DeWalt Versus Milwaukee: Whose Tools Should You Buy?

DeWalt and Milwaukee have been in business for almost 100 years.
Fans of each brand tend to be highly loyal, sticking to their preferred manufacturer for all of their tool needs.

But what if you’re looking to buy your first tools? Maybe you’re considering switching to a new brand? It’s likely, then, that you’ve considered both DeWalt and Milwaukee. However, choosing between the two is easier said than done. To help make the decision a little easier, we’ve provided a closer look at each manufacturer’s history and their product pricing and availability.

We’ll also explore DeWalt and Milwaukee’s tool warranty options to protect your tools against any number of possible eventualities, including mechanical failures and damage to motors, gears, and rotors.

Headquartered in Towson, Maryland, and established in 1924, American tool company DeWalt is now celebrated worldwide for its drills, routers, planers, saws, and more. DeWalt’s top-rated power tools are popular choices for both casual home users and construction and woodworking industries.

Black & Decker bought DeWalt in the 1960s. Many of the brand’s tools are constructed in the United States from parts manufactured both here and in Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

Coincidentally, Milwaukee founded its business the same year. Currently, the brand is a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries, a Hong Kong-based company. As an American organization at heart, its headquarters remain in Brookfield, Wisconsin. While the manufacturer produces some of their tools in Wisconsin, they now produce most in China and Europe.

Like DeWalt, Milwaukee produces power tools and a wider range of pliers, cutters, screwdrivers, and knives. The two brands also sell their own accessories, storage solutions, and apparel tailored toward businesses and other professionals.

In terms of power tools like drills, grinders, impact drivers, nailers, polishers, and sanders, DeWalt and Milwaukee both price their tools similarly.

With two 1.5Ah batteries, the Milwaukee 12-volt cordless 3/8-inch drill/driver kit is priced right in line with DeWalt’s XTREME 12-volt brushless 3/8-inch cordless drill/driver kit. That said, the latter does include a pair of slightly higher-capacity 2.0Ah batteries. Both come with a branded fabric tool bag as standard.

Across the board, tool costs from DeWalt and Milwaukee range from under $50 to $2,000 or more. As far as availability, neither manufacturer sells directly to consumers.

Whichever tool brand you choose, it’s vital to pay close attention to the warranty included with any purchase. Milwaukee offers a range of limited warranties across its products. Most of these are good for between one and three years after purchase.

DeWalt’s offering is similar, with most power tools boasting a three-year warranty. Many of these further receive a one-year free service contract, where DeWalt will maintain the tool and replace worn parts caused by normal use for free at any point during the first year of ownership.

Elsewhere, both Milwaukee and DeWalt provide limited lifetime warranties for some of their hand tools like hammers and wood chisels. Overall, though, and largely thanks to its one-year free service contract, it’s DeWalt that comes out on top in terms of warranty provisions.

Limitations apply to all warranties provided by any manufacturer, so it’s important to invest in an extended warranty to keep your product protected.

DeWalt and Milwaukee’s warranties have no option for extensions for products sold in the U.S. Thankfully, those looking to secure the peace of mind of an extended tool warranty can protect their tools with Upsie.

Extended warranties from Upsie cover your tools from mechanical and power failures as well as non-accidental damage to gears, rotors, and other moving parts. Upsie offers a range of benefits meant to better protect your tools and ensure that your warranty coverage is comprehensive.

Some of Upsie’s benefits include:

Upsie offers premium coverage for an affordable price. In fact, Upsie’s warranties are often up to 70 percent more affordable than warranties offered through competitors. For the best coverage and the best price, choose Upsie.