Milwaukee has one of the deepest lineups of trade-focused cordless tools available. We’ve been using their tools since 2008, so we’ve seen the technology evolution first-hand between Milwaukee’s M18 and M18 Fuel rosters.
How much of the M18 Fuel branding is just marketing? Do the more expensive tools really make that much of a difference? I’ll take you on a deeper dive into the differences between Milwaukee’s M18 and M18 Fuel designations to help you decide what to shop for.
Milwaukee M18 vs M18 Fuel Tools: Overview
At the most basic level, the biggest difference between M18 and M18 Fuel tools has to do with the motor type. Most M18 products have a brushed motor, but ALL M18 Fuel tools feature a brushless motor.
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Brushed vs Brushless Motors: What’s the Difference?
If you’re new to brushed and brushless motors as a concept, the rundown is pretty simple. Brushed motors contain carbon brushes that wear over time and eventually require replacement. In brushless motors, there are no brushes present; instead, the motors are controlled electronically.
This means that in tools with brushless technology, as we see in M18 Fuel tools, you get longer runtimes, higher performance, and a longer service life.
However, there are also some other brushless benefits. The electronic controls within the motor provide an opportunity to dial in more advanced controls, like additional speeds, assist modes, advanced thermal protection, and more.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel tools take advantage of that brushless technology, but that’s not where the differences end.
Types of Milwaukee M18 Tools
The M18 lineup is actually comprised of several levels of tools. Each level offers a different performance level and price point, so you may want different tools depending on your intended use and budget.
Milwaukee offers the following:
- M18 (brushed motor)
- M18 Force Logic
- M18 Brushless/Compact Brushless (brushless motor)
- M18 Fuel (PowerState brushless motor + RedLink Intelligence)
For example, when shopping for a hammer drill, you could go with the brushed M18 2607 for the lowest price in Milwaukee’s lineup. Or, you could step up to the M18 Brushless 3602 for a slight bump in performance and a more compact design. Finally, the flagship M18 Fuel 2904 provides the highest torque and speed levels available, as well as smart features like AutoStop.
Here’s a table view to compare all of the models in our example.
| 2607 | 3602 | 2904 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Technology | Brushed | Brushless | PowerState Brushless |
| Electronics | None | RedLink | RedLink Plus |
| Max Speed (RPM) | 1,800 | 1,700 | 2,100 |
| Torque (peak) | 500 in-lbs | 550 in-lbs | 1,400 in-lbs |
| BPM | 0-28,800 | 0-25,500 | 0-33,000 |
| Length | 7.8 in. | 5.8 in. | 6.95 in. |
| Weight | 3.0 lbs. | 2.3 lbs. | 3.3 lbs. |
| AutoStop | No | No | Yes |
| Price | $149 | $159 | $229 |
M18 Force Logic tools are a different category altogether. These primarily target niche electrical and plumbing needs, like press tools and crimpers. The big difference here is that they operate hydraulic systems.
Can You Use the Same Batteries in Milwaukee M18 and M18 FUEL Tools?
One of the largest benefits of Milwaukee’s M18 system is that all of the tools are powered by the same RedLithium M18 batteries. Whether you use M18 brushed, M18 Brushless, M18 Force Logic, or Milwaukee’s flagship M18 Fuel models, the batteries you use are 100% interchangeable.
This includes the most recent battery releases, like the RedLithium Forge tabless batteries. If the battery has M18 on the label, it’s good to go with any of your M18 tools.
There are some batteries that are less suited for certain tools, but that usually comes down to size. For example, we don’t recommend using the large 12.0Ah Forge battery on Milwaukee compact tools. While it will technically work, it can throw off the tool’s balance, make it more difficult to maneuver, and more fatiguing to use.
So, what’s the difference between batteries? Where you’ll notice a difference is when you equip one of Milwaukee’s more advanced High Output or Forge batteries to an M18 Fuel tool. The electronics within the tools communicate effectively with the batteries to call on significantly more power compared to standard packs.
Those advanced batteries can also charge much faster when you use an upgraded charger.
What About Milwaukee M18 Compact Brushless Tools?
Earlier, we mentioned that most Milwaukee M18 tools have a brushed motor. Well, way back in 2016, Milwaukee introduced a handful of M18 Compact Brushless tools, designed to fit between their standard-performance brushed tools and their high-performance brushless models. M18 Brushless tools offer the benefits of brushless at a more approachable price than M18 Fuel tools.
Inside M18 Compact Brushless tools, there’s a brushless motor, as well as RedLink Intelligence. However, these components aren’t as advanced as the premium PowerState brushless motors and RedLink Plus controls we see in M18 Fuel models.
There are other brushless exceptions in the M18 lineup. These include Milwaukee’s M18 lighting products and radios, which don’t require a motor at all, but still get the M18 designation because of their M18 battery compatibility.
What About M12 Fuel?
For M12 and M12 Fuel tools, it’s the same story. M12 models contain brushed motors, and their M12 Fuel counterparts feature PowerState brushless motors and RedLink Plus Intelligence. While it’s a different battery system operating at 12V max, the motor concept is still the same as the M18/M18 Fuel tools.
The Bottom Line
To put it succinctly, M18 Fuel products are Milwaukee’s top-of-the-line brushless tools that offer the highest performance. M18 products primarily use brushed motors, operate at lower performance levels, but are still Pro-grade tools and come with a lower price tag.
M18 Brushless and Compact Brushless offer a solid mid-range option for some tool classes, and M18 Force Logic covers the hydraulic needs of plumbing and electrical.
