Milwaukee has come out with a new M18 jobsite radio, although you’re probably not going to hear much buzz about it. The new Milwaukee radio, 2890-20, is taking the place of an older model, 2790-20, but to me the differences look to be a big deal.
To start, it looks a whole lot better. It’s like the difference between a beige computer case from the 1990’s and almost any desktop computer case from 2015. Or a Motorola StarTac phone from 2002, and an iPhone 6S, Galaxy S6, or similar latest-generation smartphone. A station wagon vs. a crossover SUV. Okay, you get the picture.
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But the improves aren’t just cosmetic!
In addition to better looks, the new Milwaukee 2890 jobsite radio is more compact and also lighter. Milwaukee says that the new design is more durable, portable, and stackable than other radios in the market.
Previous Model 2790: 19.5″ long x 9.5″ and weighing 14.5 lbs.
New Model 2890: 15.5″ x 7.75″ and weighing 10.5 lbs.
In response to yesterday’s post about Hitachi’s newest Bluetooth radio, mnoswad said: Can’t we all just agree to make everything stackable and unitized already. Well, you got it!
Milwaukee also said that the 2890-20 will set the standard for sound quality and reception, thanks to a digital processor. It also features a customizable equalizer, radio tuner with 10 station preset, 2.1A USB charger, and a weather-sealed aux input (and media bay?) compartment.
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The new radio has a 6-foot AC power cord, for when you don’t want to power it cordlessly via an M18 Li-ion battery pack.
It’s not just me that thinks the new version looks leaps and bounds better, right?
Price: $119 (same as for the previous generation model)
Buy Now(via Acme Tools)
First Thoughts
Better looks, a smaller footprint, updated features (such as USB charging for your electronic devices), and a ~28% reduction in weight compared to the previous generation model?
The new model also has a much sleeker control interface.
According to Milwaukee, the new 2890-20 M18 jobsite radio is a high performance audio system that delivers loud and clear sound. My experiences with Milwaukee’s M18 Bluetooth radio and charger and M18 Bluetooth speaker have been quite positive. If this new jobsite radio sounds nearly as good, it’ll surely be a winner.
As if that isn’t enough, they managed to keep the price the same.
I cannot possibly test or review every single new tool that comes out. But for this radio, I might shove some yellow, teal, or blue tools off the test bench to clear some space.
tom
Is it Bluetooth capable ?
Stuart
No.
Travis C
Fail.
Such an easy feature to add.
pete
That is pretty lame.
Jason
That’s kind of a downer 🙁 I get that Milwaukee didn’t want to cannibalize the M18 Bluetooth charging radio but that’s a crazy premium product.
Stuart
Costs money.
If you want Bluetooth, they sell a separate product for that (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/milwaukee-m18-bluetooth-jobsite-radio-charger/%3C/a%3E%29, or you can add a wireless adapter via the aux input.
Blythe M
In guessing it doesn’t charge m18 batteries?
Stuart
Nope. Neither did the predecessor.
Mike I
No bluetooth? Guess I will wait until the next model arrives? Seriously, a bluetooth chip costs all of $3 dollars.
Nathan
did I read correctly that the bit on top is a media holder – IE charger, clamp down covered protection area for your phone, mp3 player etc.
if so then I can see why they’d leave out BT. put your phone in the hopper, connect up – it will stay trickle powered and connected and probably patch through calls if you want it to.
Gilbert
Like there’s Chevy, Ford or Dodge guys, we all know the same goes for tool makers. I happen to be a Milwaukee guy. I own several M12 & M18 tools. Now, I care to believe that these tool companies, such as Milwaukee with their R&D dept & deep pockets should know that competition is tough out there when it comes to Bluetooth radio devices.
I’ve been waiting for a while to pull the trigger to buy a job site radio, but haven’t yet because Milwaukee has not delivered a awesome radio with all the bells and whistles. It doesn’t matter if all the other tool makes have the best radios. You will buy a radio that will work with your batteries and that is the same brand of tools that you have invested on.
Most of us that own Milwaukee cordless tools, own from both M12 & M18 line.
I would like to see that same new radio with Bluetooth, and to be able to charge both M12 & M18 batteries. Keeping in mind that cellphones are getting bigger in size, (phablets) make the media bay to accommodate those phones.
Lot’s of guys that I see out in the field, own expensive phones that get placed up on top of the radios, miter saws, skil saws, drilling, brooming, cleaning with the air blower. Painters getting over-spray all over, all that gets on the phones. The phones have covers, so it gets inside the covers.
That’s a job site radio that I would buy today. Even if it was a little more in price. Milwaukee should understand that we the consumer invest so much in the M12 & M18 lines, that they need to invest back on us, the consumer with not just a good radio, but a great radio. All the guys I meet in the field feel the same.
I personally just bought a UE MEGABOOM Waterproof portable Bluetooth speaker, and use it for work and personal use. It’s awesome, but I always have to be careful with it because it’s not a job-site radio, not to mention that it’s more appealing to be stolen.
just me thoughts……
Gilbert
I just thought of something else, how about an APP that you can download, so you could be able to control your radio via your cellphone while connected Bluetooth. My UE MEGABOOM allows me that feature. Now that’s thinking outside the box.
Travis C
I also did the exact same thing. I purchased a UE MEGABOOM and placed it on a Joby flexible tripod. Stability in all situations. Much better sound than any of the job site speakers. 100 ft bluetooth to boot.
In my opinion, this Milwaukee is an absent minded speaker design.
Gilbert
Joby flexible tripod….? Great idea. I just ordered one on Amazon! Thanks for sharing that.
Travis C
They sell many sizes. Make sure you ordered one for the SLR or Micro 4/3 cameras.
SLR is the largest & sturdiest tripod
I already had a Micro 4/3 tripod for my camera so I used it. Perfect size and rigidity for the weight of the speaker IMO.
Mike
I’m with you there. I just have the M12 stuff as a DIY guy but is it too much to ask for a Milwaukee radio that will charge my stuff and connect with my phone via blue tooth? None of the Milwaukee radio chargers will charge up the M12 batteries. I might need to trade my stuff in on some yellow ones that I can have a radio and charger all in one.
Jason McCauley
Well said
Lenny
I’m still waiting to see the new Dewalt radio that connects to their tool boxes. Hopefully its worth the $200+ price tag.
john
Its a big claim from Milwaukee that theirs is the most stackable,portable and most rugged jobsite radio.
And its way off the mark. The Dewalt Tough Music absolutely batters it.
Theirs has all the goodies and stacks with the Toughsystem boxes.
Stuart
Good point.
Preview of the Dewalt ToughSystem jobsite radio is here: https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/dewalt-cordless-tools-new-2015/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I am really looking forward to that one.
Patrick
Hope to look at and listen to the new DeWalt in the next few days and compare it to the Bosch PB360. It might lighten my wallet significantly. I just wish it had the extra capabilities that the Bosch has, particularly USB/SD card playback which I use more often than a phone or iPod. A line out would have also been awesome!
Toolpig
You had me until you said no BT. Not gonna reward Milwaukee with my hard earned dollars for that one. Nope! I’ll keep using my Kicker BT amphitheater. It sounds better than ANY tool company radio.
JJ
So the new Milwaukee Jobsite radio doesn’t have BT ? WTF, I was looking to buy one, now I guess I’ll look at the UE MEGABOOM instead.
Travis C
Do it! Fantastic speaker! Very rugged and water proof. 100 ft bluetooth. Just buy a Joby tripod for Micro 4/3 camera style or larger. Allows for stable base in any enviroment.
Nate818
All these radios that use a battery or a a/c plug don’t work on f m or a m when plugged into a/c. Fix that first
Patrick
Not entirely true… my original Bosch PB360 has zero issues with FM reception when plugged in to a wall outlet, battery in or out, charged or charging, as well as running on battery. There is a slight buzz while running in AM mode though it is neglible. I can’t speak to other radios though as I only own Bosch although the new DeWalt has me intrigued..
Nathan
I see other people seem to think like me – expensive tool company job site radios that work off tool company batteries are not that usefull today – or even over the last what 6+ years.
ANY – decent quality BT kit, or other portable radio works just fine, and if you take just a moments care with it (like you should your other tools too) then they work just fine and often better.
now if a tool company partnered with some audio company for work on good sound quality – made a device that took tool battery and cord – and charged while on cord (and I agree that would add a good 30-50 dollars to the tool for LIPO charging); then I’d look at one.
but for right now – I see no reason to even consider one.
better work site lights – more tools – or useful tools – and leave the radios to someone else please.
KL
I don’t see all the hype? This looks uglier than the 2790? Granted, it has a flatter top so I guess that makes it stackable. I do like what appears to be a rotary knob for volume control, but otherwise, meh. Again, Milwaukee tries to re-invent the wheel instead of channeling that effort to truly new products like a chainsaw, or fill-in-the-blank with whatever you want that they don’t make AT ALL. Maybe we’ll see a re-re-redesigned hammer drill in 3 months too LOL
KL
WAIT A MINUTE!! The 2790 can be powered by M12, M18 or M28 batteries. If this is truly M18 only, HUGE fail.
deb
Could not agree more, complete fail on the battery aspect although the sound quality is an improvement
Jon
Bluetooth Solution for anything none Bluetooth. I have it and it works awesome!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MJMV0GU
draxkevin
Who cares about bluetooth. Just hit play and go to work. Quit fiddle fakin around on your phone. The dissapointing factor here is m12 capability and m18, like the old one had. With that being said they should’ve put both battery lines integrated in withe the radio and also charges both. To me there is no innovation here from previous model. Looks like controls have no protection if tipped over unlike other model. Not going to buy
howard
I purchased a 2890-20 I cant find the on off switch can you help Howard
kurt
First of all Why would any radio ever need to be stackable? 2nd the new one wont use multiple batteries. why not? 3rd the new one looks like a ugly generic pile of crap.
Please respond to the questions!!
Stuart
1) So that you can put it on top of other stuff, and stuff on top of it.
2) Are you willing to spend more money for that capability? Most users would not.
3) I think it looks a LOT better than the older model it replaces, but that’s just me.
Chris Gregory
Sounds like CRAP if you turn it up past 60% Volume !!
The music gets Distorded and The speakers Crackle & Pop if you turn it up… I tried Country, Rock, Bluegrass, and Rap. The speakers couldn’t handle it’s own volume.
Under 60% volume, it sounds good and the radio itself seems very solid.
Cole Y
I bought the 2890-20 a little over a year ago amd had no problems until recently one of the speakers stopped working, searched google and the milwaukee website to find replacement parts and cant find anything, has anybody had this problem or know wherw to find parts info?