New Milwaukee Tool Releases: Multi-Bit Drivers and M12 Fuel Subcompact Impact Wrenches

Introduction

Milwaukee Tool has announced a fresh batch of releases aimed at two very different ends of the toolbox: a pair of affordable multi-bit screwdrivers and two new subcompact impact wrenches for the M12 Fuel platform. If you are already invested in Milwaukee’s M12 battery system, the new impact wrenches are an easy fit. If you just want a well-made hand tool for around the house or the job site, the bit drivers cost about as much as lunch.

Here is a breakdown of each tool, what the specs claim, and who each one actually makes sense for.

6-in-1 Stubby Multi-Bit Screwdriver

Multi-bit screwdrivers have a mixed reputation. Many are chunky, awkward in tight spots, and generally less pleasant to use than a dedicated driver. Milwaukee is attempting to fix that with a stubby design built specifically for better access in confined spaces.

The 6-in-1 Stubby measures just 3 inches long, so it can fit where a standard screwdriver simply cannot reach. It uses a comfortable tri-lobe handle with an anti-pill cushion grip, and the included bit set covers Phillips #1 and #2, slotted 3/16 in. and 1/4 in., plus 1/4 in. and 5/16 in. nut drivers. The shaft is removable, which means you can swap in your favorite bits rather than being locked to what ships in the handle.

At $9.97 before tax, this is an impulse-buy price for a tool you will likely reach for constantly.

11-in-1 Multi-Bit Driver Two-Piece Kit

If you like the stubby concept but want more coverage, Milwaukee is also releasing a two-piece kit that bundles the 6-in-1 with an 11-in-1 multi-bit driver. The pair costs around $20, so the upgrade over buying the 6-in-1 alone is roughly $10 for a meaningful jump in bit selection.

The 11-in-1 adds the extra drivers and sockets that handle more general repair work, while the stubby in the box keeps tight-quarter access covered. For anyone stocking a garage drawer or a service bag, the two-piece kit is arguably the better value of the two options. Both drivers carry the same May 2025 release window.

M12 Fuel Subcompact 3/8 in. Impact Wrench

The bigger story in this announcement is on the M12 side. Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel line has built a strong following by packing real power into very compact bodies, and the new Subcompact impact wrenches continue that direction.

The 3/8 in. version claims up to 225 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque, which is a serious figure for a tool this small. Milwaukee highlights best-in-class access under the hood and lightest-in-class weight, both of which matter enormously when you are working around engines or machinery for long stretches. It features a friction ring anvil for secure socket retention.

The tool-only price is $199, and a kit version with batteries and charger is listed at $329. It is available either way, so M12 battery owners can add it cheaply while newcomers can jump in with a full kit.

M12 Fuel Subcompact 1/4 in. Impact Wrench

The 1/4 in. sibling targets even tighter spaces. It shares the subcompact body, the friction ring anvil, and the $199 tool-only price, but trades torque for reach, delivering up to 100 ft-lbs of nut-busting torque.

That output still covers a wide range of automotive fasteners and general mechanical work, and the smaller anvil means it slots into gaps the 3/8 in. cannot. No kit pricing has been listed for this model yet, though a kit version at a similar price to the 3/8 in. is a reasonable expectation.

For anyone who already runs M12 batteries, either subcompact wrench is a drop-in addition to the platform.

Do You Need the Protective Boot?

One extra worth noting: a protective tool boot for the new impact wrenches, sold separately at $29. No impact wrench ships with a boot, so this is a standard add-on accessory.

It earns its keep if you work under vehicles. Grease, grime and grit are the enemies of tool longevity, and the boot keeps much of that gunk out of the housing. For shop and automotive users, it is a cheap insurance policy for a tool you want lasting years.

Which One Should You Buy?

The bit drivers are no-brainer purchases at their price points. Buy the 6-in-1 stubby alone for tight spots, or step up to the two-piece kit if you want one screwdriver that handles almost everything.

The impact wrenches come down to anvil size. Choose the 3/8 in. if you want maximum torque from the M12 platform and the flexibility for suspension and wheel work. Choose the 1/4 in. if your work lives in genuinely cramped spaces and 100 ft-lbs covers your fasteners. Either way, M12 battery owners should price the tool-only version first, since $199 is far more attractive than $329 if you already own batteries.

Conclusion

This round of Milwaukee releases covers both ends of the toolbox thoughtfully: inexpensive hand tools that solve a real access problem, and compact M12 Fuel impact wrenches with genuinely competitive torque claims. For M12 platform fans, the subcompact wrenches are the headline; for everyone else, the stubby multi-bit is one of the cheapest useful upgrades you can make to a tool bag.