There’s almost nobody who is looking to spend more money on tools than they have to. You don’t go into Home Depot or Lowe’s and look for the most expensive tool, no matter what you need. You need to do some research in order to avoid paying an arm and a leg and this doesn’t mean trusting the manufacturers.
They can claim certain abilities for their devices and many times they are rather accurate. I’m not claiming that top brands like DeWalt and Milwaukee are lying to consumers. But I’m saying you probably don’t need to buy the most expensive option that these companies offer. You’ll be just fine using their lower-tier choices.
Milwaukee has three levels of M18 battery packs
These have become highly usable
If Milwaukee is your power tool manufacturer of choice, you know the quality and standards that the devices you’ve purchased meet. If you haven’t bought a lot of tools but want to build out your inventory, you need to understand their battery system.
For many of the cordless options that the company offers, the M18 5.0 Ah battery has been the standard. This can run for a long time without needing to be recharged and can power dozens of tools, as you can swap the battery packs in and out of the machines.
The M18 REDLITHIUM battery is the baseline battery of the M18 line. REDLITHIUM batteries provide a standard amount of charging capacity, power, and more. They are the lightest of the three levels of M18 batteries, weighing in at just over 1.5 pounds.
You can power so many devices with the standard REDLITHIUM battery, which is why it can be so useful. Normal users, DIYers, and even professional tradesmen shouldn’t overthink this. If you aren’t using a heavy-duty machine for your work, you can be perfectly happy with the REDLITHIUM battery.
Don’t overthink the REDLITHIUM battery
The other options might be too powerful
A good friend of mine is an HVAC specialist. He relies on Milwaukee tools every day as he works with heaters, air conditioners, electric air cleaners, humidifiers, and more. He’s used drills, drivers, grinders, saws, and more during his time learning on the job.
I was discussing the Milwaukee battery system with him, and he said everyone at his job uses the M18 REDLITHIUM line of batteries. I asked him how long the battery lasts, and he confirmed that the Milwaukee battery lasts a long time on a single charge. He said he barely ever has to charge it. He uses it for light use each day, so it’s not like he’s using it constantly.
This is likely going to be what you need if you’re using it with a drill or driver around home. You can look for a CP or an XC version of the battery if you’re not looking to out think the lineup. CP means Compact Pack, which is a lighter battery that fits into tighter spots. XC stands for Extended Capacity and delivers more Ah and has bigger 18650 cells, but the same cell technology as the CP.
These batteries have been the standard for starter packs of tools and are the most commonly used by normal users. REDLITHIUM has a capacity range between 1.5 and 6.0 Ah, giving you plenty of ways to use it for everyday work. If that is what you’re mostly using Milwaukee tools for, you don’t need to splurge for the higher options like the High Output and the Forge line of battery packs.
These pack a serious punch
REDLITHIUM batteries can be charged with any M18 charger. You don’t need a fast charger for them to reach capacity faster. The batteries will charge in 60 minutes regardless.
High Output, on the other hand, is the next version of the battery. These have capacity ranges from 5.0 to 12.0 Ah. They boast 50% more power than REDLITHIUM batteries, making them ideal for saws, rotary hammers, and more. The Milwaukee FUEL line of tools is what these batteries are typically used with.
High Output can be used in drills and lights if you want. You’ll probably get more runtime with them, thanks to the higher Ah. But they aren’t worth the higher price. You’re looking at around $100-$120 on average for a REDLITHIUM pack and around $200 for a High Output one.
This doesn’t even include the FORGE battery lineup, which is the highest option Milwaukee makes. FORGE batteries have tabless 21700 cells and are used for the highest power-drawing tools, like table saws and Super Sawzalls. FORGE has capacity ranges from 6.0 to 12.0 Ah and offer 50% more power than the other lines.
FORGE batteries require a Forge Super Charger for rapid charging. Any other charger will charge the FORGE battery at a regular pace. However, the Super Charger charges a battery to 80% in 15 minutes.
FORGE batteries average between $230 and $450 at most stores. Plus, the Super Charger averages around $250 at most stores, so that’s an added cost on top. Many of the chargers have dual bays, allowing you to charge two batteries at once. This is nice if you have the money to spend nearly $800-$1,000 on batteries.
You can keep the cost lower for most tasks
Most people probably don’t even need to look at the High Output or FORGE lineup of Milwaukee battery packs. Their tasks can be finished off with the REDLITHIUM lineup without issue. Be mindful that a charger will come with most starter kits that you purchase, so you won’t need to buy one of those either. Milwaukee tools can be expensive, so you need to learn where to save money.
