Milwaukee M12 Battery System
Milwaukee M12 battery system is a very popular lithium-ion battery system used to power 100+ various M12 Milwaukee cordless tools.
Every Milwaukee M12 battery is designed to power every Milwaukee M12 tool, however, the energy and power requirements of such tools differ - it is recommended to go for the batteries that best suit the needs of both the tool and the task being done.
Published: October 6, 2022.
Intro To Milwaukee M12 Batteries
Milwaukee offers a broad range of M12 batteries ranging from 1.5Ah to 6.0Ah. Also, many third-party batteries are or should be, completely compatible with Milwaukee M12 tools and chargers.
Note: We say "should be" since the quality of such third-party batteries differ significantly.
Milwaukee M12 batteries and cordless tools feature a relatively lightweight and compact design making them excellent choices for use in tight and narrow work areas.
Also, Milwaukee M12 batteries are designed to communicate with the cordless tool and battery charger, protecting both the tool and the battery from overheating, overloading, and other unwanted events.
This communication technology (so-called REDLINK Intelligence) also increases energy efficiency, improves battery and motor performance and safety, prolongs the runtime on a single battery charge, etc.
Another very important feature is the support for very low temperatures - Milwaukee M12 batteries can be operated safely down to 0°F (-18°C) without adverse effects on the battery.
Milwaukee M12 batteries are strong and durable batteries with chemically resistant casings and are designed for all-weather applications.
Last but not least: thanks to the lithium-ion technology, Milwaukee M12 batteries offer fade-free power - the battery provides constant output power regardless of its remaining battery charge.
At the moment, Milwaukee offers M12 batteries ranging from 1.5Ah to 6.0Ah:
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP1.5 Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2401
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP1.5 Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2401, is the smallest Milwaukee M12 battery featuring a nominal voltage of 12V and a nominal capacity of "only" 1.5Ah.
Nonetheless, the battery is able to provide plenty of power for various handheld tools, keeping their total weight rather low - this is an excellent battery for tools that are used on elevated and above-the-head locations.
The REDLINK Intelligence technology lets the battery communicate with the M12-compatible cordless tools preventing the battery from sending too much current.
Also, the battery features an over-discharge prevention feature which keeps the cells from being damaged.
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP1.5 Battery Pack comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP1.5 Battery Pack Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP2.0 Battery, Model 48-11-2420
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP2.0 Battery, Model 48-11-2420, like other Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM batteries, comes with built-in REDLINK Intelligence, protecting both the battery and the tool from various overloads.
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP2.0 Battery offers 33% more charge than the CP1.5 (48-11-2401), ensuring longer runtime on a single battery charge while still having very compact dimensions.
The battery is made out of durable and chemically resistant material and supports operations down to 0°F (-18°C) - when working at very low temperatures, it is recommended to start and run a tool for 30-60 seconds slowly in order to warm up both the battery and the tool (it is not by much, but it may help).
The battery comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM CP2.0 Battery Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT CP2.5 Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2425
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT CP2.5 Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2425, is another compact Milwaukee M12 battery offering various advanced features in small and lightweight packages.
With the increase in capacity, Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT CP2.5 Battery Pack offers longer runtime, cooler operation, fade-free power, etc.
The battery is still rather compact to allow free use in handheld tools, even for above-the-head tasks.
Like other M12 batteries, Miwlaukee M12 CP2.5 also comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM 3.0 Compact Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2430
At the moment, Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM 3.0 Compact Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2430, is the largest Milwaukee M12 compact battery, offering 2x longer runtime than the CP1.5 battery with a slight increase in weight of the battery+tool combo.
The battery is designed to be as efficient as possible in order to prolong the runtime on a single battery charge, to increase the efficiency of both the tool and the battery, and to operate even at very low temperatures (0°F, -18°C).
The physical dimensions of the battery are (L x W x H) 1.9 x 1.2 x 3.4 inches, and it weighs ~0.4 pounds - not bad for the battery being able to store ~36 Wh of energy.
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM 3.0 Compact Battery Pack features a 2-year limited warranty.
Milwaukee M12 XC High Capacity REDLITHIUM Battery, Model 48-11-2402 (3.0Ah)
As its label suggests, Milwaukee M12 XC High Capacity REDLITHIUM Battery, Model 48-11-2402, is a 12V 3.0Ah high-capacity lithium-ion battery with high max. discharge current for increased tool power and improved performance, with a rubber over-molded base that protects delicate surfaces from marring and a relatively wide and long, but nonetheless sturdy base that allows some of the M12 tools to stand easily.
The battery features typical Milwaukee M12 technologies and design details, including REDLINK Intelligence, low-temperature operation, fade-free power, compatibility with Milwaukee M12 tools, etc.
Milwaukee M12 XC High Capacity REDLITHIUM Battery comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Milwaukee M12 XC High Capacity REDLITHIUM Battery Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2440
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack is a very popular Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM battery - it stores plenty of energy, and it is not yet bulky and heavy to prevent it from being used in handheld tools.
Also, it packs plenty of energy ready to be used at a moment's notice, allowing the battery to be used even in energy and power-hungry cordless tools.
Thus, Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack is part of many Milwaukee M12 chargers and tool kits.
Also, if required, it can be ordered as "battery-only," even in larger packs (2x batteries).
The battery features a 3-year limited warranty.
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC 4.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC5.0 Battery Pack, Model 48-11-2450
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC5.0 Battery Pack is another high-output, extended capacity M12 battery, offering a 20% larger capacity than the XC4.0 model.
The physical dimensions of the battery are (L x W x H) 3.4 x 2.6 x 4.3 inches (~8.6 x 6.6 x 10.9 cm), and it weighs ~0.9 pounds (~0.4 kg) - the battery offers typical features of the Milwaukee M12 batteries, including REDLINK Intelligence, sturdy construction, all-weather performance, fade-free power, low-temperature operation, etc.
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT XC5.0 Battery Pack comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC6.0 Battery, Model 48-11-2460
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC6.0 Battery, Model 48-11-2460, is the largest Milwaukee M12 OEM battering - the battery features a nominal capacity of 6.0Ah.
The physical dimensions of the unit are (L x W x H) 3.4 x 2.6 x 4.5 inches (~8.6 x 6.6 x 11.4 cm) and it weighs ~0.9 pounds (~0.4 kg).
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC6.0 Battery features all-weather operation and fade-free power even in extreme jobsite conditions (temperatures, for example, down to 0°F, -18°C).
The battery is surprisingly popular among the users of Milwaukee M12 tools and is used for powering a broad range of energy-hungry devices, regardless of their size.
Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC6.0 Battery, Model 48-11-2460, comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
For the most up-to-date offers and prices, feel free to check the Milwaukee M12 REDLITHIUM XC6.0 Battery Amazon link (the link opens in the new window).
Note: At the moment, Milwaukee doesn't offer M12 batteries with a capacity larger than 6Ah. But, such batteries can be found on the market from third-party brands, which Milwaukee does not officially support.
How To Charge Milwaukee M12 Batteries
Milwaukee offers several M12 battery chargers that differ in size, a number of charging ports, battery types being supported, etc.
Personally, Milwaukee M12 batteries should be charged ONLY with OEM Milwaukee M12 compatible battery chargers.
Again, just like Milwaukee M12 batteries, Milwaukee M12 battery chargers are offered by third-party brands - these intelligent battery chargers not only charge the battery, but they MUST be able to communicate with the battery, just like OEM battery chargers.
So, if You need a Milwaukee M12 battery charger, either go for the OEM battery charger or for the chargers offered as part of the battery and tool kits.
Note: despite their relatively small size, these industrial batteries are able to pack a strong punch - whatever You do, be careful in order to avoid injuries, fire, or worse. Also, whatever You do, it is your own responsibility.