Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita are some of the top power tool brands in the industry. Producing hundreds of different power tools, these companies may seem like they have a lot in common. Deciphering between these brands may seem overwhelming. We have searched several sources to bring you some of the major differences between these three major brands.
While DeWalt and Milwaukee are American brands, Makita originated in Japan in 1915. Milwaukee was founded in 1924, a year after the Dewalt company, both in America. The radial arm saw was the first product of the DeWalt company, while Milwaukee and Makita both started as tool repair companies. We will discuss other differences as follows:
- Company origins
- Product characteristics
- Battery
- Warranty
Differentiating between Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Makita products is only one of many questions that you will likely have. You may wonder what product is better or has the longest lifespan. You may wonder what product has the most torque or where different products are made. We will answer all of these questions and discuss other closely related topics—keep reading!
Company origins
All of these companies originated in different places and started out as something other than power tool companies. They also currently operate and get parts from different parts of the globe.
Read on to find out more about the early days and other interesting facts about these businesses.
DeWalt
Raymond DeWalt founded the DeWalt woodworking machinery company in Leola, Pennsylvania in 1923. It was bought by the American Machine & Foundry Co before being sold to Black & Decker.
Although assembly occurs in the USA, DeWalt has been using parts manufactured in other countries, such as The Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, China, Mexico, Italy, and Brazil, since 2013.
Makita
Makita was founded in 1915 in Anjo, Japan as a power tool repair company. In 1969 the company unveiled the first rechargeable hand drill to the world.
The Makita company then began producing other power tools. It has since become a huge player in the production of gardening equipment and construction tools.
Milwaukee
The Milwaukee company also began as a tool repair company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1923. The first tool produced was an electric hand drill designed for car engineers at Ford Motor Company.
Many other power tools were produced by the Milwaukee company, some of which were used to build World War II military planes. The Sawzall reciprocating saw revolutionized the company name in 1951.
Product comparison - hammer drill
Because all of these companies specialize in the manufacturing of similar products, a head-to-head comparison of a specific product can be helpful.
In the following section, we will discuss the hammer drill made by each of the three companies. A hammer drill specializes in drilling into hard surfaces and is one of the more popular products.
DeWalt
The hammer drill produced by DeWalt boasts a higher amount of torque than the Makita hammer drill and has a third speed. Thus, the DeWalt hammer drill outperforms the similar Makita product.
While DeWalt products are designed for easy transport in a contractor's bag from one site to another, they are bulky and heavier than Makita or Milwaukee products.
Click here to find this DeWalt hammer drill on Amazon.
Makita
Although the Makita hammer drill's performance is comparable to the DeWalt product, tasks can take longer. The lower amount of torque of the Makita hammer drill can also put a strain on the battery.
The Makita hammer drill is lighter than the DeWalt hammer drill due to some nylon bearings taking the place of metal parts. Some experts in the field dislike the replacement of metal bearings with nylon.
Click here to find this Makita hammer drill on Amazon.
Milwaukee
The Milwaukee hammer drill makes the work of heavy-duty drilling seem easy. Its lightweight design and high-quality performance make the Milwaukee product a top choice for some experts in the field.
Milwaukee products have been described as long lasting with a robust performance while still being easy to transport from one job to another.
Click here to find this Milwaukee hammer drill on Amazon.
Battery
The function of these types of power tools is largely dependent on the battery. In order to operate effectively and efficiently, battery operation, battery life, and battery charger are all important.
We will discuss the batteries included in the combo kit of each of these power tool brands.
DeWalt
2 20-volt batteries and a charger are included in the DeWalt combo kit. Batteries are compatible with many 20-volt products across its cordless platform.
These batteries can take some time to charge and may not last as long as other competing batteries. Although they can take a while to charge, these batteries pack quite the punch.
Click here to find this DeWalt combo kit on Amazon.
Makita
The Makita combo kit includes 2 18-volt batteries and a charger. Heavy-duty jobs can wear down the battery power faster in the Makita product.
Even though the battery will wear down with jobs faster, Makita's batteries are better than the DeWalt batteries. They last longer and charge faster.
Click here to find this Makita combo kit on Amazon.
Milwaukee
The 6-piece Milwaukee combo kit includes 2 18-volt batteries and one charger. Many experts in the field identify Milwaukee batteries as the best batteries out there.
They charge completely in under an hour and last for an entire workday with normal use. These batteries can also be expected to last for years.
Click here to find this Milwaukee combo kit on Amazon.
Warranty
A warranty can be helpful when something goes wrong with one of your power tools. Warranties differ from one product to another, both in benefits and also in the length of the warranty.
Some warranties require you to register your product or maintain proof of purchase. We will discuss the warranty of all 3 of these companies.
DeWalt
DeWalt products typically come with a 3-year limited warranty covering craftsmanship or material defects. A one-year free service contract is also included with your DeWalt purchase.
During this period, DeWalt promises to replace parts with any damage caused by everyday use. Returns are also hassle free, and full refunds are offered within a 90-day period.
Makita
Any Makita pneumatic nailer, lithium-ion tool, battery, or battery charger comes with a 3-year limited warranty. The company offers a one-year limited warranty on some of its other general line of products.
There is also an extended warranty that can be offered. Be sure to check your product for its specific warranty, as they can differ depending on the product.
Milwaukee
A limited lifetime warranty comes with Milwaukee products without the need to register your purchase. The company does recommend keeping your purchase receipt for proof of warranty status.
Keep in mind that this warranty only protects against craftsmanship or material defects. Repair is free of charge when under warranty, and Milwaukee promises the repair will occur within 7-10 business days.
Which impact is better, DeWalt or Milwaukee?
Experts in the field have crowned the Milwaukee impact driver as the winner in DeWalt versus Milwaukee. The power, speed, and torque of the Milwaukee impact driver place it on top.
Milwaukee also takes the top slot for impact wrenches versus DeWalt. Milwaukee also offers some great options in compact models of impact drivers.
What brand of power tools last the longest?
The Makita brand of power tools is known for their durability and longevity. This brand comes highly recommended for its versatility and quality in the construction and power tool business.
The quality construction of these tools ensures that they will be worth the money paid for them, which can be significantly higher than Milwaukee or DeWalt.
Which 3/8 cordless impact has the most torque?
Milwaukee comes in as the winner for most torque when compared to DeWalt and Makita. With 250 lbs of torque, it beats out DeWalt's 150 lbs of torque and Makita's 155 lbs.
Although the Milwaukee impact beats both DeWalt and Makita, the Ingersoll Rand IQV20 3/8 Cordless Impact Wrench advertises 550 lbs of torque, beating all of the rest of the competition.
Is Milwaukee Made in the USA?
The Milwaukee company has a proud Made in the USA manufacturing history. Development and research are even done mainly out of its Wisconsin offices.
Although many Milwaukee manufacturing plants are located in the United States, Milwaukee is an international company with many international manufacturing locations.
