What’s the best Milwaukee impact wrench in 2023? That completely depends on what you use an impact wrench for the most. We’ve compiled our top picks across a wide range of options. Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!
Our Top Picks
- M18 Fuel 1/2-Inch Mid-Torque 2962/2962P – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓ - M18 Fuel 3/8-Inch Compact 2854 – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓ - M18 Fuel 3/4-Inch High-Torque 2864 – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓ - M18 Fuel 1-Inch D-Handle High-Torque 2868/2869 – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓ - M12 Fuel 1/4-Inch Stubby 2552 – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓ - M12 Fuel 1/2-Inch Stubby 2555/2555P – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓ - M18 Fuel Utility High-Torque Impact Wrench 2865 – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓ - M12 Fuel Right Angle Impact Wrench 2565/2565P – Buy from Acme Tools
Jump to this Impact Wrench ↓
Don’t Forget Your Impact Sockets!
If you’re going to trust a Milwaukee impact wrench to help you make money, why not rely on their impact sockets, too? For a comprehensive start, we recommend the 36-piece 3/8-inch set (49-66-6805) and the 31-piece 1/2-inch set (49-66-6806).
Both sets include SAE and metric sizes with 6-point sockets that are stamped and ink-filled, making identification easy. They come in Packout cases and have removable trays if you’d prefer to put them in your tool chest. The trays are also color-coded: red for SAE and black for metric.
Best Milwaukee 1/2-Inch Impact Wrench
M18 Fuel Mid-Torque 2962/2962P
If you’re going to own just one Milwaukee impact wrench for the widest range of tasks, it has to be the 1/2-inch mid-torque 2962/2962P. Available with a friction ring or pin detent, it’s capable of fastening up to 550 ft-lbs and loosening up to 650 ft-lbs.
3 standard modes control your speed and power, and there’s an auto mode to give you more control. It’s also surprisingly compact for its size, taking advantage of the latest brushless motor technology Milwaukee has to offer.
- 4-Mode Drive Control
- No-Load Speeds: 0 – 1250/1950/2575 RPM (2575 in Auto mode)
- Impact Rate: 0 – 3100 IPM
- Max Torque: 550 ft-lbs fastening, 650 ft-lbs nut-busting
- Head Length: 6.0 inches
- Bare Weight: 3.5 pounds bare, 5.1 pounds w/5.0Ah battery
- Also available with a 3/8-inch friction ring (2960)
Best Milwaukee 3/8-Inch Impact Wrench
M18 Fuel Compact 2854
If you’re on the hunt for a 3/8-inch impact wrench, the M18 Fuel line has an excellent compact model that you have to use to believe. It has 250 ft-lbs of torque and broke 400 ft-lbs in our testing. It comes in a package that’s less than 5 inches long and weighs under 2.5 pounds as a bare tool. Even with a 5.0Ah battery, the total weight is just 4.0 pounds.
Like our 1/2-inch recommendation above, there are 3 standard modes and an auto mode for control.
- 4-Mode Drive Control
- No-Load Speeds: 0-800/1650/2400 RPM (2400 in Auto mode)
- Impact Rate: 3500 IPM
- Max Torque: 250 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 4.8 in.
- Bare Weight: 2.4 lbs.
- Also available with a 1/2-inch friction ring or pin detent (2855/2855P)
Best Milwaukee 3/4-Inch Impact Wrench
M18 Fuel High-Torque 2864
Milwaukee has a few 3/4-inch impact wrenches (including a corded model) and the one to target is the 2864 if you’re looking for the best. With a monster 1200 ft-lbs of fastening and 1500 ft-lbs of breakaway torque, it’s a high-torque option that’s still manageable in its weight and compact in size.
This model features One-Key, offering customizable modes you can set along with tool tracking and inventory management.
- No-Load Speeds: 0-1800 RPM (four customizable modes)
- Impact Rate: 0-2400 IPM
- Max Torque: 1200 ft-lbs fastening, 1500 ft-lbs breakaway
- Head Length: 8.6 in.
- Bare Weight: 6.3 lbs.
- Also available with a 1/2-inch friction ring (2863)
Best Milwaukee 1-Inch Impact Wrench
M18 Fuel D-Handle High-Torque 2868/2869
When you need serious power, 1-inch D-handle impact wrenches are the way to go and Milwaukee has two legit cordless models that can replace your pneumatics. They feature a mind-blowing 1900 ft-lbs of fastening torque and 2,000 ft-lbs of breakaway for the toughest jobs. With such a strong brushless motor, they rely on Milwaukee’s 12.0Ah High Output battery as an energy source. It also has a battery isolation section that reduces the amount of heavy impact vibration that reaches the lithium-ion cells. One-Key integration and four customizable modes are the icing on the cake.
Designed around the needs of diesel and heavy equipment mechanics, it’s available with a standard or extended reach 1-inch anvil.
- No-Load Speeds: 0-1200 RPM (four customizable modes)
- Impact Rate: 0-1440 IPM
- Max Torque: 1900 ft-lbs fastening, 2000 ft-lbs breakaway
- Head Length: 17.9 in.
- Bare Weight: 21.5 lbs bare, 25.0 pounds with 12.0Ah battery (add 2.2 lbs for the extended anvil)
Best Milwaukee 1/4-Inch Impact Wrench
M12 Fuel Stubby 1/4-Inch 2552
Moving in the completely opposite direction, we head to the M12 system for our top 1/4-inch impact wrench recommendation. Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel stubby line is impressive across all of its drive sizes and the 1/4-inch version drops down to 100 ft-lbs of torque paired with up to 3000 RPM of speed. It’s a great choice when you’re working with smaller fasteners or softer materials and want to avoid over-torquing. Continuing the trend we’ve already seen, this model has 3 standard modes and an auto mode when you need more control.
- 4-Mode Drive Control
- No-Load Speeds: 0 – 1300/1900/3200 RPM (3200 in auto mode)
- Impact Rate: 4000 IPM
- Max Torque: 100 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 5.1 in.
- Bare Weight: 1.64 lbs
Best Milwaukee M12 Impact Wrench
M12 Fuel Stubby 1/2-Inch 2555/2555P
Our top choice for the best Milwaukee M12 impact wrench stays with the M12 Fuel stubby line, and it’s the 1/2-inch version we prefer. This compact little impact boasts 250 ft-lbs of torque. Considering it’s using a 12V battery as its power source, that’s impressive.
The 1/2-inch drive is available as either a friction ring or pin detent and has a lot of potential for work across most trades along with its expected automotive uses.
- 4-Mode Drive Control
- No-Load Speeds: 0-1200/1800/2700 RPM (2700 RPM in auto mode)
- Impact Rate: 3200 IPM
- Max Torque: 250 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 4.9 in.
- Bare Weight: 2 lbs.
- Also available with a 3/8-inch friction ring
More Milwaukee Cordless Impact Wrench Options To Note
M18 Fuel Utility High Torque Impact Wrench 2865
Milwaukee’s 2865 is an M18 Fuel impact wrench designed specifically for linemen’s needs with its 7/16-inch hex collet. Behind that specialty connection, the brushless motor is capable of 750 ft-lbs of torque to help set the larger fasteners utility workers frequently deal with. It’s also rated to work around lines up to 69,000 volts and there’s a beefy metal ring at the top for easy tethering.
While the 2300 RPM top speed doesn’t match what hydraulic impacts are capable of, the completely cord-free/hose-free convenience can make up the difference with far less setup time and hassle.
One-Key is onboard offering its tracking and management assets along with the ability to customize your mode settings.
- 4-Mode Drive Control (no auto mode)
- No-Load Speeds: 0 – 900/1200/1800/2300 RPM
- Impact Rate: 2800 IPM
- Max Torque: 750 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 8.2 in.
- Bare Weight: 5.9 lbs.
M12 Fuel Right Angle Impact Wrench 2565/2565P
You can be forgiven if you first look at Milwaukee’s 2565 and assume it’s another M12 Fuel ratchet. However, it’s actually a right angle impact wrench with far greater speed and torque than cordless ratchets have. The dead giveaway is at the head where it’s bulkier than ratchets to make room for the mechanics of an impact wrench.
It tops out at 3000 RPM and 220 ft-lbs of torque. With an overall length of just over 14 inches, it helps you reach into spaces you can’t fit a pistol grip tool while offering the power to deal with most of the fasteners you’ll come across in those spaces.
While the auto-mode that’s on several of Milwaukee’s impact wrenches is helpful, it’s particularly useful on this model. In reverse, the RPMs drop way down once the impact stops, and in forward, it ensures you put no more than 15 ft-lbs of torque into the fastener.
- 4-Mode Drive Control
- No-Load Speeds: 0 – 1550/2300/3000 RPM (3000 RPM in auto mode)
- Impact Rate: 3,600 IPM
- Max Torque: 220 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 2.2 in.
- Bare Weight: 2.85 lbs.
- Available with a 3/8-inch friction ring, 1/2-inch friction ring, or 1/2-inch pin detent
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