Milwaukee vs DeWalt Air Compressors - Need Real-World Feedback for Daily Use

Hey Tool Discount Club fam, I'm in the market for a new 6-gallon pancake compressor and torn between Milwaukee's M18 Fuel and DeWalt's DCC2560T1. Both claim to be quiet, portable, and powerful enough for framing nailers and finish work. Anyone here using either daily? I'm a general contractor doing everything from decks to trim, so it'll get beat up on job sites. Price is close, but I care more about reliability and how they handle in winter (I'm in Michigan). Milwaukee guys swear by their battery ecosystem, but DeWalt's been solid for me with other tools. Thoughts?

OP, as a landscape architect who specs these for irrigation installs, I've seen both in the field. Milwaukee's brushless motor is a beast—quieter and sips battery life, which matters when you're running zone valves all day. But DeWalt's oil-free pump is lower maintenance if you're lazy about upkeep (no shade, we all are). Real talk: Milwaukee's warranty service is faster if you register it. One crew I work with in Detroit swears the Milwaukee starts easier in cold snaps, but they also keep batteries in their truck cab. For your mix of work, I'd lean Milwaukee unless you're already deep in DeWalt batteries.

HVAC tech here—we abuse compressors daily for brazing, purging lines, and running impacts. My shop runs DeWalt DCC2560T1s because they're tanks. Dropped one off a ladder onto concrete last month, still chugging. Milwaukee's nice, but their hose connections feel flimsier to me. Also, DeWalt's CFM at 90 PSI is slightly higher (2.6 vs 2.3), which matters if you're running a framing nailer non-stop. Downside: DeWalt's decibel rating is a lie, it's louder than my ex. If noise isn't a dealbreaker, go DeWalt. Pro tip: get a aftermarket moisture trap regardless of brand, especially in humid MI summers.

Tile setter chiming in—I use a Milwaukee M18 for my tile saw and stapling underlayment. It's lightweight enough to haul up stairs (big plus for remodels), and the battery lasts through a whole bathroom floor. DeWalt's heavier and bulkier, sucks when you're crawling around tight spaces. But Patty's right about CFM: if you're doing heavy framing, DeWalt might keep up better. Personally, I'd pick based on your other tools. Sticking with one battery system saves headaches and cash. Also, check Tool Discount Club's refurb section—I snagged my Milwaukee there for 30% off, looked brand new.