Quick verdict
The Bosch has a little more torque and KickBack Control; the Milwaukee is far more compact and sits on a platform with a full range of yard tools in the US. For a homeowner building a system, the Milwaukee is the easier choice. For a Bosch 18V owner who drills heavily, the PROFACTOR is excellent.
Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL Hammer Drill
The 2804-20 is the M18 FUEL Gen 3 hammer drill with 1,200 inch-pounds of peak torque in a 6.9 inch body. It is compact, strong and runs the M18 platform that includes mowers, blowers and trimmers.
Milwaukee 2804-20 compact M18 FUEL hammer drill versus Bosch GSB18V-1330C PROFACTOR hammer drill: torque, KickBack Control, size, connectivity and yard tool platform compared.
The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Score /100 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL Hammer Drill | Best Compact High-Torque Drill | 8.8 | Check price |
| Bosch GSB18V-1330C PROFACTOR Hammer Drill | Best Heavy Hammer Drill on Bosch 18V | 8.7 | Check price |
The picks, reviewed
Milwaukee 2804-20 M18 FUEL Hammer Drill
The 2804-20 is the M18 FUEL Gen 3 hammer drill with 1,200 inch-pounds of peak torque in a 6.9 inch body. It is compact, strong and runs the M18 platform that includes mowers, blowers and trimmers.
Reasons to buy
- 1,200 in-lbs in a very compact body
- All-metal chuck
- Large M18 yard tool range
- Lighter than the Bosch
Reasons to avoid
- No bind protection on this generation
- Slightly less torque than the Bosch
- Two speeds, 2,000 RPM top
Bosch GSB18V-1330C PROFACTOR Hammer Drill
The GSB18V-1330C is the Bosch PROFACTOR hammer drill with 1,330 inch-pounds of torque, 0 to 650 and 0 to 2,100 RPM, KickBack Control that stops the drill on a bind, and connected-ready Bluetooth for settings. It is a larger, heavier drill built around the Bosch CORE18V high-output batteries.
Reasons to buy
- 1,330 in-lbs with KickBack Control
- 2,100 RPM top speed
- Bluetooth module for settings
- CORE18V batteries for sustained power
Reasons to avoid
- Larger and heavier
- Bosch 18V yard tool range is smaller in the US
- Costs more; module and batteries add up
Where these two differ
The Bosch PROFACTOR is a heavy-duty hammer drill with a little more torque than the Milwaukee, a bind sensor and a Bluetooth option, built around high-output CORE18V batteries. The Milwaukee 2804-20 is a compact drill with nearly the same torque in a much smaller body on a platform that, in the US, also runs mowers, blowers and trimmers. The Bosch is the bigger tool; the Milwaukee is the bigger system for a yard.
This comparison is based on the published specifications and manuals for both drills and on recurring owner feedback. We have not run either drill ourselves.
| Specification | 2804-20 | GSB18V-1330C |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Milwaukee M18 | Bosch 18V CORE18V |
| Torque | 1,200 in-lbs | 1,330 in-lbs |
| Top speed | 2,000 RPM | 2,100 RPM |
| Bind control | No | KickBack Control |
| Connectivity | No | Bluetooth module optional |
| Size | Compact | Heavy-duty |
Power
One hundred and thirty inch-pounds separate them on paper and no yard job notices. Both pull large augers, bore hole saws and hammer concrete. The Bosch sustains heavy drilling a little longer on a CORE18V pack; the Milwaukee does the same work in a shell that fits a belt.
Safety and features
KickBack Control stops the Bosch when a bit catches, which is a real benefit with big bits. The 2804 relies on a mechanical clutch; its successor, the 2904, adds AUTOSTOP. The Bosch Bluetooth module is a nice option few homeowners use.
Size
The Milwaukee is one of the shortest full-power drills made. The Bosch is a large drill by comparison, which shows overhead and between joists.
Platform for a yard
This is where the comparison tilts. Milwaukee M18 batteries run a full range of outdoor tools in the US; Bosch 18V outdoor tools are scarce here. A homeowner who wants one battery for the drill and the mower is better served by Milwaukee. A Bosch owner with CORE18V packs already has a fine drill in the PROFACTOR.
Yard jobs this decides
On any single drilling job the two are equal: posts, anchors, augers, mixing. The Bosch sustains a long mixing session a little better on a CORE18V pack and stops itself when a hole saw catches. The Milwaukee fits where the Bosch does not and shares its pack with a mower. For a homeowner choosing a first battery system for the yard, that last point outweighs the rest.
Setup tips
Pair the Bosch with a CORE18V pack to see its rated power and expect the added weight. Keep the Milwaukee in low gear for big bits and brace a hand, since this generation has no bind sensor. Both benefit from a sharp bit far more than from the extra torque.
Common owner complaints
2804 owners mention no bind protection and the belt clip. GSB18V-1330C owners mention size, weight and the cost of the batteries that make it shine. Both are durable.
Which one should you buy
Buy the 2804-20 if you want a compact high-torque drill on a platform that runs the yard, and consider the 2904 for bind protection. Buy the GSB18V-1330C if you already own Bosch 18V packs or drill heavily enough to value KickBack Control and the CORE18V power.
Our verdict
The Milwaukee 2804-20 takes this comparison for homeowners because of its size and its platform. The Bosch GSB18V-1330C is the stronger drill on paper and the right choice for a Bosch shed.
How we research
This comparison is built from the published specifications, manuals and warranty terms of both products and from recurring owner feedback. We have not run either product ourselves; where the makers do not publish a figure we say so rather than guess.
What to look for
Platform depth for yard tools
M18 has mowers, blowers, trimmers and chainsaws in the US. Bosch 18V outdoor tools are limited here.
Size
The Milwaukee is much shorter and lighter.
Bind protection
The Bosch KickBack Control stops a bind; the Milwaukee 2804 does not, though the newer 2904 does.
Torque
The Bosch has a little more; both are plenty for yard work.
Our verdict
The Bosch has a little more torque and KickBack Control; the Milwaukee is far more compact and sits on a platform with a full range of yard tools in the US. For a homeowner building a system, the Milwaukee is the easier choice. For a Bosch 18V owner who drills heavily, the PROFACTOR is excellent.
FAQs
A sensor that stops the drill when a bit binds and the tool starts to spin in the hand. Milwaukee calls its version AUTOSTOP on the 2904.
The Bosch accepts a Bluetooth module that lets a phone adjust settings and track the tool. It is optional.
The Bosch PROFACTOR is the larger, heavier drill by a clear margin.
Very few compared with Milwaukee. Bosch outdoor tools are stronger in Europe.
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