Our Guide to the 9 Top Power Tool Brands

In this article, we will be looking at nine of the top power tool brands in more detail. But, these brands are not ranked because some may have better power tools in a single niche over another.

If you’re in the market for new power tools, it’s tempting to choose a single brand and stick with it. This will prevent a number of issues, including different fittings, a mix of batteries, and other hassles that can occur when you’re mixing and matching tools.

There is no one brand that has the best tools, but you can find excellent and good power tools with every brand on our list. Before you commit to a final purchase, do plenty of research to ensure that you’re getting the right tool for the job.

The Top Power Tool Brands

	Manufacture Origin	Best Features	Who’s this brand best for?	Best known for	Warranty
Makita	Georgia, US	Streamlined cordless platform	Pros	High-quality tools	Three years
Bosch	Mexico	Battery Tech	Pros	Durability & reliability	Three years
DeWalt	U.S.A	Flexvolt batteries	All users	Extensive product line	Seven years
Ryobi	Indiana, U.S	Drills and circular saws	Amateurs and semi-pros	Brushless tools	Three years
Milwaukee	Wisconsin, U.S	One key platform	Semi-pros and amateurs	Innovative tools	Five years
Ridgid	Ohio, U.S	Excellent warranty	Pro plumbers	Plumbing tools	Full lifetime
Craftsman	South Carolina, U.S	Versa system	DIY hobbyists	Innovative tools	Seven years
Festool	Europe	Dust collection system	Carpenters & contractors	Excellent service plan	Three years
Black & Decker	Baltimore, U.S	Popular tool line	Hobbyists	Affordability	Two years

How Did We Choose the Top Power Tool Brands

Before we begin, it’s important to explain the criteria that we used to create this list of top power tool brands. This is a huge and complex industry, one brand may make an amazing cordless drill, and another may make the best-value plunge router. So, to narrow the choices, we used five criteria:

1.    User Ratings

We visited Amazon, Home Depot, and Trustpilot ratings for the user ratings for every major brand’s cordless drill because that is the best-selling product.

2.    Blogs, Forums, and Websites

There are many blogs, forums, and websites dedicated to power tool discussions and user reviews. We checked out some of the latest topics to find out what users like and which brands they prefer.

A full list of the source material is beyond the scope of this article, but one of the best power tool research sources is the Life story Research website.

3.    Speaking to Contractors

We obviously didn’t speak to every contractor, but we asked around our friends and family to find out what carpenters, builders, and others are using. You can do this yourself, and you will learn that people are eager to tell you about their favorite power tool brands.

4.    Warranty Length

The quality and length of a power tool warranty will vary a great deal depending on the manufacturer. A warranty will demonstrate the confidence that a manufacturer has in their products.

In most cases, a longer warranty indicates that the power tool is a higher quality tool, and every tool will have a warranty policy. Every brand on our list offers a minimum of 2 years of wear and tear coverage on their power tools.

5.    Search Trends

We looked at search trends and search volume with Google Trends to find the number of monthly searches for each brand to compile our list.

When we gathered our data, we had all the information we needed to gauge the popularity of power tool brands.

The Top 9 Power Tool Brands 

In no particular order, here are the top nine power tool brands:

1.    Makita

Makita was founded in Japan in 1915, but it didn’t become the power-tool maker powerhouse that we know until it released a planer, drills, and other tools in 1958. If you look carefully, you will see Makita tools in workshops and on construction sites all over the world.

Makita has a reputation for dependable and durable power tools, but they also make pneumatic tools, yard equipment, and even a cordless coffee maker! Makita power tools are now made all around the world, and yet the quality has remained consistent. One of the best Makita features is their streamlined cordless platform which uses a single voltage to simplify power and battery choices.

2.    Bosch Tools

Robert Bosch founded his company in 1886 in Stuttgart, Germany, and Bosch Tools is a household name. The company has a reputation for high-quality tools, but what many people don’t know is that the company is 90% owned by the Robert Bosch Stiftung charity. Bosch Tools are well regarded for their performance, flexibility, reliability, quality, and durability.

But, the company is also a battery technology pioneer, and some people believe that their batteries are superior to other manufacturers. However, this superb quality does come at a premium price which can deter new woodworkers. That said, these power tools are well worth the investment, and they are a popular choice among amateurs and professionals.

3.    DeWalt

The radial arm saw was invented by Raymond E. DeWalt in 1923, which made this company one of the first power tool manufacturers. The initial success eventually led to the Black & Decker acquisition in 1960, and the brand lapsed into obscurity.

This changed in the 1990s when the parent company rebranded DeWalt to make a new range of corded and cordless power tools.

These tools became a popular choice for contractors, and their reputation has only improved in the intervening years.

DeWalt makes standard 12v and 18v batteries for their compact tools and 20v and 40v batteries for their larger outdoor equipment. The standout DeWalt feature is FLEXVOLT batteries that can switch from 20v up to 60v to supply all the power you need!

4.    Ryobi

This company is owned by Techtronic Industries (TTi) like another brand on this list, Milwaukee (covered below). These two manufacturers are part of the same company with Ryobi focusing on the DIY and semi-professional market and Milwaukee catering to contractors.

So, Ryobi power tools lack some of the durability of their sister companies’ tools, but they are a great option for amateurs and semi-professionals.

Ryobi tools are dependable, they get the jobs done, but they cannot withstand heavy use on a worksite. There are corded and cordless options with a focus on drills, circular saws, and impact drivers for quick fixes and home renovation projects.

5.    Milwaukee

Milwaukee was established in Wisconsin in 1924, and this manufacturer has been owned by numerous partner companies over the years. But, throughout these transition periods, the high quality of these tools remained consistent, and the brand is popular with professional contractors.

Back in 2005, the company was acquired by TTi, which owns a number of well-known brands, such as Ryobi, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and more. The first new product was the Hole Shooter, which is a light one-handed drill. Over the intervening years, Milwaukee has developed an impressive range of corded, cordless, and gas-powered tools.

The standout feature is probably the One-Key platform which maintains compatibility and maintenance across all the battery-powered tools. Milwaukee is a solid choice for auto workers, HVAC technicians, electricians, and other contractors.

6.    Ridgid

Ridgid was formed in Ohio in 1923, the company made wrenches, and they are regarded as the best plumbing tool maker in the world. As you might imagine, this makes Ridgid a popular brand for professional plumbers and HVAC contractors.

The company has developed a limited range of high-quality power tools, including impact drivers, drills, and certain saw models. The company doesn’t have the best batteries, but they do offer the best warranties as a guarantee of quality.

7.    Craftsman

This company was established in 1927 by Sears Holdings, and it was acquired by Black & Decker in 2017 with a license to make Craftsman products.  Craftsman offers a variety of tools, and their yard tools, such as the “Weed Whacker” are household names.

The standout feature is the Versa System which is designed to improve the organization of tools, equipment, and accessories in the workshop. Craftsman has marketed its products to homeowners and DIY hobbyists.

8.    Festool

Festool is a German company that focuses on quality which makes their products more expensive than their competitors. Their tools are engineered to exact standards with a focus on ease of use, portability, and outstanding customer service.

The brand is popular with carpenters and contractors because of its dust collection system. This is integrated into dust-producing tools, such as routers and sanders. This ensures that a contractor can work remotely without creating large volumes of dust and sawdust.

Another popular tool is the Festool track saw, which makes accurate straight cuts. If you’re ready to invest in professional-grade tools, take a look at the Festool range.

9.    Black & Decker

Black & Decker was founded in 1910, the company invented the portable electric drill in 1917, and it’s one of the best-known tool manufacturers in the world today. Black & Decker acquired DeWalt in 1960 and directed that brand to the professional market. In contrast, Black & Decker marketed its products to homeowners and hobbyists.

The most popular Black & Decker tools are screwdrivers, drills, and sanders. The company does make select specialized tools, but the focus is on the popular tools that most people need.

The Advantages of Buying The Same Brand Of Power Tools

Choosing the same power tool brands will be cheaper in the medium to long term. There will be combo deals with discounted battery packs, and most brands make a single battery that can power multiple tools. This is helpful if you get a tool that you can power with a battery that you already have. You may only need a single charger which can save you money and hassle over time.

Disadvantages Of Buying the Same Brand Of Power Tools

The main disadvantage is that if you want to switch to another power tool brand, you will need to rebuild your charger, battery pack, and accessory collection again.

Conclusion– Power Tool Brands 

There are many power tool brands that cater to homeowners, DIY hobbyists, and professionals. Many of the brand names on our list are immediately recognizable, and some may be new to you. But, they have all been around for a long time because they make good tools, and they have decades of feedback and experience to innovate and improve.

There are newer companies entering the marketplace. They may offer the quality and affordability that you’re looking for in your power tools. When you’re starting out, think about your tools as an investment and consider the benefits of brand loyalty. There may be no one-size-fits-all solution, but you may be able to choose the top power tool brands that share a platform to meet most of your needs.