The 5 Top Milwaukee Hammer Drills

With so many brands out there, it can be challenging to pick the best hammer drill for your workbench. If you don’t know what each brand offers, you can easily choose a hammer drill that doesn’t fit your project.

That’s why you should consider buying Milwaukee hammer drills. Professional, powerful, and durable, Milwaukee hammer drills are leaders in the home improvement industry. Drawing on nearly a century of experience, Milwaukee produces the best solutions for DIY renovators and professionals alike.

The Top 5 Milwaukee Hammer Drills

Now that you know why Milwaukee products stand out, let’s take a look at the top five Milwaukee hammer drills. 

Milwaukee 2706-22 M18 FUEL 18V Li-ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill

Google’s Rating: 4.7

Milwaukee 2706-22 M18 FUEL 18V Li-ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill Description and Specifications

The Milwaukee 2706-22 is a formidable and durable M18 18-volt cordless hammer drill. You can buy it bare-tool or as part of a kit.

Why the Milwaukee 2706-22 M18 FUEL 18V Li-ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill Is Great

Equipped with a POWERSTATE Brushless Motor that delivers up to 1,200 in./lbs. of torque and 2,000 RPM, this Milwaukee hammer drill provides lightning-fast drilling. Measuring only 7.6 inches, the 2706-22 is also one of the most compact drills in its class, allowing access to tight spaces and reducing fatigue for long projects. 

Like many other Milwaukee tools, this hammer drill comes with REDLINK PLUS Intelligence to ensure maximum protection from overheating, overload, and over-discharge. It also delivers more work over the life of a battery pack and more work per charge than competitive models when paired with REDLITHIUM battery packs.

Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL 18V Li-ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill

Google’s Rating: 4.6

Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL 18V Li-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill Description and Specifications

The Milwaukee 2804-20 Cordless Hammer Drill can deliver up to 60% more power than competitive models can. ‎You can use this hammer drill for a broad range of projects — all you have to do is switch between driving, drilling, and hammer drilling modes.

Why the Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL 18V Li-Ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill Is Great

With a peak torque of 1,200 in./lbs. and two speed modes (0–550 and 0–2,000 RPM), the 2804-20 is made for professional-grade work. Compared to competitive models, it is 1.5 inches shorter and up to two times faster under heavy load.

Like many other Milwaukee products, this hammer drill has a POWERSTATE Brushless motor that is highly efficient and ensures maximum performance. It also has a REDLINK PLUS overload protection system.

Additionally, this tool has an all-metal ratcheting chuck for optimal corrosion resistance and bit grip strength. It also has a removable side handle for portability.

Milwaukee 2504-20 M12 FUEL 12V Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill

Google’s Rating: 4.6

Milwaukee 2504-20 M12 FUEL 12V Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill Description and Specifications

The Milwaukee 2504-20 is the most compact, lightweight, and capable tool in its class. Weighing only 2.3 lbs. and measuring 6.6 inches in length, this tool reduces fatigue and is great for overhead applications and tight spaces.

Why the Milwaukee 2504-20 M12 FUEL 12V Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill Is Great

The Milwaukee 2504-20 M12 12V Cordless Hammer Drill is a must-have for every professional and DIYer. With a maximum torque of 350 in./lbs. and a maximum speed of 1,700 RPM, this tool can handle a wide range of tasks.

Like other Milwaukee products, the 2504-20 has REDLINK Plus Intelligence overload protection. It also provides more work over the life of a battery pack and more work per charge when paired with REDLITHIUM 4.0Ah extended capacity and 2.0Ah compact battery packs.

Additionally, this Milwaukee hammer drill has an e-clutch for consistency in driving applications and a 1/2″ all-metal chuck for maximum bit retention and grip.

This tool can be purchased bare-tool or with a belt clip.

Milwaukee 5387-20 8.5A 120V Corded 1/2″ Hammer Drill

Google’s Rating: 3.5

Milwaukee 5387-20 8.5A 120V Corded 1/2″ Hammer Drill Description and Specifications

The Milwaukee 5387-20 is a leading-edge pistol-grip hammer drill that can drill 3/4-inch holes in concrete. You can use it in many applications, such as drilling in wood with hole saws, flat boring bits, Selfeed bits, and auger bits. This tool can also be used to drill in concrete and steel with percussion bits and twist bits, respectively.

Why the Milwaukee 5387-20 8.5A 120V Corded 1/2″ Hammer Drill Is Great

With dual-range speed control, this Milwaukee hammer drill lets you choose less torque and more speed for lighter tasks and more torque for tougher applications. It also comes with a removable side handle that helps you set the depth rod for preset hole drilling.

This tool comes with a protective metal gear case.

Milwaukee 5378-20 7.5A 120V Corded 1/2″ Hammer Drill

Google’s Rating: 4.5

Milwaukee 5378-20 7.5A 120V Corded 1/2″ Hammer Drill Description and Specifications

The Milwaukee 5378-20 Corded Hammer Drill features two modes: Hammer-Drilling in concrete and Rotation Only for wood drilling. This beast also has a compact, ergonomic design for optimal comfort.

Why the Milwaukee 5378-20 7.5A 120V Corded 1/2″ Hammer Drill Is Great

Ideal for drilling small holes for anchors and setting concrete screw fasteners, the 5378-20 has a powerful 7.5-amp dual-torque motor, making it the perfect pick for heavy-duty applications. What’s more, this Milwaukee hammer drill only weighs one pound, making it ideal for overhead and mobile applications. The balanced pistol-grip design further reduces fatigue during long work hours.

The 5378-20 has two speeds: 0–1,350 RPM and 0–2,500 RPM. It also has self-stopping brushes that protect the motor and increase the lifespan of the tool.

Additionally, the 5378-20 comes with a removable side handle that assists with setting the depth rod for preset hole drilling. 

This tool comes with an impact-resistant metal carrying case.

How to Choose the Best Milwaukee Hammer Drill for You

With so many models on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best Milwaukee hammer drill for your toolkit. Here are the factors you should consider when picking the best Milwaukee drills.

Torque

Measured in inch-pounds (in./lbs.), torque is the force that a hammer drill produces to drill into an object. The higher a hammer drill’s torque, the better the drill drives through thick materials like granite, concrete, and steel.

As such, if you need a hammer drill for heavy-duty applications, consider getting a model with a high torque rating.

Speed

Measured in revolutions per minute (RPM), your hammer drill’s speed determines how efficiently you can drill and what materials you can drill through. The higher your hammer drill’s RPM, the tougher the materials you can drill through.

If you want to drill through a wider range of materials, consider buying a hammer drill with three speed modes. Some even have special modes for certain applications. 

Corded or Cordless

If you need to work on the go or in tight spaces, consider purchasing a cordless hammer drill. Although cordless models tend to be heavier due to the battery, Milwaukee’s cordless hammer drills are incredibly compact and lightweight without sacrificing strength or durability.

However, if you need to work for long hours and don’t want to waste time changing batteries, consider buying a corded hammer drill. Corded hammer drills won’t peter out as long as they’re plugged in. They also provide more power since they are directly connected to a source of electricity.

On the flip side, they are less portable since they always have to be plugged in. You also need to be more careful when using corded hammer drills because cords can cause people to trip and hurt themselves. This is particularly true if your workplace uses a lot of corded tools.

Grip

Hold your chosen hammer drill in your hand and ask yourself how it feels. Twist and turn your hand and lift the tool above your head. Are there any oddities or seams in the molding that you don’t like?

If the grip is too slippery or uncomfortable, choose another model. With so many Milwaukee hammer drills on the market, you can easily find one that fits all or most of your specifications and preferences.

Weight

While testing the comfort of your drill’s grip, check out its weight.

If it’s too heavy and you don’t think you can handle it for extended hours, choose another tool. It’s important to pick a tool that reduces fatigue, especially if your projects demand long work hours. Otherwise, you may end up with a tool that makes your job more difficult than it needs to be.

Bare-Tool or Kit

Are you buying your hammer drill bare-tool or as part of a kit?

Certain models, such as the Milwaukee 2706-22 M18 18V Li-ion Cordless 1/2″ Hammer Drill, are sold bare-tool or as part of a hammer drill kit that contains:

• A hammer drill
• A battery
• A case
• A charger

Buying a hammer drill kit is usually more budget-friendly than buying everything separately. So if you want to buy everything at once at a lower price, consider getting a kit. However, if you only need a replacement hammer drill and you already have everything else, you should simply acquire a bare-tool hammer drill.

Budget

Finally, you need to consider your budget. How much are you willing to pay for your Milwaukee hammer drill? If you have a limited budget and you don’t need high torque or speed settings, consider selecting a more budget-friendly hammer drill. However, if you need as much power as possible and you have the means for it, go for a more expensive model that meets all of your requirements.

Keep in mind, however, that price doesn’t determine quality. Ask yourself what you want, what your priorities are, and which features you’re okay with not having. For instance, if you only need a hammer drill for light projects like building birdhouses, you probably won’t need a drill with extremely high torque or speed.

What Are the Advantages of Milwaukee Hammer Drills?

Milwaukee hammer drills offer several significant advantages.

Interchangeable Battery

Milwaukee has cordless product lines that use interchangeable batteries. For example, every product in the MX FUEL product line uses M18 or M12 batteries. This means you can use a single battery for a broad range of tools instead of buying separate batteries for each product.

Sophisticated Brushless Motors

Milwaukee’s brushless hammer drills also boast impressive brushless motors. Unlike brushed tools, Milwaukee’s brushless tools use neodymium iron boron magnets and a complex electric system to generate electricity. This gives them the following advantages over their brushed cousins:

• Increased efficiency and higher torque
• Longer lifespan and downtime since you don’t have to replace brushes
• Less heat build-up, which results in longer life
• Much better control at lower RPM

Overload Protection 

It’s also worth noting that Milwaukee’s brushless motors aren’t merely generic high-powered brushless motors — they come equipped with REDLINK PLUS Intelligence, which enables full-suite communication between the battery, charger, and tool. By monitoring the drill’s internal workings to optimize performance, REDLINK PLUS Intelligence ensures maximum protection from overload, overheating, and overcharge. As such, you can expect your Milwaukee hammer drill to last a long time.

How Do Milwaukee Hammer Drills Differ from Other Hammer Drills?

Milwaukee hammer drills also differ from other brands in several ways.

Groundbreaking Performance

Milwaukee hammer drills exhibit ground-breaking performance. Innovative, sleek, and durable, these hammer drills increase productivity and provide unmatched comfort for professionals as well as DIYers. Additionally, many models are uniquely optimized for high-speed drilling. They also hold up well under load, which means they won’t slow down — or will only slow down a bit — when drilling tough materials like concrete and granite.

Budget-Friendly

Although they’re extremely high quality, Milwaukee hammer drills are actually budget-friendly. Other brands typically charge much higher prices for hammer drills of similar quality.

Customer-Centric Approach to Innovation

Unlike most other companies, which have a top-down approach to innovation, Milwaukee has an incredibly democratic approach to innovation. The company works side-by-side with real end-users to address the ever-changing demands of the modern workplace. The company works with users to determine how it can help job sites become safer and more productive.

Superior Smart Electronics App

Many brands are still firmly stuck in the analog age. They don’t give you any apps for tool tracking, tool control, and inventory management. 

On the other hand, Milwaukee has a mature and sophisticated ONE-KEY app that lets you handle all of these duties from the comfort and convenience of your mobile device. Specifically, ONE-KEY lets you do the following:

• Snap receipts
• Set up service reminders
• Log purchase information
• Assign tools to team members
• Pull reports
• Run inventory audits
• Observe the history of every item in your inventory
• Track all ONE-KEY-enabled tools so you can quickly locate missing items
• Prevent tampering and theft by locking ONE-KEY-enabled tools whenever they’re not in use. If they’re stolen or lost, you can also render your tool useless by sending a shut-down command through the app.

Milwaukee Hammer Drill Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)