Milwaukee has earned a reputation for making some of the best power tools on the market, but that doesn’t mean you can find other, cheaper, alternatives.
Owned by the conglomerate TTI, Milwaukee is one of the most recognizable tool badges in garage collections and on professional jobsites. The brand’s focus on professional needs and the constantly expanding set of specialized gear within its catalog helps to drive significant love for the tools among enthusiasts of all stripes. But Milwaukee equipment isn’t always the right solution for every job. It occasionally suffers from battery problems and price is a constant enemy for many buyers. Milwaukee gear delivers powerful performance as a veritable standard, but that comes at a serious cost and Milwaukee tools are frequently known to be more expensive than competitive options. For some, that price tag is justified — for others, not so much.
Fortunately, there’s a wide world of tool options out there beyond the flashy red bodies badged in Milwaukee’s lightning bolt branding imagery. In fact, for buyers seeking excellent value and a tool that can compete with or even outperform a Milwaukee power tool, there’s quite a range of choices. Many competitive models can provide the same overarching experience as a Milwaukee tool or even surpass its performance without creating the same drain on your bank account. Alternatives at lower prices are frequently available, and for a tool user unafraid of a collection that utilizes a few different battery systems, this can offer a cost effective workaround that doesn’t sacrifice effectiveness.Hercules 20V ½-Inch Compact Hammer Drill/Driver
Milwaukee’s flagship M18 Fuel Hammer Drill model is a perennial favorite. The tool has a 4.8 star average rating across 555 reviews. The Fuel moniker showcases the tool’s enhances specs, delivering brushless power and a raft of premium features. The tool delivers 1,400 in-lb of torque and retails in the neighborhood of $229.
Harbor Freight’s flagship line is Hercules, a brand designed with high intensity output in mind, making it a decent place to begin any comparison of alternative brands against Milwaukee equipment. The Hercules 20V ½-Inch Compact Hammer Drill/Driver produces 1,200 in-lb of max torque, placing it lower but in the same conversation as the Milwaukee option. It’s listed at a fraction of the price, though, with a bare tool cost at $80. Harbor Freight calls it a „professional“ level tool underpinned by a „high-performance brushless motor.“ The tool runs with two speed settings and 14 clutch positions. It engages the hammer function with up to 32,000 blows per minute for realistic drilling capability in concrete and blockwork. The tool is also backed by the brand’s 5 year limited warranty.Craftsman V20 Brushless Screw Gun
The Milwaukee M18 Fuel Drywall Screw Gun is a niche solution that won’t be required in every home improver’s tool kit. However, it has received 286 reviews from buyers and sports a 4.6 star average rating. The tool offers a 4,500 RPM maximum turning speed and runs with a few key features like an auto start function and a comfortable, ergonomic tool body design. It can be found at a range of outlets for roughly $179.
The Craftsman V20 Brushless Screw Gun offers similar specs to the Milwaukee tool, and it’s even red, too! The tool is listed at Lowe’s for $119, making it notably less expensive. The screw gun features an adjustable nosecone to set the depth you want to sink screws to, and can be easily removed. It also operates with a lock-on feature that allows for a reduction in time between installations. The screw gun also includes an LED light to help illuminate the work surface for more efficient and consistent work throughout your project. It’s a small addition, but both tools also come with a belt clip included. This is something many tool brands don’t include, and it can really improve the user experience. It also brings the Craftsman tool even more in line with its Milwaukee counterpart.Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36V 7¼-Inch Brushless Hybrid Circular Saw
There are a number of valuable circular saws in the Milwaukee catalog. Its highest rated solution is the M18 Fuel 7¼-Inch model, though. It has a 4.5 star average rating with 101 reviews. The tool offers a classic, framing-focused cut dimension and delivers a 6,000 RPM max blade speed with enhancements like a rafter hook and LED light built into the body. It can be found for around $269
Metabo HPT (not to be confused with the brand simply called „Metabo“ since they operate separately) is less popular than many other power tool brands, but what it lacks in visibility it makes up for with power output, performance specs, and a great warranty. Metabo HPT tools are frequently found within professional settings for these reasons.
The Metabo HPT MultiVolt 36V 7¼-Inch Brushless Hybrid Circular Saw is available at Lowe’s for a sale price of $89 (down from a regular listing at $209). The sale rate makes it a genuine steal, but at standard price the tool is still notably cheaper than the Milwaukee alternative. This tool features the same blade size, but its MultiVolt feature means it works with both the brand’s 36V and 18V battery options. It features a torque boost button to increase power output when shearing through particularly dense hardwoods or thick timbers.
