Dremel is one of the most popular brands when getting a cordless rotary tool. It’s so popular that it has become a verb. We often read or listen to “Dremel it.”
Dremel is famous for its wired rotary tools, and Milwaukee is known for its cordless tools. Both companies make high-quality products, but Dremel is associated with indoor working in a closed environment on a table.
On the other hand, Milwaukee is the brand associated with getting dirty, professional work in challenging and harsh environments.
We will compare Milwaukee m12 vs. Dremel cordless rotary tools in the following categories:
Since Milwaukee have only one M12 rotary tool, while Dremel has four versions, we will compare all versions and see how they level with each other.
Here is a quick summary of all tools before you check the details.
1. Build Quality m12 vs. Dremel
Both these tools come from high-end brands, and both are expensive. There are no issues with the quality of the product concerning both tools.
The m12 matches the aesthetic of all other Milwaukee products with a rough and rugged build.
The latest models of Dremel are esthetically more beautiful. The old ones, like 8220, look a bit old school.
| Image | Model | Build Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Robust |
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Value for Money |
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Pleasing Aesthetics |
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Another noteworthy point is the turn-on switch location for Dremel and Milwaukee M 12 rotary tool.
The Dremel has the turn-on switch near its tip, while the Milwaukee M 12 rotary tool has its turn-on switch at the rear end.
The Dremel is quite convenient to use.
2. Weight
Below is the weight comparison of all these tools with the battery attached. These batteries come in the box if you have ordered a kit.
| Image | Tool (Model) | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 Lb (with 1.5 Amp Battery) | Check Price | |
| 1.37 Lb (with 2 Amp Battery) | Check Price | |
| 1.43 Lb (with 2 Amp Battery) | Check Price | |
| 1.31 Lb (with 3 Amp Battery) | Check Price | |
Pleasing Aesthetics | 1.31 Lb (with 3 Amp Battery) | Check Price |
The Dremel 8250 and 8260 are the lightest despite having the most significant battery size.
3. Accessories
These tools come with a similar head and accept all types of bits, wheels, and sanders available for Dremels. In addition, both have a collet that supports the 1/32 to 18-inch accessories.
But, when you buy these, everyone will come with different accessories in the box.
| Image | Model | Build Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Most Robust |
| Check Price | |
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| Check Price | |
Value for Money |
| Check Price | |
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| Check Price | |
Pleasing Aesthetics |
| Check Price |
4. RPM of m12 vs Dremel
Now let’s discuss the output RPM of each tool under no load.
However, the no-load max RPM does not translate to the actual output power each drill can deliver.
It depends on the power of the motor, battery capacity, the cooling system’s efficiency, and the tool’s robustness.
| Tool | Listed RPM | Actual Tested RPM (Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 | 5000-32,000 RPM | 31,000 RPM |
| Dremel 8220 | 5000-35,000 RPM | 31,000 RPM |
| Dremel 8240 | 5000-30,000 RPM | 29,000 RPM |
| Dremel 8250 | 5000-30,000 RPM | 26,900 RPM |
| Dremel 8260 | 5000-30,000 RPM | 25,500 RPM |
Our internal tests have shown that the Dremel 8260/8250 can maintain the high RPMs at high load, resulting in a faster work completion rate than the 8240/8220 and m12.
I will explain it further in the next section.
5. Cutting Time for 1/2 Inch Reber
To understand the capability of these rotary tools, we tested them by cutting a half-inch rebar. Below is how it performed.
| Tool | Cutting Time |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 (with 1.5 Amp Battery) | 1 Min 46 Sec |
| Milwaukee M12 (with 6 Amp Battery) | 45 Sec |
| Dremel 8220 (with 2 Amp Battery) | 1 Min 28 Sec |
| Dremel 8240 (with 2 Amp Battery) | 1 Min 22 Sec |
| Dremel 8240 (with 3 Amp Battery) | 1 Min 10 Sec |
| Dremel 8250 (with 3 Amp Battery) | 58 Sec |
| Dremel 8260 (with 3 Amp Battery) | 1 Min 02 Sec |
So what we see from the results is that the battery Amp Hour capacity significantly affects the time required to cut down half an inch rebar.
Higher amp hour batteries can deliver more power under the same voltage.
So a 1.5 amp hour battery with a c rating (Discharge rating) of 10 can deliver a max output power of 180 W.
On the other hand, a 6 amp-hour battery with a C rating of 10 can deliver a max output power of 720 W.
So under higher loads, a larger battery can provide more current, enabling quick cutting times.
6. Battery Life
So to get an idea of how long each tool works on a single charge, we tested each at an idle load of 5000 RPM. Here are the results.
| Tool | Idle Running Time |
|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 (with 1.5 Amp Battery) | 1 Hour 20 Min |
| Dremel 8220 (with 2 Amp Battery) | 2 Hours 8 Min |
| Dremel 8240 (with 2 Amp Battery) | 2 Hours 14 Min |
| Dremel 8250 (with 3 Amp Battery) | 6 Hours 10 Min |
| Dremel 8260 (with 3 Amp Battery) | 6 Hours 10 Min |
Since all of them have different battery sizes, the run duration is not a very accurate test but will give you a good idea about how much power the electric motor is withdrawing at no load.
The Milwaukee seems to be wasting a lot of power on cooling the tool, but running it at higher loads pays off.
7. Charging time
Charging time is one of the most solid reasons for selecting the Milwaukee M 12 rotary tool over the Dremel.
Here are the results for the charging time of each battery for each tool.
| Tool | Charging Time Total | Charging Time (1 Amp Hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee M12 (with 1.5 Amp Battery) | 30 Min 30 Sec | 20 Min 20 Sec |
| Dremel 8220 (with 2 Amp Battery) | 1 Hour 3 Min | 31 Min 35 Sec |
| Dremel 8240 (with 2 Amp Battery) | 1 Hour 4 Min | 31 Min |
| Dremel 8250 (with 3 Amp Battery) | 1 Hour 33 Min | 31 Min |
| Dremel 8260 (with 3 Amp Battery) | 1 Hour 33 Min | 31 Min |
So, we can see that the Milwaukee charging speed is quite good compared to the Dremel charging speeds.
8. Spare Batteries & Chargers
When Dremel 8220 was introduced, the biggest complaint was acquiring spare batteries and chargers. Dremel used proprietary connectors and batteries, which were very hard to source.
Keeping this in mind, Dremel introduced another version, 8240, to address this problem. The 8240 used the same batteries with Bosch 12 V tools.
Those same batteries now work with the 8250 and 8260.
On the other hand, Milwaukee uses the same m12 series batteries and chargers for their rotary tool, a plus sign for those already invested in m12 series Milwaukee tools.
So if you already have m12 Milwaukee tools and batteries, you should consider getting the m12 rotary tool as you won’t have to spend money on charges and batteries.
9. Noise
These tools have a noise level of 84-89 dB at a distance of 10 cm, which I think is not a deciding feature.
The sound levels will be much higher when you cut or grind something with it, so get ready for that.
10. Retail Price
Now let’s discuss the retail prices for each tool, which can vary from time to time or from one platform to another.
Even physical stores sell them at different rates depending on running promotions and stuff. But you will get an idea of how expensive each of them is.
Prices at the time of writing this blog post
| Image | Model | MRSP | Latest Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Editor's Choice | 99 USD | Check Latest Price | |
Best buy if you have m12 Tools | 89 USD | Check Latest Price | |
 | 137 USD | Check Latest Price | |
| 109 USD | Check Latest Price | |
| 149 USD | Check Latest Price | |
| 169 USD | Check Latest Price |
Final Verdict
If you already have m12 tools on hand, you should not think twice before getting the Milwaukee M12 Tool. With larger batteries, this tool is a beast.
Get the Dremel 8240 if your work does not rely on other cordless tools and you rarely need to use your rotary tool.
The 8250/8260 are direct competitors of M12 for professional work.
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