What is the number 1 tool brand?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

The Lifestory Research Net Trust Quotient Score measures the trust people hold of brands in multiple different product categories, including power tool brands.  The trust score is formulated based on how thousands of people judge the merits of the brands in the study.  Study participants responses are classified and defined by three levels of consumer trust: Trust Advocates, Trust Neutral, and Trust Antagonists.  A Trust Advocate is someone who expresses significant trust in a brand whereas a Trust Antagonist vocalizes distrust in a brand.  Our research finds that trust not only impacts purchase intent and word of mouth expressions, but trust acts as a source of fuel that can lift brand impressions of quality as well as other brand attribute judgments.  

The rankings are based on the Net Trust Index Quotient Score. Scores are standardized across more than 300 brands and product segments included in the study, and then rank-ordered within each product segment. The most recognized power tool brands are among the nationally-ranked brands evaluated in the study. This approach provides insight into how brands are seen within power tool brands product category in which they operate as well as examines brands across industries. Details of the method used in the research program can be found on the survey methodology page as well as in the Lifestory Research 2020 America’s Most Trusted® Power Tools Brand Study national press release that can be found on the Lifestory Research website.  

The Lifestory Research 2020 America’s Most Trusted® Power Tools Brand Study explores shopper perceptions of power tool brands and examines how each shopping event and brand encounter impacts customers’ overall value perceptions of the power tool brand. The study investigates the questions asked when people are shopping for power tools. What are the best power tool brands? Which power tool brands do people recommend? Which power tool brands can you trust?  What is the quality of different power tool brands? The study also identifies critical service standards that drive higher customer experiences and the bottom line.  The study addresses power tool shopper reviews and summarizes net promoter, quality reviews, purchase intent, as well as a variety of other metrics.

The power tool brands that were found to be most recognized in the study were Dewalt, Craftsman, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Stanley, Black+Decker, Ryobi, Kobalt, Hitachi, Ridgid, Husky, and Irwin. Brand awareness and brand familiarity were used to determine if a power tool brands was known well enough to be included in the national trust ranking.  Dewalt received the highest Net Trust Quotient score and earned the #1 ranking of most trusted power tool brands.

Dewalt Products Company was formed in 1927 in Leola, Pennsylvania.  After buying the company in 1949, American Machine & Foundry Co., Inc. sold it to Black & Decker in 1960. The brand today is part of Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) a Fortune 500 American manufacturer of industrial tools and household hardware and provider of security products and locks headquartered in the greater Hartford city of New Britain, Connecticut.

Lifestory Research America’s Most Trusted® Study results are based on survey participants responses and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Your experiences may vary. For details, see our Terms of Use and Legal Notices on the Lifestory Research website. No promotional use or advertising can be made of America’s Most Trusted® survey results without the express prior written consent of Lifestory Research.