Last week, our crew attended Milwaukee Pipeline, which is the annual event hosted by Team Red to showcase all of its new and updated tools. While dozens of products were displayed, a few tools in particular were real attention-grabbers. One of the updates that caught our eye was the new Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/4-inch High Torque Impact Wrench.
As the fourth iteration in the lineup, I wanted to compare this latest model to other high-torque models to see how this tool shows off Milwaukee’s latest technology and design ahead of its late 2026 release.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/4-inch High Torque Impact Wrench: Overview
While the 2964 is the fourth iteration in Milwaukee’s 3/4-inch high-torque impact wrench roster, it’s the first model marketed to fully replace pneumatic models. This impact wrench generates up to 1800 ft-lbs of fastening torque and a whopping 2000 ft-lbs of breakaway torque with a max no-load speed of 2000 RPM. All told, Milwaukee claims up to 40% faster removal speeds compared to both cordless and air competition.
On paper, it definitely delivers performance that exceeds what you’d find with many pneumatic impact wrenches of this size. Take Ingersoll Rand’s pneumatic line, for example. Its 2146Q1MAX claims to be the most powerful pneumatic 3/4-inch in its class, with 2000 ft-lbs of nut-busting and 1300 ft-lbs of fastening torque – matching Milwaukee on nut-busting, but it’s well short of the M18 Fuel’s fastening capabilities.
Of course, not being tethered to an air hose while you work is a huge benefit for heavy-duty fastening applications. With the M18 Fuel 2964, you can enjoy cordless freedom without sacrificing power.
Milwaukee also introduced an extended-reach model (2969) that features the same torque and speed specs as the standard 2964. It features a 6-inch anvil to offer better access during commercial tire servicing and other hard-to-reach applications.
For runtimes, Milwaukee estimates up to 120 1 1/4-inch bolts for the standard model using a single 8.0Ah Forge battery. For the extended-reach model, you can service up to 10 tires (or 100 lug nuts), also using a single 8.0Ah Forge battery.
Both kits include two 8.0Ah Forge batteries for all-day runtime. While one battery is equipped, you can throw the other on the charger to stay powered up all day.
Auto Stop and Snug Mode
Both models offer four power/speed modes, but mode 4 offers an assist that differs between the standard and extended models. For the standard impact wrench, the 4th setting features Auto-Stop mode, which delivers 75 ft-lbs of fastening torque to prevent over-torque in forward, and slows the speed to 750 RPM in reverse for more control while removing bolts.
The extended-anvil tool is equipped with Lug Nut Snug Mode in the 4th setting. This is a fastening assistant feature that prevents over-torquing, as we see with the standard model. However, this model tops the torque out at 450 ft-lbs to properly secure heavy-duty lugs and other large fasteners.
How Does it Compare?
Although this is the fourth-generation 3/4-inch high-torque impact wrench in Milwaukee’s M18 lineup, the two oldest models (2664 and 2764) have been discontinued.
Instead of comparing the 2964 against Milwaukee’s previous gen model, I decided to compare it against similar cordless models from Makita, DeWalt, and Ingersoll Rand
| Milwaukee 2964 | Makita GWT01 | DeWalt DCF964 | Ingersoll Rand W8171 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breakaway Torque | 2000 ft-lbs | 1510 ft-lbs | 1900 ft-lbs | 2000 ft-lbs |
| Fastening Torque | 1800 ft-lbs | 1330 ft-lbs | 1420 ft-lbs | Not Specified |
| Max Speed | 2000 RPM | 1800 RPM | Not specified | 1350 RPM |
| Impact Rate | 2100 IPM | 2500 IPM | 2015 IPM | 1900 IPM |
| Motor Type | Brushless | Brushless | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 8.1 lb | 8.6 lb | 9.15 lb | 7.4 lb |
| Price | $499 bare | $484 bare | $399 bare | $427 bare |
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 3/4-inch High Torque Impact Wrench Price
This tool retails for $499 as a bare tool and $849 as a kit, which includes two M18 Forge 8.0Ah batteries and an M12/M18 rapid charger. There is also an extended-anvil configuration of this tool, which retails for $599 bare and $949 as a kit with two 8.0Ah Forge batteries and a rapid charger. The tool is backed by a 3-year warranty.
For added protection, Milwaukee also offers a protective boot for both designs at $49 each.
Should You Buy It?
The new Milwaukee M18 3/4-inch high torque impact wrench is a tool aimed at professionals who need serious power. It’s ideal for servicing commercial vehicles, maintaining heavy equipment, and completing large-scale utility projects.
Milwaukee claims it fully replaces pneumatic impact wrenches, pointing to its impressive 2000 ft-lbs of maximum nut-busting torque as evidence. Plus, the extended-anvil model gives you the option to increase your reach without sacrificing power.
At $499 bare, the standard tool is only around $70 more than the previous M18 Fuel iteration (2864), while providing higher breakaway and fastening torque for more demanding jobs. However, if you’re already using that model, you’re probably ok sticking with it for now, unless you need Milwaukee’s absolute strongest performance at this size, or you’d like to expand your reach with the extended-anvil impact wrench.
