Power tools · owner-verdict comparison

DeWalt DCS570B vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the DeWalt DCS570B: 80% of 15 owners recommend it, vs 54% of 56 for the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

DeWalt DCS570B

80%of 15 owners recommend
80% recommend · 0% neutral · 20% don't
Owners praise
  • Has serious power for a cordless saw, with owners saying it rips through plywood and even bites into steel, and can stand in for a corded sidewinder
  • Full 7-1/4" blade gives real depth of cut and corded-like performance for framing and deck work
  • Integrated electric brake is a valued safety feature that sets it apart from some cheaper 6-1/2" options
Owners complain about
  • Some heavy users would rather step up to the 60V FlexVolt for more power on demanding work
  • The right-side blade and high handle position make it hard for some to track a straight cut
  • At least one owner ran into a baseplate/squareness issue that points to a possible damaged unit out of the box
Full owner report →

Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904

54%of 56 owners recommend
54% recommend · 37% neutral · 9% don't
Owners praise
  • Massive power for heavy-duty work, owners reach for the M18 specifically for concrete, tapcons, framing headers, and big fence/deck jobs, often describing it as a 'beast' with roughly 3x the power of the M12
  • Do-it-all versatility, if you only buy one Milwaukee drill, owners say the M18 covers everything from home repairs to daily contractor use
  • Auto-stop/kickback protection on the hammer drill shuts the tool off before it wrenches your wrist, which owners repeatedly call out as a standout safety feature
Owners complain about
  • Heavy and bulky compared to the M12, many owners who have both say the M18 sits unused in the truck 90% of the time and they default to the lighter, more ergonomic M12 for daily tasks
  • Chuck and trigger reliability complaints, particularly on the hammer drill, reports of chucks coming loose and triggers/hammer mode intermittently failing to engage
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the DeWalt DCS570B if
  • Carpenters and framers using a saw daily
  • DIYers wanting a capable first cordless circular saw
  • Users cutting plywood and framing lumber
  • Left-handed users who prefer a blade-right saw
Skip it if
  • Buyers wanting maximum power who can get a 60V FlexVolt
  • Users who dislike the right-side blade or high handle for straight cuts
Get the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904 if
  • Contractors drilling concrete, thick steel, or large holes daily
  • Framers and deck builders driving thousands of screws or lags
  • Anyone who wants one heavy-duty system to cover both home and jobsite work
  • Users who value the auto-stop safety feature when hammer drilling or driving lags
Skip it if
  • Buyers wanting a light, everyday-carry drill (M12 owners say it stays in the truck)
  • Occasional DIYers who rarely need extra power and prioritize weight over torque

What DeWalt DCS570B owners say

bought one
@thomasmcelhinney3696 on YouTube
Would highly recommend!
@tracywehringer5270 on YouTube
I've had nothing but problems with mine
@stevesilverstone1015 on YouTube

What Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904 owners say

The best use i had for the autostop was driving 5/16 lags. It would just touch when they snugged down and shut the drill down. No broken anything or wrists
DiarrheaXplosion on Reddit
My son has the M18 Fuel drill and driver set. Those are beasts.
NYOB4321 on Reddit
So much so that my rotary hammer drill will only work every 2/3 depressions. Very frustrating.
thatsmejp on Reddit

DeWalt DCS570B vs Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904: frequently asked questions

Is the DeWalt DCS570B or the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904 better?

Real owners lean toward the DeWalt DCS570B: 80% of 15 owners recommend it, vs 54% of 56 for the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904.

Who should get the DeWalt DCS570B?

Owners point the DeWalt DCS570B at carpenters and framers using a saw daily, and dIYers wanting a capable first cordless circular saw.

Who should get the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904?

Owners point the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904 at contractors drilling concrete, thick steel, or large holes daily, and framers and deck builders driving thousands of screws or lags.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the DeWalt DCS570B is some heavy users would rather step up to the 60V FlexVolt for more power on demanding work. For the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Drill 2904, it's heavy and bulky compared to the M12, many owners who have both say the M18 sits unused in the truck 90% of the time and they default to the lighter, more ergonomic M12 for daily tasks.