Milwaukee M18 Fuel Impact G4 and Gen3 Tool Comparison! 

Great comparison video, I just like the way you guys do this. You make it interesting and fun to watch, with actual facts and real world usage that we can see. Well done Vince, keep up the good work 👍👍

Excellent review, informative and entertaining. It help me pull the trigger on a 2853 Black Friday deal .

Definitely getting the Gen 4. Milwaukee Fuel Gen 3 impact driver hands down my favorite. I’m hoping in the near future we see a Gen 2 m18 surge. That would be awesome. Thanks for the testing fellas. Really appreciate the comparisons so quick. Everyone has been waiting for this

Just picked up a new impact because my first gen just died, the store didn't have the Gen 4 so I got the Gen 3 and watching that review, I'm real glad I did get the Gen 3. Thanks for your solid review!

Yo Vince! Thank you for the demonstration with Jimmy. Good stuff! 💯 Yeah, I'm good with my 2853/gen 3.5 and will be for some time to come. Again, thank you two and may God bless you both and all #theverycoolgang! 😁👍✌ P.S. I wonder if the electric brake will stop functioning (from time to time) on the gen 4 when pulling the trigger rapid-fire style. 🤔

Thx for the comparison

Great honest review nice vid Vince

Thanks for the video as always. Love that y’all give the facts and not just say buy the latest. By any chance what would you guys recommend for fastening SDS screws? I burned through my gen 3.5 m18 impact. My flexvolt advantage dewalt drill does great with them but can’t get into the tight spaces between studs.

This makes me feel really good about buying the gen 3 combo during the OPT flash sale. I was afraid that I might regret not going with the newest generation. I think the only think I missed out on was 3 lights and spending a lot of extra money. Plus I got a free bare Sawzall and pack out box. Niiiice.

Thanks for the tool test. I love my Milwaukee tools. I liked the side by side comparison even though half the video it was difficult to see who had the 3 and who had the 4. Overall I would say if you have the 3, there's not enough difference to "upgrade" to the new model. Just the information I needed. Thank you.

Great vid. Two impact beasts in action!

I, too, bought a Gen 3 (with dual ball bit holder) a few months ago based on VCG's real-world reviews & comparisons. I am a DIY'er that appreciates and uses high-quality, contractor-grade tools. I have four old Dewalt 14.4 drills which still run fine, but was intrigued by the impact drivers, so I bought the Milwaukee M18 Fuel driver for about $90 (driver only). I bought the Milwaukee charger and two (cheap) aftermarket batteries for much less than half the price of Milwaukee batteries. They hold-up just fine for my projects and charge faster than I can discharge them. I turn to VCG for reviews on accessories too. I thought the 30-piece Dewalt impact set was nice until I found the Milwaukee 100-piece set for about twice the price as the Dewalt, but with a much wider variety of bit sizes, types & lengths.

I'm upgrading from gen 2. New lights and smaller design with even more power is great for me. If you have gen 3 I don't think it's worth it

Nice comparison vid, and wish Milwaukee at pipeline had this kind of test going on as well as using other brand’s tools. It would be nice if at new tool events, the companies/brands, what have you; ALSO HAD PRIOR GEN of the tools to run and actually compare differences in last gen to new gen; would be cool to see, but not sure anyone has done this. Could be wrong…. Thx Vince and Jimmy, you guys rock (and that slo-mo w/ vibration of gen 4, looked like and sds hitting you😉) Cheers✌🏻

Great first comparison , but the thing I like the most about VCG, is the energy that Vince puts into videos! Keep it up !👍🏻 waiting for gen3 and gen4 drills comparison.

I just bought the m12 surge for my compact setup to fit in my 3-drawer setup. Waiting to grab the gen 4 m18 for my power house.

Good "dual", I'm waiting for the M12 to come out, can't wait to see the winner in that test, good one Vince.

Can’t wait to see the gen 4 hammer drill comparison. And the new M-12’s!

Thanks VCG much appreciated video. Vince you are the best of the best in handling impact driver.

Cool stuff 😎 I think there both top of the line tools. I'm a Metabo Bosch kind of guy, but if I had to pick one. I would go Gen 4 because I like the LED lights on Gen 4. Thanks for the video Vince.

I'm a M12 user wanting to add M18 watching this demonstration first thing I noticed was the much brighter light output from Gen 4. Excellent video 👍

Thanks, Vince! I really enjoy these videos. Hanging on to my 2 gen 3.5s. Had no problems at all out of both of them.

Love to see videos like this. Are you doing this with the M12 line too? (Because I'm a home owner/contractor and use M12 tools instead of M18)✌️🤠

Gonna upgrade from M18 non-Fuel Brushless impact driver. Served me well in the last 3 years, but now it's time to get more power. Was gonna get the Gen 3, but after seeing this, the Gen 4 is basically a Gen 3 with slightly faster RPM and IPM and a tri-LED light.

Good 👍🏼 video and comparison between the gen 3 & gen4

Thanks Jimmy! 👍

Vince, your video influenced to to buy the GEN3, without watching this, I would have ordered GEN4 today. Txs, Bro !

This is the test I was waiting for Vince. I think I might get those Gen3 tool deals that they are going to be wanting to get rid of to bring in the Gen 4.

Been holding out for gen 4 or 3.5 since your earlier videos of the bit getting stuck in the wood. Kinda surprised it didn't happen this time around with the G3.... I'll be buying the G4

Just ordered the m12 new gen combo excited to see how they work

Well after searching all night for black friday sales i couldnt decide what to get. I was going to buy the standard brushless kit but the drill and impact lacked a bit compared to the gen 4 fuel. After failing to build the kit i truly wanted with all the "free" tools. $400 for the kit plus a router/jigsaw just wasnt what i was after. Found milwaukee is selling gen 3 fuel kits for $280 which i didnt even realize the difference till now. Saved $120 for a more than capable kit and in my view outperformed the gen 4 in alot of test. However them lights are way nicer on gen 4. But at the end of the day i have a nice kit and my $120 can go towards the bare tool i want. Great review.

Hey Vince, been a while. Still crankin out some great videos, thanks bro. All these speed tests and comparisons are great, but........... What I think we really need to see are some long term durability tests. How long do these tools actually last out in the field before they fail. Kinda difficult to drive screws if your driver has gone deep six. Might be something to look at. How many work hours can you expect out of a cordless tool before it needs repaired or replaced. Me personally, my feelings are a little mixed with Milwaukee M18 Fuel. On one hand I've been using a gen 2 hammer drill / driver set, 4 1/2- 5 in grinder and hackzall for 2 years with zero issues. Even dropped the hackzall in a grease trap full of water with an 8 hour battery, blew it out and let it dry, and it ran fine with the same battery. Framing nailer, rear handle circ saw, no issues. However, radio died after a week. Homedepot replaced it. 9in grinder died on the job after 7 months. Took a month to get it repaired. 1 1/4 rotary hammer died after 11 months. Milwaukee has had it now for almost 2 months with no word as of yet when I can expect to get it back. You have a pretty good sized crew with an assortment of tools and brands. How well do your all's tools hold up. Or maybe take a survey and make a chart with comparisons. Be sure to include the type of work they perform. I do mostly comercial site work and concrete with a bit of framing and electrical mixed in so my tools take a beating. It might be time to sacrifice some tools for the cause. 🤔 You and the crew have a great holiday and stay safe.

Good video guys I have gen 3 one key version and gen 4 fuel very good power tools

Hello again Vince and Vcg Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I think, I will stay with M12 for now. It does everything I need!!!!! I enjoy watching. Again thank you

The lights have sold me. I was already sold on the drill with the gyro sensor so I guess I'm going to get the combo set in the future

I dont think there is enough in the Gen 4 to get me to “upgrade” from my gen 3.5! However, I am VERY curious how it stacks up against the Flex!!!!! Thanks for all the effort you put into your videos Vince…great entertainment value and informative! Cheers!

Whoever is doing your video productions -- crushing it. Keep it up Vince. Much love and respect to you and and the rest of the VCGang.

Cool Video Vince

I have the gen3 and from the looks of your guys test it's definitely not worth upgrading and I definitely won't be. Great video guys thanks.

Been working with the gen 3 for the last few years been great before tht I had the hydraulic surge version tht was quite use to break screws a lot so am about to order this new gen 4 so looking forward to see the different liking the upgrade on the lighting so far the thts a winner already

I have Gen3, awesome power tools. No need for extended bit. The Torx itself is enough. When put together it adds more kinetic energy on the tool itself - wear and tear - keep it short and sweet.

Thanks for the tool test Vince. Jimmy looking good hope you're doing good. Not too excited about Gen 4. The improved collet and Tri Lights with 100 more impacts per minute should have been on Gen 3. I'll stick with my single LED, less than great collet, and intermittent dead trigger for a bit longer.

I'm digging the action music!

Vince Jimmy thanks for making the video... I think I will wait a bit & stick with my gen 3 for now. Maybe if the run some great promotion on gen 4. I will pick it up . Not going to pay full price. I use m12 more then m18. I like the smaller form factor.

I’m just bought my first set of M18 Fuel from HD don’t know it which gen hope it good 😊

Great video vcg

They were already pushing on the higher end with gen3 it makes sense that barely anything changed. My 5 year old dewalt still does everything, I just got the gen3 for heavier applications.

Maybe not a big upgrade in performance but the new lights are nice to have. Plus I'm sure they spent a lot of time trying to solve the trigger issues. Probably just an all around better tool not just performance upgrade. Me personally I'll be waiting on the new M12 stuff to upgrade to from current gen!

Im a Milwaukee Fanboy but definitely not opposed to using other brands. Ive just been in the ecosystem for over 10 year and have never had any major issues. I do take extremely good care of my tools by using them correctly. I rarely use an impact to drill holes or a drill to drive screws. I make use of mid torque for medium duty and high torque for heavy as to not over work my tools

Nice Comparison I’m Interested In The Gen 4 Hammer Drill In Tool Test Wars

great test real nass like.

I have a 18v surge impact from Milwaukee, do you suggest getting the gen 4? Is it a upgrade or around the same?

Ridgid fan 1 of my batteries just died went to use the warranty have to take to shop none near me. I was waiting for gen 4 to see how good it's is might just buy gen 3 before they're all gone. Great job 👍

I’ve bought 2 gen 4 impacts both broke in the same way, something was making the “impact mode” stay on even when just pulling the trigger and not screwing/drilling anything. I usually try to inspect all toys I own or anything for that matter to fix it myself cause I’m a cheap ass but I was really but hurt when I bought 2 of these gen 4’s totally in love with it just to be out 300$ in the same year

I wish they would do a thermal test and a comparison when both are hot and how much it takes to get them hot those are honestly more important than cold performance

I’m still on the first brushless version but I don’t know if I want the gen 2 fuel driver now that’s cheaper with the battery, or go with the surge

Yo Vince which Spyderco are you running?? Just saw you flick it so fast and tuck it away

Love to see some tapcons on these tests.

I have the gen 3.5 and I just purchased the gen 4 today. After seeing this video I’m a little concerned. Hope I made a good long lasting choice. To be honest I really only bought it for the Tri light, I didn’t expect more power. I can’t imagine even needing any more power than what the gem 3 offers.

My big question would be, did they fix all the problems that the gen 3 has? I’ve had mine for a year and a half and the collet and auto-stop are both shot.

What's the probability of getting a Gen 3 vs Gen 3.5 buying off the shelf? Are the single bearing collet drivers still out in the wild? Can I buy confidently upon the assumption that I'll be receiving the 2 ball collet?

Didn’t see too much of a difference besides the lights of course, but I was gonna get the Gen 3 cause I only run the Gen 2 m12 fuel right now, but the Gen 4 looks nice. Thanks for the video Vince!

I'm wondering about the collet on the Gen 4 one ball or more? With doing roofing metal work my callet on the Gen 3 seem loose though I have dropped it a few times. When I call it moves a little bit with the nut driver the screws move and drop out easy. I checked some in the store and they seem about the same on how tight the not driver is. I used someone else's Hercules impact driver and driving the screws was the easier not sure why. I tried the M18 surge though spring came out within a few hours of work so return since less than one day old. Wondering on how reliable Gen 4 is going to be. Not sure if it's going to match the flex impact driver speeds since seem similar to gen 3.

Did they fix the retention in the collet in G4 ? Will my spaddle bits stay in the tool ?

Did they fix the collet problem even though they added a second ball bearing?

I'm wondering if the tail of the two will be revealed if you swap out the xc5.0 for for some H.O. batteries, I got a hunch that the technology in the Gen 4 allows it to take better advantage of them 21700 cells. Maybe even already programmed to take better advantage of pouch cells with better efficiency who knows, the gen 3 M12 are programmed to take advantage of the new HO batteries, maybe same technology is in the M18. I'd like to see this test ran again with some newer battery technology. 🤞🤞

Seems like a step down in terms of getting into tighter spaces also, because of the triLED it doesn't really taper and that's a bigger problem than anything else. That heat buildup could also be a concern for longer term durability

I will be upgrading from my brushed Milwaukee 2656-20 to Milwaukee gen 4. I can’t seem to get my hands on a gen 3 because they are always sold out here in Canada but the gen 4 doesn’t seem to be selling really good right now.

I have the gen 3 impact and hammer drill set. I also have the gen 4 set of both. I prefer the gen 4 only because of tri light and being more compact for tighter spaces. I have 2 sets of each gen for my guys on the job site. If you want performance for the buck. Get gen 3. If more compact and the light matters. Get gen 4. It’s minimal on the compactness difference though

Looks like I'll be keeping my gen 3 stuff and wait to see if gen 5 has anything real to offer. I personally would love maybe a m24 line 😉

Where can I find the best magnetic bit holder? Something that magnetically holds the fastener? I thought I saw a video about those on the channel.

U make me love woodworking

Please compare 12V gen 2 to gen 3. Thanks! 👊

I will be getting the new m12 fuels when they come out! Use my m12 fuel Daily for work

good thing i have both just got the gen four week ago don't notice the difference as much either milwaukee is a solid tool company A++

Ima stick to my gen 3.5 I use for hvac sheet metal duct work . So far it’s been decent .

I’m a diy’er with a 2600 model drill I found in my late fathers garage, anxiously waiting on gen4s release. However, I am not really seeing a noticeable difference between them, you tell me. Gen3 has had time to be improved, and it would seem to be just as good if not better.

Can you compare the Gen3 drill/hammer drill to the Gen4 drill/hammer drill? I am curious if they reduced the heat it can generate.

Did they fix the collet that is constantly slipping off paddle bits???? That's the only issue I've ever had with Gen 3

I’ve got all m18 fuel tools gen 3 both impact drivers. Oscillating tool, hacksaw, hammer drill and brushed orbital sander, grinder, saws all and fan. It pays to wait to save money. I started with m12 but I wanted more power.

i have the m12 gen 4 but thinking about getting the m18 because my m12 doesnt have the power to screw self tappers thru sheet metal into air handlers

When are they sending you the track saw?

When you doing the gen 4 Hammer drill and the M12 3rd gen hammer drill and impact

That's a tough one... The lights are better on gen 4 but if you're using your driver all day that vibration is going to kill you. Unless you work in a dark place it seems the gen 3 with less user fatigue is a no brainer choice

Go Vince! I've, NO We've been waiting for this for a bit! If all they did was fix the Chuck issue and add those lights its enough for me to get it. I love my Gen ll OneKey which I'll probably frame & mount as my most used & valued tool next to my 5-N-1. Yeah Vince, Its the lights!

In my job I fit tin roof sheets a lot and the fastening mode is useless it works occasionally but more often than not it doesn't tighten down the rubber washer to make it waterproof

Have you done a review on the Hydraulic Drive Impacts yet?

just replaced my gen 1 with gen 4, drill was starting to play up, lets see if it lasts as long.

I like the trilight I've always admired that in DeWalt but I'm sticking with gen for 3. If a gen 2 surge came out with a tri-light I would buy one of them

I don’t currently have a impact driver. I have been watching and May make the move to Milwaukee from Ryobi and see how it goes. My application is self drilling screws into hard metal for wood walls in my metal building. Where is best place to purchase Milwaukee?

Top demais essas ferramentas são muito legais vou ganhar uma

I guess my big question is, in previous videos I'd see you complain about the collars releasing bits. Has this problem been fixed?

About to get my Gen 4 soon! Can’t wait 🔥 selling my 2850-20

lol thats why had to get the gen 4. My ryobi from 2015 has the tri light. game changer. Now Milwaukee needs to add the magnet and bit holder that my ryobis have. Still not used to not having them...

I have the Gen 3 M18 Fuel impact I will be keeping it for a while0 Especially after Milwaukee just sent me a brand new one-key Double bearing updated version of the Gen3

Hi there I need some help plz. I'm recently switching from bosch to the pack out. Which should I buy m12 or m18 fuel. Gen 3 or 4. Plz help

What about the colic issues with gen3, has it been resolved with gen4?

Can you do this test again but with the high output cp3.0 battery?

What about the new Gen 4 Milwaukee Impact driver vs the DeWalt DCF850? Which one is more compact and more powerful???? I'm curious if Milwaukee caught up with the compactness as it looks slightly the same just with the chuck area being a bit smaller? Also no Powerstack technology from Milwaukee.... curious how the DCF850 with a power stack will stack up against the Milwaukee Gen 4 with a 5AH battery! Also we got 5Ah Powerstack batteries coming!!!

Can you please do a review on the milwaukee m18 90 degree drill and test it with 1" paddle bits please I would greatly appreciate it.