Milwaukee ProPress (2773-20) vs RIDGID RP-350: The Plumber's Real-World Pick
The Milwaukee has M18 battery synergy. The RIDGID has 20 years of plumber loyalty. Here's what actually matters on a service call.
If you're already on the M18 platform, the Milwaukee 2773-20 M18 FORCE LOGIC is the smarter buy — same Novarc-style jaws, 1/2"-2" capacity, and you don't add a second battery fleet to the truck. If you run no Milwaukee and want the 20-year plumber-trusted tool, RIDGID RP-350 still sets the bar for reliability. Both cost around $2,500-3,000 kitted.
Jaw compatibility (the thing nobody tells you)
Both tools use compatible Viega, NIBCO, and Apollo press-jaw sets. If you already own a set of RIDGID jaws, they work on the Milwaukee 2773-20 with a Viega adapter. Most plumbers keep jaws on a magnetic rack and share across both brands — nobody buys duplicate jaw sets.
That means the real question isn't "which jaws" — it's the tool body and battery platform.
Presses per battery
Milwaukee 2773-20 with a 5.0Ah M18: 300-400 presses per charge (1/2"-1" copper). With an HO 9.0Ah: 600+ presses.
RIDGID RP-350 with its proprietary 18V 4.0Ah: 250-320 presses per charge. The batteries are slightly smaller and only fit RIDGID tools.
On a typical commercial repipe — 200 presses in a day — either tool runs all day on two batteries with a mid-afternoon swap.
The trust factor
RIDGID earned the plumbing world's trust over 20+ years. The RP-350 body is overbuilt. Warranty service is excellent. Service techs know the tool inside out.
The Milwaukee 2773-20 is newer to the market (2022 release) but has held up in every production crew we've talked to. The FORCE LOGIC firmware auto-aborts a press if the jaw isn't seated — the same safety feature that RIDGID pioneered.
Price reality
Milwaukee 2773-22 kit (tool + 2x 5.0Ah + charger + jaws 1/2"-1"): ~$2,499-2,799. Bare tool: ~$1,499.
RIDGID RP-350 kit with jaws: ~$2,799-3,199. Bare tool with no jaws: ~$1,799.
Milwaukee comes in ~$200-400 cheaper across the board, with the added value of M18 fleet standardization.
Joshua runs Charged Tools out of St. Louis. Background spans e-commerce operations, software engineering, and hands-on tool use in the auto trades. Every editorial piece on this site is written or reviewed by Joshua before it ships.
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FAQ
Will Milwaukee 2773-20 press stainless steel or PEX?+
Copper (1/2"-2") and stainless (1/2"-1") with the right jaws. For PEX press fittings, you need the 2674-22 PEX expansion tool or the 2922-20 FORCE LOGIC (different machine). The 2773-20 is copper/stainless only.
How often do the jaws need to be calibrated?+
Every 32,000 cycles or annually, whichever comes first. Both Milwaukee and RIDGID offer prepaid calibration programs. Calibration costs ~$80-120 per cycle; failing to calibrate voids the warranty on pressed joints.
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