The Milwaukee 2904-20 is the stronger pick if you want a compact pro hammer drill with published 1,400 in-lbs of peak torque, AutoStop bind-up control, and a side handle in the box. The DEWALT DCD805B is the smarter buy if you already own 20V MAX batteries, want a lighter bare tool, and need a fast compact hammer drill more than Milwaukee's maximum power ceiling.
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Choose Milwaukee if you want the heavier-duty tool and are not locked into another battery platform. Choose DEWALT if the 20V MAX ecosystem, lower bare-tool weight, and compact control matter more than peak output.
Both are brushless, 1/2 inch cordless hammer drill/drivers aimed at serious DIY and trade use. The Milwaukee has the stronger published performance story: higher top speed, a large 1,400 in-lbs peak torque rating, AutoStop control, and a side handle that belongs on a drill this powerful.
The DEWALT is still easy to justify. DEWALT lists a 7 inch tool length, 2.95 lb bare-tool weight, 0-2,000 rpm top speed, 34,000 BPM hammer rate, and 900 max watts out. If your batteries, charger, and other tools are already 20V MAX, the DCD805B is the less disruptive purchase.
A pro M18 FUEL hammer drill/driver with 1,400 in-lbs of published peak torque, 0-2,100 rpm top speed, AutoStop control, and a side handle for higher-load drilling.
A compact 20V MAX XR hammer drill/driver with 900 max watts out, 0-2,000 rpm top speed, 34,000 BPM, 15 clutch positions, and a 2.95 lb bare-tool weight.
The best cordless hammer drill is not just the one with the biggest number. Think about the batteries you already own, the largest holes you actually drill, and how often bind-up control or a side handle will matter.
Milwaukee publishes 1,400 in-lbs of peak torque, while DEWALT publishes 900 max watts out. Those are not interchangeable numbers, so use them as brand-specific performance signals rather than direct math.
DEWALT lists 34,000 BPM and Milwaukee lists 0-33,000 BPM. Both can handle light masonry drilling, but repeated concrete or large-hole work still favors a rotary hammer over any drill/driver.
The DEWALT DCD805B and Milwaukee 2904-20 are tool-only style purchases. If you do not already own compatible batteries and chargers, the real purchase is a drill plus a battery platform.
The table focuses on ownership decisions: battery system, published output, speed ranges, hammer mode, included accessories, and the kind of jobs each drill makes easiest.
| Metric | Milwaukee 2904-20 | DEWALT DCD805B |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | best overallTrade users and serious DIY buyers who want maximum cordless-drill headroom and are already in, or ready to enter, the M18 platform. | 20V MAX owners and compact-drill buyers who want strong everyday drilling, lighter bare-tool handling, and familiar batteries. |
| Model | 2904-20 | DCD805B |
| Battery platform | M18, 18V DC | 20V MAX, 18V nominal |
| Speed / hammer rate | 0-500 / 0-2,100 rpm; high 0-33,000 BPM | 0-650 / 0-2,000 rpm; 34,000 BPM |
| Published output | 1,400 in-lbs peak torque | 900 max watts out |
| Length / handling notes | 6.9 in length; AutoStop control; side handle and belt clip included. | 7 in tool length; 2.95 lb bare-tool weight; 15 clutch positions; belt hook included. |
| Main drawback | It can be overkill for light home use, and it only makes sense if you want the M18 battery ecosystem or already own it. | It lacks Milwaukee's published peak torque figure, AutoStop positioning, and included side handle for the hardest drilling jobs. |
| Ownership note | The Milwaukee spec sheet points toward demanding trade work: high peak torque, compact length, side-handle control, and bind-up protection. | The DEWALT spec sheet points toward compact versatility: high speed, light bare-tool weight, hammer mode, Tool Connect chip pocket, and 20V MAX continuity. |
We compared manufacturer-published specifications, operator-manual details, included accessories, cordless-platform fit, safety/control features, and product-specific Amazon destinations. Prices, star ratings, and review counts were left out because they change quickly and were not needed for the recommendation.
Milwaukee publishes 0-500 / 0-2,100 rpm, 0-33,000 BPM, 1,400 in-lbs peak torque, 18V DC M18 battery type, and masonry capacity up to 5/8 inch for the 2904-20. DEWALT publishes 0-650 / 0-2,000 rpm, 34,000 BPM, 900 max watts out, 7 inch tool length, and 2.95 lb bare-tool weight for the DCD805B.
We weighted battery-platform lock-in, compact access, torque-control features, speed range, hammer mode, included side handle, and tool-only buying reality because those details decide whether a cordless drill feels like a good purchase after the first project.
Milwaukee is the better default for high-load work and buyers who want a pro M18 anchor tool. DEWALT is the better fit for 20V MAX owners, lighter mixed tasks, and shoppers who do not need the most aggressive published torque spec.
Milwaukee's product page and operator manual point toward a heavy-duty compact hammer drill: 1,400 in-lbs peak torque, 0-2,100 rpm top speed, 0-33,000 BPM, AutoStop control, and a side handle in the box.
Sources: Milwaukee, operator manual, and retailer listing.
DEWALT's product page points toward a compact 20V MAX XR hammer drill with 900 max watts out, 0-2,000 rpm top speed, 34,000 BPM, a 7 inch tool length, and a 2.95 lb bare-tool weight.
Sources: DEWALT and retailer listing.
For repeated masonry work, the Milwaukee 2904-20 is the stronger pick because Milwaukee publishes 1,400 in-lbs of peak torque, a 0-33,000 BPM hammer mode, and AutoStop control for bind-up events. For occasional Tapcon-sized holes or light masonry, the DEWALT DCD805B can still make sense if you already own DEWALT 20V MAX batteries.
No. The DEWALT DCD805B listing is tool-only and DEWALT says battery and charger are sold separately. Milwaukee lists the 2904-20 box contents as the hammer drill, side handle, and belt clip, so plan on using your own M18 battery and charger.
Often, yes. If you already own good M18 batteries, the Milwaukee is the better tool to build around. If your garage is already DEWALT 20V MAX, the DCD805B avoids buying into a second battery system and is still a compact, capable hammer drill.
No. DEWALT publishes maximum watts out for the DCD805B, while Milwaukee publishes peak torque for the 2904-20. Those numbers do not convert into a clean one-to-one comparison, so the better shopping comparison is application fit, speed ranges, hammer rate, length, controls, and battery platform.
Buy a hammer drill if you expect to drill small holes in brick, block, or concrete in addition to regular drilling and driving. If you only assemble furniture, drill wood, and drive screws, a regular drill/driver may be lighter, cheaper, and easier to control.
Its 1,400 in-lbs peak torque rating, 0-2,100 rpm top speed, 0-33,000 BPM hammer mode, AutoStop bind-up protection, and included side handle make it the more complete pro hammer drill.
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