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Head-to-head · Best Cordless Drills

Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless 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 narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about professional tradesmen needing top-tier performance — read the strengths below before deciding.

Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Ranked #4 in Best Cordless Drills
Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
4 sourcesall derived$103.25as of Aug 1

The Milwaukee M12 FUEL ½ Inch Drill/Driver delivers impressive performance in a lightweight, compact design ideal for finish work and confined spaces. Reviewer Wayne Cormier praised its ease of use, rubber grip, and ability to handle demanding tasks like 2" hole-saws without slowing down. The tool's durability was confirmed through drop tests from 3 to 8 feet. While reviewers noted the battery removal could be improved, the drill's brushless motor and low weight make it a strong contender for professionals seeking a versatile 12V option. It's particularly suited for contractors who need a lighter alternative to M18 drills but still want substantial power.

Strengths
  • — Lightweight at 2.6 lbs, half the weight of larger M18 drills
  • — Key-less chuck accepts all standard bits
  • — LED indicators on top and below chuck for visibility
Watch-outs
  • — Battery removal mechanism feels awkward and could be easier
  • — Limited to 2.0Ah and 4.0Ah battery options
$103.25 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Cordless Drills
Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
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 AmazonFull 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

Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver

The Milwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver is lighter and more compact than the Makita 18V LXT or DEWALT 20V MAX XR, but it's less powerful than the Milwaukee M18 FUEL. It's not as versatile as the Bosch 18V or Ryobi ONE+, but it's more durable and better suited for finish work than the Black+Decker.

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

SpecMilwaukee M12 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/DriverMilwaukee M18 FUEL Brushless Cordless Drill/Driver
Chuck SizeKey-less1/2 inch
Battery VoltageXC4.0 4.0AhM18 FUEL
No-Load SpeedLow and high speed settings500 RPM
Weight2.6 lb3.3 lb
Torque350 in-lbs1400 in-lbs
Voltage12 volts18 volts
Motor TypeBrushlessBrushless
Battery Capacity2.0 Ah5.0Ah
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