The drill carries the highest published torque in its class, the impact driver is capable, and the battery platform is the real reason to buy in.
This article is built from published manufacturer specifications, technical documentation and the reported experience of people who own the equipment. Nothing here has been tested by Tools Soko and nothing carries a score. See how we work.
Why you can trust us. Tools Soko earns a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never changes what we recommend, and it never changes the price you pay.
The Verdict
If you are choosing a cordless platform from scratch and budget allows, M18’s battery compatibility record makes it the safest long-term bet of the major platforms.
Pros and Cons
Strengths
- 2904 drill carries the highest published torque in the class
- ONE-KEY tool tracking, useful on shared sites
- Milwaukee says its HIGH OUTPUT packs hold voltage under heavy load
- Fifteen years of backward battery compatibility
Drawbacks
- Heavier than most compact drills at 1.9 kg
- Among the most expensive platform entry points
- Impact driver is the least distinctive tool in the kit
The Full Review
There is a version of this review that is just a table of torque figures, and Milwaukee wins most of the rows. Milwaukee publishes 158 Nm for the 2904 hammer drill, which sits at the top of the 18V class on stated figures. Peak torque is measured under conditions you will never meet, so read it as a ranking rather than a promise.
But torque is not why people stay on M18. It is the batteries. Milwaukee’s argument for HIGH OUTPUT packs is voltage stability under sustained draw, which is what you feel when a 65 mm hole saw is halfway through a stud. That is the company’s claim rather than an independent measurement, and the platform’s standing among trades rests on it.
The impact driver is the least distinctive part of the kit. It is a capable tool, but nothing in its published specification sets it clearly apart from rivals such as the DeWalt DCF850, so it is not the reason to choose this kit.
Where this kit makes its case is the ten-year view. Milwaukee has kept M18 backward compatible since 2008. Nothing else in the category has that record, and on a platform purchase that history is the specification that matters most.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Kit contents | 2904 drill, 2953 impact driver, 2× 5.0 Ah, charger, bag |
| Drill max torque | 158 Nm |
| Driver max torque | 226 Nm |
| Drill weight, bare | 1.9 kg |
| Battery platform | Milwaukee M18 |
| Warranty | 5 years tool, 3 years battery |
Where to Buy
| Retailer | Price | Availability | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $249 | In stock | Check price |
