Milwaukee has come out with a new cordless M12 radio and charger, 2951-20.
As far as we’re aware, this is the first 12V-class jobsite radio with a built-in charger. Milwaukee has this to say about it:
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This new jobsite audio solution delivers unmatched versatility for its size, allowing users to charge up, hang up, and turn up the sound with a full range speaker, a tweeter, and multiple hanging options.
The radio can be powered via M12 battery or AC adapter, with the same 12V DC barrel jack also powering the battery charging feature.
There’s also a built-in USB charging port with 2.1A output.
Here’s a closer look at the rear ports. As minor a feature as it seems, I like that there looks to be a solid plastic port protector, rather than the typical flimsy rubber insert.
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Milwaukee emphasizes the radio’s support capabilities. You can, for instance, loop rope or scrap wire through the tubular handle, allowing it to be hung from a variety of hooks or other implements.
Or, you can simply place a large hook through the handle recess.
Finally, there’s also a self-centering keyhole built into the top handle.
Milwaukee 2951-20 M12 Radio/Charger Features & Specs
- Bluetooth 4.2 for streaming music
- 100 ft Bluetooth range
- Full-range speaker and tweeter
- AM and FM radio tuner
- 10 Radio presets
- 6′ AC adapter
- 2.1A USB charging output
- IP54 water and dust resistance
- Dimensions: 5.39″ x 9.21″ x 5.67″
- Weighs 3.68 lbs
- “No-interference battery charger”
- 10 hrs runtime with CP 2.0Ah battery
Milwaukee says that the radio has an impact-resistant exterior, serving to protect the internal components from drops, impacts, and other such tough conditions.
The press release also mentions the “no-interference battery charger,” which is definitely worth mentioning. I have used some other cordless jobsite radios in the past, and radio sound quality has almost always suffered whenever the battery charging function was used.
Streaming via Bluetooth seems to be more popular these days, but it’s also nice to be able to tune into a radio station. Plus, the charger is a big selling point. It’d be nice to be able to take advantage of the charging capabilities and radio tuner at the same time. Otherwise, you can save money and go with a Bluetooth-only jobsite speaker.
Price: $119 for the bare tool (2951-20)
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Discussion
While the new jobsite radio is priced higher than Milwaukee’s Bluetooth-only M12 wireless speaker, it’s less expensive compared to their other offerings, including the M12/M18 Bluetooth speaker.
So far, this looks to be a fully-featured new jobsite radio. The IP54 water and dust resistance rating is welcome, and it of course has AM/FM radio tuners and M12 battery charging functionality. These days, USB charging ports are the norm, and even essential.
We’re checking on the charging rate/time, but it’s generally expected that a product like this will be slower than a standard standalone charger. You buy a jobsite radio with built-in charger for the convenience, not the speed.
It might not sound important, but I think the box-like geometry is a plus – the lack of a fancy roll cage or odd shape means the new M12 radio is about as compact as possible.
I think it’ll be a winner.
Chris
I may be misinterpreting this…
Does this come with a cord like this as well?
https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-107671-18AWG-Polarized-IEC-320-C7/dp/B009GUZ654/
Or is it like the cord/wall wort that comes with Milwaukee’s fan?
I would be much more interested if the power supply was built into the unit with a simple sturdy cord as the carry around.
I’ve already had one fan power supply “lost” and the second one is a mangled mess with that wimpy cord that isn’t built with a job site in mind…
RickD
Looks to me like the power supply is behind the flip down; next to the USB Charger. If that is the case; I would guess/fear a wall wart power supply and stepped down to 12 volts.
Oscar
Looks just like my m12 inflator or roverlight
Levi
Looks like wall wart, that how i see/interpret it. Using the 12v barrel connector.
fred
When I saw it, I was thinking about this as a Xmas present for someone I know is a M12 user. But IMO wall-warts and skinny low voltage wires require some TLC – often not given them in regular jobsite use – and that’s a deal breaker.
ToolGuyDan
Grab a 12 V power supply with sufficient amperage rating (and, may I suggest, waterproofing). (Optionally, semi-) permanently attach it to the radio, and run a cord from its output into the barrel connector. Run 110 V into your transformer with whatever cabling strikes your fancy.
Big Richard
It is not like the one in the link. Like others have mentioned it is the 12v DC wall wart block plug with thin, flimsy low-voltage wiring. It’s a bummer. I also would much rather they build the power supply in the unit and make it a few centimeters larger and a couple ounces heavier.
Their otherwise great M12/M18 2891-20 bluetooth speaker has a similar 18v DC wall wart, not cool. Not a deal breaker, but I prefer DeWalt’s design with their DCR010 Bluetooth speaker as it has a built in adapter and uses an AC cord like the one in the link.
Stuart
Looks like a DC barrel jack to me, right next to the USB charging port.
MangoMan
If you are considering this, you’re probably into the M12 system. Just swap out batteries.
Charge it at home or use your M12 battery charger if you want faster charging and a sturdy cord.
Why worry about plugging in on the job site . The beauty of a battery operated radio is portability and not being tethered to a wire for power. A 10-hr run time seems reasonable. For a longer run time, use higher capacity batteries.
Chris
Ooo looks great. Except that price tag. ? $120 seems quite steep. I was expecting $80-90. Hrm. Maybe someday.
Sam
its definitely enough, I paid 149 for my m18 speaker.. obviously no radio. but im still tempted to buy this unit at some point. I like size, the fact its a radio, and I can play music from my phone. I got like 4 6.0 m12 batts so whatever. works for me. lol
Champs
Not quite what I’m looking for.
What we really need is a simple “Packout Power” module you can roll out and plug in to drive battery chargers and an AC outlet or two for what M18 can’t run. If they want to throw in a Bluetooth radio, OK fine, but it’s not the main event.
To expand upon that, corded power would come from a surge strip submodule. It’s convenient to bundle for different markets, and nice enough that you’ll want it separately: smart cable management and an auto-switched outlet for dust collection, et al are features high on my list.
Dominique
Wow I can’t understand they still launch new radio’s in 2020 whitout DAB+.
Whitin a few years am/fm will be mostley gone in europe
Frank D
Ooh that price tag.
Will wait for Bosch …
James C
I’m sure it will go on sale for $99 a few times a year.
Johnny4
What is Bosch launching?
Their last 12V radio was underwhelming. A jobsite radio 2nd most important feature is to charge the battery it runs off of. Also why not include NFC pairing. My headphone have it and due to the convenience I never pair to my Powerbox anymore.
Bob
I wonder if the onboard power supply allowing full size job site style extension cords is problematic from a design/manufacturing point? It could be too big for the footprint, too expensive for the pricepoint (doubt it team red always is more expensive) or if the onboard power supply causes interference with radio/blutooth necessitating power conditioning options increaseing size and cost.
Seems DeWalt runs these stupid wall wort plugs on their radios too. I know Dewalt years ago had a multi port 18v battery charger that ran off 110v extension cord. Had pass through outlets and a radio. I don’t think it had blutooth and i’m not sure the batteries could power the radio. But you would think at least 10 years later we would’ve figured out how to do this.
Also Champ is onto something. I like the dedicated dust collection outlet idea.
Adam
It could also be a heat issue. There are already a lot of electronics packed into a very small space, and an internal transformer wouldn’t help them stay cooler.
ToolGuyDan
This is likely one half of the reason. The other half is that UL certification and managing waterproofing are both a lot easier when your transformer is off-the-shelf, rather than part of the certification package.
Planegrain
5.39” x 5.67” x 9.21”. 3.68 pounds. It looks bigger than that in the pictures. Really portable, I can see it on sale for $99.00 down the road.
Planegrain
I’m still wondering if it has a bottle opener.
Crop Dusta
This. Right here. If it doesnt have a bottle opener, then its just about worthless to me. I need to use a bottle opener at least a hundred times daily, but I can never seem to find one when I need it. On top of that, the only store in my area that even carries them is ALWAYS sold tf out. Why cant we just live in an era where every multipurpose/tactical tool in existence comes with a built in bottle opener that never gets used because almost everything comes with a twist top?
John B
So will the old model go for less than $100 now that it has competition?
Stuart
Which model?
John B
2590-20. The long rectangular one.
Stuart
I don’t think so, since there’s still a ~20% price difference between models.
Will
Did you notice that this costs as much as the rectangular one used to amd they raised the price of that one to 150?
Stuart
Other models increased in price too, which could reflect higher component costs.
Lance
“Up to 10 hours”
On its lowest volume and on FM radio, probably. I’m betting most people will get only a few hours on a 2.0 battery, which only has about 22Wh of energy. If the amplifier is running at 10W and the electronics are using 1W, that’s about 2 hrs. At 4-5W, more typical probably, maybe 4-5 hrs.
I would rather see them say it gets 6 hours at full power on a 6.0 battery. That would be a much more meaningful spec.
Kenneth Stephens
You can charge things through usb off of the old one as well
Dust
I would buy it if : they ditched the charger, and added a second speaker. Or at least included a dc car charger. But I really can’t be bothered to listen to mono.
Bob
To many radio’s from Milwaukee, they better make some new tools then redesign what they have already
Mike
Maybe it’s just me, but I really find the pricing on Milwaukee’s non-“tool” rechargeable items to be way out of line. I feel like just because it uses a milwaukee battery it shouldn’t cost 2-3 times what a consumer electronic company is charging for the same item with the battery built in.
Mr. X
I’m starting to think this radio is vaporware. I pre-ordered one on May 17, with the vendor claiming a ship date of 5/22. That date was changed to 6/22, and then 7/1. Today the ship date is changed to 7/17. To be fair to the vendor, they did say “subject to change”, but I think two months is too long to wait considering my credit card was charged immediately when I “pre-ordered”.
I’m going to try to cancel my order. Wish me luck.
Robert West
Does the radio come with battery?
Stuart
Not usually. There are sometimes promos that bundle a bare tool with an M12 battery.
Rick terris
How do I take the [censored] battery out without such an aggravation!!! Seriously I’m not an idiot but I’m having so many problems with taking out the battery!!!!