Are Milwaukee Tools work lights an alternative to Snap On for auto mechanics?
Milwaukee has recently started to market what it calls a superior lighting technology in TRUEVIEW™ High-Definition Output to auto mechanics and carpenters alike. Does TRUEVIEW™ lighting compare to the oldest leader in automotive lighting- Snap On tools? Or is the new “High-Output” label just a marketing play for Milwaukee to grab some market share from Snap On?
In this post, I’m going to give you real-life reviews of the TRUEVIEW™ High-Output lighting technology used in Milwaukee tools and also real-life reviews of Snap On’s light tools. Since I have used both versions of automotive lights in the shop, I will also give you my own opinion and review of both. Hopefully by the end of this review, you will be able to decide if Milwaukee is equivalent to Snap On or even better in automotive work lights.
What is TRUEVIEW™ High-Output Technology?
In order to understand what TRUEVIEW™ technology is, you have to first understand how light works and how most LED lights are designed. Stuart over at techguyd.com offers the best explanation of the Milwaukee TRUEVIEW technology that I was able to find.
In order to see the value, it’s important to know why “color temperature” and color rendering index are largely responsible for how “bright” the TRUEVIEW™ High-Output lighting system is. Where color temperature is the most important factor in how well an LED bulb performs, CRI also plays an important role according to Stuart.
In the article, he says that Milwaukee claims it’s TRUEVIEW™ light technology uses LED bulbs with a CRI around 85. This is compared to “most LED bulbs” that have a color rendering index around 65.
What type of lights do Milwaukee and Snap On make?
For years, Milwaukee marketed tools to the home-improvement and carpentry trades, mostly staying out of the automotive market. It wasn’t until around 2018-19 that Milwaukee started to put pressure on Snap On tools with the wide release of its M12 and M18 cordless electric tools. Even still, the company took a couple more years to start offering good equivalents to Snap On in the lighting category.
Milwaukee and Snap On both offer a full range of LED work lights in 2023
By the time 2023 is rolling around, both Milwaukee and Snap On have seen the potential in giving mechanics better light to see what they are working on. Consider that in 2023, the “off-highway” automotive lighting market is estimated to be a billion dollars. That’s a lot of money to leave off the bottom line for both tool manufacturers, so it’s no wonder both Milwaukee and Snap On are innovating in the automotive work light market.
Snap On’s Automotive Work Lights versus Milwaukee
Snap On is a known innovator in automotive work lights and in 2023, the company continues to offer some of the best drop lights, shop lights and even neck lights. At what cost to mechanics though? Are Snap On lights expensive in relation to Milwaukee? And what are the most popular Snap On and Milwaukee lights?
Flashlights
Snap On ECARB042
Snap On’s ECARB042 has been one of its best-selling shop flashlights for half a decade since it was introduced. I’ve had two of them, both forever lost on the frame of somebody’s clunker and I’ll be the first to admit it’s a great light for its purpose.
The ECARB042 was so popular, Snap On came out with a larger version in the ECARD062 although that one missed the mark in my opinion. I had one of these too. The larger version is a 600-800 lumen flashlight but the clunky weight and poor battery life made the ECARD062 impractical in a repair shop setting.
Milwaukee 2128-22 REDLITHIUM
The closest equivalent to the ECARB042 is the 2128-22 magnetic stick light by Milwaukee. I’ll be the first to admit the design of this Milwaukee light versus that of a Snap On isn’t a 100% match. It is however the closest thing Milwaukee has to compare to the ECARB042.
No knock on the Milwaukee 2182-22 work light. It’s a beauty, it just isn’t similar to the Snap On ECARB042 in shape or design. Does Milwaukee’s TRUEVIEW give it an edge over the Snap On flashlight though? Check out a review for the answer to that.
Another similar Milwaukee flashlight is the 2113-21 as you will see below. With a full pivoting head and also using TRUEVIEW™ and claiming an “all day” run-time for less than $80, it looks to be a decent deal. Especially when you consider the list price of the ECARB042 is almost $200.
Drop Lights
Snap On ECARA052A
Snap On’s ECARA052 would actually be a closer comparison to the Milwaukee 2182-22, but since the latter makes an even more similar light we will look at that one instead.
Regarding the Snap On ECARA052, which is actually backordered until May of 2023, I can personally vouch for this light also. I owned the green version until I ran it over with a Mack truck. Seriously.
Snap On makes some of the best lights and the ECARA052 is no exception, but even Snap On hasn’t come out with a light can survive the drive tires on a Mack garbage truck yet. Once they do, I will be sure to review it here- so keep checking back. In terms of brightness and convenience though, this 500 Lumen drop light works very well.
The ECARA052 has a strong-enough magnet on the bottom and one in the back of the light to keep it fixed in most positions. This is an extremely handy aspect of the Snap On light, even if it does occasionally take a ride on the frame of some junk F150 like mine did. Surprisingly enough, it came back a few days later for a re-torque with the light still cozy where I left it.
Milwaukee M18 LED Stick Light
The Milwaukee M18 LED stick light is a great comparison to the Snap On drop light above. Very similar in design as you will see below, the main difference with the Milwaukee is it uses an external M18 battery versus the rechargeable Snap On light.
At a price tag of $59.99, over $100 less than the comparable Snap On drop light– the 2352-20 M18 Stick Light is still a great deal. This is the tool-only price but if you use Milwaukee power tools, it’s likely you own a few M18 batteries. Worst case scenario, you can buy a genuine 18V battery for around $75 or a set of generics for probably half that.
The 2352-20 Milwaukee Stick Light delivers 300 Lumens of TRUEVIEW™ High-Output light, making it a very capable drop light for under the hood of a car.
Under-Hood Lights
Snap On 14.4V Micro Lithium Under-hood Light
Snap On’s most popular under-hood light runs on the company’s 14.4 V Micro-Lithium power system and offers an “ultra-bright” 1,000 lm output. It’s a convenient option for an under-hood light, especially considering a lot of models are corded and a real headache to use.
The Snap On 14.4V under-hood light is going to cost you around $219 bare-tool list price. If you have a dealer willing to negotiate or you spend enough on the tool truck, it’s possible you might get it cheaper.
Snap On also sells a 3,000 lumen under-hood light that is rechargeable versus the battery option which sells for around $350 list. According to Snap On’s website, that version is back ordered until the end of January, 2023.
Milwaukee M12 1,350 lm TRUEVIEW under-hood light
As I said, in 2023 Milwaukee has an alternative to tool truck brands for almost every automotive tools. The under-hood light is no exception with the M12 1,350 lumen battery-operated TRUEVIEW™ LED light.
The M12 under-hood light has received excellent reviews online and at a cost of $193 right now on Amazon, it should be considered before buying another option. This is especially true given that M12 batteries are much cheaper than Snap On 14.4V.
Amazon also sells the M12 under-hood light kit with a battery and charger for $240 which is just barely higher than the tool-only Snap On version.
Pen Lights or Inspection Lights
Snap On 300 Lumen Rechargeable Foldable Penlight
Snap On’s best “pen light” is the 300 Lumen Foldable Penlight, part number ECPND032. I’m not a Snap On fan-boy, but I have owned dozens of lights off the tool truck and yet this is one that I have not bought. When it comes to inspection lights and pen lights I have always been a big fan of Streamlight’s offering.
Upon seeing this little foldable penlight by Snap On though, I was admittedly intrigued. The EXPND032 appears to be sleek, bright and the reviews on YouTube have been good. At $85 and rechargeable, I would definitely buy one of these if I didn’t have a toolbox full of Streamlight pocket lights.
Milwaukee 2010R 250 Lumen Rechargeable
Aside from a couple pocket-lights that were a non traditional style, the Milwaukee 250 Lumen rechargeable was the best inspection light I could find. Several of the other options for Milwaukee penlights used AA batteries, which I’m not a fan of and the Rover light does not have the functionality of a true inspection light.
Thus we are left with this little 250 Lumen rechargeable pen light that resembles a Streamlight in many ways. According to the Milwaukee specs, this little inspection light is waterproof and has a two hour run time which is feasible for a light only being used for inspection.
At a cost around $60 though, the Milwaukee Rover inspection light would be worth buying. Unless I missed something, Milwaukee is a little behind in the penlight category and should ditch the AA model in their lights though.
Necklights and Headlamps
Snap On Rechargeable ECHDC038 Rechargeable neck lights.
One of my favorite innovations in automotive work lighting is the neck light, which I use on a daily basis. I bought a half dozen pairs of the first version neck light Snap On introduced before I realized I could buy them cheaper from EZ Red, the company that makes them.
Compared to a headlight, these neck lights have a band that goes around your neck and lights on each side that pivot up and down. This gives mechanics like myself the hands-free lighting capability without wearing a traditional headlight. In short, neck lights are awesome and in 2023, Milwaukee has finally started to sell its own version comparable to the Snap On.
Milwaukee 2117-21 RedLithium TRUEVIEW™ Rechargeable Neck Lights
Right in time for Christmas ‘22, Milwaukee recently introduced it’s own version of the rechargeable neck light originally started by EZ Red with the NK15. With the Milwaukee 2117-21 rechargeable neck lights, mechanics and carpenters alike have access to the company’s patented TRUEVIEW lighting technology and 400-lumens of 4000K LED.
The downside to Milwaukee’s neck light is a $99 price tag compared to its competitors offering them as low as $40. Reviews of the Milwaukee 2117-12 claim they are worth the price and I’m sure every Milwaukee tool fan is going to buy a set of these neck lights just to match their other “red team” tools.
Conclusion: Milwaukee and Snap On both have strengths and weaknesses in lighting
In the process of writing this post, I realized that I have owned a ridiculous amount of work lights over the years. I also realized that I have owned probably a dozen different brands, if not more. Everything from Snap On, Milwaukee and Streamlight to Astro Pneumatic drop lights and EZ Red necklights have called my tool box home at one time or another.
The other thing I realized is that every manufacturer- Milwaukee and Snap On included– have strengths and weaknesses when it comes to automotive work lights. Most importantly when you choose which light to buy, research is going to be key. That’s why I do these reviews and comparisons so often, because it pays to be informed. Without ever using a specific tool, all you have to rely on is the word of online reviews and opinions. Choose wisely.
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