Milwaukee M18 Fuel Cordless Compact Router Review

May 16, 2023

Milwaukee seemed late to the cordless router game. However, that extra time gave them time to learn from their competitor's shortcomings and produce the most well-rounded option currently available.

There were plenty of cheers when the Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless compact router was first announced. Now that the initial excitement has died down and we’ve had more time to use it, how does it compare to the other cordless options out there?

In terms of speed, this M18 Fuel compact router operates at 31,000 RPM. That makes it one of the fastest cordless routers on the market (Kobalt claims 31,500 RPM) and Milwaukee says it hits the 1 1/4 HP mark we expect from trim routers. In terms of real-world cutting power, it translates well and is one of the strongest cordless routers we’ve tested.

We were really impressed with the power of this tool. We started by popping in a Milwaukee M18 5Ah battery and going to town with a cut-off bit, a larger size roundover bit, and a 1/2-inch rabbet bit. These are large bits for the size of this router, so the power claims are real. Since those initial tests, we’ve done a ton of edge routing along with cutting out various dadoes, rabbets, and even free-hand designs side-by-side with other models and its performance continues to find its way to the top.

The variable speed dial lets you set different speeds and you can dial it all the way down to 10,000 RPM in the lowest setting. The placement of the dial is conveniently on the side where both it and the power switch are in easy reach.

Milwaukee says you should be able to do 250 linear feet of roundover in red oak with that battery. For smaller projects like the ones we’ve been doing, a 3.0Ah High Output battery is a good way to shave a little weight without dropping your performance.

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The tool feels good in the hand—smooth and powerful and not too big to hold on to. There are a couple of models we like a little better, but not by much. Overall, Milwaukee's combination of barrel diameter and overmold make it a comfortable tool to use.

Weight is right in the middle of the pack. The router weighs 3.01 pounds bare and a 5.0Ah battery brings it up to 4.63 pounds. If you prefer that 3.0Ah HO pack, it drops down to 4.36 pounds.

The battery does make it a little bit top-heavy, but that has been the case with every cordless router we’ve used so far. Suffice it to say, you probably want to avoid the 12.0Ah HO pack on this tool!

You can make both macro and 1/64-inch micro-adjustments to dial in the depth exactly as you need it. This level of depth adjustment matches what we’d want to see in a high-end trim router. We also like that Milwaukee etched the measurements into the barrel rather than using a sticker or paint that will eventually wear off.

The micro-adjustment dial is right underneath the power switch and functions smoothly. Likewise, there's a push-button macro release on the clamp that makes large adjustments or switching bases an easy operation.

Milwaukee's viewing cutout on their bases is excellent, providing some of the best slightlines we’ve seen. They also put a pair of LEDs towards the front that does a nice job of keeping your working area lit. The lack of a third LED on the backside or a more symmetrical placement on the sides doesn't seem to hurt your view around the back sides of the bit. There's plenty of light to go around.

The new Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless compact router is priced at $179 for the bare tool. With that, you get a 4-inch round base plate, 5 3/4-inch template sub-base plate, and a 1/4-inch collet along with a collet wrench.

Depending on which retailer you prefer to shop at, Milwaukee has several bare tool, base, and combo kit configurations to choose from. You can also pick up plunge and offset bases individually.

The Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless compact router took a while to make it to the market behind several other brands. However, that wait seems well worth it. Milwaukee improved the shortcomings of their competition and delivered the most complete cordless router out there. While there are other models we rate highly, we think Milwaukee has the best cordless router currently available.