Automotive & Vehicles / Review
Milwaukee M18 Inflator Review: Best Considered as Part of a Battery System
Four pressure memories and a cordless design favor households already equipped with M18 batteries.
Where it fits
The M18 Inflator is a practical garage accessory for someone who already owns compatible Milwaukee batteries and wants to maintain tires without moving the vehicle to an outlet. Its appeal is repeat use: bicycles, a family’s vehicles and other approved inflatables can all create small jobs for which a large compressor is inconvenient. Buyers entering the battery system solely for this product should compare the full cost of the inflator, battery and charger.
Useful controls
Milwaukee lists a 150-PSI maximum, four pressure-memory slots and a 36-inch hose. Its TrueFill function checks pressure after stabilization and resumes filling as needed; automatic shutoff stops at the selected pressure. Those features are useful for repeated settings, but the correct target still comes from the item or vehicle manufacturer. A maximum tool rating is not a recommended tire pressure.
Limits that matter
This is an inflator rather than a general workshop air compressor. Its manual prohibits uses including filling air tanks and shocks, and instructs the operator not to leave it unattended. The specified duty cycle also matters for extended work: the manual calls for cooling after sustained operation. Treat the automatic controls as assistance while supervising the tool, not permission to walk away.
Verdict
For an M18 household, this is a coherent addition with useful storage and repeat-setting features. A smaller vehicle-powered pump can be a better emergency-only purchase, especially if it will rarely leave the trunk. A compressor serves different needs where air tools are involved. The strongest reason to choose the Milwaukee is convenient maintenance with equipment you already own, not the highest pressure printed on its specification sheet.
Editorial score rationale
The M18 Inflator rates most highly for control features that simplify repeated maintenance. Its overall score assumes an appropriate tire-inflation role and gives qualified credit for joining an existing battery system.
Sources
What works well
- Uses existing M18 batteries
- Four pressure memories
- Automatic target-pressure control
What to consider
- Battery and charger may add to cost
- Not a general-purpose compressor
- Duty-cycle limits require attention
At a glance
- Model
- 2848-20
- Maximum pressure
- 150 PSI
- Hose
- 36 inches
- Battery platform
- Milwaukee M18
