It’s no secret that Milwaukee makes some of the best cordless power tools used by professionals everywhere, but that doesn’t mean they’re always the right choice. Milwaukee tools are often quite expensive, and with several other brands readily available, you have a lot of options. Here are three reasons Milwaukee might not be right for you, along with what to buy instead.
Low usage scenarios
Look elsewhere for single-project tools or infrequent use
Milwaukee makes a lot of tools you’ll absolutely love, from everyday drills to automotive tools to niche items that could save you hours of work. There’s a reason they’re one of the most popular brands on the planet.
However, if you only need a power tool for a single project, a singular repair, or for something that you won’t do often, like once a year, a budget-friendly brand like Ryobi or Harbor Freight may be a better route.
Premium fancy tools from Milwaukee are designed for daily, heavy-duty use, often for professionals. And while you’ll enjoy almost anything you buy from Team Red, cheaper tools can just as easily get the job done without spending an arm and a leg.
For example, Ryobi makes many tools you can’t get from Milwaukee, and if you need a drill or impact driver around the house to hang a new TV or put together some furniture, Ryobi and Harbor Freight’s Hercules brand are solid, more economical choices.
Beginners or for a small DIY job
If you’re a beginner, you probably don’t need that specialty tool
One of Milwaukee’s strong suits is its constant release of powerful new specialty tools for automotive mechanics, electricians, and other trade professionals. And while that’s great, those premium tools increase the average price point of everything else, making the brand a bit more expensive than Ryobi, HART, or others, depending on the tool type.
If you’re a beginner or working on some of your first DIY projects, you probably don’t need fancy or highly specialized tools. Some of those require additional skill, precision, or expensive battery packs and accessories.
If Ryobi is so “bad,” why do so many DIYers keep buying them?
Ryobi makes some pretty great tools, and they’re affordable.
In most cases, beginners will be just as successful with budget power tools, especially if those are for jobs that you won’t do very often. If you’re hanging a few pictures or shelves around the house, or even remodeling a room as a nursery, you can find adequate tools for a fraction of the price.
Makita, Hercules, or even Bauer at Harbor Freight all make solid options that are often cheaper than a Milwaukee equivalent. For example, Milwaukee’s older M18 Oscillating Multitool is around $200, and newer FUEL Brushless versions can go over $250. It’s an exceptional tool for cutting, grinding, sanding, or scraping while remodeling or working on other projects. But you can get a similar tool from Bauer as a beginner or for a one-off project for under $50.
The “buy one, cry once” rule doesn’t always apply
Cheaper doesn’t have to mean worse
A common phrase you’ll hear in the tool world is “buy once, cry once.” And while that’s certainly true to a degree, and once you buy a tool and battery, you’ll want to stick to that ecosystem where one battery powers hundreds of tools, it doesn’t mean you have to go big.
In many instances, a cheaper tool will work just as well as more expensive models, not to mention be as durable. For example, Ryobi is owned and made by the same company as Milwaukee, called TTI, yet its tools are usually more affordable. If you’re not working hard on the job daily, Ryobi is more than enough for almost everyone. There’s a reason you’ll see those yellow tools everywhere inside Home Depot.
Many affordable brands still offer decent performance, and for simple tools (like a drill, driver, or even a hammer drill), the lower-cost version can last for many years. Hercules at Harbor Freight has some fantastic impact wrenches, hammer drills, and angled cordless ratchets, perfect for most jobs, all at a wallet-friendly price.
And if you still want Milwaukee, consider its compact and slightly more affordable M12 line.
Ballin’ on a budget
Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly times or professions where you’ll want to buy the biggest, strongest, or best. But for many casual users, DIYers, and homeowners, other options are still very capable.
We only highlighted a few of the many budget-friendly tools you can find at your neighborhood Harbor Freight or Home Depot, and those are just the tip of the iceberg. That same logic applies to outdoor equipment like this $45 Hercules 20V leaf blower, hand tools, and more.
In closing, everything detailed above is highly regarded with thousands of glowing reviews, positive comments on Reddit, and more. Better yet, most power tools from the competition come with a similar 3 or 5-year warranty.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
