Milwaukee 5380-21 Review

Milwaukee 5380-21 Product Image

Editor Rating: 4.0/5

Good

Milwaukee 5380-21 Review

Reviewed by: Timothy Henderson

Published on: March 12, 2018

Last modified: Aug 19, 2022 @ 1:37 am

  • Design
  • Functionality
  • Price

Milwaukee 5380-21 Review Summary:

During more than 90 years of existence, Milwaukee has been one of the most innovative manufacturers of power tools in the world. For example, they were the first to create a right-angle drill (1949) and the first to use Lithium-Ion batteries in their cordless tools (2005). This is precisely why we’re always glad to have their products on a review.

Today, we’ve decided to take a closer look at one of their most popular hammer drills, called Milwaukee 5380-21. Powerful, durable, and easy to use, this unit is held in high regard by the consumers and professional reviewers, so we got one for ourselves and analyzed it in detail.

In the following paragraphs, you’ll be able to read about all features, advantages, and disadvantages of this popular device. If you’re in a market for a branded hammer drill, read on and find out if this one suits your needs!

Specifications:

  • Weight – 7.4lbs
  • Dimensions – 16.8″ x 13.5″ x 5.2″
  • Max Speed – 3,500 RPM
  • Motor Power – 9.0 AMP
  • Voltage – 120 volts

Milwaukee 5380-21 – The Basics


The Milwaukee 5380-21 is a robust hammer drill that provides convenient features and reliable power to its user. Featuring things like rotary drilling mode, percussion drilling mode, and the dual speed ranges, it gives the user greater control over the current task, whether he’s working in metal, wood, or masonry.

It sports a powerful 9.0 AMP motor, a very durable 1/2″ keyed chuck, and the signature anti-vibration system that’s bound to increase one’s productivity. The drill is also well-constructed and very ergonomic, with the addition of two convenient handles – the soft-grip main handle and the rotatable side handle.

When we combine all of this with Milwaukee’s famous 5-year warranty, we get a model that’s bound to become immensely popular. Let’s take a closer look at the unit’s design and power:

The Features


The Design


Sporting the signature red and black color combination, the 5380-21 has that well-known ergonomic design that prevents fatigue during the long drilling sessions. With the weight of over 7 pounds, the model is not the most lightweight hammer drill on the market, but it still sports that slim profile that allows smooth operation and handling. The housing looks and feels very durable, so you won’t have to worry about mechanical damage.

We were quite pleased with the presence of two robust handles. The first one is your standard soft-grip handle, and the second is the side handle that can be rotated for 360 degrees and is sure to give you better control over the drilling process. Enhanced user comfort is always a big plus in our book, and Milwaukee 5380-21 definitely checks that box.

The Anti-Vibration System (AVS) is yet another advantage of this unit. Its purpose is to increase the comfort and productivity by actively reducing the vibration – it works just as advertised.

Power


The thing that makes this model suitable for heavy-duty jobs is its powerful 9.0 AMP motor, achieving the speed of 3,500 RPM and 56,000 BPM. This higher amperage will allow you to easily drill through a wide variety of materials without any issues, be it masonry, wood, or steel. The motor is reversible (allowing driving operations), and it’s powering the 1/2″ keyed chuck, which is very durable and can securely hold the bit.

The speed is variable and operated via the precise trigger. There are two speeds: 0 – 1,500 RPM (low) and 0 – 3,500 RPM (high), enabling you to choose the correct speed for the task at hand. The internal clutch system also deserves some praise (it protect the drill’s gears), and the same can be said for Milwaukee’s impressive 5-year warranty period.

Milwaukee 5380-21 Box Kit

Pros:

N

Powerful 9.0 AMP motor

N

Robust handles for easy operation

N

AVS (Anti-Vibration System)

N

5-year warranty

Cons:

N

Wrong info in the user manual

N

Heats up when used for a long time

R

Things we liked about it

The combination of the ergonomic design and a powerful motor successfully turns this hammer drill into an excellent offer. The model handles beautifully in operation, and the thing that makes that possible is its two robust handles. The side handle is particularly impressive with its capability to be rotated for 360 degrees and is guaranteed to be of great help during the tougher drilling tasks.

We were very pleased with the results of our tests. The Milwaukee 5380-21 was more than capable of making holes in concrete, steel, and wood, which is not very surprising when we consider that it sports one of the most powerful engines in this price category. The 5-year warranty is yet another huge plus, and something we’re used to when it comes to Milwaukee power tools.

Q

Things we didn’t like

Our main complaint about this drill is that it comes with a miss-informative user manual, which is something we surely didn’t expect from such a reputable manufacturer. Figuring out how to switch from the drill mode to the hammer drill mode is more difficult than it should be, and the manual doesn’t provide a clear explanation.

Furthermore, we’ve noticed that the unit tends to heat up when you’re using it for a long time. Since this can severely damage the internal components, we advise you to take frequent breaks when using it.

What Users Say About The Milwaukee 5380-21


Despite a few minor drawbacks, the consumers are very pleased with Milwaukee 5380-21. Some of them are deeming the unit as the best hammer drill they’ve ever owned, praising its efficient motor and the convenient design.

Other consumers admire the built-in Anti-Vibration system, as well as the variable speed trigger that allows precise drilling even in the densest materials. All users agree on one thing, though – the 5-year warranty period is something that gives them confidence about the unit’s durability and reliability.

Conclusion


In conclusion, we can safely say that 5380-21 is yet another great product from Milwaukee and one of the best drills of this type on the market. It is very easy to use; it features a durable construction; and it is powerful enough to help you with a myriad of drilling tasks both around the house and on the job site. What more could one want from a hammer drill?

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