The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2904-20 wins because it tops every measurable metric that matters for a drill. Project Farm's dyno testing measured 455 in-lbs of working torque, the highest of any model tested, and it drove 10-inch lag bolts faster than drills costing 20% more. Pro Tool Reviews ran it through aggressive self-feed auger bits and 2-9/16" hole saws where cheaper drills stalled or triggered thermal shutoffs. The Milwaukee never flinched.
Then there's the durability story. John Malecki ran two separate bracket-style tournaments where 16+ drills were zip-tied to full throttle and left to smash against each other on concrete until they died. The Milwaukee won both brackets. Not close finishes, either. Every other premium brand cracked, smoked, or lost a battery before the Milwaukee showed signs of wear.
Project Farm measured it at 6.9 inches long, making it the most compact heavy-duty drill in the test. That matters more than you'd think. Pro Tool Reviews noted that the rubber overmold and balanced weight distribution make it comfortable for sustained overhead work, something the heavier Flex 24V cannot match.
The clutch seals the deal. On its lowest setting, Project Farm measured just 4 in-lbs of torque. That means you can drive delicate fasteners into soft material without stripping them, then flip to high gear and bore through a 4x4 post. The Hercules, by comparison, delivered 47 in-lbs on its lowest setting. That kind of range separates a premium drill from a powerful one.
What It Won't Do
The price is the obvious weakness. At $229 bare tool, the Milwaukee costs nearly three times the Hercules and you still need to buy an M18 battery separately ($79-$149). Pro Tool Reviews flagged this directly: you're paying a real premium for that last 15% of performance. Project Farm also measured it at 95.9 dB under load, making it one of the loudest drills tested. If you work in enclosed spaces or shared walls, bring hearing protection. The vibration under heavy load is also aggressive on the wrist, something Project Farm noted when comparing it to the smoother, more "laid-back" Makita.
The Hercules 20V earns the value crown by doing something no $80 drill should: keeping pace with tools that cost three times as much. Project Farm timed it at 5.82 seconds on the 5-inch lag bolt test. The Milwaukee finished in roughly 5.5 seconds. That gap is negligible for anyone outside a timed competition.
The chuck is the sleeper spec. Project Farm measured the Hercules' all-metal ratcheting chuck at 159 in-lbs of grip force. The DeWalt XR, a drill that costs over twice as much, scored lower. A strong chuck means your bits stay centered and don't walk during precision work.
Pro Tool Reviews pushed it through 1-inch and 1.5-inch self-feed paddle bits alongside the Milwaukee. The Hercules completed every task. With the 2-9/16" hole saw, it needed lighter pressure to avoid tripping its thermal protection, but it still finished the cut within one second of the Milwaukee's time. For a home workshop, that one-second difference is invisible.
Harbor Freight backs it with a 5-year warranty, the same coverage Milwaukee offers. The tool itself is nearly identical in size to the Milwaukee at 7.1 inches long, with similar rubber overmolding. Side by side, Pro Tool Reviews said they are "nearly identical in size" with comparable grip comfort.
What It Won't Do
The clutch is genuinely bad. Project Farm tested the lowest setting and measured 47 in-lbs of torque output. For context, Milwaukee measured 4 in-lbs on its lowest setting. That means the Hercules will strip screws in softwood, overdrive fasteners in drywall, and generally ruin any task requiring finesse. If you do cabinetry or finish carpentry, this drill cannot be trusted for precision fastening. The other concern is sustained heavy use. Pro Tool Reviews observed that during extended hole saw work, the Hercules got "exceptionally warm" and eventually triggered an overload shutdown. Milwaukee powered through the same test without breaking a sweat. If you're running a job site and need a drill that works for 8 hours straight, the Hercules will let you down.
Who Should Buy Which
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" Hammer Drill/Driver
The last drill standing in every torture test
- Tradespeople and contractors who use a drill daily and need zero downtime
- Home renovators tackling structural work like deck framing, lag bolts, and concrete anchors
- Anyone already invested in the Milwaukee M18 battery ecosystem
- Users who need precise low-torque clutch control for both heavy boring and delicate fastening
- Overhead workers who value the 6.9-inch compact body for joist bays and tight framing
Hercules 20V Brushless Compact Hammer Drill/Driver
Pro-grade speed at a Harbor Freight price tag
- Weekend DIYers building furniture, shelving, or doing moderate home repairs
- First-time power tool buyers who want real performance without the pro-tier commitment
- Budget-conscious renovators whose heaviest tasks are drilling pilot holes and driving deck screws
- Harbor Freight shoppers who already own Hercules 20V batteries from other tools
- Anyone who can live without precision clutch control and just needs raw drilling muscle