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

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.

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, retailing for $299 from Home Depot.

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.

While some home landscapers prefer to stick with an old hedge gas-powered hedge trimmer, there's little reason not to swap to a modern electric equivalent like the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 24" Hedge Trimmer. At an MSRP of $199.00 at Home Depot, it's one of the cheaper Milwaukee electric tools here, and is powerful enough to deal with almost every type of hedge with ease. It can cut branches up to ¾ inch in diameter, and reaches a peak of 3,400 strokes per minute.

The 24-inch blade helps speed up cutting times on larger hedges, enabling users to cover more surface area with every sweep, while the trimmer's lighter weight compared to an old-school gas equivalent makes it more comfortable to hold during extended operation. With a fully charged XC8.0 battery, Milwaukee claims the trimmer should manage around two hours of runtime before running out of juice.

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 costs $279 from Home Depot, and 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.

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, which retails for $279 from Home Depot. 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.

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 tool is available without the Power Head for $279.00 from Home Depot.

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.