Let’s talk a bit more about the new Milwaukee M12 cordless drill, model 3401, that was recently announced alongside a new impact driver.
The Milwaukee 3401 Subcompact brushless drill/driver is advertised as having the smallest size and lightest weight, and it indeed has diminutive specs.
It will be an upgrade compared to their brushed motor M12 drill, and with respect to maximum speed and torque, its on-paper performance specs aren’t too far behind that of Milwaukee’s flagship M12 Fuel drill and hammer drill models.
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The newest M12 drill features a brushless motor, 3/8″ keyless chuck, 1550 RPM max speed, and 350 in-lbs max torque,
Its nose length measures 5.4″, which is less than the 6″ and 5.9″ for Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel hammer drill and drill/driver, respectively. Their brushed motor model measures 7.38″ long.
The new cordless drill will be available in tool-only format, and kitted with a charger and 2x 2Ah batteries.
Price: $119 for tool-only (3401-20), $149 for the 2-battery kit (3401-22)
It is also available bundled in a 2pc combo kit (3494-22) with the impact driver for $199.
Specifications
- 3/8″ metal drill chuck
- 350 in-lbs max torque
- 0-450/0-1550 RPM speed ranges
- 5.4″ length
- Weighs 2 lbs with kitted battery
Discussion
I posted separately about the new SubCompact designation – see Milwaukee Launched M12 Subcompact Cordless Power Tools.
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Milwaukee positions the new brushless drill as a compact and lightweight offering, and its performance specs aren’t too far behind their flagship models.
The pricing seems to be an off-season placeholder, as I discussed in my other post.
At the time of this posting, Home Depot has the M12 Fuel hammer drill single battery kit for $99. It seems difficult to rationalize a tool-only brushless drill for $119 or 2-battery kit for $149 when the flagship M12 Fuel model is available in a 1-battery kit for $99.
It will be at least a few months, but I am sure the spring or winter holiday promotions will clear things up.
Milwaukee M12 Comparison
Here’s how the new model 3401 compares to Milwaukee’s other M12 cordless drills:
| Model | 2407 | 3403 | 3401 | 2505 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| System | M12 | M12 | M12 | M12 |
| Type | FUEL | SubCompact | FUEL | |
| Brushless | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Torque (in-lbs) | 275 | 400 | 350 | 300 |
| Speed (RPM) | 400 1500 | 450 1550 | 450 1550 | 400 1600 |
| Length | 7.4″ | 5.95″ | 5.4″ | 5.1″ |
| Weight (lbs) | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.58 | 2 |
| Chuck | 3/8″ | 1/2″ | 3/8″ | 4-in-1 |
| Launch Year | 2013 | 2022 | 2025 | 2019 |
(The 3404 M12 Fuel hammer drill is 0.05″ longer than the 3403 drill/driver.)
Why Buy this Model?
This does look to be Milwaukee’s smallest and lightest cordless drill. It should deliver a less fatiguing user experience, especially when drilling or driving fasteners at reach or overhead.
We’ll know for certain once test samples are available.
Why Avoid it?
If you think you might need a 1/2″ chuck, such as for use with larger hole saws or drill bits, this won’t be the model for you.
For hammer drill functionality, you should step up to the M12 Fuel brushless model, which is occasionally available in a promotionally-priced kit with a single battery (3404-21) for $99. At this time, the M12 Fuel hammer drill 2-battery kit (3404-22) retails for $179.
Milwaukee also has a brushed motor cordless hammer drill kit (2408-22) that retails for $149, but at such pricing it’s an uncompelling option for most tool users.
Jared
I think it makes perfect sense in the m12 line.
There will be some users who probably would benefit from an 18v class tool who will nevertheless want max power in the 12v line – the FUEL model is their best choice. If you’re using 12v tools because you don’t necessarily need peak performance and want something less fatiguing and light – this subcompact is a better choice.
It’s probably what I would pick if I wanted an M12 drill. For that matter, I still use my ancient Bosch DDB181 brushed drill frequently because it’s lighter and smaller than my other options. It also has 350in/lbs of torque and it’s sufficient for most tasks.
Lance
This sub-compact seems very overpriced. Not because it lacks performance, but because it’s too close to the Fuel model.
I predict the Fuel will start shipping exclusively with the new HO 2.5 batteries and the price will increase. I doubt the sub compact will get cheaper.
James+C
In the comparison table, is the 2505’s 5.1″ length measured with the drill chuck attached? Not really fair if not.
Anyway, I’m excited to see this subcompact option. I bet it would do 80% of my use. Right now my older M12 Fuel hammer drill handles maybe 90% of my use and my M18 Fuel hammer drill hardly gets used. I’d love to see an updated M12 Surge.
Stuart
That’s the official length spec for the 2505 tool without any of the included chucks attached.
James+C
Bah, marketing people comparing a drill chuck to a hex chuck… In that case I was thinking to be fair they should include the M12 screwdrivers. But then I looked them up and was surprised to see they’re both over 6″. Maybe they need a subcompact version too.
Stuart
I put the comparison table together. I can’t grab specs for the other models and take measurements for one. I don’t have every model in front of me to be able to take measurements. Hex-shank drill bits are also more popular than ever.
It’s included in the chart for those who might want to quickly compare specs, and left out from the discussion because it’s not an even comparison at all based on the design and features.
For the most even comparison, the 2505 shouldn’t be a part of this conversation at all.
I including on-paper specs to be consistent. For the absolute best comparison, we’d need to take measurements for reach tool with the same drill bit, say a 1/4″ round-shank jobber length drill bit. That’s hard to do when the drill we’re talking about hasn’t started shipping yet.
So, you get official on-paper specs that I manually collected, and the 2505 is included in case anyone is curious about how the performance specs compare. The on-paper length is consistent.
All that is to say that this isn’t a “marketing people making comparisons” chart, but a chart I put together with reasons behind going with official technical specifications.
You’re welcome to correct it with measurements for the 2505 driver + drill chuck length that you either take yourself or can vouch for.
James+C
Sorry Stuart, I meant no offense with the “marketing people” line. I appreciate you doing the work to create the comparison table. My only feedback is simply the 2505 at 5.1″ is the shortest in the table. Someone wanting the shortest tool with a drill chuck may be disappointed to know the 5.1″ is without the drill chuck (in that case the M12 right angle drill would beat them all, ha).
I don’t have the 2505 and a quick search didn’t turn up the length with drill chuck attached.
Phil
I hate to be a jerk, but it should’ve been listed with the chuck dimensions or not listed at all. Its misleading at best. Stuart, keep doing you, but this I believe, would’ve been best. Its not a true comparison when all the other dimensions are listed with a chuck. I get that the non-chucked 2505 can seat 1/4 inch bits and that’s great , but it still doesn’t mean that it’s a true comparison.
JR Ramos
For anyone wanting to get nitty gritty about length, I remember seeing somewhere that Milwaukee does their specs with the chuck fully open/jaws fully retracted. So for anyone not using the chuck at or near max capacity you can plan on adding +/- 3/8″ or so. I remember being surprised when I saw that because a) I’d never even thought about or considered that myself, and b) never saw any other manufacturer mention it. Maybe that’s the common standard or maybe it’s an 18v/20v shell game.
Stuart
@James, I know, I just wanted to make it crystal clear where the spec came from. Ideally, it’s best to be accurate and precise, but in cases like this, I make the choice to be consistent. If I’m using on-paper specs, I stick with on-paper specs.
@Phil, you’re also welcome to correct the figure. Let me know when you have the measured length of the 2505 with drill chuck and I’ll update the chart.
@ JR Ramos, yes, the best approximation involves chucking in a jobber length drill bit or 1/4″ hex power bit and measuring the length with jaws extended, to the front of the screwdriver bit tip, and to the front of a drill bit.
But really, relative size is what’s important here. In my experience, length in a compact cordless drill mainly affects feel and balance. If clearance is of very high importance, most users will grab a shorter impact driver, right angle drill, or right angle adapter.
JonChicago
I just pull my 2505 out and measured it.
The 5.1 is with no attachment (it is still usable as a 1/4″ driver in this configuration) and measured to the bottom of the “saddle” in the back for the grip. It is actually 5.4 inches to the longest measurement.
With 1/4″ bit holder attachment: 6.6″
With drill chuck: 7.1″
With offset bit holder: 7.8″
90* attachment: 1.9″
Ken
I’m a big fan of 12V tools because of the size and weight savings. For drilling, driving, and impacting, I use my 12V tools at least 75% of the time as a DIYer. I was intrigued by the recent Milwaukee post highlighting these new SubCompact models. This post makes clear that they are only marginally smaller and lighter, but if they are similar in price, I’d probably still opt for the SubCompact compared to the Fuel.
Peter
Same here, I really like the Milwaukee/Bosch 12v form factor.
PETE
milwaukee’s 1/2 drill bits are still chucked at 3/8 shaft so it’ll still work. But then again- drilling 1/2 hole with a m12 isn’t a great choice in the first place but… then again- i know a milwaukee 1/2 drill bit will fit in a 3/8 chuck lol
Lance
I thought the same when I saw the promo pic above using a big step drill… not a best case scenario.
eddiesky
I’ve already Atomic 12v DeWalt driver but not a drill. Since I have a 1/2″ hammer drill (dewalt) I would like a smaller, more compact drill and Dewalt’s smallest Atomic is still bigger than this 3401 which isn’t ideal for inside tight cabinets, enclosures.
I’m open to multiple brands, but at this time… KEEP making them smaller, stronger and lasting longer!
Akin to missing those tool shows because a hands on trying this one out… If I liked it, I’d buy it at the show!
Adam
They really need to update the M12 Fuel screwdriver. Go back to the single action bit retention, and stubbify it.
Even if it wasn’t a Fuel model, an brushless M12 driver would be welcome
Saulac
Any thoughts on a longer battery style? Same as the compact but twice as long, instead of the pot type. Probably good for straight tools such as die grinders…The battery becomes part of the handle. On second thought just pair it with any drill and you will look gangsta as heck.
JR Ramos
Sounds like a great risk for damaged contacts in the tool housing or even on the battery housing itself…all that leverage. Do do it smartly if you want a long battery like that, you’d want to take Makita’s early approach where those long NiCd stick batteries slid all the way into the housing. If for some reason that extra length sticking out of most M12 tools wasn’t a problem for ergonomics, usability, or safety, then they’d at least want to bolster the housing (as opposed to Makita-extending it) so prevent those leverage issues. Some of these tools draw enough amps that you really don’t want a poor, questionable, or broken connection and frankly I think Milwaukee’s connectors and connections are not what they should be, from either an electrical or durability standpoint, and they haven’t seemed to care to address that over the years (more reported problems with various M18 models rather than M12, though).
JR Ramos
Stuart, maybe consider normalizing the weight figures for each model to make it a better comparison. According to Milwaukee the typical small 3-cell packs weigh about the same. The new subcompact lists weight with one of those packs but the rest were advertised tool-only.
I was going to mention that $99 M12 Fuel kit – that’s a great bargain and I’d tell almost anyone to pick one up at that price.
I thought more about this subcompact after your initial post and to be honest I can’t think of any single time where the front-to-back length of the drill kept me from getting something done – except a time with tightly spaced shelving in a bookcase where the shelves had been screwed into the pin shelf supports, but in that case even this subcompact would not have fit with a bit in it (or if it did, it would not have fit once the screws started backing out). In that case I just used an angle adapter, easy peasy except for the fiddle factor with those. I really can’t think of an application that I have ever been faced with where this overall loss of 2″ in length would have been any advantage or solution.
In most of their marketing photos they try to show the subcompact edging in close to a fastener by a wall/corner…but it’s the exact same with any other drill, even 1/2″ chucks, so no advantage to subcompact there.
The other thing that dawned on me is that I like a little more housing to grab on to with my free hand for applied pressure and/or guidance and stability. The shorter the housing the fewer the grip options and the greater likelihood of having to block off the air flow venting. Not convinced that shorter, on a drill, is any advantage at all. I think it’s great for impact wrenches, maybe even impact drivers, and a few other tools, but not drills – they’ve already become nicely compact almost across the board, so making them shorter still just seems like a fun challenge for the engineers and product designers rather than something that will benefit most users.
JR Ramos
Should add that if this reduced length is really helpful, maybe an actually-short tool like an angle drill might be more helpful. It’d be nice if they could upgrade that model and give it some oomph. Where the 5+ inches of drill body may still not be enough to help you out, say, drilling for an ez-out or bolt removal on a vehicle, an angle drill will likely get you there easily with jobber, mechanic, or stubby bits.
Matt_T
Shorter drills are useful for pretty much any “mechanical” trade. Angle drills are an even shorter option but not near as easy to use. Better to use a short regular drill if it’ll fit.
fred
In our fabrication business – we’d often be drilling in very confined spots – repairing aircraft panels and the like. Nothing like using a Dotco or similar right angle pneumatic drill with 1/4-28 thread for stubby adapter bits:
https://www.zoro.com/dotco-drill-ra-53k-04hp-14in-28-int-thrd-15lf281-62/i/G4561509/?q=G4561509
https://www.panamericantool.com/threaded-shank-adapter-drills/threaded-shank-adapter-drill-wire-sizes-stubby.html
Stuart
This one is advertised with respect to with-battery weight. Most other times, tool weights are usually for tool-only unless explicitly advertised otherwise.
I don’t have a test sample to weigh, and don’t want to guess the tool-only weight. It’s on my list of things to ask about or measure once it launches. Update: Milwaukee has the tool-only weight listed as 1.58 lbs.
What I’m most interested in is the balance. With a shorter length, more of the power train mass is moved closer to the hand.
Generally, more compact drilling and driving tools also deliver improve control. I’ve found that I can more accurately start a hole with shorter tools.
Did Milwaukee *seek* to make a shorter drill? Consider how long the brushed motor model has been on the market. The new SubCompact model might be the main value-priced model for the next decade.
There needs to be clear reasons for tool users to consider this model over the M12 Fuel.
We know that Milwaukee calls this their smallest and lightest cordless drill. What we don’t know is whether that is consequential, rather than a primary design intent.
JR Ramos
More mass/less leverage over the point of grip, yes, but this tool also lost a lot of meat so that little bit of length difference probably doesn’t feel the same as if the tool actually weighed the same as a longer model. But this is also probably really picking nits…I’m going to guess that they’ll feel about the same in hand/in use.
I think they absolutely sought out the…compaction. Can’t be accidental. You can’t just tweak a Fuel to make it shorter without redesign that is surely more extensive than it might first appear. Whether or not the old dinosaur disappears or is intended to be replaced by this new subcompact is irrelevant there.
It’ll be fun to get hands on one of these at some point but for me I just can’t see it being attractive over a Fuel even if it’ll be typically priced lower. That might be the same for a lot of actual tool users but if they can run it at low occasional-homeowner prices then it’ll probably be a hit in that category…and as long at it’s moderately durable/serviceable then for sure some trades will pick it up and appreciate the drop in ounces which don’t sound like much on paper but will be notice in overhead use or awkward reaches. But the way Milwaukee’s recent quality and QC issues have been, I would definitely let others be the guinea pigs for awhile, to see how this actually does. They have made me hesitant to buy any of their new tools now (and many releases haven’t been attractive anyway for one reason or a few reasons). It’s to the point that I have bought into other platforms and will shop those for comparison if Milwaukee catches my eye with a new tool.
Nick
This 3401 subcompact appears to weigh 1.6 lbs without the battery for what it’s worth.
KokoTheTalkingApe
I love it. I use the heck out of my 2407, mostly for building furniture and other small projects. I nearly pulled the trigger (see what I did there?) on the installation driver, but the weird controls kept me away. But this guy is lighter and has more torque.
KokoTheTalkingApe
But after I actually read the entire article, I ordered the Fuel hammer drill. (feels sheepish)
ElectroAtletico
That sucker will be for sale in 2025 Black Friday for around $89 as a kit (charger & 2 batteries). Mark my words.
Stuart
The 2407-22 M12 brushed motor drill kit with 2 batteries is $79 right now. The 3404-21 M12 Fuel hammer kit with 1 battery is $99.
The 3601-21P M18 compact brushless drill kit with 1 battery is typically $99 for major holiday seasons.
There are too many possibilities. Maybe $99 for a 1-battery kit with compact Packout tool case?
JR Ramos
I had to run to HD for some dust masks and happened to run into/be approached by a Milwaukee rep while I was there. We chatted almost 45 minutes about all kinds of things and he was willing to share a little back-end stuff about his job and what he knew about “things.” He hasn’t even heard of these new subcompacts yet, didn’t know a thing about them. I was hoping he might have something to share, more details, but I’ll just have to wait. He’s a different kind of rep than the ones that serve the industrial customers and service centers…pretty interesting to hear about the HD/TTI relationship and how exactly that plays out behind the scenes with job duties and such and such – very very different retail landscape than it ever has been before.