8 Electric Milwaukee Tools That Can Replace Your Old Gas-Powered Outdoor Equipment

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Milwaukee is constantly unveiling new tools, some of which are improved versions of existing models and some of which are products entirely new to the brand. This constant cycle of innovation is great for keeping Milwaukee at the cutting edge of the tool market, but it can be a headache for tool owners looking for the best version of a specific tool. As a result, many prefer to rely on their older, already proven tools or pick up refurbished items, overlooking what else might have recently launched.

A significant number of older outdoor and home landscaping tools are most likely gas-powered, but fossil fuels are no longer the defacto best choice for those looking for high-powered equipment. Modern advances in battery technology has meant Milwaukee's M18 battery system can deliver just as much power as most older gas-powered tools, without the fumes or maintenance associated with gas engines. SlashGear has already covered some of the underrated electric gems that Milwaukee offers, and so here we're focusing on the brand's wide range of outdoor tools.

While there are still plenty of high-powered gas leaf blowers on the market, they're no longer the only option for buyers looking for a top performing tool. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Dual Battery Backpack Blower delivers a maximum air speed of 155 mph and a peak airflow of 650 cubic feet per minute. That makes it more powerful than some rival brands' best gas-powered blowers. The speed toggle and mode selector are operated using a nozzle-mounted control arm for ease of use. 

Like most of the tools here, the blower runs on Milwaukee's M18 interchangeable batteries, and requires two of them to run. Runtime will vary considerably based on which one of the blower's three speed modes is selected, but anyone looking for longer runtime than a standard pair of batteries can provide has the option of connecting a further two batteries to the harness.  Even though it's just as powerful as many gas blowers, the Milwaukee blower is also quieter than nearly all of them, with operating noise levels of 62dB.

Not everyone wants or needs the capabilities of a backpack blower, which makes the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Dual Battery Blower a solid handheld alternative. Much like its larger, harness-mounted stablemate, the handheld blower offers power levels comparable to that of gas blowers but without the noise, maintenance, and fumes associated with a gas engine. It's significantly cheaper than the backpack blower too.

It's good for a peak air speed of 145 mph and a peak airflow of 600 cubic feet per minute, with its power able to be adjusted through the variable speed trigger that's built into the handle. Two nozzle attachments are also included to direct air more precisely for stubborn piles of debris. Both the speed trigger and the lock-on lever are designed to be used by both left- and right-handers, and there's a secondary grip handle at the base of the blower to provide extra stability if needed. 

It's certainly powerful, then, but there's one caveat: the tool requires two battery packs to run, and if you don't have two packs already to hand, you'll need to shell out for them on top of the price of the tool itself.

Speed and power are both important factors when it comes to buying a brush cutter, and the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Brush Cutter offers generous levels of both. It's able to reach full throttle in under one second and can reach a maximum of 6,200 rpm. It's safe to say that clearing brush isn't most people's idea of a good time, but the nine-inch, four-tooth blade packs the power to get the job done as quickly as possible.

The brush cutter also plays two roles for the price of one, since Milwaukee also throws in a string trimmer head to neaten up lawn edges or deal with troublesome weeds. The tool is attached to a padded shoulder harness for added comfort during long periods of operation, while the Redlink Plus battery management system ensures that the cutter remains consistently powerful through those longer periods.

Gas-powered pruning saws are a much less common sight in department stores today –- most modern examples are electric, and it's easy to see why. The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Hatchet 8" Pruning Saw offers a lightweight, convenient way to tackle small branches. It's great for jobs where a regular chainsaw would be too unwieldy, since despite its compact size, it offers equivalent cutting power to a 25cc gas chainsaw. Like many of Milwaukee's other electric tools, the Redlink Plus battery management system ensures that power remains constant even over longer use.

The saw features an automatic oiler with a semi-transparent tank to easily check oil levels, and there's built-in scrench storage to make changes on the go if needed. Launching the motor from standstill to full throttle takes only a fraction of a second, and the variable speed trigger ensures better control across the whole speed range.

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL 17" Dual Battery String Trimmer offers high-performance trimming power that's a step above the trimmer head attachment available with the Milwaukee Brush Cutter. It draws power from a duo of batteries and requires both of them to run. It puts them to good use though – With the 15-inch cutting swathe running at the trimmer's low speed setting, a pair of high output HD12.0 Milwaukee batteries should deliver around 75 minutes of runtime, enough to make light work of most yards.

With HD8.0 batteries and the 17-inch cutting swathe equipped, that runtime drops down to just 20 minutes, so it pays to shell out for the high capacity batteries. Buying both the trimmer and two HD12.0 batteries is a considerable investment. Then again, recharging batteries will be considerably cheaper than paying for gas.

Buyers already in possession of an M18 FUEL Power Head gain access to a wealth of Quik-Lok attachment options, which can not only save money but also space compared to buying individual standalone tools. One Quik-Lok exclusive tool is the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Quik-Lok Bristle Brush. The 23-inch brush width makes clearing paving and pathways easier and quicker than before, with the brush able to shift debris of all sizes from small gravel chunks to more stubborn dirt and rocks. 

The durable bristles can withstand the demands of prolonged, repeated use in all conditions, while the built-in gearing provides optimum power to the brushes across a wide variety of surfaces. Like many of Milwaukee's tools, the bristle brush's value for money depends on how deep a buyer already is within the brand's cordless tool ecosystem. For anyone who already owns a suitable Power Head and batteries, it's solid value, but anyone that doesn't will face a steep additional premium on top of what's already a premium priced product.

Another highly capable tool within the Milwaukee Quik-Lok ecosystem is the Milwaukee M18 FUEL Quik-Lok Cultivator. It's equipped with nine-inch steel blades with a split boom to cover ground as effectively as possible. The plastic guard is designed to ensure that stray debris is kept to a minimum when the tool is in use. It requires an M18 FUEL Power Head, and is one of 13 different attachments available for the head as of this writing.

Runtimes will be higher with an M18 High Output HD12.0 battery rather than an XC8.0 battery, and much like the Quik-Lok Bristle Brush, the cultivator's value for money will depend on several factors. Anyone who's looking to replace several equivalent gas-powered products might find purchasing the tool attachments and Power Head worth the cost, while anyone who already owns a Power Head can simply add to its usefulness by buying the cultivator tool.

The Milwaukee M18 FUEL Quik-Lok Bed Redefiner offers a quick and easy way to redefine bed edges and cut both vertical and angled edges. If needed, those angled edges can be up to two inches wide and 2.75 inches deep. Like other Quik-Lok attachments, the bed redefiner will require an M18 FUEL Power Head to function.

The bed redefiner is not only powerful thanks to a motor that can reach 2,000 rpm, but also highly adjustable. The angle of the cutting wheel and blade depth can both be adjusted for the perfect cut, while the built-in mud flaps ensure that as little debris as possible is kicked up no matter how the blade is angled. Once again, a top-spec HD12.0 battery will give an extended runtime over a less powerful XC8.0 battery.