After testing countless impact drivers over the years, we’ve narrowed our focus to two standout contenders: the DeWalt 20V Max DCF860 and the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953. Both are packed with pro-level features, built for power, and engineered for serious performance. But which one truly comes out on top? Let’s break it down and find out.
Milwaukee VS DeWalt Impact Driver Specifications
Here’s a quick look at the key specs to know before we jump into testing:
| DeWalt DCF860 | Milwaukee 2953 | |
|---|---|---|
| No-Load Speed | 1800/2500/3800 | 1700/3000/3900 |
| Max Impact Rate | 4500 IPM | 4400 IPM |
| Max Torque | 2500 in-lbs | 2000 in-lbs |
| Head Length | 4.8 in. | 4.5 in. |
| Bare Weight | 2.7 lbs | 2.2 lbs |
| Working Weight | 4.6 lbs (with kitted 8.0Ah PowerPack battery) | 4.28 lbs (with 6.0Ah Forge battery) |
Milwaukee VS DeWalt Impact Driver: How We Tested
Speed Test with Ledger Screws
To kick off our testing, we started by driving three 8-inch GRK Fasteners RSS screws into our stacked OSB test block. Our result is the average time it takes for each tool to drive the screws fully. This is a medium-load test, and well within the scope of what we expect from these tools.
Bolt Break Test
Next, we torqued eight 1 1/2-inch hardened steel nuts to 150 ft-lbs (1,800 in-lbs) and timed how long it takes each tool to loosen them. The result is the total time for all eight bolts broken down into an average for each bolt.
Lag Bolt Speed Test
For our last test, we kicked up the intensity with one more driving test. We returned to our OSB test block and drove three 8×3/8-inch lag bolts and averaged the times to get our results.
Testing Results
| DeWalt DCF860 | Milwaukee 2953 | |
|---|---|---|
| RSS Screw Average | 7.17 sec | 5.90 sec |
| Bolt Break Average | 2.8 sec | 1.9 sec |
| Lag Bolt Test Average | 6.12 sec | 5.80 sec |
As you can see from the results, Milwaukee is the clear winner here. What’s interesting is that the DCF860 is a much stronger tool according to the specs listed above, but Milwaukee still managed to emerge victorious.
Milwaukee VS DeWalt Impact Driver Key Highlights
DeWalt DCF860
- Brushless Motor
- 3 speed modes
- One-handed bit instertion
- Automatic bit ejection
- 20-minute LED work light mode
- Tri-LED work light
Milwaukee 2953
- Brushless motor
- 3 speed modes
- 1 assist mode
- One-handed bit insertion
- Tri-LED work light
- Available with One-Key smart controls and tracking (model 2957)
Pricing and Final Thoughts
| DeWalt DCF860 | Milwaukee 2953 | |
|---|---|---|
| Bare Tool | $219 | $149 |
| Kit | $269 (with 4.0Ah PowerPack battery) | $299 (with 2x 5.0Ah batteries) |
| Kit #2 | $319 (with 8.0Ah PowerPack battery) | N/A |
| Warranty | 3 years | 5 years |
After some hands-on time with these tools, it’s clear that they are both Pro-focused options with a feature set that elevates them above ordinary DIY-level tools. But which model takes the crown in this head-to-head showdown? For us, it’s Milwaukee.
The 2953 is lighter, shorter, and performed better in all three of our tests by a clear margin. On top of that, the bare tool and kit price are advantageous for Pros who want to stretch their dollar. Granted, we hope to see Milwaukee pair the 2953 with the advanced M18 Forge batteries in the future (maybe in the combo kit with the 2904 hammer drill), but for $299, it’s a solid high-performance choice.
