Milwaukee vs. DeWalt: A Comparative Analysis of Power Tool Giants

When choosing between Milwaukee and DeWalt, there's no easy answer. These two tool giants each have their own unique features, so the decision of who to choose is based on your preferences and needs on the job site.

In this blog, we'll explore Milwaukee and DeWalt's background, manufacturing methods, core values, popular products, and more. Both brands showcase innovative technology and heavy-duty tools that have been perfected over the years, with continued improvement for the future.

Understanding the pros and cons of each brand is important for any tradesman looking to make an informed decision. There will always be advantages and disadvantages to consider with Milwaukee and DeWalt. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of this comparison.

To fully appreciate the improvements Milwaukee and DeWalt have made, it’s important to dive into their history. Knowing the journey to their success helps professionals understand the force behind their innovations and that the values they represent are deeply rooted in where they began and how they’ve evolved over time.

Milwaukee and DeWalt both began their tool-making journeys in 1924. Now, in 2024, they’re both marking a noteworthy milestone—their 100th anniversary. This shared legacy and rivalry proves their dedication and commitment to providing high-quality, durable tool solutions for professionals in trades everywhere.

Taken from the words of Milwaukee Tool’s Group President Steve Richman, “Every company says it has the best people in the world, but when you look at our story over the last decade, the proof of that is glaringly apparent. Our constant has been, and will always be, the passion, determination, and all-out obsession of our employees.”

Milwaukee has a passion for placing its employees and customers above all else. With one motto of theirs being “One team, one focus - the user.” They make it a point to immerse themselves in the real world by partnering with everyday users to understand the complications and frustrations of an ever-evolving work environment. This partnership allows them to create solutions that improve job site safety and productivity.

In 2005, Techtronic Industries Co. (TTi), a 1985 company out of Hong Kong, decided to merge Milwaukee into them as a subsidiary company. After this happened, Milwaukee decided to revamp itself again and return to its roots to better focus on solving problems for those in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) trades.

Over the years, Milwaukee has achieved significant milestones. They developed and invented lithium-ion technology for power tools. They also pushed for improvements in Hand Tools (with a select range made in the USA) and introduced the industry's widest selection of high-output lighting.

Their ONE-KEY system also shook up the digital jobsite world by boosting company and user productivity by granting the ability to track inventory and customize compatible work equipment.

As a tool Manufacturer, Milwaukee is dedicated to improving safety and productivity on the jobsite. They have achieved this by creating the M12 cordless system and the M18 and M18 FUEL systems. By elevating breakthrough advancements in motors, lithium-ion batteries, and electronics, Milwaukee strives to supply professionals with the best alternative methods in the future through what they call “disruptive innovation.”

Interested in where Milwaukee tools are made? Check out our blog here. 

Though DeWalt wasn’t officially founded until 1924, Raymond DeWalt’s foundation of tools and new inventions began sooner. His love of the trades began in 1910 at his father's wagon workshop, and the rest is history.

The company's growth expanded rapidly especially during wartime, so much so that Raymond began teaching younger generations in the 1940’s at Mechanicsburg High School for their vocational industrial arts program.

Like Milwaukee, DeWalt became a subsidiary of an American company formed in 1910, Black & Decker. This merging helped them grow with the professionals they serve by providing successful launches of portable electric and cordless tools in the 1990’s.

With over 1000 products in the DeWalt arsenal, they charged through the early 2000s with improvements on vibration through their SHOCKS—Active Vibration Control, 12V Max system tools, Flexvolt (the first battery in the world to change its voltage depending on the tool used), and the Made in the USA initiative.

DeWalt’s future continues to advance with new tools like the PowerStack and expansions of the Xtreme series. They’re also following along with Milwaukee in creating sustainable, environmentally friendly equipment to help reduce carbon emissions on job sites.

In summary, while both companies have a global manufacturing footprint, Milwaukee Tool and DeWalt continue to invest in US operations, contributing to job creation and innovation in the American tool industry.

As frontrunners in the tool industry, Milwaukee and Dewalt provide innovative technological solutions for professionals. Both brands have similar tool connecting technology with separate features and qualities.

Milwaukee’s ONE-KEY initiative offers Bluetooth-enabled tags to place on tools and Asset Tags for scanning into the system for seamless tool management to connect the jobsite to the back office. DeWalt, on the other hand, offers Tool Connect technology. This technology integrates Tool Connect Chips to connect non-Bluetooth-enabled tools to the system and offers Tool Tags for effortless tool tracking.

Both brands improve tool management with features like real-time tracking and remote monitoring, giving professionals more control over their work site and equipment. 

By digitalizing tool management, Milwaukee has also increased safety on the jobsite. They eliminate the headache associated with keeping manual track of tools and equipment, minimizing human error while also reducing the risk of loss or theft. Plus, the platform requires no advanced learning, operating on a user-friendly interface to ensure you have tools ready for any job when needed.

For example, Milwaukee ONE-KEY Bluetooth Tracking Tags' compact design allows it to be attached to any tool or equipment, from ladders to compact drills. Location updates are provided through the ONE-KEY app whenever the tag comes within 300ft of the device with the app downloaded.

Plus, don’t be worried if you can’t find the tool but are close. The tags have built-in speakers, and you can hear them if you’re within 50 feet. Don’t spend valuable time searching high and low for tools any more than you need to.

Milwaukee’s Asset ID Tags are another easy inventory management tool. These stickers are made with scratch and fade-resistant materials designed to withstand rugged jobsite conditions regardless of where your tool will be. No drilling or gluing is required for this one. Just stick it onto the tool and boost your inventory with ONE-KEY.

By leveraging the power of technology, Milwaukee continues to lead the charge in innovation, providing professionals with the tools they need to succeed in today's fast-paced world. Access all of your warranties, manuals, and data anywhere you go.

Want to learn more about Milwaukee ONE-KEY Technology? Check out our blog here.

If you're looking for a wide range of tools with varying power and size options, Milwaukee's M12 and M18 systems provide you with a wide range. On the other hand, if you prioritize compactness and maneuverability for tight spaces, DeWalt's Atomic series might be the way to go. Ultimately, it boils down to your specific needs and preferences on the job site.

Milwaukee Tool offers a dependable warranty program. With a solid 5-year warranty on most cordless power tools, a 3-year warranty on most cordless outdoor power equipment, and a limited lifetime warranty on hand tools and RedStick levels, Milwaukee stands by its quality craftsmanship. No registration hassle is needed—but it is recommended because if you don’t have your receipt, Milwaukee will go based on the manufacturer date. Battery warranties range from one to three years, depending on the pack.

Purchasing from authorized distributors automatically activates your warranty, and Milwaukee's nationwide service centers ensure quick resolutions for any issues. Overall, it’s best to check what kind of warranty comes with the tool when buying it to make sure it’s what you need.

For a full list of warranties and more information, check Milwaukee’s website here. 

DeWalt also has some solid warranties on their tools. Most of their cordless power tools come with a 3-year limited warranty, plus a 1-year free service contract and a 90-day money-back guarantee. Mechanics Tools come with a full lifetime warranty, and hand tools have a limited lifetime warranty against defects even without the receipt. For select pneumatic tools, there's a 7-year warranty, a 1-year service agreement, and a 3-day money-back guarantee.

DeWalt's other limited warranties have different criteria. For heavy-duty industrial tools like compressors that state their warranty, you're looking at a one-year warranty from the date of purchase or delivery, whichever comes later. They'll handle repairs free of charge for any defects resulting from faulty materials or workmanship. Just keep in mind that this warranty only applies if you purchased the product directly from DeWalt or one of their authorized sellers.

For a full list of DeWalt warranties and for more information, check DeWalt’s warranty page here. 

By upgrading to energy-efficient LED lighting and high-efficiency HVAC equipment, they reduce their energy consumption but they also create a better work environment for their employees. In the future, Milwaukee Tool strives to source renewable energy and reduce packaging to keep up their commitment to sustainability. Milwaukee Tool isn't just changing the game in the trade industry; they're leading the charge for a greener, more sustainable future—one power tool at a time.

Like Milwaukee, DeWalt offers a range of features and qualities to reduce maintenance on power tools while also minimizing the environmental impact. Moving away from gas-powered tools seems to be a common denominator among Milwaukee and DeWalt, as they both transitioned a majority of their tools to brushless motors that deliver up to 57% more runtime than brushed motors.

Continuing their strides in creating a more sustainable environment, DeWalt’s Perform & Protect line prioritizes worker safety but contains dust better, minimizes vibration, and offers more control. Their outdoor equipment has also improved through battery power, meaning lawn maintenance professionals no longer have to withstand harmful gas fumes.

DeWalt is also an active participant in battery recycling programs and specifically offers professional product recycling policies. Through these programs, DeWalt ensures correct disposal while improving its impact on the environment. DeWalt’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond product design, aiming to protect workers and the environment for a greener, safer future.

The choice between Milwaukee and DeWalt ultimately rests on trade professionals' preferences, values as tradesmen, and the warranties and products available. Milwaukee, with its deep-rooted dedication to user-focused solutions and disruptive innovation, and DeWalt, with its legacy of craftsmanship, both brands feature innovative technologies and a century-long commitment to quality.