Top tools: Cordless drills
Our pick for a cordless drill/driver kit for holes and screws
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver kit
Model 2904-22
Why we picked it
- Our pick for one drill that does it all: a brushless 18V drill/driver with a hammer mode for masonry, sold as a kit with two batteries, a charger and a case.
- Popular Mechanics tested eight drills, boring holes through 2x4s, driving 3 in. screws into stacked 2x4s and drilling concrete, and named it best overall, with the best power for its weight.
- Pro Tool Reviews tested it against more than a dozen peers and named it the best cordless drill overall, because it scored consistently high across drilling, driving and torque tests.
- Bob Vila tested it in concrete and stacked 2x6s and found it outperformed virtually every other hammer drill it had tried, and drove 3 in. lag bolts without bogging down.
Specs (from the maker)
- Up to 2,100 RPM; 1,400 in.-lb of torque (from Milwaukee's product page)
- 1/2 in. all-metal ratcheting chuck (from Milwaukee's product page)
- 6.9 in. long (from Milwaukee's product page)
- Kit has two M18 XC5.0 batteries, a charger and a case (from Milwaukee's product page)
Keep in mind
- It costs more than most drills; Bob Vila calls the price premium.
Where to buy
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Photo credits
- Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver kit: Image: Milwaukee product image
More on Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver kit
Keep in mind
- Popular Mechanics found it wasn't the fastest drill it tested, and Pro Tool Reviews found other drills often beat it in single tests.
- The Popular Mechanics and Bob Vila tests were both done by the same tester, Tony Carrick, so treat them as one tester's view rather than two independent confirmations; Pro Tool Reviews is the separate test.
What the sources found
- Popular Mechanics: The best cordless drills, tested (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, updated Oct 19, 2026; checked ): Tony Carrick tested eight drills: holes through 2x4s with spade and twist bits, 3 in. screws into stacked 2x4s, and holes in concrete for the hammer drills. Named the Milwaukee 2904 best overall, with the best power-to-weight ratio, though not the fastest. The page says it may earn a commission from links.
- Bob Vila: Milwaukee M18 FUEL hammer drill review (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Oct 18, 2024; checked ): Tony Carrick drilled concrete and stacked 2x6s with it and drove 3 in. lag bolts; found it outperformed virtually every other hammer drill he'd tested, at 3.3 lb bare, but with a premium price tag. The page says it uses affiliate links.
- Pro Tool Reviews: Milwaukee M18 FUEL hammer drill review (external site, opens in a new tab) (independent test, Jun 29, 2022; checked ): Pro Tool Reviews tested the 4th-generation 2904 against more than a dozen peers and named it the best cordless drill overall: other drills often beat it in single tests, but it scored consistently high across drilling, driving and torque. We didn't see an affiliate notice on the review page.
- Milwaukee: M18 FUEL 1/2 in. hammer drill/driver kit 2904-22 (external site, opens in a new tab) (maker spec page, no date shown; checked ): Lists up to 2,100 RPM, 1,400 in.-lb of torque, a 6.9 in. length, a 1/2 in. all-metal chuck and XC5.0 batteries in the kit.
How we picked
We didn't hands-on test these. We picked it by reading independent tests and reviews (Popular Mechanics, Bob Vila and Pro Tool Reviews), checking Milwaukee's spec page, and checking the price at Home Depot. The Popular Mechanics and Bob Vila tests were done by the same tester, so we count them as one independent tester; with Pro Tool Reviews, that makes two independent testers. They're all linked with the pick, along with what each one found. We also searched the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's recall database on Oct 25, 2026 and found no recall for this drill. Prices, review counts and links were last checked on ; prices and stock change, so check the store before you buy.
No paid links. Every link on this page is a plain link: no affiliate codes or tracking, and no company paid or asked to be listed (disclosure). Links open in a new tab.
Some outlets we cite get review samples from tool makers; we don't use pieces a maker paid for or sponsored.
We pick tools from independent tests and reviews, not our own testing.