The Milwaukee 3450-22 M12 Subcompact Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver Kit is a cordless fastening kit built for electricians, cabinet installers, maintenance techs, remodelers, and any pro who needs a compact driver that still gets real work done. This is a cordless impact driver designed for driving screws and fasteners in tight spaces. Model Number 3450-22. The big reason this kit matters is simple: it gives you the access and carry comfort of a small 12V tool without feeling underpowered for everyday fastening work.

Milwaukee rates this tool at up to 1,100 in-lbs of torque, up to 3,000 RPM, and up to 4,100 impacts per minute. On the job, that means quicker starts, faster seating, and less waiting around on repetitive fastening tasks. If you're installing hardware, running self-tapping screws, assembling cabinets, working inside panels, or handling service calls, those numbers translate into more fasteners driven in less time.

The size is what separates this driver from bulkier options. At only 4.3 inches long and 2.0 inches wide, it is built to reach fasteners that are tucked into corners, behind framing members, inside casework, or near obstacles where a larger impact driver forces you to change your angle or grab a right-angle attachment. That shorter nose also gives you better line of sight on the bit, which helps when you are starting screws one-handed or working in finished spaces where control matters.

Weight matters too, especially for overhead work and service work where the tool stays in your hand all day. Milwaukee lists it at 1.3 lbs bare and 1.7 lbs with battery. That lighter setup reduces fatigue when you're hanging fixtures, installing electrical hardware, or running repeated fasteners above shoulder height. It also makes this a strong choice for techs who want a driver that stays clipped to a belt or rides in a small service bag without adding much bulk.

Milwaukee backed the compact size with a brushless motor and an internal metal gearcase. The brushless motor is there for efficiency, runtime, and lower wear compared to a brushed design. The metal gearcase matters because small tools still take real abuse, especially when they live in a van, get used for punch work, and spend time bouncing around a job bag. This one is clearly built to be more than a light-duty homeowner driver.

Jobsite practicality is strong here. The tool has an on-tool battery fuel gauge so you can check remaining charge without guessing, and Milwaukee's REDLINK Intelligence adds overload and temperature monitoring to help protect both tool and battery in heavier applications. It also uses a 1/4 inch hex chuck, which keeps bit changes fast and makes it easy to swap between common fastening accessories on the fly.

As part of the Milwaukee M12 system, this kit fits into a much larger cordless platform. It is compatible with M12 REDLITHIUM batteries and gives buyers a clean path to expand into other compact Milwaukee cordless tools without starting over on chargers and packs. Milwaukee also notes compatibility with accessory bit holder 49-16-3697, which makes sense for users who want to keep the most-used bit close to the tool.

Who should buy it? If you want maximum compactness for cabinet work, electrical rough-in and finish, maintenance, appliance install, remodeling, and general service calls, this is the kind of impact driver that earns its keep quickly. If your work centers on very large structural fasteners all day, a larger platform may make more sense. But for the tradesperson who values access, portability, and everyday speed, this kit hits a very useful sweet spot.

Milwaukee 3450-22 M12 Subcompact Brushless 1/4" Hex Impact Driver Kit for guys who care more about access than bragging rights

This is the kind of compact impact driver kit that makes a lot of everyday work easier because it gets where bigger tools don't and still drives fast enough to stay productive.

• Who it's for: Electricians, cabinet installers, service techs, remodelers, and anyone doing repeated fastening in finished spaces or tight spots.
• Why it stands out: The 4.3 inch length, 1.7 lb working weight, brushless motor, and full M12 compatibility make it a very practical grab-first driver.
• Worth knowing: This is a compact 12V tool built for access and daily fastening, not the best pick if your whole day is large structural lags or heavy ledger work.

• Is this a brushed or brushless impact driver? It uses a brushless motor.
• What battery system does it use? It is part of the Milwaukee M12 battery platform.
• How compact is this impact driver? The tool measures 4.3 inches in length and 2.0 inches in width.
• Does it support ONE-KEY? No, Milwaukee lists this model as not ONE-KEY enabled.
• What kind of bits does it accept? It uses a 1/4 inch hex chuck for standard impact driver bits and accessories.