What Are the Best Milwaukee Impact Wrenches in 2022? It all depends on what you will use your impact wrench for most. We've rounded up our top picks for the various options. Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below!
Don't forget your shock sockets!
If you're going to trust Milwaukee impact wrenches to help you make your money, why not rely on their impact sockets too? To get started, we recommend the 36-piece 3/8-inch kit (49-66-6805) and the 31-piece 1/2-inch kit (49-66-6806).
Both sets include SAE and metric sizes with stamped and inked 6-point sockets for easy identification. They come in a Packout case and come with a removable tray should you prefer to keep them in your toolbox. The trays are also color coded: red for SAE and black for metric.
M18 fuel medium torque 2962/2962P
If you're going to own just one Milwaukee impact wrench for the widest variety of tasks, it needs to be the 1/2-inch medium-torque model. Available with friction ring or pin brakes, it is capable of tightening up to 550 foot-pounds and loosening up to 650 foot-pounds.
3 standard modes control your speed and power, and an automatic mode gives you even more control. It's also very compact in size and utilizes the latest brushless motor technology that Milwaukee has to offer.
- 4 Mode Drive Control
- No-load speed: 0 – 1250/1950/2575 RPM (2575 in auto mode)
- Impact Rate: 0 – 3100 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 550 ft-lbs tightening, 650 ft-lbs nut breaking
- Head Length: 6.0 inches
- Bare Weight: 3.5 lbs bare, 5.1 lbs w/5.0Ah battery
- 3/8" friction ring also available (2960)
Best Milwaukee 3/8" Impact Wrench
M18 Fuel Compact 2854
If you're looking for a 3/8" impact wrench, the M18 Fuel line has an excellent compact model that you have to use to believe it. It has 250 foot-pounds of torque and topped out at 400 foot-pounds in our testing. It packs less than 5 inches in length and weighs less than 2.5 lbs as a bare tool. Even with the 5.0Ah battery, the overall weight is only 4.0 lbs.
Like the 1/2" we recommend above, there are 3 standard modes and an automatic mode for control.
- 4 Mode Drive Control
- No-load speed: 0-800/1650/2400 RPM (2400 in automatic mode)
- Impact rate: 3500 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 250 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 4.8 inches
- Net Weight: 2.4 lbs.
- Also available with 1/2" friction ring or pin detent (2855/2855P)
Best Milwaukee 3/4 Inch Impact Wrench
M18 Fuel High Torque 2864
Milwaukee has some 3/4" impact wrenches (including corded models), and if you're looking for the best, the 2864 is your pick. With a massive tightening force of 1200 ft-lbs and breakaway torque of 1500 ft-lbs, it is a high torque option with a manageable weight and size.
This model has one-click functionality, offers customizable modes you can set up, and tool tracking and inventory management.
- No-load speed: 0-1800 RPM (four customizable modes)
- Impact rate: 0-2400 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 1200 ft-lbs tightened, 1500 ft-lbs undone
- Head Length: 8.6 inches
- Bare Weight: 6.3 lbs.
- 1/2" friction ring also available (2863)
Best Milwaukee 1 Inch Impact Wrench
M18 Fuel D-Handle High Torque 2868/2869
When you need a lot of power, look no further than a 1" D-handle impact wrench, and Milwaukee has two legal cordless models that can replace your pneumatics. They feature an impressive 1,900 ft-lbs of tightening torque and 2,000 ft-lbs of breakaway force for the toughest jobs. With such a powerful brushless motor, they rely on Milwaukee's 12.0Ah high output battery for energy. It also has a battery isolation section that reduces the amount of heavy shock reaching the lithium-ion battery. One-click integration and four customizable modes are the icing on the cake.
It is designed around the needs of diesel and heavy equipment mechanics and is available in standard or extended 1 inch anvils.
- No-load speed: 0-1200 RPM (four customizable modes)
- Impact rate: 0-1440 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 1900 ft-lbs tightened, 2000 ft-lbs unclamped
- Head Length: 17.9 inches
- Bare Weight: 21.5 lbs bare, 25.0 lbs with 12.0Ah battery (extended anvil adds 2.2 lbs)
Best Milwaukee 1/4" Impact Wrench
M12 fuel nipple 1/4" 2552
Moving in the exact opposite direction, we head to M12 Systems for our top 1/4" impact wrench we recommend. Milwaukee's M12 Fuel stubby range is impressive in all its drive sizes, with torque down to 100 foot-pounds in the 1/4" version and speeds up to 3000 RPM. This is a great option when you are working with smaller fasteners or softer materials and want to avoid excessive torsion. Continuing the trend we've seen, this model has 3 standard modes and an automatic mode for when you need more control.
- 4 Mode Drive Control
- No-load speed: 0 – 1300/1900/3200 RPM (3200 in auto mode)
- Impact rate: 4000 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 100 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 5.1 inches
- Net Weight: 1.64 lbs
Best Milwaukee M12 Impact Wrench
M12 Fuel Stubby 1/2" 2555/2555P
Our top pick for the best Milwaukee M12 impact wrench remains the M12 Fuel stub, our preferred 1/2-inch version. This compact little shock boasts 250 foot-pounds of torque. That's impressive considering it uses a 12V battery as its power source.
The 1/2" driver can be used as a friction ring or pin brake and has great potential to work in most industries and its intended automotive use.
- 4 Mode Drive Control
- No-load speed: 0-1200/1800/2700 RPM (2700 RPM in automatic mode)
- Impact rate: 3200 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 250 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 4.9 inches
- Net Weight: 2 lbs.
- 3/8" friction ring also available
More Milwaukee cordless impact wrench options to look out for
M18 Fuel Utility High Torque Impact Wrench 2865
Milwaukee's 2865 is an M18 Fuel Impact Wrench with a 7/16" hex head designed specifically for the needs of linemen. Behind this specialty connection, a brushless motor is capable of delivering 750 foot-pounds of torque to help install the larger fasteners that utility workers often handle. It also works around lines up to 69,000 volts and has a strong metal ring on top for easy connection.
While the 2300 RPM top speed doesn't match the hydraulic shock's capabilities, the completely cordless/hoseless convenience more than makes up the difference with less setup time and hassle.
One-click onboard provides its ability to track and manage assets as well as customize mode settings.
- 4-mode drive control (no automatic mode)
- No-load speed: 0 – 900/1200/1800/2300 RPM
- Impact rate: 2800 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 750 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 8.2 inches
- Net Weight: 5.9 lbs.
M12 Fuel Right Angle Impact Wrench 2565/2565P
You'd be forgiven if you first saw Milwaukee's 2565 and assumed it was another M12 Fuel ratchet. However, it is actually a right-angle impact wrench with much greater speed and torque than a cordless ratchet. The dead giveaway is in the head, which is larger than the ratchet to make room for the mechanism of the impact wrench.
It has a top speed of 3000 RPM and 220 foot-pounds of torque. With an overall length of just over 14 inches, it helps you access spaces that pistol grip tools cannot, while providing the ability to handle most fasteners encountered in those spaces.
While the automatic mode on several of Milwaukee's impact wrenches is useful, it's especially useful on this model. Instead, once the shock stops, the RPM drops, and while going forward, it ensures you don't torque the fasteners more than 15 foot-pounds.
- 4 Mode Drive Control
- No-load speed: 0 – 1550/2300/3000 RPM (3000 RPM in auto mode)
- Impact rate: 3,600 IPM
- Maximum Torque: 220 ft-lbs
- Head Length: 2.2 inches
- Net Weight: 2.85 lbs.
- Available with 3/8" friction ring, 1/2" friction ring or 1/2" pin detent
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