Choosing between cordless power tools gets complicated when the tools look similar on the shelf. Should you grab a 1/2-inch impact wrench, a 1/4-inch hex impact driver, or a two-tool combo kit? Milwaukee's M18 Fuel lineup covers all three routes, and the listed prices here range from $65.41 to $309.00. The right answer depends on the bolts you need to break loose, the screws you drive all day, and whether you already own M18 batteries and a charger.
Quick take
- Lowest listed price for a 1/2-inch impact wrench: Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2\" Cordless Impact Wrench Brushless 650N.m Bare Tool Only
- Mid-torque wrench with a friction ring: Milwaukee 2962-20 M18 FUEL 1/2\" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring Bare
- Compact screw-driving for tight spaces: Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL 18V Li-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4\" Hex Impact Driver 4GEN
- Two tools plus batteries, charger, side handle, and case: BRAND NEW Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V 2-Tool Combo Impact/Driver Kit - Red (3697-22
Listed-price comparison
The bar below shows how the four listed prices compare.
| Product | Listed price | Price bar |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2\" Cordless Impact Wrench Brushless 650N.m Bare Tool Only | USD 65.41 | |
| Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL 18V Li-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4\" Hex Impact Driver 4GEN | USD 109.99 | |
| Milwaukee 2962-20 M18 FUEL 1/2\" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring Bare | USD 124.99 | |
| BRAND NEW Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V 2-Tool Combo Impact/Driver Kit - Red (3697-22 | USD 309.00 |
How to decide
| If you need... | The pick that matches |
|---|---|
| A 1/2-inch impact wrench at the lowest listed price | Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2\" Cordless Impact Wrench Brushless 650N.m Bare Tool Only |
| Mid-torque 1/2-inch wrenching with a friction ring | Milwaukee 2962-20 M18 FUEL 1/2\" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring Bare |
| Fast screw driving in tight spots | Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL 18V Li-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4\" Hex Impact Driver 4GEN |
| A drill plus impact driver with batteries, charger, side handle, and carrying case | BRAND NEW Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V 2-Tool Combo Impact/Driver Kit - Red (3697-22 |
Product notes
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2\" Cordless Impact Wrench Brushless 650N.m Bare Tool Only
At USD 65.41, this bare-tool wrench is the lowest listed price in this group. It has a keyless 1/2-inch chuck and a compact head, and the title highlights the 650 N.m output from the brushless M18 Fuel motor. Since it is a bare tool, you need to supply your own M18 battery and charger. There is no auxiliary handle either, so the grip is the tool body itself. If you want a direct, low-list-price way into a 1/2-inch impact wrench and you already have M18 batteries, this is the one to examine first.
Milwaukee 2962-20 M18 FUEL 1/2\" Mid-Torque Impact Wrench w/ Friction Ring Bare
The 2962-20 sits at USD 124.99. The name calls out a friction ring, and the description points to a brushless motor with 650 ft-lb of maximum torque. It is a bare tool, so your M18 battery and charger need to come from another Milwaukee tool or kit. The listed charging time is one hour, and the description describes it as lightweight, heavy-duty, and compact. No auxiliary handle is listed, so this is not the best choice if you want a second grip point for two-handed control.
Milwaukee 2953-20 FUEL 18V Li-Ion Brushless Cordless 1/4\" Hex Impact Driver 4GEN
This driver is listed at USD 109.99 and is built around a 1/4-inch hex chuck with a keyless design. The description mentions a 3.9-inch length and 3900 RPM, which makes it a compact high-speed option for running screws and fasteners in confined areas. It is a bare tool, so you will need an M18 battery and charger to make it work. This is not the tool for 1/2-inch bolt work; it is a 1/4-inch hex driver, so keep your wrenching jobs with the impact wrenches.
BRAND NEW Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18V 2-Tool Combo Impact/Driver Kit - Red (3697-22
At USD 309.00, this is the highest listed price in the group, but it is the only option that includes more than one tool. The description includes an M18 Fuel 1/2-inch hammer drill, an M18 Fuel 1/4-inch hex impact driver, two M18 RedLithium XC 5.0 Ah batteries, a multi-voltage charger, a side handle, and a carrying case. That makes it the most complete starting point if you do not already have M18 batteries and need both drilling and driving capability. The listed price is higher than the bare-tool options, so if all you need is one wrench or driver, one of the lower-listed-price options will cost less up front.
Final recommendation by use case
Choose the 650N.m bare-tool wrench when you want 1/2-inch impact capability at the lowest listed price and already own an M18 battery and charger. Pick the 2962-20 when you want the mid-torque wrench with a friction ring and are ready to pay more than the compact wrench. Go with the 2953-20 driver for compact screw-driving in tight spaces, as long as you can bring your own M18 battery and charger. Start with the 3697-22 combo kit if you want the drill, driver, batteries, charger, side handle, and case in one kit instead of assembling pieces separately.
