Is the Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 3/8 in. impact wrench worth it?

For auto and light assembly work, yes. It delivers 250 ft-lb in a 3.4 lb compact body, and the brushless motor holds up to regular use. If you already own M18 batteries, the value is stronger.

How does it compare with the 1/2 in. M18 FUEL impact wrench?

The 1/2 in. version has more torque and suits lug nuts and heavy truck work. This 3/8 in. model is smaller and lighter, which makes it better for engine bays and tight spaces.

What comes in the box?

You get the bare impact wrench and the impact socket set. Batteries and a charger are not included unless the listing says otherwise, so confirm before ordering.

Which batteries does it use?

It runs on any Milwaukee M18 lithium-ion pack. A compact 2.0Ah or 3.0Ah pack keeps the tool light; a 5.0Ah pack adds runtime and weight.

When is the best time to buy it?

M18 FUEL tools drop most during holiday sales and Milwaukee promotions. Check the price history on this page and compare against the $159 Distritech listing from November 3.

Can it remove lug nuts?

On most passenger cars, yes, with a 3/8 in. impact socket and a charged pack. For rusted or heavy-duty fasteners, a 1/2 in. drive tool is the safer choice.

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Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V Brushless 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Impact Socket Set

−47%

Home · Home Depot

A brushless impact wrench kit with sockets ready to go

Name: Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V Brushless 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Impact Socket Set
Brand: Milwaukee
Price: 299.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (81 reviews)

Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V Brushless 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Impact Socket Set

Milwaukee's M18 FUEL GEN-3 3/8-inch impact wrench paired with an impact socket set — a ready-to-work kit for the garage.

Deal score 6.8 · Great deal

$299.00$568.00 Home Depot's regular price

You save $269.00 at Home Depot

Checking it's still available…

Why it's a great deal

Home Depot lists its regular price at $568.00: 47% off by its own figures
Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 81 buyers

Visit Home Depot

Every store we checked

Home DepotNew
In stock
$299.00Observed at 11:32 AM
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eBayNew
Availability unknownSold by cole2026 (100% positive, 38 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$110.00+ $9.61 shippingVerified
Visit store
eBayPre-owned
Availability unknownSold by ferndaleinc (99.7% positive, 9,100 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$118.99+ $4.99 shippingVerified
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eBayRefurbished
Availability unknownSold by factory_authorized_outlet (99.9% positive, 279,500 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$145.00Free shippingVerified
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Price history and every store's price →

From Home Depot

M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V brushless cordless 3/8 in. impact wrench
Friction ring anvil
Includes (2) 6.0Ah batteries and charger

Specs

Power Type: Cordless
Battery Type: Lithium-ion
Chuck / Drive Size: 0.38 inch chuck / drive
Voltage: 18 volts
Color: Red
Maximum Torque: 250 ft-lb
Weight: 3.4 lb

Ask our shopping agent

About the Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V Brushless 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Impact Socket Set

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench is a brushless 18V cordless tool rated at 250 ft-lb of fastening torque, sold here with an impact socket set. It is built for automotive and light assembly work where a full-size 1/2 in. gun is too bulky, and its 3.4 lb bare weight keeps it usable overhead and in tight engine bays. It sits in Milwaukee's M18 battery platform, so anyone already on M18 can buy it bare and share packs. The latest listed best price is $159 at Distritech as of November 3; check the price history before buying, since M18 FUEL tools swing widely on promotions.

Best forAuto mechanics and DIYers doing lug nuts, suspension and engine workM18 users who want a compact 3/8 in. impact without new batteriesLight assembly and maintenance jobs in tight spaces

Pros

250 ft-lb is strong for a compact 3/8 in. body
Brushless FUEL motor runs cooler and lasts longer than brushed tools
3.4 lb bare weight is easy to hold overhead
Shares the M18 battery platform with other Milwaukee tools
Comes with an impact socket set, so it is ready to use

More deals like this

More from Milwaukee

All Travel Tech Clothes Shoes Jewelry Home Beauty Outdoors Toys

This hour's deals

−47%

Home · Home Depot

A brushless impact wrench kit with sockets ready to go

Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V Brushless 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Impact Socket Set

Milwaukee's M18 FUEL GEN-3 3/8-inch impact wrench paired with an impact socket set — a ready-to-work kit for the garage.

Deal score 6.8 · Great deal

$299.00$568.00 Home Depot's regular price

You save $269.00 at Home Depot

Checking it's still available…

Why it's a great deal

Home Depot lists its regular price at $568.00: 47% off by its own figures
Rated 4.8 out of 5 by 81 buyers

Visit Home Depot

Every store we checked

Home DepotNew
In stock
$299.00Observed at 11:32 AM
Visit store
eBayNew
Availability unknownSold by cole2026 (100% positive, 38 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$110.00+ $9.61 shippingVerified
Visit store
eBayPre-owned
Availability unknownSold by ferndaleinc (99.7% positive, 9,100 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$118.99+ $4.99 shippingVerified
Visit store
eBayRefurbished
Availability unknownSold by factory_authorized_outlet (99.9% positive, 279,500 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$145.00Free shippingVerified
Visit store

Price history and every store's price →

From Home Depot

M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V brushless cordless 3/8 in. impact wrench
Friction ring anvil
Includes (2) 6.0Ah batteries and charger

Specs

Power Type: Cordless
Battery Type: Lithium-ion
Chuck / Drive Size: 0.38 inch chuck / drive
Voltage: 18 volts
Color: Red
Maximum Torque: 250 ft-lb
Weight: 3.4 lb

Ask our shopping agent

About the Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 18V Brushless 3/8 in. Compact Impact Wrench with Impact Socket Set

Best forAuto mechanics and DIYers doing lug nuts, suspension and engine workM18 users who want a compact 3/8 in. impact without new batteriesLight assembly and maintenance jobs in tight spaces

Pros

250 ft-lb is strong for a compact 3/8 in. body
Brushless FUEL motor runs cooler and lasts longer than brushed tools
3.4 lb bare weight is easy to hold overhead
Shares the M18 battery platform with other Milwaukee tools
Comes with an impact socket set, so it is ready to use

More deals like this

What reviewers say

Owners rate it 4.8 out of 5 from 81 ratings, with most praise going to the torque-to-size ratio and build quality. Complaints tend to focus on battery cost and the limits of the 3/8 in. drive.

Pros

Strong torque for its compact size
Solid, durable build
Good battery life on M18 packs
Handy in tight engine bay spaces

Cons

Batteries and charger add to the cost
3/8 in. drive is limiting for heavy work
Heavier with a large pack attached

Questions and answers

Is the Milwaukee M18 FUEL GEN-3 3/8 in. impact wrench worth it?: For auto and light assembly work, yes. It delivers 250 ft-lb in a 3.4 lb compact body, and the brushless motor holds up to regular use. If you already own M18 batteries, the value is stronger.
How does it compare with the 1/2 in. M18 FUEL impact wrench?: The 1/2 in. version has more torque and suits lug nuts and heavy truck work. This 3/8 in. model is smaller and lighter, which makes it better for engine bays and tight spaces.
What comes in the box?: You get the bare impact wrench and the impact socket set. Batteries and a charger are not included unless the listing says otherwise, so confirm before ordering.
Which batteries does it use?: It runs on any Milwaukee M18 lithium-ion pack. A compact 2.0Ah or 3.0Ah pack keeps the tool light; a 5.0Ah pack adds runtime and weight.
When is the best time to buy it?: M18 FUEL tools drop most during holiday sales and Milwaukee promotions. Check the price history on this page and compare against the $159 Distritech listing from November 3.
Can it remove lug nuts?: On most passenger cars, yes, with a 3/8 in. impact socket and a charged pack. For rusted or heavy-duty fasteners, a 1/2 in. drive tool is the safer choice.