Summary of Milwaukee M18 Topoff - Review

Product Reviewed:

Milwaukee M18 Topoff (Battery-Powered AC/USB Power Adapter)

Main Features:

Provides 175 watts of AC power.
USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port rated at 45 watts (tested up to ~55-60 watts).
Can be powered by Milwaukee M18 batteries (commonly 12 Ah used in testing).
Includes AC outlet and USB-A and USB-C ports.
Has a bracket for hanging on a cart or stud.
Rubber flaps cover ports for protection.
Compatible with OEM 130W power bricks for faster charging.

Pros:

USB-C PD output exceeded its rated 45W, delivering up to ~60W, enough to charge laptops.
175W AC outlet can handle peak startup loads up to ~210-250W briefly.
Convenient for users with Milwaukee M18 batteries already on hand.
Compact and portable, designed as a "Swiss army knife" for on-the-go power needs.
Bracket and protective flaps add practical usability on job sites.

Cons:

AC output waveform is a poor-quality square wave with significant overshoot and noise.
The waveform is unsuitable for inductive loads such as motors and fans, causing motor whining and potential damage.
Cannot run tools or devices requiring over 175W (e.g., a 300W heat gun failed to run).
Overload protection triggers when exceeding rated wattage.
The quality of the AC power output is comparable to cheap $20 DC-AC inverters, not a clean sine wave.
More expensive compared to some alternatives (e.g., DeWalt competitor at $99 with 60W PD but no AC outlet).
Other portable power stations (e.g., Anker Powerhouse 90) offer better waveform quality and similar or better USB-C Power Delivery at competitive prices.

User Experience:

Laptop charging works well, sustaining operation with USB-C PD at near 60W.
Devices with resistive loads (like heating elements) work fine on AC output.
Inductive loads (motors, fans) produce unpleasant noise and risk damage due to poor waveform.
The device trips overload protection when exceeding 175W AC rating.
Useful primarily for users heavily invested in Milwaukee M18 batteries and tools.
Not ideal for powering sensitive or motor-driven equipment.

Comparisons:

DeWalt competitor offers 60W USB-C PD but no AC outlet, and can charge batteries via USB-C.
Generic DC-AC inverters produce similar poor waveform quality but usually at lower prices.
Portable power stations like Anker Powerhouse 90 provide cleaner sine wave output and better overall power delivery for a slightly higher price.

Additional Notes:

The reviewer used a Klein tester and oscilloscope to analyze power output and waveform.
The reviewer emphasized the waveform issues as a major drawback.
The device is more suitable for charging electronics like laptops and phones rather than running power tools or motorized devices.
The reviewer invites feedback from viewers about their use cases.

Verdict / Overall Recommendation:

The Milwaukee M18 Topoff is a handy, portable power adapter for users already invested in Milwaukee M18 batteries, offering decent USB-C PD charging and a 175W AC outlet. However, the poor quality square wave AC output limits its use to mainly resistive loads and sensitive electronics that can tolerate non-sine wave power. It is not recommended for motorized tools or devices requiring clean power. Considering its price and waveform issues, users looking for a versatile portable power source might find better value and performance in dedicated portable power stations or competing products, unless they specifically need integration with Milwaukee M18 batteries on job sites.

Different Perspectives from the Video:

Reviewer highlights strong USB-C PD performance exceeding specs.
Reviewer criticizes the AC waveform quality and warns about motor damage.
Notes the device is best suited for tradespeople already using Milwaukee batteries.
Mentions competitor products and alternative solutions for different user needs.
Encourages viewers to share their use cases and experiences.

Notable Quotes

— 07:22 — « Where we have problems is when you have an inductive load like a motor, because you're creating a magnetic field and then you have your rotor spinning inside of that magnetic field. »

— 08:10 — « If you use this to power things like a fan, this fan is going to whine, it's going to hate itself, and you're going to burn that motor out very quickly. »

— 11:16 — « I think most people who buy this think that they're going to be able to run other stuff with motors without any ill effect, and I think if you make that a habit you will be unpleasantly surprised with what will happen to your tools. »

— 12:03 — « If your only goal is to be charging up your laptop and keeping yourself running on the go, I think there are better solutions. »

— 13:00 — « Feel free to schedule a coffee chat and above all else thank you for watching and check back soon for more videos. »