Milwaukee M18 Compact 1/2" Drill Driver Kit 2606 Review

This drill finished in the top portion of the group overall, just behind the DeWalt DCD777C2 and ahead of the DeWalt DCD771C2. The M18 and the DCD777C2 are almost identical regarding driving performance, convenience, and battery performance, but the DeWalt did slightly better in our drilling tests. Neither the M18 nor the DCD777C2 struggled much in our tests. The M18 also has a slightly higher list price than the DCD777C2. The DCD7771C2 can't match the battery life or drilling performance of the M18, but it is better at driving in fasteners.

Drilling

The Milwaukee M18 drilled with a hole saw without any significant issue, never stalling or struggling. However, it takes a bit longer than some of the others, taking 30-35 seconds compared to 17 seconds or so of the top models.

It performed well with a paddle bit, quickly and easily drilling through the wood. It didn't stall out, even when drilling in its higher gear, and is one of the best at this test.

The M18 finished out with a strong showing when drilling through a steel sheet, punching through the 16-gauge metal relatively effortlessly.

Driving

This M18 is pretty solid at driving regular wood screws. It lets you drive them to their full depth in a gentle and controlled way, easily setting the head flush with the surface of the wood. It has plenty of power to stop and start again without stalling, but it isn't the fastest at driving in the screws, with some of the top drills sinking them in just a bit faster.

The M18 also did very well in our lag screw test, setting the screw to its full depth without complaining, taking just a fraction of a second longer than the top drills overall.

Battery Life

Next, we evaluated and scored the recharge time and battery life of the M18 and the number of included batteries — the Milwaukee M18 finished just average. We tested this drill with the 1.5 Ah battery that came with the package we purchased, which can be used with compatible tools. It made it through about 4.5 cycles of our test before it quit. Fortunately, this is one of the fastest charging batteries of the bunch, only taking 31 minutes to recharge completely. We also liked that you can purchase the M18 as a package that includes an additional battery, so you can always have one on the charger while you work.

Convenience

This drill is a bit on the heavy side, weighing in at about 3.75 lbs., but it does have the option to add a belt clip. Unfortunately, this belt clip doesn't come installed, but it can be attached near the battery pack. The clutch can hold up to one-half-inch bits. The M18 has two different operating gear ratios.

It has a decent integrated work light, but it does dim after about seven seconds — a little fast for our taste, but at least you don't have to hold down the trigger the entire time.

We particularly liked that this drill has a battery level indicator, but it can be harder to swap batteries on this drill. It can bind up a bit when removed, and the double locking tabs are a bit harder to disengage than the single tab system used by other models.

Should You Buy the M18?

The M18 is a burly drill that packs a punch, just not enough to earn it an award. However, it was a contender for one and should be able to easily handle even the most challenging drilling tasks, albeit a bit slower than our top choices. This drill isn't a great budget buy; it has one of the highest list prices of the entire group.

What Other Drill Should You Consider?