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Milwaukee Ushers in the Next Generation of M18 Compact Drivers
When you’re shopping for the Best Cordless Drills and Impact Drivers, there’s a lot to consider. You want to look at performance, size, and platform, among many other aspects when choosing the right one for you. Brands like Milwaukee have a knack for improving each of these details every time a new generation is announced. This time, we’re turning our focus to the newly-announced Milwaukee M18 next-gen compact brushless drill, hammer drill, and impact drivers to see what the brand did differently.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2-inch Drill/Hammer Drill
- Model: Milwaukee 3601-20 (drill); Milwaukee 3602-20 (hammer drill)
- Max torque: 550 in-lbs
- Speed: 0 – 1700 RPM
- Hammer drill impact rate: 0 – 25,500 BPM
- Length: 5.7 inches (drill); 5.8 inches (hammer drill)
- Weight: 2.3 pounds (bare)
- Brushless motor
- All-metal gear case and 1/2-inch metal chuck for durability
- RedLink intelligence
The next-gen M18 brushless drill and hammer drill reach torque levels of up to 550 in-lbs at the top end. Both tools reach maximum speeds of 1700 RPM with two speed settings. A variable speed trigger helps you further choose your speed for the job at hand.
The 3602-20 hammer drill also adds a hammering mechanism into the mix, with impact rates up to 25,500 BPM.
![Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill](https://www.protoolreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3602-22_101_35-519x800.jpg)
As compact tools, they’re shorter than full-size drills and have a lightweight design. The 3601-20 drill has a length of 5.7 inches and the hammer drill is ever-so-slightly longer at 5.8 inches. Both tools have a bare weight of 2.3 pounds.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/4-inch Hex Impact Driver
![](https://www.protoolreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M18-DrillImpact-Driver-2023-02-800x533.jpg)
- Model: Milwaukee 3650-20 (single-speed); Milwaukee 3651-20 (three-speed)
- Compact size: 4.4-inch length
- Brushless motor
- Up to 1700 in-lbs of torque
- Max speed: 3600 RPM
- Max impact rate: 4900 IPM
- RedLink intelligence
- All-metal gearcase for durability
This compact impact driver has a length of 4.4 inches and a weight of just 1.7 pounds bare. This design helps you access tighter areas that bulkier tools might struggle with.
On the performance side, a brushless motor helps you reach torque levels up to 1700 in-lbs and impact rates up to 4900 IPM. For speed, Milwaukee offers a single-speed model and a three-speed model. Both reach a maximum of 3600 RPM. The 3651-20 three-speed model has a speed control switch that lets you control your speed for the job at hand. A variable speed trigger on both models also lets you dial in your speed even further.
![](https://www.protoolreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/M18-DrillImpact-Driver-2023-04-446x800.jpg)
Like their drill and hammer drill cousins mentioned above, these impact drivers feature RedLink intelligence and an all-metal gearcase for added durability.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/2-inch Drill/Hammer Drill Price
For the standard drill, retail prices start at $139 for the bare tool and $199 for the kit. If you’re after the hammering function, the hammer drill retails for $149 and there are no kit options at the time of writing. Milwaukee backs your purchase with a 5-year warranty on the tools.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless 1/4-inch Impact Driver Price
For the single-speed impact driver, the bare tool retails for $139, and the kit for $199. The three-speed model retails for $10 more at $149. Milwaukee covers your tool purchase with a 5-year warranty.
If you’re after both the impact driver and the drill mentioned above, Milwaukee is also offering a 2-piece combo kit for $239 that bundles the 3601-20 drill, 3650-20 impact driver, two 2.0Ah batteries, an M12/M18 Multivolt charger, and a contractor bag. Milwaukee still backs your tools with a 5-year warranty.