Which charger for Milwaukee M18 FORGE? Plus FORGE vs HIGH OUTPUT

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Which charger for Milwaukee M18 FORGE?

Any charger from the Milwaukee M18 system will charge a FORGE battery, but you will only achieve full charging speed with a Super Charger series charger. If you connect the new battery to a standard model, the process will take significantly longer. You will only experience the full potential of this new technology when you pair the battery with a device capable of delivering a sufficiently high current.

The dedicated Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger 48-59-1815 can fully charge a FORGE 8.0 Ah battery in about 45 minutes. Importantly, this device charges two batteries simultaneously without splitting the power in half. The unit automatically selects the fastest and safest charging current for each connected M18 battery.

If you have the popular 48-59-1812 multi-voltage charger in your workshop that supports M12 and M18 batteries, you do not need to buy a new station right away. Such a model will charge FORGE cells without any issue. However, you must keep in mind that the time required for a full charge will be noticeably longer than on a Super Charger.

FORGE vs HIGH OUTPUT: Key differences

According to Milwaukee, the REDLITHIUM FORGE series features batteries that offer the highest power, fastest charging, and longest lifespan in the brand's history. The design is based on modern tabless cells shaped differently from traditional cylindrical cells. As a result, current flows more freely, and the battery heats up less during heavy use.

The difference is clearly visible when comparing dimensions and weight. The FORGE XC8.0 battery weighs just 1.07 kg and, according to manufacturer data, delivers the same power as the massive HIGH OUTPUT 12.0 Ah model. You get identical performance with dimensions reduced by 20% and weight reduced by 30%.

Fun fact: The FORGE 8.0 Ah matches the power of the 12.0 Ah HIGH OUTPUT battery while weighing 30% less.

For the heaviest workloads, Milwaukee introduced the FORGE HD12.0 model. It delivers 50% more power than the previous HIGH OUTPUT 12.0 battery. Additionally, this variant has been optimized for harsh winter conditions and performs significantly better in freezing temperatures dropping below -18 degrees Celsius.

Fun fact: According to Milwaukee, the FORGE HD12.0 performs better in freezing conditions below -18°C.

However, the older HIGH OUTPUT generation still has its place in many workshop applications. These batteries deliver 50% more power and run 50% cooler compared to standard M18 REDLITHIUM batteries. If you perform lighter assembly or carpentry work, a set of two HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 batteries will be more than enough for your needs.

Below, we have compiled the recommended chargers and popular batteries from both series, which we evaluated in terms of technical specifications and everyday convenience.

Recommended Milwaukee M18 FORGE batteries and chargers

Which battery to choose for specific tools

The choice of a specific capacity should depend on the type of tool and the position you work in most often. For handheld tools such as angle grinders, circular saws, or rotary hammers, the FORGE XC8.0 is the optimal choice. Its low weight of 1.07 kg keeps the tool well-balanced and significantly reduces arm fatigue during long cuts.

On the other hand, the FORGE HD12.0 battery is designed for stationary machines and the heaviest outdoor power equipment. It excels in large chainsaws, concrete cut-off saws, and miter saws, where an uncompromising power reserve under constant load is essential. In such applications, the battery's heavier weight is not an issue, and the extra power prevents drops in RPM during deep cuts.

If you mainly use drill drivers, impact wrenches, or smaller workshop tools, the HIGH OUTPUT XC6.0 series models are more than enough. They provide stable operation while keeping the housing cool, offering a sensible balance between performance and comfortable handling of lighter power tools.

Compatibility with the Milwaukee M18 system and naming in Europe

One of the greatest advantages of the Milwaukee platform is full backward and forward compatibility. All M18 batteries fit all power tools and chargers within the same voltage line. This means the latest FORGE battery will easily power a tool purchased years ago, and an old charger will recharge it without any issues.

When purchasing equipment, it is worth paying attention to catalog designations, as they differ between markets. In the United States, batteries carry names such as FORGE XC8.0 with part number 48-11-1881. In European distribution, the exact same products are identified by simpler code symbols.

In European stores, you will find FORGE batteries under the designations M18 FB6, M18 FB8, and M18 FB12, where the number indicates capacity in amp-hours. For example, the M18 FB8 model with catalog number 4932492131 is the exact same 8.0 Ah battery with tabless cells that is sold in America as the XC8.0. Similarly, the dual-bay Super Charger is designated as M18 DBSC on the European market.

Frequently asked questions

Can a standard M18 charger charge a FORGE battery?

Yes, any standard M18 charger, including the popular 48-59-1812 model, will charge a FORGE battery without any issues. All components of the Milwaukee M18 system maintain full compatibility. However, keep in mind that charging on a standard charger will take significantly longer than on a dedicated Super Charger unit.

How fast does the Milwaukee FORGE 8.0 Ah charge?

The FORGE 8.0 Ah battery charges to 100% in about 45 minutes using the Dual Bay Super Charger. This is made possible by modern tabless cells and the high charging current delivered by the station. On a traditional multi-voltage charger, this time will be noticeably longer.

What is the difference between FORGE and HIGH OUTPUT?

FORGE batteries use a new tabless cell design, providing more power, faster charging, and longer life in a smaller housing. The FORGE 8.0 Ah delivers the power of the HIGH OUTPUT 12.0 Ah battery while being 20% smaller and 30% lighter. Additionally, the FORGE HD12.0 model provides 50% more power than its HIGH OUTPUT counterpart and performs better in freezing temperatures below -18 degrees Celsius.

Does the FORGE battery fit older M18 tools?

Yes, all batteries in the FORGE series fit every tool working on the Milwaukee M18 system. You can safely connect the new battery to an older drill driver, grinder, or reciprocating saw. The new cells will immediately deliver power to the tool without the need for any adapters.

Which FORGE battery should I choose?

For most handheld power tools, such as circular saws and grinders, the XC8.0 model weighing 1.07 kg is the best choice, offering a great balance of high power and maneuverability. If you plan to power the heaviest equipment, such as large cut-off saws or outdoor machines running under continuous load, go for the higher-capacity HD12.0 model.

Sources

• Milwaukee Tool: Batteries and chargers - manufacturer page (milwaukeetool.com)
• Toolnut: Milwaukee 48-11-1881 M18 FORGE XC8.0 - industry article (toolnut.com)
• ITS: Milwaukee M18 FB8 8.0Ah FORGE battery - industry article (its.co.uk)
• Thomas Graham: Milwaukee M18FB8 FORGE battery - industry article (thomas-graham.co.uk)