When you’re working hard on a project, there are times when you feel dull and uninspired, to which a jobsite radio will help spice up your day! The Milwaukee 2890-20 M18 Jobsite Radio is a great example of that due to its convenient features.
If you want to know whether or not this jobsite radio is suitable for your needs, I’ve reviewed it below, listing its pros and cons, as well as some great features worth noting.
Milwaukee 2890-20 M18 Jobsite Radio
This jobsite radio has the basic features for you to listen to your favorite tunes, while also sporting durability and safety designed for the gadgets that you connect to it.
Specifications
This 18V jobsite radio is part of Milwaukee’s M18 lineup, which means it has an interchangeable battery with other tools of the same line. It supports USB 2.1A smartphone charging, so it’s easy to listen to music and charge your phone at the same time. What’s more, it has a 3.5mm AUX jack to play music directly from your mobile device.
Weighing 11.7 pounds, this two-band radio has a total of 10 presets with its digital AM and FM tuner. Because of this digital feature, it will be easy to find your favorite station anytime you want (or specifically find one that you know about). The entire radio measures 7.2 x 15.7 x 7.2 inches so it will fit into most spaces.
Quality
A 1-year warranty will put your mind at ease with this jobsite radio. With that said, this cordless model has a design that’s durable against the test of time. That’s because it has shock-absorbing end caps that make it jobsite-ready so even if you accidentally drop it, the radio won’t be easily damaged.
Additionally, it even has metal speaker grills. They add layers of protection for the electrical components. It has a convenient design that allows you to tuck your phone away at the back of the radio.
Another plus point that I’d like to mention about the quality of this radio is the High-Performance Audio System. This includes passive radiators with dual speakers that give you clearer sound.
I also like that the AUX compartment has weather-sealed construction. This way, no matter how unpleasant the weather conditions get at your jobsite, there will be music to listen to and less electrical malfunction to deal with.
Usability
One convenience that comes with this jobsite radio is that aside from the battery, you can also plug it into AC power for hours of listening. The ability to switch between corded and cordless operations makes this radio very flexible when the situation calls for it. For example, if you need to work outdoors where cord extensions can be limited, that’s when the M18 battery option will come in handy.
I like that this radio has a stackable design for saving space. This makes it easy to fit into small and snug places, such as inside your bag, underneath a car or vehicle, and other tight areas where you may be working. No matter how small or cramped your garage or jobsite is, this radio will have an easy fit due to the special design.
Likewise, it has handles that will help with transporting from one place to another. Whether you need to pack up your tools with this radio and move between jobsites, or just want to place it somewhere to better hear the music, the sturdy handles are a convenient feature.
Another plus point with this jobsite radio is the customizable EQ, or equalizer, which lets you fine-tune your music. For example, if you feel that the radio station or music source doesn’t have a clear bass or treble – you can tweak that depending on the situation using the radio’s built-in EQ.
Should You Buy the Milwaukee 2890-20 M18 Jobsite Radio?
I think that the Milwaukee 2890-20 will appeal to you if you’re looking for a stackable radio that’s easy to fit into small spaces. If you’re not too meticulous about wanting Bluetooth (because this unit doesn’t have it) and just want a convenient way to listen to music on your jobsite, then this radio is going to be enough for your needs.
If you are still unsure about your decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.
Pros of the Milwaukee 2890-20
Let’s start with the pros.
It has a stackable design.
This will help conserve space at a cramped jobsite or if you’re working inside a small garage or car.
It has an equalizer.
This allows you to fine-tune the treble and bass depending on your music source. A system like this will result in a more balanced output with just the right amount of bass and treble, no matter how loud or soft your volume is.
It has weather-proof and shock-proof parts.
To keep it always jobsite-ready, it has rubberized parts and a covered AUX port. What’s more, the layers of shock-resistant material don’t just protect the internal components of the jobsite radio – it also protects your phone.
It lets you save up to 10 preset stations.
You can choose 10 different AM/FM stations to easily navigate through, depending on the kind of station you are in the mood for.
Cons of the Milwaukee 2890-20
Even though the Milwaukee 2890-20 is a great tool, there are a few cons worth noting as well.
It doesn’t have a Bluetooth function.
Although it has AUX and a USB port, it sadly doesn’t support Bluetooth or wireless connections.
The antenna might not be as receptive as others.
I think that the antenna could be better, since it is a little too small to pick up stations easily.
What Are Some Alternatives to the Milwaukee 2890-20?
If you believe that the Milwaukee 2890-20 doesn’t quite fit your workplace needs, here are other alternatives you may like:
The Bosch PB360C (read my review) is a great alternative if you want a Bluetooth speaker. This unit has a heavy-duty design that makes it tough enough for big jobsites. With its Bluetooth capacity of up to 150 feet, this radio can accommodate larger areas. A similar feature with my previous pick is the freedom to choose between an AC outlet and 18V batteries.
If you prefer a slimmer design, the Bosch PB120 (read my review) is for you. This unit has a built-in mp3 player connection bay and it has two 5W neodymium speakers for on-the-go listening. With durable shock-absorbing housing and handles for easy transport, this jobsite radio is tough, while only weighing in at 4 pounds.
Unlike my main pick, this radio is only 12V, but it has a simple backlit LCD screen for easily viewing your settings and current radio station. If you have the Bosch Click and Go System, storing this radio will be a breeze.
Yet another radio with a comfortable handle and compact design is the DeWalt DCR018 (read my review). Like my main pick from Milwaukee, this unit also has an AUX input and USB charging so it has simple means of playing music. It is compatible with various battery packs from the DeWalt cordless lineup (12V, 18V, 20V MAX).
Finally, you might also want to see my article about the best jobsite radios and speakers overall.
Summary
Overall, the Milwaukee 2890-20 is a decent jobsite radio if you want the basic features with clear and crisp sound. Due to its equalizer, you’ll easily find the right balance of bass and treble with this unit while the stackable design space. I hope that this article helped you decide if this jobsite radio is the right choice for you or not.