Guides

Starter kits for every trade, plus plain-English answers to the questions people ask most about Milwaukee tools.

Starter guides

Which tools to buy first for your trade, which battery to start on and what to add next.

ElectricianStarter kit guidePlumberStarter kit guideHVACStarter kit guideCarpenterStarter kit guideRemodelerStarter kit guideMechanicStarter kit guideConcreteStarter kit guideLandscaperStarter kit guideHomeownerStarter kit guide

Know-how

What does FUEL mean? FUEL vs Brushless vs StandardMilwaukee sells three tiers of cordless tools. Here's what FUEL, Brushless and Standard mean and which one to buy.Can I use M18 batteries in M12 tools?No: M12 and M18 batteries are different shapes and voltages. Here's what does work, including chargers that charge both.Milwaukee battery sizes explained: CP, XC, HD, HIGH OUTPUT and FORGEWhat the letters and numbers on Milwaukee REDLITHIUM batteries mean, and which size to buy for your tools.Milwaukee model numbers explained: bare tool vs kitWhat -20, -21 and -22 mean on a Milwaukee model number, and when a bare tool or a kit is the better buy.What is Milwaukee ONE-KEY?ONE-KEY connects Milwaukee tools to an app for tracking, inventory, locking and custom settings. Here's who it's for.Best Milwaukee impact wrench for lug nutsWhich Milwaukee impact wrench to buy for changing tires on cars and trucks, from compact to high torque.

Tool match-ups

2953-20 vs 3650-20FUEL vs compact brushless impact driver2904-20 vs 2903-20hammer drill or drill/driver?2903-20 vs 3601-20FUEL drill vs compact brushless drill3404-20 vs 2904-20M12 vs M18 hammer drill2967-20 vs 2962-20high torque vs mid-torque impact wrench2962-20 vs 2855-20mid-torque vs compact 1/2" impact wrench2854-20 vs 2960-20compact vs mid-torque 3/8" impact wrench2563-20 vs 2855-20M12 stubby vs M18 compact 1/2" impact wrench2821-20 vs 2722-20SAWZALL vs SUPER SAWZALL2834-20 vs 2631-20FUEL vs brushless 7-1/4" circular saw2833-20 vs 2834-206-1/2" vs 7-1/4" FUEL circular saw2719-20 vs 2520-20M18 vs M12 FUEL HACKZALL2829-20 vs 2529-20M18 vs M12 FUEL compact band saw3670-20 vs 2880-206" vs 4-1/2"/5" FUEL grinder2915-20 vs 2912-201-1/8" vs 1" SDS Plus rotary hammer2508-20 vs 2908-20M12 vs M18 5/8" SDS Plus rotary hammer3450-20 vs 3453-20M12 subcompact vs M12 FUEL impact driver3453-20 vs 2953-20M12 vs M18 FUEL impact driver