We’ve been surveying our audience to see who makes the best tools. The answer, of course, is it depends. The best impact driver is likely made by a different brand than the best air compressor. You can break it down into trades, tool classes, power sources and so much more. Despite the complexity, we wanted to know what the general perceptions are out there. So, here’s how our audience answers the question, “Who Makes the Best Tools?”
If you think these results are highly subjective, you’re right. There were folks that offered some suspect votes and there’s clearly brand loyalty as well. So, take it with a grain of salt, but it was a lot of fun for us to see what you guys and gals think!
Before we jump in, we gathered a few interesting statistics as we analyzed the data. For starters, the following brands had at least one vote in every category:
- DeWalt
- Milwaukee
- Makita
A total of 130 different brands received at least one vote. That’s a 75% increase over last year!
53 brands received only one vote in one category.
Best Hand Tools was the category with the highest number of brands represented (48).
Milwaukee had the highest percentage of all votes cast across all categories (20.9%, 521 total votes). Makita was the next closest at 11.4% (284 total votes). DeWalt settled into third with 8.0% (199 total votes).
Who is the Best Tool Brand Overall?
Milwaukee Tool
There were no surprises in the category for the cateogy of best tools overall, with the Big 3 brands taking the top three spots. However, Makita overtook DeWalt for second place in a reversal of last year’s results.
Milwaukee finished with a dominating lead over every other brand, earning 35% of the vote. Makita was a distant second at 18%, while DeWalt trailed further behind at 13%.
Here’s how it all shook out:
Milwaukee (118), Makita (63), DeWalt (45), Festool (22), Bosch (10), Ryobi (10), Flex (8), Ridgid (8), Knipex (7), Snap-On (7), Hilti (6), Klein (4), Metabo HPT (4), Craftsman (2), Icon (2), Metabo (2), Skil/Skilsaw (2), Stanley (2), Stihl (2), Bauer (1), Black and Decker (1), Cornwell (1), Drill America (1), Duralast (1), EGO (1), Gearwrench (1), Greenworks (1), Ingersoll Rand (1), Jet (1), Kapro (1), Maffel (1), Matco (1), Proto (1), Rockler (1), Sawstop (1), Vessel (1)
Note: the number in parenthesis is the total number of votes for that brand.
It’s no surprise to see Milwaukee in the lead, though the gap to Makita and DeWalt is larger than you might think considering how competitve these three brands are with each other. If the comments on our Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channels are any indication, the reality is that they’re much closer competitors.
Who Makes the Best Cordless Power Tools?
Milwaukee Tool
Asking specifically about cordless tools, Milwaukee once again took home the top position with 44% of the votes cast. Makita held its second-place position with 20% of the vote, while DeWalt gained some ground at 15%.
Here’s the full list:
Milwaukee (147), Makita (67), DeWalt (49), Ryobi (18), Flex (14), Ridgid (7), Hilti (7), Festool (8), Bosch (5), Metabo HPT (3), Metabo (2), Stihl (2), Snap-On (1), Skil/Skilsaw (1), Greenworks (1), Ingersoll Rand (1), AEG (1), HYTORC (1), Maxxeon (1)
Statistically, we weren’t surprised to see Milwaukee have a dominant lead as the best cordless tool brand after the results of the first category. Nor were we surprised that DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee continued to hold the top three spots.
A lot of it has a lot to do with the incredible breadth of cordless tools each brand offers. One thing that set Milwaukee apart from the other two is its focus on trade-specific tools in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP). You’ll find Milwaukee tools designed to provide a solution that its closest competitors don’t offer.
However, note that Flex is gaining momentum. Based on our testing, they make quality Pro-focused cordless tools. Plus, that lifetime warranty adds a ton of value if you’re looking to jump into a new system.
Who Makes the Best Pneumatic Tools?
Ingersoll Rand
Turning to air power, Ingersoll Rand takes home the prize with 23% of the votes to earn the best pneumatic tools title. Interestingly, that’s the same percentage IR won with last year. Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi) earned 15% of the votes, and Makita pulled in 9%.
Ingersoll Rand (60), Metabo HPT (39), Makita (24), Senco (16), Snap-On (13), Bostitch (13), Paslode (13), Ridgid (11), Chicago Pneumatic (10), Milwaukee (9), DeWalt (7), Hilti (4), Jet (3), Matco (3), Max USA (3), Porter Cable (3), Ryobi (2), Festool (2), Stanley (2), Campbell Hausfeld (2), Harbor Freight (2), Bosch (1), HYTORC (1), Craftsman (1), Black and Decker (1), Cornwell (1), Air Cat (1), AirMax (1), Atlas Copco (1), DeVilbiss (1), Dynablade (1), Everwin (1), Florida Pneumatic (1), Freeman (1), Husky (1), Kobalt (1), Mirka (1), Pittsburgh (1), Sioux (1)
Ingersoll Rand is no surprise in the lead for pneumatics with an outstanding range of automotive and metalworking air tools. Metabo HPT is clearly still doing well after rebranding from Hitachi and continues to enjoy its well-deserved reputation for quality nailers.
This is always an interesting category to analyze once the results are in because of how many different brands compete in the space. Not only that, but there are so many different areas of focus considering mechanics, fabricators, and contractors among others. That said, there are few suspect votes here and we’ll leave you to chew on the validity of some of them.
Who Makes the Best Hand Tools?
Knipex
The general hand tool category is huge and includes every single trade. Knipex narrowly took the win by just one vote over Milwaukee. From a percentage standpoint, each earned 13% of the total votes (rounded to the nearest whole percentage). Klein wasn’t far behind in third, and Snap-On was two votes behind in fourth, each taking 11%.
Knipex (39), Milwaukee (38), Klein (34), Snap-On (32), Craftsman (21), Stanley (16), DeWalt (13), Gearwrench (11), Wera (11), Makita (9), Irwin (7), Icon (5), Crescent (5), Proto (4), Channellock (4), Estwing (4), Veritas (4), Husky (3), Festool (2), Bosch (2), Bahco (2), Lee Valley (2), Lie-Nielsen (2), Mac Tool (2), Martinez (2), SK Tools (2), Stilleto (2), 8 Tools (1), Metabo HPT (1), Cornwell (1), Duralast (1), Empire Level (1), Felo (1), Hart (1), Kapro (1), Klenix (1), Kraftwerk (1), Kobalt (1), KTC (1), Matco (1), Maxxeon (1), Pittsburgh (1), Rob Cosman (1), Sonic Tools (1), Trojan (1), USAG (1), Wiha (1), Wright Tool (1)
This year’s vote was even tighter than last year’s. We know Knipex makes great hand tools and Klein did well as we expected with its massive popularity among electricians. Snap-On helped put additional pressure on the top with its loyal fans in the automotive industry.
Milwaukee may be in the best position to push forward for the win next year, though. With hand tools that serve multiple trades, Milwaukee continues to improve its reputation among PTR fans and nailed the second-place position for the second year in a row.
Who Makes the Best Concrete Tools?
Hilti
The concrete industry is massive, and it’s a competitive category. This year, Hilti came away with the highest percentage of votes, earning a solid 18% of them. Marshalltown came in second with 15% and Makita was one vote behind at 14%.
Hilti (36), Marshalltown (30), Makita (29), Bosch (25), Milwaukee (25), DeWalt (19), Goldblatt (4), Kraft (4), Metabo (4), Stihl (3), Craftsman (2), Irwin (2), Ox (2), Ridgid (2), Stanley (2), Anvil (1), Bon Tools (1), Bostitch (1), Co.ME Tools (1), Fisher (1), Hilton (1), Husqvarna (1), Johnson (1), Kango (1), Klein (1), MBW (1), Metabo HPT (1), Ramset (1), Smith (1)
Hilti makes excellent concrete tools, competing well in nearly every tool category masons use. Makita, Bosch, and Milwauke are also hugh brands in the concrete industry, so it was no surprise to see those three brands near the top. Marshalltown fans spoled the concrete power tool party, though, sliding into second place overall with their focus on hand tools and larger walk-behind equipment.
Who Makes the Best Tools for Electricians?
Klein Tools
The most dominant performance in any category was Klein’s massive win in electrical tools that took 58% of the votes. Milwaukee was a distant second at 17% while the rest of the field faded away.
Klein (163), Milwaukee (48), Makita (17), DeWalt (12), Fluke (9), Knipex (7), Greenlee (4), Wiha (4), Ideal (2), Metabo HPT (2), Ridgid (2), Stanley (2), Wera (2), Flex (1), Gearwrench (1), Hilti (1), Irwin (1), Klenix (1), Lutron (1), Sparky (1), Testo (1)
We don’t think anyone who knows the electrical industry will be shocked to see Klein at the top of this vote. After all, they’ve been making electrical tools since 1857. I’m not sure any of us expected them to be this dominant in the voting, though!
Milwaukee clearly has a foothold with electricians thanks to an impressive range of cordless electrical tools such as its compact cordless threader and dieless crimper to go with its range of other cordless hydraulic and hand tools.
This year, Knipex slipped a few spots as Makita, DeWalt, and Fluke all made solid gains.
Who Makes the Best Tools for Plumbers?
Ridgid (Emerson)
Two plumbing powerhouse brands dominated the voting for the best plumbing tools this year: Ridgid and Milwaukee. Reversing last year’s results, Ridgid took a decisive win with 48% of the vote. MIlwaukee took another big chunk, earning 33%. Makita was a distant third with 6% of the votes.
Ridgid (114), Milwaukee (80), Makita (15), DeWalt (11), Knipex (7), Lenox (4), Channellock (1), Craftsman (1), Crescent (1), ICS (1), Irwin (1), Kobalt (1), Maxxeon (1), Stanley (1)
With such a dominant performance, it’s pretty clear that Milwaukee and Ridgid enjoy the highest reputation in the plumbing industry. Ridgid enthusiastically avenged last year’s second-place finsih to Milwaukee.
Well-known for its plumbing hand tools along with chain vices and many of the heavy-duty pipe threaders, chain vises, inspection systems, and other rugged tools plumbers depend on, Ridgid has a wide-ranging appeal in the trade.
Milwaukee’s presence is primarily due to cordless tools with PEX expanders, cordless threaders, plus an increasing range of hand tools and outstanding core tools to cover your needs across the board.
Interestingly, both brands recently celebrated their 100-year anniversaries!
Who Makes the Best Mechanics Tools?
Snap-On
Snap-On fans showed up for the Mechanic’s tools cateogry, giving the popoular brand a huge win with 40% of the votes. Milwaukee was a distant second with 12%. Craftsman, Gearwrench, and Makita were all close in third through fifth place.
Snap-On (111), Milwaukee (34), Craftsman (22), Gearwrench (20), Makita (20), Mac Tools (10), DeWalt (7), Icon (7), SK Tools (5), Proto (4), Ingersoll Rand (3), Matco (3), Channellock (2), Crescent (2), Klein (2), Ridgid (2), Stanley (2), Bosch (1), Cornwell (1), Duralast (1), FACOM (1), Festool (1), Husky (1), Knipex (1), Maxxeon (1), Metabo HPT (1), Pittsburgh (1), Sidchrome (1), Sonic Tools (1), VIM (1), Wera (1), Wurth (1)
Snap-On enjoys a positive reputation as the most popular tool truck brand, making its stops at shops around the country. Being number one makes you a target, and Snap-On is feeling the heat from Milwaukee.
Milwaukee’s bigger push into the automotive industry is clearly showing, considering it only earned about 1% of the votes two years ago. With purpose-built hand tools and some of the best cordless impact drivers available, it’s easy to love having Team Red on your side.
Craftsman enjoyed the biggest jump, hopping over many well-known Pro brands to settle into third place. With high-value mechanics’ hand tools and a wide range of power tools that won’t break the bank, it’s an attractive option for automotive weekend warriors.
Who Makes the Best Woodworking Tools?
Festool
Exactly zero of us at Pro Tool Reviews thought that Festool would be anywhere but the top in the best woodworking tools category. That’s where it finished with 22% of the votes. However, the Big 3 are pushing further into the space. Makita earned 15% while DeWalt had 14% and Milwaukee was in fourth place with 8%.
Festool (58), Makita (40), DeWalt (36), Milwaukee (22), Stanley (10), Bosch (9), Woodpecker (8), Grizzly (7), Jet (6), Lie-Nielsen (6), Powermatic (6), Delta (5), Fein (4), Kreg (4), Ryobi (4), Metabo HPT (3), Porter Cable (3), Ridgid (3), Rockler (3), Skil/Skilsaw (3), Veritas (3), Flex (2), Harvey (2), Irwin (2), Lee Valley (2), Milescraft (2), Craftsman (1), Dremel (1), Estwing (1), Garrett Wade (1), Greenworks (1), Kapro (1), Maffel (1), Morse (1), Rikon (1), Sanding Solutions Tahoe (1), SCM (1), Sommerfield (1), Wolfcraft (1)
If price is no object, Festool is what most serious woodworkers want to use. From the fantastic ergonomics of its sanders to the legendary Kapex miter saw, innovative Domino, and purpose-built CT dust extractors, it’s a brand hyper-focused on high quality.
If your budget isn’t that high, look to the Big 3 for quality options, including many cordless woodworking tools. Don’t discount Bosch, though. Its woodworking line is solid, with some of the best miter saws and best wood routers in the game.
Final Thoughts
We aren’t shocked to see the top Pro brands voted on frequently. And while this isn’t an objective test to quantify who makes the best tools, it certainly gives us a great idea of what the perception in the market is.
As you can understand, even within the Pro Tool Reviews office there’s plenty of dissension in the ranks. Each of our Pros in their various trades has their favorite and go-to brands that they’d never leave behind. And their answers to these questions are just as varied as yours.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to vote in this survey!
