Milwaukee M-18 2890-20 Jobsite Radio Review

[@Jonathan-uc7do]

This man dropped a 130$ radio for review purposes when nobody else would! Well done sir! My job just bought each of their emplyees one for being safe for a year and i was debating weather to keep or sell. But now i think ill keep!😁

[@FernbarkFrist]

I actually got it for free to evaluate.

[@PTNLemay]

Good review. I kept coming up with questions, but sure enough you ended up answering all of them.

[@user-wn8dz5dv3g]

Hey im from australia. thanks for uploading that video. I was going to buy one but i just wanted to see an honest non bias review like this first. I will go pick one up.

[@nospammayer]

Good video! Used it for 5 days in a row now, and I love it! Solid, great sound, loud enough for me... I can simply listen to the radio or use the aux jack with my phone or my old Ipod nano. Handles on each sides are great, Would easely recommend! NO bluethoot, so what! Versatile enough for me!

[@david_kim]

Is it still going ok now?

[@k.hendrickson8735]

Dear Fernbark. Well, I just got one at the proverbial HoDopt, and my wife turned it at an angle, carefully holding both big handles, to try and get better reception for a favorite, lower wattage, station. It did a "click, click" and DEAD SILENCE. We got nothin. Nothin. It's like it just shorted out. It's going back to HoDopt. Wish I had my big old one from the 90's...

[@FernbarkFrist]

Bummer. I use mine in the garage all the time.

[@daranmciver9048]

thanks for the good quality reveiw. Its a relief to find someone who actually reviews the sound quality, not just the usual "It's got a carry handle duh" dumbass review

[@247heyman]

The new one with bluetooth is a good radio but the sound is far superior in the older model

[@AlwaysONTHERISE247]

The fact that the older models take all three battery types makes it superior

[@ihorbayus]

Do you know if it recharges battery if it's plugged in?

[@FernbarkFrist]

I will not charge batteries. That would be nice though.

[@trd8749]

IF YOU WANT BLUETOOTH FOR THE M18 RADIO PLEASE READ: Buy a "TP Link HA100", this will plug into the USB and 3.5mm jack, it WILL turn on and off with the radio. Simply pair your phone once and you're away with Bluetooth. The bluetooth unit can store in the top where you phone should be. Turn the radio on, switch to AUX, or leave it on AUX and you're away. Works perfectly, I couldn't be happier!

[@guesswho4199]

Or you could just buy the 2891 model with Bluetooth that is much lighter and sounds better. A guy a I work with has this one and there's really no point in buying it, if you want radio you can pull it up on your phone but at that point you might as well make some playlists of your own

[@hux604]

Helpful video, thanks. Question: what size battery were you using to test it? 5.0?

[@FernbarkFrist]

+Phillip Huxley I have the 4.0. Santa needs to give me the 5.

[@justinmiller7250]

Is it louder or less than the other bigger one

[@garystorey]

do you know if the M18 battery charges while it's connected to mains please?

[@FernbarkFrist]

It does not charge batteries.

[@mz3301]

The tuner in this thing is terrible-not even able to maintain strong stations unless the unit is oriented in just the right way. Also, having this unit charge a phone (new $650 LG) while playing music through the Aux port produces crosstalk (audible static.) Otherwise the 2890-20 meets expectations; it's very durable and can play loud enough for most noisy environments. I would grade the sound quality B+ compared to similar audio products. After trying to achieve better radio reception by replacing the flexible antenna with a more capable one, I concluded the 2890-20 I bought had a bad tuner so I exchanged it for another. Second unit had the same problem. I really wanted to keep and use the Milwaukee jobsite radio because I have other Milwaukee products that run on the Milwaukee batteries. Sadly, because the tuner produces more disappointment than music, it is of no use to me.

[@harrymarsh5369]

Hey just ordered mine do I need to plus it into the mains first so it sets up or can I throw a battery in and good? Cheers

[@FernbarkFrist]

You can go straight with the battery option.

[@davidtrommlerdc4389]

They should have included a remote like the rigid job radio

[@FernbarkFrist]

I agree. At this price it should also have blue tooth. The $30 Ryobi radio has blue tooth.

[@nickvaldez9558]

I like it but when the volume is maxed the speakers cut out if there is too much bass. Going to return.

[@FernbarkFrist]

+Nick Valdez My left speaker has developed a buzz that is super annoying. Kind of a bummer for something of this price.

[@Aithis.]

I have no iPhone AUX adapter, does anyone know if you can play music through the USB?

[@FernbarkFrist]

You cannot. It is power supply only.

[@Aithis.]

@@FernbarkFrist Many thanks :)

[@heliorabelo7359]

A charger for both m12 and m18 ,some power outlets would be nice to have

[@FernbarkFrist]

It is lacking some features for sure.

[@danieloosterhoff9517]

great radio but without bluetooth it is a bit over priced

[@FernbarkFrist]

I agree.

[@MrJoe9876]

I do agree about the Bluetooth but if you want the radio a Bluetooth adapter is only $8.

[@pretzelstick12]

you can buy a blue tooth module for about $10-20 at Walmart or any other retail. I use it for my little M12 radio.

[@ariip]

Manual is not available on milwaukees website... very annoying. Does the usb port get power when on battery only? You say in your review as if it does but I would want to make sure. I think another radio of theirs only had that usb port work when powered by ac and not when you are on the battery only, which to me renders it completely useless. I see no point of every using ac when you have battery powered tools and you have batteries for your radio. Also with the run times you get. I have the 2590 m12 little radio which is much more convenient and sounds pretty good. I had to modify it and installed a usb charging socket and circuit inside which gets power from the m12 battery. I never use it on ac. They need to put battery powered usb jacks in all the radios. For christs sake they have usb jacks in their laterns for using in a blackout. Obviously you are going to use a dap or phone in your radio to listen to and it needs to be charged then as well. What was milwaukee thinking?

[@FernbarkFrist]

The USB port will provide power to charge your phone or whatever, with battery and AC

[@IceCreamMT]

So we need headphone adapter in order to connect audio to iPhone?

[@FernbarkFrist]

Yes

[@MrJoe9876]

I do agree it should have Bluetooth but if you want the radio a Bluetooth adapter is only $8.

[@FernbarkFrist]

for sure the adaptor is not that expensive, but at what they are asking for this radio, it should be there.

[@robertouellette8499]

Where did you buy this? I can't find it in stores

[@FernbarkFrist]

+Robert Ouellette www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-Jobsite-Radio-2890-20/206395174

[@Jonathan-uc7do]

Amazon always have everything you need

[@joshuab3715]

Does it come with a battery ?

[@FernbarkFrist]

It does not.

[@fogboyenterprise2724]

It doesn't include the battery does it?

[@FernbarkFrist]

It does not. An easy way to tell with Milwaukee products is to look at the model number. If it ends in -20, there is not a battery. If it ends in -21, there is one battery, and -22 has two batteries.

[@fogboyenterprise2724]

+Fernbark Frist aaah okay, I noticed it makes no mention of the missing battery on the box like the tools often do, but that clears it up. Thanks so much for the quick reply, enjoy your day.

[@carlosmata3527]

How much does it cost

[@FernbarkFrist]

Enter the model number from the video title into your favorite search engine and find the current price.

[@srt_bris_9558]

No Bluetooth?

[@FernbarkFrist]

It might now, but didn't at the time of this review.

[@LuisHernandez-fm9pb]

Is it bluetooth?

[@FernbarkFrist]

It is not, nor does the usb port work to play music off your device. Kinda stupid.

[@trd8749]

IF YOU WANT BLUETOOTH FOR THE M18 RADIO PLEASE READ: Buy a "TP Link HA100", this will plug into the USB and 3.5mm jack, it WILL turn on and off with the radio. Simply pair your phone once and you're away with Bluetooth. The bluetooth unit can store in the top where you phone should be. Turn the radio on, switch to AUX, or leave it on AUX and you're away. Works perfectly, I couldn't be happier!

[@gettinready101]

Subbed

[@FernbarkFrist]

+gettinready101 Thank you, thank you very much. Did you detect the Elvis voice?

[@gettinready101]

I Didn't pick up on that lol. I listen with headphones, everyone sounds basy

[@justinmiller7250]

2792-20 Milwaukee louder or more quiet than this?

[@FernbarkFrist]

I don't have the other model to compare it to, sorry.

[@wayneanderson1230]

These radios are junk!! I tried 2 of the same one ,wouldn't hold stations, and when you changed stations volume was louder or lower, may look good and feel heavy but the electronics are cheaply made. When I walked passed it the station fades out. Wont pick stations hardly untill you stand the antenna up that is not a good sign. Amp on antenna is weak. And does not have a top carry handle.and no rubber feet to keep it from sliding around especially if your a roofer. Scale of 1 to 10 rates a 3 in my book for 140.00 it should wipe your ass occasionally.