It's no secret that Milwaukee makes some of the best power tools, but buying into Team Red isn't as straightforward as it appears.The initial sticker price is only part of the story, and everything that comes after will inevitably cost a lot more.Like most brands, Milwaukee has an aggressive battery ecosystem lock-in, but then offers affordable common tools to lure you onto the platform.
Soon after, you'll end up forking out a lot of cash.If you're trying to decide which brand to buy, here are some hidden expenses and things to keep in mind so you don't get caught off guard.Common tools or deals lock you into an expensive ecosystem Affordable drills and drivers, but niche tools will get you Close Like every major power tool brand, Milwaukee has its M18 (18-volt) battery platform that powers almost all of its tools.
Once you buy one, you won't want to buy a different brand's battery or charger, so you'll end up buying more Milwaukee tools.However, that also means a single battery can power everything, which is extremely helpful.With that same logic, one thing that Milwaukee does better than most of the competition is lure customers onto the platform by offering common or popular tools at an aggressive price point, but then everything else quickly becomes more expensive.
Related 5 little-known Milwaukee tools that’ll save you hours of work Niche tools perfect for inside or outside the shop.Posts 1 By Cory Gunther You can get a Milwaukee drill/driver or a drill-and-impact combo for roughly the same price as a DeWALT or Ryobi.For a newcomer who's heard Milwaukee is one of the best, they'll instantly jump on that combo kit.
However, aside from drills, drivers, oscillating multi-tools, and a few other items, Milwaukee products are generally far more expensive than those from several other brands.Basically, outside of some of the most common items, Milwaukee quickly becomes more expensive, but by then, you've already committed.For example, Milwaukee's 10-inch brushless pole saw is $379 for the tool alone, with no battery, because you probably already have one.
However, a comparable 18V Ryobi brushless pole saw is only $199.Homeowners everywhere use these, but one is far more expensive than the other.The same thing applies to something as basic as a Sawzall.
Milwaukee's absolute cheapest model is $150, while you can get a Ryobi for $89, or a DeWALT for $129.Your first purchase, which is likely a drill or driver,comes easily, but then everything else and all its niche tools are quite pricey.That said, they are excellent.
Batteries can break the bank More expensive than the tools themselves Another hidden cost we need to talk about is the battery packs themselves.Now, don't get me wrong: every brand on the market has expensive battery packs, and they're almost always more than the tools themselves.There's a reason each combo kit usually comes with a tiny 2Ah battery: to get you into the tool and ecosystem.
Eventually, you'll need a bigger 4.0Ah or 6.0Ah battery, and those are usually $200 each, if not more.Once you buy your first Milwaukee tool, the hidden cost that'll catch you off guard is upgrading or buying additional battery cells.Related Stop falling for tool-only deals: Here's why jumping brands costs hundreds more This is the real cost of switching power tool brands.
Posts 3 By Cory Gunther The other trick each big-name brand plays is "tool-only" pricing.You'll see an awesome Milwaukee tool-only deal that makes the tool more affordable than the DeWALT you might already own, but now you need an expensive battery.Jumping to a different brand for a deal usually ends up costing you in the long run.
However, once you own a few battery packs, this becomes a pro rather than a con, as you can save money on tool-only purchases since you already have the expensive batteries to power them.Just keep it in mind before you buy a cheap combo kit or a tool-only deal.The M12 vs M18 dilemma Pay attention to the battery platform Close And last but not least, you'll want to pay special attention to whether you're buying a Milwaukee M12 or M18 power tool.
These tools might look the same, and the M12 models are usually more affordable because they're smaller and run on an M12 (12-volt) battery pack.Milwaukee M12 tools are not compatible with Milwaukee M18 tools.They're a different size and design, with a smaller battery pack geared for compact scenarios, DIY projects around the house, and the like.
Milwaukee's bigger M18 models deliver additional power and performance.If you're new to power tools and buy a Milwaukee M12 drill, you'll be stuck with the smaller M12 platform, which offers around 125 tools that all run on that battery.However, Milwaukee's M18 lineup offers over 300 tools to take advantage of.
Related 5 Milwaukee M12 tools that are worth the hype (and the money) Top-rated compact Milwaukee tools you'll love.Posts 3 By Cory Gunther Don't get me wrong, I know tons of homeowners and professionals who run both the Milwaukee M12 and M18, but it's something to be aware of and a potential hidden cost down the road.If you start with M12 but eventually need more power or a tool that's only available on the M18 platform, you'll need to buy a new battery and another charger, and those costs can add up quickly.
And that's not all Milwaukee owners all over Reddit frequently mention other things, like repairs and maintenance, lights, and PACKOUT accessories, as big hurdles potential buyers need to consider.If you're a DIYer and want to repair or service your tool, Milwaukee often groups small components into larger assemblies or one wire/switch into an entire wire harness, driving up repair costs.And that's if you can even find them.
Obviously, that's not a huge concern for most, but it's something to think about.In closing, Milwaukee certainly has some of the best tools on the market and caters to a ton of trades and professionals.There's a reason people everywhere swear by them, just know that things can and will get expensive.
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