DeWalt vs Milwaukee | Which is Better? | 2023
If you are planning on spending a substantial amount of money on a new power tool, you will no doubt be asking what brands are best. DeWalt and Milwaukee are two of the biggest brands on the power tool market, with both manufacturers offering some very impressive products that can be relied on. However, deciding on which is best requires you to delve deep into a few different areas. For one, you need to weigh up the product offering of each brand.
If you are looking for certain types of power tool, one manufacturer might serve your needs better than the other. You will also want to consider other details, such as motor performance and battery life, as well as extended warranties and compatible products. Our in-depth comparison guide has all the information you will need to make a sensible decision when deciding on whether to go with DeWalt or Milwaukee.
About Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a big name in the power tool world. The company originally started life in the 1920s, originating in the Wisconsin city from which it takes its name. Although Milwaukee is synonymous with American craftsmanship and company values, the brand was actually bought by a Hong Kong parent company, Techtronic Industries, in 2005. Techtronic Indutries owns other major power brands including Hart Tools and Ryobi, as well as other companies such as Hoover.
Milwaukee offers a fairly impressive range of power tools, with a varied selection of cordless and corded appliances. In addition to standard power tools, Milwaukee also produces a range of accessories such as driver bits, drill bits and saw blades.
About DeWalt
DeWalt is another American company that has long enjoyed a reputation as an authority on power tools. As with Milwaukee, DeWalt was eventually absorbed by a larger company, in this case Stanley Black & Decker. DeWalt itself was founded in the early 1920s, with one of its first innovations being the radial arm saw. Although business activity was fairly uneventful for much of the twentieth century, DeWalt has seen an explosion in operations since the early 2000s when it was combined with other subsidiaries of Black & Decker.
In addition to a wide range of power tools, DeWalt has recently moved into the hand tool market. In the past few years, DeWalt’s operations have also expanded into the specialist tool market. More recent innovations include a focus on advance battery packs, providing DeWalt power tools with a significant edge when it comes to battery performance and operational life.
Product Lines
This is one of the most important things to focus on when deciding on whether to go with DeWalt or Milwaukee. Both companies have a particularly large product offering, with a good selection of power tools and hand tools to choose from. In fact, both brands offer a similar product depth. Milwaukee currently produces around 300 power tools under its M18 and M12 product lines. In addition to this, they also offer an expanding range of cordless power tools under their MX FUEL banner.
DeWalt offers approximately 200 power tools under their 20V Max banner. While the overall number of power tools offered by DeWalt is less than Milwaukee, the gap looks to be narrowed in the coming years. With the introduction of its FlexVolt power tool product line, DeWalt is quickly catching up with Milwaukee. One area where DeWalt does enjoy an edge over its competition is its selection of hand tools. If you prefer to buy all of your equipment from one brand, DeWalt is definitely a brand to consider offering your loyalty to.
Both DeWalt and Milwaukee produce a huge selection of accessories. If you are looking for replacement blades for saws, new bits for your drills or specific varieties of fasteners, both brands have plenty of options for you to consider.
Average Cost
This is another huge factor that will ultimately determine what power tool brand you are likely to consider investing in. Due to the sheer range of products offered by both brands, you will find price fairly competitive between DeWalt and Milwaukee. However, DeWalt generally tends to offer the most affordable options if you hone in on what’s on offer from both manufacturers. The reason for this is simple. While both brands produce products for the speciality marker, Milwaukee produces more high-end products overall.
Milwaukee power tools also tend to come with higher overall spec. With Milwaukee power tools, you are likely to encounter premium batteries, high-capacity output and a greater range of cordless options. Even the basic elements like accessory kits and storage cases tend to be more impressive when shopping from Milwaukee. As such, the slight price premium is to be expected and is entirely reasonable.
Although DeWalt doesn’t skimp on speciality tools, it does tend to offer a greater range of more affordable products. If you only require a cordless screwdriver or compact jigsaw, you will find a larger choice from DeWalt. As the manufacturer offers a greater range of basic power tool products, you will find such products retailing within a broader price bracket.
However, the price difference between the two manufacturers is slight. In fact, when you compare the difference to that between some manufacturers, it is negligible. Basically, do not let price be the determining factor when making a choice between DeWalt and Milwaukee unless you have no room for manoeuvre whatsoever when it comes to budget.
Servicing & Warranty
If you intend to purchase a large number of tools or are planning on purchasing a premium piece of equipment, extended warranties and servicing guarantees are important. Both DeWalt and Milwaukee do not disappoint here, but Milwaukee definitely comes out on top. Most of the cordless power tools produced by Milwaukee come with a 5-year warranty. However, this extended warranty does not apply to all products within their range.
Some speciality lines have a limited lifetime warranty, while others only carry a 3-year warranty. All products will be clearly marketed with their specific warranties at the point of sale, so you there should be no confusion in this area. A great thing about Milwaukee products is that you do not need to register your products after purchasing them in order to activate your warranty. However, if you want the best after-sale support and complete peace of mind, registering your power tool is always advised.
DeWalt also delivers when it comes to warranties and guarantees. The vast majority of cordless power tool products from DeWalt will include a 3-year warranty. This is also comes with a 1-year service guarantee, as well as a limited money-back guarantee on purchases. If you are paying for a premium product from the DeWalt Mechanics line, you have even better protection on your purchase, with full lifetime warranties offered as standard. This means you can look forward to a replacement product should your tool encounter any serious issues down the line.
Ultimately, Milwaukee wins when it comes to warranties and guarantees. Although DeWalt’s Mechanics line of products have the best overall guarantees attached, these are unlikely to appeal to the general consumer looking to purchase everyday power tool products.
Tool Performance and Technology
If you are looking for reliable performance and brushless tool technology, both Milwaukee and DeWalt will deliver. Although Milwaukee was the first of the two brand to make use of brushless tool technology, DeWalt wasn’t far behind. As both brands have plenty of experience with brushless tool technology, you can expect superior control and performance when it comes to most power tool varieties, including drills and drivers.
Both manufacturers also impress when it comes to smart technology features. If you want multiple speed modes, exceptional control and reliable safety features, you can shop confidently from both DeWalt and Milwaukee. However, if we had to place one brand in front of the other, Milwaukee takes first place. This is largely down to Milwaukee’s innovative One-Key system, which provides advanced tool control, tracking and other functionality.
Milwaukee power tools also tend to have smaller brushless motors than what is provided by DeWalt tools. This means the overall size of many power tools in the inventory is smaller, making them easier to handle and suitable for use in tight spots. For DIY enthusiasts, this compact convenience and refined control will definitely appeal and makes a good fit with everyday tasks around the house.
The Verdict
If you are a DIY enthusiast looking for a brand you can count on, you will not be let down by either Milwaukee or DeWalt. Both manufacturers are established names in the power tool business, with a huge range of products to invest your money in. Both brands also make use of advanced technologies to provide you with better output, tool longevity and control. However, Milwaukee definitely comes out on top with its smaller brushless motors and innovative safety features. If budget will determine which brand to go for, you will probably find DeWalt the better option. Although prices are relatively similar between both brands, DeWalt does offer a greater range of entry-level products at a variety of price points.
