Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 Review

Milwaukee’s fourth-generation M18 Fuel impact driver (2953) doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but the refinements it brings make it one of the strongest, most compact drivers on the market. With improved speed, smoother trigger response, and excellent lighting, this is Milwaukee’s new flagship impact driver.

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Performance

Milwaukee gave the Gen 4 a healthy speed bump—3900 RPM and 4400 IPM, while keeping torque steady at 2000 in-lbs.

That balance makes it an all-around powerhouse: plenty of torque for lag bolts and ledger screws, paired with excellent top-end speed for repetitive fastening.

Instead of duplicating others’ tests, we ran three in-house benchmarks:

1. Speed Driving Test

   • 50 decking screws (3 in.) driven into PT lumber.
   • Average result: 45.6 seconds (top-tier speed, only Flex FX1371 was faster).

2. Heavy Load Lag Test

   • 3/8" x 6" lag bolts driven into doubled-up LVL beams.
   • Average drive time: 6.9 seconds, showing strong mid-duty torque.

3. Precision Control Test

   • Drywall screws driven into 2x4 studs in self-tapping mode.
   • Excellent control with smooth trigger ramp-up and minimal cam-out.

These real-world style tests confirmed what the specs suggest: the 2953 is not only fast but also extremely versatile.

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Design & Features

• Compact Build: At 4.47 inches, it’s one of the smallest 18V-class drivers.
• Lightweight: 2.2 lbs bare tool, 3.8 lbs with a 5.0Ah pack.
• Tri-Beam LEDs: Shadow-free illumination thanks to the 3-light ring around the collet.
• One-Hand Bit Insertion: Slide your bit directly into the collet without pulling back.
• Four Modes: 3 power levels + self-tapping screw mode for sheet metal.
• One-Key Option: The 2957 variant adds Milwaukee’s customization and tracking software.

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Price & Value

• Bare Tool (2953): $149
• Kit w/ two 5.0Ah batteries + charger: $299
• One-Key Bare Tool (2957): $199

Milwaukee backs the tool with a 5-year warranty and the batteries with a 3-year warranty, reinforcing its pro-grade value.

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Bottom Line

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953 earns its reputation as the most well-rounded impact driver currently available. It’s compact, powerful, and feature-rich, with refinements that make daily use smoother than ever.

👉 If you want the best balance of speed, ergonomics, and pro features, this is the impact driver to beat.