Milwaukee Ushers in the Next Generation of M18 Compact Drivers
When you’re shopping for the best cordless drill or the best impact driver, there’s a lot to consider. You want to look at performance, size, and platform, among many other aspects when choosing the right one for you. Brands like Milwaukee have a knack for improving each of these details every time a new generation is announced. This time, we’re turning our focus to the newly-announced Milwaukee M18 next-gen compact brushless drill, hammer drill, and impact drivers to see what the brand did differently.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2-inch Drill/Hammer Drill
- Model: Milwaukee 3601-20 (drill); Milwaukee 3602-20 (hammer drill)
- Max torque: 550 in-lbs
- Speed: 0 – 1700 RPM
- Hammer drill impact rate: 0 – 25,500 BPM
- Length: 5.7 inches (drill); 5.8 inches (hammer drill)
- Weight: 2.3 pounds (bare)
- Brushless motor
- All-metal gear case and 1/2-inch metal chuck for durability
- RedLink intelligence
The next-gen M18 brushless drill and hammer drill reach torque levels of up to 550 in-lbs at the top end. Both tools reach maximum speeds of 1700 RPM with two speed settings. A variable speed trigger helps you further choose your speed for the job at hand.
The 3602-20 hammer drill also adds a hammering mechanism into the mix, with impact rates up to 25,500 BPM.
As compact tools, they’re shorter than full-size drills and have a lightweight design. The 3601-20 drill has a length of 5.7 inches and the hammer drill is ever-so-slightly longer at 5.8 inches. Both tools have a bare weight of 2.3 pounds.
| 3601 (New) | 2801 (Previous) | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 1700 RPM | 1800 RPM |
| Torque | 550 in-lbs | 500 in-lbs |
| Length | 5.7 in | 6.5 in |
| Bare Weight | 2.3 lbs | 2.5 lbs |
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver
- Model: Milwaukee 3650-20 (single-speed); Milwaukee 3651-20 (three-speed)
- Compact size: 4.4-inch length
- Brushless motor
- Up to 1700 in-lbs of torque
- Max speed: 3600 RPM
- Max impact rate: 4900 IPM
- RedLink intelligence
- All-metal gearcase for durability
This compact impact driver has a length of 4.4 inches and a weight of just 1.7 pounds bare. This design helps you access tighter areas that bulkier tools might struggle with.
On the performance side, a brushless motor helps you reach torque levels up to 1700 in-lbs and impact rates up to 4900 IPM. For speed, Milwaukee offers a single-speed model and a three-speed model. Both reach a maximum of 3600 RPM. The 3651-20 three-speed model has a speed control switch that lets you control your speed for the job at hand. A variable speed trigger on both models also lets you dial in your speed even further.
Like their drill and hammer drill cousins mentioned above, these impact drivers feature RedLink intelligence and an all-metal gearcase for added durability.
| 3651 (New) | 2850 (Previous) | |
|---|---|---|
| Top Speed | 3600 RPM | 3400 RPM |
| Impact Rate | 4900 IPM | 4200 IPM |
| Torque | 1700 in-lbs | 1600 in-lbs |
| Length | 4.4 in | 5.1 in |
| Bare Weight | 1.7 lbs | 2.0 lbs |
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2-inch Drill/Hammer Drill Price
For the standard drill, retail prices start at $139 for the bare tool and $199 for the kit. If you’re after the hammering function, the hammer drill retails for $149 and there are no kit options at the time of writing. Milwaukee backs your purchase with a 5-year warranty on the tools.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/4-inch Impact Driver Price
For the single-speed impact driver, the bare tool retails for $139, and the kit for $199. The three-speed model retails for $10 more at $149. Milwaukee covers your tool purchase with a 5-year warranty.
If you’re after both the impact driver and the drill mentioned above, Milwaukee is also offering a 2-piece combo kit for $239 that bundles the 3601-20 drill, 3650-20 impact driver, two 2.0Ah batteries, an M12/M18 Multivolt charger, and a contractor bag. Milwaukee still backs your tools with a 5-year warranty.
