M18 Drill and Impact Kit Guide: Which Milwaukee Combo Should You Get?

Milwaukee

Milwaukee Electric – M18 Fuel. 2-Tool Combo KIT

8.4/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Milwaukee Electric

Best for: Serious DIYers and trades wanting top power

Pros

• M18 Fuel brushless hammer drill and impact
• Two 5.0Ah batteries, charger, case
• Mechanical clutch for steady driving

Cons

• Heaviest two-tool kit at 15.9 lb
• Some listing specs look off

The Milwaukee Electric M18 Fuel 2-Tool Combo Kit, model 3697-22, pairs a brushless hammer drill with a brushless impact driver. The description lists two 5.0Ah batteries, a charger and a tool case. A hammer drill adds a rapid pounding action for drilling into brick and concrete, and an impact driver adds bursts of rotational force to sink long screws and bolts without wearing out your wrist.

The listing claims the hammer drill handles the widest range of applications of any hammer drill driver and that the impact driver has the fastest driving speed of any impact driver without losing control. The drill has a mechanical clutch, a ring that stops the drill once a screw reaches a set tightness, for consistent driving. The kit weighs 15.9 pounds. Some spec lines, such as 5 A amperage and a single 2000 in-lb torque figure, do not say which tool they belong to, so treat them loosely.

This is the pick for a serious DIYer or tradesperson who wants the strongest two-tool kit. If you mostly hang shelves and assemble furniture, the compact brushless kit is lighter and easier to handle.

High score Our score: 9.6/10

Milwaukee

Milwaukee 2697-22 M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Drill/Impact Driver XC Combo Kit (2-Tool)

9.6/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Milwaukee 2697-22 M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless

Best for: Homeowners wanting a proven hammer drill kit

Pros

• 1/2-inch hammer drill for masonry
• Two XC extended capacity batteries
• M18 and M12 multi-voltage charger
• 5-year limited warranty

Cons

• Listing never mentions a brushless motor
• Voltage listed as 20V, not 18V

The Milwaukee 2697-22 M18 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Hammer Drill/Impact Driver XC Combo Kit includes a 1/2-inch hammer drill driver, a 1/4-inch hex compact impact driver, two M18 REDLITHIUM XC extended capacity batteries, an M18 and M12 multi-voltage charger and a contractor bag. The 1/2-inch figure is the widest bit shank the drill’s chuck accepts; 1/4-inch hex is the standard snap-in bit size for impact drivers.

The specs list 4.0Ah batteries, a 1-hour charge time, 500 in-lb of torque, 1800 rpm and a 5-year limited warranty, and the kit weighs 10.9 pounds. The listing does not mention a brushless motor, so do not assume one. It also lists the voltage as 20 volts even though the title says 18-volt; this is a labeling quirk, not a different battery system.

This suits a homeowner who wants masonry drilling ability and a long warranty. For more power per charge, the Fuel kit steps ahead; for a lighter tool overhead, the compact brushless kit is kinder.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee 2892-22CT M18 Compact Brushless 2-Tool Combo Kit, Drill Driver/Impact Driver

8.6/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Milwaukee 2892-22CT M18 Compact Brushless 2-Tool

Best for: Overhead work and tight cabinet spaces

Pros

• Compact brushless drill and impact
• Fits the 175-plus tool M18 system
• 3000 rpm top speed

Cons

• No hammer mode
• Battery size not listed

The Milwaukee 2892-22CT M18 Compact Brushless 2-Tool Combo Kit pairs a compact drill driver with an impact driver and two batteries. Compact means a shorter, lighter body that is easier to hold overhead or squeeze inside a cabinet. The brushless motor and battery are said to deliver longer run time.

The specs list 500 in-lb of torque and 3000 rpm, and the listing notes compatibility with the M18 system of more than 175 tools. It does not specify battery capacity or what carry case the kit comes with, and the 16-ounce weight is clearly not the weight of a two-tool kit. The drill is a drill driver, not a hammer drill, so it is not meant for concrete.

This suits first-time buyers, renters and anyone doing furniture assembly, curtain rods and light home projects. If you need to drill brick or concrete, the 2697-22 or Fuel kits have hammer drills. For more on smaller drills in the lineup, see our Milwaukee compact drill guide.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee 2695-24 M18 18V Cordless Power Tool Combo Kit with Hammer Drill, Impact Driver, Reciprocating Saw, and Work Light (2 Batteries, Charger, and Tool Case Included)

8.8/10Our score, based on listed specifications and buyer feedback

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Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.

Milwaukee 2695-24 M18 18V Cordless Power

Best for: New homeowners wanting a starter tool set

Pros

• Hammer drill, impact, Hackzall, work light
• Two 3.0Ah XC batteries with fuel gauge
• 18 clutch torque settings

Cons

• Only two batteries for four tools
• Listed 3 lb weight is wrong

The Milwaukee 2695-24 M18 18V Cordless Power Tool Combo Kit gives you four tools: the 2607-20 hammer drill driver with 3 drill settings and 18 torque settings, the 2625-20 Hackzall one-handed reciprocating saw with Quik Lok blade changes, the 2656-20 1/4-inch hex impact driver with onboard LEDs, and the 2735-20 work light with a sealed aluminum adjustable head and flat base.

Two 3.0Ah extended capacity batteries (48-11-1828) come with a fuel gauge and REDLINK intelligence, which lets battery, charger and tool communicate to avoid overheating. The kit includes the 48-59-1812 charger and a tool case. A reciprocating saw cuts branches, lumber and PVC pipe with a back-and-forth blade. The listing weight of 3 pounds cannot cover four tools and a case, so ignore it.

This is a generous gift for a new homeowner who will prune trees, fix fences and do light plumbing. Two batteries for four tools means some juggling, and the listing does not say whether the drill and impact use brushless motors.

Best for: Adding a compact impact driver

Pros

• 1600 in-lb torque, 3200 rpm
• Compact 5.1-inch length
• REDLINK overload protection

Cons

• Impact driver only, no drill
• Small 2.0Ah battery

The Milwaukee 2850-21P M18 Brushless Lithium-Ion Compact 1/4 in. Hex Impact Driver Kit is not a combo: it contains the 2850-20 brushless impact driver, one M18 REDLITHIUM 2.0Ah battery, the M18 and M12 multi-voltage charger and a tool bag.

It delivers 1,600 in-lb of torque at up to 3,200 rpm, measures 5.1 inches long and has a variable speed trigger. REDLINK overload protection monitors temperature to protect the tool and battery.

This suits someone who already owns an M18 drill and wants a fast, compact impact driver for decks and long screws. If they have no tools yet, a two-tool combo is better value.

Best for: Buyers comfortable with third-party sellers

Pros

• Describes 3697-22 Fuel tools
• 9-inch compact drill
• Auto-stop bind-up protection

Cons

• Listed brand is not Milwaukee
• Batteries and charger not listed

The 3697-22 for Milwaukee M18 2-Tool Combo Kit listing describes the same Fuel model number as our first pick, but the listed brand and manufacturer is MZSSGDYHSD, not Milwaukee. The features describe a 6.9-inch compact hammer drill, a Control Mode auto-stop that stops over-rotation in a bind-up with an indicator light, smooth trigger control and a drill able to bore 2-9/16-inch self-feed holes.

The listing does not name batteries, charger or case, lists 2 items, and says only “New”. Buying tools through a third-party brand listing can affect warranty support and authenticity, so check the seller carefully. For most shoppers, the listing sold under the Milwaukee brand is the safer route. Our Milwaukee drill kit guide covers what a genuine kit should contain.