Makita vs Milwaukee

[AS556]

What is your preferred power tool brand and why?

I use Milwaukee M12 and M18 at work and 18V Makita at home

Go.

 

[BarryWells]

I have lots of both. Makita is more attention detailed. It's like parking a Harley beside a fine Suzuki.Both make decent stuff. I prefer Makita for it's corporate behavior.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Really like my Makita stuff. Tools are built for contractor use. Warranty is good with a depot close enough to drive to.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Makita has more consistent quality (no wobbly chucks that can't hold onto a bit) and is honest about the performance of their product (250lb/ft out of a 12v stubby impact).

Also, Makita is Makita, not a label for TTI.

Oh, and Makita makes more tools in the US than Milwaukee.

Pretty much the only good thing about Milwaukee is they have a very wide range of mediocre tools. It's a shame. I used to be a die hard Red fan before they sold out.

 

[BarryWells]

Makita has more consistent quality (no wobbly chucks that can't hold onto a bit) and is honest about the performance of their product (250lb/ft out of a 12v stubby impact).

Also, Makita is Makita, not a label for TTI.

Oh, and Makita makes more tools in the US than Milwaukee.

Pretty much the only good thing about Milwaukee is they have a very wide range of mediocre tools. It's a shame. I used to be a die hard Red fan before they sold out.

They even have heated hoodies for burglers !
Been outa Milwaukees fan club for a looooong time. Portabands and Sawzalls still rule. The rest of it ???? Nah

 

[B_Bimmer]

Makita for many of the reasons already mentioned.

 

[Philbert]

Milwaukee seems a lot of good offerings for mechanics. Makita is solid for woodworkers and construction. I am talking cordless here. I have a few OG Milwaukee corded tools, too tough to die.

I'd go Makita if they had better mechanic tool stuff. I agree Makita is a " better " company.

 

[anndel]

I started to replace my early 2010 Makita 18V LXT tools when they died after 7-8 years or moderate to heavy use with a Milwaukee M18 set I bought at a HD sale. It's not a precision well made made as Makita. They're dying as well but only after 5 years or less of moderate use. Going back to Makita.

 

[davek125]

With Makita you get what you pay for - consistent trade quality tools and a reputation that is well earned over a long period of time.
With Milwaukee you are paying for an expensive marketing merchandising campaign. You are literally paying them to sell you tools.

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[NORTON'S SHOP]

No brainer. Makita all the way.

 

[bcradio]

you tell us first.

Go:

 

[seber]

I switched from Makita to Milwaukee years ago due to all the Makita tools being woefully underpowered. Sounds like that may have changed.

 

[Voi]

I went with Makita for their emphasis on yard & wood working tools, especially their X2 yard tools.

I long for Milwaukee for their M12 lineup, particularly the ratchets, angled die grinder, etc.

The decision to go with Makita was very easy as at the time they offered a chainsaw, mower & blower while Milwaukee didn't.

For me it was all about the ecosystem of tools.

 

[PhysicsDude]

I'm a Makita Man, but Milwaukee has made some really great tools the past few years, especially for auto mechanics.

The Milwaukee M12 electric ratchets and stubby impact wrenches are pretty badass and unmatched. I also like that Milwaukee has metal chucks on pretty much all their drills now, even the compacts. My biggest complain about Makita is that their compact and mid level drills have plastic chucks, which I haven't had good luck with.

But as far as build quality and ergonomics, I think Makita wins. Their tools feel like they mold into your hand, whereas Milwaukee feels more like a heavier Ryobi tool (which it is, to some extent). I like to point out that the standard Makita 18V impact driver is shorter from front to back than the M12 impact driver, only weighs about 10% more, and is more balanced.

Both good brands, IMO. Can't go wrong with either platform, but I'm definitely on the Makita bandwagon ;-)

 

[RedneckWelder]

I wish Makita would bring out more tools for auto use. They have good stuff. The older Makita stiff was extremely well made- I’m still using a miter saw, drywall screw gun, and grinder from the late 80s from Makita

 

[visionguru]

Workmanship: Makita
Features, choices, warranty: Milwaukee

I like my M18s, but the Milwaukee feels cheaply made comparing with other name brands like DeWalt and Makita, especially Ingersoll Rand. For example, cheap red plastics, and poorly fit batteries.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have owned many Makita,since the late 70's.Corded and battery.Never a issue or problem.Always did what they were designed to do,and they did it well.Originally I bought because the contractors yard was a Makita Service Center.I figured if I had a problem or question,they would be close.42 years later,they are still in busness,still the factory service center.I don't even need to think about changing brands.

 

[Handyandy23]

I think it really comes down to what you want to do with your tools.

If you're more concerned about woodworking / carpentry / outdoor power equipment, Makita is the best choice.

If you're a tradesperson and looking for specialty tools, especially automotive, then Milwaukee is the clear choice.

Really the best answer is probably "both" so that you get the good from both of them. And the comparison isn't really a great one considering their strengths lie in different areas. I think Makita versus DeWalt would be a better comparison, as Makita and DW do similar things well, and lack in similar areas. I'm on the road to pairing my DeWalt 20V tools with the M12 lineup so I can get the best of both worlds.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Makita, their saw was a plastic copy of the Skilsaw #534, so perfection. The 5" angle grinder was an industrial standard. Later fancier looking models are made in China.

 

[dnschmidt]

Toss up. Makita's dual battery 36V tools are the way to go as you can't **** with Ohm's Law (it's the LAW) Two 5.0 batteries in series simply makes more sense than Milwaukee's let's make them huger every day 18V 12.0 batteries.

Milwaukee has really good stuff too. A lot of people resent the fact that they're made in China. Personally I don't give a ****. The breath of the line is amazing and their mechanics tools are becoming industry standards with respect to ratchets and impacts.

 

[derek_m]

I use both. Milwaukee M18 for the cordless stuff, some corded. Any Makita I have is corded. I also have some Dewalt and Metabo that is corded. No complaints with any of it. If I buy anything cordless, it will be Milwaukee simply for the ease of battery compatibility.

 

[BK13]

I have M12 and both 18v platforms. But a lot more M18 stuff: 3/8” impact, 1/2” mid-torque, leaf blower, brushless impact, brushed drill. I do see me adding more Makita stuff in the future, probably a brushless drill and another impact driver.

It ain’t battery, but I’m looking hard at a Makita miter saw...


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[reader2580]

I believe Makita was the only one with Lithium batteries when I was shopping in 2006 so I went with them. I have added quite a few more LXT tools since then.

I found a few really good deals along the way that a kit with batteries was less money than the bare tool so I now have eight or ten batteries.

I just paid an arm and a leg for the Makita X2 curved shaft trimmer. I cannot stand straight shaft trimmers for some reason. Nobody else seems to make a curved shaft battery trimmer.

 

[f121]

I bought Makita after all my dewalt 18v batteries died, most buddies in construction used makita and it seemed tough and well supported.

Moving forwards a few years in 100% happy with that decision, I can buy tools anywhere, batteries anywhere, the twin fast charger is great and the tools themselves are excellent. I've got a fairly big collection and no complaints, other than the circular saw not coming with a dust port.

Milwauke m18 is getting more popular in the UK, but it seems to be purely fashion because it's an American sounding brand with a big following on YouTube - the tools don't seem any better than makita or dewalt.

Milwauke m12 is excellent, it's clear they have invested in their small range, unlike makita and dewalt, the range of tools and thought that has gone into them really shows. I've only been using m12 kit for 6 months, but wish I had bought that years ago but dewalt 10.8v

 

[KnurledNut]

Makita. Their specs are typically realistic, and the quality is good. I also find their tools more comfortable and ergonomic.

 

[GRB]

Makita was the only Lithium tool when I bought a bunch. They have continued to add to their line. The choice of Makita or Milwaukee is going to depend on the tools fitting your needs.

 

[engineer2]

I have a Makita impact driver I abused the **** out of the last couple of days removing about 600 cement board screws. Lots of dust. It got really hot, but never missed a beat. I use it so much it's starting to look like a well-used contractor's tool. My old LXT batteries still work great. I broke my 4 year old Makita drill and they sent me a new model for free as a good will gesture.

I would strongly consider Milwaukee if I was starting over. I played with a neighbor's Milwaukee drill and it seemed very close to the Makita in power and feel.

 

[Aquamoose]

I got shafted when the batteries would quit cold on me when a fault was detected within it. Mind you, I was a Makita fan for over 26 years since when I got my first 7.2 stick drill and grew my collection and was one of the first owner of the impact driver. Corporate decided to turn cold on me on these defective batteries (4) so I became a Milwaukee fan and now own 15-20 different M12, M18 cordless.


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[WittHay]

I dont have any Milwaukee cordless tools for home or personal use just Makita and DeWalt. Those 2 brands cover my needs

Bought Milwaukee M12,18 for work because of the lights and automotive impacts. Really no complaints on the M18 tools except for the drills. The latest Makita tools seem to be a class above the Milwaukee. Have a Makita 2x18V blower and 1 9/16 SDS drill and thinking of buying the chop saw

Corded tools have always used Makita. Never have had good luck with Milwaukee corded tools. The Makita 1/2 spade drill and 5" rat tail grinder are made in the USA now used to be made in Canada

 

[warrens]

Have no complaints with my Makita tools.

 

[Firefighter1406]

Run all Milwaukee M12 and M18 cordless. I have a Makita 10” tablesaw and a corded hammer drill that I have beated to death and it keeps asking for more. No complaints. Also had a Makita 4 1/2” grinder that gave many years of service.