Milwaukee vs DeWalt – Which Tool Brand Is Better?

Today, you and I are here to continue to discuss the never-ending debate between Milwaukee vs DeWalt tools - once and for all.

Which one is better? Milwaukee or DeWalt? Have you ever wondered?

In this article, I only share some useful information base on my experience. Maybe we can not point out the winner in all cases, but I think they will help you make your decision when choosing to brand new tools for your projects.

Nevertheless, you’ll never stop to come across both DIY’ers and professionals alike, who only use a particular brand without any reason.

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“I have been a professional carpenter for many years, and I will NEVER own any tools other than DeWalt.”
Or: “ I’m a commercial contractor, I have tried many tools on the market, and Milwaukee is my last choice.”

So which brand to start for the beginner?

The first we must know that all both Dewalt and Milwaukee are reputable companies that manufacture quality tools. I also a big fan of both.

In this article, I will provide you some knowledge about each brand:

  • History
  • Warranty
  • Manufacturing countries
  • Head-to-head comparison of one respective cordless combo kit of each

After all, by the end of the article, I hope you can feel informed enough to go and decide for yourself which one is better -Milwaukee or DeWalt - base on some worth the information I provided.

At besides, I want to make sure that the battle between two famous brands will never end. They always produce products to their competitor's ones in the market.

Let go!

Beginnings:

History of The DeWalt and Milwaukee Brands:

Both companies began in the early 1920s, with new tool designs, high efficiency, and smart marketing they built their brand to their reputation.

But today, they have similar fates when sold out to multinational corporations. Let me show you a brief look at the history and progression of each company throughout the years.

Dewalt

When talking about power tools for manufacturing, construction, and woodworking, you can’t miss Dewalt. It’s built within the same year as Milwaukee (1924).

Led by Raymond DeWalth, they invented, patented, and marketed a radial arm saw called “DeWalt Wonder Worker”. More innovations followed. It was the first time raw lumber can be cross-cut by a tool with unheard of speed and accuracy.

Initially headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Purchased by the American Machine Foundry (AMF)  in 1949, the next owner of  DeWalt brand name for 11 years before they sold it to Black and Decker in 1960 (still owns DeWalt to this day).

Dewalt revolutionized the handheld, cordless power tool market in the early 1990s with highly efficient products such as electric saws, drills/drivers, screwdrivers, and wrenches.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee has gained enough reputation among the public since its opening in 1924 by A.F. Milwaukee. It gained the rights for a power drill called “Hole-Shooter” (the first lightweight portable, one-handed 1/4" capacity drill which was designed by A.H. Petersen for Henry Ford), the flagship product of the company.

Besides the power drill, Milwaukee also success in other products such as electric sanders, hammer drills, and hand grinders in their early years – all of them were powered by the company’s proprietary electric motors built in.

  • Sold to Amstar Corporation in 1975.
  • Sold to Merrill Lynch in 1986.
  • Sold to Atlas Copco in 1995.
  • Sold to Techtronic in 2005 (current parent corporation)

We can see the truth that both companies abandoned their traditional American roots and outsourced the majority of production to maximize profits.

As I know, recently, DeWalt has taken some steps towards increasing production of their tools here within the U.S.

In 2013, they declared their “Tools of the Brave” with new seven manufacturing facilities across the midwest and eastern parts of the country (Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Kentucky, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, and Tennessee).

Stanley Black and Decker - the parent company of Dewalt - is a well-known brand is headquartered in Towson, Maryland.

In opposition, Milwaukee’s parent company – Techtronic Industries – is a multinational investment company based out of Hong Kong (although the Milwaukee brand is headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin).

So, use that information as your reference.

The majority of both companies manufacturing is outsourced, with the overwhelming percentage of their products coming from China.

Warranty - Milwaukee vs DeWalt

Both Milwaukee and DeWalt offer a range of different warranties period, depending on each specific product (See DeWalt warranties and Milwaukee warranties).

Instead of making a long list covering each tool and its respective warranty, I only consider the combo kits that I choose to review below:

  • DeWalt: 3-year Limited Warranty: Any tools that fail due to a manufacturer defect, will be free when replacing or repairing.
  • Milwaukee: 5-year Limited Warranty: As same as DeWalt, except the longer warranty, should consider when choosing between two brands if the products have the same efficiency.

We can see who is the winner in the warranty category.

Combo Kit Comparison: Milwaukee M18 vs Dewalt 20V Max

If it’s an upgrade in your power tool system that you’re looking for, then the biggest ones in the market are Milwaukee M18 and Dewalt 20V Max. Between Milwaukee vs Dewalt, which one do you choose?

Each of them has their own edge over the other. So, in order for you to choose one that really fits your needs, you need to be able to analyze both systems carefully. To help you weigh Dewalt vs. Milwaukee, here’s an overview.

What’s Inside Milwaukee M18 Cordless Set

Now, it has offered the newest M18 brushless and cordless tool set. Its brushless motor promises to have up to 10x better motor life, 50% more running time, and 25% more power.

The set comes with a 5-year warranty, which is longer than most of its competitors. It includes the following:

  • ½” Hammer drill
  • 6 ½” Circular saw
  • ¼” Impact driver
  • 4 ½” Angle grinder/cut-off
  • SAWZALL Reciprocating saw
  • M18 REDLITHIUM XC 18-volt battery
  • M18 LED light
  • Battery Charger
  • Heavy duty contractor bag

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What’s Inside Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Set

In 20V Max, all of its tools come with advanced ergonomics, Lithium-ion batteries, and upgraded features. It also has better runtime and faster application speed.

The set comes with a 3-year warranty. It includes:

  • ½” Hammer drill
  • 6 ½” circular saw
  • ¼” impact driver
  • Belt hook
  • Reciprocating saw
  • 2 20-volt MAX Li-Ion 3.0 batteries
  • LED light
  • Battery charger
  • Heavy duty contractor bag
  • Detachable handle

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Combo Set Comparison

If you look at the set, Milwaukee offers more. But do you really need these extra tools? If not, then there’s no use for you to buy them. Then again, they are added there for a reason. You might want to try using them once.

For instance, cut-off discs are usually underused. But I’ve tried them, and they do wonders. If you want to know what I’m talking about, you should give them a shot.

On the other hand, Dewalt package comes with two batteries compared to Milwaukee’s one battery. You might think that this is a small difference. However, when you’ve burned out your battery, you’d have to buy an extra one. That would be another fee.

What’s the use of a combo set if you’re still going to buy other tools to add to it?

Verdict

You should think about what you want to have in your set before you make a decision.

Brushless Tools Comparison

When it comes to both brands’ brushless tool lineup, Milwaukee has an edge as it has broader selections. For instance, Dewalt offers drills, impact drivers, and screw guns like Milwaukee, but it lacks quality brushless saws.

Dewalt 20V Max includes a circular saw and reciprocating saw, but you would need two separate voltages in order to use them. Milwaukee offers better user experience with their brushless saws.

However, considering that companies are continually improving their tools, Dewalt is expected to catch up with Milwaukee’s innovation in no time.

Verdict

If you are not in need of different brushless tools, then you can opt for Dewalt 20V Max. It will save you money. But then, if you want to get a complete tool set, then buy Milwaukee M18 cordless set.

Battery Comparison

Recently, Dewalt released Flexvolt batteries. These are considered to be the first battery technology that automatically changes the voltage when the tools are changed.

Instead of the usual row of 5 cells, Flexvolt is packed with 2 rows of 5 cells, thus increasing its capacity. It has a 5S3P configuration.

When paired with tools from the 20V Max, the internal contracts among all the battery cells reconfigure. As a result, they can connect in form of a series.

In response to this upgrade, Milwaukee launched M18 High Demand battery pack. It gives a 15 cell power output that results in 50% more work per charge.

High Demand’s runtime is noticeably better than Flexvolt. What’s more is that it’s compatible with all tools. However, in terms of potential, Dewalt’s Flexvolt is better.

Verdict

If you need something powerful that could run all your tools, then choose Milwaukee M18 High Demand. However, if you have the desire to use an innovation that can run even the next generation of cordless power tools, then Dewalt’s Flexvolt would appeal more to you.

Fuel Models Comparison

In terms of design, Milwaukee is also more innovative. You’ll see a slight advantage in terms ergonomic functions of Milwaukee’s miter saw and its European model.

Milwaukee M18 fuel models are usually considered to be of superior standing when paired with all the best impact drivers, cordless drills, and circular saws. However, Dewalt 20V Max is not far behind. It still got its place in the top choices of tool systems in terms of its models.

Verdict

So far, Milwaukee’s models are leading, but not much. If you don’t really consider design as your top priority, you can simply opt for the cheaper quality model.

Warranties Comparison

Warranties differ for each product. Thus, we can’t judge them accurately based on that. To compare warranties, let’s focus on the cordless combo kits that they offer.

Dewalt has a 3-year limited warranty. Tools that get broken within the specified time will be repaired without fee or replaced with new ones.

On the other hand, Milwaukee offers the same deal with broken tools. However, it has a 5-year warranty.

Verdict

In terms of warranty, it’s clear that Milwaukee’s offer is better.

Conclus​ion

Both brands are powerful and dependable. It can still be hard to pinpoint which is truly better, but the answer all depends on your practical needs and preferences.

DEWALT 20V MAX

MILWAUKEE M18

Combo Set

Cheaper

More Tools

Brushless Tools

Good for Homeowners

Broader Selection

Battery

Greater Potential

More Powerful

Fuel Models

Cheap and Quality Designs

Innovative Designs

Warranty

3 Years

5 Years

Remember that when choosing a power tool system, it all boils down to what you need.

  • Ask yourself. Where will you use it? How often will you use it?
  • Don’t make any hasty decisions. Weigh your options well.
  • Buy the tool kit. If you consider convenience, do it online.

If you have more questions, comment them below.

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