Milwaukee 2904 M18 FUEL Drill Review (2026)

Who the Milwaukee 2904-20 is for

The Milwaukee 2904-20 is the heavy hitter of this group, and it is not close. Where the Makita XFD131, DeWalt DCD800, and Bosch GSR18V-400 are compact drill/drivers built around portability, the 2904 is an M18 FUEL hammer drill/driver built around power: 1,400 in-lbs of peak torque, a 33,000-BPM hammer mode, a two-speed transmission topping out at 2,100 RPM, and a carbide-toothed all-metal chuck. Line those figures up against the compacts and the positioning is obvious — this tool is for the tradesperson or serious DIYer who drives large fasteners, bores big holes, and occasionally needs to put an anchor into masonry, all with one drill.

The single most important thing to know before buying is that the 2904-20 is a bare tool. It ships with the drill, a side handle, and a belt clip — no battery, no charger. That makes it a poor choice for anyone not already invested in the M18 platform, and a smart one for the many people who already own a pile of M18 REDLITHIUM packs.

Build quality and ergonomics

This is a Milwaukee FUEL tool, and it feels like one — dense, solid, and built for abuse. The all-metal 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck uses carbide teeth that bite into round-shank bits and hold them under the kind of torque that would spin a bit loose in a lesser chuck. The side handle is genuinely necessary here, not a token accessory: at 1,400 in-lbs, the drill can twist hard in your hand if a big bit binds, and the handle gives you the leverage to control it.

The trade-off for all that capability is size and weight. At roughly 4.9 lbs with an XC5.0 battery and 6.9 inches long, the 2904 is the heaviest and longest tool in this comparison — noticeably more than the Bosch's 2 lbs 12.8 oz bare weight or the DeWalt's 2.82 lbs. Owners consistently report it is a tool you feel after a day of overhead work. The grip and balance are good for the class, but there is no hiding that this is a bigger, heavier drill than the compacts it is being compared against.

Drilling and driving performance by material

In wood, the 2904 simply does not bog. Large self-feed bits, big spade bits, and hole saws that would stall the Bosch and slow the Makita pull through framing in low gear thanks to the 1,400 in-lb torque. This is the drill you want for joist and stud boring, ledger work, and any task where the others run out of grunt.

In metal, the 2,100 RPM high gear is the fastest top speed in the group and clears large twist-drilled holes quickly, while low gear gives the torque to push big bits and step bits through thick stock without stalling.

For driving, the 2904 sinks large lag bolts and structural screws that make the compact drills strain — this is its home turf. The reverse is also true: for cabinet screws, drywall, and light deck fasteners, all that power and weight are wasted, and a lighter compact would be the more pleasant tool. The 16-position clutch handles fine fastening when you need it, but you are carrying a lot of drill to drive a #8 screw.

The hammer mode is the capability the other three lack entirely. At 33,000 BPM with a masonry bit, the 2904 will set anchors and drill pilot holes in brick and block — not a substitute for a rotary hammer in concrete, but more than enough for the occasional masonry task that would leave the Makita, DeWalt, and Bosch helpless.

Battery and charging

Because the 2904-20 is a bare tool, the battery is entirely up to you, and the choice shapes the experience. An M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 pack is the sensible match — it balances runtime against weight and is what most of the published working-weight figures assume. Smaller CP2.0 or CP3.0 packs cut the weight for lighter work; High Output and FORGE packs maximize runtime and sustained power under the heavy loads this tool is built for. The deep M18 platform means whatever pack you own already fits. Just remember to factor a battery and charger into the price — that bare-tool sticker is not the real cost unless you already have M18 cells on the shelf.

Value versus the other three drills

Against the Makita XFD131 and DeWalt DCD800, the comparison is about purpose, not just specs. The 2904 has more than triple the torque and adds a hammer mode, but it is heavier, longer, and — once you add a battery and charger — the most expensive option, since both of those ship as complete kits with batteries included. If you need the power, the Milwaukee is worth it; if you do everyday fastening, the kits are the smarter spend.

Against the Bosch GSR18V-400, the contrast is starkest. The Bosch is the lightest, cheapest, longest-warrantied compact in the group at 400 in-lbs; the Milwaukee is the heaviest, most powerful, and most expensive at 1,400 in-lbs with hammer capability. They sit at opposite ends of the cordless drill spectrum — the Bosch for light ergonomic everyday work, the Milwaukee for heavy structural and masonry tasks.

The 2904's trump cards over all three are raw torque, the hammer mode, and the M18 platform's depth and durability reputation. Its weaknesses are weight, size, and the bare-tool pricing that makes the real cost the highest here.

Final verdict

The Milwaukee 2904-20 comes in at 4.5 as the most capable drill in this group by a wide margin — 1,400 in-lbs of torque, a genuine hammer mode, and FUEL-grade durability make it the clear choice for anyone who drives large fasteners, bores big holes, or needs occasional masonry capability. It loses half a point only because it is the heaviest and longest tool here and ships as a bare tool, so the real cost runs highest once you add a battery and charger. For M18 owners who need power, it is an easy recommendation. For light everyday fastening, or for anyone wanting a light, complete, affordable kit, the Makita XFD131 or Bosch GSR18V-400 are the better-matched tools.