy no brainer 5 stars.

Milwaukee…. M18 FUEL 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless ¼ in. Hex Impact Driver, the brushless motor produces 3900 RPM max and 2000 in. lbs. of torque, this tool is very powerful and the variable speed trigger and the 4 mode drive make it easy to use, it weighs only 2.2 lbs. and approximately 3.8 lbs. with a battery, it has a comfortable grip and is well balanced, I love the three LED work lights they really light up a big area, I like the Hex Bit technology and the ¼ in. hex chuck (collet) makes it easy to remove and replace a bit, there are tons of ¼ in. hex bits available, I use my impact driver daily driving screws, fastening nuts and bolts, and it is compatible with all M18 batteries and chargers, this is a great tool.

This Milwaukee ¼” is a very fast and powerful hex impact driver. It uses the M-18 batteries, which allow me to interchange batteries with my other Milwaukee tools. It has very controllable trigger and has four selectable speed modes. The first three modes range from 1700 rpm up to 3900 rpm. The last one is designed for using self-tapping screws in sheet metal. It looks like this will be a real advantage, as it initially spins fast to keep the screw from walking, but shuts the tool off when the fastener is fully seated, eliminating the chance of breaking or stripping out the screws or holes. This tool comes with an attached belt clip that can be easily removed, and has a ¼” quick connect chuck as well as 3 LED’s to light up the work area. Overall I am extremely satisfied and would definitely recommend it.

I have been looking for a 1/4” impact driver for carpentry and auto mechanical work, and this Milwaukee impact driver ticks off most of the boxes for what I need one for. I have a 1/2” impact driver, but it is too big for working in tight areas, and too heavy to work with all day. Ditto my 3/8” impact driver. The Milwaukee has hex drive with one handed insertion. For my first project I used it to frame up a rolling storage cabinet and install a couple of large drawers in it. I repurpose wood and plywood in my projects, and this wood is usually well seasoned and harder than new wood. The wood I was working with on my test drive of this impact tool was over thirty years old. The Milwaukee Impact driver handled the hex bit tools for pocket screw prep and insertion, installation of drawer slides, and the fabrication and installation of the cabinet with ease. When the hex bit tools first came out on the market there weren’t many options available, but today there are many different tools available today. The battery held up all day, and finished with juice to spare. I like it.

If you’re looking for a power boost, keep your Gen 3. Milwaukee kept the power level nearly even with a slight edge to the Gen 4. Satisfied so far with this purchase. The tri-LED’s are a big upgrade and the double Ball bearings are appreciated. No more bits coming out when pulling out of lumber/drywall like it did with original Gen 3 model… I hope. Pros: TRI-LED, Two ball bearings for better bit retention. Cons: power seems evenly matched with Gen 3.

I work on my own cars a lot and its been a great help on my most recent project I had it for over a month. It may not say verified purchase because I got it in a bundle but thats why I added the photo. I love this product so much because its affordable and compact for vehicles. I also put my torque wrench to its max setting and so if I was the last person to touch it with a torque wrench or generally if its factory this little guy will take it off. I charged the battery once since I got it!

This little Milwaukee 3/8" impact wrench will remove 150 ft/lbs lug nuts. Had my doubt it would until I tested it and it worked without any problems. I also have it's big brother 1/2" Milwaukee Impact that I keep in my truck just to remove lug nuts.

I received this tool as a free offer when I bought the grinder I really needed. I don't have much experience with 3/8 drive, but this tool has made me a believer. Most of my stuff is either 1/4 or 1/2. This tool is compact and powerful. I like the drive/torque modes, makes it very versatile. For the engine work that I do, 1/2 is often overkill but my 1/4 stuff wasn't powerful enough. This 3/8 drive fills a need I didn't realize I had until I used it. I would buy it with my own money.

Fell less than six feet and the battery broke