Milwaukee Brushless String Trimmer Showcases Lighter Weight and Affordable Performance
Milwaukee is continuing to extend its growing line of outdoor power equipment, adding new tools to the mix every year. Today, I’m taking a closer look at the Milwaukee M18 Brushless String Trimmer (mdoel 2828).
This one’s not completely hot off the press, and I reviewed the original iteration a couple of years ago. However, there are some updates, and Milwaukee has expanded its lineup since the initial launch. I’ll share what I’ve learned from using this model and help you see where it fits among Milwaukee’s other string trimmer options.
Pros
- Excellent cutting power
- Well-balanced
- Lightest in Milwaukee’s lineup
- Sound ergonomics
- Competitive runtime
- Updated Easy Load trimmer head
- Most affordable in the line
Cons
- Lower power than Milwaukee’s other options
Milwaukee M18 Brushless String Trimmer Performance
- No Load Speed: 0-4600/6200 RPM
- Cutting Swath: 14/16 in.
- Motor Type: Brushless
- Feed Type: Bump
- Line Diameter: 0.080/0.095 in.
- Line Capacity: 25 ft. x 0.080 in. spiral, 20 ft. x 0.095 in. spiral
Speed and Power
The Milwaukee 2828 is part of their latest generation of string trimmers powered by the M18 battery platform. While it’s not a member of Milwaukee’s Fuel lineup, it is brushless and produces some pretty impressive numbers.
The brushless motor produces up to 6,200 RPMs on the top end. These speeds are right in line with Milwaukee’s other current models, including the powerful M18 Fuel Dual-Battery 3006.
For added convenience, it has a High/Low selector switch on top of the main handle that allows you to either prioritize maximum power or longer runtime.
The Easy Load trimmer head accepts both 0.080 and 0.095-inch trimmer lines to suit a variety of grass species. I tested using 0.095-inch line, which has better cutting performance and resists breaking a bit better. When it comes to standard grass trimming, it’s what we typically spool up with.
The overall power level felt pretty good during our hands-on testing. It easily powered through thick weeds and grasses without issue. Even trimming in Low, we still managed to blaze through with ease.
Vibration Level
On top of the impressive power, Milwaukee managed to keep the vibrations to a minimum. I believe this is in part because of the motor is located on the head, so there’s no drive shaft running down the middle.
For this, we give the team over at Milwaukee a big thumbs up.
Cutting Swath
The cutting diameter is set to either 14 or 16 inches with a metal line cutter on the guard that can be adjusted to the inside or outside to give you your desired length. Unless you’re trying to squeeze every second of runtime from your battery, the 16-inch setting is the way to go.
Milwaukee has the cutter screws going into metal anchor points, so you won’t start your relationship by ruining the guard thanks to overtightened or stripped screws. It’s a small detail, but often times those are the things that matter most.
Runtime
True runtime numbers are a little hard to nail down due to factors such as grass height, line selection, ambient temperature, as well as battery selection. Milwaukee was kind enough to provide a few runtime estimates, but we always like to test for ourselves.
Using a freshly charged XC6.0Ah battery, this trimmer ran for 14 minutes and 8 seconds on high using 0.095-inch trimmer line and the swath set to 16 inches. It’s always nice when our tests exceed the claims.
In my experience, 14 minutes is more than enough trigger time for common trimming around my house after weekly mowing.
Milwaukee M18 Brushless String Trimmer Design Notes
- Model: Milwaukee 2828
- Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery
- Tool Length: 70 in.
- Shaft Type: Straight
- Line Load: Easy load
- Weight: 9.1 lbs (bare tool), 11.5 lbs (with XC6.0Ah High Output battery)
Size and Weight
The Milwaukee 2828-20E weighs 11.5 pounds with a 6.0Ah High Output battery and measures 70 inches from end to end.
One big change from the Fuel model is that Milwaukee moved the motor to the trimmer head rather than having it mounted in the battery housing. This shift helps distribute the weight more evenly for added comfort, and it balances the tool well when using the kitted 6.0Ah battery. It also eliminates having the motor turn a long driveshaft, offering some runtime gains.
Grip and Trigger
Like Milwaukee’s other trimmers, the 2828 features a two-finger variable speed trigger and a palm safety to prevent accidental trigger pulls. Milwaukee uses a standard rubber overmold to provide excellent grip and feel, especially during extended use.
What’s the “E” Model?
Another detail we need to address is the “E” distinction at the end of the model number. We reached out to the product team to get some clarification, and they informed us that the only difference between the original 2828-20 and 2828-20E is the trimmer head. The new model ships with Milwaukee’s Gen II trimmer head—other than that, they’re identical.
Where the Milwaukee M18 Brushless String Trimemer Fits
To get an idea of where the 2828 falls in Milwaukee’s lineup, I compared it to the other current Milwaukee models we’ve reviewed.
There are a few takeaways here. The 2828 is Milwaukee’s entry-level string trimmer, so it has the lowest rated power, and it’s the only one with a head-mounted motor. While it’s brushless, it’s also the only one that doesn’t use the M18 Fuel PowerState brushless motor.
On the other hand, it’s the lightest and most affordable. Considering you’re getting excellent top-end speed and 0.095-inch line capacity, being entry-level by Milwaukee’s standards is still a significant upgrade over most of the battery-powered string trimmers on the market.
| M18 Brushless 2828-20E | M18 Fuel 3046-20 | M18 Fuel Dual Battery 3006-20 | M18 Fuel Quik-Lok 3016-20ST | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutting Swath | 14–16 in. | 14–16 in. | 15 – 17 in. | 14–16 in. |
| Rated Power | 1.39 HP | 1.76 HP | 3.87 HP | 1.63 HP |
| Max Speeds | Low 4600 RPM High 6200 RPM | Low 4,600 RPM Med 5,400RPM High 6,200 RPM | Low 4900 RPM High 6200 RPM | Low 4,600 RPM Med 5,400RPM High 6,200 RPM |
| Variable-speed Trigger | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motor Mount | Head | Rear | Rear | Rear |
| Supported Line | 0.080 – 0.095 in. | 0.080 – 0.095 in. | 0.080 – 0.105 in. | 0.080 – 0.095 in. |
| Bare Weight | 9.1 lbs | 9.9 lbs. | 11.8 lbs. | 9.7 lbs. |
| Kit Price | $249 | $499 | $699 | $379 |
Milwaukee M18 Brushless String Trimmer Price
Milwaukee packs the kit with a 6.0Ah High Output battery, and the price is actually lower than it was at launch, dropping to $249 for the kit. Considering the 6.0Ah battery by itself is $179, that’s a pretty sweet deal, and I recommend spending a little extra to get the battery and charger.
If you want the bare tool, you can snag it for $179. Either way, you get a 3-year warranty on the tool.
The Bottom Line
As the entry into Milwaukee’s string trimmer lineup, there’s a lot to like about the M18 Brushless String Trimmer. It’s the lightest while offering solid trimming performance and is affordable enough to tempt homeowners as well as budget-sensitive Pros.
However, if you want stronger performance or attachment capability, you’ll need to look at other models in the line.
But do you need to go higher?
That depends. From my testing, the 2828 is a go-to option for standard residential grass trimming and can handle some moderate overgrowth, especially with a quality trimmer line. With its lighter weight, you’ll enjoy using it for regular lawn care.
If you often tackle heavy overgrowth, you’ll probably want something more powerful in the line. I’d recommend stepping up for seriously neglected lawns or reclaiming areas with particularly stalky grasses.
