Milwaukee Compact Brushless Combo Kit Offers Brushless Benefits at a More Affordable Price
Milwaukee introduced its compact brushless line in 2016, consisting of drills and impact drivers with brushless motors that are not part of the M18 Fuel series. These tools are smaller and consume less power, but they still provide the advantages of brushless motors, such as increased runtime and longevity. The best part is that they are more cost-effective and still covered by Milwaukee’s 5-year warranty. The Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Combo Kit, also known as the Milwaukee 2892-22CT, is the latest addition to this series and includes a drill and impact driver.
Pros
- Both tools are incredibly lightweight and compact compared to others in their class.
- Neither tool showed a decrease in speed during our tests.
- More affordable than the M18 Fuel kit, priced at $249.
- Equipped with a brushless motor.
Cons
- Drill performance fell below expectations in our soft torque test.
- Basic features compared to other models.
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill
Performance
In our 18V cordless drill comparison, we put the compact model to the test using a 3/4″ auger bit and a 1-1/2″ self-feed drill for a speed test. The Milwaukee drill reached a speed of 1171 RPM while driving the auger, which is approximately 71% of its no-load speed of 1665 RPM.
When using the low-speed self-feed drill, it maintained an average speed of 408 RPM, equivalent to 73% of its no-load speed of 556 RPM.
These results are a mixed bag. While the Milwaukee drill ranked near the bottom in the high-speed test, it finished in the top five during the low-speed test.
However, the real payoff lies in efficiency—specifically, the drill’s percentage of no-load speed. Although some other drills perform better in this aspect, it demonstrates that the motor doesn’t need to work as hard to drive those bits. Rest assured, this drill can handle most tasks that other compact rigs can, albeit at slightly reduced speed.
On the torque side, it’s important to note that our torque test is a soft torque evaluation. Based on our expectations, the Milwaukee drill averaged only 121 inch-pounds of torque. Soft torque is typically around 50% to 60% of hard torque, so we would have expected it to be closer to 250 in-lbs. It’s unclear why it falls short, but Milwaukee isn’t the only brand with this issue. Seven other compact drills also fall within the range of 120 in-lbs to 130 in-lbs.
Feature Set
The feature set for both tools in this combo kit is relatively basic. The Milwaukee 2801 Cordless Drill features a 2-speed brushless motor with an 18+1 clutch, a full metal chuck, an LED light, and a reversible belt hook. Though simple, these features are all you need for effective drilling and fastening.
Physical Build
The Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill measures 7.78 inches tall and 6.63 inches long. Among the drills we tested, it is the most compact 18V model, except for the two subcompact drills.
In terms of weight, it sits at 2.45 lbs and 3.43 lbs with a 2.0 Ah battery, making it one of the lightest drills available. This lightweight and compact design enhances the overall user experience. However, it’s worth noting that the third-generation M18 Fuel and impact drill models are also highly compact.
Ratings
- Speed under load: 3.5
- Torque: 2.0
- Feature Set: 4.0
- Weight: 4.2
- Footprint: 4.8
- Overall rating: 4.2/5.0
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Drill Driver Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 2801
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 RedLithium battery
- Chuck Size: 1/2″
- No-load Speed: 0–500/0–1800 RPM
- Torque: 500 in-lbs
- Weight: 2.5 lbs
- Height: 7.75″
- Length: 6.5″
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Impact Driver
Performance
The Milwaukee Compact Brushless Impact Driver achieves an average speed of 450 RPM when driving 1/4″ beam screws, which is only 30 RPM slower than the Gen 3 M18 Fuel model. This speed is sufficient for fastening without the motor feeling strained or overheated.
In terms of torque, it’s important to mention that our recorded values may not align with the manufacturer’s specifications. However, they do provide a reliable basis for comparison.
Milwaukee specifies a torque of 1600 inch-pounds for this model, which we believe is the sweet spot for an impact driver. It offers enough speed and torque to drive smaller fasteners down to 1/4″ without causing damage to the socket adapter.
During our tests, the Milwaukee impact driver displayed an average tightening torque of 2088 in-lbs. The Gen 3 M18 Fuel model led the pack with 2656 in-lbs, but what’s truly impressive is the Milwaukee 2850’s countering force. While the M18 Fuel model consistently reached 3600 foot-pounds, the Milwaukee 2850 achieved a remarkable 4500 inch-pounds.
Feature Set
The feature set of an impact driver is even simpler than that of a drill. It includes a single-speed brushless motor, LED lights, and a reversible belt hook. This feature set is sufficient for professionals who primarily use the impact driver for driving smaller screws at high speed.
Physical Build
The Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Impact Driver is highly compact. It measures just 5.00 inches long and 7.69 inches tall, making it the third smallest impact driver overall.
In terms of weight, it performs admirably. With a weight of 2.1 pounds (bare) and 3.0 pounds (with a compact battery), it is only 0.1 pound heavier than the leading models.
Ratings
- Speed under load: 3.5
- Torque: 4.3
- Feature Set: 4.1
- Weight: 4.8
- Footprint: 4.5
- Overall rating: 4.2/5.0
Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Impact Driver Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 2850
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 RedLithium battery
- Chuck Size: 1/4″ hex
- No-load Speed: 0–3400 RPM
- Torque: 1600 in-lbs
- Impact Rate: 0–4200 IPM
- Weight: 2 lbs
- Height: 7.75″
- Length: 5.1″
The Bottom Line
The Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Combo Kit (2892-22CT) offers a comprehensive set of drill and impact driver tools. Although the feature set may seem ordinary, the performance of these tools is impressive within their class. They boast a lightweight and compact design, rivaling even the most compact models available.
With a price tag of around $250, this kit is a great investment for Milwaukee enthusiasts. It is affordable for serious DIYers and provides professional-grade performance without requiring excessive power. Additionally, both tools come with brushless motors and Milwaukee’s 5-year warranty, making this combo kit a fantastic choice.