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Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Drill/Driver 2903-20 Review

For our go-to, top-of-the-line, peak-performing drill that pairs with your existing Milwaukee batteries, there is no better choice than this
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Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Drill/Driver 2903-20 Review
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Price:  $189 List
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Manufacturer:   Milwakuee
Aspen Rain Weaver
By Aspen Rain Weaver ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  August 4, 2025
Contributions From: Austin Palmer
92
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 22
  • Drilling - 35% 9.9
  • Driving - 35% 10.0
  • Battery Life - 20% 7.8
  • Convenience - 10% 7.0

Our Verdict

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 1/2" Drill/Driver 2903-20 is easily the top-performing drill throughout the entire comprehensively tested lineup. With unparalleled drilling/driving force, as well as good battery performance, this unit earned some of the best scores in our power tool showdown. With plenty of power, the designers have also considered safety and included one of our favorite auto-stop lock features, which stops the drill during any nasty binds or catches. Since this comes as just a tool, we highly recommend this drill to anyone looking for a tool-only option to pair with their existing M18 batteries or who wants to purchase batteries and chargers separately, rather than a combo kit. Committing to the Milwaukee M18 Fuel line of cordless products is an expensive endeavor, but the performance is top-tier.
REASONS TO BUY
High-end drilling and driving power
Auto stop feature
Metal chuck
Speedy and powerful
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
Heavier than average

Our Analysis and Test Results

milwaukee m18 fuel 1/2" drill/driver 2903-20 - the m18 fuel easily earned its place on the podium.
The M18 Fuel easily earned its place on the podium.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Drilling


When we put this mighty machine up to drilling through lumber with a spade bit, it cruised through the wood on speed two setting with ease, without binding one bit. This was easily the top performer for this portion of our review.


The M18 produced gleaming results again once we pulled out the solid wooden door and began using a 5" hole saw to reach the other side. With high speeds and unrelenting torque, it was able to gnaw through the thick wood in just 11 seconds, outpacing its competitors by over 5 seconds. One of our testers even remarked that the door stood “No chance”.

Utilizing both speed and power, this model wrecked shop in our side-by-side drilling tests.

This drill continued its run of peak performance when it came to punching a hole through 16-gauge steel using two different sizes of twist bits. While using a smaller bit, the M18 Fuel was able to produce a hole in around 3 seconds, but once we switched to the larger diameter bit, we clocked a lightning-fast 0.7-second time. This drill effortlessly cut through the steel without stalling or catching, even when cutting through the last burr.

milwaukee m18 fuel 1/2" drill/driver 2903-20 - the speed with which the m18 pushed through 16-gauge steel was...
The speed with which the M18 pushed through 16-gauge steel was blazing fast.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Driving


For the next portion of our review, we judged each drill based on effort, effectiveness, and ability to drive various screws and fasteners. During this metric, the M18 Fuel ranked at the top of a small crowd of its high-performance competitors.


For our lag screw test, the M18 drove the fastener down halfway before having to lower the gear speed. We switched to the lower gear, and it then drove the lag completely into our pilot hole without a hitch, earning perfect marks.

During our lag bolt test, the M18 outperformed every other drill.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

While driving standard wood screws, the 16 different clutch settings allowed for supreme torque control, preventing over- or underdriven screws. You can even fine-tune to either flush the heads with the surface or even sink them just under. Throughout our driving test, the M18 Fuel continually outpaced the competition and would be suitable for both at-home DIYers and daily professionals.

milwaukee m18 fuel 1/2" drill/driver 2903-20 - the m18 is a genuinely lionhearted drill as proven by our lag test.
The M18 is a genuinely lionhearted drill as proven by our lag test.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Battery Life


The M18 Fuel fell only slightly from its previously spotless scores, and completed about seven full cycles during our drilling/driving battery life test. We had to shift down a gear setting at the end of our 6th cycle to continue using its power, but it did continue to work for one more round.


The included 2 amp-hour battery may have fallen slightly short of the mark in terms of output efficiency, but during charging time, we were astonished. It went from empty to complete in a swift 25 minutes with the stock charger — much faster than comparable batteries.

milwaukee m18 fuel 1/2" drill/driver 2903-20 - milwaukee batteries are conveniently usable between tools and can be...
Milwaukee batteries are conveniently usable between tools and can be a perk for someone who already owns a few.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Convenience


One of the most unique additions to the M18 Fuel is the integration of Milwaukee's auto-stop control feature. It functions as a stop lock whenever this fancy little drill endures a heavy skip, bind, or catch, further enhancing safety, particularly for wrists, elbows, and shoulders.


It is a heavier tool than others, tipping the scales at just over four pounds, which can cause some shoulder pain if your project requires work above your head. It does have two operating speeds and a chuck that can hold up to a ½" shank, giving a wider range in attachments. The M18 does come with a belt clip attached near the battery, and swapping batteries is pretty typical.

The M18's Auto lock feature is sure to save a risky catch at some point.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

One feature we appreciate is the M18's battery level indicator, but it also comes with a hyper-bright LED light above the trigger. This tiny bulb provides ample light, but you will need to use the trigger to activate it for more than 10 seconds.

Battery level indicators, belt clips, LED Lights, and speed selectors can all turn a good product into a great one. Fortunately, the M18 has all of these features and more.

Should You Buy the M18 FUEL?


When it comes to top-of-the-line performance, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel is by far and away the best option, not to mention it's backed by a household manufacturer name that's synonymous with quality professional and DIY tools. This tool boasts impressive drilling and driving power, paired with reasonable battery life, resulting in a heavy-duty tool for demanding projects. It features a high-end safety mechanism that automatically locks the drill whenever it binds or catches. Whether you already own Milwaukee products or plan to build a fleet of cordless tools, the M18 line is a great one-stop shop for professional-grade performance and battery interchangeability. This skilled drill does come with a larger price tag, though, and it's a factor to consider before investing in this product or a complete set of tools. Overall, the M18 Fuel is hands down one of our favorite drills for peak performance.

What Other Drill Should You Consider?


If you don't need professional-grade tools and want to save some money, the Craftsman V20 1/2-In. Drill/Driver Kit CMCD700C1 is a fairly affordable drill for those on a tight budget. It has enough muscle to accomplish most at-home DIY tasks and only costs a fraction of the price. Alternatively, if you still need heaps of power for more challenging tasks and don't mind spending a few extra bucks, take a look at the high driving and drilling power of the Ryobi One+ HP 18V Brushless Drill/Driver.

Side-by-Side Comparison
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Aspen Rain Weaver and Austin Palmer