- 1.4-amp hour battery
- Lightweight- over 65-Percent lighter vs. "compact" NiCd batteries
- Compact- over 50-Percent smaller vs. "compact" NiCd batteries
- Ergonomic- compact and lightweight design for operator comfort
- Lithium-ion battery delivers longer life and run-time with fade-free power
Milwaukee RED LITHIUM batteries are the next generation in Lithium-Ion technology. Compatible with all products in the M12 Cordless tool system, RED LITHIUM battery packs will provide unmatched runtime, performance and durability for the professional tradesman.
By Nathaniel Allen
Had I read these reviews before buying a small collection of Milwaukee M12 tools, I might have been steered elsewhere. Some of these customer experiences are bordering on the horrific. Thankfully, their warranty support seems solid and I've not only got 4 authorized service locations within 15 miles, but an official Milwaukee Tool service center less than 25 miles.
So I offer this review NOT to contradict those written by other owners that experienced battery problems, but simply to add some data to the mix, and track how well my 6 batteries perform from the outset.
For all intents, all six batteries entered service the week of 4/18/2011. All have charged fine out of the box, no blinking light errors on the charger, all showing fully charged on the built-in tool "fuel gauge," and all appearing to give a normal run time.
I plan to update this review every few months to track the reliability of these batteries.
Five of the batteries are "white labels" (actually black, red & white) on the bottom, including an individually packaged one that I bought from Amazon; the sixth has a "black label" (which came included with the 90° right angle drill/driver kit). I've got an email in to Milwaukee requesting an explanation of the significance in label color, and will update with their answer here if/when I receive it.
All five batteries are labeled with something to the effect of "Cells from Korea; final assembly in China." This causes me wonder if Milwaukee had some problems originally with generic battery cells, and has since changed to a reputable brand? If I receive any clarification from the manufacturer, I'll provide it.
My main tools are a Ryobi 18v group with a mix of NiCad and Li-Ion batteries. These Milwaukee 12v batteries are significantly smaller and lighter weight than the Ryobi 18v Li-Ion equivalents, but run times of the drivers and saw are similarly (and expectedly) reduced. I certainly prefer carrying a bag of these lighter batteries and smaller tools around for smaller / more routine jobs around our remodel project, but continue to depend on my 18v gear for more intensive tasks and for quick cordless recip saw tasks.
Once the remodel is complete, when my 18v gear is remanded to the garage, the small 12v Milwaukee batteries, driver and drill will probably have a permanent home in the kitchen tool drawer.
Here's an email reply I received from Milwaukee customer service on 4/26/11 re: the batteries. It doesn't offer much info:
"We are constantly improving our battery technology to offer the best performance
and durability. We now offer the "red" Lithium Batteries, which offer more run time, more power,
and may be used in temperatures down to zero. Most issues with the M12 battery was due to a
good connection between the battery and charger. We did improve the electronics in the original
battery to add more power, but it was an improvement, not a correction for the previous battery."
(Update 5/24 - 1 month) All good; no battery problems to report! Two batteries lived in the sweltering hot attic for two weeks, one in the right angle drill and one in the driver, doing light duty work for electrical outlet and light installation. They maintained their charge (no topping off) despite the drawn-out usage period and hot hot temps. Two more batteries went on a field trip for some light duty Ikea shelving assembly and installation in the mini drill. A fifth battery spent the day yesterday in the recip saw cutting through 2x blocking and 10 gauge nails. Good run times considering the amount of work this little saw accomplishes.
(Update 7/20 - 3 months) Still no troubles. In addition to tool duties, the batteries have been cycling through my Milwaukee 2590-20 M12 Jobsite Radio and I consistently receive full 8-hour runtimes (generally 8am to about 5 pm), indicating me to all six cells remain at relatively equal capacities (albeit in a low-discharge application). Still continuing to receive great performance in my driver, drill, and mini-recip saw. Next up, I have Milwaukee's M12 PEX expander tool lying in wait.
(Update 6/2013 - 2+ years) All batteries remain in service. Even though at this time the tools are not seeing regular heavy daily use, the batteries are daily being cycled through the jobsite radio on a daily basis. One of the older black/red labeled units is showing shorter run times than the others, which last 8+ hours (depending on whether I'm playing talk or music, maybe also volume dependent?). They're doing fine in the tools where the charges don't get stale, so I can leave a battery in the drill and it can just "be there" for days or even weeks without me being surprised by a dead tool. Looking at replacing my cordless Dremel with a Milwaukee M12 rotary tool just because I've got all these batteries available to plug in as needed; no battery management necessary.
So I offer this review NOT to contradict those written by other owners that experienced battery problems, but simply to add some data to the mix, and track how well my 6 batteries perform from the outset.
For all intents, all six batteries entered service the week of 4/18/2011. All have charged fine out of the box, no blinking light errors on the charger, all showing fully charged on the built-in tool "fuel gauge," and all appearing to give a normal run time.
I plan to update this review every few months to track the reliability of these batteries.
Five of the batteries are "white labels" (actually black, red & white) on the bottom, including an individually packaged one that I bought from Amazon; the sixth has a "black label" (which came included with the 90° right angle drill/driver kit). I've got an email in to Milwaukee requesting an explanation of the significance in label color, and will update with their answer here if/when I receive it.
All five batteries are labeled with something to the effect of "Cells from Korea; final assembly in China." This causes me wonder if Milwaukee had some problems originally with generic battery cells, and has since changed to a reputable brand? If I receive any clarification from the manufacturer, I'll provide it.
My main tools are a Ryobi 18v group with a mix of NiCad and Li-Ion batteries. These Milwaukee 12v batteries are significantly smaller and lighter weight than the Ryobi 18v Li-Ion equivalents, but run times of the drivers and saw are similarly (and expectedly) reduced. I certainly prefer carrying a bag of these lighter batteries and smaller tools around for smaller / more routine jobs around our remodel project, but continue to depend on my 18v gear for more intensive tasks and for quick cordless recip saw tasks.
Once the remodel is complete, when my 18v gear is remanded to the garage, the small 12v Milwaukee batteries, driver and drill will probably have a permanent home in the kitchen tool drawer.
Here's an email reply I received from Milwaukee customer service on 4/26/11 re: the batteries. It doesn't offer much info:
"We are constantly improving our battery technology to offer the best performance
and durability. We now offer the "red" Lithium Batteries, which offer more run time, more power,
and may be used in temperatures down to zero. Most issues with the M12 battery was due to a
good connection between the battery and charger. We did improve the electronics in the original
battery to add more power, but it was an improvement, not a correction for the previous battery."
(Update 5/24 - 1 month) All good; no battery problems to report! Two batteries lived in the sweltering hot attic for two weeks, one in the right angle drill and one in the driver, doing light duty work for electrical outlet and light installation. They maintained their charge (no topping off) despite the drawn-out usage period and hot hot temps. Two more batteries went on a field trip for some light duty Ikea shelving assembly and installation in the mini drill. A fifth battery spent the day yesterday in the recip saw cutting through 2x blocking and 10 gauge nails. Good run times considering the amount of work this little saw accomplishes.
(Update 7/20 - 3 months) Still no troubles. In addition to tool duties, the batteries have been cycling through my Milwaukee 2590-20 M12 Jobsite Radio and I consistently receive full 8-hour runtimes (generally 8am to about 5 pm), indicating me to all six cells remain at relatively equal capacities (albeit in a low-discharge application). Still continuing to receive great performance in my driver, drill, and mini-recip saw. Next up, I have Milwaukee's M12 PEX expander tool lying in wait.
(Update 6/2013 - 2+ years) All batteries remain in service. Even though at this time the tools are not seeing regular heavy daily use, the batteries are daily being cycled through the jobsite radio on a daily basis. One of the older black/red labeled units is showing shorter run times than the others, which last 8+ hours (depending on whether I'm playing talk or music, maybe also volume dependent?). They're doing fine in the tools where the charges don't get stale, so I can leave a battery in the drill and it can just "be there" for days or even weeks without me being surprised by a dead tool. Looking at replacing my cordless Dremel with a Milwaukee M12 rotary tool just because I've got all these batteries available to plug in as needed; no battery management necessary.
By rovito12
If you have M12 tools extra batteries are always a good idea. The battery life of these is awesome even though they are the lowest capacity. I don't think I have ever run a tool dead and been without a battery ready to go. Charge time is amazingly fast given the correct charger of course, maybe a half hour max. Lightweight, good power, and awesome performance.
By Katherine Barnhill
I could not believe the price I paid for this product, I purchased it through Amazon for one-third of the price that Lowe's and Home Depot charges! It works just as expected and I use it in my Milwaukee Radio, it lasts all day!
By michael choffin
I bought the driver / hack saw set from Home Depot. I was really disappointed with the performance of the hack-saw. Switching between the two batteries produced the same result. Now with the new battery, its amazing how much better it works. I can actually cut things. I would not have believed that the two batteries initially provided with the set would have been bad. Too late to return the units to Milwaukee since it took me over a year to figure out the original batteries were crap.
By Barrister
This battery and any 12v tool is great. the LED work light I use is bright as the sun. I use it for everthing dark. When I walk my dogs, it acts as a defense. You can touch the on button half way down repeatedly and it emits a blinding pulse of light on the bad guys retinas, or the attacking dog. Its reliable.
By Paul D. Borchardt
These are the exact batteries I needed and at a ptice that was reasonabl. Just wish that if Milwaukee wants to get into the cheap part-time/home market, that they would not use the professional Milwaukee tool name. This 12V tool line is for occasional use only , not something for a professional tool box.
By Craig
Battery is what I wanted and came at a reasonable price in the time promised when purchased. I like Milwaukee products and this battery was to power my new milwaukee electric coat. Also something which pleased me greatly and has worked as promised.
By Kindle Customer
Needed an extra M12 for my heated jacket and prefer this size as opposed to the larger, longer lasting one. This size keeps the Milwaukee heated jacket nicely warm for at least a couple of hours, hence the need for the second one.
By Edd Anderson
I have two of these from a Drill Driver I bought from Amazon, I think in 2010 or first part of 2011. The super of my building asked if he could try it and bought a Drill Driver with something else a short time later. He uses his much more than I do mine, and part of it I have the Milwaukee driver that reminds me a bit of the ratchet Klein screwdriver, that I had till it was almost worn out and someone still stole it. I use the smaller Milwaukee driver and the battery life on that is fantastic, saw a video on Corvette Engine Building, and they use the smaller driver to screw down the valve covers.
Li-ion battery's do have a specific recharge amount, I purchased a Li-ion flashlight and they are rated 1500 charges, I doubt that #, I have rechargeable Ni-MH battery's and doubt they get any where near 80%, of the rating, before they will not hold a full charge. Li-ion is different animal then Ni-MH, so far so good.
I think the demand for Li-Ion products are bound to quality control problems, and it sounds to me like they might have gotten a bad batch.Most of the things mentioned bought from Amazon.I Have never had a problem with them replacing items.
So far I am impressed with Li-ion technology and likely will replace many things with that technology as others wear out.
Li-ion battery's do have a specific recharge amount, I purchased a Li-ion flashlight and they are rated 1500 charges, I doubt that #, I have rechargeable Ni-MH battery's and doubt they get any where near 80%, of the rating, before they will not hold a full charge. Li-ion is different animal then Ni-MH, so far so good.
I think the demand for Li-Ion products are bound to quality control problems, and it sounds to me like they might have gotten a bad batch.Most of the things mentioned bought from Amazon.I Have never had a problem with them replacing items.
So far I am impressed with Li-ion technology and likely will replace many things with that technology as others wear out.
By Lori Lorenzo
I bought this as a surprise for my husband for his birthday. He loves his extra battery. It clipped right into his Milwaukee tools. He loves having an extra battery for backup. I'm very pleased with how long the battery life is on this one. Would definitely purchase another one in the near future as my husband is constantly working with his tools. As he says "you can never have enough tools or batteries!"
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