Milwaukee put real numbers behind its first dedicated M18 demolition hammer this week. The M18 FUEL 18 lb SDS MAX Demolition Hammer (3018-22HD) is a formal launch now, not a teaser: $1,299 for the kit, 11.4 ft-lbs (15.5 J) of impact energy, and a straight claim that it hits harder than an 18 lb corded model.
We covered this tool when Milwaukee first floated it back in May. The difference today is that the spec sheet is published and the tool is shipping, which is when a demo hammer becomes worth talking about.
What You Actually Get
| Spec | Milwaukee 3018-22HD |
|---|---|
| Impact energy | 11.4 ft-lbs (15.5 J) |
| Weight, bare | 17.2 lbs |
| Weight, with battery | 20.5 lbs |
| Chuck | SDS MAX, chipping only |
| Motor | POWERSTATE brushless |
| Anti-vibration | AVS |
| Dust control | VACLINK wireless extractor activation |
| Tracking | ONE-KEY built in |
| Kit batteries | 2x M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 (48-11-1813) |
| Charger | M18/M12 Rapid Charger (48-59-1808) |
| Price | $1,299 kit |
| Warranty | 5 years tool, 3 years battery |
The headline claim is the material removal rate. Milwaukee says one FORGE HD12.0 pack clears more than a third of a ton of concrete per charge.
That is the number that decides whether this tool replaces a corded breaker on a real job or just gets used for punch-list chipping.
Why Chipping-Only Matters
This tool does not drill. The 3018 is a pure demo hammer, which means all of the motor’s output goes into impact rather than being split with a rotary mechanism. If you are breaking tile, pulling mortar, or taking out a floor, that is exactly what you want.
The trade-off is obvious. If your day is a mix of drilling anchor holes and chipping, you still need a rotary hammer in the truck. Milwaukee’s own M18 FUEL SDS Max rotary hammers handle the drilling side, and the 3018 sits above them for demolition work. We break that lineup down in our cordless rotary hammer guide.
Where It Sits in the Lineup
Milwaukee now has two cordless demolition tiers. The MX FUEL 27 lb SDS Max hammer is the big gun at 26 joules, and it comes with the MX FUEL battery platform and the weight that goes with it.
The 3018 is the M18 answer: lighter, cheaper to get into, and it runs on the batteries most Milwaukee users already own. At 20.5 lbs with a battery it is still heavy enough to be a two-hand tool, but it is the one you can carry up a stairwell.
Four speed settings, chisel lock, and chisel-angle adjustment round out the control side. AVS is the feature you will care about after hour three.
What to Check Before You Buy
Milwaukee’s retail distribution runs through Home Depot, so that is where the kit should land first. Acme Tools has been taking pre-orders ahead of the November release.
Note that Home Depot has not listed the 3018-22HD as of this writing, so the buy link below goes to Milwaukee’s demolition hammer category rather than a single SKU.
If you are already invested in M18 FORGE batteries, price out the bare tool against the kit before you commit.
The kit’s two HD12.0 packs are a real chunk of the $1,299, and if you own them already you may not need them twice.
Prices and availability change fast on a new launch, so confirm the current listing before you budget. Check manufacturer specs for the full accessory and chisel compatibility list.