Last Updated on July 21, 2022 by William

The Best Power Tool Brands You Can TRUST!

Buying power tools can be quite confusing, especially when you begin to consider how many brands there are on the current market. But trust me, the best power tool brands stand out, and consistently out-perform their competitors.

And once you become familiar with a brand, it makes sense to continue buying from that brand so that you never have to worry about different accessories, batteries, or designs. Mixing and matching tools can make your projects even more overwhelming.

Of course, committing to a brand is equally difficult. The last thing you want to do is start buying from a list of shotty tools. However, it is also true that no one of these brands carries all of the best tools. What you might fall in love with from one brand, the guy down the street will fall in love with another.

Looking for hand tools instead of power tools? You can see our list of the best hand tool brands here.

For the most part, the brands on this list are the most respected among professional and home DIYers alike which makes them the best power tool brands on the market today.

Top 9 Power Tool Brands

The power tool industry is fairly complex, to say the least. One brand might manufacture the best jigsaw on the market while another brand might manufacture the best impact drill on the market. Because the aim of many brands is to cover a wide range of the market, finding the best one can be time-consuming.

Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. Let’s take a look at the 9 best power tool brands on the market today.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee has been around since 1924, putting a fair amount of history under the company’s belt. While the brand has fallen under the ownership of a variety of different companies, the consistency in quality has remained the same. Techtonic acquired the Milwaukee brand back in 2005. Techtonic is also known for manufacturing Hoover and Ryobi tools as well.

One of the first major releases from the Milwaukee brand was the Hole Shooter, a lightweight drill with a ¼” chuck that could be used with one hand. From then on, the brand’s name spread like wildfire. Milwaukee now offers consumers a vast array of power tools, hand tools, outdoor equipment, and so much more. With handy charging designs, Milwaukee also paved the way for the era of cordless tools in a world where portability became key.

Perhaps one of the most notable tools in the Milwaukee lineup today is the Sawzall. Contractors often note that the Sawzall has become synonymous with reciprocating saws.

Besides cordless tools, Milwaukee carries a wide variety of corded, battery-powered, and gas-powered tools as well. One of the unique features found on newer Milwaukee tools is the one-key platform. The one-key platform provides consumers with an easy way to manage maintenance and compatibility across their entire lineup of Milwaukee tools.

We highly recommend Milwaukee tools for professionals, as they are major favorites among HVAC techs, electricians, automotive workers, and professional contractors. If you are in the market for a tool that can get the toughest and most rugged jobs done, the Milwaukee brand is an excellent choice and one of our top picks as the best brand of power tools.

What We Like About Milwaukee

Milwaukee has a variety of high-performance tools with limited lifetime warranties. They are excellent tools for long-lasting results and have high-output designs to work in the most hardcore of environments. It is important to note that Milwaukee tools are manufactured in the United States, Europe, and China, making them one of the most popular tool brands around the world. No matter where you travel to, people will know the Milwaukee tool brand.

DeWalt

The DeWalt company was born back in 1923 when Raymond E DeWalt invented the radial arm saw. Thie brand, now found around the world, was founded on a serious sense of innovation. Many refer to DeWalt as the original power tool brand.

In 1960, Black & Decker acquired the Dewalt company. For a while, the brand was a laughing stock of professional contractors, as many believed the company produced amateur tools. It wasn’t until the mid-90s rebrand that all of that change. DeWalt sat up in the ranks with Milwaukee as one of the top choices for professionals and is currently one of the flagship brands for the Black & Decker company.

There are hundreds of power tools on the DeWalt lineup, including cordless and corded choices. You can also find German woodworking tools in the DeWalt lineup now, as they took over the ELU company back in the early 90s as well.

For contractors, the combination of power tools and hand tools, along with the fact that the company has an outstanding reputation, is the major selling point. From tools to toolboxes to accessories to job site aids to yard equipment and beyond, DeWalt has equipment for just about any job. Many believe that DeWalt makes some of the best tools on the market for concrete and carpentry. We even have a Dewalt track saw review here.

The beauty of DeWalt is that they provide users with a wide variety of batteries to choose from. While the company has standard batteries, including 12V and 18V, they also have a wide variety of heavy-duty 20V and 40V batteries for yard equipment.

The coolest battery in the DeWalt lineup is the FLEXVOLT battery, which can switch between 20V and 60V. This means you can use this same battery for a wide variety of tools that requires different amounts of voltage.

What We Like DeWalt

DeWalt is one of the most well-known power tools brands on the market today. The brand’s newest line of battery-powered tools come with high-quality lithium-ion batteries for the highest performance possible. The tools are manufactured solely in the United States and all tools come with three-year limited warranties to give consumers peace of mind.

Makita

When it comes to the Japanese power tools market, Makita is among the top names. While people might recognize the Hitachi name more, it isn’t as widely used among professionals as the Makita brand.

Makita started back in 1915 thanks to a man by the name of Mosaburo Makita. However, power tools did not arrive in the brand’s lineup until well into the 20th century, around 1958. The very first tool to come out of the Makita lineup was a simple planer. Eventually, the brand expanded into a variety of tool designs, including heavy-duty drills.

Whether you work in a garage or a construction site, Makita tools offers just about every tool one might need to get the job done, including angle grinders, routers, sanders, impact drivers, hammers, circular saws, reciprocating saws, and more. There isn’t a tool we can think of that isn’t in the Makita lineup which is why you’ll find them in most home tool kits.

Beyond standard tools, the Makita brand has made its way into the pneumatic tools sphere, as well as the yard equipment sphere. The portfolio continues to grow to this day. Now, of course, Makita tools are manufactured all around the world instead of Japan exclusively, which is why they can be found on sites just about anywhere. In fact, their main manufacturing plants lie in the United Kingdom. However, just because their manufacturing has changed does not mean that the quality has.

Those who are looking for unique pieces of equipment, such as radios or fans, might also want to look deeper into the Makita brand. They even make cordless coffee makers that are perfect for use on jobsites. The brand’s platform of cordless tools is top-notch, as well as its high-quality 18V tools for heavy-duty use. Those looking for tools that are a bit more stylish and powerful can even look into the LXT sub-compact brushless series.

What We Like About Makita

Makita has a wide variety of high-quality tools in the market all around the world. This Japanese-owned brand might just be one of the top brands to have ever come out of the country. With an array of cordless designs to choose from and a system that focuses on one voltage rather than many, the brand is the perfect choice for workers who want a bit of flexibility. Beyond that, each tool from the Makita brand comes complete with a three-year warranty, providing buyers with a bit of peace of mind.

Bosch

The Bosch name dates all the way back to 1886 after it was founded in Stuggart, Germany by a man named Robert Bosch. This heavy-duty German brand still remains the face of German engineering in technology across households and job sites across the world. For those who are interested in the business side of things, 90% of the company is under the ownership of the Robert Bosch Stiftung, a charitable organization that focuses heavily on social issues.

Essentially, when you buy from Bosch, you’re buying into a better tomorrow for the rest of the world. Very similar to the above brands, Bosch paved the way for cordless tools in the European division.

The power tools from Bosch fall under the company’s home division, which also includes home appliances, gardening tools, and more. The brand mainly targets its tools at DIYers and homeowners rather than professionals. However, these tools should not be underestimated, as all of their tools are manufactured with serious durability in mind.

Compared to other “home” brands, such as Craftsman and Kobalt, Bosch tools mean business. They are more expensive than other home brands, though the quality justifies the price. For semi-pros and pros, as well as amateurs who want to move up in the ranks of DIY, bosch is a great choice. While many other tools in the home market are known for breaking down after only a year or two of regular use, Bosch tools can last decades if taken care of.

Over the past few decades, Bosch has put quite a bit more effort into taking its power tools to new heights, giving the name more power in the professional sphere.

From jigsaws to impact drivers and beyond, just about any tool that you are looking for can be found in the Bosch lineup. While they do have a few lighter 12V tools, the majority of tools under the brand name sit atop the Bosch 18V platform like the Bosch IWBH182-01L 18-volt Cordless Impact Wrench we reviewed. We highly recommend checking out the current Bosch site, as the company is starting to roll out even more cordless power tools for those seeking out portability and versatility.

What We Like About Bosch

Bosch tools can now be found all over the world thanks to the fact that they are manufactured in countries such as Taiwan, Mexico, Malaysia, and China. All Bosch tools come with a one-year limited warranty. The brand offers a wide selection of high-quality tools and accessories that give consumers tons of value for the price.

Festool Tools

When it comes to marketing tools based purely on quality and craftsmanship, Festool does an incredible job. Similar to Bosch, Festool tools might cost a bit more than the competition. However, when you buy tools from Festool, you are paying for the best tools around. The brand’s engineering alone is remarkable. Beyond that, they provide incredible customer service and have pride in the portability and intuitive designs of their tools.

Festool opened up its doors back in 1925 and has been running strong ever since. In 1927, the company made the world’s very first portable chainsaw, which was a major advancement for the time. For almost 100 years now, it has been one of the most highly-regarded tool brands in the industry. Even now, the company is constantly growing, solidifying itself as a brand synonymous with the world’s love for German engineering.

One of the coolest things about the Festool brand is the dust collection system. The dust collection system helps keep tools clean that generate tons of dust, including routers and sanders. It is integrated into a wide variety of tools so that contractors can do work in people’s home without even having to worry about making a mess. Even DIYers will love being able to sand something down without getting dust everywhere. This is one of the top reasons that Festool is so popular among carpenters and contractors.

The track saw is one of our favorite tools in the Festool lineup and is a huge favorite for contractors and carpenters as well. This one-of-a-kind tool can cut wood with some of the straightest, smoothest, and cleanest lines and edges imaginable. Overall, this German tool company builds tools that are well worth the price, which is likely what makes them one of the most, if not the most, popular tool companies in the country. Those looking to get a professional job done should look to Festool.

What We Like About Festool

Festool specializes in high-quality cordless tools, manufacturing some of the best consumer-grade and professional-grade tools in the industry today. The company’s tools are manufactured mainly in German and the Czech Republic, helping to keep quality in check. However, there are other sites around the world for those seeking out easier access to Festool products. Every tool in the Festool lineup comes with a solid three-year limited warranty for long-lasting use and peace of mind.

Ridgid

The brand with the most interesting history goes to Ridgid. The brand came about in Ohio back in 1923. At first, the brand didn’t have a stake in the power tool industry. In fact, they were known for crafting plumbing and HVAC tools. A look back to eh earlier portfolios shows that the most popular tool in the Ridgid lineup was the pipe wrench.

Because of the early tools in the Ridgid lineup, the company did not receive the same amount of attention as other companies in the industry, as they were only popular amongst construction workers. Over the years, however, that popularity has shifted. More and more people are beginning to see the Ridgid brand make its way into homes.

It is worth noting that Ridgid has a slimmer selection of power tools compared to other brands on the list. While that doesn’t deter from the quality of these tools, it is important to note after our mention of staying consistent with your tool purchases. Of course, they have tools for most projects, including impact drivers, drills, and saws. Many of these tools fall under the Tectonic Industries umbrella, the company known for manufacturing Milwaukee and Ryobi tools as well.

One of the main reasons that consumers float towards Ridgid tools is that they are incredibly affordable. For DIYers and hobbyists, they are the best choice thanks to the fact that they are fairly basic and easy to use. One of the biggest issues that consumers seem to have with Ridgid tools is that they do not utilize interchangeable batteries like some of the brands above. This means that it might be quite difficult to find accessories or replacement parts down the line when and if you need them.

However, the company manufactures solid power tools overall that most anyone would be proud to own.

What We Like About Ridgid

While Ridgid specializes in power tools, they also have a wide variety of manual tools, making the brand incredibly versatile for how inexpensive the tools are. All of the tools manufactured under the Ridgid brand are manufactured in the United States for quality assurance. With very traditional designs and affordable prices, these tools are some of the best tools on the market for DIYers and homeowners. Plus, every tool in the Ridgid lineup comes complete with a lifetime guarantee, one of the best warranties from any of the brands on our list.

Craftsman

Craftsman might just be one of the most well-known tools brands in the United States thanks to the fact that the company’s tools have been used by homeowners, DIYers, and professionals since they originally hit the market back in 1927. Black & Decker took ownership of the Craftsman company back in 2017 after a long ordeal, though the quality of the tools has remained the same, and Craftsman loyalists continue to use the brand’s tool to this day.

Even if you can’t name a Craftsman tool, you are probably familiar with the brand itself. You know about the Weedwhacker brand, right? Well, Craftsman owns the Weedwhacker brand, which sits at the front of the larger yard and outdoor equipment lineup.

Craftsman, just like many of the other brands on this list, has quite an extensive portfolio when it comes to high-quality power tools, including a wide variety of cordless and gas-powered designs beyond traditional corded tools. The list of outdoor equipment under the Craftsman brand is also quite extensive.

We highly recommend checking out the Craftsman brand if you are looking to acquire a wide variety of hand tools for cheap. The Versa system is top-notch as well, which is great for those who want to organize the tools in their workshop as best as possible. Instead of marketing to professionals, Craftsman heavily markets its tools to homeowners and DIYers. Many hobbyists stand by the Craftsman brand when purchasing tools as well.

What We Like About Craftsman

When it comes to domestic use, Craftsman may just be one of the top power tool brands around. However, even many professional users make great claims about Craftsman as well. They specialize in both power tools and manual tools and fall under the Stanley Black & Decker company umbrella. All of the tools in the Craftsman lineup are manufactured in the United States for supreme quality assurance and every one of the brand’s tools comes with a lifetime warranty.

Those of you who aren’t professionals, though are looking to get into doing work at home or in a workshop should highly consider Craftsman.

Ryobi

Ryobi is another brand that falls underneath the Techtonic Industries umbrella, the company that owns a few other tool brands on this list. The Ryobi brand dates all the way back to 1943. When we talk about experience, it is well worth noting that Ryobi has it. No matter what jobs you are getting into at home or at the workshop, Ryobi has the right tools to get the job done.

The main focus of the Ryobi company, however, is making components for automobiles, electronics, and telecommunication sectors. With that said, their power tools division has been growing rapidly over the past few decades and more and more consumers are beginning to recognize the name.

One of the great things about Ryobi tools is that they are extremely affordable compared to many other brands out there, which is one of the main reasons why millions of buyers invest in Ryobi tools compared to others. Don’t let the affordability fool you, though. These tools mean serious business and can handle heavy-duty projects. The affordability only comes from the fact that the main marketing tactic for Ryobi is selling to homeowners or DIYers who only have projects to deal with every once in a while.

There is no reason to invest a thousand dollars into a drill if you only use it once or twice per year, right?

Walking through a hardware store, these tools are quite easy to identity thanks to their bright green design. Professionals might have a bad thing or two to say about the quality of these tools is certainly no match for Bosch or DeWalt. However, when it comes to completing simpler tasks at home, there is no reason to shy away from the quality they do provide.

Depending on what you are looking for, you can purchase Ryobi tools in corded and cordless configurations. The majority of people out there are making the switch to cordless, as cordless tools are far more flexible for a variety of applications. Plus, with extended battery life, cordless tools are also more practical than they used to be. As of now, some of Ryobi’s top tools include their impact drivers and saws.

What We Like About Ryobi

Ryobi has an extensive range of tools for homeowners and DIYers. The company is headquartered in Japan and manufactures the majority of its tools there as well, though there are plenty of sites across the world. All of the tools in the Ryobi lineup come with a handy three-year warranty as well.

Kobalt

Everyone has a particular hardware store that they love most. For many people, that hardware store is Lowes. Kobalt is the tool company under the Lowes umbrella, supplying both professionals and homeowners with a wide variety of high-quality tools to choose from. Many compare Kobalt tools to Ryobi tools in terms of quality. With that said, Ryobi tools have been on the market for slightly longer than Kobalt tools and three are more tools in the Ryobi lineup compared to Kobalt.

Kobalt was founded by the Lowes company back in 1998 and they still own the brand to this day. However, the actual products are manufactured at the hands of a variety of different companies. Lowes offers a wide range of corded and battery-powered power tools, most of which are in a 24V configuration. Of course, the brand also has a wide range of manual tools, including screwdrivers and hammers. In workshops and households around the United States, Kobalt tools have become a staple.

On the home tools quality spectrum, Kobalt tools fall towards the middle. Homeowners love the fact that Kobalt tools are wildly inexpensive. Hobbyist woodworkers love how easy the tools are to use. However, when it comes to contractors or other professional craftsmen and women, you won’t often see these blue tools hanging around.

One of the most popular and powerful lineups in the Kobalt brand is the new series of XTR tools. These cordless tools provide users with two times the power of the previous Kobalt lineups, perfect for homeowners that are a bit more serious when it comes to finding exceptional tools for the money.

What We Like About Kobalt

The thing we love most about Kobalt, besides the fact that the brand’s tools are exceptionally inexpensive, is the fact that they exist at a hardware store that many Americans know and love. People grew up going to Lowes and still go to Lowes to this day for all of their home and garden needs. Having a tool brand synonymous with a larger company that you are already loyal to is pretty awesome. Beyond all of that, it is worth noting that most Kobalt products manufactured after 2016 have a lifetime, hassle-free guarantee, which shows just how much the company believes in its tools.

Bottom Line – Which of These Power Tools Brands Is Best?

As you can see, there are plenty of great power tool brands out there. Of course, there are a few honorable mentions that we should throw out there, including Hitachi, Metabo, Porter-Cable, and Black & Decker, though the list is a solid representation of what we believe to be the best current power tool brands on the market today.

While every brand on this list has its own unique qualities, there are a few that stand out a bit more than the others. Milwaukee and DeWalt, in particular, are two of the most sought-after power tools brands on the market. Both of these brands manufacture tools that are used by professionals and hobbyists alike. With that said, even the tools found in these two brands won’t be for everyone, which is why it is so important to do research and find the right brand for your needs.

There is a reason why some of these names have existed for decades. Many of them have shaped the way the industry works, driving innovation forward in an ever-changing industry. The inventor of the first radial saw probably never would have guessed that people would be working with lithium-ion, battery-powered impact drills with built-in flashlights at one point in time.

The industry has come far and there are still more companies hitting the market today. For consumers, this is great news. The more competition that exists out there, the more affordable products become and the higher quality companies strive to stay ahead of the game.

Knowing which of these brands suits your needs best is a matter of doing your research. When it comes to power tools, there is no one-sits-fits-all power tool brand. Each of these brands has specialties that are well worth looking into. What matters is finding the best brand that can suit the majority of your needs all while staying within your budget and quality expectations.