For the price this is better than I expected. It does have a brushless motor. The claimed torque of "Up to 220Ft-lbs" is total nonsense. Using it side by side with the M18 2853-20 (rated at 2000 in-lbs or ~167 ft-lbs) and this impact driver is noticeably slower, and it's not even close. There is zero chance this is actually capable of hitting that 220-ft-lbs number.As long as you understand the limitations of a cheap tool and don't expect it to hold up to heavy use this is a decent budget option. I just can't recommend something that performs so far below the listed specs, so 3 stars is all it gets.

This impact driver designed to work with Milwaukee 18V batteries appears to be a clone of the Milwaukee 2953-20 impact driver. The driver arrived packaged in a plain brown carboard box with no markings and no instruction manual of any sort (despite the label which advised you to read the instructions before use). This did not create the best first impression. From the outside, the appears to be very similar to the Milwaukee only differing only in minor details.The chuck works well as does the direction switch and trigger. Like the Milwaukee, it has three led lights which offer good illumination. Also like the Milwaukee, it has a button to set the driver max speed on the base. The web page for this tool calls out three speed ranges, but there are actually four. The Milwaukee includes 3 speed settings and a 4th mode that stops the drill from stripping out screws, this driver does not have that mode.A Milwaukee 18V battery snapped right on but seemed to fit slightly more snuggly than when the same battery is installed on a Milwaukee tool., The battery also required just a bit more effort to remove (but not to the point of it being a problem of any sort). In use, the driver feels solid and works well. It offers plenty of torque and the 4 speed ranges helps give you more control when driving smaller screws or working with more delicate materials. I tested this driver on a small project requiring me to drive several dozen screws, it performed well, completing the job quickly and with good control. I also used it to extract several larger screws, one of which had a stripped head, and I was pleased with how the impact driver was able to still get enough grip to get the screw out. Overall, this tool is a good value compared to the Milwaukee but only time will tell if it is built as well and will last as long.

So I've got a very large collection of Milwaukee tools. I've got several1/4" hex impact drivers from Milwaukee. I've bought aftermarket batteries, but I've never bought an aftermarket power tool fitting the Milwaukee line.Didn't notice when I ordered it but once I opened the box, it didn't look like a quarter inch impact driver but more like the 3/8" impact wrench with a 1/4 hex collet. Clearly the business end of this thing is all beefy steel just like the impact wrench maybe even heavier. This thing is a Frankenstein and it works like one too. This is like one of the things you see on those online tool review testers where someone sends in a highly modified frankenbeast tool. Often crushing the factory tools. So if a 3/8" impact wrench had a baby with 1/4 hex head impact driver and you wanted your baby to be strong. This would be it.This thing has more torque than the Milwaukee 1/4 impact hex driver by a significant amount 220 FT lbs vs 2000 in lbs. (166.66 Ft lbs). It's not even close. I drove some large lag screws with this thing and it's a monster, faster and stronger.So positive:-It's a heavy robot beast. The front end of this is pure mass of metal.-Crazy the amount of torque if you're screwing in large long, structural fasteners, this is your tool. Large screw lag bolts will be no match for this thing-value it's pretty crazy. You're getting a tool this powerful at this price point.-I think it's a unique Frankenstein with a body like a half inch impact wrench, but with the tip of a quarter inch hex impact driverNegative:-it's loud, definitely louder then your typical quarter inch impact driver-The clutch on the trigger is definitely not as sensitive so if you're doing detail work, this is not your tool.-This is definitely less compact than a typical quarter inch hex impact driver. So if you're trying to fit in between Joists this may be an issue for the lag screws are long.-it definitely lack some of the refinement. Getting the battery in and out was not as smooth but not and real issue. The molding of the plastic just looked a little cheaper and less refined. But I think that kind of fits with the whole Frankenstein thing and it's a tool. I don't really care as long as It can do the job well.I tested this with a high output XC 6.0 battery and this thing was ripping fast and strong. I drove a couple of lags screws and there was no question this was more powerful than any 1/4 hex impact driver I have ever used not even close.I think this is a great value if you've got some large fasteners like large structural screws if you're building a gazebo a deck, a barn. Ledger board screws will be no match for this thing but you might need ear plugs. This thing lack some of the subtlety and refinement of the OEM but it more than makes up for it with raw power in a solid well built frame. This thing is like someone's street rod who they've completely modded and double the horsepower. You laugh at his paint job and fit and finish on the bodywork weird street stance, but then he just absolutely blows you away.This thing is a monster.

I'm definitely not an expert on power tools. I do know that Milwaukee is very high quality and I am a person who believes very strongly in having tools available for every and any possibility. You just never know when you will need something or when a situation will arise in which someone could help you with something a little more advanced (if only they had the tools with them). I'm almost always able to say, "you need a..., I've got one of those". These days I just look on the Internet and figure it out for myself, it's more fun and I learn something new. I also have enough tools that I have a good idea as to what is quality and what is junk. I through on the M18 battery and this powered right up and it's a working cordless impact driver. This particular tool is one that I am familiar with and it's an excellent addition to a proper tool kit.

This is an interesting brush-less unit. I have some Milwaukee tools, but lacked an impact driver. The other impact driver I own is a 12V mini Bosch (PS-41) and this thing definitely has more torque and speed. It didn't come with any instructions, but was easy enough to figure out. On the base above the battery is a button that after activating the trigger lets you change to 4 modes. #1 is the the slow speed with more torque. The #4 position has the least torque and spins the quickest with a full trigger. This #4 easily drove a 3" gold screw through a 2x4 without a pilot hole. If using a non full trigger, the hammer hit more often than the #1 setting confirming the torque numbers. This on all 4 settings blows my little Bosch 12V out of the water.I do really like how the face around the bit holder has 3 LEDS for easily seeing what you are driving and not one of those stupid LEDs on the handle that shines up. I have not used the unit enough to wear out a battery yet, so not sure how long the battery lasts. The rubber handle has a good feel and the balance of the head vs battery feels good.The only con I have is regarding the variable speed trigger. Regardless of the torque/speed setting, the first time I used it felt like it only had two speeds. This is not the case, it is just that the distance to pull back the trigger and activate the drill and then subsequent steps seem too close together. To activate the drill, you need to pull in the trigger 25% and that puts you at speed 2 not 1. If you release the trigger to 20% it then goes to slowest speed 1. Depending on the torque setting, you have a different number of steps and max RPM. On #1 you only got 3 steps, 25% step 2, 50 to Full step 3, 20% to 25% step 1. For torque setting #4 I counted 7 steps, but besides that funky starting at step 2 at 25%, you get the last step at 75% to Full trigger. That makes 6 steps in the middle 50%. Doesn't sound so bad, right, but the full trigger pull length is 3/8". Takes ~1/8" to start and last step is last 1/*8", so you get all the steps (besides backing off a teensie bit for slowest) in the middle 1/8" (yes I know this would be more like thirds not quarters like above percentages LOL). I didn't see any easy way to adjust it and am not willing to open it up. I expect I'll get used to it...I don't know if the OEM units have the same issue etc. It appears the OEM M18 Milwaukee Fuel Driver (2953-20) only has 3 torque/speed selections on the handle instead of 4, but I do not own it, so unsure about variable trigger steps vs speed/torque et al. The less expensive Milwaukee 2953-20 does have a more flexible RPM range per a family member and a smooth trigger actuation. This unit sits between those two in terms of torque. This one being rated at 200 Newton Meters and those being ~225 and ~175 NM respectively.If this still has the twenty buck coupon to nab one for about forty bucks vs the OEM well over a hundred it's a steal! Even at half price is great! P.S. Running the motor on full speed for 30 seconds without doing anything did not have any burning smell, noticeable sparks or anything.