Jobsite radios

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Which Job Site Radio Is Best?
Recently a debate among fellow carpenters on the job site over which job site radio was the best lead me to take a closer look at three major manufacturers.
I chose to look at four radios from three manufacturers: Milwaukee, Porter-Cable and Dewalt.
Milwaukee Job Site Radio, Model# 2790-20 $119.99
The Milwaukee 2790-20 job site radio is built to last but is heavy. It's also the size of a toolbox.
The Milwaukee 2790-20 has a 40 Watt Amplifier, weatherproof 4-inch Woofers and 1-inch Tweeters and is one of the nicest sounding job site radios I've listened to.
This radio is not a charger but can run off of all of Milwaukee's batters from 12 volt to 28 volt for the following platforms: M12™, M18™, V18™, V28® , NiCd 12V to 28V, as well as an AC outlet.
A weather sealed battery and MP3 compartment keep your MP3 or Ipod safe, secure, dry and dust free.
A customizable equalizer and 10-station presets allow personal customization.
PORTER-CABLE PC18JR 18-Volt Cordless / 120-Volt Corded Job site Radio $ 104.00
The Porter-Cable PC18JCJR features a back lit digital tuner with clock, preset memory, bass boost, and seek are easy to read and push-buttons.
The best feature of this radio is the two external 120-volt AC outlets.
The Porter-Cable PC18JCJR has a 3.5 mm auxiliary input accommodates MP3 or Ipod but it is located on the front of the radio which means that your music player is left out in the elements and dangers of the job site.
The Porter-Cable PC18JR job-site radio is a durable radio it has a nice protective roll cage and a flexible antenna. I found it the lightest of the radios of it's size. The radio house did not seem as tough as the Milwaukee or DEWALTs.
DEWALT DC012 Worksite Charger/Radio $160.00
The DEWALT DC012 Work site Charger/Radio is a rugged and well built radio. It features a 1 hour charger that will charge Dewalt batteries from 7.2-volt to 18-volt. [except UniVolt] I was disappointed that it did not charge the new 20 volt platform.
The DEWALT DC012 runs off of 7.2-volt to 18-volt DEWALT batteries and will run a full 8 hours on an 18 volt battery. I liked that.
Three power outlets make this radio / charger able to accept three additional plug in tools
The DEWALT DC012 has an LCD display, built-in clock, 15 station presets, weather resistant speakers with dual bass ports. The auxiliary port is located on the front of the radio, which I feel is a poor location.
The DEWALT DC012 Work Site Charger/Radio is not light weighing in at 14.25 pounds. but its no heavier than the Milwaukee and is able to charge batteries as well as boasts three power outlets.
Milwaukee 2590-20 M12 Radio $ 80.00
The Milwaukee 2590-20 M12 Radio was my favorite of all the radios. Its also about a quarter of the size. The M12 radio is only 10 1/2-inch narrow, 3.5 lbs, and is powered by M12 lithium-ion battery pack or AC adaptor
The front of this radios has a weather sealed MP3 compartment and two premium weatherproof aluminum speakers
The M12 radio has a digital tuner and sounds great. It also has a "mute button" which I think may come in real handy on the job site.
My Choice For A Job Site Radio:
All of the radios above were well made, quality sounding radios with pretty the same features.
It really comes down to personal preferences. If you own alot of a certain brand tools then it makes sense for you to buy that brand radio so you can enjoy the radio in its cordless mode.
If you run alot of DEWALT tools, having a radio that also charges your batteries is a nice feature. One thing that I've noticed is it allows me to charge two batteries for the same tool at the same time. Many times I will start using a tool to find the battery drained. I'll charge that battery and then use the second battery. If that battery drains before the next battery is charged I can get a jump start on charging the second battery by using the job site radio to charge it. Cordless tools come with one charger so having a radio charger gives me that redundant back up charger.
My choice for a job site radio is less concerned with what tool brands I run or for a second charger. I'm always looking for smarter, faster, easier and more efficient ways to do things. That also translates to tool size as well.
The Milwaukee 2590-20 M12 Radio can accomplish the same job as a "tool box" size radio with one that is the size of half a loaf of bread - that's a win.
My interest is in the light weight and small size. My tool trailer currently looks like a five gallon bucket with ten gallons of tools in it. Space is a commodity so any way I can reduce the size of my tools and still get what I need, [a radio] then I call that a win!
I choose the Milwaukee 2590-20 M12 Radio. It sells online for $80.00

[@ConcordCarpenter]

I HIGHLY suggest you look at the Bosch PB120 and the Milwaukee jobiste radio [small one] They're both good. If reception is an issue these little radios can accept an MP3, Ipdo or phone plub in. Plan on spending $110

[@ConcordCarpenter]

WOW Jim, thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. Please consider subscribing - love to have you on board! ROB

[@helenevillemure9178]

The Porter-Cable uses a CR2032 battery to retain settings. It also has big knobs on top like the DeWalt

[@Hyperion65]

I love the Milwaukee. Its the only one I can listen too all day without listening fatigue.

[@DrHogfan]

Are you able to pick up AM channels clearly? Also is there any way you could plug it into a cigarette lighter? I'm looking for a radio I can use in my mailtruck which for some reason makes it difficult to get decent reception and I was thinking being able to plug into the cig. lighter might act as an antenna.

[@8digitPDX]

Dewalt has lowered the price now on the DC012 in preparation for a newer model coming out that will do the new 20 volt batteries. The DC012 now is functionally cheaper than all of the other radios with a current Home Depot price of $99. The battery charge feature is what put me over the edge on buy vs no-buy, I needed a jobsite radio at the time, and the Dewalt gives you the option of backwards compatibility on various Dewalt batteries from 18v Lithium Ion down to older lower voltage nicad.

[@ConcordCarpenter]

I have not been able to get my hands on one yet. Makita is not as open to sharing their tool with review websites as the other manuf. are. I will say this - I saw Makita's radio in Vegas at the World of Concrete trade show. It was AWESOME!!!

[@ConcordCarpenter]

will do - thanks

[@drgrey44]

Great review. I appreciate all the info. Also for a 10 min video, I sat and listened to the whole thing. Usually I have an attention span of a gnat. You really gave your honest opinion on all the products & that means more then just saying they are all great or pushing one over all the others.

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Great point - thanks

[@BrewCityRider]

Great review...thanks! I'm picking up the Porter Cable version. Has the loudest and best overall sound in my opinion, is light, AND I'm only paying $20 for it today at the Menards crazy days sale! I really don't care that it doesn't charge batteries, that's not the point. The point is is that it RUNS off of a rechargeable tool battery. You can plug your charger into this radio though, and charge them that way if you want.

[@ariip]

To me all the radios lack one necessary feature. A RF remote so you do not have to be line of site when you use it. So you can change stations while working away from the radio to avoid commercials etc, or the remote should enable ipod control remotely. I don't need to be tied into a certain brand of cordless tool batteries to use it cordless. A built in lithium made for the radio is fine and offer spares. MANUAL TUNER??? IT CAN RETAIN DIGITAL STATIONS WITHOUT POWER.

[@danielallen4335]

If you get a longer aux cord you can plug it in and set your ipod or mp3 player in the radios battery compartment.

[@divier3]

Hace aprox.dos meses adquirí el radio Makita LXRM03B. me pareció excelente y hace un mes conseguí el radio BOSCH PB03B, ambos me parecen excelente, ahora estoy mirnado para comprar el radio wilwaukee que al parecer veo que funciona bién

[@28mars]

Thank you!!!

[@JG3G1]

The Bosh pb360s job site radio is better for me. More features and it's LOUD is you need volume. I like the fact that it has a bass speaker on the bottom.

[@paintrboy]

I've had the compact Milwaukee for 4 years now and your right.........the power cord is junk. I'm now on cord number 6! Replacement cords are only $12 and all my other cordless tools are DeWalt/Rigid so I don't have a battery or charger for my little radio. Radio was $89, but the separate charger and battery are $69 charger and $54 for the battery. Waiting for the M12 drill to go on sale again for $98 then I'll get a drill too.

[@ConcordCarpenter]

sounds cool - gonna check it out - thanks

[@ConcordCarpenter]

thx man

[@ConcordCarpenter]

I use the smaller one and it has gotten wet no issues. I wouldnt dunk it

[@Solidshatter]

The Bosch Power Box 360 is the Best in my opinion, It's got way more features then these and probably the toughest one out there. It also has a great weather rating for water and all that mess.

[@HenrikArjen]

my left ear enjoyed this

[@oooooooonooooooooooo]

very good review

[@Summitperry]

I like my m12 better then the others to.. solid sound and compact size.. I never use the power supply thing.. i stick a xc in it and its great..

[@ConcordCarpenter]

@Sol Rizzo what makes you think i don't?

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Is the video in mono?

[@carlusdarienus]

Dewalt and Porter cable made the Ipod easy access every time you change your music meaning you don't have to open the seal every time you want to change music and the ipods and mp3 players should be protected by protectors anyway

[@JohnSmithTheDude]

Can't believe you didn't include the Bosch PB360S, it's the most wanted with the DeWalt DC012

[@ConcordCarpenter]

They declined to participate at that time

[@NivFroehlich]

Bosch PB360s - Amazes me that it wasn't included in the review. Best engineering, best features (from 'nice to haves' to 'extras that let you get the job done'), toughest job site radio out there. He knocks the Milwaukee b/c it's heavy it's really not that heavy. Maybe the color just clashes with his lululemon pants.

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Niv, I don't remember why we didn't include it. I think they were revamping the model and asked to pass on the review. We did review it here: www.aconcordcarpenter.com/bosch-power-box-360-pb360s-jobsite-radio-review.html I'm not sure if I should be impressed with you're knowledge of LuLu Lemon or the fact that you're noticing my pants. Hmmmmm - go sit in the truck for that one!

[@NivFroehlich]

Sorry, it was a bit of an underhanded comment, but I like your sense of humor. Personally, I don't think that the other job site radios are in the same league. As per your review (great review btw), this is a super-tough, purpose-built, well-engineered product. 4 GFI's are super useful - as far as the weight goes - yes, it's a bit heavier - but it's tough and if the weight is an issue of great concern, I'd have to question why you'd be in the trades to begin with.

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Same here pal

[@ConcordCarpenter]

We reviewed it as a solo review - its on the site

[@anthayden24]

great video...i own the larger Milwaukee radio- but i primarily use it as a beach radio (where the weatherproof compartment is amazing) I was wondering, if you had any idea of how "weatherproof" the milwaukee's are? are they straight up waterproof? if i let it get fully soaked would it still work just fine? thanks!

[@PROTEUS_SEER-OF-EONS]

yep

[@tthheekk]

Full boss review !

[@solrizzo3865]

I want to see a review from a guy who enjoys music as a hobby someone who collects music like i do, then I can actually make a comfortable purchase

[@kikki857]

Hi I watched your video and it gave me a lot more information about some of the radios I was looking at. My two main interests are the Milwaukee 2970-20 and the DeWalt DC012. In your opinion which radio is better between to two? Thanks

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Mu FAV is the DCR018 here: www.aconcordcarpenter.com/dewalt-compact-job-site-radio-dcr018.html

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Great sounding radio and features. I'm not a fan of the size

[@shadow1up]

How loud us the small Milwaukee radio? Im a welder and it gets extremely loud in the shop

[@DrHogfan]

Does the battery come with the Milwaukee radio you showed at the end?

[@Relsek1]

Yep...

[@DrHogfan]

I'm looking for a radio with GREAT AM reception. I'd be using it in a mail truck and have a difficult time picking up AM channels on the I pod or MP3 I normally use and I don't know why. Any suggestions-Thanks

[@rEdf196]

Those little rubber duck antennas don't do these otherwise cool radios justice in My opinion. There ok for local reception but suck for long distant station's compared to a 24 to 30" antenna.

[@shaunyherbert4821]

I want to surprise my partner and buy a radio as he's a builder but he's mostly based in villages, so i'm not sure if to get a DAB or a normal AM/FM one as I'm not sure on signals affecting it. I don't know if to buy ones with cables or not, etc. I'm not 100% on what tools he uses as some radios run on batteries. Please help! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@likasumbooodi]

Metabo charging radio is best by a mile

[@ConcordCarpenter]

that is my LAV mic - its mono

[@kevinrussom7861]

Hello my name is shayla and I have that radio

[@likasumbooodi]

Metabo 10.8v radio charges battery

[@mrdb696]

Not a big fan of radios I just put my lg tone bluetooth head phones on throw my phone in my bolt bag or pocket and get on the iron I listen to Pandora radio and I can use voice command to take calls or send text all while working

[@Xerokbyte]

I work in a heavy industrial metal shop its really loud and I wear ear plugs . Which radio has the greatest volume ?

[@RickScherfDrywall]

My 40/hr job is running a cnc plasma in a metal shop. I have the Bosch power box deluxe. Even with earphones on orplugs in it SCREAMS. $$$ though

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Milwaukee - big one

[@Xerokbyte]

I ended up getting the Milwaukee. .it performs pretty..nice and loud. .very good reception.

[@ConcordCarpenter]

Nice - good choice

[@angeloforropvc4279]

O mais bonito é o dewalt.

[@tomaszszumski6577]

anyone knows any jobsite radio, which is a seat at the same time? I've seen one once, its been used by electricians

[@ConcordCarpenter]

not sure

[@Wes1984Smith]

He doesn't have ridgid on here... Ridgid is the king of tools, especially radios. Look them up, test me.... Little pricey....

[@orbust]

Makita makes the best cordless tools, why not include their radio?

[@TheClearpuddle]

Fair question. I want to see a review on a Sangean

[@OnVent4Life]

Aint nobody got time fo that

[@MrPep310]

Look at my makita radio with bluetooth

[@phoon32]

none of those. radio's get urban stations

[@ariip]

MUTE BUTTON YES. AGAIN WE NEED AN RF REMOTE SO WE DO NOT HAVE TO RUN OVER TO MUTE IT! ALL YOU MANUFACTURERS NEED TO GET A CLUE! RADIO STATIONS SUCK, THEY PLAY COMMERCIALS AND TALK TOO MUCH. I WORK, I WANT MUSIC! IPOD OR MEMORY STICK MUSIC IS THE ONLY WAY. THEY SHOULD OFFER PLAYING MUSIC OFF MEMORY STICKS. I HAVE A CAR HEAD UNIT THAT DOES THAT.

[@whitneysternberg6397]

"mp3 player or ipod". An ipod is a mp3 player, read a book.