We Tested 7 Hammer Drills, and This One Is a Beast

By Tony Carrick

Posted on Oct 18, 2024 5:30 PM EDT

Reviewed By Beth Cranston

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Milwaukee rarely, if ever, disappoints with its cordless power tools, so I was excited to get my hands on the newest iteration of its top-of-the-line hammer drill, the M18 Fuel 2904-22. I wasn’t disappointed. It outperformed virtually every other hammer drill I tested in its ability to drill through concrete, brick, and wood and drive in large fasteners.

The one cordless drill driver it didn’t outperform it effortlessly surpassed in power-to-weight ratio. And while its high price may not make it the right choice for everyone, it’s certainly the hammer drill of choice for pros and serious DIYers. Read on to learn about how Milwaukee’s M18 performed in my tests and find out why this tool tops our list of the best hammer drills.

Wanting to see if the Fuel M18 2904-22 hammer drill really lived up to the Milwaukee reputation, I set the bar high with my testing. I subjected it to three trials to test its abilities as a hammer drill, standard drill, and driver.

I began by using the M18 Fuel 2904-22 to drill holes in a chunk of concrete using a ⅜-inch masonry drill bit. I then moved to wood, loading the M18 with a 1-inch paddle bit and a ½-inch standard drill bit to bore into two stacked 2x6s. Finally, I finished off my testing by switching to driver mode and loading it with a bit driver to drive 3-inch lag bolts.

Along with my hands-on tests, I also assessed the M18 Fuel hammer drill for build quality, size and weight, and price as these factors compared to the other cordless hammer drills we tested.

Given Milwaukee’s reputation for making some of the top-performing cordless tools, especially when it comes to cordless drills, I had high expectations for this model. Milwaukee rates it with 1,400 inch-lbs of torque and a max speed of 2,100 RPM. It lived up to those specs and more.

Of all the hammer drills we tested, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel consistently outperformed virtually every other drill. We had no difficulty drilling into concrete using a large masonry bit when it was set to hammer drill mode. The M18 Fuel 2904-20 drilled through the material more quickly than the other cordless models we tested with surprisingly little vibration.

It also impressed as a standard drill, drilling smoothly through our stacked 2x6s with a 1-inch paddle bit and ¾-inch standard twist drill bit. What was really impressive was how smoothly the M18 operates. It bores through wood like butter even when loaded with a well-worn 1-inch paddle bit.

Not only is it powerful, but it’s also more comfortable to use than drills that have to work harder when loaded with these larger bits. I didn’t need to put a death grip on the handle or grit my teeth through heavy vibrations even when drilling into concrete.

The Milwaukee also excels as a driver. It effortlessly drove 3-inch lag bolts into our stacked 2x6s with no bogging down or straining.

Along with the M18 Fuel 2904-22’s raw power, I also appreciated the controls this drill gives you to dial back the power. Two speed options and a bevy of torque settings are provided for drilling and driving, making it a cordless drill you can use for both tougher jobs and more delicate tasks that require less speed and torque.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel also impressed with its power-to-weight ratio. This hammer drill weighs just 3.3 pounds as a bare tool and just under 5 pounds loaded with a 5-amp-hour (Ah) battery. For comparison’s sake, that’s a full 2 pounds less than the Flex ½-inch cordless hammer drill’s weight with battery, which was the only hammer drill we tested to edge out the Fuel M18 2904-22 in power and speed.

The Milwaukee M18 is compact, too, measuring just under 7 inches from the tip of the chuck to the back of the head. This lighter weight and smaller size translates to a cordless hammer drill that your arm will appreciate for longer jobs. You also won’t mind wearing this hammer drill on your tool belt.

Milwaukee’s line of M18 Fuel power tools is designed to endure a pro jobsite, which is evident in build quality. The 2904-22 comes with a metal chuck that does a superior job of gripping bits. I didn’t experience any bits slipping or falling out, even when using larger drill bits, which is something we couldn’t say for the hammer drills we tested that have plastic chucks. The drill’s gear assembly is also protected by a metal case.

Rubber grip on the back of the head, sides of the drill, and base of the 5 Ah battery serves to protect the drill and also prevents it from scratching whatever you set it on. The Fuel M18 2904-22 is designed with a comfortable over-molded grip that fits nicely in the hand.

The M18 Fuel 2904-22 also comes with some impressive extra features. For instance, an AutoStop feature automatically shuts off the drill when it senses over rotation to prevent wrist injuries, which is a great safety feature given the high level of torque this hammer drill is capable of producing. There’s even an indicator light that lets you know when the AutoStop feature engages. As with most hammer drills, the M18 Fuel 2904-22 also comes with a detachable side handle that allows you to operate the drill with two hands to prevent injury, a feature that came in handy during the concrete drilling part of my testing.

Other notable features include a bright LED work light on the base and an easy-to-read LED power gauge that’s on Milwaukee’s M18 Red Lithium batteries.

The Milwaukee ½-inch hammer drill/driver comes in at $249 for the kit or $199 when purchased as a bare tool, making it among the most expensive cordless hammer drill drivers on the market. That said, it’s hard to argue that this tool isn’t worth every penny. Given its performance as both drill and driver, excellent power-to-weight ratio, pro-level build quality, and safety features, it’s worth the investment. This is also one of the more versatile hammer drills you’ll find. With its high top end for heavy-duty drilling and driving jobs and numerous settings that allow you to dial back that power for more delicate tasks, it can serve as a hammer drill, standard drill, and impact driver all in one, giving you more bang for your buck.

Buy the Milwaukee M18 Fuel hammer drill/driver kit on:

The M18 Milwaukee Fuel may just be the best cordless hammer drill you can buy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you should. With its steep price tag, it’s one of the most expensive cordless hammer drills on the market. If you’re a professional who uses a hammer drill on a regular basis or a serious DIYer who invests many weekends a year on home improvement projects, paying that price certainly makes sense. If you’re a casual DIYer, the M18 Fuel 2904-22 is probably more hammer drill than you need. There are cordless drills available for under $100 that will likely meet your needs.

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer specializing in home improvement, landscaping, technology, home security, and design for such sites and publications as Popular Mechanics, Pro Tools Review, CNN Underscored, and This Old House Magazine.

Contributing Writer

Tony Carrick is a freelance writer who has contributed to BobVila.com since 2020. He writes how-to articles and product reviews in the areas of lawn and garden, home maintenance, home improvement, auto maintenance, housewares, and technology.

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