Milwaukee M18 Top-Off Charger and Power Supply Review: USB PD Finally Comes to M18

Introduction

Milwaukee Tool was arguably late to the USB connectivity game. Its earlier battery packs with USB-C ports did not always deliver the wattage that modern devices actually need, which pushed users toward separate USB PD battery packs just to keep laptops and cameras running. The new M18 Top-Off Charger and Power Supply (model 2847-20) changes that, bringing true 100-watt USB PD to the M18 platform while doubling as the most compact M18 charger the company has ever made. At an MSRP of $99, it is an interesting proposition, but there are trade-offs worth understanding before you buy.

What the M18 Top-Off Charger and Power Supply Actually Is

This is the second generation of Milwaukee’s Top-Off line, and the key difference is right in the name. The original Top-Off could only power devices, not charge them. The new 2847-20 is a genuine charger and power supply in one, capable of charging an M18 battery while simultaneously powering devices through its USB ports.

It is also claimed to be the most compact M18 charger available, up to 65% smaller than traditional kitted chargers. That makes it genuinely useful for people who charge on the go rather than leaving a full-size charger bolted to a workbench.

The Ports and Power Delivery Explained

The headline feature is one 100-watt bidirectional USB-C PD port paired with one 15-watt USB-C port, delivering a combined 115 watts of continuous power. That is enough headroom for faster charging of headlamps, phones, tablets, and laptops, which is exactly where older Milwaukee USB ports fell short.

The bidirectional nature of the PD port is what makes the charging capability possible. Feed power in through that port and the unit can charge an attached M18 battery while passing USB connectivity through to other devices at the same time.

In the box you get one 65-watt USB-C wall adapter and one 100-watt 3-foot USB-C PD cable. A 100-watt 6-foot USB-C cable and a 120-watt USB-C wall adapter were slated to be available separately in December 2025, and paired with this charger they deliver up to 30% faster M18 battery charging.

Simultaneous Battery and Device Charging

For anyone invested in the M18 platform, the practical benefit is simple: you no longer need to buy and maintain special PD-capable battery packs for sensitive electronics. The technology now lives in an accessory you attach to any M18 battery, since the unit fits all M18 batteries.

That swap-and-go approach is where the value really shows. If you already own a shelf of M18 packs, you effectively turn all of them into 115-watt power supplies, instead of recharging one dedicated PD battery over and over. The unit is also backed by a 5-year charger warranty.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The biggest compromise is that this is not an inverter. There is no AC output here, so you will not get the 120 volts that the first-generation Top-Off offered. That older unit did provide a standard AC outlet, though at a limited wattage, so anyone who relied on it for appliances with a plug will notice the difference immediately.

The second consideration is price. At $99 MSRP, some buyers may feel it is a lot for what is essentially a USB adapter and compact charger, even one with 100-watt PD. Pricing and bundle availability vary by retailer and location, so it is worth comparing deals before committing.

Buying Advice

If you charge devices on the go, run USB PD gear like laptops and cameras, or want one compact unit that charges M18 batteries and powers electronics at the same time, the 2847-20 fits that brief well. If your priority is an AC outlet for powering plug-in devices during outages, the first-generation Top-Off remains the better match. And if you are starting from zero, watching for kit deals that bundle this charger with batteries can meaningfully improve the value.

Conclusion

The Milwaukee M18 Top-Off Charger and Power Supply is a meaningful step forward for the M18 platform: compact, genuinely a charger, and finally equipped with the 100-watt USB PD that modern devices demand. Losing the AC output narrows its appeal for some users, but for battery-and-USB workflows it solves problems the old Top-Off never could.