Makita vs. Milwaukee Tools For Woodworking (Features Compared)
Milwaukee and Makita are both excellent power tools, and both come with a wide range of sub products with superior quality.
The Milwaukee power tools win hands down in terms of overall features for use in heavy duty projects as well as for professional users.
Both these brands have various combination kits available in the market that can also impress you.
It all depends on your unique preferences and needs regarding power tools to make your final choice. Let’s see Makita vs. Milwaukee , Who’s better?
Table of Contents
About Milwaukee
Milwaukee began its brand journey in 1918 at the end of World War II. Ford was in its expansion phase during that time, and Henry Ford developed the very first power tool of Milwaukee.
Ford approached a manufacturer in Wisconsin, to create a lightweight and compact version of the quarter inch power drill. The manufacturer created a Hole-Shooter, which weighed only 5 pounds. This manufacturing unit was later called Makita Electrical Tool Corporation.
The initial aim was to improve the design of the Hole-Shooter. However, during the early 1930’s, the company developed various tools such as the three-quarter hammer drill, which was a huge success, as well as the grinder/sander with single-horsepower.
Then in 1949, the company created their first right angle drill which was just half an inch. They also advanced their grinder/sander to include a spring clutch for smoother running.
About Makita
Makita is one of the very popular power tool brand names, which did not begin its journey in the US. The company began in Japan by Masaburo Makita. It started as a store to repair and sell lighting equipment, electric motors, and transformers.
In the initial days, the company focused on repairs. Based on this, later they got into manufacturing as the business grew. In 1935, Makita opened their first electric generators and motors in the Soviet Union. In 1938, they formed Makita Electric Works Inc.
In 1958, they began to market their 1000 model electric hand planer, which was the very first to be manufactured in Japan. During the 1990s, Makita expanded to several other countries, such as Mexico, China, Poland, and New Zealand. In 1997, they showcased their first rechargeable driver-drill in Chicago.
Milwaukee Features
Just as is the case with other brands, certain features define the Milwaukee brand. These include:
- Motor that is powerstate and brushless: This is a very efficient motor that is specially designed for supporting continuous power into the tool, to ensure consistent and high performance while minimizing heating for extended life.
- Redlithium technology for battery: These batteries offer a longer running time with every charge. It also ensures longer battery life, thereby reducing the need for frequent battery replacements.
- Redlink Plus Intelligence: This system offers complete system communication across battery, tool, and charger to ensure optimized performance as well as overload protection.
- 4 mode type drive control: This is a predominant feature of the recent Milwaukee tools. It offers greater control on output speed and tool power.
- Professional level grade construction: This includes heavy duty tools for professional usage, with high quality to handle all challenges of professional jobs.
Makita Features
Makita has several features such as outlined below:
- Star protection technology: This is an advanced type of communication system, which prevents overheating, overloading, as well as over discharging through allowing battery and tool to share data in real time to ensure easy monitoring.
- Brushless motor LXT: Makita develops their tools using the brushless motor technology, which comes in different sizes, ranging from 38 mm on drills to 52 mm on saws.
- Lithium Ion LXT battery: Lithium ion type of batteries offer 50% more runtime and can be switched across tools as well.
- Pricing is affordable: Despite high quality as well as features, Makita tools have an affordable price quotient. They do cost less compared to similar power tools from other brands.
Hammer Drills
The Milwaukee hammer drill of model 2704-20 is one of the most powerful in this category. Its torque of 1,200 lbs is double compared to the Makita XPH10z.
The brushless type of motor provides variable speeds, ranging from 0-550 as well as 0-2,000.
The durable construction and heavy duty design is typical of the Milwaukee brand and can handle robust challenges.
The hammer drill lends a compact design and provides excellent grip with durability.
The pros are that it is comfortable, durable, and heavy duty, while providing a removable handle on the side, with a ratcheting chuck that is completely metal. The cons are that the balance is not the most optimal.
The Makita hammer drill has lithium ion batteries that are 18V and fast to charge. This reduces charging time and makes it more efficient.
The drill is designed ergonomically and is compact with a rubber handle. This reduces fatigue especially during usage for long periods.
The torque is just 480 in.lbs and not as much as the Milwaukee hammer drill. The speeds are from 0-600, and 0-1,900 rpm.
The technology used is called star protection, and ensures resistance to water as well as dust, ensuring long shelf life.
The afterglow and dual LED lighting keeps the work site properly illuminated. The main con here is its significantly less power.
Impact drivers
The Milwaukee 2753-20 impact driver has a torque of 1,800 lbs and offers greater driving force compared to the Makita XDT11Z.
It offers quicker driving and higher control over speed and output.
This is due to the four mode type of drive control, which delivers modes in three different speeds such as 0-2, 100, -850, and the 0-3,000 rpm.
The impact driver from Milwaukee is more compact and lightweight as it has a weight of only 2.1 pounds. This produces less fatigue on the hands, especially when using over longer periods.
The self tapping screw mode is another highlight, which reduces issues such as stripping, breaking, as well as overdriving. The main con is that there can be wobbliness associated with the chuck.
The Makita impact driver of model XDT11Z has a torque of 1,460 lbs, which is lesser compared to the Milwaukee one.
The speeds offered are variable such as 0-2,900 rpm as well as 0-3,500 rpm, which help it to be used across many applications.
With a length of just 5 and three-eighth inches, the impact driver is very compact.
There is also a hex chuck of quarter inches, which ensures that you can change bits easily. The main con here is the low torque output.
Reciprocating Saws
The reciprocating saw of model 2720-20 from Milwaukee delivers higher cutting speeds compared to several other corded types of reciprocating saws.
It has 3,000 strokes each minute. The brushless motor is very efficient and offers similar cutting power compared to corded saws. The Redlithium battery also offers longer runtimes.
The weight is just 7.4 pounds, which makes it lighter compared to the Makita XRJ04Z, and it is also very compact making it very comfortable to use.
The stroke length of one and one-eighth tends to be shorter compared to the saw from Makita.
However, it is still sufficient and also has an adjustable shoe, a hook and LED light integrated. The main con here is the short stroke length.
The Makita XRJ04Z is much heavier and larger compared to the Milwaukee variant.
The stroke length is at one and a quarter, which ensures more efficient and faster cutting.
It also incorporates a blade change mechanism that is toolless. This ensures quicker blade installation as well as removal, to ensure faster productivity.
It has a bigger two-finger grip for greater operator convenience.
The main con here is that it is heavier and larger in size.
Circular saws
The circular saw from Milwaukee of model 2730-20 comes with a circular saw that is 6.5 inches.
It’s among the fastest and its brushless motor delivers as much as 5,000 rpm ensuring quick cutting. The speed is 1,300 rpm greater than what is possible with the Makita XSS02Z.
The heavy duty design and rugged features offer longer runtimes compared to other saws from similar brands.
The weight is just 6.8 pounds, which makes it much lighter compared to the Makita one.
The main con here is the room for improvement when it comes to the holder for the hex wrench.
The Makita circular saw of model XSS02Z provides as much as 3,700 rpm, which is certainly lower than what is available with the Milwaukee one.
With that said, this circular saw offers quick cutting.
The maximum capacity for the bevel is 50 degrees and has been designed to cut 2x the material even at 45 degrees.
The weight of the circular saw is 7.3 pounds, which is slightly heavier when compared to the Milwaukee one.
The star protection controls prevent overloading, overheating, as well as over-discharging.
The precision machine base offers accurate and smooth cutting.
The main con here is that the blade included tends to get dull very fast.
Angle grinders
The angle grinders from Milwaukee of model 2780-20 employ a majority of the features from their power tools.
They also include the brushless motor to deliver consistent power and higher motor shelf life.
The angle grinder of 4.5 inches employs usage of Redlink Plus Intelligence, which prevents overheating and delivers optimized performance.
The speeds are up to 8,500 rpm, which is similar to the Makita one that ensures efficient and fast grinding.
The side handle is anti-vibrational in nature, which makes it easier to use.
The angle grinder offers easy guard adjustment as well as accessory changes.
The main con here is that the brake often makes a strange noise.
The Makita angle grinder of model XAG03Z provides more efficiency, and delivers an optimal 8,500 rpm, which makes for quicker grinding.
The soft start unique feature provides longer life for the gear and ensures smoother starting.
The speed change on this grinder is automatic and operates even under heavy loads.
The technology called star protection prevents overloading, overheating and offers enhanced water and dust resistance.
The slide switch along with lock-on as well as rubber soft grip provides convenience for the operator.
The LED gauge has 3 stages, which shows the level of battery charge.
The main con here is that this angle grinder can be a bit heavy.
The Verdict : Makita vs. Milwaukee
The Makita power tools are ideally suited for DIYers and homeowners.
Moreover, if you are planning to build a house, or intend to perform a complete rebuild, demo, or an add-on, or if you are a professional, then Milwaukee is certainly worth the investment.
You can select between the two based on all the features and respective tools discussed in this guide and make an informed choice.
Hi, I’m Barry. I’ve loved woodworking and bringing things back to life for more years than I care to remember. I hope my passion for tools comes across loud and clear in everything you read here on The Tool Square.
2 thoughts on “Makita vs. Milwaukee Tools For Woodworking (Features Compared)”
Michael Odum
Thanks for the fair comparison, for all the detail that for and unbiased reviews! Reply
Graham Goodenough
I have both Milwaukee and Makita power tools and all are fitted with brushless motors. Milwaukee has the edge in sheer power but not by much in real world usage. You mentioned that the Milwaukee circular saw has a 5000rpm rotation speed while the Makita has a rotation speed of 3700rpm. My Makita DHS 680 has a rotation speed of 5,000rpm and a automatic high torque power adjustment when it’s used on hardwood or wet lumber. I use my power tools every day for work in remodeling and find that the Makita tools are just as efficient for power and torque (I only use the high end Makita Brushless tools and all Milwaukee Fuel power tools) but I have found that Makita power tools are more ergonomic, have longer runtimes using the same 4 and 5 amp hour batteries and are a lot smoother in operation than the comparable Milwaukee tools. I also use the Milwaukee M12 Fuel platform for interior work and find that the Milwaukee M12 Fuel can’t be beaten by any other manufacturers. I have also found that the Makita warranty although shorter, Makita actually honors it’s warranty whereas Milwaukee very rarely acknowledges a warranty claim yet alone does anything to actually repair the issue. I have filled a warranty claim with Milwaukee and they just offered me a small discount to by a new tool. Milwaukee M18 Fuel gen 3 impact drivers have always had a bit retention issue where drill bits would fall out of the chuck when removing the spade bit from wood but instead of releasing an updated chuck for customers with this issue they brought out a gen 3a with dual ball bearings instead of the single ball bearing in the original gen 3. Makita has never had these issues and if there were any issues they repaired them right away (check out VCG reviews on YouTube). Anyway, that’s my opinion.
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Makita vs Milwaukee – Which Tool Brand is Better in 2023
People love their tool “colors”. We know it. Manufacturers know it. Consumers know it. So, what really matters when comparing tool companies? We think a lot matters—particularly how a company approaches the tool development and manufacturing process. When people asked us to write a Makita vs Milwaukee article, they were asking who makes the best tools. But they were also asking us to evaluate the merits of each company’s position in the market, how they make tools, and what they produce that differentiates them as a brand. Here’s our stab at comparing Makita vs Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. to see how the companies match up.
Full disclosure—we don’t expect to come away from this changing anyone’s mind. However, this article may expand what you know (or think you know) about these two giant power tool companies. As always, we have our work cut out for us!
Looking for some Makita vs Milwaukee Head-to-Head Action? Check out these videos!
- Hammer drill rough-in challenge
- Testing the fastest impact drivers
Company Histories of Milwaukee Electric Tool Co and Makita
Makita Company History
Over 100 years ago, Mosaburo Makita founded Makita Electric Works in 1915 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. The company began by selling and repairing lighting equipment, motors, and transformers. Today, as a global brand, Makita operates in nearly 50 countries with sales in over 170 countries. The company manufactures products at 10 plants operating in 8 countries, including Japan, China, Romania, the U.K., Brazil, Germany, the United States, and Thailand (its most recent plant in 2018). Currently, about 90% of Makita’s manufacturing work (in terms of production volume) is carried out overseas.
Makita produces tools across a wide range of industries. They have specific divisions to address construction and building, cleaning, and landscaping and gardening (OPE).
The industry saw the launch of the Makita XGT 40V Max tool platform in 2020. This allowed for both outdoor power equipment and heavier-duty tools that could benefit from higher-voltage battery packs. On October 30th, Makita Corporation also released a statement that it would cease production of gas engine products at the entire group level on March 31, 2022, stating:
…in response to the heightened awareness of global environmental issues and increasing needs for highly convenient, cordless products, Makita has recently been enhancing [the] development, production, and sales of cordless products that are environment-friendly and will gain popularity.
Munetoshi Goto, President, Representative Director
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation History
Milwaukee Tool (The Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation) started as an American power tool manufacturer prior to 1924 based out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company has a rich history of manufacturing power tools in America for the tradesman. Since 2005, it has operated as a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries (TTI), a Hong Kong company founded in 1985.
TTI brands include AEG, RIDGID (licensed), Ryobi (licensed), Hart Tools, Empire, Hoover, Dirt Devil, Oreck, and others. As you may imagine, Milwaukee Tool manufactures both corded and cordless power tools. They also make hand tools as well as accessories like saw blades and drill/driver bits.
As early as 1918, Milwaukee Tool introduced its relatively lightweight Hole-Shooter which was, according to the company, “the first lightweight portable, one-handed 1/4-inch capacity drill”. They further expanded in the 1930s and through World War II manufacturing tools to the U.S. Navy standard. Milwaukee Tool has always had a reputation for quality and this, presumably, had something to do with initiating and then solidifying that reputation.
1951 saw the introduction of the Sawzall reciprocating saw. As recent as 2005, the company kicked off a revolution of lithium-ion batteries—even holding several key patents in that arena. Following that, it did a lot to pioneer Bluetooth tool technology with Milwaukee ONE-KEY. The company has most recently moved into the realm of cordless power equipment with its Milwaukee MX FUEL line of battery-powered products.
Makita vs Milwaukee Main Locations
Makita Worldwide
The headquarters for Makita is located in Anjō, Japan. In 1958, they became the first company in Japan to manufacture and sell portable electric planers. By 1959 they had left the electric motor business and had transformed into a dedicated power tool manufacturer. Going beyond Japan, they established their first overseas subsidiary in the U.S. in 1970—a move that set off their global business.
In 2005, Makita brought to market the world’s first professional-use electric power tools using lithium-ion
batteries. Since then, they focused on the development, manufacture, and sale of cordless products.
As of April 2021, Makita operates 123 sales and service bases in Japan, augmented by overseas bases in nearly 50 countries, while selling products in some 170 countries around the world.
Approximately 90% of Makita tools and accessories are currently manufactured overseas. They currently have manufacturing facilities in China, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Brazil, Romania, and Thailand. Interestingly, this diversity of manufacturing facilities helps the company address currency, disaster, geopolitical, and other risks, while also quickly manufacturing and supplying products to meet the demands of every region.
Milwaukee Tool Manufacturing
It may come as no surprise that Milwaukee Tool has a rich history of Made in the USA manufacturing. The company conducts most of its research and development in its Brookfield, Wisconsin offices. Milwaukee Tool and its parent, TTI, manufactures both tools and accessories globally, however—primarily in Asia, Mexico, Europe, and the USA.
Many of its popular accessories, including reciprocating saw blades and hole saws, are made in Mississippi facilities located in Greenwood, Jackson, and Olive Branch. Milwaukee Tool also has three Wisconsin manufacturing facilities in Mukwonago, West Bend, and Sun Prairie. Together, these represent critical components of their global manufacturing footprint for their power tool, power tool accessory, and hand tool businesses.
In January 2020, Milwaukee Tool announced it was building a $26 million facility in West Bend, Wisconsin to manufacture hand tools for electricians and linemen. They also plan to expand with a location in Cookeville, Tennessee as well. Just in 2020 alone, the company planned to invest over $100 million and create 350 new jobs in the United States.
Products Milwaukee Tool Manufactures in the United States (abridged list):
- Step Bits
- MX FUEL Rocket Tower Light and MX FUEL Drain Machine
- Corded Sawzalls
- Large Drills
- Sawzall Blades
- Hole Saws
- Bandsaw Blades
- Oscillating Multitool Blades (Imperial)
- Empire I-Beam Levels; Torpedo Levels; and Rafter, Combination, and Framing Squares
- Empire Caution Tape
- Milwaukee Rafter Squares and Framing Squares
Internationally, Milwaukee Tool and its parent company TTI manufacture many of its cordless power tools and battery-powered products overseas in factories located in China, Vietnam, Mexico, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
Milwaukee vs Makita in Number of Employees
Makita Employees
Makita employs 20,233 people with 16,973 of them being “overseas” (outside of Japan). The company expects to continue actively hiring and training additional human resources while they expand sales channels in Japan and overseas. Makita also makes very dedicated efforts to respect human rights and ensure good business ethics. It’s a big part of their annual report.
All employees, including part-time employees, are provided with information and training about the Guidelines to the Code of Ethics once a year without fail. This also covers overseas subsidiaries and Makita thoroughly emphasizes respect for human rights across the entire Group.
In order to allow diverse employees to pursue their work with a sense of purpose, Makita offers a work environment that includes a childcare leave program, a childcare reduced-working-hours system, and other programs as part of an effort to create work-life balance. There has been steady utilization of the childcare leave program the company introduced in 1990. In 2021, 43 employees (including 4 male employees) took part in the program and the return-to-work rate after childcare leave was 100% (21 of 21 employees). In 1992, they introduced a childcare reduced working-hours system. 50 employees (including 2 male employees) utilized that program in 2021.
Milwaukee Employees
When companies are owned by parent organizations, it can be difficult to estimate their size. Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation currently employs more than 5,500 people just in North America. Worldwide, Milwaukee’s parent company TTI employs more than 22,000 people.
In 2020 Milwaukee Tool invested more than $100 million into its West Bend, Wisconsin facility and others and created 350 new jobs in the USA. Soon after, in 2021, they announced a new manufacturing facility in Grenada, Mississippi. This facility allows for increased capacity for the company’s growing power tool accessories and power tool business. At the same time, Milwaukee has committed to creating 1,200 jobs in the region.
What Parent Companies are Behind Milwaukee and Makita?
Techtronic Industries (TTI)
The parent company behind Milwaukee Tool is Techtronic Industries (TTI). Founded in Hong Kong in 1985, TTI includes the following brands:
- Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
- AEG
- Empire
- Ridgid (licensed)
- Ryobi (licensed)
- Hart Tools
- Imperial Blades
- Stiletto
- Homelite
- Hoover US
- Oreck
- Vax
- Dirt Devil
TTI designs, manufactures, and markets everything from power tools and outdoor power equipment to layout and measurement tools, appliances, and even floor care products. The brands under TTI make products used by tradesmen, consumers, and industrial users across the home, construction, maintenance, and industrial markets.
TTI is listed under the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. (0669) and was valued at around HK$87.84 ($11.19 USD) per share on April 3, 2023, with a market cap of HK$158.49B or $20.2 billion USD. In 2022, TTI saw revenues of $7.0 billion with a gross profit margin of 39.1%, attributing its success to the development of new products and expansion across all categories.
Makita
Makita isn’t owned by a parent company. In fact, they have remained fairly simple structurally with the exception of purchases of brands like Dolmar (which makes chainsaws). Structurally, Makita has different business groups that operate in various countries, however, they remain a fairly straightforward organization and brand.
2021-22 sales of Makita products and tools grew due to continued demand for tools on construction sites. As a result, the company recorded its fifth consecutive year of record-breaking revenue in 2022, up 21.5% year on year to ¥739,260 million ($5.58 billion USD). Of that, Makita saw ¥64,770 million ($489 million USD) in profits.
Makita vs Milwaukee Depth of Line
When comparing Makita vs Milwaukee Tool in terms of product line, you quickly realize both companies make a lot of tools. Makita has over 275 products in its 18V LXT cordless system and more than 50 additional tools in its newer XGT 40V max platform. Add to that 70 or so 12V CXT products as well as corded tools, and you have a company with a wide assortment of power tools in addition to its impressive array of accessories.
Milwaukee Tool has over 200 tools in its M18 line alone, with another 125 or more under the M12 (12V) line. That doesn’t include the 15 or so tools in their newest and growing Milwaukee MX FUEL line of cordless power equipment or their well-regarded corded power tools and accessories.
Makita and Milwaukee Tool focus squarely on the professional contractor and tool user. Both of these brands also manufacture accessories from bits to blades and more. They also each provide ample solutions for Table 1 compliance with respect to OSHA silica dust control.
Milwaukee vs Makita General Cost of Tools
Having reviewed and used literally hundreds of tools from both companies, we have to say that Milwaukee Tools and Makita average out very evenly in pricing for most tools. Sometimes Makita has a lower tool-only price. Other times it has a higher price but averages lower on the kit pricing.
This mostly has to do with both tools being so adept and consistent with their battery technology. Makita has a good handle on their batteries. Clearly, they make them at volume with an efficiency that seems unmatched by many others. Milwaukee Tool, while providing more battery capacity options than Makita, can sometimes include these larger packs in kits. That tends to increase the price of those systems. The upside is that this helps them perfectly align both tool and battery to hit their desired runtime numbers.
In the end, it’s difficult to say one company has higher or lower pricing across the board—because neither does. One place where Milwaukee Tool excels: its compact line of M12 tools. Makita has their CXT system, but it’s not nearly as robust as the M12 line. They also have their sub-compact line—its advantage being that it stays on their existing 18V LXT battery platform. The Milwaukee M12 line, however, provides more than 100 truly compact tools for Pros.
Sample Milwaukee vs Makita Tool Prices (using Acme Tools as our retailer):
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853 Impact Driver – $149 (tool only); $299 (kit)
- Makita 18V LXT XDT16 Impact Driver – $199 (tool only)
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2904 Hammer Drill – $199 (tool only); $299 (kit)
- Makita 18V LXT XPH14 Hammer Drill – $169 (tool only)
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2830 Rear Handle 7-1/4″ Circular Saw – $279 (tool only); $449 (kit)
- Makita 18V LXT XSR01 Rear Handle 7-1/4″ Circular Saw – $224 (tool only); $359 (kit)
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2717 1-9/16″ Rotary Hammer – $549 (tool only)
- Makita 40V Max XGT 1-9/16″ Rotary Hammer – $699 (tool only)
Makita vs Milwaukee Warranty & Service
Milwaukee Tool Warranty
Milwaukee Tool includes a 5-year warranty with most of its cordless power tools. Some specialty tools include different warranties—but the company notes that upfront. In particular, Milwaukee hand tools and their RedStick levels carry a limited lifetime warranty. Most of their cordless outdoor power equipment carries a 3-year warranty. Tools need not be registered for warranty service. Without a receipt, Milwaukee uses the date of manufacture, however, so you may not get the full 5 years.
To get the most out of your warranty, we always recommend registering the tool and/or keeping your receipts. Using a local dealer when buying tools almost always results in quicker and more expedient repairs and service. This goes for Makita or Milwaukee tools.
The Milwaukee battery warranty period ranges in length from one to three years depending on the pack. Get more Milwaukee service and warranty information here.
Makita Warranty
Every Makita Lithium-Ion Tool, Battery, Charger, and Pneumatic Nailer is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of 3 years from the date of original purchase. If you have any problems with the tools or batteries during that time, Makita says to return the tool, battery, charger, or pneumatic nailer to any of Makita’s Factory or Authorized Service Centers. Assuming the trouble is due to defective workmanship or material, Makita will repair or replace the product at no charge.
Makita warranties their outdoor power tools for 2 years for all emission-related components. Components covered include the fuel metering system, air induction system, ignition system, and any items used in the above systems.
Check here for more Makita warranty information.
Makita vs Milwaukee – General Tool Reputation
When it comes to brand reputation, both Makita and Milwaukee find lots of positive recognition and acclaim across the industry. Both brands make excellent tools and provide excellent warranty and service (particularly through local dealers). You know you run a successful tool company when people simply refer to you as a color. Milwaukee (Red) and Makita (Teal) both achieved this status a long time ago!
We find it difficult to determine which company has a better reputation for reliability or quality. In terms of worldwide name recognition, Makita comes across as a more “international” company. Their core brand seems to have greater exposure throughout both Europe and Asia. With that said, Makita’s $5.58 billion dollars of revenue* (FYE 2022) is lower than Milwaukee Tool’s $7 billion*.
*Cited from the Makita 2022 report and the 2022 TTI annual report.
Makita Brushless vs Milwaukee Brushless Tools and Technology
Where Makita brought the first lithium-ion battery-powered power tool (the 14.4V TD130D) to the world in 2005. The same year, “Big Red” exploded into the U.S. market with V28 lithium-ion batteries. They quickly followed this in 2008 with their M18 line, and M12 (12V) tools and batteries soon followed a year later.
Both Milwaukee Tool and Makita rolled out their first brushless battery-powered tools in 2012. The incorporated smart electronics provide better control over the speed and power of their tools while cutting, drilling, driving, or sawing. Milwaukee “RedLink Plus” handles these duties for Big Red. Makita opts for simply referring to their brushless motor technology in a more generic sense. Makita brushless motors are manufactured in various sizes for use in specific tools to match their needs.
Between the two, we have to say that both do an excellent job of providing speed modes, tool control, and protection. We don’t really see an advantage from one to the other except that Milwaukee Tool tends towards smaller brushless motors that take up less space. Because of this, they often produce smaller tools while providing at least similar amounts of power.
Addressing the Needs of Larger Power Tools and Equipment
Makita needed a way to handle larger power tools and equipment similar to Milwaukee MX FUEL (which Milwaukee announced in 2019). Their response came in the form of the XGT platform and 40V Max tools. XGT also has the capability to run two batteries for 80V Max power when needed (think cordless power cutters and 2″ SDS-Max rotary hammers).
Smart Tools and Milwaukee ONE-KEY
Brushless motor technology automatically includes the use of controllers and simple computers to monitor power tool speed, temperature, and more. Taking things a step further, Milwaukee ONE-KEY offered tool tracking, inventory, and tool control. They not only embedded this capability within certain ONE-KEY-enabled power tools, but they also made accessories available, like the Milwaukee Tick and Milwaukee Bluetooth tag to enable tool tracking and inventory features for any of your other power tools, hand tools, or accessories.
Currently, Makita has no tracking or inventory system built into its power tools.
Milwaukee vs Makita Drills
In what would arguably occupy the foremost position in the debate, the question of Makita vs Milwaukee drills comes down to several factors. First off, the Makita GPH01 demonstrates quite a bit more soft torque than the capable Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2904-20 hammer drill. It also holds up well under load, meaning it slows down very little once you give it a job to do. The Makita also drilled faster in concrete.
The Milwaukee 2904-20, however, comes uniquely optimized for high-speed drilling. It is one of only a few tools that will successfully drive a 2-9/16″ self-feed bit through 2X material at High speed (however, the XGT does this as well). It’s impressive since even some of the best cordless drills need to drop into Low speed for that kind of work. This could seriously improve workflow for plumbers and electricians. It also includes Auto-Stop which provides protection in the event the bit suddenly stops while drilling.
Milwaukee vs Makita Hammer Drill Size Differences
Milwaukee also makes a smaller hammer drill—measuring around a 1/4-inch less in length than the Makita XGT model. The weight between the two differs dramatically, however. The 2904-20 hammer drill weighs around 4.8 pounds loaded with an XC5.0 Ah battery. The Makita XGT GPH01 adds over a pound to that with its 40V Max 2.5Ah battery.
What About Compact or 12V Models?
When you look at compact and 12V models, the field changes somewhat. The Milwaukee M12 line of tools far surpasses any other in the industry. If you want to get onto a 12V platform, Milwaukee makes the most sense.
While Makita has their CXT line as well as their sub-compact 18V tools, the presence of 125+ Milwaukee M12 tools gives them the leading edge in truly compact power tools overall. If you chiefly want smaller, more compact products, Milwaukee M12 provides the most selection.
Because Milwaukee M12 tools use a stem-style battery and Makita uses a 12V slide pack, we find Makita CXT tools to be more comfortable overall. That’s subjective, however, and largely a function of hand size. How you feel about them may differ from our experiences.
Milwaukee vs Makita Impact Drivers
If the above hammer drill comparison indicates anything, it’s that these tools remain fiercely competitive. When comparing the Milwaukee vs Makita impact drivers, two things immediately jumped out. From our best impact driver comparison, we know that the fourth-generation Milwaukee 2953-20 impact driver measures less than the impressively-small Makita XDT16 impact driver. We also know that Milwaukee has slight advantages in both speed and torque.
We do like the onboard controls of the Makita—you get various torque and driving modes—without having to open up an app. In the end, while we prefer the Milwaukee, the Makita is so close it might as well be a toss-up.
Milwaukee vs Makita Impact Wrenches
This category gets tough to judge and compare. On one hand, you have the Makita GWT07, our favorite 1/2-inch model in our latest best impact wrench roundup. Then, you have to consider the fact that Milwaukee Tool makes three different 1-inch D-handle impact wrenches as well as other models. They even have a 3/4-inch friction ring, and 1/2-inch models in just about any configuration and chuck you can imagine—including a 7/16-inch hex utility wrench for linemen. Milwaukee simply has more choices.
Makita is no slouch, however, offering several 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch models in their XGT line as well as an even larger assortment in their LXT Line (though no 1-inch models as of yet). They also make a 7/16″ hex impact wrench for linemen.
Switching to the mid-torque, the Milwaukee mid-torque impact wrenches provide up to 550 foot-pounds of fastening torque. Compare that to the 520 foot-pounds on the Makita XWT17 1/2″ impact wrench.
Milwaukee also adds more options in the area of compact “stubby” models and premium brushless 12V impact drivers. No matter how you slice it, Milwaukee provides more options across the entire impact wrench segment in our opinion.
Makita vs Milwaukee Circular Saws
Makita and Milwaukee seem to have different approaches when it comes to circular saws. While Milwaukee goes toe-to-toe on maximum power and torque, Makita emphasizes the power-to-weight ratio. This yields great results when you have to use the tool all day long…especially while up on a roof. As such, in the Makita vs Milwaukee circular saw comparison, Makita tends to favor lower weight and ergonomics—while still ensuring it gets the job done. You might be able to tell which way we’re leaning here…
Makita vs Milwaukee Sidewinder Saws
When it comes to sidewinder saws, the application really matters. Our favorite circular saw around here is the Makita XSH03 brushless 6.5″ model. It lacks the capacity of a full 7-1/4″ model, but we love how light and compact this saw is. As of early 2022, Makita doesn’t have a single-battery 7-1/4″ 18V circular saw. All of its full-size saws use two 18V batteries and operate at 36V. That makes them heavier and affects their ergonomics.
Milwaukee Tool makes a very powerful circular saw—the 2732. The Milwaukee 2732 circular saw stands out as one of the highest performing cordless circular saws available against all current competition—including the Makita Rear-Handle and the DeWalt FlexVolt worm drive style saw. The Milwaukee 6-1/2″ circular saws also perform well, but don’t impress us as much as comparable Makita saws. With that said—if you want the maximum power, go with Milwaukee Tool offerings. For ergonomics and a great overall sidewinder that can handle most tasks—the Makita XSH03 is hard to beat.
Now that we finally have a Milwaukee track saw, you can opt for that or the Makita XPS02, XPS01, Makita XSH08, or even the 9-1/4″ XSH10 circular saw which work with Makita guide rails.
Milwaukee Tool vs Makita Rear Handle Saws
We absolutely love using the Makita rear-handle circular saw. It cuts smoothly, has plenty of power, and weighs less (12.67 lbs. with 2 x 5Ah packs) than the Milwaukee rear handle (13.35 lbs. with an HD12.0Ah pack). Still, the Milwaukee 2830 rear handle saw has more power overall.
The base on the Milwaukee 2830 rear handle circular saw also feels really smooth, so it glides across lumber during cross and rip cuts. It also maintains slightly better sight lines. Because it had perfect scores in our accuracy and movement sections along with a near-perfect score in cutting performance, it overcame higher weight and a so-so handle design to take the win in our best cordless circular saw roundup.
Milwaukee Miter Saws vs Makita Miter Saws
Milwaukee makes one of our favorite corded sliding miter saws—the Milwaukee 6955 miter saw. It hasn’t changed in years, but the features and the build quality still dominate those not looking for portability. When deciding between a Milwaukee miter saw vs a Makita miter saw, first understand the applications you typically encounter. That will help you determine the size. From there, take a look at features. Makita has done a great job of simply making their corded saws, like the Makita LS1219L, run on battery power. That means that all the features we love about their corded models show up on their battery-powered tools.
What About Cordless Miter Saws?
When it comes to cordless miter saws, we love the Milwaukee 2739 cordless 12-inch sliding miter saw. It’s 3/4 the weight of their corded saw and provides similar power.
When we wrote up our best 12-inch miter saws article, we quickly noted models that had excellent fence clearance and above-average capacity. The Makita XSL07PT Cordless Miter Saw remains a favorite of ours. It has zero blade wobble, tons of run-time, and plenty of power. This saw also cuts 5-1/4 in. of speed base upright. The only downside is that it features an aluminum miter plate which wears down over time—leading to inaccurate miter stops.
The Makita AWS system also works with the XSL08PT cordless miter saw, letting you activate dust collection wirelessly via Bluetooth. Milwaukee has yet to implement a feature like this.
Finally, if you want a compact model, it’s hard to beat the cordless Makita XSL02 7.5″ miter saw which packs the ability to cut over 175 2x4s using a single 4Ah 20V Max battery.
Milwaukee vs Makita Chainsaw Comparison
When it comes to a Milwaukee vs Makita chainsaw comparison…there isn’t much of a comparison. Makita acquired Dolmar back in 1991. That acquisition put Makita on top of a whole host of chainsaw technology, patents, and products that already had a proven track record. In fact, Makita battery-powered chainsaws take lots of cues from what the company brought in from Dolmar.
Even if we stick to battery-powered chainsaws, Makita currently has various solutions. These include no less than 7 different models, including several “flavors” of top-handle chainsaws. Bar lengths range from the 10-inch Makita XCU06 top handle chainsaw to the 16-inch Makita XCU04 rear handle chainsaw. While Makita currently lacks an 18-inch or 20-inch model, we suspect that’s in the works over on their XGT 40V Max platform.
Big Red has one actual chainsaw—the Milwaukee M18 Fuel 16″ chainsaw (2727) and no top-handle model as of Q1 2022. They also have the Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet—a 6-inch pruning saw—and their Quik-Lok pole saw system. While that chainsaw is a beast, it doesn’t compare to the available (and growing) options Makita provides its user base. That could change as Milwaukee Tool expands its outdoor power equipment line, but for now, Makita takes the decisive lead with respect to chainsaws.
Wrapping it All Up
After going over the history, dynamics, technology, and products of these two companies, which do you prefer? More importantly, does your preference of company have more to do with just the tools they make? From experience, we know that the debate between Makita vs Milwaukee gets rather…heated. Red vs Teal. USA vs Japan. Regardless of how you frame it, these two companies plan to continue duking it out for bragging rights over who makes the best tools.
For the consumer, however, that’s a big win. These companies continuing to outdo one another means improvements across the industry. Competition breeds tool innovation—and that always seems to make things better for tradesmen and consumers.
Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews
Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d actually use it ourselves and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.
We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.
Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.
We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.
We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.
We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products.
The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.
- Tags: hammer drill, miter saw
About The Author
Clint DeBoer
When he’s not playing with the latest power tool, Clint DeBoer enjoys life as a husband, father, and is an avid reader—especially the Bible. He loves Jesus, has a degree in recording engineering, and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another since 1992.
Clint’s career has covered nearly the entire realm of audio and video production. After graduating at the top of his class with an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering, he began working for the famed Soundelux studios in 1994, one of the largest post-production companies specializing in audio for feature films & television. Working on a myriad of feature films, Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer. Years later, he moved into the expanding area of video editing, where he served as the company’s senior AVID video editor for three years.
Working for such clients as Universal Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, NASA, Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, SEGA, NASCAR, and others, Clint DeBoer dealt extensively with client management as well as film & video editing, color correction, and digital video & MPEG compression. He also carries several THX certifications (Technician I and II, THX Video), and is ISF Level II Certified.
After founding the CD Media, Inc. publishing company in 1996, he went on to help start or grow several successful online publications, including Audioholics (as Editor-in-Chief for 12 years) and AV Gadgets. In 2008, Clint founded Pro Tool Reviews followed by the landscape and outdoor power equipment-focused OPE Reviews in 2017. He also heads up the Pro Tool Innovation Awards, an annual awards program honoring innovative tools and accessories across the trades.
Crediting God and his excellent staff for the success of what is now the largest power tool review publication in the industry, Clint DeBoer hopes to see continued growth for the company as it rapidly expands its reach. Pro Tool Reviews critically reviews hundreds of hand tools, power tools, and accessories each year to help inform users about the best and newest products in the industry. Reaching everyone from the construction industry professional and tradesman to the serious DIYer, Pro Tool Reviews helps tool consumers shop better, work smarter, and stay aware of what tools and products can help put them at the top of their game.
Makita vs Milwaukee: Which is Better? (2023 Guide)
When it comes to professional grade tools, there’s likely no other argument that’s been around longer than: which one is better, red or blue?
Makita and Milwaukee have been around for quite a while and have long been the front runners for commercial tradespeople when it comes to selecting a line of tools that their livelihood depends on.
Prior to yellow even being an option (also called DeWalt), these two powerhouses have battled it out for over 70 years and continue to be common rivals in the power tool marketplace today.
So what’s better: Milwaukee or Makita? In this Makita vs Milwaukee tool comparison, I’ll explore a few considerations you should look at when comparing these tool brands so you can pick the best option for you. Let’s dig in!
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Both Makita and Milwaukee are extremely reliable and quality tool brands. In terms of quality, these two brands are about the same.
- In the end, I prefer Makita tools just slightly more than Milwaukee tools – but it’s more of a personal preference than anything else.
- Both brands offer an array of power tools including corded and cordless miter saws, circular saws, sanders, drills, and more.
Quality and Reliability
Both companies make reputable and effective power tools for the professional worker, but in recent years, increased competition has positioned both brands to also be affordable for the do-it-yourselfer or hobbyist.
Either company is going to provide a quality product to help you manage even the toughest power tool jobs. Long-term reliability is also a standard of both Makita and Milwaukee. I’ve been using both brands for years and there’s nothing that can destroy these tools.
These tools are going to be in your toolbox for about as long as it takes to get one of your children into college. Dependability and reliability with these brands is a pillar that they’ve hung their hat on, and even with the increased competition, these standards continue to be some of the best available.
Battery Life
While either brand is going to give you an acceptable amount of use from a full charge, there are some differences when it comes to overall battery life.
Milwaukee tools seems to be better for high or max power use under heavy loads, and this also would transfer to a longer lasting charge under light use. Maybe it’s the motor technology that creates this difference, not the battery, but power transfer shows Milwaukee coming out on top.
However, Makita has a slightly more advanced battery technology that gives it an edge by dominating the market with the fastest charging batteries available. Even though the Makita may come up short in one to one battery comparison, turnaround time on recharging could have your backup battery prepared to take on another cycle of abuse ahead of the Milwaukee counterpart.
Once nice thing about both power tool brands is that most of their tools use the same batteries, so you can easy swap them out when needed.
Product Lineup
There are an unbelievable number of power tool options on the market by both of these brands.
Makita definitely tops the list when it comes to cordless power tools offering over 325 tools for its LXT 20V system. Milwaukee is no slouch in this market either though as their M18 cordless system offers over 200 different tool options for cordless battery power.
Either company is likely to have what you need to accomplish most any job you may come across. However, if you are in a highly specialized trade or require a specific unique set of cordless power tools, it’s definitely worth investigating either company to ensure they have the product offerings you need without having to purchase a separate battery system.
Corded tools have become an afterthought in many industries because mobility, speed, and accessibility have taken the lead on most jobs. As many people would argue, there are still some jobs or uses for power tools that battery power is just not going to be able to take over.
Both of these companies still make corded power tools, and many of them are special use or for extremely heavy-duty operations. Hammer drills, routers, and grinders are some of the most common heavy use power tools, but both Makita and Milwaukee have you covered on corded versions of any of these tools.
Pricing
As you would expect, both Makita and Milwaukee carry premium price tags.
In cordless power tools, it really comes down to finding the best deal and knowing exactly what you need.
Combo tool kits are comparable in price on any given day for both brands, but the packages are not always one-to-one on what you get.
Individual tool purchases, whether corded or cordless, are also comparable for most common items and the prices are almost identical. The further you get into specialty items or premium versions of each company’s cordless tools, the price variation does seem to shift.
Milwaukee’s offerings of more “specialty tools” tend to carry a bit higher price tag than Makita, but justifiably so, the Milwaukee tools in this category are also a bit more rugged and truly intended for industrial or production type use.
Warranty
Not one of the more straightforward topics to discuss, warranty comparisons are best summarized by saying, “it’s complicated”. I will have to say, Milwaukee’s warranty is much more confusing than Makita’s in that there are so many different warranty periods for different tools.
Any of Milwaukee’s portable power tools can have a one to five year warranty, depending on what is designated when you purchase the item. Milwaukee’s cordless system warranty specifies two years, so not what I would call an industry’s best.
Makita, on the other hand, has simplified its warranty protocol and offers a three year warranty on all cordless systems, but only a one year warranty on all other products.
One notable thing about both companies’ warranty guidelines is that there are no caveats to use of their products in commercial settings. These tools are designed for professional use and neither company is going to penalize you for choosing their product to run your business!
Makita vs Milwaukee Impact Driver & Wrenches
Makita makes a very extensive line of impact drivers for almost any scenario you could imagine. Some of their more specific models are geared for high torque applications and heavy-duty use. Makita impact drivers are available in 12V, 18V, and even 40V versions with the most popular being the 18V LXT system. One unique offering that Makita provides in this class of impact drivers is a sub-compact 18V version. This is a smaller framed version of the standard LXT series that allows use in small spaces with the same power, but it also helps with taking up less space in your toolbox.
On the more automotive side of things, Makita also offers impact wrenches from 3/8” square drive up to ¾” square drive versions. Almost all of Makita’s impact wrenches tout high-torque capabilities for use in industrial and commercial applications.
Milwaukee also offers a large range of impact drivers and wrenches. While only offering 12V and 18V versions, the Milwaukee 18V is still comparable to the Makita 40V in its ability to transfer max power and torque without extensive battery drain.
Likewise on Milwaukee’s impact wrenches, if you need full power quick, Milwaukee is hard to beat. Their impact wrenches also come in 3/8” to ¾” square drive, but Milwaukee has taken it a step further and also offers a 1” square drive high-torque impact wrench that offers up to 1500 ft-lbs of torque, making it the most powerful impact wrench on the market.
Makita vs Milwaukee Circular Saws
Whether you need a cordless circular saw for occasional quick cuts, a heavy-duty one to cut stair runners all day, or a flush cut with a rail system, Makita has you covered.
With both common all-around use and high-end specialty saws, Makita makes a circular saw that can get the job done.
That being said, if you are looking for a very specific specialty saw, don’t be stingy with your wallet, as these saws are going to cost you. However, the payback is likely going to be well beyond the initial purchase price as this equipment is designed to last and take on some of the most demanding tasks.
Milwaukee circular saws also come in an array of options. There may be slightly less specialty versions, but you can still find cordless, worm drive, and track saws in the standard Milwaukee quality and powerhouse reliability.
Likewise, these Milwaukee circular saws are going to come with a hefty price tag just like the Makita tools, but they are likely going to be something that you can pass down to the younger generations as well.
Milwaukee vs Makita Miter Saws
Maybe not at the top of the list when you think about miter saws, but Milwaukee also makes miter saws in several different shapes and sizes. With the most options coming from their 18V Fuel cordless series, you can pick up a Milwaukee miter saw corded or cordless in a compound dual bevel version as well as a sliding version for maximum crosscut capacity.
These miter saws being on the upper end of the spectrum for common hobbyists and really designed for commercial users explains why this option may be a lesser-known offering of the brand.
Also available in multiple configurations, Makita makes a full range of miter saws in both corded and cordless versions. Compact options on the lower end of the spectrum are somewhat comparable to entry level saws in other brands, but unique design and functionality on their sliding compound miter saws is what I would refer to as a luxury model and well worth the extra dough.
Makita vs Milwaukee Drills
The most basic of tools, but no doubt the most used, both Makita and Milwaukee make awesome drills for any user.
Budget friendly entry levels with their compact 12V systems to high-end corded drywall screw guns, both Milwaukee and Makita are providing the market with extremely well-built and long-lasting drill options.
With the wide range of options depending on how specialized your task may be, there is really no comparison on price between the two companies in this category as each has offerings to match your specific job.
When compared to each other, this category truly does become a Ford vs Chevrolet situation. That being said, how much difference can there be between a Ford and Chevrolet? For that matter, how much harder would it be to isolate differences between Makita and Milwaukee drills?
Well, it all comes down to the user and their preferences. One key topic that always comes up for debate between these two brands is “feel”.
Do you want to feel the power aggressively transferred to the tool or do you need more of a finesse touch to get the job done. These two aspects are a debate that regularly comes up between Makita and Milwaukee.
As I mentioned earlier, Milwaukee seems to have more ability to transfer the battery’s power to the tool. This is something that some users feel as a positive in that they just need to power through whatever task is at hand. Maybe that’s a ¾” auger bit through a 2×4, but what about when you need to drill a 1/16” pilot hole for a jewelry box hinge? Is max power when the trigger is pulled going to be the best solution?
This is the crux of the debate over “feel”, and it may be something that everyone just has to decide for themselves. Word on the street is that if you need “Tim the Toolman” power all the time, Milwaukee is going to be your best bet, but if you are looking for more finesse and control, then Makita may be a better option.
To summarize the argument of “feel” as simply as I can, Milwaukee seems to be associated more with power transfer, and Makita associated with control and smoothness.
Here’s a great video for more help comparing these tools.
Both Milwaukee and Makita produce sanders in several configurations, both cordless and corded. Some of the more standard options are random orbital sanders, strip sanders, finishing sanders, disc sanders, and belt sanders. As with most of the other categories, there are a few small differences when entering into the specialty market.
Milwaukee offers a cordless detail sander that Makita does not currently have a competing model for. Think more along the lines of an oscillating tool or the Dremel brand triangular sander. This is more likely for a small project hobbyist as most larger sanders are able to accomplish what needs to be done for professionals in the commercial industry.
However, Makita has taken a different route and developed a more specialized drywall sander (not offered by Milwaukee) as a way of targeting professional tradespeople. A much larger and expensive tool, but maybe an opportunity to fulfill a need that Milwaukee has neglected?
History of Makita Power Tools
The Makita brand was originally founded in 1915, which started out of a need for electrical repair services.
By 1958, Makita became the first company in Japan to manufacture and sell portable electric planers. Their continued use of technology and cutting-edge manufacturing has led it to be one of the world’s only power tool brands left that is not owned by a larger company.
Makita offers a wide range of products that have become the go to power tools for many tradespeople because of their quality and performance.
Wondering how Makita stacks up against other brands? Check out my Makita vs DeWalt comparison or Makita vs BOSCH for more info!
History of Milwaukee Power Tools
The Milwaukee brand is an American company started in 1924 that soon became the main supplier of tools such as sanders, polishers, and grinders for the US Navy.
As this tool brand grew during World War II, it continued to develop and manufacture portable power tools until being bought out in 2016 by Techtronic Industries. Techtronic Industries is a Hong Kong-based company that also owns brands like Ryobi, Hoover, and Homelite.
Milwaukee’s tools boast a longer tool life than more affordable options, which is why so many people love these tools.
Wondering how Milwaukee stacks up against other brands? Check out these guides!
- Milwaukee vs DeWalt
- Milwaukee vs Ridgid
Final Thoughts
Makita and Milwaukee both make top quality, efficient, and reliable corded and cordless tools for the professional trades. You can’t go wrong with either brand as they both make quality tools that will last for years.
The determining factor on which one to pick comes down to personal preference.
If the tools you need are available in both brands, I would suggest you lay your hands on them and even try a demo if possible to see which one you prefer.
Something that’s going to last as long as either of these company’s tools needs to be something you can use comfortably. It’s a large investment and you don’t want to make the wrong decision on something you use as often as handheld power tools.
Fueled by a passion for working with his hands, Benjamin “Bear” Lyle makes a living running his home improvement business, but also has an extensive background in woodworking. Craftsmanship being one of the key components he prides himself on, his work is intricate and sometimes ornate in nature. Mixing a passion for duck hunting into his love for woodworking, he is also a highly awarded custom game call maker competing in some of the country’s most prestigious shows like the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Some of his physical work, as well as additional reading material can be found on his website www.bearkraft.com.
Hi, I’m Emilee. I’m a woodworker, crafter and world class figure-outer. Mama Needs a Project is where I share all of my DIY adventures. I believe down to my core that working with your hands to physically create something will change your life!
I hope browsing Mama Needs a Project will leave you inspired and fired up to tackle your next DIY project. While Emilee is no longer actively blogging, her passion for woodworking can be found anywhere she goes.
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Promaker® Tools
According to our recent investigation, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita are the best power tools makers in the world. But which of them is the absolute king at power tooling?
Well, that’s hard to state with unbiased criteria. Many factors come to play. The best brand could be different for different tools, in different conditions, in different hands, for different needs, and so on.What we can do tell, is that these three well-known manufacturers are pros at what they do.
While making this research we read hundreds of opinions about these brands. Reddit comments, Youtube comments, Quora comments, Amazon reviews, specialized website blogs and more.
The most astonishing observation about the research? We didn’t get to read a bad review. Not a single one, about these companies, or the tools they made. In this article, we’ll compare them on an unbiased basis, so you can choose (or reaffirm), which one is the best fit for you.
Why Dewalt?
The big yellow has been around for 96 years and it doesn’t seem like going anywhere. The company was founded by American inventor and businessman Raymond E. DeWalt in 1923 and it was later sold to the Black & Decker group in 1960, who owns it to this day, along with 20 other well-known brands, including Craftsman, Stanley, and Porter Cable.
Under Black & Decker management, DeWalt started to conquer the market in America and revolutionized it in 1994, when they took a big leap launching 30 new cordless power tools, aiming for contractors and professional woodworkers.
Nowadays DeWalt employs 6000 thousand people, producing nearly 300 different power tools only for their cordless product lines (20/60/120V MAX*). They manufacture in 11 different countries, maintaining their characteristic quality worldwide, and providing more than 100 countries.
DeWalt is especially known for its drills, nailers, and woodworking power tools.
Dewalt key technologies:
Flexvolt: FlexVolt is a hybrid voltage battery pack, an industry one-and-only. The battery can switch between 60 V and 20 V systems, depending upon whether it is placed. Exactly how you read it, one battery for all their cordless toys.
XR Brushless family: Offering up to 57% more runtime than standard brushed motors, the DeWalt XR family features brushless motors. While mechanical carbon brush motors generate friction and heat buildup resulting in lost energy and less runtime, XR brushless motors run cooler and more efficiently enabling longer runtime between charges.
Tool connect: Tool Connect helps users track, manage, and customize their tool and battery inventory. Multiple mobile devices can provide data to a central inventory management software, helping businesses to keep track of their tools uses.
Power detect: Newly developed electronics in tools with POWER DETECT Technology can identify the battery the tool is paired with and adjust power output accordingly.
E-Clutch system: Compared to standard clutches, E-Clutch helps minimize sudden torque reaction in drills by detecting the motion of the tool and shutting it down in bind-up situations. In grinders, shuts the motor down in under a tenth of a second when a pinch/stall is detected.
Milwaukee Tools Story
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation is a good example of the Phoenix analogy. They were barely starting up as the A.H. Petersen Company, when they faced a tragic fire that burnt all the fabric. This produced an economic setback that forced the company to shut its doors.
Nevertheless, in 1924 (curiously the same year DeWalt started), Albert F. Siebert was able to purchase the company’s remaining holdings, and reopened the business as the Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation, with the goal of fully realizing the sales potential of the Hole-Shooter; the first industrial drill that was light enough to be operated with just one hand, but powerful enough to handle heavy-duty workloads.
In 1930, Milwaukee Tools started to handle more professional standards when they obtained an equipment specification rating from the U.S. government for its newly-redesigned electric drill. After that, the company began applying Navy standards to the manufacture of all their portable tools, including a portable hand grinder, electric hammers, sanders, and polishers.
After a long history of success, innovation, and unique tools like the Sawzall, the Hole Hawg, or the Magnum Hole-Shooter, Milwaukee is today one of the most trusted american power tool brands, and fighting for the throne. They are producing new awesome tools at a fast paced and researching new techs.
Milwaukee key technologies:
FUEL lines: Milwaukee M12 FUEL and M18 FUEL line of power tools, are meant to fill the most demanding needs of heavy-duty equipment. These tools offer increased power and durability, longer life, and longer run times, throughout three main features: POWERSTATE™ brushless motors, REDLINK PLUS™, and REDLITHIUM™-ION batteries.
REDLINK PLUS: This is an advanced electronic system that protects equipment from overheating and overloading, improving performance and lengthening tool life. It links all the software and hardware of the tool including motor and battery.
REDLITHIUM: Milwaukee lithium-ion batteries gauge allows you to know how much run time you have left while working. They are also built against water and fallen damage.
POWERSTATE: POWERSTATE brushless motors offer better magnets, more copper and steel components, and no wearable brushes allowing less heating for more application speed, torque, and durability,
ONE-KEY: ONE-KEY is a wireless software integrated into some Milwaukee power tools, that allows owners to control the tool with precision with a smartphone. It also allows to track, protect, and keep detailed records of all inventory, to easily build a budget and manage spend on equipment.
Is Makita a Good Brand?
Unlike its American competitors, Japanese giant Makita is a single-subsidiary company. They started operating in 1915, repairing lighting equipment and motors. After the First World War finally ended, Makita began to manufacture its own electric generators and motors. Later in 1935, Makita exported electric generators to the Soviet Union, this allowed them to start expanding into the European market.
In 1969, Makita crafted what is considered the first rechargeable power tool, the 6500D drill. While the famous 6500D still had a cord, it was connected to a light-weighted battery. This allowed workers more portability and versatility. With this tool, Makita revolutionized the construction market and turned into a household name.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, Makita continued to grow overseas, setting up shops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Poland, the US, Spain, Great Britain, New Zealand, Argentina, and other nations. In 2005, Makita created the TD130D, the first lithium-ion battery power tool.
Although Makita is not the favorite brand in Northern America, it dominates the European, Asian, and African markets.
Nowadays, Makita operates factories in Brazil, China, Japan, Mexico, Romania, the United Kingdom, Germany, Dubai, Thailand, and the United States.
Makita key technologies:
Makita is known for investing a big slice of its budget in the research and innovation department. They have a wide set of patented technologies to improve their batteries, tools, and accessories, next, we’ll review the most crucial ones:
STAR PROTECTION COMPUTER CONTROLS™: STAR is a communication tech that monitors conditions during use, allowing the tool and battery to exchange data, in order to protect against overloading, over-discharging, and overheating.
ACTIVE 3 CONTROLS: With Active 3 Controls the battery and charger communicate through a built-in chip inside the battery and exchange information to control current, voltage and temperature. The optimized management of these conditions is engineered to help optimize the charging process, so your battery spends more time working and less time sitting on the charger.
XPT™ EXTREME PROTECTION TECHNOLOGY: This is a series of integrated seals engineered to channel away dust and water for increased durability. Wherever the job takes you, Makita tools equipped with XPT™ are engineered for increased durability and longer tool life.
AUTOMATIC SPEED CHANGE: this tech adjusts speed and torque for optimal performance, even in the harshest applications. During operation, if the tool is put under heavy load, Automatically Speed Change™ detects the added demand and applies more torque and speed to finish the job.
DXT™ DEEP AND EXACT CUTTING TECHNOLOGY: this is a series of features that give Makita miter saws more cutting capacity and out-of-the-box accuracy for superior cutting performance.
Other Makita technologies are ADVANCED AVT, MM4 4-STROKE ENGINE, SJS- SUPER JOINT SYSTEM, BIG BORE, QUICK SHIFT MODE, IMPACT GOLD, IMPACT XPS, ULTRA PREMIUM DIAMOND BLADE, XTRACT VAC, and more.