What's inside
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Our Top Picks
Milwaukee 2850-21P M18 Brushless Lithium-Ion Compact 1/4 in.7.6 x 2.5 x 3.75 inches5.69 poundsCheck on Amazon
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact DriverOne Size15.06 x 6.4 x 9.88 inches3.6 poundsCheck on Amazon
CRAFTSMAN V20 BRUSHLESS RP Compact Impact Driver Kit5.43 L x 5.24 W x 8.62 H inches5.4 x 5.2 x 8.6 inches3.8 poundsCheck on Amazon
Quick verdict
The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2953-20 and DeWalt DCF850 are short, brushless 18V-class impact drivers built for tight spaces and everyday fastening. Both have three selectable speed modes, a 1/4-inch hex chuck and enough power for common construction screws. The Milwaukee is the stronger pick if you already own M18 batteries or want its additional trigger-control mode. The DeWalt makes more sense if you are invested in DeWalt’s 20V MAX system or find a better bare-tool deal.
Neither is a substitute for a drill when you need a clean, controlled hole, or for a larger impact wrench when working on stubborn automotive fasteners. These are drivers for screws and compatible hex-shank accessories, not a cure for poor fastener choice or technique.
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At-a-glance comparison
| Feature | Milwaukee 2953-20 | DeWalt DCF850 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery platform | Milwaukee M18 | DeWalt 20V MAX |
| Tool length | About 4.47 inches | About 3.97 inches |
| Maximum torque claimed | 2,000 in-lb | 1,825 in-lb |
| Maximum speed | Up to 3,900 rpm | Up to 3,250 rpm |
| Impact rate | Up to 4,400 ipm | Up to 3,800 ipm |
| Speed settings | Three modes plus self-tapping screw mode | Three modes |
| Chuck | 1/4-inch hex, quick release | 1/4-inch hex, quick release |
Manufacturer torque figures are not a direct promise about how quickly either tool will drive a particular screw. Fastener length, material, battery condition and operator technique all affect results. The figures are useful for identifying these as powerful compact drivers, not for declaring a universal winner.
Size in real work
At just under 4 inches long, the DCF850 has a small edge in head length over the Milwaukee. That can matter when driving a screw inside a cabinet, between framing members or near a corner where the tool body hits an obstruction. The difference is only about half an inch, so it will not solve every clearance problem; check the space needed for the bit and your hand, too.
The 2953-20 remains compact and is still far shorter than a conventional full-size impact driver. Its slightly greater length buys Milwaukee’s additional control feature, but the difference may matter less than battery size. A large battery can make either tool awkward in a narrow cavity. For overhead work, a smaller pack often improves balance, though runtime will be lower.
Control, speed and fasteners
Both drivers offer low, medium and high modes. Use a lower setting for small screws, cabinet hardware and other jobs where stripping a head or breaking the material would be costly. High mode is useful for longer screws and faster production work, but it can sink a screw too far before you react, especially in soft wood. An impact driver still needs a steady hand and the correct bit.
Milwaukee adds a self-tapping screw mode intended to manage speed and impact behavior during metal fastening. It is useful when installing self-tapping screws in sheet metal, but it does not replace choosing the right screw, pilot hole or material thickness. DeWalt’s three settings cover ordinary speed control without that dedicated mode. If most of your work is framing or general assembly, this difference may rarely decide the purchase.
Neither tool has a clutch like a drill/driver. If you need repeatable, low-torque control for delicate assembly, use a drill/driver with an adjustable clutch instead of relying on a low impact-driver setting.
Battery platform and value
Battery ownership should usually decide this matchup. A bare tool is only a bargain if you already have compatible batteries and a charger. Milwaukee M18 batteries do not fit DeWalt 20V MAX tools, and the platforms are not interchangeable. If starting from scratch, compare the total cost of a kit with battery and charger, not just the lowest tool-only price. You can check current options for an M18 impact-driver kit or a DeWalt 20V MAX impact-driver kit.
For occasional home repairs, the cheaper tool is fine if it comes with a battery system you can use for other tools. There is little practical benefit in paying more for a small headline torque advantage if you drive only a few deck screws a month. For daily work, consider battery availability, warranty support and how the tool balances with the packs you already use.
Limits and common failure modes
Both tools can snap small screws, strip soft material and round off a bit that does not fit the fastener. Stop if a screw binds; back it out and check for a pilot hole, the wrong screw length or an obstructed path. For long structural screws, use a suitable bit, keep the tool aligned and avoid leaning so hard that the bit cams out.
An impact driver’s repeated blows can also damage brittle materials or loosen poorly supported workpieces. Clamp the work when practical, especially when drilling with a hex-shank accessory. For precision drilling, use a drill with the appropriate chuck and speed control; for lug nuts or other high-torque bolting, use a properly rated impact wrench and verify final torque with a torque wrench where required.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the Milwaukee 2953-20 if you own M18 batteries, want the self-tapping screw mode, or prefer Milwaukee’s compact platform. Choose the DeWalt DCF850 if you are already on 20V MAX, need the shorter body by a small margin, or find it at a better kit price. On ordinary wood screws, both have ample power; neither brand has a meaningful advantage if the job, battery cost and handling are otherwise equal.
If you have no battery platform yet, buy based on the wider tool range you expect to use and the kit price available locally. If your actual need is occasional screw driving and the premium compact models exceed your budget, a less expensive compact brushless impact driver is a reasonable category to consider. Spend the difference on good bits and the right fasteners; those often prevent more problems than a modest jump in driver specifications.