{"id":159427,"date":"2024-04-08T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-08T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/?p=159427"},"modified":"2024-07-13T11:35:49","modified_gmt":"2024-07-13T15:35:49","slug":"milwaukee-vs-dewalt-impact-wrench-head-to-head-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.protoolreviews.com\/milwaukee-vs-dewalt-impact-wrench-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Milwaukee vs DeWalt Impact Wrench Head-to-Head Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Who’s ready for some impact wrench action? We spent several days testing the best cordless impact wrenches<\/a> and today, I’m isolating two top brands for a 1 v 1 feature. In this Milwaukee vs DeWalt impact wrench review, I’m going to walk you through the basics of two mid-torque models and share what we discovered in our testing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Buy Milwaukee<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Buy DeWalt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Mid-Torque Impact Wrench 2962<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Milwaukee<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For Milwaukee, we’re considering the M18 Fuel 2962. When it launched a few years back, this impact wrench seemed impossibly compact considering how much power it has. Its size was closer to a compact model than competing mid-torques on the market. Milwaukee’s competition has responded somewhat, but this is still the most compact mid-torque impact wrench available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DeWalt 20V Max XR Brushless Mid-Range Impact Wrench DCF891<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"DeWalt<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For DeWalt, it’s the 20V Max XR Brushless DCF891. Newer than Milwaukee’s entry in this competition, DeWalt took a big step forward in performance and vaulted back into competition in the professional class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milwaukee vs DeWalt Impact Wrench Key Specifications<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Milwaukee<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Before we jump into our test results, let’s start with some specifications. On paper, it’s clear Milwaukee is the more compact tool with a faster top speed. However, DeWalt appears to have a nice advantage in torque. We’ll see if reality confirms that in a moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Milwaukee 2962<\/th>DeWalt DCF891<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Speeds<\/strong><\/td>0 \u2013 1250\/1950\/2575 RPM<\/td>0 \u2013 600\/1200\/2000 RPM<\/td><\/tr>
Max Impact Rate<\/strong><\/td>3100 IPM<\/td>3100 IPM<\/td><\/tr>
Max Forward Torque<\/strong><\/td>550 ft-lbs<\/td>600 ft-lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Max Breakaway Torque<\/strong><\/td>650 ft-lbs<\/td>800 ft-lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Drive<\/strong><\/td>1\/2-inch friction ring<\/td>1\/2-inch friction ring<\/td><\/tr>
Head Length<\/strong><\/td>6.0 in<\/td>7.0 in<\/td><\/tr>
Bare Weight<\/strong><\/td>3.6 lbs<\/td>3.8 lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Weight w\/5.0Ah Battery<\/strong><\/td>5.2 lbs<\/td>5.3 lbs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Milwaukee vs DeWalt Impact Wrench Test Results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We ran three tests to get an idea of the performance you can expect from these impact wrenches. Before each test, we fully charged the battery we use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bolt Breaking Test<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Milwaukee<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For mid-torque impact wrenches, we set our bolt break rig to 500 pounds. Each model breaks all 8 bolts and we time how long each one takes. The final results are an average of the 5 most consistent breaking times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Milwaukee 2962<\/th>DeWalt DCF891<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Average Breaking Speed<\/strong><\/td>2.63 seconds<\/td>0.64 seconds<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In this test, DeWalt had a clear advantage, owing to its higher torque. Milwaukee’s performance wasn’t a struggle by any stretch of the imagination, but DeWalt showed the advantage of having 200 ft-lbs more breakaway torque.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inertia Torque Test<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Inertia
Number seem high? We tested with advanced batteries, too!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Inertia Torque’s L-1000 torque tester<\/a> is capable of repeatably measuring impact torque up to 1000 ft-lbs. While the results are lower than what manufacturers report in the specs, the repeatability of the results gives us confidence in being able to use it as a benchmark test for comparative purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the impact wrench in its highest performing, non-assisted mode, we engage the tool at full power for 5 seconds, rest 3 seconds, engage for 5 seconds, rest 3 seconds, and engage again for 5 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Milwaukee 2962<\/th>DeWalt DCF891<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Maximum Measured Torque<\/strong><\/td>336.2 ft-lbs<\/td>382.8 ft-lbs<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Given the torque specs, this result is no surprise. However, when you look at the results proportionally compared to the specifications, Milwaukee closed the gap slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lag Bolt Test<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Lag<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

For our lag screw test, we sank 1\/2-inch x 10-inch lags into stacked and glued OSB subfloor. Each starting point has a 2-inch pilot hole to help the lag get started. Each impact wrench has a maximum of 30 seconds to sink the screw. The result is the average of three tests based on how proud the lag was after 30 seconds. A lower number indicates a better result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Milwaukee 2962<\/th>DeWalt DCF891<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Average Result<\/strong><\/td>2.38 inches<\/td>0.00 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is a tough test, even for tools as powerful as Milwaukee and DeWalt’s mid-torque impact wrenches. Again, DeWalt’s power advantage showed, sinking our lag screws while Milwaukee still had some work to do after 30 seconds. Interestingly, DeWalt was the only mid-torque impact wrench we tested to sink the lags using a standard battery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing with Upgraded Battery Packs<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Milwaukee<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

In addition to running our tests with the batteries that commonly come with each tool, we also tested with available upgraded packs to get an idea of the top performance potential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/th>Milwaukee 2962
w\/6.0Ah Forge<\/th>		DeWalt DCF891
w\/5.0Ah PowerStack<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Bolt Break<\/strong><\/td>0.63 seconds<\/td>0.55 seconds<\/td><\/tr>
Inertia Torque<\/strong><\/td>398.1 ft-lbs<\/td>407.3 ft-lbs<\/td><\/tr>
Lag Screw<\/strong><\/td>0.00 inches<\/td>0.00 inches<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With the PowerStack battery, DeWalt showed improvement across all three tests. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the “wow” moment came from Milwaukee, essentially erasing all of DeWalt advantages by only changing out the battery for an M18 Forge pack<\/a>. While DeWalt still held the advantage across the board, the gap was statistically very small.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milwaukee vs DeWalt Impact Wrench Feature Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the basic specifications and our test results, key features can also be a deciding factor when you’re choosing between impact wrenches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2962<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Milwaukee<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n