Head-to-head · Best Cordless Drills

Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about professional tradesmen needing top-tier performance — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Cordless Drills

Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver

4.2

4 sources1 derived$159.99as of Jul 31

The Bosch 12V Max EC Brushless Lithium Ion Drill and Driver is praised for its compact, lightweight design that makes it ideal for cabinet installation and fine finish work where larger tools would be cumbersome. Reviewers highlight the brushless motor's longevity and improved runtime, as well as the 20+1 clutch settings for precise screw driving. However, it's not recommended for heavy-duty applications, and some users noted that the bit storage mechanism degrades with use. This tool is best suited for professionals and DIYers doing detailed carpentry work rather than heavy construction tasks.

Strengths

— Compact size and lightweight design perfect for tight spaces and detailed work
— Brushless motor provides twice the lifespan of previous generation models
— 20+1 clutch settings allow for precise torque control during screw driving

Watch-outs

— Not suitable for heavy-duty tasks or driving thick screws
— Onboard bit storage wears down over time and no longer holds bits snugly

$159.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Cordless Drills

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

4.6

3 sources2 derived$296.71as of Jul 31

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver earned a 9.4/10 rating from Pro Tool Reviews, praised for its quick drilling, excellent low-speed torque, and consistent top-3 performance in testing against competitors like Makita, DeWalt, and Hilti. Reviewers noted its 1400 in-lbs torque, 33,000 BPM hammering rate, and AutoStop safety feature. While it excels overall, some individual tests showed it was narrowly beaten by other models. This drill is ideal for professional tradesmen and serious DIY users seeking high performance and durability.

Strengths

— Top-tier performance with 1400 in-lbs max torque
— 500 RPM low speed and 2100 RPM high speed
— 33,000 BPM hammering rate

Watch-outs

— High-capacity batteries can affect tool balance
— Not flawless in all individual tests compared to competitors

$296.71 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver

The Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver is more compact and lightweight than the Milwaukee M12 FUEL or Makita 18V LXT, but it lacks the torque and power of the Milwaukee M18 FUEL or DEWALT 20V MAX XR. It's not suited for heavy-duty tasks like the Black+Decker or Ryobi ONE+, making it ideal for detailed finish work only.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver outperforms the DEWALT 20V MAX XR in torque and speed, and is more durable than the Ryobi ONE+ or Black+Decker models, but it's heavier and more expensive than the Makita 18V LXT or Bosch 12V Max. Its 33,000 BPM hammering rate sets it apart from competitors like the Bosch 18V or Makita 18V LXT.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Bosch 12V Max Brushless Compact Drill/Driver	Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Chuck Size	1/4 Hex Chuck (PS22-02)	1/2 inch
Battery Voltage	12V Lithium-ion	M18 FUEL
No-Load Speed	0-1,300 rpm	500 RPM
Torque	180 in. lbs (PS22-02)	1400 in-lbs
Clutch Settings	20+1	—
Battery Capacity	2 Ah	5.0Ah
Motor Type	Brushless	Brushless
Weight	1.6 lb	3.3 lb
Voltage	12 volts	18 volts

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