Best Overall
Milwaukee 2866-20
- RPM
- 4500 RPM
- Weight
- 2.5 lbs
- Power Source
- Battery 18V
- Depth Adjustment
- Adjustable nosepiece
Pros
- Magnesium gear housing and all-metal gear case stand up to daily jobsite abuse.
- 4,500 RPM delivers fast, consistent screw driving, matching corded speed.
- At just 2.5 lbs, it’s exceptionally light for all-day overhead use.
Cons
- Auto-start sensor can miss screw engagement at certain angles, requiring a manual trigger pull.
The Milwaukee 2866-20’s brushless motor spins at 4,500 RPM, delivering a pace that keeps up with corded guns while ditching the cord. At 2.5 pounds, the tool balances effortlessly overhead, and the depth-adjustment collar stays put once set — a small detail that prevents overdrives across hundreds of screws. The magnesium gear housing and all-metal gear case shrug off jobsite bumps. Auto-start spins the motor only on contact, so you hear the tool only when it’s working, and battery drain stays low.
The auto-start sensor may not pick up every screw at sharp angles, requiring an occasional trigger pull, but in flat wall and ceiling work this is rarely a problem. Overhead, the 2.5-pound weight reduces shoulder fatigue across long days. The gun is a natural fit for M18 users who hang drywall daily and want top-tier speed without cord tangle. It’s not aimed at buyers without existing M18 batteries or those tackling a single room — a corded screw gun would be a more cost-effective choice.
💡 Tip: Keeping the nosepiece flush against the surface helps the auto-start engage consistently.
Bottom line: For M18 users hanging drywall professionally, the 2866-20’s cordless speed and feather-light balance make the occasional auto-start hiccup a reasonable tradeoff.
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