The 2603-22 is Milwaukee’s newest high performance Li-Ion 18v drill/driver in their M18 FUEL series of cordless tools. We love everything about this drill and give it a site best 9.6 overall rating.
Just like the related compact 18v 2603-22CT, this unit features the Powerstate brushless motor, RedLink Plus intelligence, and RedLithium battery pack. Those are trademarked terms for marketing purposes, but they all mean something important for this drill. The brushless motor provides more power, reduces noise, runs cooler, and requires less maintenance. More importantly it provides up to 10x longer motor life and up to 50% longer run time per charge. The RedLink Plus intelligence simply means that the tool, battery, and charger communicate with each other to keep the tool running at peak performance. It also provides overload protection so you won’t damage the drill. The RedLithium battery is Milwaukee’s most advanced Lithium-Ion technology. They are designed to perform in extreme jobsite conditions, even in 0°F weather. The two batteries that come in this kit are the XC version (extra capacity) which feature 3.0Ah of charge rating and also have an onboard fuel gauge so you know how much power you have left.
The best part of this cordless drill is the power. It provides best-in-class torque of 725 in-lbs which is more than enough to handle the toughest tasks on any jobsite. It has 2 speed ranges with a max RPM of 1850. It also has all the amenities you want for the serious professional like the auxiliary handle, bright LED light, all metal ratcheting chuck, and 3.0 Ah rated batteries.
At 4.9 pounds this unit is a bit on the heavy side. Although it is a lot lighter than earlier NiCd battery powered models and a little bit lighter than Milwaukee’s previous 18v Li-Ion cordless drill the 2610-24. It is about 1.5 lbs heavier than other brands compact 18v versions.
At about $280 it is priced from comparable to slightly higher than other manufacturer’s high performance models.
Due to it’s superior performance, we rated the Milwaukee 2603-22 as our #1 best 18v and best professional cordless drill and highly recommend it.
| Specs | 18v Class Average | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.6 | |
| Manufacturer | Milwaukee | |
| Model | 2603-22 | |
| Style | High Performance Cordless Drill | |
| Voltage | 18 | |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs | 4.5 lbs |
| Max Torque | 725 in-lbs | 490 in-lbs |
| Max Speed | 1850 | 1600 RPM |
| Variable Speed | 2-SPEED | |
| Reversable | Yes | |
| Chuck Size | 1/2″ | |
| Chuck Type | Keyless, Ratcheting | |
| Battery Type | High Capacity REDLITHIUM Li-Ion | |
| Charge Rating | 3.0Ah | 1.8 Ah |
| Charge Time | 60 min | 45 min |
| Batteries Included | 2 | |
| Work Light | LED | |
| Extra Handle | Yes | |
| Fuel Guage | Yes | |
| Warranty | 5 years tool, 3 years battery | 2 years |
| Price | Check Price | $212.99 |
The highest rated drill on Amazon is the Bosch HDS181-02-All reviews are 5 star