Milwaukee model numbers explained: bare tool vs kit

Milwaukee model numbers look like 2953-20 or 2953-22. The first part is the tool. The part after the dash tells you what's in the box.

-20 means bare tool

A model ending in -20 is the bare tool: no battery, no charger. It's the cheapest way to add a tool if you already own batteries on that platform.

-21, -22 and up mean kit

For a single tool, -21 usually means a kit with one battery and -22 a kit with two batteries, plus a charger. Letters after the number, like XC or HD, usually hint at which battery comes in the box.

For combo kits, the last number is usually the number of tools: a 3697-22 has 2 tools, a 3697-25 has 5 and a 3697-27 has 7.

Bare tool or kit: which is the better buy?

Already own batteries? Buy the bare tool (-20). Starting out? A combo kit is usually the cheapest way to get batteries, a charger and two or more tools at once. Around Black Friday, kits often come with a free bare tool. See our Black Friday guide.