Which is the BEST cordless power tool brand? Dewalt? Milwaukee? Ryobi? The answer to this seemingly simple question depends on a lot of different factors.
Every user will have different criteria, such as reliability, power, ergonomics, battery technologies, and the range of compatible tools in a cordless platform.
Most cordless power tool brands have their distinct innovations and selling points, and tool brands continuously and fiercely compete for a spot in your tool box.
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Are you an electrician? Plumber? Carpenter? Deck builder? DIYer? Battle robot builder? Every user’s needs are different, and there’s really no singular best brand overall.
The real question to answer is this one – which is the best cordless tool brand for you?
If you have to stick to one brand of cordless power tool, which would it be? Why? Or are you the type to buy into multiple systems?
In this post, I will provide a quick overview of my opinions on each major tool brand, and I am very much open to hearing what you think as well!
As always, readers’ opinions are extremely valuable. What would you say to anyone looking to buy into a cordless power tool system?
Editor’s Top Cordless Brand Recommendations
Best Professional Cordless Brand for Most Tool Users: Dewalt, Milwaukee
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Best Brand for Most DIY and Homeowner Tool Users: Ryobi
Best Brand to Mix into Your Tool Kit: Metabo HPT
Table of Contents
The brands are discussed below in alphabetical order, or use these shortcuts:
Bosch
Craftsman
Dewalt
Dremel
Festool
Flex
Hart
Hercules
Hilti
Kobalt
Makita
Metabo
Metabo HPT
Milwaukee
Porter Cable
Ridgid
Ryobi
Skil
Bosch
Benefits: Good performance and reliability.
Downsides: Higher pricing. Historically, Bosch has not kept up with competing brands, and some innovations are released later in the USA than in Europe, or not at all.
Our Take: Bosch recently launched AmpShare, which lets other tool brands leverage Bosch’s 18V battery. It has been half a year, and we have yet to see any developments on the AmpShare front. Bosch AmpShare has huge potential, but it doesn’t seem to be picking up any steam. Or rather, Bosch and their partners haven’t put much energy into it.
Bosch has been releasing new tools at a faster pace, with some making us excited about the brand for the first time in a while.
Bosch still has holes in their cordless lineup, although they’ve been filling some of the more glaring ones. AmpShare is supposed to help with this as well.
Craftsman
Benefits: Affordable price points for DIYers.
Downsides: Limited selection.
Our Take: Craftsman has been steadily expanding their line of V20 cordless power tools, but their selection still doesn’t rival that of their top competitor. We’d like to see a greater number of higher-performing Brushless RP tools.
Craftsman has some unique offerings in the DIY space, such as a cordless air compressor.
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 expanding their 12V Max Xtreme Subcompact line.
Downsides: 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 7-1/4″ circular saws.
Our Take: Dewalt continues to have a lot of “firsts.” They’re no longer playing catch-up and are once again pushing boundaries.
You cannot go wrong with Dewalt cordless power tools. Dewalt’s cordless platforms continue to have a lot of strengths, and few weaknesses.
Dewalt is tied with Milwaukee in consideration for “Best Cordless Power Tool Brand Overall.”
Dewalt’s PowerStack pouch cell battery technology provides numerous benefits over older technologies, and helps the brand further stand out from its competitors.
20V Max Power Detect and FlexVolt Advantage lines bridge the gap between 20V Max and FlexVolt 60V Max cordless platforms. Even so, FlexVolt tools still provide a power benefit that most other 18V/20V Max systems struggle to match.
Dremel
Benefits: Select tools are now compatible with select Bosch batteries.
Downsides: Very limited selection, little ambition towards expansion.
Our Take: Dremel has exception 12V Max cordless rotary tools, but has done little to expand their line beyond that. They also have a 20V Max cordless platform with just two tools – an oscillating multi-tool with a proprietary interface, and a compact multi-cutting saw.
Festool
Benefits: Unique tools, such as hybrid corded-cordless sanders, good quality, brand reputation.
Downsides: Very limited product selection, very high pricing.
Our Take: If you want a Festool power tool, and you want it to be cordless, the brand gives you some options.
Festool’s 18V cordless system remains limited. The brand seems to have been turning their attention towards the needs of broader users, but is not yet a strong competitor.
Festool launched a new cordless reciprocating saw, which fills a hole in their cordless lineup, but doesn’t seem to be in the spirit of the brand’s core competency – fine finishing tools – and doesn’t seem to be appealing to users outside their primary target group.
Festool has made some questionable design choices, such as launching a cordless dust collector vacuum that can only be used with smaller low capacity batteries.
The brand’s high pricing makes their tools far less accessible than competing options.
Flex
Benefits: Competitive performance (at least), next-gen Stacked Lithium batteries.
Update 2024: Lowe’s dropped Flex’s more powerful tools.
Downsides: As a relatively new brand, Flex is going to be playing catch-up for a very long time, in terms of product selection and market share. Their 24V battery is larger and heavier than other brands’ 18V batteries.
The brand recently launched new compact core tools, and additional expansion tools, such as a cordless router, sander, and band saws.
Hart
Benefits: Available at Walmart?
Downsides: Designed specifically for value-oriented Walmart shoppers.
Our Take: 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, Hart (or any of these other brands) would be a better choice than the no-name stuff on Amazon and other online marketplaces.
We have yet to see anything innovative from Hart. Hart continues to seem positioned as an entry-level cordless brand that’s available to Walmart shoppers buying on impulse.
Hercules (Harbor Freight)
Benefits: Better cordless tools for Harbor Freight shoppers.
Downsides: Limited selection, young brand reputation, still Harbor Freight.
Our Take: Harbor Freight has been steadily expanding their Hercules lineup of “professional” tools. The quality seems to have improved – from pretty good to almost great – and the tools now boast a 5 year limited warranty.
Harbor Freight and their Hercules line have potential, but it seems they are still striving to make cheaper tools.
We have yet to see Hercules innovations that appear to be anything other than simple copies of whatever other cordless power tool brands are doing.
Harbor Freight and their Hercules brand have the potential to disrupt the core cordless power tools market, once they can prove they can consistently deliver high quality.
Hilti
Benefits: Business-to-business purchasing options, focus on masonry tools
Downsides: Limited retail availability, limited tool selection, high prices.
Our Take: It has been two years since Hilti launched their all-new Nuron 22V cordless power tool platform. The few tools we’ve seen so far were capable, but uncompelling outside of their heavy duty concrete tools.
Nuron is still a very small platform with very many holes that still need to be filled.
When we asked Hilti if they could share more about any tools they’ve added to the Nuron system since it’s launch, they directed us to the general website to search for ourselves.
Hilti needs to do a better job at appealing to individual tool users.
Kobalt
Benefits: Brushless motors, inexpensive pricing on spare/replacement batteries.
Downsides: Limited selection.
Our Take: Lowe’s never seems to have a clear direction for their exclusive tool brand.
Lowe’s Kobalt 24V Max cordless power tool system tends to offer a balance between competitive features, performance, and value pricing.
They seemed to have all but dropped the Kobalt XTR line of higher performance cordless tools, except during holiday shopping seasons when select offerings make a quick reappearance.
Makita
Benefits: Fast charging with select batteries and chargers
Downsides: Makita has been slow to adapt to industry trends, and certain product categories are difficult to sort out with an excessive number of options. The 18V line hasn’t kept up with competing tool systems, and the new XGT line is very limited and expensive. Their revamped 12V Max cordless system has been stagnant.
Our Take:
Makita has finally brought a couple of tools from the XGT line to the LXT line, but many premium features remain XGT exclusives, such as cordless drill anti-kickback tech.
Makita launched Outdoor Adventure in the USA, a new line of existing 18V tools but in an olive green color.
They have two main cordless systems – 18V LXT and 36V/40V Max XGT, but aren’t throwing their full effort behind either one.
Makita USA recently cut jobs company-wide, following their third price increase in just over a year, and will be entering 2024 under difficult circumstances.
Metabo
Benefits: Great quality, performance, and reliability, and a strong reputation. Metabo offers more specialty tools that cater to fabrication and metalworking industries.
Downsides: Limited selection, lower market availability and visibility compared to competing pro brands.
Our Take: Metabo 18V cordless power tool system has been very slow to expand in the USA and is stagnant for long stretches.
Metabo seems to be falling behind rather than driving the industry forward.
Where’s the cordless table saw, dust collection systems, air compressor, or other tools needed for the “cordless jobsite” they talked so much about over the years?
Metabo HPT (Formerly Hitachi Power Tools)
Benefits: Metabo HPT offers many excellent-quality 18V and MultiVolt cordless power tools, and occasionally innovates with unique offerings.
Downsides: Limited selection, user confusion between Metabo HPT and Metabo.
Our Take: Metabo HPT has been releasing new tools at a steady pace. Their MultiVolt cordless platform is excellent, and remains a very competitive choice. The brand needs greater market visibility; select tools are available at Lowe’s, but the retailer has done little to promote the brand or drive consumer awareness.
I own a number of Metabo HPT 18V and MultiVolt cordless power tools, and have had zero regrets. Their Triple Hammer impact driver remains my favorite.
Notable Products: Metabo HPT’s 18V Triple Hammer impact driver remains a personal favorite.
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.
Our Take: Milwaukee has continued to innovate and push the industry forward in recent years, and I fully expect the brand’s FORGE battery technology to do the same.
M12 Fuel and M18 Fuel cordless power tools are incredibly popular with broad audiences.
The MX Fuel line of cordless equipment redefined what can be powered with a cordless battery, and still holds untapped potential.
Milwaukee positions themselves as a “solutions provider,” and they charge into new markets with 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.
Milwaukee is tied with Dewalt as the “Best Cordless Power Tool Brand Overall” winner.
Porter Cable
Benefits: None.
Downsides: Limited selection, limited availability.
Our Take: Porter Cable’s cordless power tools are now exclusive to Tractor Supply. It has been years since we’ve seen anything new from the brand.
The brand doesn’t appear to be investing any time, effort, or resources into their cordless platform, so why should you?
Ridgid
Benefits: Ridgid’s 18V line 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).
Our Take: Ridgid has continued to launch new 18V cordless power tools, although they haven’t been very innovative in recent years.
Ryobi
Benefits: Huge Ryobi 18V One+ platform satisfies a broad range of user needs.
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 often have compromises with respect to features, performance, or both.
Our Take: Ryobi has expanded their line of compact brushless 18V One+ HP tools, and added new home, hobby, and lifestyle tools, including from a new USB Lithium line of 4V-class tools and accessories.
The company’s cordless platform remains very DIYer and homeowner-focused, and continues to be well-liked and well-regarded among their loyal userbase. Some pros will use certain Ryobi tools as well, especially for specialty tasks where a tool might not see frequent use.
The USB Lithium cordless power tools are especially worth looking at – few brands are doing anything like this.
Skil
Benefits: Skil’s 12V and 20V cordless power tool platforms offer very high bang for the buck – competitive performance and above-average features at DIY level prices.
Downsides: Limited selection.
Our Take: Skil has steadily launched more 12V and 20V Max cordless power tools, as well as 40V Max cordless outdoor power tools.
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?
Ezzy
“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.” Do you think they will bite the bullet at some point and finally change?
Doresoom
I think the only way they could change without huge backlash from their users would be over the course of many years. They could introduce a slide style battery and a stem adapter that allows for use of new slide style batteries with old stem style tools.
Then stop producing stem style packs and wait 3-5 years. Then introduce new tools as slide style only.
That way most of their user base will be looking to replace older stem style batteries when they phase them out anyway. Older tools will still work with the new batteries, and no one gets left out in the cold with an abandoned platform.
Ezzy
Dewalt did it years ago. It’s rediculous that Ryobi keeps holding out.
Robm11b
As a 20+ year Dewalt user I appreciate that ryobi has maintained the stem style battery. As for Dewalt, they are a piss poor choice to compare against. SBD/Dewalt has abandoned more battery types and voltages then any other company, 18v Nicd, lithium ion, stem to lithium ion slide for one example, but let’s not forget the 12v stem, 14.4 stem, 24v fan cooled slide pack, 36v slide pack, oh and more recently the 40v slide pack in their wannabe commercial grade OPE. I’m currently waiting for the 60v Flexvolt to be dropped in a few years.
Jared
Yeah I agree this would be the way to do it. Everyone buys batteries understanding there’s a shelf life, so transitioning over 5 years is doable. But I expect my old tools to work with whatever comes next so a slide -> stem adapter would be crucial.
Mike McFalls
I agree with Jared and throw the Milwaukee M12 lineup in. Stem packs force engineers to design around it. A simple adapter like Dewalt did is the bridge between the design and doesn’t alienate anyone.
Ezzy
The m12 I highly doubt will ever change. That’s the whole brilliance of m12. That it’s super compact and lightweight. I just bought into m12 and got a Surge and drill. I’m a handyman. The logic being 99% of the time I don’t need more power than that and when I do I’ll get out my 18v tools. But for that 99% of the time I’d rather the smallest lightest tool possible. The Dewalt 12v by comparison uses a slide battery so the benefits of going 12v is minimal. Slightly lighter but not much less bulky. My m12s I generally don’t use with extended capacity batteries as a result.
Stuart
While the Dewalt 12V drilling and driving tools are longer than M12 due to the slide-style battery, their grip is slimmer and more comfortable in my opinion.
Compared to 20V Max, there are still benefits with respect to size, weight, and price. That’s not any different from comparing M12 to M18.
Philip John
A big problem with m12 is the plastic clips can break. Especially with side loading on the tool. IE. ratchets impact drills . etc at right angles. Also a bit of a pain to unclip and remove.
One day pouch style forge will force a change at m12. I don’t see how pouch style can be implemented in the same current form of the m12 system.
Jared
A big part of Ryobi’s appeal for me (as a DIYer/weekend warrior) is their commitment to keep batteries backwards compatible. They’ve got a 27-year history of keeping everything on the One+ standard, and I’ve purchased dozens of tools with the understanding that they’re not going to be obsolete with a battery platform change. If they do change it, I’d definitely look into switching to another brand if I have to switch anyway.
Ezzy
Yikes. I had no clue it’s been around that long. I’m only 25 lol. They were originally lead acid and switched to lithium ion and kept full compatibility?
Jared
I don’t think I’ve had non Li-ion batteries from Ryobi so I can’t speak to it personally. But this is from their press release in 2021 and does make it sound like they switched to Li-ion and kept backwards compatibility:
“Since 1996, loyal RYOBI™ ONE+™ customers have had the ability to use new batteries, with the latest lithium-ion technology, in products they previously purchased.”
Dave (not here)
My first cordless tools were Ryobi from back when they were dark blue and yellow, and came with NiCad batteries, circa maybe 2001. The batteries are long gone, but some of the tools still work…
Munklepunk
Except it is obsolete from an ergonomic and usability standpoint. The stem style makes a lot of their tools very badly designed.
DustyImp
Agreed. If the original goal was to keep them compatible with the old NiCad tools (contemporary at the time obviously), at this point they are doing themselves a disservice but they are too deep in to change and the more tools are added every year, the less possible the switch.
LarryB
I agree that the backwards compatibility is great. I’ve picked up some blue/gold tools cheap and they work fine for occasional use or I give them to my daughter to use. I’m not understanding what the downside is of the stem form. Maybe the grip is a little larger than slide on form but I’ve never had trouble gripping the Ryobi tools. What am I missing here?
Munklepunk
It’s fine for many tools, but the stem style is terrible for things like wrenches, slide in batteries are not that good, but Ryobi stem is just bad. They have to work around it with every tool. Bosch and Milwaukee 12v are great because they are compact.
LarryB
Thanks!
MoogleMan3
I honestly wish it was as simple as choosing a single cordless brand. I use milwaukee m18 and m12 tools, dewalt 18v and 12v tools, bosch 12v (just for the lights), and ryobi (just for the glue guns and fans).
I could probably get by with just dewalt and milwaukee; both brands have tools I’d not want to be without. I definitely could drop the bosch line, but I really like their FL12 lights for the 1/4-20 threaded insert. The ryobi glue guns are iffy; I could probably give them up, but they’re so cheap and useful I really don’t see the need to.
Jared
I’m in the same boat. I’ve got tools from Dewalt 12, 20 and 60v, Milwaukee 12v, Bosch 12 & 18, Porter Cable 20v, Ryobi 18v, Ridgid 18v… and that’s not getting into OPE.
I don’t have any loyalty and I often buy based on deals.
I would probably tell someone else to just pick team Red or Yellow and add some lime green when there’s a gap.
MoogleMan3
Sound advice, though even between red and yellow it’s a really hard choice for me. I love milwaukee’s cordless nailers and the new M12 fuel jigsaw is amazing, but dewalt’s 12 and 20v drills and their 20v router are my favorites and most used tools.
But yeah, everyone should own a ryobi hot glue gun. It’s amazing how much I use that simply because it’s cordless, even having a nice surebonder corded gun (I gave that to my wife after getting the ryobi though).
Eliot Truelove
Mellif is a knockoff brand for DeWalt, some Milwaukee, and even less Makita tools, and their glue gun, which is identical to all three, is fantastic.
They even have a portable soldering station which I’ve used more times I can count for quick cracked plastic repairs that will never be seen.
Mellif have sent me a few of tools for review and they are quite well built. They even have a DeWalt bug zapper and heater/cooler (similar to the Makita).
Saulac
I was taken by surprise by line up of Hyper Tough 12v line. May deserve a look due to the limited number of 12v lines.
TomR
Tip, you don’t need to stick to one brand of tools. I have found the pleasure of using many different brand tools at the same time. Each brand has it’s own peculiarities, strengths and weaknesses. Whatever works for you and gets the job done is the right tool for you. Only by using them have I found my favorites. I’s kind of a hobby to upgrade tools and get new ones:)
Eliot Truelove
Battery adapters have enabled me to branch out from Makita for my nailers and it’s so nice to have mostly one brand of battery for all my tools. You can get adapters for all combinations, and they are great for low to medium draw tools (don’t try and run a rotary hammer with it for instance).
fred
I don’t consider myself the typical tool buyer – retired for many years – working mostly in a wood shop with power tools – some 60 or more years old and still relying on pneumatics. But I buy tools as gifts – some based on my own evaluations and some based on recipient the wish lists of younger generations in my family. In 2003 – I bought 14 cordless power tools as gifts. Looking that the brands purchased – they may reflect Stuart’s observations – but also the uniqueness of some offerings by the different manufacturers. My 14 included: 1 from Bosch, 2 from Mafell, 2 from Makita, 3 from Metabo, 2 from Metabo HPT and 4 from Milwaukee.
Mafell – not being on Stuart’s list is not so much an omission. as it is a recognition that they are not widely available in the US – offer limited selection and are pricey. The two cordless track saw systems that I bought from them offer unique advantages that I thought worth the price and would make outstanding gifts based on the work that the recipients undertake.
Jehremy
I bought into Makita a few years back when they started their subcompact lineup. It was a nice niche to have smaller tools on an 18v lineup that I could buy full-size tools into in the future. I felt really good about that decision for a couple of years before it became pretty clear that Makita was going stagnant.
It came time for me to buy into OSE, and it just happened that Home Depot had Milwaukee’s quik-lok on sale so I bit the bullet and got onto another 18v lineup. And now that Makita continues to stagnate and Milwaukee continues to innovate I’ve made a decision that any new tools I buy will be Milwaukee whether that’s OSE or traditional power tools. I’ll keep my Makita stuff until it breaks, but I won’t be expanding it.
I’m a fan of the Ryobi 4v lineup; I’ve bought nearly all the tools they have and they stay upstairs in the main living area in our house for quick around-the-house type stuff. All of my actual powertools stay downstairs in the garage/shop area.
Michael F
I’ve actually done exactly the opposite. I was heavily invested (thousands of dollars) into the Milwaukee M12/M18 platform, and am migrating everything I own to Makita currently. Milwaukee outdoor power equipment is great, there’s no doubt about it, but if you live somewhere hot the batteries will die on you. In just my Milwaukee OPE alone I’ve got a 9.0HD and a 12.0HO battery that no longer will charge to 4 full bars. I have a second 9.0HD battery that will only charge to 4 full bars sometimes and not others. Granted, I live in Texas and have to be out doing landscaping sometimes in heat that’s well over 105 degrees. Your mileage may vary. On the other hand, I have Kobalt 80V batteries that are 8(?) years old that are still just fine even working in the same heat.
Eliot Truelove
Makita have scooped up some quality OPE and Pneumatics companies in Japan over the past few years that lacked sales due to not cutting corners or budging on their prices.
They started with Dolmar Chainsaws in the early 90s, but it seems as if rather than being a soulless corporate takeover they try and do good by the previous staff by keeping them in and blending them into the Makita family.
Their corporate press releases from Japan (in English) are full of corporate speak, but the vibe I get is they do things like having completely phased out gas products for true zero emissions and almost too meticulously focus on high quality, low vibration, and low noise at the cost of profits and new tool releases because, as the vibe I get from it, “it’s the right and sustainable thing to do.”
Michael F
Yeah, Makita is just different and it shows in the way they run the company. For better and worse.
Philip John
Milwaukee HO at 18v was and is still a huge mistake . The issue you described happens way up in Canada too. Milwaukee continues to promote ah over brushless high voltage .most people know Milwaukee can’t come close to 60v yellow. This is why Milwaukee is remaking ope in 2×20 battery set up. Even with new battery technology their 7 to 9 inch grinder will still cut out at 900 watts. Vs dewalt 60v version at 2800 watts.
Philip John
With Milwaukee HO poor heat control and tools melting… they should have safety recalls. Sure not all HO tools but many of them fail the claim of great performance at HO and while at 18v. NOT to mention the super hi cost but worst reliability.
Munklepunk
Makita has a crazy ope lineup.
MM
I agree with the vast majority of the article. I don’t think there’s any one “best” brand, pretty much all the big names have winners and losers in their product line. And various features can be pros or cons depending on your exact situation. For example the fat grip on the M12 platform. I don’t care for that grip for carpentry tools, but I like it a lot for mechanic’s tools.
Most of my cordless tools are Dewalt 20V Max and Flexvolt. I have Milwaukee M12 for mechanic’s tools and a handful of others (Makita LXT and Metabo) which I use with adapters. I’m very happy with that choice. At some point in the near future I think I’ll jump into Flex as well, I’m waiting to see what additional Black Friday deals might become available.
Sam
Im a makita fanboy so im definitely biased lol, but is the only benefit you see with the brand really “Fast charging with select batteries and chargers”?
A lot of their tools have really good performance/ergos, not to mention some of the best reliability. Though I agree that they’re getting pretty expensive nowadays.
Stuart
18V hit a tech roadblock years ago, and XGT are expensive and limited.
I feel Makita is going through the motions with 18V until XGT adoption allows them to switch priorities, but XGT’s limited selection and prohibitive pricing make it a poor choice for most users who are looking to buy into a new system.
There are some good Makita solutions, and some very bad ones, and I say this as someone who has regretted specific purchases.
Fast charging is the only edge I see Makita having over competing brands these days. I feel that they don’t give US tool users enough reasons to lock into either system right now.
Which of your tools would you say provide better ergonomicss or performance compared to others on the market today?
MM
I think it’s fair to say that their quality is solid, and I also think they are due credit for having some tools that few other brands offer. LXT is a very broad product line. They have several tools which few other companies compete with. For example: 12″ corded hand planer, 16″ circular saw (also corded), Cordless bicycle & a few different kinds of carts and wheelbarrows, cordless steel hole punch, cordless shear wrench. Microwave, water boiler, “duster” style blower, etc. Until very recently they were one of the few with a bandfile.
That said, while LXT is a broad product line with a lot of specialty tools, it still has holes. Where’s the PEX expander, for example? Where are the pouch cell and larger capacity batteries? And with the LXT battery tech being the way it is currently it’s difficult to imagine too many new buyers jumping into the platform.
Eliot Truelove
I’m a Makita fanboy and I’ve followed it for awhile and Makita Japan have sunk tons of money into updating and expanding their facilities, they recently opened a new R&D facility last October in Tokyo which is just now beginning to really really ramp up in new product patents.
For instance, recently they have multiple patents for each of these:
Framing Nailer, Pex Expander, Belt Sander, 80v jackhammer, Thickness Planer, Wall trencher, Large spool rebar tie-er, pouch cell batteries, and much more.
I’d bet Makita swapping presidents in USA is to lay the groundwork for big changes.
Michael F
My Makita Impact feels closer to the quality and ergonomics of my Festool CXS 12 than my Milwaukee 3rd Gen M18 impact did. The sub-compact Makita multi tool also has significantly less (I mean, I can’t exaggerate enough – a LOT less) vibration than either of my Milwaukee M12 (fuel and non-fuel) OMTs. Just two concrete examples I can think of where I believe Makita has superior ergonomics. Other than the AVT on the multi-tool it’s extreme subjective.
Andy
100% agree. I’ve been disappointed by some of Makita’s recent moves (or lack of moves), but there are still some tools that they do better than anyone IMO.
I’m a framing contractor and my guys only use the double battery worm drive makita saw. I also love the feel of the drill/impact.
I have been discouraged by the lack of new battery tech and am not ready to jump on the xgt bandwagon until I see something more compelling from them.
Marc 74
I always been a dewalt guy the majority my tools are dewalt but in last couple years because of my trade I got into Milwaukee too, and I have to say dewalt better bring it on because they are getting behind.
Stephen
Unfortunately I have a minor tool addiction and have 4 battery platforms in my garage! When my Ryobi tools die they will get replaced with another brand.
As a casual DIY homeowner and automotive enthusiast who doesn’t mind spending a little extra for nicer tools, if I could go back 10 years I would standardize on Milwaukee. These days it’s really hard to beat the sheer range and value in their 18V and 12V platforms.
Andrew
I’ve been on Hitachi’s old stuff, and now Metabo HPT since the changeove rand the multi-volt line-up.
Because of Lowe’s constant discounts and random clearances, I’ve picked up several large and small batteries and many of their tools on deep discount, including the triple hammer impact driver and hammer drill. Surprisingly, my latest purchase was a cordless bare tool impact wrench for less than $75. Impact drivers are usually easy to find, but impact wrenches are usually “online only” types of tools.
And they’re all heavier duty than most any diy’er will need.
I only occasionally have Milwaukee envy at their huge cordless selection, but even then I purchased an m12 ratchet to ease that envy, lol.
Jammer
No mention of Milwaukee’s MX Fuel, I’m surprised. Were you trying to stay out of voltages above 36/40? No ego or other OPE specific brands either.
Stuart
The focus here is on cordless power tool systems.
OPE is a completely different area – I’ll keep in mind for a cordless OPE post in the future.
I wrote this about MX Fuel:
Technically they’re not considered cordless power tools; Milwaukee describes the line as “cordless light equipment.”
All of the brands mentioned above offer 18V or 18V form factor cordless power tools. MX Fuel is a completely different kind of beast.
There are others, but something like that Ridgid cordless SeeSnake pipe inspection system isn’t fitting in this conversation. It’s also not compatible with their line of cordless power tools at Home Depot.
Rog
I know Makita isn’t your favorite brand and their US arm is a mess, but to say “fast charging” is their only positive feels like a lack of due diligence.
James
Absolutely agree. Their quality is top of the line. I have Makita, Dewalt, Milwaukee, Ryobi, Metabo, Bosch, and a couple Bauer tools and use them daily. Makita is almost always my top choice when purchasing new tools. I just don’t understand people saying they are “falling behind”; only a few tools suffer significant power or ergonomic issues. The battery system doesn’t bother me a bit either. Makita could definitely do better with marketing and development, but I have been very happy with their tools.
Eliot Truelove
It’s guys who compare and want the best of the best, comfort and ergonomics be damned; or have FOMO: Fear of Missing out. They see others shiny new tools and get a bad case of “Keeping up with the Joneses” syndrome.
It’s almost like iPhones and sportscars: everyone wants the latest and greatest and the second the new model comes out with the better screaming specs the old one is trash, or the second something fails it’s either chucked or waited on for weeks to be repaired.
Meanwhile I’ve got my perfectly fine and smooth Makita tools (many of which ive purchased secondhand on FB marketplace) which are built well and solid and are easy and CHEAP to repair, and have heard have quick warranty turnaround, not that I’ve ever used it.
I’m a massive supporter of right to repair laws, and Makita is the company that most fits the bill by way of power tools.
DustyImp
I tend to agree and I think proliferation of YT channels where the reviews of tools boil down to “how many fractions of a second faster can this impact drive a screw” are one of the reasons. Ergonomics, feel and durability are far harder to test and can be more subjective. In these aspects Japanese brands are far ahead. Every DeWalt and Milwaukee I ever pick up at the store has floppy switches and clunky controls, I have yet to have that problem with Makita and Panasonic I own.
Eliot Truelove
I’ve heard awesome things of the Panasonic tools, but never tried them.
The durability of Makita though is literally not subjective, DeanDohertyGreaser, a tool repairman in Scotland who’s on IG and YouTube, handles warranty claims for many companies, and he says the failure rate of Milwaukee and Dewalt batteries and tools, and Bosch (specifically their batteries) are enormous.
He literally posted a video 6 weeks ago of him chucking in a corner all the tools, batteries, compressors, cords, etc that were beyond saving and there was only 2 Makita batteries and one corded heat gun amongst loads, and I mean loads, of DeWalt, Makita, Hitachi, and Bosch tools and batteries.
The Makita repairs he films are a joy to watch as everything comes apart and put back together like Legos, and is done very fast.
Eliot Truelove
It’s not lack of due diligence, Stu rarely has anything positive to say about Makita lately.
I watch all the big tool YouTubers and Instagrammers and the tools they always seem to have for their personal tools that they actually use and don’t just show off for a video are Makita.
Big tool test channels like ToolboxBuzz, Project Farm, and even Torque Test Channel, who has also been critical of Makita because of LXTs capped battery size; they all either use them as their main tools or use Makita drills when they take apart other tools to see what’s inside. Essential Craftsman was very objective of the XGT rear handle initially compared to his corded Skilsaw Mag77, but the XGT is on his site all the time now in the background.
On IG/Facebook Kruger Construction, Toolpig, Awesome Framers I’m guessing are Makita partners, but there are others I can’t name off the top of my head.
Simon Bowler over in the UK (who used to be all Makita) was sent a whole pallet of Milwaukee tools to feature in his videos, yet he still has to use Makitas 12 inch wide planer and 16 inch circ saw for his timber framing.
As far as I can tell Makita is rarely top of the leaderboard for speed and power, but all the guys who’ve had every tool in their hands seem to like them best for actual use, so there’s alot to be said for that, and I agree everytime I use another brand.
Stuart
As a system, Makita’s 18V and XGT systems have too many limitations and downsides compared to competing options.
When you look at a brand like Festool, they also have negatives when looking at things from a system-wide view. But it’s easier to justify specific tools or solutions.
With Bosch even, there are reasons to avoid them from a system-wide view, but they have some solid competitive solutions at the tool level.
“Look at these YouTubers and influencers that seem to like Makita.”
You should hear what’s said about Makita at media events when reviewers and influencers share their unfiltered opinions…
I’m more interested in hearing about your personal experiences with the brand, and why you might feel their cordless systems would be good choices today over others.
One of Amazon’s best-selling cordless drills is a 10-year old Dewalt model that doesn’t compare against modern offerings even at the same price point. https://www.amazon.com/Dewalt-DCD771C2-Cordless-Lithium-Ion-Compact/dp/B00ET5VMTU/?tag=toolguyd-20
Just because something appears to be popular on the internet, that doesn’t mean it’s a good buy.
Makita’s problem is that their 18V line has breadth – although sometimes they get carried away with choice density – and their XGT line has greater available power, high capacity batteries, and premium features. Competing brands offer ALL of this in their individual cordless platforms.
From what I can see, brand loyalty is the biggest driving factor for Makita sales right now. It’s not just me that isn’t seeing system-wide appeal in their 18V or XGT platforms.
Even in Makita’s product literature, they list their advantages as things like “rare earth magnets,” “built-in microchips,” and “digital communications,” which is like saying “water is wet.”
James
Stuart, Can you list these numerous negatives of LXT and XGT for us? You talk about LXT hitting a tech wall, but what specifically are you referring to? Not having larger batteries? Anything else? The performance of my Makita tools is almost always adequate. I have NEVER had a Makita tool fail and only had one battery (out of over 20) fail. In contrast, I’ve had 5 Dewalt tools and 7 batteries fail and and 4 Milwaukee tools and 3 batteries.
Stuart
Where is Makita’s 18V cordless air compressor? Cordless table saw?
They achieved higher power and runtime in handheld tools, but require two batteries to do it.
One thing I really don’t like is the vampiric drain. I bought an XGT vac and it drained a fully-charged battery in a short period. So now I have to take batteries out with every use, something I don’t have to do with Milwaukee cordless vacuums. The filtration system also sucks, not in a good way – I wish I waited and went with Festool.
Their 18V batteries also seem to self-drain over time, but that’s not an issue if user frequently cycles through their batteries.
Makita has been unable or unwilling to introduce higher capacity and higher output 18V batteries.
It’s indisputable that 21700 cell-based batteries can deliver higher power and longer runtime than 18650 cell-based batteries.
This is why Makita introduced a new system designed from the ground up, XGT.
They reached a hard limit with 18V and 18V X2. This is objective, and not a reflection of personal opinion. And that performance ceiling has limited the types of single-battery and dual-battery tools they’ve been able to introduce over the years.
Makita’s XGT and 18V cordless systems aren’t compatible with each other at all, and this has been a source of frustration and disappointment for many.
You can use Dewalt FlexVolt batteries on the brand’s 20V Max cordless power tools, and Metabo HPT 36V batteries can power their 18V tools. So why couldn’t Makita do similar?
I have heard complaints about every brand’s batteries over the years, including Makita.
Scott M
Agree with you here. Does Makita have the best tool in every category? No. But nobody does, every brand has a few stinkers.
I don’t get the LXT and XGT compatibility thing either. Even Milwaukee has plenty of tools that are M12 or M18 only, but nobody gives them a hard time for it.
The LXTx2 tools can absolutely spank other 18v tools, why that isn’t a plus is beyond me. The circular saws are absolutely powerhouses. That’s Makita giving people options on the same platform.
I don’t know what other people are running, but I don’t have any LXT tools that feel underpowered. Sure, there’s probably some M18 tool that drives 8″ lag screws faster, but I don’t drive 8,000 screws a day. I do love how almost every LXT tool has solid ergonomics/balance and very low vibration. I picked up an M12 drill for the first time in a few weeks and the top heavy head and giant grip were just brutal.
Even XGT still has 18650 packs, if 21700’s were really that much better then surely a ground up redesign would have skipped them.
TTI and SBD win on price though, that’s for sure.
Stuart
@Scott M
Milwaukee M12 and M18 are different form factors.
Makita XGT is essentially a complete replacement for their 18V line.
Makita 18V standard battery has 10x 18650 Li-ion cells
Makita XGT standard battery has 10x 18650 Li-ion cells
18V X2 had an edge, years ago. Single-battery handheld tools are far more convenient. I find their X2 tools to be clunky. Despite the drop in runtime, I replaced my X2 track saw from Home Depot with an XGT track saw. It’s flawed, but I’m happier not having to juggle maintenance of 2 batteries. Today, I’d purchase a Milwaukee or go back to Festool.
XGT didn’t skip 18650 batteries because that’s the only way they could have a compact battery. In my opinion 10x 21700 cell batteries aren’t ideal for certain tools, such as a handheld duster or impact driver – they’re too large and heavy.
Makita’s stuck – they’re competing with themselves and in my opinion this makes their 18V and XGT systems far less competitive. There are too many holes and compromises in both systems. In my opinion, they squandered any and all competitive advantages they’ve had over the years, at least in the US market.
I want them to try harder and show me something to be excited about.
Scott M
@Stuart
M12 and M18 are different form factors, yes – and Milwaukee is kind of alone in offering that (awful IMO) stem style battery. Milwaukee doesn’t just offer the same tools in different form factors across the entire line. They obviously release high power tools on M18 and low power tools on M12, with many (but not all) being on both platforms where usable.
Staplers and nailers are split across M12 and M18, ratchets are M12 only, disc grinders are M18 only, etc. So the complaint that XGT and LXT aren’t cross-compatible doesn’t really register for me. Some of the 12v offerings are so underpowered as to be functioanlly useless (vacuum, blower, etc).
Is it good that Milwaukee has a smaller and lower power M12 platform, or is it bad since it requires you to buy two different incompatible battery platforms? You need both M12 and M18 to cover the full range of tools. Many won’t get by with only M12 or M18.
So if you’re getting two battery platforms already, you’re just taking your pick of 12v + 18v with Milwaukee, or 18v + 40v with Makita. Don’t want to generalize too much, but I think more people would be able to single platform with LXT than they would for M18. Dewalt 20v would probably be better than both.
Is your PoV that Makita will actually discontinue LXT for XGT fully? I don’t see that happening, and agree that 10x cell batteries are overkill for some tools, but the weight thing hasn’t been my experience. But I’m happy to have my “compact” tools be 5x cell 18v instead of 3x cell 12v packs.
M18 HO 3.0 – 1.33lbs, 54Wh
M18 HO 6.0 – 2.38lbs, 108Wh
M18 6.0Forge – 2.07lbs, 108Wh
XGT 2.5Ah – 1.56lbs, 94Wh
M18 HO 8.0 – 2.33lbs, 144Wh
XGT 4.0Ah – 2.07lbs, 144Wh
The HO3.0 is the only battery lighter than XGT packs, but only marginally so, and at about half the capacity. Even the forge is still heavier (with the 6.0 being slightly higher capacity, was trying to be generous and stick to HO battery cells).
Stuart
@Scott,
Saying that Makita 18V and XGT is analogous to Milwaukee M12 and M18 remains a huge stretch.
18V and XGT are both built around an 18V battery form factor.
Makita 18V LXT isn’t competing against Milwaukee M12, it’s competing against M18. The same is true for XGT. That’s the problem.
Let’s say that 18V LXT offers 70% of what Milwaukee M18 can do, and XGT offers 40%. Together, 110% should provide Makita with competitive advantage. But a majority of users don’t want to buy into two separate and incomplete 18V form factor systems.
Scott M
@Stuart
Why is the battery form factor the important part? By that metric M12 basically only competes against the Bosch 12v system? I can’t think of anything else with a stem style battery in that shape (ignoring the M12 packs over 2.5Ah).
If I want something small and light, I always reach for the Makita 18v subcompact drill in our lab over the M12 drill. I don’t really care what voltage the system runs on as long as it can do what I need it to do efficiently.
Is there really a meaningful difference between buying into M12 AND M18, or buying into LXT AND XGT?
I think if you stacked LXT against just M18, 70% seems oddly low. M18 doesn’t even have a ratchet in that comparison. If you’re counting all of the plumbing/electrical trade specific tools, maybe you get there, but I would be very surprised. I don’t need a battery powered pex expander, personally.
If you want to make “one platform” a primary metric, I think dewalt 20v wins that battle, followed closely by Makita and then a gap back to M18. Depends what tools you’re looking for and your trade.
Anyone who has ever enjoyed a 12Ah M18 battery getting cells out of balance/killed by heat would definitely not ignore that there are some inherent advantages to the XGT system voltage for tools that need that step up in power. I love our XGT track saw and miter saw, and wouldn’t swap those for the M18 version for a number of reasons. You need to jump to MX Fuel to compete against the full XGT platform.
Stuart
Consider the 18V XDT19 impact driver and the XGT GDT01.
The XDT19 is kitted with 5Ah batteries (18650 with 10 cells x 2.5Ah), and the GDT01 is kitted with 2.5Ah batteries (18650 with 10 cells x 2.5Ah).
Is any user going to buy BOTH kits?
There are reasons why one might choose M12 AND M18.
LXT and XGT are competing systems. M12 and M18 are complementary.
LXT has a very different relationship to XGT than M12 has to M18.
M18 is a primary system, M12 is a small and light system.
While Makita has a couple of SubCompact 18V cordless power tools, that’s a small part of the lineup, and not the identity of the entire system.
In my opinion, XGT should be the core lineup and 18V the line of compact and less expensive core tools. But that’s not what Makita USA seems to be going for. They seem intent on positioning both lines as flagship 18V form factor lines. That’s the problem.
Few users are going to want to have to invest in BOTH incompatible systems for a full line of cordless power tools. With zero compatibility between LXT and XGT, many users would be better served with single-battery platform solutions from competing brands.
Scott M
@stuart
I mean, yes, they sell lots of impact drivers? It’s hard to see complaints that XGT is too small of a product lineup, and then complain that they also offer a 40v impact driver too. Throw a 2Ah battery on the XDT19 if you want it to be lighter. Why would anyone suggest you buy both?
“People want one battery platform” vs “why do brands offer similar tools on different battery platforms?”
Pick one of those complaints about a power tool platform. You keep hopping back and forth making each argument at different times.
I haven’t used the top line LXT impact, but it seems like they’re both pretty similar performance. Impact drivers aren’t super power hungry tools, but I imagine they make XGT versions to placate people who want to keep to a single battery system, and squeeze a bit more performance if you want it.
My M12 rivet gun is hardly small or light, and it now competes with a bigger and much more expensive M18 rivet gun. The M12 staplers/nailers are hardly small. Milwaukee makes an M12 and an M18 grease gun! The insanity! Small and light doesn’t apply to the M12 vacuums or blowers. Brands will make incoherent product lines as long as that’s what people ask for and will make profitable.
Again, no M18 ratchet suggest Milwaukee requires a large number of users to be on two incompatible platforms. That’s hardly a niche product, you can’t call it a “small and light” only platform when they have exclusive offering of several tools. It doesn’t matter if the platforms are competing if I can only get a certain tool on the M12 platform.
LXT subcompact has a drill, impact driver, impact wrench, SDS drill, recip saw, circular saw, band saw, and some other oddly categorized tools (multitool, polisher). Seems pretty robust for what it is. All of those tools exist as full-size tools too (on the same battery!) The M12 lineup compares pretty closely to that, and the LXT tools that aren’t specifically subcompact are pretty similar to M12 tools in size and weight anyway (jigsaw, blowers, vacuums, planers, cutoff tools, etc).
“With zero compatibility between M12 and M18, many users would be better served with single-battery platform solutions like Dewalt 20v or Makita LXT”.
Stuart
You keep comparing LXT and XGT to M12 and M18, but the parallels you’re drawing are spurious.
M12 and M18 are complementary, with few exceptions.
LXT and XGT are not, with few exceptions.
LXT is not to XGT as M12 is to M18. CXT is to LXT or XGT as M12 is to M18.
Ignore the small group of SubCompact tools. What does the LXT line offer that you can’t find in the XGT line? Breadth and selection. What does the XGT line offer that you can’t find in the LXT line? Premium features (such as anti-kickback), better performance, the option for higher capacity and more powerful batteries.
5 years from now, what will the LXT line offer over the XGT line? What about 10 years from now? Value-priced brushed motor tools and SubCompact tools?
I would not buy into the 18V system right now, and the XGT has too many holes to be a one-battery-system solution.
Makita either needs to get moving on filling their XGT holes, or breath new life into the 18V line with modern features (such as anti-kickback in their >1000 in-lb drill) and cutting edge battery technologies.
Munklepunk
I used Makita since the very first lxt impact driver drill combo. Never had any issues with any of my Makita tools except that first drill had a 3 speed clutch that was not good and a chainsaw had a bad trigger, both fixed under warranty. We beat on all of our tools, never treated them nicely, they all lasted. Every time I bought or used a Milwaukee or DeWalt I never liked the ergonomics.
However, if I were starting now I’m the US I wouldn’t bother. Milwaukee and DeWalt are actually trying while Makita gives us over 20 different drills and 20 different impact drivers. Across the world they added a couple more weird battery lines. Every Makita forum has the same complaints, crap nail guns, no battery table saw, why isn’t the 40v/18v on the same charger.
Andy
Stuart,
Thanks for laying out your specific frustrations. I share many of them myself. If I were advising a new professional today, I’d land in the same place as you (Milwaukee or Dewalt).
However, I do think you do come off as a bit overly negative on Makita. Every brand has it’s downsides but you seem to regularly imply that there is no reason anyone would want to buy Makita! That is amazing to me, especially when compared to some of the brands on this list (most of which I would never buy!).
I’m holding off any major cordless buys until I figure out if I want to jump into xgt or switch to Milwaukee (because I’m impressed with their battery tech).
I can tell you that there are serious downsides to Milwaukee as well. Their circular saw is borderline unusable. My friend who is a huge Milwaukee guy, bought a Skillsaw (NOT Skill) cordless 7-1/4 saw because he couldn’t be
bare to use the Milwaukee saw.
Stuart
There are some tools where Makita stands out. I’d buy my XGT blower again (but still from a Japanese vendor as the USA model is bundled with fewer accessories), but I deeply regret investing in the XGT cordless vacuum due to its many quirks.
Even with what I purchased over the past two years, they were one-off purchases. The XGT system still has too many holes for to consider it as a one-and-only platform over other cordless systems, and that’s not even to mention where the prices are today.
From what you say, it seems you’re not in nay rush to buy into Makita’s XGT cordless power tool system either.
Jared
It would be great if staff in the tool sections of big box stores would read and absorb this information. It could be their training manual for cordless tools!
I was perusing the gift center in Home Depot the other day and overheard an associate explain to a shopper: “Ryobi is the bottom of the barrel and Milwaukee is the best. Dewalt is good too, but just not as good as Milwaukee.”
She went on to talk about how brushless meant higher quality and more power… before I finished in that aisle and moved along.
Good grief, it’s not that simple.
Mopar4wd
Many days of the week there are many TTi reps and never any SBD reps roaming the aisles of HD (seriously I counted 4 with TTi shirts and vendor badges last week). Just from that I’m going to say everyone that works there picks up the Red is better thing.
Clay
The probably want to push Milwaukee since their number one competitor does not carry it.
But they carry DeWalt.
AP
Milwaukee 12V, Ryobi 18V, DeWalt 20V, EGO 56V, Makita & Bosch corded. There’s some odds and ends as well. Couldn’t be happier except to have more tools.
Brad
There’s what I have, and what I’d buy if I were starting over.
I bought into Bosch 12V because I love the form factor and attention to detail. They don’t always have the highest specs, but they’re more than capable of 90% of tasks. There are very few tasks that the most powerful 12V impact driver can perform that the Bosch can’t, and I don’t mind reaching for a bigger tool when they come up. If I were buying into a 12V line again, Bosch would still be my top choice.
I chose to buy Ridgid for my 18V-24V range, and my main complaint so far has been that they neglected updating some tools (planer, router, grinder, etc.) for years while releasing seemingly countless new versions of the most common tools (drills, drivers, circular saws). Their best innovation (Stealth pulse driver) was quickly abandoned. The good news is that they’ve recently begun releasing more diverse offerings. If I could start over with a new brand, Ridgid would be a consideration, but I’d probably opt for Metabo or Hilti.
Michael F
There’s not much to disagree with on this post. Very clear and succinct summary. If someone was getting into a cordless platform today and asked my opinion I’d easily recommend Milwauke/Dewalt or Ryobi depending on their budget. In fact, when I bought my father-in-law tools, I bought him a Dewalt Atomic setup with PowerStacks and ToughSystem 2.0 to put it in.
The one thing that I would just mention is that if you’re willing to spend a little more than Ryobi but not as much as other “pro” brands – Metabo HPT is *heavily* underrated. I’m shocked at how cheap some of their Black Friday deals are going for and I love every Metabo HPT tool that I own (currently the 36V 1/2″ router, 18G brad nailer, and 15G finish nailer).
DustyImp
Nice writeup! Any chance we could hear about more exotic brands in addition, like Kyocera, Panasonic and Max? I know they are mostly limited to Japan and don’t have a huge selection, but they are still available for purchase for US-based customers, not much less so than Hilti or Festool, and offer some interesting tools. The more the merrier!
Stuart
Panasonic seems to have pulled out of the US market and import availability can vary hugely. As far as I am aware, Kyocera has never been available here.
There are an abundance of other cordless power tool brands that are available worldwide or domestically with very limited solutions but don’t make sense to discuss here.
My focus was on the brands that serve 99.999% of readers, and the remainders could of interest for a separate post.
DustyImp
Sound reasoning. I would definitely be very interested in a separate post discussing the more exotic options! Thanks for all the work Stuart!
xu lu
Very nice post and very much appreciated. My only objection is this suffers the same defect as all internet reviews-offend no one. Best is best. Milwaukee and DeWalt are both best? It’s not quite as bad as like reviewers creating a dozen categories so every brand wins something but still, i just hate ties. A more detailed analysis would yield an actual winner between yellow and red whether for specific use case eg carpentry vs plumbling vs etc. as well as other factors such as form factors, value in use, reliability, warranty flexibility, repair replace cycles and so on. Perhaps something can be done down the road.
Stuart
I’ve bought into both platforms and couldn’t easily choose one over the other.
Saying neither is better than the other is sure to offend both. Brands don’t like ties either.
Tell me what you need and want, and I can tell you which might be the better choice for you.
There are areas where one brand excels over the other, such as how Milwaukee has more cordless vacuums, but overall the stacks are fairly level. I’m calling it as I see it.
Brad
The point was that the best depends on multiple factors that different people may value differently. It’s actually possible for there to be no objective best.
MM
I agree with Brad, and I think you even touched on it yourself when you mentioned different use cases like plumbing, electrical, carpentry, etc. Coming up with one “best” brand is hard. There are so many variables and some of which are subjective that it’s hard to answer the question, but if you can narrow it down to a specific trade, budget, or other requirement then the question could be answered, at least for a specific point in time.
Michael F
I see you’re getting a lot of flak on your Makita assessment. As a huge Makita fan, I’ll say that your criticisms are extremely valid. If only they would listen to criticism and grow from it they might be in a different situation.
Andy
Can’t it be both? I agree that Stuart’s criticisms are valid. But I feel that his conclusion is skewed negative. It’s his opinion and I respect it (that’s why I’m here) but I disagree (as do a few others).
Stuart
Some of the critics could be Makita USA corporate shills – I’ve caught them leaving comments under fake names and undisclosed affiliations a bunch of times, including recently.
Eliot Truelove
Makita carry a high price now because they are buy once, cry once; whereas many others are warrantying their batteries and tools alot. I’ve also found them to be easily repairable as well as they design them to be easily repaired.
I didn’t have my own tools for many years and always ended up using the different crews I were ons tools which were a mix of Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Ridgid, so when I was given my first Makita drill and impact set in 2018, older models that were some of the first brushless.
I was pretty stoked as I’d heard great things and my dad’s set from 2007 was still going strong and I had fond memories of his Makita table saw (it’s a legitimate gripe that there is no new table saws from Makita).
The first day I used the set given to me was on soffits on a disaster relief project in Puerto Rico summer of 2018 (the next day after being given the set) and it poured rain on the last few sections, drenching the impact thoroughly, but we finished it.The set still works, the same can’t be said for one of the other guys Dewalts.
The older “not as powerful” hammer drill I was given has on two occasions now finished the jobs that literally killed Milwaukee drills on the first few holes; drilling into tile on a shower install and drilling into concrete on a basement door install. Like, they were dead and not working anymore. On both occasions I had to let the guys whose drill had died, different workers on each occasion, borrow my old drill to finish the majority of the remaining screw holes.
In the 5 years since my first Makita set I’ve expanded to have 27 Makita tools, about 17 batteries, 2 Milwaukee nailers on battery adapters, and a AA battery DeWalt laser.
I don’t regret it one bit, as many of the Makita tools I got on FB marketplace, online offers, and CPO Outlets Refurbished. Only the leaf blower, 6 1/2 circ saw and Xlock grinder were Home Depot buys, the blower and grinder on discount. But that XSH03 circ saw is still worth it full price, one of my favorite tools, id LOVE to get the new XGT version of that legendary saw.
Makita is also really the only tools brand id trust to get secondhand as they are highly repairable if need be.
They have built in standard fuses you can swap out, every component detaches easily from the rest for quick part replacement (unlike Milwaukee, which has everything soldered and connected from terminals to trigger to stator and everything inbetween), and parts are cheaper than you might expect (sometimes the motor/stator can be pricey, but triggers are like $8-$15).
In fact, I picked up a 6 year old stick vacuum on FB marketplace for $50 a few weeks back and I took it apart and cleaned everything out but the motors still a bit squealing (dust got into the fan internals as a lot came out when I blew it out with the Makita dust blower). So I easily looked up the part, which is a newer model number replacement and ordered that new motor unit: $18.
For contrast; I was given one of my Milwaukee nailers after a friend got it back from warranty because he bought a brand new one when his conked out. I’m dreading the day my other nailer conks out and I can’t repair it myself.
Long story short: Im definitely a Makita fan that will use other brands on adapters where I need to.
Matt
My neighbor bought some Bauer brand tools from Harbor Freight and he says they pack quite a punch. They look pretty good in the store too. If I needed a cheap tool for home I’d give a Bauer a try.
Lyle
Bosch 12v FlexiClick, Bosch 12v Dremel (from Germany), Bosch 12v trim router, Festool OMT, Festool 1400 router, Festool cordless jigsaw, Festool cordless track saw, Makita 18v handheld grass trimmer (used with Dewalt battery adapter), Dewalt everything else. I like Dewalt ergonomics on their 12v and 20v platforms. I have several Dewalt FlexVolt tools and I like that I can use those batteries on any of my 20v tools.
fred
Over 10 years ago our installers really liked the Bosch 12V offerings – and had us buying FlexClick Sets. I have one myself – along with their diminutive router and small planer. I know that some like the ergonomics of the Bosch 12V tools better than similar Milwaukee offerings. My wife thinks the Bosch drill feels better in her hands than similar Milwaukee tools despite their similar form factor. She also like the few Makita 12V slide battery tools that I bought for her. But Bosch and Makita (at least here in the USA) have never introduced enough 12V tools to make either one a recommended basis for a tool collection. Cherry-picking aside – I’d say that Milwaukee clearly ins the choice for 12V tools baased on sheer variety of tools and applicationns.
Mike McFalls
It’s sad to say as a huge Makita tool owner and supporter for the past decade+, but they are a mess. The combined LXT line up, the x2 LXT lineup and XGT lineup choices have been a mistake. Just Two examples…. Their iterative improvements have resulted in more than 8 XGT cordless saws. How ridiculous the difference between some. Ideas is the aws chip….. when it’s not included on the aws compatible model! Similar with impacts. There are a ridiculous amount of impacts on the LXT and XGT lineups…. With simple spec changes justifying the new release.
I understand the need for more power for necessitating a new platform. Dewalt, Milwaukee all moved after Makita was at the forefront in which they experimented in the x2 approach. When it didn’t m, work largely because of tool weight and massive footprint, the pivot was too slow and they priced themselves out of the marketplace with XGT.
And is it me only but why, why, make an impact driver on a 40v platform? Serious the battery weighs more than the tool and look obscene. Even a standard drill/driver is a foolish choice for a 40v platform. Make the saws, task specific high impacts and mud mixers, etc. (the saws!!! 😠)
My best guess is they’re a bloated company with too many fifedoms and scared leadership to set top down directives curtailing the product lines (and costs).
It’s truly a shame, they can be one of the most innovative company’s when they put the effort in. Take for example that’s their ‘multi platform battery charger’ charges their CXT (12v), LXT (14.4v) and LXT (18v). No other OEM has a 3 in 1 charger, then again no other company makes a 14.4v lineup and so that kind of goes to my prior statements (albeit there is a huge manufacturing industrial market for this niche).
And where is the higher cell battery packs or power stack equivalent? A cordless jobsite saw? Instead they’re making coolers, wheelbarrows, and forest green colored lanterns of the same LXT products.
Mike McFalls
And for anyone not looking at 12v tools these days, especially for drill drivers, impacts, cutting sheet goods….. I encourage you to do so. Lighter weight, great performance, less expensive and they just work (especially Milwaukee).
MM
I have been generally impressed with the capability of modern 12V tools. However, I’m not sure I’d agree about the cutting sheet goods part. I have the M12 Fuel 5 3/8″ circ saw and while I have no complaints about its reliability or quality, I wish I had bought an 18V class tool instead. I find that saw lacking in power. The Dewalt 20V max is about the same physical size/bulk yet is significantly more powerful and is lighter. Some 12V tools aren’t appreciably smaller/lighter than 20V versions and in those cases I find them a bit questionable. Another example of this is the 3″ cutoff tools. The M12 is about the same size as the 20V Max but has half the power and a smaller cutting depth.
Mike McFalls
Surely on a case by case basis you’re correct. My generalization is there are a lot of great 12v tools that will work well and grabbing an 18v isn’t always necessary, even if it is a tad slower or slightly less power. Especially for non contractors and even some contractors.
fred
Amen.
While the lines between tool categories can be a bit blurred – the same is true for workers and their individual preferences. There is the old saying about “horses for courses” – and while it is silly to use a bigger (or bulkier/heavier tool) than is needed it can also be frustrating to try to get by with a light-duty tool when something heavier is required. While the current crop of 12V tools often have more than adequate capabilities for many (if not most homeowner tasks) – people still often buy 18V class tools based on the speculation that they may need some greater capability thus provided. In the ideal world – where money and storage space are of no consequence – one could see having a lineup of tools to accomplish the same sort of job – only separated by varying degrees of difficulty. One of our old mantras was: don’t pick a drill if you need a hammer drill, leave the hammer drill if you need a roto-hammer, forget the roto-hammer if you a pneumatic breaker is required, roll out the hoe-ram if the pneumatic breaker won’t do – and if all else fails call in the rock drillers and blasting crew.
Jack D
I always enjoy this round up, because it’s always nice to see if anything really changed over the last year. I do feel that you could revisit the lineup, Stuart, adding and dropping as called for. For example, I feel you said almost the same thing about Porter Cable this year as last. (And maybe the year before that?). Time to drop them from the discussion altogether.
Meanwhile, Harbor Freight’s Bauer lineup is absent entirely. I would think they garner more attention than Dremel, for example. Also I saw a toolset that a coworker brought in, Hyper-Tough? Certainly worthy of at least as much mention as Hart.
Just some thoughtful input. I love all the work you do here, so keep it up!
Stuart
A few readers have asked about Porter Cable, and so it made sense to include them even if to say there are no signs of activity.
I have those other brands and more in mind for an early 2024 update. I thought I’d see which new brands are of interest, asked about, or brought up before I expanded the roundup further.
Thank you!!
scott
Im a ridgid guy. Just a DIY, but really love the LSA. I have had to use it for one grinder, and three straight radios and two 3AH batteries that were 18 years old. The battery warrant is a dream, call, read them the serial number that you registered, tell them what lights show on the charger, and three days later a new battery. Call back and give them the new serial number and bang bob’s your uncle. The grinder, not so much, eight weeks after drop off and finally the manager at the home depot where I took it just gave me a new one, which when I re-registered worked, which was odd. The HD called about three weeks later to say they had my grinder back from repair. I went in got it and the note on it showed it had been back six weeks, they just lost it, so now I have two grinders.
I also have Ryobi 40v OPE, and odds ends of the Ryobi like glue gun, large fan, etc.
I got into the ridgid stuff because the home depot near me gets like 10 of every new tool, they never sell and then 4 months later they are on clearance for 75% off.
Steve
After my last Craftsman 19.2 v bought the ghost, my 1st modern entry was in the Makita lineup.
I bought, I used, I returned. (I just couldn’t get a feel for what was happening with the tools)
2nd was the M12 stubby, drill, impact. I was impressed by the performance and was hooked by just the feel in my hands. These tools felt good in my grip, and performed awesomely.
Future purchases were all team red.
I have returned every M18 except the 71/4 circ saw, sawzall, grinder, inflator.
Have used the screw driver set, impact bit sets, only to be left thinking that there is much better out there. (Quite disappointed in how may impact bits broke during casual use)
I think that the bottom line is that we, in the USA, live in a country that affords us the ability to pick and choose what we like, and how we like it.
And that there is no, “one size fits all”.
Thank you Veterans, and currently serving soldiers.
It is by your service, that we are able to have this discourse in the here and now!
Dominic S
Best brand is Milwaukee and it’s not close. Best balance of battery line simplicity, high performance/quality and tool offerings.