Milwaukee - Dewalt - Ridgid - Makita

Deciding to start my collection of cordless power tools.

These are the three I like the best in the order of preference.
1. Dewalt
2. Milwaukee
3. Ridgid
4. Other
5. Makita (Late Entry) 8-25-23 @ 4:58 CST

Please let me know your favorites

 

I like my Bosch cordless drill

 

The Dewalt mid-range 1/2 impact wrench (DCF891) just put me into that family.

 

Home Depot always has great deals going on with Milwaukee i.e. return hack for cheap bare tools. They also have every type of power tool you could ever think about

for light duty / average home use it’s hard to beat Ryobi when looking at price and tool options.

 

I'm heavily invested in the Milwaukee M18 and M12 systems. Milwaukee's warranty service is what sold me. Sent out an abused hammer drill with a few issues with the handle attaching. I half expected them to just deny my warranty claim. Instead, I received a drill back with a new casing and new handle within a week.

My other top choice would be Makita.

 

Makita

 

Decided to finally buy some decent tools. Milwaukee all the way.

I’m currently using M12 stuff, with the intention of one day having M18 as well.

 

If I hadn't already gone down the path of Makita 18V years ago with the investment in batteries and were to start all over again today, Milwaukee.

I'm fine with my Makita stuff though. Build quality, reliability and ergonomics have always been good.

 

I don't think you can really go wrong with any of your choices above.

If money was no issue, I'd go Makita.

But since I was looking to save where I can, I went the Dewalt route. Solid middle of the road option, IMO. The only thing from them I've ever had an issue with was a battery powered blower. Sent it back and got a new one.

I've had some amazing Ryobi tools and some that were crap. The price is attractive but I don't think it's worth investing in their whole line of tools.

 

I think it also depends on the tools you need. Brands have standouts in different tool categories.

 

Everyone here at work is switching to Milwaukee.

I have Makita but my tools sit at home since I work at the desk. I used to swear by battery tools but now that its mainly for home only I buy more 120V.

 

I can ride a Dewalt 12 inch mitre saw like a GSXR!

 

This is a great point. Tool marketing is like everything else. Progress marches on, battery formats get orphaned, and you’re faced with having old batteries re-celled. A 120v tool will never be obsolete, and you can buy the best version of each tool without worrying about battery compatibility or having a nest of chargers to accommodate different brands of tools.

When I started collecting tools 40 years ago, Milwaukee made the best drill motors and the best Sawzall, Bosch made the best saber saw. Makita’s version of the skilsaw was superior. They all still work great today. I’ve changed out some brushes and replaced a few cords, but otherwise they perform as new.

My only cordless tools are a screw gun and an impact wrench.

 

I got into Kobalt tools 6 years ago because of the batteries. For a long time I could get 4A batteries for $35, 2A for $20…AND get this…. 1-1/2A for $10. I have over a dozen batteries and have beaten the crap out of them with no failures. Grinders are very hard on batteries and I have two and use them a lot.
The little ones work good for low current draw tools, flash lights/trouble lights or up on a ladder and not have such a heavy tool battery to deal with.
I have had a Kobalt self propelled 80v mower for the last 5yrs and love it. No oil or gas to deal with and it always starts effortlessly……and you can stand it on end to store it in the winter. I’ve got enough engines to take care of and one less is welcomed, especially a boring mower.
But if I were to change it would probably be Makita, with Ridgid as the dark horse, they are coming out with some nice stuff. Dewalt and Milwaukee of course are very nice but a bit pricey. If I’m going to spend money like that I might as well get Makita.
To make a short story long IMHO the cost and quality of the batteries are the most important part.

 

Funny, I was going to mention Makita as well. I'm a Milwaukee guy, but Makita and DeWalt are good options as well.

I would say, figure out which tools you will use the most, and then see whose version of that you like the best. It was the cordless hole hawg that really sold me on Milwaukee.

 

I don't, either, but here I am.

 

Start watching project farm. Milwaukee tests better on most power tools.

Get gear wrench for hand tools.

 

If this poll was meant by quality versus what most need / can get away with at home, then you Dewalt guys obviously don't use tools often. Milwaukee FUEL, some Ridgid are far better. Kind of depends on the task and kind of power tool though. Impact wrenches and drills / impacts? Milwaukee FUEL. Ridgid rotos, drills, and vacs are great though.

Dewalt is fine for light use for someone who doesn't use tools often or daily, though.

I went with Milwaukee myself but I'm a tradesman and I do maintenance on our cars. She doesn't mind if I buy a tool every now and again because I save us money overall easily.

 

Dewalt Slide-compound for 8 inch crown!

 

I got tired of buying batteries, keeping track of the good ones and the not so good ones. Hell I even got some shit ones still in the pile and keep trying to charge them.

Some might say dragging around the cord is a PITA. Yeah but so is changing batteries.

 

Red

 

Buy the Milwaukee FUEL line, not just the M18 or brushless.

 

I recently bought into the 18V brushless Ridgid line at Home Depot. I considered brushless Milwaukee, but Ridgid has many similar brushless models and both brands are owned by the same parent company.

The lifetime warranty on Ridgid tools and batteries (with easy registration, done online) is what sold me on them.

 

This is a very valid and good point. Milwaukee's FUEL line of tools is far better than the entry-level. Just watch for the hackable deals at Home Depot and buy away.

 

Count me as a third that doesn't have the money for Milwaukee or the control to not buy a tool when I'm walking the pups around Home Depot.

 

I do technician work as an Audio Visual Engineer.

Old company was all Makita which I enjoyed. Started at new company years ago, retired personal Ridgid, started a Milwaukee 12V family and never looked back.
Some FUEL, some Brushless, some not;

Multiple big daddy XC 6.0Ah batteries, Hammer drill/driver, Impact drill. Cordless Sawzall, Bandsaw, Multi-tool, Oscillating sander, and now the Skillsaw. Did ya'll know M12 has a 6" Chainsaw I've been eyeing HAHA

 

Is it “made in Milwaukee”?

 

I bought a battery Ryobi lawnmower lasted a year. I bought another Ryobi lawnmower lasted a year. So, got the Dewalt!