Which is the BEST cordless power tool brand? This seems like a simple question, but the answer isn’t cut and dried.
The last time I attempted to tackle this question was back in June 2017, more than 3-1/2 years ago, and that was an update to a late-2014 post about the same topic.
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The simplicity of the title question betrays the complexity of what is actually being asked.
Here is the question that started it all:
If you had to stick to one brand for most of your tools which would it be? Taking into consideration tool reliability, power, ergonomics, batteries and number of cordless tools.
This question is also as difficult to answer today as it was a few years ago. There have been a lot of cordless power tool innovations, and tool brands continue to fiercely compete for a spot in your tool box.
Whether the question is about the best cordless power tool brand overall, or even which one brand I would stick with, the answer depends on the user.
Are you an electrician? Plumber? Carpenter? Deck builder? DIYer? Every user’s needs are different, and there’s really no singular best brand overall.
We’re not talking about the best cordless drill or best combo kit here, we’re talking about the best cordless tool brand, which really means the best cordless tool brand for you.
Instead of simply answering the title question, I will offer my opinions on each particular tool brand to help you make your own determinations.
As always your input is extremely valuable. What would you say to anyone looking to buy into a cordless power tool system?
The brands below are listed in alphabetical order.
Table of Contents
Bosch
Craftsman
Dewalt
Festool
Hart
Hercules
Hilti
Kobalt
Makita
Metabo
Metabo HPT
Milwaukee
Porter Cable
Ridgid
Ryobi
Skil
Bosch
Benefits: Good performance and reliability.
Downsides: Bosch has not kept up with competitors in the USA, and some innovations are released here later than in Europe or not at all.
Overall: Bosch makes some spectacular tools. Looking at the greater picture, their 12V and 18V platforms aren’t as compelling as competing platforms. While I was impressed with some of their past releases, there are fewer reasons to buy into either of Bosch’s cordless power tool systems today.
Notable Products: Inductive battery charging system, select drills with anti-kickback protection, hybrid impact driver/wrench “FREAK” tools.
See More: Bosch 12V Max Tools, Bosch 18V Tools
Craftsman
Benefits: Affordable price points for DIYers.
Downsides: Limited selection.
Overall: Craftsman has been slow to expand their V20/20V Max cordless power tool lineup, but there are some interesting entries, such as a cordless air compressor.
See More: Craftsman V20 Cordless Power Tools
Dewalt
Benefits: Excellent tools, expansive selection, comfortable ergonomics, great reliability. Dewalt has been continually expanding their 20V Max cordless power tool lineup, as well as their FlexVolt lineup, and they have also been actively developing their 12V Max Xtreme Subcompact line.
Downsides: Dewalt has been slow to push into certain product categories, such as automotive tools. Their 12V Max lineup is still middling, but it seems they’re working on it.
Sorting through some of their core options can be a little confusing. For instance, you can now choose between 20V Max brushless, 20V Max Power Detect, FlexVolt 60V Max, and 20V Max FlexVolt advantage saws.
Overall: Dewalt continues to have a lot of “firsts.” They’re no longer playing catch-up and are once again pushing boundaries.
Quite simply put, you cannot go wrong with Dewalt cordless power tools. Dewalt’s cordless platforms continue to have a lot of strengths, and few weaknesses.
If I had to choose a “Best Cordless Power Tool Brand Overall” winner, Dewalt would face off against Milwaukee in a battle too close to easily call.
Notable Products: It’s interesting that Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage lines are bridging the gap between 20V Max and FlexVolt 60V Max platforms. Even so, FlexVolt still provides a power benefit that most other 18V/20V Max systems struggle to match.
See More: Dewalt 12V Max, Dewalt 20V Max, Dewalt FlexVolt
Festool
Benefits: Unique tools, such as hybrid corded-cordless sanders, good quality, brand reputation.
Downsides: Very limited product selection.
Overall: If you want a Festool power tool, and you want it to be cordless, you have some options. Festool made a push in 2020 to consolidate some of their cordless power tools into combo kits aimed at contractors and remodelers.
Festool’s cordless platforms are limited, presumably because they are more of a finish and fine work brand. The brand is not focused on the broader needs of users involved in construction or the trades.
Additionally, Festool’s high pricing can make the tools inaccessible to many individual users.
See Also: Festool 18V Expansion, Festool 18V
Hart
Overall: Hart is a Walmart-exclusive brand that offers entry-priced cordless power tools that are similar to Ryobi’s most basic offerings. If you’re shopping for the lowest cost cordless power tools on the market, I’d go with Hart (or any of these other brands) over the no-name stuff on Amazon and other online marketplaces.
Hercules (Harbor Freight)
Benefits: Better cordless tools for Harbor Freight shoppers.
Downsides: Limited selection, young brand reputation, still Harbor Freight.
Overall: Harbor Freight launched the Hercules cordless power tool platforms with name-brand competitors in sight. I purchased earlier samples, and while respectable, the tools lacked the fit and finish I would expect from true professional-grade cordless power tool brands.
Harbor Freight and their Hercules line have potential, but it seems they are still striving to make cheaper tools. With new brushless tools on the way, it’s possible they are trying to walk down a different path, at least as far as the Hercules lines are concerned.
Harbor Freight has the potential to disrupt the core cordless power tools market, but they still have to prove they can deliver quality.
See More: Harbor Freight Hercules Tool News
Hilti
Benefits: Strong reputation, gimmick-free solutions.
Downsides: Limited retail availability.
Overall: Hilti tends to target commercial users, rather than individuals. They have a strong focus on masonry tools, but also some exceptionally capable tools for working with wood, metal, and other common construction and fabrication materials.
Kobalt
Benefits: Brushless motors, shockingly inexpensive pricing on spare/replacement batteries.
Downsides: Limited selection.
Overall: Lowe’s Kobalt 24V max cordless power tool platform focuses on brushless-motor tools, and with reasonable and competitive pricing.
There’s not much compromise when it comes to performance, and the newer XTR tools take things to another level with respect to power and features.
Notable Products: Kobalt’s 24V Max XTR cordless power tools set a new benchmark for DIYer-grade tools.
See More: Kobalt 24V Max Cordless Power Tools
Makita
Benefits: Broad 18V cordless power tool system, revamped (but somewhat stagnant) 12V Max system, steady stream of innovations, strong reputation, good reliability.
Downsides: Makita can be slow to adapt to industry trends, and some product types have a lot of redundancy in the form of unnecessarily excessive options.
Overall: Makita’s 18V LXT cordless platform is very competitive, and their 18V X2 platform gives users a number of unique and higher-powered options. The Makita XGT 40V Max platform is due to launch in the USA at some point, but the XGT 40V system won’t be compatible with the 18V cordless system.
Notable Products: Makita’s most premium 18V brushless impact drivers tend to lead the industry with respect to features. The brand has a lot going on, and has also upped their game with respect to holiday season “special buy” and combo kit competitiveness, making their tech more accessible to a broader range of user types.
See More: Makita 12V, Makita 18V, Makita 18V X2, Makita XGT 40V
Metabo
Benefits: Great quality, performance, and reliability, plus a strong reputation. Metabo often pushes boundaries and takes cordless power tool tech to new levels.
Downsides: Limited selection, less market availability and visibility compared to other pro-grade brands,
Overall: Metabo has a lot of great cordless power tools, and has been expanding steadily. Its 18V cordless platform is more expansive in Europe, but an increasing number of tools have launched in the USA as well.
Metabo has embarked on a mission towards enabling a truly cordless jobsite, and each year they move closer and closer to that goal.
Notable Products: Metabo is particularly well-known for their grinders, but their drilling and fastening tech is also top-notch. They have quite a few unique cordless tool offerings aimed at fabrication and metalworking industries.
See Also: Metabo 18V, Metabo 12V
Metabo HPT (Formerly Hitachi Power Tools)
Benefits: Metabo HPT offers a number of excellent-quality 18V and MultiVolt cordless power tools, and occasionally innovates with unique offerings.
Downsides: Limited selection, Hitachi to Metabo HPT name-change has resulted in quite a bit of confusion.
Overall: As a system, Metabo HPT offers a much smaller selection of cordless power tools than other brands. They have quite a few competitive and compelling tools, making the brand a potentially good choice if their strengths align with particular user needs and wants.
Notable Products: Metabo HPT’s 18V Triple Hammer impact driver remains a personal favorite.
See More: Metabo HPT, Hitachi Power Tools
Milwaukee
Benefits: Great quality, reliability, and performance. Fantastic M18 (18V/20V-class) cordless power tool system and unmatched M12 (12V-class) tool selection. Milwaukee Tool is a very active innovator.
Downsides: M12 tools have a stem-style battery that inserts into the hand grip, resulting in a chunkier grip than some other brands can accomplish with slide-style batteries.
Overall: Milwaukee seeks to be a “solutions provider,” and they charge into new markets with a disruptive ferocity. Their philosophy for the M12 cordless system has been to provide user-friendly alternatives to hand tools, and their expanding M18 system offers all the core tools pros and demanding users might need, plus many trade-specific options.
Milwaukee Tool cordless power tools can carry premium pricing, but they regularly offer very aggressive promotions in the form of free tool or battery bonus bundles.
While not the market-leader in every category, Milwaukee is an easy recommendation. Quite simply put, you can’t go wrong with Milwaukee cordless power tools.
If I absolutely had to choose a “Best Cordless Power Tool Brand Overall” winner, Milwaukee would face off against Dewalt in a battle too close to easily call.
Notable Products: Milwaukee’s M12 Fuel and M18 Fuel brushless power tools are often considered the gold standard. They also now have a system of MX Fuel equipment that redefines what can be done with a cordless battery.
See Also: Milwaukee M12, Milwaukee M18, Milwaukee MX Fuel
Porter Cable
Benefits: None.
Downsides: Limited selection, limited availability.
Overall: Stanley Black & Decker ceased all Porter Cable social media and promotional activities a few years ago. Porter Cable was effectively pushed out of Lowe’s when Craftsman (also a Stanley Black & Decker brand) came along, and out of Walmart after TTI launched their exclusive Hart tool brand there.
You can still buy Porter Cable cordless power tools at some online retailers, but why should you? There might be some entry-priced options if all you’re looking for is a single tool or two, but most of Porter Cable’s core offerings are long in the tooth and the brand isn’t being actively developed or promoted anymore.
The brand doesn’t appear to be investing any time, effort, or resources into their cordless platform. If you’re looking to buy into a cordless power tool system, this isn’t it.
See More: Porter Cable Tool News
Ridgid
Benefits: Ridgid has a strong selection of core 18V cordless power tools, and some unique and innovative tools sprinkled in. The brand offers a good balance between performance and price.
The Limited Lifetime Service Agreement covers parts, service, and batteries – with some restrictions.
Downsides: Smaller selection of 18V tools compared to other brands, 12V system has been abandoned (although you can still buy replacement batteries or chargers).
Overall: Ridgid is a good brand and they have continued to expand and enhance their 18V cordless power tool system over the years. Some of their tools offer innovations not found in other cordless systems, giving some users reason to choose Ridgid as their primary or secondary brand.
Notable Products: Ridgid’s SubCompact cordless power tools is a more recent expansion into compact and lightweight territory.
See More: Ridgid 18V Cordless System Tool News
Ryobi
Benefits: Ryobi’s 18V One+ platform is huge, and satisfies a broad range of user needs, from beginner DIYer to value-minded pros.
Downsides: Ryobi’s commitment to DIYer users (a great thing) also means they haven’t updated their battery system to a slide-style form factor yet. Lower-priced tools have compromised features or performance.
Overall: Ryobi is a very customer-centric brand that is well-liked and well-regarded among their many loyal DIYer users. Some pros will use certain Ryobi tools as well, especially for specialty tasks where a tool might not see frequent use.
Notable Products: Ryobi’s newest line of 18V One+ HP brushless cordless power tools might deserve a closer look.
See More: Ryobi 18V One+ Tool News
Skil
Benefits: Skil’s new cordless power tool platforms offer very high bang for the buck – competitive performance and above-average features for what you pay.
Downsides: Limited selection.
Overall: Under new ownership, Skil has refreshed their branding and launched all-new cordless power tool lineups. They’re definitely worth a chance for DIYers looking to get modern features at affordable pricing.
Notable Products: I really liked the Skil PwrCore 12 brushless drill/driver, which I found to greatly outperform comparably priced 18V/20V-class offerings.
See More: Skil 12V Max, Skil 20V Max
How Things Changed Over the Years
Best Cordless Power Tool Brand in 2017
Best Cordless Power Tool Brand in 2014
Reader Recommendations
Which cordless power tool lineup(s) did you go with? What would you recommend to someone looking to buy into a new cordless power tool system?
Will Williams
Nice right up, in between milwaukee/ryobi I get what I need.
Jaycob P.
Yeah I have Ryobi for my 18v and Milwaukee for 12v. It gives me the best combination of what I need.
Tom D
If I were starting again I might just go M12 for most everything – any tool I have in M18 and M12 I almost invariably go for the M12.
The Milwaukee drain clearing equipment is real nice.
Andy H
I have Milwaukee M12 & M18, Bosch 12V, Ryobi 18V, and EGO.
I have a couple dozen M12 tools, plus a handful of M18 that aren’t available in M12 (e.g., compound sliding miter, router, etc.). They’re all great tools, and if you combine their M12 and M18 lines, Milwaukee has the best selection by far.
With that said, between the dozen or so Bosch 12V tools I own vs. my Milwaukee M12 equivalents, I prefer Bosch. The Bosch ones are lighter in weight with nicer ergonomics — especially the Bosch Flexiclick vs. the Milwaukee Installation Drill/Driver. In fact, I now own two Flexiclicks.
Ryobi is kind of like the black sheep. They have some great tools that are truly unique. For example, the Ryobi glue-gun and soldering-station are MUCH better than other manufacturers’ corded tools in the same price range, even after you factor in the battery purchase. I own a $200 soldering station, as well as a few other corded and cordless soldering irons, plus several glue guns; I use the Ryobi ones more than any others. I would say just those two tools alone are reason enough to buy a Ryobi charger and battery, even if you’ve standardized your tool selection on another platform.
EGO makes great lawn tools. Nuf said.
Allen
You running the brushless 12v flexiclick? Does its clutch have a lower amount of torque in the lower settings? I find it a little too strong at times. I’m trying to love the Milwaukee but feeling like I should’ve gone Bosch. I don’t like the length of the Milwaukee. At times it feels so far away from the work. Maybe I’m not used to the inline grip. Also, still not a fan of the fwd/rev/lock button… I wish DeWALT would create a version off their 12v screwdriver! It’s got a great form factor, ergo and I bought it to make up for the shortcomings of using the Milwaukee.
Greg
You are so write!
Chris I
Lol
Adam
I’ve started buying Milwaukee M 18 tools I have the 6 1/2 inch circular saw it’s quite good and good quality, but down the road I might be looking at the Makita XGT tools I’ve seen some and they look good.
Josh Walters
I hate the blade guard on the Milwaukee 6 1/5. The saws great besides that, but the blade guard ruins it for me, i hate pinning back guards but that one drives me nuts.
Michael Heritage
Good point but Dawalt 18v circular saw is the same and drives me nuts. If the material is thin the guard goes under the material and gets stuck meaning you have to retract saw and try and hold guard up and this is no good. I work in the field not in a workshop.
Champs
Premium consumers will be happier with Makita than Milwaukee, or at least some adapters for a decent suite of OPE or the conspicuously absent track saw.
Still not sure why none of these battery systems have remote trigger adapters as far as I know. Dust collection tied to battery draw seems like a no brainer.
JackB
I agree., even my plumber went teal. HVAC and some plumbers are the only crews I know who remain happy with Milwaukee (which I understand given the industry specific options). I think their stuff looks great on paper and in hand but just doesn’t hold up in the field. Trend I see/hear about over and over. Our electricians burned up red oscillating tool in a matter of days…
I do however love a lot of Milwaukee accessories. 2″ Shockeave T25 is a personal favorite.
mark
Festool has it. They use bluetooth batteries to trigger their vacs.
Big Richard
DeWalt does, too. Their DCV585 and DWH161 dust extractors work with either a wireless remote OR certain tools with built in Wireless Tool Control. Unfortunately, their just aren’t a lot of tools with that capability. I think it is more common in their Euro spec tools? I’d like to see pretty much every tool with a dust port have that feature, even if it is a separate more expensive model.
BF
Makita does for quite a few of their top-end tools: https://www.makitatools.com/aws
Jon
I’m waiting to see who sacrifices the system approach and adds bluetooth (or other protocol) to their batteries and a plug relay that any vacuum can be plugged into.
As far as the existing vac trigger systems, Festool’s approach works well.
Makita’s is a mess. You need to buy the version of the tool that will accept the communication module. And you have to buy the communication module separately. Plus if you already have a none vac ready version you need to repurchase the tool. Batteries make more sense.
I didn’t know DeWalt had started this.
Does Bosch have a similar system? I don’t know their ecosystem very well.
I have to think other tool makers have this on their radar and are hopefully developing their future tools with it in mind. As time moves forward I expect to see dust collection to be more important for more people. Should be interesting to watch.
Scott K
If I were buying into a new system today I’d be between Milwaukee and DeWalt for sure. In my opinion, Milwaukee leads in innovation and breadth of offerings. DeWalt seems to have more lines – which can be confusing – but offers similar products at various price points. Unless one company didn’t offer a specific tool I needed, it would likely come down to the best deal offered at the time of purchase.
Toolfreak
Milwaukee for Pros and Ryobi for DIY probably take the cake just for the sheer amount of tools and value with promos.
The Kobalt 24V, especially the XTR stuff, is great bang for the buck and an excellent alternative to Milwaukee/Ryobi.
Scott K
I have a few Ryobi tools that I bought to supplement my Bosch- inflator, string trimmer, and brushless chainsaw have worked really well for my around-the-house needs.
Dave P
It’s a bigger decision than one might think because eventually you’ll have more in the batteries than the tools so changing brands isn’t prudent.
I went with Milwaukee cordless decades ago because I had 110V hole shooters and sawzalls and all of them had been trouble-free.
I’m glad I did/got lucky, as the mechanic’s tools and lighting offerings have both really been beneficial to us around here. Lucky again because Milwaukee has the broadest lineup and we do many different things which makes that really beneficial.
If I was anything other than Milwaukee, I’d need to have at least two brands (with incompatible batteries) around here.
Tom D
I agree on the battery thing – I am recalcitrant to buy a tool unless I really need it if it isn’t coming in a kit or free with something- and now I have piles of M12 and M18 batteries! Having to find the one battery I have from another system precludes me from alternatives unless it’s a tool I really need and not available elsewhere.
Corded of course doesn’t matter – and I’m happy with my Hitachi chop saw or whatever it was for $90 last Christmas.
davebarnes
I don’t think “recalcitrant” means what you think it means.
A W
Great write up, Stuart.
I invested in Milwaukee over Kobalt about 5 years ago on your recommendation, and have been really happy with that decision.
I also have an old Nextec Craftsman 12v drill that finally gave up the ghost, so I’ll be able to cut down to three different battery chargers now (Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Ego).
Oh, minor typo: “stead stream of innovations”.
A W
By the way, I really like this format of pros/cons and thoughts on each brand. It’s a helpful summary and a great resource to send people to if they’re curious.
You may want to somehow “pin” this one so that’s it’s easy to find for new visitors.
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
This post is included in the “Guides” in the top menu, and desktop sidebar under “buying guides.”
My goal is to update all of those roundups this year, and add to them, eventually creating a landing page with thumbnail tiles for all the links.
I might be able to work in a 6-month update to bring this back to the top, but considering that this is the first update in nearly 4 years, that might be tough to promise.
A W
Oh excellent, I see that now.
Thanks Stuart!
Luis Rios
Hello;
In my humble opinion its between Milwaukee , DeWalt and Makita.
I choose Red for-selection and performance, DeWalt for toughness and haven’t owned enough Makita tools to really comment good or bad, but their-selection isn’t bad either.
Milwaukee has replaced most of myDeWalt tools.
Don
All my crew use DEWALT can’t beat there performance and reliability although I do like the Milwaukee stuff and as I replace tools might go that route. Festtool very nice but to expensive to replace especially for some of my guys they sometimes use the tools like Neanderthals.
Julian Tracy
Makita has a much deeper selection of tools directly aimed at woodworkers. As far as I know – no other brand has as wide of a range, such as the track saw, cordless planer, pin nailer, biscuit jointer, trim router kit with multiple base options, cordless mitersaw (dust collection better than Kapex), HEPA small dust collector…
Having said that – they have some definite duds. Their multi tool, orbital sander, and brad nailer are all failures ergonomically.
Personally, I’m about 2/3 Makita LXT, 1/3 Dewalt 20V and have been adding quite a few M12 items to the mix.
I prefer Makita’s take on the battery platform in that I can use all my batteries in any tool, even the x2 36v models. I have no interest in having “normal” batteries and also stupidly huge high capacity batteries.
fred
I was associated with 4 businesses – 3 had field operations where cordless tools were in use. When we moved from NiCad to LiIon batteries – Makita just seemed to fit our needs better as they had broader coverage for what we did. But as the saying goes: ” Tempus Fugit” and soon Milwaukee started to focus on specialty tools for the plumbing trade – and now most of the Makita tools we had in that business have been phased out as they came to the end of their useful life. On some recent talks with my ex-partners – I gleaned the thought that Makita is still well represented in the GC remodeling business , but Milwaukee (both M12 and M18) has taken over in the plumbing business.
Meanwhile – my personal house painter (a sub contractor we used) seems to favor Festool
Nick
GC Labourer, our company goes exclusively Makita exactly for the universality of batteries and chargers and the fact it covers all our bases on skill and recip saws, drills, impacts, grinders and cordless pinners. We use Hilti corded pinners and chipping guns and Makita corded skill saws.
My foreman spent a decade with a concrete company using Milwaukee and personally has an extremely negative view of them, particularly battery life and flexibility. Though I’m not sure exactly what Milwaukee line he was using and it’s possible the tools they had were older. When I asked him which brand he would recommend for someone acquiring a line of personal power tools, he strongly recommended Makita, but said DeWalt or Ryobi would also suffice.
Aaron
We just checked and I’m into 9 battery systems for my personal stuff. I’m mostly team red, formerly Ryobi. When I originally bought into Ryobi I didn’t realize how quickly it hit overlap with more premium brands. If Ryobi’s low end starts around $25 per tool you quickly start looking at their mid range of $40-$60 and at that point you could be in the Milwaukee or dewalt low end. Dewalt in particular starts their range below the price points pros associates them with. If you can buy into the higher end system even with budget tools you might have a chance to avoid the charger wall dystopia that I find myself in.
I think not enough attention is paid to the actual batteries. Between the teardowns I’ve seen for Craftsman and Ryobi I came to the conclusion that Ryobi hits a middle price point using mid range batteries on mid range tools while craftsman hits a similar price point puttting out a better tool with a more dodgy battery platform. For me that was enough to not need to consider craftsman.
Tom D
Nine battery systems! Do you ever feel tempted to get those eBay knockoff adapters to change one to another?
Kunkel
9 chargers? Shit, I hate even having Micro-USB & USB-C devices in my house.
Hell, I’m just starting accumulating tools for my home and other projects I’d like to undertake (a new shed, miscellaneous repairs, etc), and the idea of having more than 2 lines already has me cheesed (M12 so far, buying into EGO this summer)… Probably going to go Makita or corded for anything not offered in those lines, cuz of their depth of woodworking tools.
Patrick
I’m balanced between 3 systems
Ridgid for the higher power (Mainly the impact wrench and hammer drill).
Milwaukee M12 for the super light and portable (especially the ratchet, hackzall and stapler).
And Ryobi for the cheaper, less powerful stuff and their awesome oddities (rotary tool, glue guns and fans)
I started with Ryobi but their impact wrench is lacking, so I expanded to Ridgid, but when finances allowed, I added the Milwaukee M12, mainly for the ratchet.
Great deals on all of those systems if you’re willing to wait and keep an eye out for them. I rarely purchased a tool without a great deal.
Aaron
Yeah after a while of deal hunting you can calibrate yourself that the sale prices and combo prices are actually the “real price” and that msrp is basically an urgency tax for when you need a specific tool for a specific job. I find that 40% of msrp is usually the price that I think of as the real price or normal sale price and that it has to be deeper than that to really get excited.
Derek
I don’t think there’s a noticeable difference between the top-tier brands unless you’re into a specific trade or they’re the only ones who make a certain tool. Get whatever brand feels best in your hand or you can get the best deal on for those.
I ended up with some Dewalt 20v tools. My Ryobi cordless brad nailer will be here next week as will my Dewalt to Ryobi battery adapter.
Clay
You will love the Ryobi nailer.
Let me know how the adapter is. I could use one or two of those.
Matt
I have mostly Makita drivers, saws, etc. Just ordered their cordless random orbital sander and will be pulling the trigger on their cordless track saw soon.
I did break down and buy the Milwaukee cordless impact drivers (1/2 high torque and 3/8 mid torque) because at the time Makita had nothing that even came close to those in performance.
I like that Makita is still an independent company based in Japan, not a part of some Chinese conglomerate . If it weren’t for that (and the fact that I am heavily invested in their platform) I would probably be buying more Milwaukee
F
I wish your comment could be higher. Makita is the last of the tool makers to be privately owned. It makes a massive difference in customer service and QC. They have more of a stake in putting out a product that lasts than just sending you a new one to cover warranty.
JMG
It would be great if one brand could cover all of my needs, but that sadly has never been even close to possible. Best single brand has never been a solid factor in my tool choices. Quality and durability followed by application have been key when making tool purchases.
As an asside, Bosch has had more absolute failures for me than all other brands combined over the years and is now never considered at all, no matter what they offer in application types.
MM
I totally agree that it’s a tossup between Milwaukee and Dewalt. I think Dewalt has the stronger product line for carpentry and general construction oriented trades while Milwaukee is superior for mechanic type work. Most of my tools are Dewalt but I have been getting into the M12 platform from Milwaukee for cordless ratchets, compact impact wrenches, etc.
Aaron
Parts and service is another issue. My kobalt OMT has had a key piece missing for more than a year and addressing it will mean going through an opaque process involving phones and mailboxes and dealing with it during work hours so instead I just use a different tool. I’ve had Ryobi stuff repaired by dropping it off at home depot for a week and dewalt or Milwaukee are a piece of cake with parts online and tons of service locations
Adam
I always thought Kobalt had a ton of offerings, at least with being relatively new. Nothing like Milwaukee, but a lot more than other brands.
Clay
I guess I have already voted for DeWalt with my wallet. This includes OPE and both table and miter saws (though those are corded and out of scope for this discussion).
Though I have recently acquired some Milwaukee, both M18 and M12. Most of the M12 is things DeWalt does not offer, like an installation driver and oil-impulse driver.
I do have some Ryobi inflators and their AirStrike nailers, which I love.
Steve L
I started with Dewalt and Bosch for corded. Then I went Dewalt for 20v cordless. Now every time Milwaukee offers some new innovation, I look at my many Dewalt chargers and batteries and don’t buy the Milwaukee.
Corded I was free to buy what I thought was best. Cordless I have been reluctant to duplicate chargers and batteries – hard to switch brands for a single bare tool
Cody
You can get battery adapters for them all
Steve the sparks
I recently bought an adapter that goes from Makita battery to Milwaukee tool. I use it to power my Milwaukee impact driver and it works just as well as using a Milwaukee battery. For those concerned that it might cause problems you should note that all the adapter does is to create a bridge between positiv DC mak to positive DC Milwaukee, and the same with the negative DC. Not much to go wrong. I wouldn’t recommend using the adapter for charging tho.
The only downside is it adds height to the tool, not a prob if you have a couple of 1.5 or 2.0ah batteries as they are already around half the depth of 3.0ah upwards.
Skye A Cohen
Nice write up. I thought this line “Notable Products: Kobalt’s 24V Max XTR cordless power tools set a new benchmark for DIYer-grade tools” sounded like marketing. I will say though that I do find kobalt’s line to be interesting. I have never used or even handled any of their tools and I think I’d feel a little embarrassed on a jobsite to show up with a bunch of kobalt tools, but I have been watching with interest as they pump out new tools regularly, some of which look pretty interesting like their little double bevel sliding mitersaw. Who knows maybe they’ll be a force to be reckoned with as time goes by
Stuart
Sorry; I can try to rephrase it, but it’s 100% true and that’s how it came out of my mind.
We had a paid sponsorship with Lowe’s in mid-2020, and I spent a lot of time with the XTR tools as part of that. I still can’t bring myself to donate or give them away – I like them too much.
Right now the XTR tools are “new lower prices” at Lowe’s too.
The XTR tools are more powerful and better featured than competing DIYer brands such as Ryobi and Craftsman, and also some pro brands’ comparably-priced options. I can’t speak about jobsite durability or duty cycle though, but I’d bet they fare better than Ryobi and Craftsman at the least.
Steve
They look like a fantastic value but I just can’t bring myself to buy into a straight up store brand cordless platform, especially with how fickle Lowes can be.
Mmmtacos
I hopped onto the DeWalt bandwagon long ago since it was what my dad favored. Haven’t regretted it since and have expanded my personal tool collection that is mostly DIY (I have some occasion to use my tools professionally, but only a few of them, or for side-work).
If I were to start all over again I would give Milwaukee a hard look followed by Makita and probably not much else. Craftsman looks fairly attractive in some regards but they’re too limited. What tools they do have lack features currently exclusive on the DeWalt platform. For instance they don’t have any circular saw in their line-up with a brake. Their jigsaw has less speed variations than DeWalt and the shoe is stamped steel versus the cast metal DeWalt version. Many tools don’t come with brushless versions which I could take or leave. However their drill and impact combo have gotten impressive ravings, equal to or even greater than their DeWalt counterparts (I am guessing it’s a hook to get someone into their platform, they are the “gateway” power tools after all).
A second note on Milwaukee is from what I have seen they don’t quite cater to my personal needs as well as DeWalt does, but only barely so, but increasingly so to boot.
A third and final note (anecdote?) is my good friend whom I seek most woodworking advice on has jumped from platform to platform over his time working as a carpenter (trim and deck). He started Bosch many years ago when they were the best then DeWalt when they released brushless tools. When too many of those grew legs on the jobsite he switched to Milwaukee. Less than a year later after several failed tools and batteries he went back to DeWalt for a few more years. After they grew more legs just recently he jumped ship to Makita after getting unbeatable deals with a local reseller and has been very happy with it since.
I suppose if anything it’s a testament to the desire for people to want DeWalt tools so badly they steal them (at the expense of their final paycheck).
fred
Must be that yellow color scheme or the plastic that Dewalt uses. they do just seem to evaporate when left out in the sun on a jobsite. But, then again, we found that moonlight was even more deleterious to our teal tools as they seemed to disappear (sublimation rather than evaporation may have been involved) even faster on night jobs.
Kirk
Wait til all your Milwaukee tools fade to a nice pink!
OldDominionDIYer
I chose Milwaukee, but it wasn’t an easy choice I had both DeWalt and Makita in my final three and honestly anyone of them would serve me well, no doubt. Ultimately though Milwaukee won out based on their inventory of available tools and their singular battery architecture. I’m very happy and continue to build my tool inventory. Bring out a darn cordless lawn mower Already Milwaukee!
Abner Diaz
For me personally, i have milwaukee as my primary and dewalt as a secondary for some specialty tools that arent available in the milwaukee lineup, for example, the dewalt cable stapler or the cordless cement board shears. I also prefer the battery operated saws from dewalt over the milwaukee ones because of the versatility of being able to use it on batteries or on ac power with the adapter. I do feel that in that regard, dewalt has been quicker to release products, but milwaukee has taken their time to learn from the innovations and mistakes of other brands and perfect their own before launch, and i believe there is nothing more dissapointing than buying first in class product only to find that it has vital flaws. Because of that, i commend milwaukee for not rushing to make money on a new product and taking their time to listen to the consumers. Along with that, i feel like makita would be my next option. I really like to fact that they have things like automatic start/stop for their dust extractors and other tools like their drywall cut out saw. And the fact that they just adopted the x-lock for their grinders makes their platform all the more attractive. So by far, my top 3 are Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita
Col. Sanders
I went red when I started a couple years back and I am disappointed. Weather its electronics crapping out, dealing with bad batteries or my fuel super sawzall that keeps breaking. It seems like they have adapted to the cell phone policy of it will break and we’ll have something new and shiny for you. The only thing keeping me red is that they have good customer service.
To be fair I dont have any other systems so I may just be hard on my tools
William Adams
I have a couple of really old Craftsman battery tools whose batteries/chargers are dead which I need to clear out (not looking forward to paying by the pound to recycle them — suggestions?) and have an older 9.6V Makita which I was gifted and which I’ve been considering doing a rebuild on.
That said, given the constraints of “Napoleon’s most precious commodity”, we’ll see how my purchasing a Mafell FM 1000 WS (a quick change spindle for one of my CNCs) works out — if I’m as pleased w/ it as I expect to be, I’m going to get a Mafell A 18M bl Cordless Drill Driver and switch over to Systainers, get a Festool MW 1000 and when it’s available a Bridge City Tool Works DJ-3 drilling jig. Then I’ll fill that out w/ a Mafell P1cc Jigsaw (corded) and one of their circular or track saws and I should have the fully mobile workshop I’ve wanted for a long while now.
Would you want me to arrange to have the Mafell drill shipped to you for a test first?
W00dy
That WS routerbit changing system om the Mafell FM 1000 WS is really nice!
The P1cc Jigsaw I bought after 8 cm of sawing with one in store, you cannot compare it to any other jigsaw I have ever used before it. So nice 🙂
I also have te A18 will I bet that there are even better drills ou there I really like it. And the 18 v battery is from the Cas system so I can get tools from other brands for it (mostly Metabo) 🙂
Leo B.
I debated for a long time, and had the luxury of not needing any cordless tools at the moment, so I could make the best decision possible. I finally went with Milwaukee, even though nobody I worked with used their cordless tools. It seemed like their M18 and M12 platform covered almost every possible base, and that the tools were good quality. I don’t regret it, and I enjoy using them every time I work. Makita was in close competition, but I felt their battery technology wasn’t quite up to snuff. DeWalt felt okay, but seemed slower to innovate. Ridgid, frustratingly, doesn’t have a left blade circular saw. Overall, Milwaukee for cordless tools has served me well. I don’t feel obligated to buy corded tools from a particular brand. After all, for as much as everyone wants universal batteries, why not just buy the best corded tool you can? It’s a universal connection. That’s just my opinion, though. It’s been interesting to hear everyone else’s!
Kent
I’m quite happy with M12 & M18. I like the small size of the M12, but sometimes need the power of M18.
The variety of tools that use the same battery is fantastic – who ever would have considered running a drill from the same battery as a chainsaw? With different battery sizes I can choose a compromise for weight, bulk, runtime and power.
My dad and brother live nearby and also went team red, so we can borrow tools from each other, and have a ton of tools between us. It’s quite nice.
As for “the best” tools? That’s the one that fits your budget and gets the job done.
HandyDan
I work in automotive research and development, and I went Makita. It holds up just as well as the Milwaukee stuff, and it tends to be a bit cheaper (with several notable exceptions). I like the wide variety of the Makita line, and considering one of my hobbies is woodworking, I feel that Makita does the best with tools for that as well.
A couple of negative points, however. I love the 18v line, but am not quite as impressed by the 12v line. I am mostly disappointed with the selection. The only thing I like is the fact that they do have a quick charger available for purchase that can charge both 18v and 12v batteries, which saves a serious amount of toolbox space. If I had the opportunity to start over, I might have gone either Milwaukee or Ridgid for 12v.
I am also not thrilled with the price of the batteries. In past years it seemed you could get pretty good deals around Christmas, so I would always stock up at that time, but this year there didn’t really seem to be any compelling deals.
I am pretty happy with Makita, and it seems that they are innovative in the market areas in which I need them to be. I also like the fact that they are still independent, I would much rather support a Japanese company then a Chinese company.
I have been pretty impressed with Milwaukee’s selection of hand tools. I think they make a great alternative to Snap-on or Matco. Although these days manufacturers like Tekton have been turning out pretty impressive products for the price as well.
That being said, I recommend the new guys to get either Bauer or Hercules for their first drill/impact set, which gets them through the first several years, and gives them a chance to build their hand tool collection before dropping big money on the power tools.
Nathan
Interesting and honestly I don’t know that it’s a fair question to even ask today. I mean best tool company. It’s sort of like asking best car company – most of the big ones make enough different devices that they have shining stars in a various categories.
I say the same here. The only reason I try to hem down what I have personally is because I don’t want 5 chargers, and 5 different sets of incompatible batteries. If I ran a business or if I did alot of work professionally I’d strongly consider buying into 2 system just because. No reason tying to one company as there are interesitng and quality items and each and you might as well spread out your exposure.
I used to really want a common platform for my tools and OPE items – as I moved to Cordless OPE. I still sort of want that and now that Dewalt put out the new Flexvolt trimmer device – it’s appears a suitable replacement for my Echo 58V cordless – but I not sure the attachments are prosumer quality. Until I put hand on them.
In that regard I’m torn. But if I were to do it again – I think I’d still end up in Dewalt or Craftsman now only because one big reason I did year ago was that SBD was an American traded corporate company. While nearly every other competitor of note is not a American based corporate. TTI, Bosch holding, etc are all headquartered somewhere else and pay corporate taxes elsewhere.
Otherwise performance and tools set – they are quite similar provided there isn’t something specific you just have to use.
scott taylor
I love the ridgid tools. I have everything from the x3 to the new octane. It seems each time they come out with a new tool they send 4 or 5 to each HD. About 6 months later HD clearance them out. I now have the high torque 1/2 impact and the planer for less than $70 each, same with jig saw. Best deal ever was the cordless miter saw that I got for $120, including a 5AH battery. They had deals several years ago that were buy bare tool get 5AH battery. All you had to was call and let then know that the battery came with the tool and presto, under lifetime warranty. I also have had to have two batteries replaced, both were first generation li-ion, almost 10 years old. Call the number, read them what comes up on the charger, 5 days later, new batteries arrived. Dropped them in the recycle bin at HD. I also love the Ryobi 18v tools for odd things. I had the gas-powered head for lawn tool. The brushless pope head and 9AH battery will power the tiller attachment for almost 40+ minutes. It took almost 9 weeks to get a grinder replaced under the warranty, I now have 2 grinders, one under warranty, one not, but that is another story for another day.
Yadda
Great article. Timely too! With the cold weather coming this weekend I will have time to read thru all the comments.
Joe
Any knowledge of battery packs differences?
I’ve heard that Ryobi has built in low voltage discharge protection and the others don’t , and thus would be best for DIY power/electronic projects. But haven’t seen a known knowledge source talk about them.
DC
I have DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee and each has it’s own strengths for my needs.
Steve
I started with 9.6v Makita decades ago and then upgraded to Bosch but my local hardware store has a great selection of DeWalt that is frequently on sale.
I’ve finally settled on 20v DeWalt and never looked back. Dozens of tools later I am quite content. The only one I’ve ever broken was a reciprocating saw that I was leaning on really hard and broke the end of the shaft off. I didn’t even check on the warranty because I had certainly gotten my fair use out of it and the short version looked sweet.
So availability sent me down this road and I am not looking for anything that doesn’t fit my platform.
fred
I recall those 9.6V Makita offerings – drill and small circular saw (paneling jogs were still in vogue back then) .
https://www.ebay.com/i/193884242146
But the first cordless tool that we considered as a serious replacement for corded was a Porter Cable drill they called “magnequench”.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/PORTER-CABLE-12V-MAGNEQUENCH-3-8-CORDLESS-DRIVER-DRILL-MODEL-852-NO-BATTERY-/162663439398
Diego Diaz
I started with DeWalt when I got into plumbing over 15 years ago. After noticing the batteries and tools did not hold up well I decided to switch to Ridgid about 13 years ago.
You cannot beat their warranty. I haven’t had to buy replacement batteries in all that time. When my 12 year old saw failed I sent it in and they sent me a brand new Octane saw. When they discontinued my 24v batteries they sent me new upgraded batteries with a new charger. For the price, reliability, performance and warranty I recommend Ridgid to anyone who asks me.
I also have an m12 collection going on ever since I received a drill and driver kit a few years ago. Some of the 12 volt tools have much better performance than my older 18v tools. I guess that’s to be expected with advances in technology.
My friend who works in commercial HVAC told me he’s noticed most of the workers went from Milwaukee to Makita and now they’re on DeWalt.
Another friend who works in commercial plumbing said most of their guys went from DeWalt to Milwaukee.
Brian M
Milwaukee and Ryobi/Hart are killing it. Dewalt seems to be trailing with new tools. Bosch had some great innovations (the SDS attachment on the M18 flexiclick is a game changer IMO) but their small lineup hurts.
Joatman
If all of my tools disappeared and I had to start over……and I could only choose ONE brand, I’d almost have to say Milwaukee. Although a majority of my tools are DeWalt, with a lot of M12 mixed in, I think Milwaukee offers a larger portfolio, especially with the M12 line. Yep, Milwaukee.
Travis
I am in the same boat. Lots of DeWalt with a couple M12 tools in the mix. I am fairly happy but if I had to start from zero I would definitely go with the M18 and M12 lineups. They just seem to do a better job of getting new tools developed and produced. That is really the reason I ended up with the M12 tools I have.
Rob L
Milwaukee – I love the M12 tools and battery size – other 12v system’s batteries may allow smaller grips, but absolute size is bigger. Combine the M12 tool variety and utility, add in M18 line, and the heated outdoor gear, Packout systems, and the 3d printed M12 battery holders I wire into a lot of my own creations (model rocket launchers, LED converted Coleman lanterns, etc), Milwaukee is far and away my favorite.
I’d love for Bosch to be a solid second, but they seem to not be very interested in that in the US. Dewalt certainly is fantastic, but I think I’d go with Makita if I had to choose a new brand.
JoeM
Admitted Rant Inbound (Skip if you don’t want a headache.)
POWER Tools? I literally only have two brands: DeWALT and Dremel.
I was taught to use tools by my Mother on precision work (Jewellery and Miniature Work) as a child, and she had a Dremel Rotary Tool. I kept getting handed hand tools through my life, and they were okay… Then I got a job at a Computer Store (Remember those?) at 14, and I got to live the dream. Build stuff, fix stuff, assembly line, and get paid (at the time a much higher amount than what you can get now) somewhere in the $60-$180 per hour range, depending on whether I had to go TO the customer or not. Back then, we had ONE Drill in the store, a DeWALT 9.6 Volt NiCD. When we started to get busy, my boss/owner of the company bought a second, which had updated features. DeWALT worked for us day-in, and day-out, on and off ladders, intentionally and accidentally all the same… They were indestructible for when you just needed to run a wire, or conduit, through a wall, or just torque it way down to 1 and quickly put in screws while assembling or disassembling the computer.
For my… 21st? MAYBE 23rd Birthday, my Family said “What tool do you need to get a job, now that the store went bankrupt?” And I went with a DeWALT 14.4 Volt NiCD. It lasted about 4 years before a battery died, and it needed the trigger switch replaced… Coming from a Jewish family, I told them how much a Battery and a Switch cost, and they typically responded with “You could buy a whole new Drill for that! You’re not getting it.” Thus ended my career for quite a while. None of them thinking “Hey, why don’t you go into the Trades? You like the building stuff part, there’s this thing called WELDING you could do! Carpentry too! Big Bucks there! OH! And a Driver’s License! Never know when you might want to drive a Truck or other Vehicle!”
I call that “The Dark Times.” It wasn’t until my 30th Birthday, 4 years sober from addiction (Like I said, the Dark Times.) the ENTIRE Family, BOTH sides, decided “Kid’s been through enough. He helps everyone like a saint, and keeps getting kicked when he’s down. We should treat him!” and that year I invested in the 20V Max original line. Original 785 Compact Hammerdrill, and my first Impact Driver the 885, combo kit. Then my Mom retired later that year, and got a bunch of back-pay from her pension, we went to home Depot, looking for some stuff to maintain her Scooter (she has been slowly losing her ability to walk since I was 25.) and instead of getting the jack I needed to lift up the scooter to work on it, and the portable inflator for the tires, and ALL the things we planned on getting… She handed me a card from the mail from my Dad’s side of the family, left over from my Birthday. And we spent the day at Home Depot buying me a Dremel 4000, and ALL the Accessories. Flex Shaft, Angle Attachment, you name it. Got my Dremel Engraver, the original electric Versatip for both Woodburning AND Soldering Electronics… The next weekend we went to Canadian Tire and what was on sale? The Dremel 8200 12 Volt Max Cordless Rotary Tool… Mom bought me that too, because “You’re better with a Dremel than I am now! You should have your own setup, AND stop borrowing Mine! It’s older than YOU ARE!”
If I had to “Do it all again” I wouldn’t change anything. I’ve only added to my DeWALT tools and bought more supplies for my Dremel. My Hand Tools are mostly Stanley, unless I have no idea whether I will need those tools or not, then they’re Mastercraft (Canadian Tire House Brand) to see if I use them at all. If I don’t? I never get a proper set. If I DO? I buy a Stanley, or better-rated pro brand.
I’m a DeWALT/Dremel guy. They’ve got me through some rough things in my life, and at 39, I’m no better off than when I was when the computer store closed. Life dictates what you can do, and apparently… I made some mistakes bad enough to leave me stagnant. I USED to have ambition, but… Now “Ambition” is waking up before Noon when I don’t have any appointments to get to.
Sorry Folks… WHY I’m a DeWALT guy, and a Dremel guy is deeply rooted in how I was raised. DeWALT was an INVESTMENT in being able to do what I had to do, without fear of constantly replacing tools I couldn’t afford. And DREMEL? I was raised on how to use it. Speed, not torque. Respect the Tools, CLEAN the Tools!
All the rest is theoretical at this point. I still enjoy tools, but I’m only ever going to get my own projects done with them. Nothing will ever “Pay For Itself” ever again. Too much damage in my youth.
Joe R.
As the forum has discussed before, due to the cost and format of batteries we tend to get locked into a certain brand. I started way back with a Makita 6 pc 18V system and that has been updated and grown. I have a few 2X models like a rotary hammer drill and hypoid saw, but for the most part, I acquired just as many of the brushless 18V models that meet a common DIYer need (for a bit I was maintaining my parent’s rentals until their passing and subsequent sale, so I needed a few more things than most DIYers). With the exception of a recent nailer that jammed and I subsequently screwed up while trying to fix – no issues, I am happy. Gripe – cost of tools when not offered as part of package deal and those 6amp batts should have come down in cost by now. Oh well.
That being said, I did buy a Dewalt 20V drill for my daughter. It has been a help to her with no issues. This past holiday I saw red and bought her the Milwaukee 12V Installation Drill/Driver kit and packaged sawzall from HD. She’ll be on a different platform, but she and the boyfriend appreciate the help.
I have a Ryobi 40V weed whacker and blower. Both eat the battery far too quickly, the batts take an hour plus to re-charge and whoever designed the nylon line feed for the weed whacker should be charged with a crime. For the short time that they function, they do so well. Very average yard always requires two fully charged 40V batts.
Jim Felt
Stuart. Another great roundup.
In thinking about this thread I realized I’ve still got a offset Sioux drill (remember “Sioux” fred?) and both a Made in Milwaukee USA corded(!) HoleHawg and a Sawzall. Both of which I’ve also got in the latest M18 versions. Both truly heavy damn things.
Plus a 10 year accumulation of Bosch 10.8/12V and 18V (both US and direct imports) through a year old fairly big Brushless Hammer Drill.
But most recently, especially after gifting Jimmy Carter a bunch of oddball Bosch, actual Craftsman and a few corded “real” Skil and Porter Cable boat anchors I’m really leaning towards M12 and the occasional M18.
And just maybe a Makita or ??? Track Saw. Can’t decide. But it’s becoming too much trouble to drive over to my offsite Panel Saw to cut the occasional MDO pieces.
@toomanydangchoices. @firstworld problems.
fred
We had a few Sioux tools in our metal fabrication shop. Most were pneumatics . Milwaukee made their 0375-6 close quarters corded drill (offset as you call it) I think based on the Sioux design. Sioux still make them – and call them Z-Handle
https://www.siouxtools.com/industrial/drills/
We probably had more Dotco and Cleco pneumatics than Sioux – but they were all great performers
Jim Felt
fred. Thanks. Good find! I used that “close quarters” Sioux for installing thousands of Robertson/Square Drive screws on an HO model railroad layout with a corded Porter Cable drill (with a real Jacob’s Chuck) to pre drill the 1x clear pine. There were no cordless installation drivers in that era.
I still have both (nostalgia?) and recently had them serviced. Fortunately no parts needed replacement.
Haven’t used a corded drill since the Great Recession.
But “nostalgia”… Just can’t give them to Habitat just yet.
Speaking of Sioux I’ve an original circular bubble tin sign of theirs from the 40’s or maybe early 50’s. As period signs mostly porcelain are another interest (my wife has a different definition) of mine.
Nathan
So interesting odd addition. I got to asking this around the office crew today because we have ice on the ground and oddly it seems to slow/stop alot of the other work.
To that end one of the guys lost alot of his power tool collection in a fire – his neighbors house caught and while is raged – managed to light off his shed. pictures were scary and why the fire dept didn’t throw some waters that way eariler I don’t know. I mean I’d have been thinking shed = fuels, accelerants etc but they really just left it alone.
So new OPE and most of his power tools gone or hosed. So he had a combination of a few things but mostly Dewalt stuffs.
He replaced them all with Ryobi. His thought for the price point and function and the quantity of items. why not. Kicker he didn’t buy one of thep package kits either. So for example he got their higher quality drill, their 3 speed impact driver, their bigger circular saw. bought individually specific items online or though this outlet store we have near here.
He has most of the same abilites back – figures they might not last 10 years but who cares – and the price point was significantly lower.
I thought it was interesting.
Louie Orama
8 years ago, I didn’t own a hammer. Salesman my whole life up until then. Got a job in Restoration (ServPro-type of work/fire, mold, water…) and began with the Craftsman Bolt On. My brother urged me into going with a tool company that had “independent” tools rather than attachments. Chose DeWalt. One thing about the Craftsman Bolt On that I loved was their 3-3/8” trim saw attachment. Wondered if DeWalt would ever come out with a brushless mini circular saw. Once the Atomic came out, it was complete to me.
I now have 19 FlexVolt tools-it’s easier mentioning the ones I DON’T have (Vac/Track Saw/a couple of rotary hammers & a couple of others) and about 30-40 Brushless tools along with the Xtreme Set (minus the 2 new impact wrenches).
Along the way, I have also invested in Ridgid (20 brushless and lights) as I LOVE their rubber housing. And I know this is about tools, but to me, Ridgid makes a SEXY tool.
I believe Ridgid and Kobalt are the best bang for your buck and LOVE that Kobalt continues to expand.
I WISH that every tool company carried every tool because Ryobi makes a sweeper called the “DEVOUR”. And I want it bad. Got great reviews and would like to have it for my basement and garage. Other than that, I’m very happy with my DeWalt and Ridgid sets.
Mike
I buy American and there is only one power tool company in America and that’s Stanley Black and Decker who make Dewalt and Craftsman so that’s who I go with, Milwaukee and Makita make great tool’s but they’re not American and I don’t want to hear about being made in China and other country the money comes back here and that’s the bottom line
Mike (the other one)
I agree. Even though a large number of components are Chinese in origin, most of their products are assembled in the US, which is more than you can say for nearly every other brand.
Plus, there is a DeWalt service center not too far from me, (which I have never needed) which is nice.
Bottom line: I have never regretted buying a DeWalt tool. They are tough, powerful, and dependable.
Jon98
On the red team myself used to have hilti tried 1/2 impact from Milwaukee and the rest is history. I didn’t see Ingersoll Rand on list are they still making cordless or not covered because of mainly automotive based
paramount
I’m in the Makita camp as a carpenter. They have a huge lineup for carpentry purposes.
I also have a local dealer, which plays into it.
I had to warranty a drill that completely died, but to be fair I was running a 4 1/2″ hole saw through an lvl rim joist. They sent a brand new drill and battery within a week or so.
I was previously in the Dewalt 18v Nicad lineup, which was fine. I think as a company, you sort of pick a line and run with it for compatibility purposes. I’ve been satisfied with the Makita.
Kentucky fan
I weld for a living so 90% of my power tool usage is grinders with that being said you can tell alot about a brand by how well made their grinders are. An angle grinder is probably the most used and abused power tool there is they live in a environment that tries to kill them 24/7. Here are my observations on the big 3.
Milwaukee dies quickly, they have great service though (ask me how I know). Their batteries do not like being in a weld shop the grinder dust and metal shavings destroy them very quickly along with whatever cordless tool they are attached too. In my experience Milwaukee is all hype with no substance.
Dewalt lasts very well, their corded grinders are bulletproof but they will develop vibration issues after a while though. They have a good warranty program but not as no questions asked as Milwaukee. Their battery tools especially the higher end ones last well and perform well, the batteries still have issues in a rough environment though.
Makita is great their higher end grinders are the best made in my opinion (even better than Metabo). I have little experience with their battery tools though.
MFC
It all depends on what you need.
I have used Milwaukee and DeWalt and have had more issues with Milwaukee reliability than DeWalt.
Milwaukee has more user specific tools and a way better Sales team. They know how to hype people up and have a more “die-hard” fan base.
Dewalt’s Flexvolt system is the best high power system because the batteries don’t overheat with heavy use (unlike Milwaukee’s).
As a professional, Milwaukee’s M18 system is slowly being phased out of my collection.
Stacey Jones
Nice article Stuart! I’m a DIY honey doer, so I love Ryobi 40v/18v for the huge number of tools for most yard and house work. I really only wanted 12v for a light drill and impact, so I picked up Hitachi for that. If I bought into another 12v system it would be either Makita for variety or Milwaukee if all I wanted was a better impact, that Hydraulic Surge is very tempting, nowadays I use impact driver the most. I did buy into Makita 18v too, just for the vacuum and maybe some wood tools in time.
x lu
this is the problem with internet reviewers no matter how hard they desire to be objective. They just cant or wont make the call. Car reviewers are the worst. But this is a great example. There was a time when Dewalt was a leader; today it is Milwaukee and the call isnt even a close one. Anybody investing in tools today would be crazy to not go cordless with Milwaukee. Changing systems would be a much harder call. Reminds of My Cousin Vinnie when Joe Pesci tells the FBI expert, it’s ok tell them already know.
Kentucky fan
Lol Milwaukee wins the influencer and hype war nothing else.
Stuart
If the answer to the question “here’s what I’m looking for, which brand should I buy” isn’t the same brand every time, there’s no definitive winner.
Overall, there are reasons to buy into either system.
I have tools from both brands at my disposal, and sometimes I reach for yellow.
I won’t modify my opinion just because you think it’s more convenient to pick a grand winner.
That would have saved me a lot of time, if I had one with just one brand being the winner rather than discussing strengths, weaknesses, and present day status of so many different brands here.
X lu
In the end pros and cons are nice but inadequate. If you can only buy into one system, which one is it? This is the age old argument of best of breed ie on a tool by tool basis which brand has the best x vs on the whole which system offers the best solutions and vision to the most use cases. Breadth of line, size/weight and ease of accessibility of that breadth is also important. If this thread was about the best tool, then I understand the reluctance to make the jump to system. But picking a system should be easy. Today that is Milwaukee hands down. Down the road that could easily change just as Dewalt gave up its once leading position and is still playing catch up.
My desire to have you pick a winner is not about convenience but intellectual honesty. Choosing forces you to weigh factors and force rank them. Knowing how you reached your conclusion about best helps others to decide.
JoeM
What works for the Carpenter does not work for the Electrician. What works for those with a compromised grip, does not work with those with young and nimble hands.
If we were to go with just ONE ultimate answer to what is the best, who are we biasing against? Because functionally, Milwaukee does NOT cover large construction teams as well as DeWALT. And DeWALT does NOT cover individual Trades as thoroughly as Milwaukee. Being that they are approximately the same price point, and are often seen together on worksites where the mass crew is working along side specialists to get the job done… How do you distinguish DeWALT from Milwaukee?
The Trades that get the most use out of Milwaukee wouldn’t have places where they’re needed, had the building not been built primarily with DeWALT level tools. And vise-versa. The Primarily built by DeWALT building couldn’t have been COMPLETED without the specialists that Milwaukee serves better.
Then there are folks like ME… My training and years of experience are in an ENTIRELY different industry, one that comes with damage to my hands… The fact remains… I CAN’T hold Milwaukee tools… They aren’t ergonomically designed around people with repetitive strain injuries that one may, or may not, have. So, by sheer default… DeWALT gets my business because I can’t use Milwaukee. So… How is Milwaukee better than DeWALT if it CAN’T be used by me? It doesn’t inform me to buy Milwaukee simply due to the “Extent of Tools Released”… It doesn’t matter if they have 1, or 25 Saws they have released, if their ergonomics prevent me from using any of them. DeWALT is more comfortable so, even though they only have 2-4 saws launched for their system, and despite them not covering every Trade ever needed to maintain a project… I’m buying DeWALT for the equal QUALITY of Investment their tools represent.
I still do woodworking, and a bit of metalworking when I get a chance… I still do shortcuts with power tools that save time… I still do a huge number of things that, with Milwaukee, aren’t possible to do.
So… Why, pray tell, is Milwaukee WORTHY of being the ONLY Champion? Why would ANYONE be so narrow-minded as to think that DeWALT and Milwaukee are in ANY way able to maintain the ENTIRETY of that first place position you put them in, without the OTHER there to compensate for what they don’t do? DeWALT didn’t lose a LINEAR battle for #1 tool maker in the world… The Tool World started to Diversify into PARALLELS of eachother. DeWALT and Milwaukee ended up PARALLELS to eachother, along different Demographics entirely. You do know what a Demographic is, I hope. Because not every Tool User uses the same Tools. Which means… for all the Specialist Mechanics tools that Milwaukee makes… I’m not buying them… Because I’m not an Automotive Mechanic… Or a Plumber… Or an HVAC Technician… I am certainly CAPABLE of understanding each of those fields… but I’m not devoted to them… So why would I go with Milwaukee, when the tools I USE are higher rated on DeWALT’s Target Demographic?
Bosch and Makita have a similar EU-Oriented spread out. If you don’t do what their Target Demographic does, why in hell would you rank them higher on your list of necessary tools?
Demographics are important to every tool brand. Know who they are going after for sales, and you understand their tool selection. If you toss them in with different demographics, you just see a bunch of useless tools in EVERY Demographic, at EVERY Brand.
X lu
Simply because today they have the best overall system…that is their product will cover the most use cases for the most people and deliver strong output per unit of input ie value per dollar. The best doesn’t need to solve every use case nor does it even need to. Today Milwaukee is a 90/10 cordless solution; De Walt is an 80/20. In 5 years who knows. Sorry about you injuries, however.
fred
We had a few Sioux tools in our metal fabrication shop. Most were pneumatics . Milwaukee made their 0375-6 close quarters corded drill (offset as you call it) I think based on the Sioux design. Sioux still make them – and call them Z-Handle
https://www.siouxtools.com/industrial/drills/
We probably had more Dotco and Cleco pneumatics than Sioux – but they were all great performers
Scott ALKB
I think you accidentally a word in Metabo:
“and each they move closer and closer to that goal.”
Stuart
Thanks! *fixed*
Harry D
Agree on the downside of Milwaukee M12 and Ryobi batteries. On the Ryobi has not updated their batteries to a slide-style form factor yet, check out Hoover Onepwr cordless tools https://www.hoover.com/onepwr/. The battery is slide-style and look quite modern/attractive. So Ryobi is quite ready for a battery style change. Hopefully when they do, they will make adapter like Dewalt did, and not just leave existing customers in the cool. But Ryobi is the best at not changing battery. I believe their current battery can fit the old tools, back when Ryobi was blue.
Stuart
I saw – I thought this was a stealthy release, but the products have been out for a while, and the wet/dry vac looks like a Ryobi clone.
Ryobi deliberately won’t update their battery. DIYers tend to keep their tools and batteries for a very long time, and Ryobi doesn’t want to upset those users. If Ryobi updates their battery to a non-compatible form factor, users would be faced with buying into a new cordless platform, and in such a position they might not go with Ryobi.
Stacey Jones
What’s the big deal with the slide battery system? More compact? If that’s all then maybe put out a new series for just the few tools where it might matter and, as you say, an adapter. I don’t need compact in a lot of my stuff: hand vac, chainsaw, etc.
Stuart
Slide packs are more compact and allow for more flexible handle design and ergonomics, also more modern communications between tool and battery. Ryobi’s interface was designed for NiCad, not Li-ion.
ChrisP
Porter Cable – “The brand doesn’t appear to be investing any time, effort, or resources into their cordless platform”.
Stuart, doubt very much there will be any new PC cordless tools. Outside of NA the PC tools were branded Stanley FatMax. That tech has ceased and now there is a new FatMax (identical to Craftsman V20). There is even an adaptor so the old tools can run V20 batteries – SFMCB100
Stanley FatMax 18V Adapter Link
Stuart
Thanks! Interesting, I didn’t know about that adapter.
It’s unfortunate, but there’s no place for the brand anymore. They could focus on woodworking-specific tools, but they’d always be second fiddle to Dewalt.
Rod
Hi Stuart,
I found this website about four years ago and remain glad I did. It has taught me a lot, made me a bit of a tool freak and given me the confidence to do more DIY work. I read articles like this: https://toolguyd.com/what-should-the-ultimate-bosch-12v-compact-cordless-power-tool-station-include/
I bought into the 12V Bosch system, and am still slowly adding to it (flexi-click, impact driver , electric planer). I remember being a bit leery of your sponsored posts for Bosch, but appreciated the info. Meanwhile I was learning a lot from watching YouTube and discovering that UK and EU tool freaks had a lot more Bosch to choose from!
More recently I have noticed you are really sour on Bosch and have moved very strongly behind other brands. Most of it seems to be due to the childish antics of Bosch NA marketing department and their somewhat desperate efforts to get noticed (by 5 year olds?). And the lack of really innovative tools (some of which are available in the UK/EU).
My Bosch 12V tools joined my venerable 20 year old Bosch jig saw which still works perfectly. They all work very well and I am still developing the skills to exploit them to the their full potential. I don’t have a reason (or the $$) to dump them and jump to another platform.
If there is an 18v platform that excites me it is the EU Metabo stuff including the plunge saw and vacuum
https://www.metabo.com/uk/en/tools/vacuums-and-extraction/all-purpose-vacuum-cleaner/asr-36-18-bl-25-m-sc-602046850-cordless-vacuum-cleaner.html
So, if you can use your influence to encourage more EU tools to come here, that would be helpful. In the meantime it is hard for me to accept that what you regarded as top picks three to four years ago are now not worth looking at when I don’t see huge differences from other makers.
Like a lot of adults who shop tools I would appreciate being treated like one by Bosch NA. I strongly encourage you to push for that, but maybe separate that problem from the tools themselves a little better. It might take writing in German to Bosch HQ?
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
I do like the older Bosch 12V cordless power tools that I’ve tried, but Dewalt 12V Max Xtreme Compact tools came out more recently, and I like using them more. Dewalt’s slimmer grip is more comfortable to me, and it’s made possible by the slide-style battery.
If there are 50 tasks or operations that involve 12V-class tools, and I see that sometimes I reach for a Dewalt tool, and other times Milwaukee, Makita, Metabo, or other brands, and in all that time I have not once reached for any Bosch tool, that tells me something.
I don’t use my Bosch 18V cordless tools anymore eithwe – they have become outdated and deliver a lesser experience than other newer and better tools at my disposal. It’s been a while since I have had access to new Bosch 18V tools, and many of those that are available are still outclassed by competing brands in every single way.
The only Bosch tools I still use semi-regularly aren’t even available here – I had to order them from Europe.
So for what I said about Bosch above, I felt I was neutrally objective and even generously optimistic. I no longer understand the brand, and my recommendations for them are growing stale. I can only speak about tools and brands as far as my personal experiences and insights reach. If press/media communications don’t improve, my next revision of this post will read very differently. For the last two products I asked about, for one they provided inaccurate information that required 3 rounds of follow-ups and revisions, and for the second they answered with “many reasons.”
One of my strengths and weaknesses is that I am a very opinioned tool user. This can be a challenge as I let personal and professional experiences and preferences mix. Is Bosch serving my needs as a user? No – other brands have been doing a much better job. Professionally are they ensuring I’m up to date on the brand? No. I have more questions than answers. WHY buy Bosch today, over other brands? I can’t answer that aside from a couple of older pinpoint recommendations.
Consider how broad Bosch is as a company, and then consider that North American tool users are a very minor contributor to their power tool sales. Communicating any professional or user-based frustrations to Bosch Germany wouldn’t be productive.
CountyCork
Stuart do you have any insight to Bosch’s North American sales including Canada? Would be really interesting where they fall in the mix of the Big NA players. Maybe they are doing just fine sales wise and aren’t joining the arms race to have the most powerful spec’d tools. For an example I have the new Brushless Freak at 1800 inch pounds which isn’t the highest spec’d impact driver but for me works flawlessly and also has the 1/2 anvil built in. At a 150 ft pounds, that’s enough torque to break all my vehicle lugs no problem. Another big win for Bosch is there battery build which is quite impressive when you break it down. The battery is the heart of a cordless system and Bosch knocks this out of the park (in my opinion of course). While I know you say you haven’t tried many of Bosch’s newest offerings and while not the leader in specs they are still really well made and will do the job intended. I guess we are really fortunate to have so many great choices in this country and you can go so many ways depending on how you evaluate your needs. If you get a chance you should try out Bosch’s GDX18V-1800CN freak I think you would be quite impressed with it.
Stuart
I don’t.
With respect to pro brands, they’re definitely behind Dewalt and Milwaukee, and probably behind Makita and possibly Ridgid as well.
B Harris
A few years ago my Ridgid angle grinder popped, and wouldn’t turn on. I took it down to Home Depot, and the rental desk guy asked if I had registered it. I said no. He said, “Darn, if you had, I would’ve told you to just go get another one off the shelf.“ I did go get another one off the shelf, registered it, and have bought nearly everything else Ridgid makes. The balance of LSA, price, feel, power, and quality make it a great option for skilled DIYers and most pros.
DrewMcD
Stuart,
You left off the Positec tools marketed as Worx/Rockwell. /S /S Just joking. I have their yard cart and a corded blower/vac and not impressed with their quality or their customer service. They do have a new line of crafter/maker tools that run off their 20v battery that look interesting as a concept. Wonder if Ryobi would eventually do something similar.
I am a DIY’r, and I have a collection of Nextec 12V and Ryobi 18v. Also had EGO for major OPE, which I really liked. I have been nursing the Nextec tools with 3rd party batteries from Ebay. I absolutely love their drill/driver, rotary tool and fluorescent light. I know I may need to replace them soon, and would probably move to M12. I would seriously consider Skil 12v based on your reviews if they would expand their offerings, when I go to replace those tools. But the M12 installation tool is calling my wallet. I’ve been very happy with the Ryobi for my use has been good, especially with about a third of my collection obtained at Direct Tools. Even though they were mostly seconds, the only tool I had problems with was their devour sweeper, and that was repaired by their service network under warranty. The biggest issue I have with Ryobi is they offer a new tool and then it disappears from Home Depot’s inventory if I wait too long to take advantage of a promotion or sale.
The ‘straggler” I have is the Dewalt 8V Power Screwdriver (V1). That is a great tool and is worth the one off battery and charger for me. I was disappointed that the only other tool for that battery is a flashlight, which I don’t need.
I still have some vintage corded Craftsman power tools that rarely get used. A lot of them were bought by either myself or my father at their catalog outlet store. We lived close to their largest distribution center on the East Coast and had a neighbor that worked there and gave us advance notice of stuff coming in. On top of that, he would “buy” it for us and got another 10% off for their discount. In going through tools while packing for my upcoming move, I couldn’t give them up. I have a 1/2 hammer drill that is a beast, the others I kept for sentimental reasons.
TonyT
I’m currently mostly Ryobi (basic tools, lights, some specialty tools), Bosch 12V (Flexi-click, FL12 light, etc), and a Makita (the wonderful track saw) and a Milwaukee (18V drain auger, which is unique).
I’ve been very happy with the Bosch 12V, especially the Flexi-Click and FL12 light – they’re small, well built, and can handle most everything I need. Ryobi is a great system for affordable tools, including many unusual items such as the glue gun.
In the future, I probably won’t adding much Bosch 12V – I don’t need brushless yet, and if I do, I am tempted by M12 (widest range) and Dewalt 12V Max Xtreme brushless.
For 18V, I’ve been really impressed by Ryobi this year, especially the 3 3/8″ multi-material saw and brushless cutoff tool (both unusual tools for 18V). Sometime I’ll likely add more Makita LXT and Milwaukee M18 tools. With 4 systems, I don’t see any need for yet another , although I have to say the DeWalt 20V drill and impact driver kit we just got at work (to assemble 8020 faster) looks pretty sweet.
stieff
I have dewalt 20V mostly. A set on sale was gifted to me. I really like the M12 milwaukee because its smaller, lighter and compact, etc. My wife prefers them as well. So I’ll definitely stick with M12 in my household. At work most use dewalt and the batteries vanish. I switched to makita because I could keep track of my gear easier.
I love the M18, used them at my old workplace. All three brands have such wide selection. I think Id go with M18 and M12 for home if I started today.
Bosch sounds great but just not visible in these parts.
Randy
Makita has just released two 80V (2x40V) demolition hammers, HM002G & H006G. Looking forward to future additions to the lineup. Initial focus will likely serve the concrete trades.
Mike
Hilti? Yeah, sure – after I win the LOTTERY!
Adam
I think that with either Dewalt/Milwaukee/Makita you will not go wrong, have worked with and owned models from all three over 20 years. I do not envisage going with any one battery platform/manufacturer for all my tools, nor do most tradesman I see stick to one manufacturer for everything. I mainly have dewalt now and am very impressed with how they company has developed, though I will not use them for everything. I will only stick with Fien for my multi-tool as I have experienced others and they are not as good. Also a single manufacturer will not produce everything you need. I own a Makita 8406 core drill, have owned since 2005 and am desperate to replace it . Unfortunately a cordless replacement is not available at the moment, the MX fuel model is not aimed at me, being more for site work. I own flexvolt batteries and was hoping Dewalt would bring out a dry core cordless doing upto 150mm brick/block, but believe Makita will do it first with the 80v system. If they do, I will purchase just for that
Rob
Most of my cordless tools are Ryobi, and they have served my well in a trade capacity. I am amazed at how good the brushless stuff is and I have only had one battery fail in 14 years of using the Li batteries. The 6 year warranty and being able to exchange a faulty tool instantly is a bonus even though this has been a very rare occurrence. I recently upgraded my most used tools to M18 and am impressed, but still seem to grab for the Ryobi stuff first. The Ryobi range has some great and unique tools, but I have some M12 stuff that Ryobi can’t compete with and same with M18. I recently purchased the M18 metal circular saw and absolutely love it. It is nice to see that some tool companies are willing to take chances and release tools that their competitors do not make especially when you already own the battery platform. I think most cordless tools are now at a very high standard and it comes down to using the tool that suits and appeals to you.
Kirk
The Ryobi (impact wrench, blower, planer) &Ridgid (miter saw, vac) 18v tools i own & use almost daily but have most dewalt 20v XR line tools & batteries. And flexvolt circ saw + 4 9ah’s for the 20v power supply sitting on top of my ds carrier. I have a 2ah battery and a 2ah “XR”battery
that has 2x the runtime at least. Some people buy the cheapest brushed 1ah kit then complain. Dewalt has many options but I think the power of brushless tools are worth the increase in price, but I always bought @ black Friday and got pretty good deals
Kirk
*And I have the Ryobi 18v battery top off and pin nailer I keep in bag with my dewalt 20v 16g and 18g guns, forgot . I did just pick up my first m12, palm nailer and already own the dewalt 20v framer and metal connector gun so no lugging compressors and hoses is great but I have the bostitch pl21 with both framer and placement heads for hangers still in the box I was all ready to try out once I learned of its existence, wish it were sooner
Perry
I’ve been using makita on job sites and shops for close to 20 years now. Not because “they’re the best” or “they have the most tools” or whatever.
They just fit my hand more comfortably than the other major brands, which means less fatigue at the end of they day.
Most of the major brands have plenty of power anymore, and while I like the makita controls as well, the other brands like milwaukee and metabo hpt have definitely caught up.
Anymore, I think it’s more about ergonomics, price and availability in your area.
Fyrfytr998
This was a great write up.
I’m really interested in seeing where Lowes is trying to take their offerings.
Pro Grade: Bosch, Metabo HPT, DeWalt
Mid Grade: Kobalt, Skil, Craftsman Brushless
DIY Grade: Craftsman Brushed (Soooooo much Red in the Blue store, lol.)
Porter Cable and Black and Decker are all but finished here. PC isn’t even on the floor any more, and BD has one TINY end cap.
My Porter Cables are still running strong, but I’m thinking it might be a good time to switch out next holiday season. Kobalt is appealing, but I’m worried they if they might give that the axe too due to the red wave. The one aspect that Kobalt is killing everyone else is in battery costs.
Something in the back of my mind is whispering Makita though. It appeals to me that Makita stands alone and has not succumbed to eing bought out by a larger corporation.