M12 vs M18 Milwaukee Surge Hydraulic Impact Drivers: Little difference but both extreme winners!

There is shockingly little difference between the M12 vs M18 Milwaukee Surge Hydraulic Impact Drivers beyond the batteries: So both are extreme winners in the screw driving space. The precision and smooth, quite impacting is truly on another level!

M12 Surge

M18 Surge

[howardjang]

Never knew i would love the m12 surge this much.
My ears are less sore and the control is fantastic.

[softwarephil]

Note: If you use the self-tapping screw setting, you MUST pull the trigger all the way (or at least past 1/2) to activate the automatic stopping. If you try to drive a self-tapping screw slowly with less than 1/2 trigger pull, it operates in conventional impact mode and strips the screw every time.

[Parkeralto]

Being a Makita fan boy, I was late to the Surge party. I have been using a Mikita 18v Impulse driver since it came out a few years ago; I work in apartment renovations in occupied buildings and a standard impact driver drives people crazy. I just received a 12v Surge and it has gone right to the top of my first choice for interior renovations.

[MORGANSMaintenance]

I bought both but in reverse order. So, I was surprised how small the M18 was instead of how big the M12 was. I remember thinking... It's basically the same tool that takes a different battery.

I still prefer the M12 because of the smaller battery option but both work great! Thanks for sharing!

[SylokTheDefiled]

I’ve had my m12 surge for about a year now. It has never let me down and it’s taken some abuse. I actually dropped it from probably 30 ft or so coming down from a roof hatch, and I picked it up, slapped the battery back in and it spun right up! The front of the grip split apart a bit and there was some good scuffing bit I was in shock and awe that it survived. Before that I had a dewalt 12v impact, and it fell from about a 6’ drop, and it died instantly.

[Bathtubcrocodile]

One thing I've learned about it is that the M18 surge is 94 db in sound (Same with makita hydraulic 18v) and the M12 is 87 db.

And I've also learned that 10 db lower in db value is about half of "Sound heard". That means the M12 is pretty close to half the noise of the M18.
Simpler is to say you will notice a difference between them and how your ears take a beating.

I'm thinking about getting the M12 because of this. Because performance wise they are super close.

Edit: it's hard to guess. A correction would maybe be that it is 25-30% more quiet.

[J.Wick.]

The m12 is tops for me. Smaller, lighter, cheaper, and feels more precise. It makes a good screwdriver, but for small stuff, nothing beats a real screwdriver with an adjustable chuck (dcf601) for me. 601 is my most used tool, followed by m12 surge. Highly recommend the 601.

[emarr]

Such a pleasure to have discovered your channel! It’s a tool review channel but with an analytical bent. I wondered about the Surge. Is it mostly a novelty with quieter operation its claim to fame? Turned out with your help it’s what I’d been looking for after stripping a faucet handle screw & having to empty a linen closet to remove the damaged stem from the back!! I wondered, if I should seek an impact with more delicate operation & bought the m12 Installation drill only to find out it wasn’t quite what I was looking for. The Surge is what I need when a soft touch is needed. I also saw the same analytical approach with the knipex slim cobras & discovered the “why” behind the design of it & the Raptor with the help of your visual aid. Keep up the good work. Your channel is very polished for a new channel.

[randysmith]

I have invested quite heavily into the M12 Fuel line of tools. I no longer need the power of the M18. To be honest I do feel I am giving much up in performance with the m12 fuel. Add a 6ma battery or if I am needing the reduction in size a 3ma barrel battery will work fine in most all conditions.
Thanks for another great video brother.

[dangallagher]

i’ve been a dewalt guy .. where i love the impact drivers.. my favorite tool…but loud.. been watching videos on this m12 surge..i may be trying it out.. great info and video. thank you!

[akrfan]

Nice tools 🔧 the reason I like the M18 over the 12 the Body on the 12 is thicker to allow the battery to slide up into the body where as the m18 is slimmer where you grip because the battery attaches to the bottom.. for small hands ✋ like mine the M18 works easier to Grab ahold of..

Like the Video Allen D

[AverageReviewsYT]

I have the m12 and honestly it’s the best impact for light jobs.. working on cars.. around the house.. at a measured 41 ft lbs it’s enough for most jobs, and yes.. it’s…. much better for your ears.. it’s much softer and quieter.. cannot recommend it enough

[stevenwilliams]

It really is an awesome tool. You really need to hear the noise difference in person. I've noticed the difference in videos somewhat, but in person it's incredible.

[MetrologyEngineer]

1:55 Don’t forget the batteries are wayyy lighter for the M12 though.

[brentfowler]

Doc my dude. You've got to check out the M12 installation driver.. it's small, narrow left to right. And it's got the 1 and 2 driving modes. But it's comes with 4 different attachable heads, a drill head, and impact driver head, a right angle head, and a head that's made to allow you to drive screwed right up against something. Anyhow it's an amazing tool. I use mine everyday.. thanks for another great video.

[zjenji]

All those years I was an HVAC tech, I would have given anything to have an M12 while hanging ducts.

[CPthetooladdict]

I think Milwaukee does a great job. With m18 tools but they fall short in the 12v line honestly for most people I would recommend just getting the m18 if you're not working with them in tight spaces all day like myself I just appreciate the lighter tool it's less fatigue over the day. Great video doc as always

[kswis]

Most my m18 tools are collecting dust. The way the surge delivers torque is so smooth and accurate. I love the handle size and shape, gives me more control and hangs off my pocket comfortably. I remodel medical offices. Hang doors cabinates ect. The surge has enough power for almost everything. The m12 fuel sawzall is amazing, I feel the circ saw lacks the beans. Even with a 6.0ah, it is NOT fast lol

[josephcullen]

Oh… This is helpful… So the 18 actually allows slower speed control… I hadn’t really considered it before because I would generally prioritise quietness and lightness… And the 18 is slightly louder and obviously heavier with the battery… But I will consider it now… Cheers

[davewood]

I went to the m12 surge 3 years ago or whenever they came out. Previously carried around the 18v fuel impact. It was attractive being lighter(w/battery) and quieter. I'm screwing and drilling into metal almost exclusively and the regular impact style is pretty loud. Depending on where I'm working, noise can be an issue. I've had a couple of them because thieves, my only gripe is that they get temperamental with a unibit. Some sort of protection comes into play if its cutting grabby. If someone's use case is similar to mine, I don't hesitate to recommend them.