I hope you’re sitting down for this one, because we’ve got exciting news. Milwaukee Tool is once again revolutionizing jobsite storage with two new tumbers.
That’s right, Milwaukee is disrupting the travel cup market with two new tumblers that “provide the longest temperature retention.” These new Milwaukee Packout tumblers ensure your hot drinks stay hot, and your cold drinks cold ALL. DAY. LONG.
There are two sizes – 20 ounce and 30 ounce.
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The new Milwaukee tumblers feature double-wall insulation and Milwaukee’s iconic red color scheme, so that you can be the envy of the jobsite.
The tumblers feature an innovative twist-to-lock Packout interface that allows them to connect to most Packout tool boxes, organizers, and accessories.
The lids have a rotating magnetic closure that Milwaukee says can be opened and closed even when the user is wearing gloves. This lid was designed this way to help to keep dirt and debris away from the opening.
Everything disassembles for cleaning, and all components are dishwasher safe.
Best of all, anyone can enjoy the hydration goodness these tumblers provide, even if you have not yet bought into the Milwaukee Packout modular storage and accessory system.
Pricing and Availability
- PACKOUT 20oz Tumbler (48-22-8392R) – $29.97
- PACKOUT 30oz Tumbler (48-22-8393R) – $34.97
Launched: Summer 2022
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Discussion
Despite my tongue-in-cheek approach to this post, there’s a lot of interesting things going on here.
First, “all day hot and cold retention.” Great.
The tumblers also lock into Packout products with a single cleat “twist to lock” mechanism. This is new, and holds a whole lot of potential. ENORMOUS potential.
Here’s Benjamen’s recent Instagram post about the new locking mechanism design. H/T to Nate/Doresoom for finding the patent.
What else might be convenient to attach to single Packout recesses? Accessory boxes…?
This seems really cool.
Lastly, the magnetically-retention rotating lid cover seems neat.
Let’s assume you stashed your drink in a safe place. Uh-oh, your hands or gloves are dirty – how do you open the lid without potentially dropping stuff you don’t want to drink into your beverage?
From the product images, it looks like you rotate the cover and the opening appears on the opposite side.
In theory, this minimizes the risk of your drink getting contaminated.
This looks a lot easier than most other travel cups and water bottle containers I’m familiar with, which have sliding openings or removable twist-tops.
You will still want to keep your cup in a safe place, adhere to any open or closed container rules that might be in place at your jobsite, and use common sense.
While I know some of you will harp about the price, Yeti’s incredibly popular vacuum insulated tumblers cost a little more than than Milwaukee’s new 20 oz and 30 oz tumblers.
Compared to Yeti, which is fair to consider as the de facto industry standard these days, the Milwaukee tumblers offer a more jobsite-friendly lid opening design, as well as Packout compatibility – should you desire it.
For true Milwaukee fans, also consider: Cherry Kool-Aid, via Amazon.
Frankly, this is the type of product some Milwaukee fans and many detractors will deride. Despite my tongue-in-cheek approach, I also believe it’s the type of product that’s going to sell very, very well.
Milwaukee kicked off press materials with a strong statement:
Milwaukee Tool continues to revolutionize jobsite storage with new Tumblers and a Cooler that feature full modular connectivity with the PACKOUT system.
What can be revolutionary about new tumblers and a cooler (more on that soon)? But, some clever thinking went into the designs – both the lid gate and the twist-to-lock Packout cleat. The lid design probably doesn’t have broad applicability, but where else will see the novel Packout locking mechanism?
Dean
Connect to most Packout tool boxes? Not all?
Stuart
It looks to connect to anything with Packout lugs, but I’m hesitant to say “all” because it won’t connect to Packout tool bags or tote boxes (at the least).
TomD
I wonder if you can connect it to the wall hang kit- and if the lid is watertight enough to not leak in that position …
Stuart
Maybe, but I would also assume it would leak. Maybe it won’t leak if the opening is oriented towards the top, and the container less than half full, but where’s the benefit? I would sooner use it with a wall storage accessory that should be compatible with other travel cups – maybe the organizer cup or compact shelf. https://toolguyd.com/milwaukee-packout-workshop-storage-full-list-update-2022/
Jared
You know what? This is more interesting than I thought. I was expecting it to be a sarcastic take on Milwaukee slapping a logo on a tumbler and charging too much – but the tumbler doesn’t look half bad.
It’s still expensive – but those are some neat features.
Justin
Honestly in the world of high end water bottles (Hydroflask, yeti etc.), this seems about right.
Rob H
This could be useful in a situation like operating a tractor where you’d like to have a firm hold on a cup. If they made single-spot holders that you could stick on (adhesive maybe?) surfaces and have a drink stay put, or if you could 3d print the base and make a home brew version, that could be pretty handy. My tractor has a cup holder but it isn’t anything I’d call sturdy. Could be used on boats, utv/atv, etc.
Ken
I’ve generally found the gimballed cupholders to work well on tractors, boats, etc. Though their depth and diameter tends to only work with a narrower size range of cups, usually close to that of a 12 oz can. I had a bit of a hard time finding a insulated tumbler that fit such cupholders.
Chris S
Simple stuff like this seems like a good fit.
https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-25114-Magnetic-Nut-Cup/dp/B071R697R9/
Koko The Talking Ape
It’s double-wall stainless steel, I guess?
IronWood
I really like that lid design. I have a Yeti with the little magnetic slide closure that’s pretty good, but this Milwaukee looks better. I’m actually a lot more impressed with this than I thought I would be from the title. But, I got the Yeti free from work and it seems like it’ll last forever, and I’m way too cheap to replace something that works…
Dave Brock
wow, 5 dollar cup like found at walmart with a locking device is now $30…
it’s_jake
I think they are targeting the type of folks who will spend yeti money on an insulated tumbler.
There are definitely differences between a yeti product and an Ozark trailer product for instance, though to really get the best out of it you need to preheat or pre-cool the container. Arduino versus evil did an interesting test with their insulated can holders.
I could see this being enticing for the type of person who already spent pack out money, I could also see it being a pretty stolen object on a job site.
David A.
Yeah you can get a simple double-wall SS tumbler at Walmart for less than $10- I recently went there intending to do just that. However, I changed my mind after I saw their offerings. If you meticulously compare cheap to more expensive tumblers you might be surprised. Here’s what I noticed after I went to Walmart and then to a sporting goods store to look at the more expensive competition;
1) the cheaper tumblers don’t have a closure flap or a way to fully seal, meaning a bumpy drive will slosh your coffee out into your cupholder.
2) cheaper tumblers aren’t dishwasher safe- they’re glued together with cheap adhesive and the dishwasher will eventually cause the seam where the steel is affixed to itself to come apart.
3) cheap tumbler/mug handles are not as large and robust as more expensive versions- not that they’re going to break but if you work with your hands all day it’s nice not to have to pinch your fingers together to hold your coffee.
4) The finish on expensive tumblers is of higher quality or at least much better QC’d. Whether it’s powder coated or enameled or lasered, if you look closely at the Walmart versions you’ll often see chips or drips or other imperfections in the finish.
5) The materials matter- cheap plastics can melt or disintegrate when exposed to solvents or other chemicals, they can amber over time, and they get scratched easily. If your lid is made of cheap plastic don’t expect it to last very long unless you’re careful with it. (I just had a brand new one break on me the other day).
6) The overall design is more refined on pricier tumblers. If your lid doesn’t seal properly, or doesn’t allow liquid to flow smoothly and you get half-caf soy raspberry macchiato in your beard every time you take a sip then your cheap tumbler is worthless. What if you’re working at a sensitive jobsite like a computer lab or a facility with expensive equipment? You want to explain that your Walmart tumbler lid broke and spilled coffee into the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy machine worth $1.5 million?
The details matter, even on a simple thing like a coffee mug or a tumbler. If you can find a cheap one that does exactly what you want that’s great, but if you’re going to use it everyday, it’s going to help you look and maintain a professional jobsite, and if you enjoy using it, I say go for it.
Collin
The cleats are a superior mounting design. Much more versatility than something like DeWalt’s side spring-latch design. Half-size organizers are very nice features, as well as a 1/12th size drink organizer like this one.
I’m curious what Flex will offer with its Stack Pack but not going with a cleat-based design is a bad idea in my opinion.
Collin
I do hope that Milwaukee will release a Packout refrigerator, like the one that Makita already has, but I doubt it’ll come anytime soon, if at all. It really seems as if all the new, more power-efficient compressor technology is being advanced in the Asia-Pacific region…linear compressors, for example, are employed by many manufacturers in the AP region. But American firms seem to be sticking with the old tech. So that’s why I doubt Milwaukee will be able to make a refrigerator that is viable with their 18 volt platform, unlike Makita.
Nathan
yes you need a 400 dollar job site fridge that eats 2-4 of your batteries.
as opposed to a cooler. sorry just don’t see it.
Munklepunk
And packout sells a $100 cooler that’s not any better than a $30 Coleman, and their new full sized is $200. So for $400 that can freeze and heat, plus has accessory chargers. It also can be plugged in. Yeah, packout coolers can suck it.
Collin
Yep, I have the Makita cooler permanently riding shotgun in my SUV. It’s plugged into the cigarette lighter and also has two batteries inside. Really nice to save money by keeping my energy drinks chilled instead of buying them for $4-5 at a time from gas station. Also, grocery runs can be coupled with Home Depot runs now…just throw all the meats inside the cooler.
Chris
The wife rides in the backseat?
I like your style.
Dave R.
I… Actually can see the point of this. I live in Georgia, and thus when my car is outside for 10 minutes its so hot frodo could have used it to destroy the ring.
I go grocery shopping on the way to get the kids from day care and I’ve been flirting with the idea of just putting the cooler on my way to visit other stores. But you’d still have to kinda pre cool it right? So I guess you pull up, turn it on, go shopping, come back, load it, and then use it’s batteries?
Does it charge from the 12v system as well?
Dominic S
What do we need to do to get a cupholder insert or mountable lock ring so that you can lock your tumbler to whatever you want?
Javier A.
Probably a 3D printer and internet access…
Ken
I’ll wait for the MX Fuel version.
Joe H
I want to see a nice attachment for a 4 foot or 2 foot level to the back side of the tool boxes.
Andrew
I believe they have a few choices on Thingiverse. I went with the individual cleat version, just printed out two, and I can put them on the lid. With the advent of putting the cleats on the rear of some of the boxes (though I only know for certain of the open top tote having this feature) I’m sure someone has made an inverse attachment design. The nice thing about the growth of the 3D printing market is that you don’t need to have a printer, or even know someone who does. Just download the file, and providing there are no stipulations regarding its use, you can upload said file to a website and they will print it for you for (usually) a fairly reasonable fee.
Robert
Andrew, assuming allowed by Stuart’s rules, can you provide the URLs of websites that will print for you that you had luck with?
Nathan
it’s a neat idea and as mentioned an assumed yeti knockoff. I see the appeal to some however I don’t know I’d be taking my drink stuff that close to my work in general. IE putting it on my “stack” and taking it to the site
also wonder how stong those lugs on the bottom are and if they interfere with veichle cup holder use.
Dave
Very strong and they do not interfere with vehicle cup holders. They do not protrude out any farther than the OD of the tumbler itself.
Peter
Looks like the big red is going where Harley Davidson is with all the life style accessories. 😉
Jim Felt
“Brand Extension” in both cases.
One for mostly wannabes and one for job/work life enhancement.
Or at least that’s what their respective marketing managers are most likely focused on.
Frank D
I think I will go Benjamen’s route 😉
Dennis
You mean to tell me that Milwaukee is a corporation, and they want me to spend money on a storage product line like Packout, and then on accessories for those products?!?
“Ahhh…It’s a profit deal.”
But seriously, the magnetic closure intrigues me. And I use insulated cups everyday. Although I’ve never had the necessity to attach one to my Packout stack. And it costs $5-$10 more than other insulated cups. So I’m going to have to wrestle with whether or not I buy one. Decisions, decisions. I’ll probably wait until their Christmas sales when you can get them for $20 by executing a Home Depot free item hack or something like that.
Also, will we have to order the European version if we want it in black?
Frank D
Oh how I wish my PackOuts were some inconspicuous black … :/
Matt the Hoople
Kudos on “The Jerk” reference. One of the all time classics.
Nicholas
I wish it had an m12 or usb battery and a heating element or something that would tie it into the Milwaukee product family. I cannot see needing to have it locking into the top of my pack out box be enough of a motivator. Maybe the battery could be in the handle. I’d like if it heated and also thermoelectrically cooled.
Bill
I am assuming that you can use them with a straw?
Dave
Yes you can, the opening is large enough for a straw.
Randy
Magnets in the top will only ATTRACT metallic particulars. Especially those that are airborne and attached to the surface of your work gloves.
The magnetic clasp on my iWatch attracts fine grinding and drilling swarf that is challenging to get clean. It remains attached even after cleaning the watch band in the ultrasonic cleaner.
Matt the Hoople
Every one needs to keep 20 ounces of liquid hot or cold for the whole day. That’ a lot of fluid to finish in half a day 🙂
Munklepunk
We usually carry about 2 gallons per person when working outside. It’s always gone. That doesn’t include the Gatorade, coffee and energy drinks.
Lawson
Maybe it’s just me, but I find the lack of clean-ability of most insulated drinking containers to be their biggest drawback. The lids become a haven of filth. I don’t care how you wash it, if you can’t reach it with whatever it is you clean with it becomes stained, then it continues to build up. I find that…not worth drinking from! Bonus that it can be attached to the boxes, which I do own, but I don’t find that particularly useful in my work.
Ball_bearing
Get a bottle brush. That way you can scrub the thing clean. They are inexpensive, and there are some motorized models. You can also put some warm water with vinegar in them and give them a shake, to get rid of most odors/smells.
Davethetool
I went to the ACME site hoping for a picture of the bottom of the mug but no suck luck. Wondering if upright stability is compromised somewhat by tapering the bottoms to fit into the pack out box tops?
Dave
No its still a flat bottom, works the same as any other tumbler with added PACKOUT functionality. Works in car cup holders as well.
ca
“Hydrating Fluid Storage Containers”. Now I’ve heard it all.
MM
Sounds like just the thing to maintain thermal stability of your Coffea Arabica decoction as you partake of your firstmeal of thermally denatured avian embryonic capsules and lateral sections of cured swine belly.
Stuart
To be clear, Milwaukee just calls these Tumblers. I took some creative liberties with the post title.
Big Richard
Once they read this, they might offer you a job in their marketing department.
Ball_bearing
As an extra layer of protection, you could place an upside down ziplock bag over a tumbler, and tighten the zip A bit. The ziplock would allow you to open or close the lid without your hands getting into direct contact with it. It would also prevent dust or debris from getting inside your tumbler or around the opening.
Back to the product
The locking mechanism, if rubberized, will prevent the tumbler from being unlocked by vibration and getting knocked over. I think it [is/will be] good.
Now they need food containers (I’m not aware if they have or not).
Andy
Did I just miss it, or did we just break the record on how long it took someone to ask if this is made in China?
Big Richard
I like this comment.
OldDominionDIYer
Nice option and seems intuitive and well designed for ease of use and cleaning. I will want to handle one for real first but I’m good with these.
Josiah
I’m still waiting for the m18 packout coffee maker it will lock into
chip hershberger
Just like the Festool tipping cutting table, if it saves you time it is worth it.
For me it is not.
There are gimble holders, magnets,double sided tape, friends or paid 3d makers to make the base.
I have cheap tumblers, and 1 Yeti.
Honestly can’t tell the difference in cold retention, yesterday was mid 90’s in SE GA.
I have handles on several, but like lids they’re wearable items and need to be replaced when broken.
I do not want magnets near my lips even in a cabinet shop, swarf etc are not a cheaper botox.
Aaron
I know I’m a bit late on this article, but figured I’d throw my 2 cents in. I’ve had the Milwaukee tumbler for about a month now. It does fantastic at keeping cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot, though not any better than Yeti.
Where it does excel, is in the lid. I’ve never had such a convenient and also leak-resistant lid. It’s easy to open and close, and when it’s closed it actually seals. You can hold the full cup upside down with the lid closed, and it doesn’t leak. I’ve knocked it over several times without spills. You’d typically need a screw-on lid for the same level of protection.
I also like the packout feet. I printed out several cleats, and now I have a secure mount on my old tractor, my kayak, and wherever I think of next.