Milwaukee has officially announced their new M12 3.0Ah and 6.0Ah XC Li-ion battery packs.
We knew that these battery packs were on the way, but it’s still somewhat surprising. Well, maybe surprising isn’t the right word. Eye-opening, maybe?
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The new M12 3.0Ah compact battery pack is the first 12V-class and 18V-class compact battery pack, or at least it’s the first I’ve seen. Most other brands top out at 2.5Ah.
What this means is that you can get more work done, while maintaining an M12 tool’s compact size and light weight.
There is also a 6.0Ah M12 XC battery pack on the way, which will give you more runtime than any M12 battery before it. As with the other XC packs, this makes an M12 tool slightly larger and heavier, and the ergonomics might change a little bit, but the benefit is a great boost in runtime.
Think about what this means for your M12 power tools, lighting products, Bluetooth speaker, or heated jacket.
Milwaukee’s press materials mentioned something that got me thinking.
With the ability to deliver more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack than any other 12V battery on the market, the XC6.0 battery is a leap in lithium-ion technology that completely changes the expectations of what cordless 12V tools are capable of.
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I have been considering the runtime benefits of higher capacity battery packs, but there is also a longevity component to think of.
Each battery pack has a finite number of charge and discharge cycles before performance begins to degrade, and a finite number of cycles before the degradation will severely hamper your work. Under the assumption that the battery cells have comparable charging cycle specifications, longer runtime should then mean fewer charge cycles, and longer life, compared to lower capacity packs.
Hmm. Ah well, that’s just me thinking aloud. At the least, the new battery packs offer higher capacity and longer runtime.
The next thing to think about is where Milwaukee will go from here. Compact 4.0Ah battery packs? 8.0Ah XC packs? 9.0Ah High Demand packs?
ETA: August 2016
For all you Milwaukee M12 users, and I know there are a lot of you out there, will you be stepping up to these new higher capacity battery pack sizes?
Nathan
I have no skin in the game (no red 12V tools) but I do like that they are trying to keep a known platform alive and well
Andrew
I will buy some when they make it to Australia
Brett
I’m not sure I understand sticking a giant battery on what’s supposed to be a light, maneuverable tool. Isn’t that the point of using a 12 V system?
Stuart
Even when paired an XC battery, an M12 Fuel circular saw, bandsaw, or rotary hammer is still more maneuverable than an 18V tool.
Andrew
M12 fuel impact drive is far from compact lengths way. Same for m12 fuel impact wrench, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2.
Adam
Size stays the same. They will just use better cells
glenn
Are you serious?
They are the same size as the current 1.2/2.0 and 3.0/4.0 battery packs, why wouldn’t you use them?
Will be buying a couple of 6’s as soon as they are available over here and will be replacing the 1.5’s as they die with the 3.0’s .
glenn
Typo, meant 1.5’s
G
I’m thinking that with all that useful energy in a small pack, there is even less need for a large one. The time it takes to swap a pack is small, and now less frequent.
glenn
True, the 3.0’s will be plenty for the majority of my tools but I want the 6.0’s for the circular saw and rotary hammer, more so the rotary hammer as it gets the most use.
With two 6.0’s I think I may be down to charging only once or twice a week at the most.
Matt
How do you like the m12 rotary hammer? Deciding weather I should go with the fuel m12 or m18. I hang a lot of hangers on ladders for plumbing so the compact size would be perfect but idk if it has the balls. Imy only drilling 1/4″ 1/2″ holes.
glenn
In response to Matt:
I too am on a ladder a lot, sometimes at weird angles, left handed or right handed etc and the light weight and compactness is what makes it a winner for me.
We changed our fixings, previously the holes i drilled were 5mm, 8mm, and 10mm where now its 5mm and 12mm.
Mine is the brushed version and it does the job well. The only area where I would say it struggles a bit is with 10-12mm holes into any hard or clinker brick. its fine through most anything else.
Sure it is slower than the M18’s we have but I will happily trade a bit of grunt for less weight.
Its my most used tool and when the time comes I will certainly replace it, albeit with the Fuel version.
Hope this helps.
Logan Trachsel
Matt I have the m12 fuel rotary hammer and the m28 fuel….both BEAST relatively speaking. If I’m on a ladder I always grab the M12 fuel rotary hammer. it has never let me down.. and have dropped it a couple times from higher than I’d like to admit.. when i do outdoor commercial lighting i usually drill half inch lead anchors and I can get about 25 to 35 per charge 4.0 depending on age of block or brick hope this helps
chris parker
absolutely right
Doresoom
I have both a cordless 18V 7-1/4″ circular saw and the M12 5-3/8″ circular saw, and the M12 saw is significantly lighter and smaller, even with the XC pack on it.
For just about all my other M12 tools though, I end up using the 1.5 and 2Ah packs, just because they’re a smaller footprint. Although the current 4Ah pack isn’t too much bigger – it’s still much lighter than using a full size 18V drill or impact.
I’m pretty excited about the 3Ah, and a little more indifferent for the 6Ah pack.
Nate818
Great for the radio and lights
Toolfreak
The square batteries don’t interfere with the operation of the tool, about the only way they interfere with is access if you need to stick the tool in a spot and the battery is too large or makes the tool too long. But then, you just switch it with a compact battery and you’re good.
The square battery also has benefits other than extra runtime – it adds a measure of safety since the tool won’t slide out of your hand, or it’s at least tougher to drop when being used upside down, plus you can set the tool down vertically on the battery rather than having to set it on it’s side.
DanFromMass
Try using the M12 Sawzall with that little 1.5ah battery, you’ll realized the need for the bigger XC battery.
fred
We had 12 plumbing crews – carrying quite a number of M12 tools. In the other business – many of our installers also preferred the M12 line. So I’m guessing that they will be buying in – as they replace some of the (48-11) -2401, -2402, -2420 and -2440 batteries.
I may even buy one of each myself.
Andrew
Milwaukee and makita should step up 2ah 18v compact batteries to 3 or 4. In Australia, makita hasn’t released makita 1820-b. We only have 1.3 and 1.5 ah 18v compact batteries
Bremon
I will be adding some 3.0s and 6.0s to my collection for sure. Most of my M12 gear is complementary to my M18 system so runtime is a benefit for a lot of it. Lights, hoodies, small tools, Bluetooth speaker, etc. Mostly things with a small draw. Though, to the comment above; the 2530 circular saw with XC pack is lighter than my 2730 Fuel 6.5″ saw and probably half the weight of my 2731 7.25″ saw. It’s an awesome little unit. My remaining 2.0s will be distributed to different boxes etc for backups.
DanFromMass
The 3.0 batteries will be awesome for the heated gear!
Pete
After two years being stored in my truck tool box with temps between 119-20 degrees my batteries dont last like they used too- 1.5 & 3.0 batteries. These would be useful however price will ultimatly dictate the purchase. If i can buy a m12 drill+impact kit for $120 with two new batteries for the same price id rather choose that.
OhioHead
^ can’t leave Li-ion batteries (does not matter the brand) in those extreme weather conditions, shortens the life exepectancy…………
Big fan of the 12v line from MKE, do not need the additional run time for my “home owner” usage, love the light weight, performance……..form factor (ergonomics) could be better.
Pete
Obviously i know that. Thats why i mentioned that i leave my batteries in those conditions thus resulting in premature battery failure and im ok with that. I leave them in the truck because i am on call 24/7. I might get a call at 4am and if i forget to grab my battieres those nice M12 tools i have are all now useless… It only takes one time for you to swear “never again”
conan
I will buy multiple 6 amp hour batteries for my sub compact band saw. It already was a mighty might. Great runtime. I will also use them in my drill as well. The compact 3.0 will work in the heated hoodie that I have. I do not like the larger size in the hoodie .
Jay k.
Im game… lets see how many my wife will let me get…
Pete
Just re-phrase that- “lets see how many my wife will find out that I’ve bough….” Lol
Mike
Always better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission
Toolfreak
Bosch just updated it’s 12V battery not long ago to a 2.5Ah compact and 4.0Ah square design.
Milwaukee going to 3.0Ah compact and 6.0Ah square is hopefully going to push them into matching those numbers sooner rather than later.
I’m still pretty happy with the much lower capacity 12V battery packs for the drills and drivers, but I can see where 1.5-2.0Ah is a minimum to get decent battery life from high drain tools like saws. With all the different 12V tools Milwaukee has, they likely need these even more than Bosch does.
Robbie
That compact 3.0 is absolutely perfect for a heated hoodie/jacket! It’s on my list!!
No other 12v lineup compares to M12 at this time! (I run DeWalt 20 and M12)
Kyle
Agree – I’ll definitely want a 3.0 for my jacket, Bluetooth speaker and vacuum, as well as the impact driver I have. No way the 6.0 would work well with the jacket though, as the battery placement is already the most awkward part of owning that jacket and the 6.0 would stick out and be very uncomfortable.
Darren Eckes
Milwaukee take my money! I have both m12 and m18 tools and as a contractor I use the m12 the most. These batteries are a big deal and I plan to buy several of each.
Dacan
Still speculating on which batteries will go away, assumed it was C 1.5 & XC 3.0 but could it be the 2.0 & XC 4.0?. So many kits out there still come with the C 1.5. Seems regular kits get 1.5 and Fuel kits get 2.0, hoodie had 1.5 and jacket had 2.0. Having 6 different batteries for the platform seems too much. Theres even more for M18!
Prices? Guessing C 3.0 $69 and XC 6.0 $129
John
The 3.0 battery is $59 and the 6.0 is $89. Bought both at Home Depot within the last month. No regrets here!
Gilbert G.
Milwaukee, keep on doing what your doing. Best compact line in the market!!! Hands down. You just made a awesome product line even better!
Xavier
I have the m12 impact driver and for my purposes (electrician) the 2.0 already lasts a couple weeks on a single charge, so I’m not sure it’ll be worthwhile to buy into a new battery if mine isn’t hindering my work. Good for Milwaukee though, pushing the envelope.
seb
I m invested in M12 and M18 lines. I mainly carry M12 when i m on location and working alone as i often need to walk quite a bit and go up and down ladders (i install security systems during main structure work).
My main tools are impact driver, percussion drill driver and the compact rotary hammer (not all at once 🙂 )
on the impact i use compact batteries (2ah at this time) and they provides ample capacity for my need. the other ones however i will normaly use the 4ah pack and i can go through a pair of pack on each during the day.
I wont run to buy the new ones when they come out but when i buy my next M12 tool (probably the litle sawzall) i ll make sure to get the new ones, i will probably go for the compact ones to gain on weight for a little tradeoff on autonomy .
glenn
I was talking to a Milwuakee rep last Thursday and asked him when we will see them here in Australia and while he couldn’t give me a release date he did say that they will be dropping the current 1.5’s and 3.0XC’s from the line up.
Chris Fyfe
Count me in ! I use lots of M 12 , be good in the saws , and lights !
Chris
Chris
I’ve heard many great things about Milwaukees M12 line. I purchased a electric screwdriver which was on sale for half off, came to a total of $80. It was supposed to have a 3/8 drill in it but someone swapped it for the electric screwdriver. Won’t complain to much though. It was on sale. Anyways, most of my tools are Dewalt and now that I have invested in M12, I can start adding more M12 tools too my inventory.
Nick
I have both m12 4.0 and Bosch 12v max 4.0 batteries I’m continually amazed at runtime and power you get from these. I’m looking forward to the 6.0 m12 pack, if it’s offered in a kit with the fuel impact I’m a buyer. I need a second impact to complement my Bosch 12v one really helpful to have a second impact already setup instead of changing bits, and also as a backup if one gets lost, breaks, or is stolen.
Vic
Will the new batteries take longer time time to charge? Anybody any idea ?
glenn
Yes, on the standard charger they will take longer, ie; a 6.0ah will take twice as long as a 3.0ah, a 3.0ah takes twice as long as a 1.5ah etc.
Milwaukee have recently released a fast charger if charging times are of a major concern, you can check them out on their website for more info.
davidaa1
Why isn’t 3.0 considered XC?. Does this have to do with the the way it’s wired?.
Stuart
Compact = 3 cells, XC = 6 cells with bottom base.
There is a 3.0Ah XC pack, made with 1.5Ah cells. This new 3.0Ah pack is compact, and made with 3.0Ah cells.
victor
Hi stuart – I read about this almost a year ago …………….anyone know prices…………….can’t find my origional e-mail…………….victor.
Rock Hound
I think I am more interested in the compact 3.0Ah battery. Quite honestly, I rarely run out of power with anything unless I am using the compact 1.5Ah batteries already.
The only jobs that seem to be so draining that the 4.0Ah battery will not cut it for me is if I am using the M12 circular saw for full day projects. That happens about 3 times a year and I would just bring a second battery with me rather than purchase a larger capacity battery.
Rick C
Hopefully this will drop the prices of the current extended batteries.
Dacan
I dont think it will but they might be the same price. I think the 3.0 will replace the 2.0 and the 6.0 replace the 4.0, then they would be priced the same as what they replace.
John
These batteries are not replacing the 2.0 and 4.0. They do cost more at $59 for the 3.0 and $89 for the 6.0. The old 1.5 and XC3.0 are being phased out. If I needed several new batteries right now, I would buy the double packs of XC3.0’s if they’re still on sale.
jimmy
I own 4 different 12v milwaukee tools and the 6.0 mah is a gift from God in my opinion, I’m happy with the 4.0 mah but the 6.0 are going to be awesome in my job. I’m buying my first 2 today as it happens.