(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample (362 ratings). The Amazon listing is the bare tool (3401-20), not the 2-battery kit.
The smallest and lightest drill Wirecutter has tested, about 2 lb, and great in tight spots. It has noticeably less power than the DeWalt 12V, and its fat, battery-in-handle grip is less comfortable.
In the box: 2 x M12 REDLITHIUM CP2.0 batteries, charger and contractor bag (Milwaukee)
Top complaints
- Less power than the best 12V drills
Wirecutter's tester drilled only 20 1-inch holes on a charge versus 30 for the DeWalt 12V, and says this isn't a drill for building a deck. Milwaukee rates it at 350 in-lbs of torque.
- Thick grip, can't stand up, weaker LED
The battery slides up into the handle, so the grip is fatter and less contoured than DeWalt's, and the drill has to lie on its side. Wirecutter also found the LED lit the work less well.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - New model; Amazon listing questions
Wirecutter notes the drill is new, so it lacks long-term feedback. The Amazon listing is the bare tool (3401-20), and its review summary marks 'brand' as mixed: some buyers question whether the unit was new.
What owners love
- Tiny and light
About 5¼ in. long and 2 lb with a battery, it's the smallest drill Wirecutter has ever used, tested or recommended.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Great in tight spots
Amazon owners highlight its effectiveness in tight spaces, plus its quality, power and torque.
- Strong 12V platform and warranty
Wirecutter likes Milwaukee's M12 line of bare tools. Milwaukee gives a 5-year tool warranty and a 2-year battery warranty.
- You want the most power in a 12V drill
- You dislike thick grips
- You plan bigger builds like decks
- Tight spaces and overhead work
- People with limited arm strength
- Light household jobs
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Runner-up and smallest, lightest pick. It sets a new bar for size versus performance, but it falls short of the DeWalt on power and its wide grip is harder to hold.