At its Pipeline 2026 event, Milwaukee officially detailed its highest-torque cordless impact wrench ever, and this one is aimed squarely at the pneumatic guns in heavy-duty shops. The new M18 FUEL 3/4-inch High Torque Impact Wrench comes in two versions: the standard 2964 and the extended-reach 2969 with a 6-inch anvil.
Both share identical internals. They are built for tire service, heavy equipment maintenance, and large utility work, the jobs where a 1/2-inch tool runs out of room and an air line is normally the answer.
Specs at a Glance
- Fastening torque: 1,800 ft-lbs
- Breakaway (nut-busting) torque: 2,000 ft-lbs
- Max no-load speed: 2,000 RPM
- Impact rate: 2,100 IPM
- Weight (bare): 8.1 lb
- Battery: M18, 8.0Ah FORGE recommended
- Anvil (2964): standard 3/4-inch plug style
- Anvil (2969): 6-inch extended reach, same drive
Milwaukee claims up to 40% faster removal than cordless and air competition. On a single 8.0Ah FORGE pack, the standard model is rated for up to 120 1-1/4-inch bolts; the extended-reach version handles about 10 tires, or 100 lug nuts, per battery.
Pricing and Kits
| Model | Layout | Bare | Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2964 | Standard anvil | $499 | $849 |
| 2969 | 6-inch extended reach | $599 | $949 |
Kits include two 8.0Ah FORGE batteries and a rapid charger. A protective boot runs $49 extra, and the tools carry a 3-year warranty. If you already own the 1/2-inch 2864, you are probably fine sticking with it unless you need the extra torque or the extended-reach anvil.
Smart Modes Do the Heavy Lifting
The headline additions are the Mode 4 settings, the guardrails that make a 2,000 ft-lbs tool feel usable daily instead of terrifying.
- 2964 Auto-Stop: delivers around 75 ft-lbs of fastening torque forward to avoid over-torquing aluminum or plastic hardware; reverse slows to 750 RPM
- 2969 Lug Nut Snug mode: caps fastening torque for rim installation
How It Stacks Up
Against the closest cordless rivals, this Milwaukee tops the fastening and breakaway numbers: expect the Makita GWT01 around 1,330 ft-lbs fastening and the DeWalt DCF964 around 1,420. The brand also positions this as the first real cordless replacement for pneumatic guns, comparing it to Ingersoll Rand’s 2146Q1MAX, which matches it on nut-busting but comes up well short on fastening torque at roughly 1,300 ft-lbs.
The trade-off is weight. At 8.1 lb bare before the battery, this is not a small tool, and you pay for the power. It also needs FORGE packs to hit the headline numbers, so factor battery cost into the buy-in if you are new to the platform.
Against Milwaukee’s own previous 1/2-inch high-torque line, the story is similar to what we saw from the next-gen 1/2-inch M18 FUEL models this spring. Move up a drive size and you buy more capability, but the brand’s own recommendation is that the 2864 is still plenty for most shops unless you need maximum torque or the extended reach.
If you are still shopping the category, our best cordless impact wrenches roundup lays out the current field and what to look for, and the Milwaukee click-type torque wrenches cover the precision end of the same jobs.
When and Where
Both models target a late 2026 release window, with pricing and specs now confirmed by Milwaukee’s press materials. Milwaukee is carried exclusively through Home Depot in the U.S. under its retail model. No retailer listing or confirmed ship date yet, so check manufacturer specs for final numbers and verify local availability.
If you work on lug nuts regularly, pair the 2969 with our lug nut torque chart to keep from overtightening.
Source: Pro Tool Reviews, via Milwaukee press materials.