I'm thinking about getting some new power tools and I want to go the cordless rechargeable route. Any opinions on the major Home Depot/Lowes brands, ie. Dewalt, Bosch, Porter Cable, Ryobi, Milwaukee, Hitachi???



I've heard good things about all except Ryobi and Milwaukee. Any input or discussion greatly appreciated.

 

For home use they are all good. Just get big batteries. The higher the voltage the longer they last.

 

not always true. The new lithium ion batteries are quite small and last a long time. I use cordless power tools for work, I have owned/used almost every brand out there. I must say Milwaukee makes some GREAT tools, by far my favorite. I am currently using Makita, and am pretty happy with them too. I DID NOT like Bosch cordless tools, they didn't seem to hold up to the abuse I like to put my tools through. Same goes for DeWalt, quality just doesn't seem to be at par with other name brands.



That being said, if you're just using these tools for light jobs around the house and garage, I'm sure any of the brands would be fine (even the store brand names). I would wait for a sale and pick up a combo set (drill, impact drill, sawzall, radio etc) and I would also make sure the batteries were lithium ion (small battery size wise and more power/torque).



Hope this helps.

 

I have Milwaukee M18 stuff. Really like it.

 

Milwaukee or Dewalt are my preferences

 

nothing wrong with any of those brands really. i'd pick dewalt or or the milwaukee myself. i think with cordless the way to go is have 2 battery packs. keep on charging so you can swap. higher voltage only really means more torque from your tools. good to have to be sure

 

Ryobi 18v. I abuse my Ryobi's and they still work great.

 

I have two of these and love them. I like having the hammer drill setting and it adds virtually no weight. Li-Ion is a necessity. Ni-Cad batteries double the weight of the drill and last half as long.



edit: I've owned craftsman, black and decker, and dewalt. Also used tons of others but ended up with the dewalts.

 

I use black and decker at home (18v kit), works great but you have to replace the batteries about once a year.

at work ive used dewalt, milwaukee, and bosch. my favorite of all those is Bosch but theyre all very close. black and decker i would only recomend for home use. the other 3 for heavyduty daily use. ryobi seems to be a close to B and D. the biggest diferance is price. B and D is the cheapest, the ryobi, then the big 3.

 

I'm surprised to see so many people like Dewalt (fancy Black and Decker)??! I hated Dewalt tools, they seemed to be a cheaper quality compared to Milwaukee and Makita. To each his own I guess.