Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8 in. Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit 2457-21 vs Milwaukee M12 FUEL 2557-20
Buy the M12 FUEL 2557-20 if you need to break loose tight fasteners; its brushless motor delivers up to 55 ft-lbs, well above the 35 ft-lbs of the 2457-21. Buy the 2457-21 kit if you want a complete, lighter setup for light assembly and interior work, since it includes a battery, charger and case. The 2457-21 kit has sold for about $78.57 to $78.69 in late October 2026, while the bare-tool 2557-20 has run about $199.00 to $199.99 in early November 2026.
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Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8 in. Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit 2457-21
4.9Choose the M12 Cordless Ratchet Kit 2457-21 if you want a ready-to-use kit with battery, charger and case at roughly a quarter of the FUEL's price, and 35 ft-lbs is enough for your work.
- Complete kit: 1.5 Ah battery, 30-minute charger, case and adapter included
- Lighter at 1.9 lbs and shorter at 10.75 in for tight engine bays
- Faster 250 RPM speed for running down long threads
- Variable-speed metal trigger and 72-tooth head
- Far lower price than the FUEL bare tool
- Only 35 ft-lbs, so it struggles on tight or rusted fasteners
What separates them
| Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8 in. Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit 2457-21 | Milwaukee M12 FUEL 2557-20 | |
|---|---|---|
| Max torque | 35 ft-lbs | Up to 55 ft-lbs |
| Motor | Brushed | Brushless (FUEL) |
| Speed | 250 RPM | 200 RPM |
| Weight | 1.9 lbs | 2.8 lbs with battery |
| Length | 10.75 in | 11.8 in |
| In the box | Battery, charger, case, adapter | Bare tool only |
| Price | About $78.57 at the low, late October 2026 | About $199.00 at the low, early November 2026 |
| Battery gauge | Not listed | On-board fuel gauge |
Price history
- Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8 in. Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit 2457-21: lowest $78.57 on Oct 31 at MPR Tools & Equipment; $78.57 on Nov 2.
- Milwaukee M12 FUEL 2557-20: lowest $199.00 on Nov 2 at eBay.
Prices at every store
Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8 in. Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit 2457-21
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- Home DepotCheck price at Home Depot
- mercari.comCheck price at mercari.com
Milwaukee M12 FUEL 2557-20
- BuchheitCheck price at Buchheit
- Close LumberCheck price at Close Lumber
- eBayCheck price at eBay
Specs compared
| Spec | Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8 in. Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit 2457-21 | Milwaukee M12 FUEL 2557-20 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 1.5 Amp Hours | No Battery |
| color | Yellow | — |
| size | 13.650 x 9.100 x 4.100 in | — |
| Torque | 35 ft-lbs | — |
| Brand | Milwaukee | — |
| Power type | Cordless Electric | — |
| Charger included | Y | — |
| Batteries incl | Y | — |
| Volts | 120 Volts | — |
| Is variable speed | Y | — |
| Accessories |
Questions and answers
- Which has more torque, the 2457-21 or the 2557-20?
- The 2557-20, at up to 55 ft-lbs versus 35 ft-lbs. That gap matters most on rusted or high-torque fasteners.
- Is the FUEL 2557-20 worth the extra money?
- Only if you need the extra torque and already own M12 batteries. The bare tool ran about $199.00 to $199.99 in early November 2026, versus about $78.57 to $78.69 for the complete 2457-21 kit in late October 2026.
- Which is better for tight spaces?
- The 2457-21 is shorter (10.75 in vs 11.8 in) and lighter (1.9 lbs vs 2.8 lbs with battery). Some 2557-20 owners say it feels bulky in hand.
- Does the 2557-20 come with a battery?
- No. It is a bare tool. The 2457-21 kit includes a 1.5 Ah battery, a 30-minute charger, a case and an adapter.
- Which is faster?
- The 2457-21 runs at 250 RPM versus 200 RPM for the 2557-20, so it spins down long threads quicker.
- Which lasts longer?
- The 2557-20's brushless motor should outlast the brushed motor in the 2457-21 under heavy daily use.
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