Milwaukee M12 Cordless Heated Jacket Long-Term Review

M12™ Cordless Heated Jacket Kit 2331

Over the last year at Tool Box Buzz you may have seen the other posts on the M12 Cordless Heated Jacket. The first post was when we initially heard of the product. Then came a review a few months after its release. This jacket has been through everything and after a year of use is still one of our favorite tools.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Heated Jacket Kit 2331

Model 2331 Features and Specifications

• Up to 6 hours of continuous heat per battery charge
• Water and Wind Resistant
• 3 Heat Zones distribute heat to core body areas
• 3 Heat Settings Plus Warm-up Feature
• Includes 1 M12™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery and 30 minute charger
• Soft shell exterior with fleece lining on cuffs and collar
• Comes in size Medium through 3XL
• Also available in Realtree Camo (2333) and Black (2336) in Canada

Evaluation and Performance

It is an understatement to say that working in cold weather is tough on a person. This jacket makes it a lot more bearable and even comfortable. I have been using this jacket in the cold since December of 2010. It has been subjected to 40s with rain to snowstorms to double digits below zero. It has handled them all.

• Long lasting heat - The battery lasts a full 6 hours and warms the core of the body adequately the entire time. The warm-up cycle gets the jacket up to temperature very fast so the initial chill when first stepping out into the cold is very short. The lining of the jacket is quite warm by itself, sometimes I find myself not even having the jacket on.
• Ease of use - The jacket has only one button. Push for 3 seconds to turn on. It goes into warm-up mode. After a few minutes it goes to medium heat mode. Press the button to cycle through the other heat modes. Hold for 3 seconds to turn off. The battery compartment is conveniently located on the left side of the jacket just behind the hand pocket. The battery can be changed while wearing the jacket.
• Looks good - Even after a year of regular use (in the cold months) it still looks really good. I get a lot of compliments on it and it is very professional looking.
• Light - At 2.6 pounds the jacket is not any heavier than a normal work jacket even with the battery. A great perk of the M12 line is that the batteries do not weigh much. Even after wearing for hours I cannot feel it weighing me down
• Accurate Fit - The jacket in the XL size is an accurate fit. It has a little extra wiggle room for some layering without getting tight and is very comfortable. It accommodates my long torso without looking like a belly shirt.
• Makes outdoor work bearable - The best part of this jacket is that it really takes the  chill out of working outdoors. It really shines during those times where I’m not working fast or hard. First thing in the morning, right after lunch, and towards the end of the day.
• Durable - Overall the jacket is very durable. After a year of use there is no visible wear. Zipper still works very well. I did have an issue though with the jacket shorting out when I would sit down.

Overall Impression

In the winter this tool cannot be beat. There are a few situations that I think the jacket really shines in, 1.) slow, finicky tasks either outside or in a cold building and 2.) stepping out of a warm vehicle onto a jobsite. It is perfect for a project manager, tradesman, or DIY-er. My most common task is working in my unheated garage and it does an awesome job!

I did have one fairly significant issue with the jacket. At the beginning of this most recent winter the jacket would shut off when I would sit down. I contacted Milwaukee through their Twitter account and one of their product managers called me back. He assured me that they have had no issues with this product and they were really curious what was happening with my jacket. They sent me a new one at no cost and then had me return mine so they could investigate. No questions asked. They could have ignored me but instead made it right. I will continue to buy red because they stand behind their products and engage their customers.

Brief Video with my Thoughts

Where To Buy

The new M12™ Cordless Heated Jacket is available at almost all major tool supply locations that carry Milwaukee Brand Tools. One notable exception is in store at Home Depot. You can also buy it online on Amazon at the following link:

• Milwaukee 2331-XL M12 12-Volt X-Large Heated Jacket Set

Jeff Williams

Contributing Columnist Jeff Williams has been on and around job sites his whole life. He comes from a line of contractors that have helped bolster his knowledge and experience in the industry. If he looks familiar, you may have seen him on DIY Network's Sweat Equity transforming his ugly house into a beautiful home. In his free time, he loves sharing his passion for tools and construction with his friends by helping them with their own houses. Hit him up on twitter to talk tools. twitter.com/jeff_williams