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Pro Tool Reviews tested Milwaukee’s fourth-generation M18 Fuel 2904 against Bosch’s GSB18V-1330CN hammer drill and found Milwaukee faster in all four tasks, averaging 17% faster across the tests. The results favor Milwaukee for speed, size and weight, but do not establish that Bosch is inadequate or that the outcome applies to every drill, battery or job.
Milwaukee’s fourth-generation M18 Fuel 2904 was faster than Bosch’s GSB18V-1330CN in all four tasks in a Pro Tool Reviews head-to-head test, averaging 17% faster overall. The comparison matters to tradespeople choosing a cordless hammer drill, but it reflects one publication’s controlled tests with specific models, batteries and materials—not a universal ranking of either brand.
The review compared the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 with Bosch’s GSB18V-1330CN 18V brushless hammer drill, using each manufacturer’s 8.0Ah high-capacity battery: Milwaukee’s Forge pack and Bosch’s Core18V High Power pack. Pro Tool Reviews said it selected the batteries to test what each drill was capable of, rather than using the batteries supplied in kits.
Milwaukee recorded the quicker average time in every test. It drove an RSS screw in 2.49 seconds, compared with Bosch’s 2.88 seconds; drilled with a spade bit in 2.62 seconds versus 3.29; and completed the self-feed-bit task in 1.89 seconds versus 2.09. In concrete, Milwaukee took 6.84 seconds and Bosch 8.94. The review reported that Milwaukee was 17% faster on average across the four tests, with the largest gap in concrete.
The test used freshly charged batteries and averaged three runs per task. The materials and bits varied by test, including glued OSB for the screw and spade-bit work, a pine stud for the self-feed bit, and fully cured 4,000-PSI concrete for hammer drilling. Pro Tool Reviews said both drills completed the jobs without the Bosch being strained.
Speed, Size and Jobsite Trade-Offs
For buyers who regularly drill or drive fasteners, the results give a practical point of comparison beyond manufacturers’ specifications. Milwaukee led in each measured task, and the review also found its drill more compact and lighter: the tested weight was 5.6 pounds versus 6.3 pounds for Bosch, while length was 7 inches versus 8.1 inches. Those differences may matter during overhead work or repeated use, though the test did not measure fatigue.
The outcome does not make Bosch a poor choice. Pro Tool Reviews said the Bosch completed the tested work and praised its grip and balance. Its electronic angle detection can help keep large structural screws straight, according to the report. Buyers may also weigh existing batteries and tools: Bosch’s 18V batteries support tools in the Ampshare system, while Milwaukee’s One-Key model offers connected-tool features. The best choice depends on the work, existing platform and features a user values—not only the fastest test time.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 cordless drill
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Two Flagship Hammer Drills Compared
The review framed the test as a comparison of each brand’s top-performing cordless hammer drill: Bosch’s GSB18V-1330CN and Milwaukee’s fourth-generation M18 Fuel 2904. On paper, Bosch has higher listed maximum speeds—550 and 2,200 RPM, against Milwaukee’s 500 and 2,100 RPM—while Milwaukee lists greater maximum torque and hammer rate: 1,400 inch-pounds and 33,000 blows per minute, compared with Bosch’s 1,330 inch-pounds and 30,000 blows per minute.
The spec sheet also shows Milwaukee’s size advantage. The report lists bare weights of 3.2 pounds for Milwaukee and 4.1 pounds for Bosch, alongside the tested weights and lengths reported above. These figures describe the specific models and configurations in this comparison. Pro Tool Reviews noted that specifications alone could not predict the full performance result, particularly the concrete test, where the drills’ different hammer rates might matter.
Both tools include kickback control, which the review described as stopping the motor quickly if the bit binds. Milwaukee offers One-Key on the 2906 model, while Bosch can add a Connected Module. The report said Milwaukee’s connected system offers more, but noted Bosch’s add-on approach means buyers need not select a separate drill model to add connectivity.
“Milwaukee was the winner in all four performance tests.”
— Pro Tool Reviews
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Limits of the Test Results
The findings apply to two drill models, four tasks and the test setup described by Pro Tool Reviews. The report does not establish how the drills compare across other materials, bit sizes, battery configurations, working conditions or long-term durability. It also does not provide a full assessment of price, availability, warranty or performance across each brand’s wider cordless range.
The 17% figure is the review’s stated average across its four measured tests. It should not be read as a guaranteed time saving on a jobsite or as a 17% advantage in every task. The report also does not provide independent replication or information here about how performance changes as batteries discharge. Its forecast about Milwaukee’s next-generation drill is an expectation, not confirmation of a release date or final specifications.
cordless drill with high capacity battery
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Milwaukee’s Next Drill Generation
Pro Tool Reviews said a fifth-generation M18 Fuel hammer drill was expected by the end of 2026. The report did not give confirmed specifications or a firm launch date, so any performance comparison with the 2904 remains pending. Buyers considering a purchase can compare current model prices, battery kits and tool-platform compatibility alongside the test results, and check for manufacturer updates before treating the expected model as available.
compact lightweight cordless drill
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Key Questions
Which drill won the Pro Tool Reviews comparison?
Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 2904 was faster in all four measured tasks and averaged 17% faster overall, according to Pro Tool Reviews.
What tasks were included in the test?
The publication tested driving an RSS screw, drilling with a 1-inch spade bit, drilling with a 2 9/16-inch self-feed bit, and drilling a 3-inch-deep hole in cured concrete with a 3/8-inch concrete bit.
Does the test show that Bosch’s drill is not suitable for professional work?
No. The review said the Bosch drill completed the tasks without being strained. Its results were slower in this test; that does not establish how it performs in every application or for every user.
What advantages did the review identify for Bosch?
The report cited Bosch’s grip and balance, electronic angle detection for keeping large structural screws straight, and battery compatibility with the Ampshare system.
When is Milwaukee’s next-generation hammer drill expected?
Pro Tool Reviews said a fifth-generation M18 Fuel hammer drill was expected by the end of 2026. The report did not confirm a release date or provide specifications.
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