Last week, we talked a little about the new Milwaukee M12 cordless inflator that’s coming out.
There’s a common sentiment in some of the responses, boiling down to: this looks great, but I wish there was an M18 version.
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Here’s the thing, though. I know exactly why Milwaukee came out with an M12 version, instead of M18. I didn’t even have to talk to them about it.
Most people, you see, will only ever need a 12V-powered cordless inflator. Sure, it might be convenient for M18 users to be able to use the inflator with their battery packs. But an M12 inflator is going to be smaller, less expensive, and perfectly suitable for most tasks it’s asked to do.
If this inflator isn’t enough for your needs, then perhaps a cordless air compressor would be the better choice. You can find cordless air compressors by Ridgid (18V) and Dewalt (FlexVolt).
Over at our friends (and affiliate partner) Tool Nut, they have a special bundle (preorder bundle??) where you can buy the bare tool inflator and a 2.0Ah battery pack for just $10 more than the price of the bare tool. It’s $79, compared to the tool-only price of $69. If you have any M18 battery chargers, then you know that you also have an M12 charger, since M18 chargers have been multi-volt chargers for the longest time.
An M18 inflator would be expected to be more capable. I presume it would also be larger and more expensive.
As for the M12 inflator being enough for most needs, take a look my review of Craftsman’s 12V Nextec cordless inflator.
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That Craftsman inflator got me out of some tough times. It also helped me out with many seasonal tire pressure top-offs.
There was a time when I had a slow tire leak for two weeks before I was able to get it fixed. Every two days or so I’d top off my tire. That two week delay wasn’t laziness, I just could not spare any time to go to the tire shop.
One of those days, when I kept the inflator in my trunk for 2 weeks, I was in a hospital parking lot and there was a woman with a small kid, and her car had a very flat tire. My inflator was on a low charge, but we were able to get her tire pressure up enough so that she could get out of the parking lot and wait for someone to meet her. That’s what she wanted, and the inflator ran for long enough to being her tire up from nearly flat.
While more is better, an M12/12V-class battery is great for a task like this.
You can keep the battery with the inflator, helping to lower the cost of entry. The 4.0Ah battery kit seems like a decent value, too, but I really like that there’s that special 2.0Ah battery bundle for $79.
If you’re an M18 user, I definitely understand what you might be thinking. And maybe one day Milwaukee will come out with an M18 model, too. But as with other tools that are available in M12 and M18 varieties, there’d have to be additional capabilities, power, or benefits.
Whether you’re an M18 user or you don’t own any Milwaukee tools, part of the goal behind tools like this is to turn you into an M12 user as well. While each tool is intended to be a solution that satisfies user needs or wants, many can also serve as “gateway” tools. If you can be convinced to buy your first M12 tool, there’s a good chance that you’re going to buy more down the road. Right?
If a Craftsman 12V Nextec inflator can deliver an admirable performance with a 1.3Ah battery pack, what can’t a Milwaukee M12 inflator do, with a 2.0Ah compact or 4.0Ah XC battery pack?
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Tim
An M18 compressor should be soon then.
Stuart
Not necessarily, but that’d make sense to me, too.
Jeremiah
I’m not sure about soon, but the m18 compressor is my thought too, my bet would be within 2 years. Having m12 as an extra battery platform really isn’t that much of an investment for an m18 user.
Also my experience is the batteries have good life, I have 7 year old m12 batteries that still hold a good charge, half of original or more(although the shell is falling apart). Based on a previous co-worker id say the worst thing you can do to Milwaukee lithium batteries is fully discharging frequently and storing them in very cold temps (close to or below 0)
Keegan
It’s not looking good Jeremiah
razl
Ryobi also has a couple of 18v Inflator options – the P731 Inflator/Deflator (the one most comparable to the Milwaukee here) and the smaller P737.
I got the P731 since I was already on Ryobi batteries for lawn tools and for about $39 bare, and it’s a winner.
Tony
Ryobi is mad by the same company that makes Milwaukee . It’s basically a cheaper version of Milwaukee
dj
no it’s not. owned by the same outfit but totally different divisions and companies.
Greg N
I have the Ryobi P737 and I love it. Its affordable, bought for 20$. If my car tire is 3psi low, the light comes on. I just take out my inflator and about 45 seconds later I am good.
I also use it for bicycle tires. My fatbike may take a hundred plus strokes to get to 10psi, but this tool makes quick work.
I also have a Air Canister (I have this one https://www.serfas.com/shop/products/pumps/af-1-air-force-one-air-canister/ ) that is designed to be pumped up with a bicycle floor pump, I use my P737 inflator and it makes the job easy and fast. The Ryobi has no issues taking the canister to 140psi.
The only change I would make would be a serviceable hose. I want to change the head to a Presta/Schrader head, but looks like I will have to cut the hose to swap the head. I would love to just unscrew the head or the hose from the body, but it all appears to be press fit.
Mizzourob
I’ve been loving my Porter cable 18 volt inflator #PCC583B for some time. That would have been the ideal form factor here. It’s 18 volts and has a 12 volt cigarette lighter plug too just in case the tool battery is dead. The sentiment that an inflator lowers a brand’s perception is hog wash.
Ryan
Maybe they’re aiming the 12v line at homeowner/hobbyists? Inflator, staple gun, soldering iron, etc?
Jeremiah
Sorry the following turned into a rant:
It’s more about the smallest, lightest tool with the best form factor for the job. Not Every Job Requires A 3+ Pound tool. Also, every tool you listed is used by hundreds or thousands of professional workers and technicians multiple times daily, they wouldn’t be appealing to anybody but an occasional user in m18.
I would counter with their m12 propress tool, 1/4 and 3/8 fuel impact drivers and ratchets, pex expansion or compression ring tools. How many homeowners of low or middle income will buy these to use once a month?
They also have screwdrivers, But That Doesnt Mean Its For Someone Who Only Drives Screws Once A Week, I use mine 10 or more times a day and I hardly ever use my m18 fuel drill, or impact, for screws because it’s large, awkward heavy and has too much power.
Another analogy is this: which makes more sense for your 50 mile Daily commute for a job where you don’t need to transport anything but 1-2 people (think Office Job or a Company that Provides tools And A Vehicle). A v8 full sized truck or suburban, or a compact/mid-sized/ luxury car.
Koko The Talking Ape
Yep. I just started with the M12 line, and as far as I can tell, they are fully professional tools. They can’t handle everything, but neither can the M18 tools, nor can any tool.
I think Black and Decker and Ryobi are meant for homeowners, because they are cheaper and available in places like Walmart.
Jonathan
I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the M12 Fuel line , most of the time my DeWalt 20V Max tools just collect dust, except for the for SDS and 1/2″ Impact wrench for when I need 3-4x the Ft# the M12 driver can deliver.
I actually made the switch after getting the free M12 Fuel from the promo late 2016.
I also bought a few M18 tools the tripod led light, 10″ miter, and 7 1/4 circular saw, 15ga angled nailer.
I digress my point was that the M12 Fuel seem to have plenty of power, for all but jobs that are 3-4 faster or more powerful and/or the flagship model of a 18/20V line.
I like the space saving, and weight saving of the M12 Fuel products.
Some m12 products don’t quite past muster though. M12 BT radio (promo) all I can say glad I didn’t pay for it, but I only keep it because of the USB port for charging a cell during an power outage.
I guess I would need to try it at HD event before I would consider it further
A W
I totally agree, Stuart.
I’d rather have a lighter, more compact tool.
I have zero m12 batteries but two multi volt chargers, and that $79 kit is really enticing.
Lance
Since Milwaukee sells M18/M12 chargers with many M18 kits (a smart move!), I would expect to see more of these M12+battery bundles. Now there’s zero adoption issues for an M18 user to buy into the M12 line.
Andrew
Since it only fills one large tire on a 4.0 battery, maybe it would almost be an “embarrassment” in the M18 system. A new M18 3.0 battery only has 25% more capacity for work than an M12 4.0. If it’s 1-2 years old, it’ll be about equal. Bad reviews of “takes an entire charge to fill one tire, I expected more from 18V” could be a problem. There are a lot of M18 3.0 batteries in circulation.
Rock Hound - (J.Sutter)
I am glad they went with a M12 compressor. 12v goes great with vehicles as there is an auto plug charger for the M12 system (I know you could buy an inverter too, but I like not having to have extra stuff). I foresee myself getting one of these compressors in the future.
fred
Of course there is a dual voltage M12-M18 charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter outlet too
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M12-and-M18-12-Volt-18-Volt-LIthium-ion-Multi-Voltage-12V-DC-Vehicle-Battery-Charger-48-59-1810/301809847
VladFineCraft
It’s a great addition to Milwaukee tool inventory. But we still waiting on few major tools: cordless trim router, Milwaukee tracksaw and hopefully contractors tablesaw and 23g nailer…?
Benjamen
Something Milwaukee told us last year at NPS when they were asked why they came out with a M18 heat gun and a M12 soldering iron was that something like 60-70% of people with M12 tools also had M18 tools.
I’m not sure if it goes the other way that most people that have M18 tools have M12 tools too, but it could also be another reason they felt confident that a M12 inflator would be good enough.
Jim Felt
Benjamin.
And having both the balance that the batteries create is better with each of the two different form factors.
JD
What is the difference between an inflator and a compressor?
Jon
Technically an inflator is a compressor but in tool speak a compressor has a tank and is higher capacity for running air tools. An inflator does just that: inflates tires, balls, and mattresses.
Pete
Well… the ryobi has a compressor side and an inflator side.
The compressor is just that- tires, bikes, balls etc…
The inflator/deflator side is a fan- ment for high volume-low pressure like air mattresses, pool toys, etc…. in addition to inflating it can also deflate. Similar to a shop vac just move the hose and it can suck the air out.
matt
Now with the inflator being 12v I would love to see an adapter that would allow me to plug inflator into car power port
Andrew
It would certainly run a lot faster with cars being 14.4V or so while running and M12 being 10.8 or so.
Joe
If I didn’t have the Ryobi inflater and the Dewalt inflater/ battery number I’d get it…
CG
I wish voltage hadn’t been used to differentiate power and create these artificial tool lineups. Especially from the same manufacturer and since they use proprietary connectors/chargers anyway. For example, you could build a MORE compact system with 18V than 12V…and then all the tools could be compatible 18V, just running different sizes of cells inside.
Stuart
Using voltage to differentiate power is both logical and industry-consistent. What you’re proposing would make sense in a “heavy duty” vs. “very heavy duty” sense, but that would be the limit of its benefits.
Using 3 cells for 12V-class tools and 5 cells for 18-class tools, or multiples of such, is the most effective way, in terms of engineering and costs, to have two distinct cordless power tool platforms.
If you take a public poll, asking both power tool users and the non-tool-using public about which is the more powerful tool, 12V or 18V, what do you think they’ll say? Most will recognize 18V as the more powerful platform. It’s how we’ve been trained to think about things – more/greater/larger is better.
Hang Fire
I suspect the reason we don’t have an 18V inflator is the higher capacity battery would overrun the duty cycle too much, prompting returns of burnt-out inflators… or if the duty cycle was enforced by electronics, too many returns due to “it just won’t run.”
firefly
Duty cycle is one of the thing that a lot people tend to overlook but will soon notice. Hey why is my compressor kept shutting down?
razl
This sounds like good info but I don’t understand it, could someone explain how a higher than needed capacity battery could affect the duty cycle negatively?
Noob here trying to learn…
firefly
It doesn’t have to. though if both M12 and M18 inflator produce the same result then why bother with the M18? So in short the user expectation will change. If I get an M12 inflator I would expect it to be less powerful or slower. As long as the cut off sensor work reasonably well I suspect most user will be happy because we can set it on go do something else and come back to a fully inflated tire.
Pete
The voltage wouldnt effect the duty cycle.
The duty cycle is how long the compressor(pump) can operate before it gets too hot and either trips a thermal reset or burns the pump up. The only thing that effects it’s duty cycle is the ability the keep the pump cool. Your compressor at home stays cool by having a fan blow on the motor.
I have experience with the ryobi so i’ll use that as reference. The ryobi has a 30% duty cycle at 10 minutes. Those 10 minutes(30%) are out of 100%. So if we break down the math.
10min/30%=3.3min(10%)
3.3min(10%)X 10= 33min(100% duty cycle)
So at 10 minutes of running it should be shutoff and cooled for 23 minutes. After which it is suppose to be ready for another cycle. 10on/23off
firefly
I feel the same way. Though at first my initial reaction was very much the same, why not M18? But I came to the same conclusion.
I think M12 for an inflator is a better choice for many reasons. One of it is user expectation, most will expect more if it was an M18. So to live up to that expectation it will have to be a lot more expensive. I think this would serve as a great gateway tool for those who isn’t already on the m12 platform.
I must get my hand on one to get a better impression though from the look of it it look to be compact and rugged. I like the form factor. So it ticked all the mark for a top off inflator.
Nathan
I know that I’m odd – but I have no 12v tools. Granted part of that is I also chose Dewalt for my cordless tool set. but even then when I shopped new new drill etc – I never shopped 12V items. Red, Blue, other blue, yellow – didn’t matter.
I do have 2 drills – the compact model and the bigger hammer drill model – which honestly I probably don’t need. I have an impact driver – and other tools to go with – all in 20V max or 18V if you want to use that. I have compact batteries.
Yes there are cases where there is an even smaller 12V tool from milwaukee or bosch that I could use – had I bought into bosch I was still only going to get the 18V items.
Thus my issue – I would have wanted a 18V model of this. And I hope that’s where Dewalt goes with theirs. I’m sure this device is plenty capable – it’s less about that than it is compatibility of my other bits. and for this devices obvious size it might as well have a 18V battery on it.
Chad
Wish bosch would come out with one.
Vidiot
If this was 18v just think of all the JEEP Wrangler owners that would love it.
Ross
Awesome, ordered the combo pack with the $10 battery. This will be really useful at the track. Starting my car to run the 12V ViAir is annoying. It works fine but seems pretty chintzy too, just waiting for it to fall apart. At the end of the day I’m just an M12 junky. Ordered the Rover light too, been planning to for a while and it was $10 off.
Curtis
Gotta disagree with you on this one. I found 18v to have marginal performance for filling tires. 12v I can see for motorcycles, bikes and the like, but when you’ve got a truck tire with a slow leak.
After burning out the motor on my Ryobi, I switched to the Dewalt flexvolt compressor. Much bigger, but it’s also much, much faster.
kmarnes
I will wait awhile to see if they come out with an M18 version. From what I’ve seen of the reviews, it’s a little bit slow (even if it’s faster than all the other portables). It took 8 full minutes to fill a Jeep tire to 35 PSI from 0, with only a 10 minute run time, 10 minute cool down cycle. A single 10 minute run would deplete the tiny 2Ah battery in the combo.
When swapping winters/summers on two SUVs, I just don’t see this keeping up, especially if the battery needs to be recharged. I only have M18 tools (seven tools, two XC5.0, one XC9.0, and two chargers). While I can easily charge M12 batteries too, I don’t want to have to invest in a pair of 3Ah M12 batteries.
If they come out with a promo or combo that contains the inflator with a pair of 3Ah batteries, I might pull the trigger. Honestly, this is the last feature I need before I can sell my air compressor. A portable unit would be nice.
motopack
Being 12V, they really should’ve given us the option to run it from the vehicle’s electrical system too. I know one day I’ll run out of juice, filling my CAR and just stand there scratching my head about how my car has plenty of amp hours, with a flat tire, and a dead M12 pack staring back at me.
Tom
If this is the real reasoning it is the dumbest reason ever. Most Milwaukee tools are contractor tools and most of them use the M18. I think the real reason was to sell more batteries to the guys who really want an inflator but have the M18 stuff now. Kinda shit if you ask me.
Shannon
The Milwaukee is only 12 volts because initial plan was compatibility with plug in car charger. However, marketing and management didn’t want people to buy just the pump without buying batteries and a charger. Decision late in development solved that problem by removing car plug in compatibility. Sounded great to a sales team, but any development engineer would immediately see an enormous benefit of higher voltage and lower current that the M18 platform provided. Additionally, the M18 provides batteries with much higher capacity.
Will Milwaukee make a M18 charger? No, the sales on the M12 would go to almost zero and the marketing and sals team would look stupid to everyone, not just a few of us that know the truth.
Alan
An 18 volt tool in this small size may be pointless. The tool can only (safely) run for 10 minutes and then needs 10 minutes of cooling before more use. Of course, being Milwaukee, you can get away with quite a bit of abuse, that is why you buy Milwaukee. But these small compressors get quite hot in use, the seals or motor overheat (usually the motor) and the tool is done.
I blew out the small Riobi inflator when I inflated a very low trailer tire to a full 45 psi. The thing overheated and then – done. Of course, until then the thing was awesome for inflating bike tires, lawn tractor and implements, topping off tires. I highly DON’T recommend inflating something like a truck tire from a very low state with the small Riobi even though it is 18 volts. You can with this charger though.
I bought this at Home Depot mainly because it is Milwaukee and I know these tools are subject to burnout when you run them too long (10 minutes plus) and they get too hot. Mikwaukee did a nice job on this. No surprise there.
I DO recommend you run this with a a 6.0 amp battery and you will be VERY happy. The small 2.0 amp, perhaps not so much as that is light and it does work, but probably not for very long.
I bought a pair of aftermarket 6.0 amp batteries for my 12 volt tools and they are the only way to go for just about any of the 12 volt tools.. You get the lightness of the 12 volt and a lot of the durability and power of the 18 volt systems. But a 12 volt is generally not a “use all day” kind of system like an 18 volt unless it is very “off and on” or very light duty. The 6.0 amp batteries absolutely also provide more absolute power over the 2.0 amp systems. I would rather use a 6.0 amp battery at half charge than the 2.0 amp batteries at full charge. Perhaps something about the internal resistance. You notice the power and comparing a fully charged 2.0 to a fully charged 6.0 is almost an apples to oranges comparison even though they are supposed to both the 12 volts (nominal). When you need the most power possible from a 12 volt system, get a 6.0 or 7.0 amp battery, plus they last a LOT longer under light use. A LOT longer.
In real use, when I got home I put a freshly charged aftermarket 6.0 amp battery on the unit and in quick succession proceeded to top off my Toyota Tundra to 32 psi, a single axle trailer from 25 psi to 45 psi, topped off another car to 35 psi from 30 psi, inflated a two wheel push lawn cart to 40 psi from 0 psi, topped off my lawn mower to 15 psi, inflated two other two wheel tractor accessories (fertilizer spreader and a trailer) from about 0 psi to 15 psi.
When everything was done, it did not get overly hot, but you could feel some significant heat at the base of the hose at the end of extended use. Cooled off quickly between inflations though. The 6.0 amp battery was still 3/4+ charged. Great for smaller tires, but you would not use this to top off auto sized tires all day unless just a couple psi short. Wonderful for bike tires and lawn equipment typed tires and the occasional auto sized tires. Though if you did several auto tires a day for top off, I think it would work fine but you would have to charge the battery every couple days.
Being able to set the desired finish pressure works pretty perfectly. By putting a twist on connector onto the end of the hose, this works GREAT for totally flat tires. You can grab onto the valve stem and lock onto it without pushing it into the flat tire. That can be a hassle for the “normal” simple push to inflate type units. Not here.
I give it a thumbs up. If they had an 18 volt system they would have to figure out to keep the heat down so you don’t burn the unit up when inflating a couple flat auto tires (the only reason you would need 18 volt over a 12 volt). For what it is, this thing works awesome and has a 3 year warrantee. Milwaukee always lasts much longer. Since I will likely abuse it by inflating a couple flat trailer tires at a time (takes more than 10 minutes), I also bought the 2 year warrantee and I plan to use the snot out of it to see if it breaks in 2 years.
Oh, I would NOT use this on, say, a semi tire unless you adhered to the 10 minutes of use and the 10 minutes of cool down since you may be there a while. Running this full out on a low semi tire would probably burn it up, but it does have a screen warning when running to hot (telling you to stop for 10 minutes at least ).
Big Richard
4 years later, the M18 version is finally coming, model 2848-20. It is similar in size to their M18 transfer pump, so not huge but not nearly as compact as the M12.