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Picking a cordless power tools brand is a huge commitment. There are so many different brands, and product lines that can make it overwhelming. Plus, the battery packs are very expensive and they’re not interchangeable, so once you pick up one of the many combo kits, you're kind of stuck with that brand. That begs the question, which cordless tool brand is right for you.
We don't all need high quality brushless motors , with endless battery life, 27 speed settings, and a lifetime limited warranty that promises to stand up to the rigors of a busy construction site. We aren't all professional contractors, or construction workers.
Some of us just want some basic tools for simple home renovations that last a long time, and for reasonable prices. Maybe you are somewhere in the middle and you need high quality tools for tough jobs and tight spaces.
That's why I made the simple 7 question quiz to help you pick the best brand for you. It's kind of fun, but surprisingly accurate.
I want to keep this as simple as possible. If you're here, you may not be too familiar with tools. Brushless tools (have no brushes) adjust their speed, power, and torque to the job you're doing. This translates to more efficiency, and longer life. The are often lighter and smaller and don't require maintenance. The downside is that they cost more. If you do infrequent, small household jobs, you may never see the value of a brushless motor. Most of the best power tool brands carry both brushless and and motors with brushes. Which every brand you choose, or that the quiz chooses for you, just get what you need.
Impact drills, also known as impact drivers are for..impacting. They need special impact rated bits and they're for larger tasks like drilling through heavy metal, or installing a fat lag screw. Power drills, or cordless drills are what you are probably more familiar with. They are for drilling smaller holes through soft wood, or even larger holes in softer materials like drywall. If you are new to tools, I would just start out with a regular power drill.
Even the best power tools will perform poorly if you do not have the correct blade, bit, or attachments. And lower end tools perform better with high quality blades and bits. Don't make the mistake of buying excellent tools and skimping on the blades and bits over a good deal. I am huge fan of the Diablo-Freud Blades and Bits.
Stanley Black and Decker Brand (SBD) makes many of their tools in the US. They have 49 facilities in the US and over 17,000 employees. SBD includes Craftsman Tool, Dewalt Brand, Porter Cable and more. If the most important thing to you is supporting American Companies, then that makes choosing a lot easier.
What kind of work do you do? The top power tool brands generally have power drills, work lights, power source, and lithium-ion batteries. Do you need a cordless circular saw? How about outdoor equipment like chain saws, lawn mowers or weed eaters? Need any specialized tools like borescopes, or infrared imagers? Some brands prioritize having the best power tool sets, and other brands prioritize a more wide variety of tools. Make sure the tool collection of the brand you choose has everything you need so you can avoid needing multiple batteries and chargers.
I use the Dewalt 20v max cordless system. I use my tools a lot and I am total jerk to them. I leave them out in the rain sometimes, I use them as hammers, and just overall treat them horribly. They never give up on me though which is more than I can say about most of my friends. Plus, their batteries are backwards compatible. I can use the heavy duty 60v li-ion batteries on my 20v tools. Plus, as noted above, they are made in America which pretty much seals the deal for me.
It is worth mentioning that I have a few Milwaukee m12 system tool holdovers from my early years. These are very underwhelming in power, and not take the abuse I give them. That being said, they're still kicking (barely) and I use them from time to time. They are more suited for simple home DIY'ers.
