5 Milwaukee M12 tools that are worth the hype (and the money)

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5 Milwaukee M12 tools that are worth the hype (and the money)

It’s no secret that Milwaukee is one of the most popular tool brands, and while many owners love the M18 line of powerful 18V tools, Milwaukee’s M12 platform is equally excellent at a lower price point. If you’re looking to get your money’s worth with a new tool purchase, here are five M12 tools that live up to the hype.

The right tool for the job makes all the difference in the world, especially for DIY projects around the house or for working in tight spaces. That’s why Milwaukee’s M12 (12V) compact tool selection is so great. They’re lightweight, easy to use one-handed, yet very powerful. Furthermore, the company has several exciting new tools coming in 2026.

If you’re looking to add to your toolbox, here are some top-rated Milwaukee M12 tools to consider.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Drill and Impact Driver Combo w/ Batteries

By far, one of the most popular tool kits that every manufacturer offers is the drill/driver 2-tool combo. These two tools give you a great starting point for a wide array of projects. With a capable drill and a tough impact driver, you can do repairs, DIY projects, mount TVs, build furniture, work on your vehicle, and so much more.

If you’re just starting out with some tools for around the house and don’t need insane power and torque, by far the best combo to buy is the latest Milwaukee M12 FUEL Hammer Drill and Impact Driver kit from Home Depot.

This is a “FUEL” tool, so it features the latest brushless motors for improved performance, comes with two M12 battery packs and a carry case, all for $249. It’s often on sale for $199, making it a steal. It’s also one of the most popular purchases and a top-rated item at Home Depot.

If there’s one tool combo kit worth buying, it’s this one. Sure, the same kit in the bigger M18 (18V) package delivers way more performance and power, but for the average homeowner, the M12 line is more than enough.

Milwaukee M12 3/8-inch Ratchet

Milwaukee cordless ratchet working on a car.

We all own a few ratchets and sockets for completing a wide array of tasks, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the last 10 or so years, it’s that a cordless ratchet is a game-changer.

A common tool you’ll find in any mechanic shop or DIYer’s toolbox is a ratchet, or flex ratchet. I constantly use my Icon ratchets from Harbor Freight, but sometimes you need more power, or you won’t have room for hand tools. In that situation, you’ll want one of Milwaukee’s M12 cordless ratchets.

There’s a reason this is one of the brand’s most popular M12 tools. It’s extremely powerful, compact, and ideal for nuts, bolts, and more. Don’t crank a ratchet by hand, and reach for this instead. You’ll be glad you did. The M12 angled impact wrench is also amazing.

Color: Red
Tool Type: Ratchet

Make tough jobs in tight spaces easier than ever with the M12 cordless ratchet from Milwaukee.

Most people own a Dremel, which is a rotary tool great for sanding, cutting, grinding, polishing, engraving, and more. Some people even use a dremel to trim pet nails.

A few years ago, I picked up the Milwaukee M12 cordless rotary tool for some projects where I didn’t want to use my old-school corded option, and I never looked back. Milwaukee’s rotary tool is exceptionally powerful, with a great motor and solid battery life, and can easily be adjusted between 5,000-32,000 RPM.

Like everything from the M12 line, this rotary tool is capable, compact, and weighs only 1.3 lbs.

Color: Red
Tool Type: Rotary Tool

If you’d rather get a cordless rotary tool, or already own Milwaukee tools and battery packs, consider the 12V Milwaukee rotary.

Milwaukee M12 ROVER LED Flood Light

Proper lighting is crucial for DIY projects, car repairs, and other tasks, especially when it takes longer than expected and the sun goes down. That’s why you need a solid LED light that’ll always be ready to go when you need it most.

The Milwaukee ROVER series is widely regarded as one of the best options for lighting, especially as a hood light in the automotive world. That’s why I’m happy to recommend the Milwaukee M12 ROVER LED 600 lumen repair and service flood light.

For one, this thing is bright and durable, and you’ll love the 120-degree rotating light head. It’s also powered by an M12 battery that’s USB rechargeable, which is nice. Enjoy up to 24 hours of runtime in a solid light that’s tough enough to handle 9ft drops, water splashes, and whatever else comes its way while you’re working. Oh, and the magnetic top is just icing on the cake.

Milwaukee M12 FUEL Stubby 1/2-inch Impact Wrench

I could add so many tools to this list, but for the sake of keeping things short, the last tool I’ll recommend is the fan-favorite Milwaukee M12 Fuel Stubby Impact Wrench.

Everyone should own an impact wrench, as they’re invaluable tools with high power and torque. I own several impacts that are huge and heavy, but they’re absolutely worth using. That’s what makes this particular model so great. The M12 FUEL is lightweight, powerful, with a brushless motor, and even smaller than the regular model—hence the “Stubby” name.

Milwaukee’s M12 Stubby 1/2-inch impact is incredible, and its small size is very easy to overlook. You’ll have enough power and torque to remove car lug nuts, drill lag bolts into the wall to mount that new 75-inch TV, and more. It’s a solid tool I can confidently recommend. A tool this small has no business being this powerful. It’s impressive, really.

Color: Red
Tool Type: Impact Wrench

When you need tons of power in a small package, reach for the Milwaukee M12 Stubby 1/2-inch Impact wrench.

These are just a few of the many highly rated or top-selling Milwaukee M12 tools at Home Depot, Acme Tools, and other retailers, but they aren’t the only ones. I’d also highly recommend the M12 oscillating multi-tool, and I’ve heard nothing but raving reviews about the Milwaukee M12 SURGE 1/4-inch Hex impact driver. You’ll love the new M12 Fuel hackzall, too.