Milwaukee offers power tools for a wide variety of skill levels. The quality craftsmanship and premium feel of the tools make Milwaukee one of the premier manufacturers today. They can be used by DIYers and professionals to complete a variety of tasks around the home.
While Milwaukee tools do cost a premium, you get high-powered tools that are built to last. Milwaukee is also trying to make its tools more useful to more people, which is why its battery system is of particular note to people. That’s because they know that Milwaukee has overhauled its batteries to be some of the best out there. But what might not be so obvious is that Milwaukee changed how their batteries were built and upended the power game.
Milwaukee had a standard battery within its kits
It upgraded it for more efficiency
Milwaukee’s M18 line of batteries has been a staple of its tool lineup for more than a decade. The bigger the number alongside the M18, which usually followed an XC, mentions a stronger pack. For example, the M18 High Output XC6.0 pack runs at 6.0 Ah compared to the XC5.0, which runs at 5.0 Ah.
High Output is the middle of the cell families for Milwaukee batteries. It starts with REDLITHIUM, then moves to High Output before reaching the highest-powered FORGE lineup.
The M18 REDLITHIUM batteries have been the standard batteries in many starter kits for the past 15 or so years. Many Milwaukee tools function on them, as they deliver a solid run time for a ton of cordless power tools. You could get 1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 6.0 and 8.0 Ah batteries, but most of the standard ones came with a 3.0 Ah or a 5.0 Ah pack.
Milwaukee was providing REDLITHIUM batteries in most starter kits to give users a taste of the power that they could experience using the brand’s tools. However, it recently made a change to the cell technology of its battery packs that gave the advantage of advanced units to users.
The High Output is now the standard
This was a subtle but huge change
You’re able to get an M18 REDLITHIUM High Output XC5.0 pack within a tool kit if you’re purchasing a new one from Milwaukee. The manufacturer has retired its standard 5.0 Ah pack in favor of the more powerful option.
No longer are they filled with the 18650 tabbed cell technology that the previous standard was. The High Output are made with tabless cell technology. This means that they eliminated traditional metal tabs within the lithium-ion cells and utilize a design with continuous laser welding. This provides a more fluid route for the electricity to flow, eliminating the bottleneck provided by the tabs, which is how all the previous batteries were made.
The High Output also delivers 50% more peak power than the previous versions of the battery. This is ideal for anyone using this M18 battery with something that is going to pull a lot of central power, such as an electric saw. As you’re cutting through something thicker, you want the power to hit its top peak performance as you’re making your way through the cut. This kind of battery technology helps it do so.
You’ll actually get the same amount of power as the High Output XC6.0 Ah battery. The upside is a less bulky battery and one that is 30% lighter.
The High Output XC 5.0 is built to last
Enjoy more run during its lifetime
The new High Output batteries have a more durable casing, so they can last for years. Not only are they easy to charge, but they will stay charged for longer as well.
The batteries are made to withstand drops, thanks to an integrated cell frame. Milwaukee states that there are specialized water routing channels to keep the batteries free from moisture and the internal components dry.
For anyone using lithium-ion batteries, a big worry has to do with the potential for a fire to break out. It’s arguably the most dangerous part about using this kind of battery, so keeping them plugged in when they aren’t in use is not a smart thing to do. Lithium-ion batteries also need to be stored at a proper temperature to make them last a long time, especially if they are in a hot environment.
The High Output batteries are designed to run 50% cooler than their predecessors under heavy loads. Previously, the original 5.0 Ah battery packs would take around 30 minutes to cool down after extensive use or during thermal overload. Milwaukee states that the High Output batteries cool down and reset in minutes.
The battery change from Milwaukee is a game changer for consumers
Milwaukee making the switch from a standard M18 5.0 Ah battery to a High Output one is a boost for users. It provides a safer product that has a slimmer design but packs a better punch of power. Milwaukee continues to rely on a unique lineup of battery technologies to give its customers the best possible experience for their improvement tasks.
