Makita GPH03 40V Max XGT Hammer Drill vs Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 Hammer Drill
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Quick take: The Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 Hammer Drill costs $30 less bare; the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 Hammer Drill is lighter (3.3 vs 4.1 lbs); they live on different battery platforms (Makita 40V XGT vs Milwaukee M18), so the deciding factor is usually which batteries you already own.
| Spec | Makita GPH03 40V Max XGT Hammer Drill | Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 Hammer Drill |
|---|---|---|
| Price (bare tool) | $259 | $229 |
| Kit Price | $399 | $299 |
| Rating | — | 4.6★ (4,747) |
| Category | Hammer Drill | Hammer Drill |
| Battery Platform | Makita 40V XGT | Milwaukee M18 |
| Voltage | 40V | 18V |
| Motor | Brushless | Brushless |
| Weight | 4.1 lbs (bare) | 3.3 lbs (bare) |
| Released | 2026 | 2022 |
| Max Torque | 1,590 in-lbs | 1,400 in-lbs |
| Top Speed | 2,400 RPM | 2,100 RPM |
| Max BPM | 36,000 | 33,000 |
| Chuck | 1/2 in metal ratcheting | 1/2 in all-metal ratcheting, carbide teeth |
| Speeds | 3 | 2 |
| Head Length | 7.75 in | 6.9 in |
Pros & cons
Makita GPH03 40V Max XGT Hammer Drill
- ✓Class-leading 1,590 in-lbs of max torque makes it the most powerful cordless hammer driver-drill on the market, out-muscling every 18V/20V flagship.
- ✓Pro Tool Reviews' testing showed it drives lag bolts deeper than the already-strong GPH01, rating it 9.5/10 for pros who need maximum power.
- ✓The true 3-speed transmission adds an 1,800 RPM middle gear that reviewers say hits the working sweet spot 2-speed drills constantly miss.
- ✓Makita says medium gear delivers twice the working speed of previous 2-speed models without overloading the battery.
- ✓The 92-setting electronic digital clutch remembers a separate torque setting per speed, giving unusually precise fastening control.
- ✓Active Feedback-sensing Technology (AFT) shuts the motor off quickly when the bit suddenly binds, which testers found effective at protecting wrists.
- ✓XPT dust and water resistance plus rubber overmold and bumpers are built for jobsite abuse.
- ✓Reviewers praise the redesigned side handle and overall ergonomics despite the tool's size, and 40V XGT batteries sustain corded-class output under load.
- ✗Premium pricing at $259 bare and $399 for a single-battery 4.0Ah kit - noticeably more than street prices on DeWalt's and Milwaukee's flagships.
- ✗Bulkier and heavier than other XGT drills at 7.75 in long and 4.1 lbs bare; reviewers flag the size as the main tradeoff for the torque.
- ✗At 6.2 lbs with battery, extended overhead work causes fatigue faster than 18V-class drills.
- ✗The older GPH01 actually beat it in four of five speed-based drilling tests - the GPH03 trades outright speed for torque.
- ✗Top speed of 2,400 RPM is down from the GPH01's 2,600 RPM, so small-bit drilling is slightly slower.
- ✗Buying into the 40V XGT platform is expensive, and XGT batteries do not interchange with Makita's 18V LXT tools.
- ✗Released March 2026, so there is little long-term reliability data and almost no retailer review history yet.
- ✗Rated masonry capacity is 13/16 in - it is still a hammer drill, not a replacement for an SDS rotary hammer on big concrete jobs.
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 Hammer Drill
- ✓Won Pro Tool Reviews' best-overall cordless drill head-to-head by consistently placing top 3-5 in every wood, concrete, and torque test against Flex, DeWalt FlexVolt, Makita, and Hilti.
- ✓Class-leading power-to-weight ratio - Home Depot reviewers note it delivers 1,400 in-lbs from a tool that is lighter than similarly powerful hammer drills at 3.3 lbs bare.
- ✓The 6.9 in head length is among the most compact in its class, and owners love how it fits between studs and into cabinets.
- ✓AutoStop kickback control earns praise from owners for reliably cutting power in bind-ups without false triggering during normal use.
- ✓Masonry performance stands out - testers found it outdrilled the competition in concrete and Home Depot reviewers echo how easily it hammers through block and brick.
- ✓Milwaukee's return to a mechanical clutch on Gen 4 is praised for more consistent, predictable torque delivery than the Gen 3 electronic clutch.
- ✓A redesigned heatsink and added motor ventilation let it sustain hard drilling; the platform carries a 5-year tool warranty.
- ✓Backward compatible with every M18 battery since 2008, so owners can run it on packs they already own.
- ✗Multiple ToolGuyd commenters reported chuck problems, with bits slipping or failing to lock properly under load.
- ✗Owners say Gen 4 runs noticeably louder and at a higher pitch than the 2804 it replaced, with some reporting excessive gear noise.
- ✗Only a 2-speed gearbox - low gear tops out at 500 RPM, so it lacks the mid-range gear DeWalt's 3-speed flagship offers.
- ✗A Home Depot reviewer noted the tool gets quite hot when drilling very dense masonry for extended periods.
- ✗Pro Tool Reviews found heavy High Output batteries (8.0-12.0Ah) make it top-heavy and compromise the otherwise excellent balance.
- ✗The $229 bare-tool list price at Home Depot is premium; getting it cheap means waiting for holiday or Slickdeals promos.
- ✗The 2904-22 kit ships with standard XC5.0 batteries rather than the High Output packs that maximize the motor's performance.
- ✗No One-Key inventory tracking on this model - Milwaukee reserves that for the pricier 2906.