Milwaukee vs. DeWalt vs. Ryobi

Buying your first cordless drill seems simple—until you realize you're not really buying a drill.

You're buying into a battery platform.

Once you've accumulated a few batteries, chargers, drills, saws, nailers, lights and other cordless tools, changing brands gets expensive fast.

That's why the better question isn't: "Which cordless drill is best?" It's: "Which cordless tool platform makes the most sense for the work I'm actually going to do?"

I've spent more than 30 years around residential renovation, painting, commercial construction and large-scale construction projects. One thing I've learned is that the most expensive tool isn't automatically the right tool.

A professional using a drill every day has different needs than a homeowner hanging cabinets twice a year.

So let's cut through the brand loyalty and look at three of the biggest cordless ecosystems: Milwaukee M18, DeWalt 20V MAX and Ryobi ONE+.

The Quick Answer

If you don't want to read the entire comparison, start here.

First Rule: Don't Buy the Drill. Buy the Platform.

This is the mistake I see people make when shopping for cordless tools. They find a drill on sale for $129 and buy it. Six months later they need an impact driver. Then a circular saw. Then an oscillating multi-tool. Then a cordless vacuum. Then a nailer. Then maybe a blower, light or inflator. Before long, the battery platform matters more than the first drill did. Once you own several batteries and chargers, staying within the same capable ecosystem can save money and simplify your setup. So before buying your first cordless tool, think about what you may want three years from now, not just what you need Saturday morning.

The Three Systems We're Comparing

Rather than compare random bare tools, we're using representative brushless drill-and-impact kits from each ecosystem.

Milwaukee vs. DeWalt vs. Ryobi at a Glance

*Manufacturer-reported specifications. Testing methods can differ between manufacturers, so torque figures should not be treated as direct head-to-head performance results.

Which Platform Makes Sense for You?

Already Own Batteries? Read This Before Switching Brands.

If you already own several good batteries from Milwaukee, DeWalt or Ryobi, don't switch ecosystems because another brand released one impressive drill. Do the math first. Imagine replacing:

• Four batteries
• Two chargers
• Drill
• Impact driver
• Circular saw
• Reciprocating saw
• Oscillating tool
• Grinder
• Light
• Vacuum

That's an expensive way to gain a feature you may barely notice. Unless your existing platform is preventing you from doing the work you need to do, expanding an already capable ecosystem can often make more sense than starting over.

Don't Get Obsessed With Torque Numbers

Tool marketing loves numbers. More torque. More RPM. More impacts per minute. More power. Those specifications matter—but only when the application requires them. A 1,400 in-lb drill isn't automatically the better purchase for someone drilling pilot holes and hanging cabinets. Likewise, someone regularly boring large holes through framing has different requirements. Another problem is that manufacturer testing methodologies aren't necessarily identical. That's why we don't declare a winner by putting three torque numbers next to each other.

After that threshold is met, ergonomics, battery system, tool selection, reliability, availability and price can become more important.

What About the Batteries?

This is where cordless-tool decisions get sticky. Once you've purchased multiple batteries, you've effectively invested in the platform. Before committing, look at:

• Battery sizes available
• Battery cost
• Charger options
• Compact battery availability
• High-output battery options
• Compatibility across the platform
• The other tools you expect to purchase

A battery you already own is often worth more than a small specification advantage from another brand.

Don't Forget the Tools You'll Buy Later

Before choosing Milwaukee, DeWalt or Ryobi, make a list of the next ten cordless products you could realistically purchase. Maybe it's:

1. Drill
2. Impact driver
3. Circular saw
4. Reciprocating saw
5. Oscillating multi-tool
6. Brad nailer
7. Grinder
8. Shop vacuum
9. Work light
10. Blower

Now look at each ecosystem. That's a much better purchasing exercise than spending three hours comparing two drills.