Which is better for drilling large holes?

The M18 FUEL. Its 1,400 in-lbs and 2,100 RPM are rated to run 2-9/16 in self-feed bits in dense wood. The compact kit publishes no torque figure and is built for lighter drilling and driving.

Which has longer runtime per charge?

The FUEL kit, because it ships with two 5.0 Ah batteries against one 2.0 Ah battery in the compact kit. That is 10 Ah total versus 2 Ah.

Is the FUEL kit worth the extra money?

Yes if you drill big holes, work overhead in tight spots, or want AutoStop kickback protection and a metal ratcheting chuck. If you mainly drive screws, the compact kit with its 120-piece bit set covers that for less.

Do the batteries interchange?

Yes. Both are M18 18V tools, so any M18 battery works in either drill. The FUEL's 5.0 Ah packs also fit other M18 tools you own.

Which is lighter for overhead work?

The compact kit. It uses a 2.0 Ah battery and publishes no weight, but the FUEL kit is listed at 4.82 lb with battery, so expect the compact to be lighter.

Which is safer if a bit binds?

The M18 FUEL. Its AutoStop Control Mode stops over-rotation when the bit binds. The compact kit lists no comparable anti-kickback feature.

Milwaukee M18 FUEL 1/2" Drill/Driver Kit vs Milwaukee M18 18V Brushless Cordless Compact Drill/Driver with 2.0 Ah Battery, Charger and 120-Piece Bit Set

Buy the M18 FUEL kit if you drill large holes, work in tight spots, or want the extra safety of AutoStop anti-kickback. Buy the compact brushless kit if you mostly drive screws and want a 120-piece bit set in the box. The FUEL kit costs more and comes with two 5.0 Ah batteries; the compact kit ships with one 2.0 Ah battery.

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