DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless 3-Speed 1/4" Impact Driver (DCF860B) vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" High Torque Impact Wrench (2767-20)

The DeWalt is a 1/4" hex impact driver; the Milwaukee is a 1/2" square drive impact wrench. That's not a minor spec difference — it determines what you can even attach to each tool. The DeWalt accepts hex-shank bits for screws and small fasteners. The Milwaukee accepts sockets for bolts, lug nuts, and structural hardware. Buying the wrong one for your application isn't a compromise, it's a mistake.

The DeWalt delivers 2,500 in-lbs (roughly 208 ft-lbs) — impressive for a driver. The Milwaukee delivers 1,400 ft-lbs of breakaway torque — nearly 7x more. For driving deck screws, the DeWalt's torque is more than enough. For breaking loose a rusted lug nut or a seized structural bolt, the Milwaukee is the only cordless option that competes with an air gun. Don't let the DeWalt's 'highest in class' claim confuse you — it's highest in the impact driver class, not the impact wrench class.

The DeWalt runs $105–$199; the Milwaukee runs $300–$459 — tool only in both cases. That $150–$260 premium is steep, but the Milwaukee isn't overpriced for what it does. If you need a 1/2" high-torque wrench, there's no cheaper cordless option that matches it. If you don't need a 1/2" wrench, the Milwaukee's power is genuinely wasted on you and the DeWalt saves you real money.

DeWalt's 20V MAX is the most widely used battery platform in general construction — if your crew is yellow, the DCF860B slots in without buying a single new battery. Milwaukee's M18 is the platform of choice for tradespeople who've gone all-in on red, with one contractor on Reddit reporting 50 M18 tools over 15 years. Neither platform is wrong, but switching costs are real. If you're starting from zero, Milwaukee's pro-grade reputation edges it out for longevity.