Milwaukee has new M12 Fuel cordless ratchets on the way, and they offer significant upgrades compared to earlier generation tools.
The new Milwaukee cordless ratchets will be available in 1/4″ (3052), 3/8″ (3053), and 1/2″ (3054) drive styles.
They feature a new brushless outer rotor motor that allows for both high speed and power.
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This means that you don’t need to choose between torque or speed, you get a combination of both.
Each ratchet comes with both a paddle switch cap and a finger switch cap, allowing users to customize the tool to their preferences.
Users who want greater customization options can opt to purchase what Milwaukee is calling a modular trigger cap kit, which features (4) button trigger caps and an extended paddle trigger cap.
The switch caps can be easily installed or swapped out by users. I had the chance to briefly test the new ratchets at Milwaukee’s Pipeline media event, and my initial take was that the switch caps felt very secure. If I didn’t know they were interchangeable, I would have guessed they were factory-installed.
Max Torque
1/4″ (3052): 45 ft-lbs
3/8″ (3053): 70 ft-lbs
1/2″ (3054): 80-ft-lbs
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Max Speed
1/4″ (3052): 550 RPM
3/8″ (3053): 400 RPM
1/2″ (3054): 300 RPM
The 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets have a height of 12″, and the 1/2″ ratchet is 12.2″. Similarly, the two smaller ratchets weigh 1.5 lbs without battery, and the 1/2″ ratchet weighs 1.7 lbs.
Milwaukee designed the ratchets to be compact and lightweight. Should you need an even slimmer head design, low-profile anvil assemblies can be purchased separately for all three sizes.
Additional features include a targeted LED work light, battery isolation system, and optimized raised forward and reverse switch.
Milwaukee says the new ratchets were designed to tackle users’ core frustrations and deliver uncompromising performance. They also say that: with redefined access and improved comfort, these new ratchets stand out as the ultimate cordless solution.
The ratchets are aimed at automotive, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing tradespersons, and also users in the industrial trades.
Pricing and Availability
Following is everything that has been announced so far, with launch pricing.
M12 Fuel 1/4″ Ratchet
- Bare Tool – 3052-20 ($229)
- Kit – 3052-21 ($329)
- Protective Boot – 49-16-3052 ($29)
- Low Profile Ratchet Assembly – 49-06-3052 ($35)
M12 Fuel 3/8″ Ratchet
- Bare Tool – 3053-20 ($229)
- Kit – 3053-21 ($329)
- Protective Boot – 49-16-3053 ($29)
- Low Profile Ratchet Assembly – 49-06-3053 ($35)
M12 Fuel 1/2″ Ratchet
- Bare Tool – 3054-20 ($229)
- Kit – 3054-21 ($329)
- Protective Boot – 49-16-3054 ($29)
- Low Profile Ratchet Assembly – 49-06-3054 ($35)
M12 Fuel Ratchet Modular Trigger Switch Cap Kit – 49-16-3053MTC ($29) – Buy it at Acme Tools
All of the kits (305X-21) will come with an M12 2.5Ah High Output battery and an M12 charger.
Launch ETA: January 2026
Discussion
We’ll be talking more about the new ratchets soon, as I found the outer motor rotor to be fascinating.
Because of how it’s designed, the motor’s greater rotational inertia contributes towards maintaining speed and torque during operation. There is a tradeoff, in the form of slightly greater power consumption at startup and slowdown. Overall users should experience faster application speeds.
As I see it, the two best selling points of the new line of ratchets are the customizable paddle and button switch caps, and the higher torque and speed capabilities.
With the current generation of Milwaukee M12 Fuel cordless ratchets, there’s no choice in switch styles – you get the air tool-like paddle switch, and that’s it. The new ratchets give you a choice out of the box, and the ability to go further than that to suit your preferences.
But besides that, the speed and torque means you don’t have to choose between two models. Let’s consider the 3/8″ ratchet.
New M12 Fuel 3/8″ Ratchet : 70 ft-lbs max torque, 400 RPM max speed.
Current M12 Fuel 3/8″ Ratchet: 55 ft-lbs max torque, 200 RPM max speed.
Current M12 Fuel High Speed 3/8″ Ratchet: 35 ft-lbs max torque, 450 RPM max speed.
Compared to the existing M12 Fuel ratchet, the new model delivers double the speed AND higher torque. Compared to the existing M12 Fuel high speed ratchet, the new model is nearly as fast and delivers double the max torque.
From everything I’ve seen so far, these new cordless ratchets look to be a significant upgrade.
New M12 Fuel Extended Reach Cordless Ratchets
Milwaukee will also be launching new customizable M12 Fuel extended reach ratchets, with an expected launch estimate of Q3 2026.
The extended reach ratchets will be available in 1/4″ (3058), 3/8″ (3059), and 1/2″ (3055) sizes, and look to share the same features as the standard-length models.
Ben
I for one am greatly looking forward to the outer-rotor motor discussion. That sounds really cool. From a quick search on Google Patents I wasn’t able to find anything recent – did they provide any more info recently Stuart?
Stuart
We went over it a bit at Pipeline, but it was quick and I didn’t take good enough notes. I hope to have a call with the product manager by the time the ratchets are ready to launch.
These are new motors for Milwaukee, bit similar tech already exists outside the cordless power tool industry,
As I understand it, the outer rotor motor is like an inside-out motor, with the external shell rotating, and it acts somewhat like a directly-turned flywheel, with inertia of the outer rotor contributing to higher power delivery.
Other than slightly less efficient speed ramp-up, I didn’t see any downsides.
Wayne R.
I recall having read that WW1 fighter plane engines were similar; the crankshaft was connected to the plane, and the rest of the motor spun with the propeller, improving the air cooling of the thing. Of course, the gyroscopic effects of that spinning mass was super confusing to pilots and caused a lot of crashes/dead pilots.
These probably won’t have similar effects.
CoBlue
Outer rotor motors give better torque at low speeds. Ideal for something like a ratchet, or in other cases where they may allow the removal of a gearbox. The greater rotational mass makes them less suited at high RPMs. Precise balancing and vibation become more important. They’re less suitable for a router or die grinder at 20k RPM.
For power tools, the biggest relevant downside is that they’re harder to cool when enclosed.
Mike
I’ve got one of the current extended reach ratchets and I love that thing. One of the best tool purchases I’ve made in a long time. I’m restoring a Mustang at home right now and I’m constantly finding uses for it.
Levi
What does this feature refer to?
“battery isolation system”
Stuart
This is also something I hope to ask in a call with the product manager.
Here’s an image:
With most power tools, you want the battery decoupled from the tool, as this helps protect the physical and electrical connections from vibration and shock damage.
Not this time, but at least year’s Pipeline event I spoke to a product manager about steps they were taking to ease M12 battery insertion and removal from the impact wrenches. I’m assuming that’s part of the benefit here too. Or it could just be to protect the battery from tool vibration.
Saulac
I have noticed that the high output compact batteries are a bit easier to insert and remove. Seems to be a different plastic allowed thinner locking tabs > messier to squeeze.
Andy
Milwaukee changed the material and tab design to make the high output batteries easier to remove and more resistant to oil / solvents.
They’ve also started to improve vibration isolation on M12 and M18 tools like impact wrenches to help reduce the chances of knocking batteries off the tools and to help prevent that vibration from damaging the batteries.
David
Well done Milwaukee! Always bringing improvements to their M12 lineup! I currently have the 1/4” and 3/8” brushed ratchets along with the brushless 3/8” drive. So much competition with no name brands appearing almost daily, I am sure Milwaukee may have been feeling the pinch and had to upgrade. I am a DIYer so I am not using my ratchets everyday but nice to know there are upgraded versions coming out. I especially like the speed difference in the new ratchets!
Rog
Can they figure out a way to slim the tools while keeping them backwards compatible for us baby-handed users? 🙂
Brian
Absolutely need more info on the low profile ratchet assembly, side by side comparisons, etc. I love my current 3/8 fuel ratchet, but it does need more torque, and it looks like these will satisfy that.
Stuart
As I understand it, the low-profile ratchet anvil assemblies shorten the protruding height of the forward/reverse knob height. This is the 3/8″ or 1/2″ low profile assembly.
Jared
Upon reading that description, I was wondering why they weren’t all “low profile” by default if that was an option. I went searching for an image even before scrolling this far down the comments. Safe to assume that’s all it does then – e.g. make it so the direction switch doesn’t protrude?
It makes sense in that context. Basically Milwaukee could make them all shorter by default, but only by making the selector switch harder to access. The version they sell makes more sense, but it’s nice that this is available for purchase.
Bill
What do you mean by “Rach ratchet”?
Stuart
Sorry, *Each ratchet*. Thank you – *fixed*!
Wayne R.
I don’t have any of these tools and want to add one, likely just one, a 3/8 version. My brain keeps insisting on a long one versus a short one.
What’s a good place to start and why, please?
And will they eat chrome sockets?
Stuart
3/8″ is a good place to start. If you need convincing, I think you might also want to consider one of the more affordable options. via Home Depot:
Brushed Ratchet Bundled with Cordless Screwdriver Kit – will likely be discounted for Black Friday
Same Bundle with a Bit Set – Already at a discount
M12 Fuel Impact Driver with M12 Fuel Ratchet Promo Kit
And if it works out well for you, you could then upgrade to the M12 Fuel later.
3/8″ is always a good starting point, in my opinion, because it can cover many of the same types of applications as 1/4″ and 1/2″ if need-be. Once there are too many exceptions to that, it’d be time to expand your tool kit. That’s how I feel about hand ratchets, and it translated well to cordless ratchets.
Don’t get me wrong – I am very excited about the new ratchets and have high expectations for them. But if I’m spending your money, and you’re saying you don’t already have cordless ratchets, and you’re not quite sure where to start, I feel compelled to protect your wallet.
If you’re coming from air tools, that’s a different story. That’s where the M12 ratchets originally came from, the goal of giving tool users a capable battery-powered tool that allows them to do without air hoses and noisy compressors.
Mitherial
^ Unlike much more powerful impact wrenches, these 12-volt ratchets won’t harm normal chrome sockets under normal use — you do not need to use impact sockets.
As for long-vs-short, the vast majority of the time, I prefer the long-neck because it gives you that much more “reach”; but if you have some very cramped access situation obviously the shorter ones would be more likely to fit.
I would also echo Stuart’s recommendation for starting with a 3/8″–unless you use mostly very small bolts/nuts–or 3/8″ and 1/2″. In actual practice, even with the 1/2″ model, you would still need a breaker-bar or impact-wrench for breaking free the larger bolts that are typical for 1/2″ (or greater) sockets — and for precision work, you still need a torque-wrench.
Milwaukee sells powered torque-wrenches, which Stuart has a nice write-up on–but those are a good bit larger/unweildy and *much* more expensive:
https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-m12-cordless-torque-wrench-explained-2465-2466/
Mitherial
Correction: “I would also echo Stuart’s recommendation for starting with a 3/8″–unless you use mostly very small bolts/nuts–or 3/8″ and ***1/4″***
Mitherial
If you work on cars or really anything with lots of bolts, 12volt ratchets completely change the whole experience in the same way as power-drilling vs hand-drilling; they don’t do anything that you cannot accomplish with hand ratchets (or with an unweildy air ratchet), but they are *so* much more pleasant to use over time, particulrly when you are underneath a vehicle with your arm canted at some awkward angle (which is most of the time tinkering with car repairs)
I dont’ actually “need” the extra speed or torque of these new models, but will probably eventually buy the extended-reach version anyway
AP
I looked at the Milwaukee ratchets a couple years ago and ended up going with the extended reach Ryobi 1/4 & 3/8 for $169. Too bad these weren’t around because I’d have snatched them up!
Nathan
The price is hard to swallow for diy. But I do like these changes. the changeable switch is nice I bet that low profile had is hard to use with gloves which is why it’s optional. I keep putting off buying a cordless ratchet for quite a while now. If I bought one or 2 tomorrow I would but a standard length 3/8 and a extended 1/4. Why on a car where I find I use 1/4 drive there are more instances where access is an issue. Take dash removal. Vs usually for 3 /8 I find I have room and usually it’s a extension or deep socket issue.
Meanwhile does my memory disserve me or didn’t Milwaukee say in the manual for the original ratchets do not use them to break free manually? Is that still an issue
Jim Felt
I use one or two of the present generation only to speed up simple bolt and lag attachments.
But honestly these guys seem nearly unstoppable with what seem to me at least to be logical progressive product improvements/innovation.
My Bosch 12v and 18v tools sometimes “feel” more refined but “hand feel” alone isn’t going to carry them alone in NA. Yeah. There’s a half dozen other established brands but I just can’t deal with yet another set or two of battery’s.