Milwaukee Tool
Milwaukee has a few different battery systems that power its cordless tools. There are the M12, MX, and the very popular M18 tool systems, with each system in turn offering several different batteries available for purchase. This includes batteries of various storage capacities, extra-strength batteries that provide more power for tougher jobs, and more. One of the more curious batteries that Milwaukee produces is the M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 Resistant Battery. Unlike just about every other battery it produces, this resistant battery is only available in an XC5.0 variation, with no equivalent resistant battery for the M12 or MX battery lines. What exactly sets it apart from the others?
The only significant difference this battery has is its housing. Milwaukee builds the resistant battery in a more secure casing. This is to make the battery more resistant to environmental factors like grease, oil, dirt, dust, or any other particles common to workspaces. Other than that, it is the same battery as the standard M18 XC5.0 battery that you can use with any M18 or M18 FUEL tool. It gets you the same power and has the same runtime.
That tougher battery housing will cost you more money, though, as it retails for $209 compared to the standard XC5.0 model's $169 retail price. While the standard battery might be fine for those use their Milwaukee tools for fairly average household chores, the M18 Resistant Battery is worth considering for heavy-duty work.
Are customers satisfied with the Milwaukee M18 Resistant Battery?
Milwaukee Tool
Just because the M18 Resistant Battery is better protected against the environment does not necessarily mean that customers prefer it over other M18 batteries. In fact, customers generally don't like the Resistant Battery as much as its sister models. One common complaint about the Milwaukee Resistant Battery is that it stops working after only a couple of months of use, with the battery no longer charging. Standard M18 batteries do not have nearly as many complaints about this issue, and considering batteries need to be charged to be used, this is an important factor.
Users have also found fault with the button to test the battery level, stopping them from being able to identify if a battery is actually charged. While the battery will still operate perfectly fine in this case, users still need to be able to keep track of their batteries' statuses. Many have been totally satisfied with the Milwaukee M18 Resistant Battery, of course, but there is a lot more variability amongst customers compared to standard Milwaukee M18 batteries, which generally garner more favorable opinions from customers.
