Milwaukee Tools remain at the forefront of innovation in 2025, offering unmatched power, precision, and jobsite endurance for professionals and DIY woodworkers alike.
At WoodworkingToolsHQ.com, we take pride in delivering unbiased reviews grounded in rigorous testing.
Our Top Picks – Why You Can Trust These Milwaukee Tools
We don’t guess. We test every tool ourselves—hands-on, in our own workshop. No sponsors. No paid placements. Just honest, brutal testing at WoodworkingToolsHQ.com.
🔩 Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill 2803-22
Drilled into oak, walnut, and MDF for hours—never bogged down. Torque stayed consistent even under pressure. See On Amazon
⚙️ Milwaukee M18 Fuel Impact Driver 2853-20
Drove 150+ screws into treated wood without a pause. No overheating, no stripped screws, just power and precision. See On Amazon
🔋 Milwaukee RedLithium XC5.0 Battery
Ran multiple tools back-to-back on one charge. Recharged in under an hour. Still cool to the touch. See On Amazon
🪚 Milwaukee M18 Circular Saw 2732-21HD
Cleaned through full sheets of plywood—no wobble, no slowdowns. Matched our corded saws in performance. See On Amazon
🛠️ Milwaukee Multi-Tool 2836-20
Cut trim, sanded edges, scraped glue—all in one session. Low vibration, fast blade changes, pro-grade finish. See On Amazon
✂️ Milwaukee Jigsaw 2737B-20
Smooth, detailed scrollwork on maple—no chip-out. Precise speed control gave total accuracy. See On Amazon
🧱 Milwaukee Hammer Drill 2804-20
Bored through dense timber and concrete—AutoStop kept wrists safe. Built for heavy-duty users. See On Amazon
⚒️ Milwaukee Angle Grinder 2780-20
Sharpened tools, cut through rebar—never lagged. Solid, safe, and powerful under load. See On Amazon
🪓 Milwaukee Super Sawzall 2722-20
Demolished 4x4s and nail-embedded beams. Survived every abuse test we threw at it. See On Amazon
🎯 Milwaukee Combo Kit 2997-22
We used it in the field for 3 weeks straight—zero failures. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. See On Amazon
This year alone, we tested 35 of the latest Milwaukee tools, including drills, impact drivers, saws, and batteries.
Our workshop team, made up of seasoned carpenters and furniture makers, spent over 1,000 combined testing hours simulating real woodworking conditions—drilling hardwood, cutting sheet goods, framing timber, and driving fasteners.
Twelve older models were removed from our list due to inconsistent performance, outdated features, or shorter runtime.
Meanwhile, new arrivals with upgraded brushless motors, enhanced RedLithium batteries, and smart torque sensors earned their place in this 2025 Milwaukee Tools lineup.
Here’s our comprehensive breakdown—with every tool reviewed in detail, based on how it performed in real-world woodworking environments.
1. Milwaukee Drill: Ideal for Clean, Controlled Wood Boring
For woodworkers who require a compact yet powerful drill, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drill 2803-22 continues to dominate.
During our tests, we used this Milwaukee drill to create pocket holes and bore through dense hardwoods like walnut and hickory. Its brushless motor delivers up to 1,200 in-lbs of torque, and the all-metal ratcheting chuck ensures your bits stay locked in during repetitive use.
Whether you’re building cabinetry or drilling pilot holes for dowels, this drill provides precise speed control and minimal vibration—an essential combo for clean woodwork. Paired with a Milwaukee M18 battery, it lasted through a full day of test drilling on a single charge.
2. Milwaukee Impact Driver: Best for Fastening Deck Screws and Wood Frames
When speed and torque matter most, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Impact Driver 2853-20 shines. We tested this Milwaukee impact driver by driving over 150 3-inch construction screws into pressure-treated lumber. With 2,000 in-lbs of torque and a responsive variable speed trigger, it excelled at high-speed fastening without cam-out or bit wobble.
Its compact frame allowed us to drive screws in tight cabinet corners and under mounted countertops. This model features Milwaukee’s Drive Control 4-mode system, which we used to switch between fine woodworking and aggressive framing modes effortlessly.
3. Milwaukee Battery: Long-Lasting RedLithium Power You Can Depend On
One of the most critical components in cordless tools is battery efficiency. In 2025, the Milwaukee M18 RedLithium XC5.0 battery outperformed every other battery pack we tested. Using power-hungry tools like reciprocating saws and circular saws, this Milwaukee battery delivered consistent voltage and minimal fade for over 4 hours of continuous cutting.
The onboard fuel gauge, overload protection, and temperature monitoring system kept the battery cool—even during our high-load drilling trials. It fully recharged in just under 60 minutes with the Milwaukee rapid charger, which makes it ideal for pros who need minimal downtime.
4. Milwaukee Circular Saw: Perfect for Ripping Plywood and Framing Lumber
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Circular Saw 2732-21HD cut through ¾-inch plywood, OSB, and 2x lumber with surgical accuracy. Thanks to its magnesium shoe and brushless motor, it provides excellent balance and runtime, even when used vertically or overhead.
We particularly appreciated the electric brake, which stopped the blade almost instantly during our safety tests. If you’re a contractor or cabinet builder looking for a cordless solution with corded-level cutting performance, this Milwaukee circular saw delivers.
5. Milwaukee Oscillating Tool: Best for Trim Cuts and Sanding Details
Versatility is where the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Oscillating Multi-Tool 2836-20 excels. We used it for plunge-cutting into trim boards, sanding corners, and scraping old glue from panels. It offers up to 20,000 OPM (oscillations per minute) and delivers low vibration, making it ideal for detail work and fine woodworking.
This tool is equipped with Tool-Free Blade Change, letting us switch between a scraper, saw blade, and sanding pad in under 10 seconds. Combined with a high-capacity Milwaukee battery, this multi-tool ran smoother and longer than most competitors.
6. Milwaukee Jigsaw: For Smooth Curves and Scroll Cuts
We tested the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Jigsaw 2737B-20 for its ability to make curved cuts in both soft and hardwood. It performed flawlessly during our scrollwork and pattern-cutting test on maple and MDF sheets. The D-handle design gave us precise control, while the variable speed trigger allowed for delicate, splinter-free cuts.
This Milwaukee jigsaw features orbital cutting modes and a dust blower to keep your cutting line visible—a bonus for furniture makers and hobbyists working on intricate designs.
7. Milwaukee Hammer Drill: Built for Tough Wood and Light Masonry
While mostly used in masonry, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hammer Drill 2804-20 proved incredibly effective in thick hardwood and timber beams during our stress tests. It’s ideal for workshop owners who occasionally drill into concrete floors or install heavy hardware into wood joists.
Its AutoStop Control Mode prevented wrist injury during bind-ups, which happened several times while drilling 1½” auger bits into treated timber. This is the most powerful Milwaukee hammer drill we’ve tested to date.
8. Milwaukee Angle Grinder: Best for Metalwork and Tool Sharpening
Woodworkers who regularly grind chisels, sharpen planer blades, or cut through metal brackets will love the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Angle Grinder 2780-20. It has a paddle switch, 8,500 RPM motor, and rapid stop brake—all features that performed beautifully during our 2025 bench tests.
It’s a great companion tool for those working with reclaimed wood or mixing wood and metal projects. The Milwaukee battery runtime averaged 52 minutes with continuous use—more than enough for a typical shop session.
9. Milwaukee Reciprocating Saw: Ideal for Demolition and Rough Framing
The Milwaukee M18 Super Sawzall 2722-20 breezed through everything we threw at it—from cutting 4×4 posts to demoing old wood beams and nails. Its adjustable orbital action let us rip fast when precision wasn’t needed, while the rafter hook kept it secure during roofing jobs.
It’s a must-have Milwaukee power tool for any woodworker who doubles as a remodeler or needs rough cutting in demolition work.
10. Milwaukee Combo Kit: The Best Starter Set for Serious Woodworkers
For woodworkers looking to invest in their first professional-grade setup, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Combo Kit 2997-22 includes both the drill and impact driver we reviewed above, along with two RedLithium XC batteries, a rapid charger, and carrying case.
It’s a high-value package with every tool tested to deliver superior torque, speed, and runtime. We recommend this Milwaukee tool kit for contractors, remodelers, and serious hobbyists looking to scale their workshop with reliable gear.
Milwaukee Tools: A Brand Purpose-Built for Skilled Trades
Milwaukee Tools is a professional-grade power tool manufacturer that has maintained its exclusive focus on trade users since its founding in 1924.
The company was originally established in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the sole intent of engineering tools that could withstand the intense demands of industrial labor, setting the foundation for a brand built on durability and dependability.
Unlike many tool brands that cater to both consumer and hobbyist markets, Milwaukee Tools has always positioned itself as a brand built for full-time professionals, including carpenters, electricians, plumbers, remodelers, and general contractors. This focus ensures that every product is developed based on practical, trade-specific challenges rather than mass-market trends.
The brand’s identity is deeply rooted in jobsite innovation, and every Milwaukee product is a direct response to real-world issues faced by the skilled workforce. Milwaukee doesn’t create tools for display or convenience—it develops solutions for efficiency, accuracy, and safety under daily jobsite conditions.
Milwaukee Tools has demonstrated its commitment to progress by maintaining one of the most aggressive R&D strategies in the industry, frequently releasing groundbreaking systems such as RedLithium battery technology and Redlink Plus electronics—both of which were created to solve overheating, voltage drop, and runtime limitations in power-hungry applications.
Instead of retrofitting existing tools to meet new demands, Milwaukee Tools engineers their systems from the ground up, ensuring that each line—such as the M12 and M18 platforms—is fully optimized for its intended level of professional use and compatible across a wide ecosystem of specialized tools.
The company continuously collaborates with trade professionals through direct feedback programs and jobsite field testing, which allows the brand to collect specific data on tool stress points, productivity bottlenecks, and ergonomic limitations. This relationship between Milwaukee and the trades is not symbolic—it is structural to how the brand operates.
Milwaukee’s business model is entirely focused on professional performance, meaning they intentionally avoid diverting resources toward budget lines or casual-use tools, which helps them retain technical leadership and brand credibility among serious tool buyers.
With every tool, battery system, and accessory it creates, Milwaukee Tools reinforces its brand promise of making jobsite work faster, more accurate, and less physically demanding, which is essential for trade professionals whose income depends on daily productivity.
Because Milwaukee Tools is privately owned under the global parent company Techtronic Industries, it benefits from long-term strategic investment in innovation and manufacturing, rather than short-term shareholder influence, allowing the brand to focus on durable quality rather than margin-based shortcuts.
The brand’s expansion into global markets has not diluted its identity; instead, Milwaukee has used international growth to refine regional product variations while still adhering to its core mission of serving tradesmen with uncompromised performance.
Milwaukee Tools also distinguishes itself with its Made in the USA with global materials initiative, investing in domestic manufacturing and assembly operations in key U.S. states such as Mississippi and Wisconsin. This effort not only supports local job creation but also allows for more rigorous quality control in core product categories.
The company’s culture of problem-solving is visible in its aggressive patent portfolio, covering unique features like tool-tracking, anti-kickback electronics, and vibration control systems—all designed to increase jobsite safety and tool longevity.
Milwaukee Tools has earned the trust of millions of tradespeople not through lifestyle marketing, but through tangible performance that consistently reduces work time, increases job precision, and withstands abuse that would quickly degrade lesser tools.
When professionals recommend Milwaukee Tools to peers, it’s not out of brand loyalty but out of direct experience with products that outperform expectations under extreme job conditions, which validates the brand’s position as a toolmaker that listens to and builds for the trade.
The company’s slogan, “Nothing but Heavy Duty,” is not a tagline for advertising—it is a benchmark used internally to evaluate every product before release, ensuring that every launch lives up to the expectations of professionals who depend on tools for their livelihood.
At WoodworkingToolsHQ.com, we evaluate many power tool brands each year, but Milwaukee consistently proves to be one of the few that holds its place by earning it—through testing, through durability, and through results on the jobsite.
