Newer Tool Brands vs. Established Brands: Who Should Buy Which?

Quick verdict

"Established" brands like Milwaukee, DEWALT and Makita are the names pros trust. "Newer" or "challenger" lines, such as FLEX, Ridgid, Hercules, Skil and Ryobi, say they offer similar power for less. The question is whether that is true.

We read three independent hammer-drill tests, an older shoot-out and a full set of written reviews. Our verdict:

• Homeowners and DIYers: a challenger is usually a smart buy. Ryobi and Ridgid are solid at the common jobs, and one challenger, FLEX, finished first in two big tests.
• Pros and heavy users: established brands still have the edge in service, parts, tool range and long-term durability. FLEX is the exception worth checking.
• People with batteries already: stay put. The platform you own matters more than the drill.

Who counts as "new" and who counts as "established"?

There is no clear line, so here is how we use the words:

• Established pro brands: Milwaukee, DEWALT and Makita. These are the names you see on most professional job sites, with big service networks.
• Value and homeowner brands: Ryobi and Skil. Ryobi is not new, but it sells mostly to homeowners and beginners. 731 Woodworks says its tools are made for beginners and occasional projects.
• Challenger pro-style lines: FLEX, Ridgid and the Harbor Freight brands, Hercules and Bauer. They aim at serious users but with a different pricing and battery strategy.

What independent tests found

Project Farm: 11 hammer drills

Project Farm tested hammer drills from Hercules, Ridgid, Ryobi, Skil, Craftsman, FLEX, Milwaukee, DEWALT, Makita and two unknown-brand budget kits. He ranked each drill on chuck grip, working torque, speed, concrete drilling, clutch control, noise, and size.

• FLEX finished first with an average finish of 2.3, followed by Milwaukee at 2.8. FLEX made almost the same working torque as Milwaukee in the lag-bolt test (Milwaukee was a hair higher) and was the fastest in first gear. It was the heaviest drill at about 6 pounds.
• Milwaukee was the best all-rounder, light and small for its power, but the noisiest.
• DEWALT performed well, with the fastest top-gear speed and the best concrete result, but it was heavy and its electronic clutch gave poor low-torque control.
• Makita had the best chuck grip and no weak areas, a "more laid-back" Milwaukee.
• Hercules made good torque for a challenger and held bits well, though it has no hammer setting and was loud.
• Ryobi's HP drill and Ridgid were mid-pack: Ryobi was lighter and quieter than the DEWALT, but both made less torque than the leaders. Skil's light-duty drill made the least torque of the group.

The reviewer's summary: he would consider any of the top four brands if the price is right, and all of the drills had improved since his last test.

Pro Tool Reviews: nine hammer drills

PTR tested speed, torque and ergonomics. FLEX scored 95 points, the highest, with strong speed in screws, spade bits and concrete, plus kickback control and a turbo mode. DEWALT was second and Makita third. Ryobi's HP drill was named best for the money, with PTR noting it is far smaller than past Ryobi drills. The slowest in concrete was the Hercules, taking nearly 10 seconds against about 5.7 for the FLEX.

Torque Test Channel: do you need the top model?

Torque Test compared Ryobi's HP hammer drill, a Ridgid high-torque brushless drill, a compact DEWALT and Milwaukee's M18 drill. The reviewer found the Ridgid the nicest to hold, with strong power under load and anti-kickback. The Milwaukee made the most torque but needed a bigger battery to shine. The Ryobi lagged on low-speed torque but kept up under load. His conclusion: the Ridgid, DEWALT and Ryobi are often more drill than home projects need.

How the two groups compare

Power. The top challengers now match or beat the established names in testing. FLEX did so in two tests. Ridgid held its own in a third. The weakest challengers, like the brushed Skil drill in Project Farm's test and some store brands, are light-duty tools.

Control. A mechanical clutch gives finer control at low settings than an electronic one. In Project Farm's test, Milwaukee's newer drill and several challengers did well here, while the DEWALT's clutch needed work.

Weight and size. Bigger power usually means bigger weight. FLEX was the heaviest tested, while Milwaukee and Makita were lighter and shorter. If you drill overhead often, check the weight first.

Service and support. This is where established brands win. They have more service centers, more replacement parts and more retailers. Ridgid advertises a lifetime service agreement, which reviewers value, but read the terms. Milwaukee advertises a longer 5-year tool warranty than DEWALT or Ryobi, which advertise 3 years.

Tool range. DEWALT and Milwaukee make dozens of tools for pros. Ryobi's range is huge too, but aimed at homeowners. FLEX has a smaller range than the big three, and the 24V battery does not share with other systems.

Where to buy. Hercules and Bauer are sold at Harbor Freight, so you can walk in and return a tool. Ryobi is a Home Depot brand. The big three are sold nearly everywhere.

Brand-by-brand snapshot

Here is how each name came out in the sources we read. Remember that each test used one model, so another drill in the same line can score differently.

Milwaukee (established). In Project Farm's test it was the second-best all-rounder, with the most working torque, a compact body and a mechanical clutch that gave good low-torque control. The downside was noise, the loudest drill in the group. Torque Test adds that Milwaukee's M18 drills make strong torque but like a bigger, high-output battery than the one in a basic kit. Milwaukee also advertises a 5-year tool warranty.

DEWALT (established). A strong, well-rounded drill that was fastest in top gear and in concrete in Project Farm's test. It was also one of the heaviest and had an electronic clutch that Project Farm said needed work for delicate screws. Pro Tool Reviews ranked its flagship hammer drill second overall. For homeowners, the compact drills are lighter and easier to live with than the flagship.

Makita (established). Project Farm called it a calmer version of the Milwaukee, with the best chuck grip and no real weak areas. Pro Tool Reviews placed its 40V hammer drill third. The 40V line it tested is aimed at heavy use.

FLEX (challenger). The surprise of the tests. It came first in Project Farm's average ranking and in Pro Tool Reviews' scoring, with working torque on par with Milwaukee in Project Farm's test and strong speed. The trade-offs are weight, which reviewers describe as the highest of the group, and a 24V battery system with a smaller tool range than the big three. Think of it as a drill that wins tests, but one you commit to a platform for.

Ridgid (challenger). Torque Test found a Ridgid high-torque brushless drill comfortable to hold, strong under load and equipped with anti-kickback. Project Farm's Ridgid was mid-pack on torque. Ridgid is sold mainly at Home Depot and advertises a lifetime service agreement, which is worth reading about before you buy.

Ryobi (value brand). Pro Tool Reviews picked its HP hammer drill as best for the money. It is the lightest drill in that test, and it is part of a huge battery system. Torque Test noted that its electronics cut power before it fully bogs down, which can annoy heavy users but may extend the tool's life. The weak points are low-speed torque (Torque Test) and durability under daily abuse (731 Woodworks).

Skil (value brand). A light-duty line for shelves, furniture and small repairs. The brushed Skil hammer drill in Project Farm's test made the least torque of all 11 drills, so match it to light work.

Hercules and Bauer (Harbor Freight). Both sell at Harbor Freight stores. In the newest Project Farm test the brushless Hercules made good torque for a challenger, held bits well and was fast under load, but it has no hammer setting and its low-torque clutch control was poor. In the older test the Bauer was called very hard to beat for light or occasional use if you already own the battery.

What buyers say

Across the written reviews and comments we read, a few themes repeat:

• "Good enough" is the headline for challengers. Buyers of Ryobi, Skil and Ridgid kits most often say the drill does everything they need around the house, and they like that they can add tools on the same battery later.
• Pro-brand buyers talk about durability and support. Buyers of Milwaukee, DEWALT and Makita most often mention how well the tools hold up and that parts and service are easy to find.
• Weight and noise come up in both groups. The most powerful drills are the heaviest, and several testers found the top hammer drills loud.
• The battery matters as much as the drill. Torque Test found a big difference between the standard kit battery and a high-output one, so a drill that looks weak on a basic battery can look much stronger on a better one.

How to choose between the two groups

Ask four questions before you buy:

1. How often will you use it? Weekly or daily use points to an established brand or FLEX. A few times a year points to a challenger.
2. What will you do with it? Driving screws and drilling wood is easy for every drill here. Drilling concrete, running hole saws and driving lag bolts is where the weaker drills fall behind.
3. How much do you want to grow? If you expect to add a saw, a router and an impact driver, count the tools on each battery system first.
4. What can you get serviced nearby? If a store near you handles a brand's warranty, that brand is easier to live with.

Pros and cons

Challenger brands

Established brands

Our verdict by buyer

• Occasional DIYer, shelves and furniture. Get a Ryobi or Skil kit. They are easy on the budget and plenty for light work.
• Serious DIYer, decks and remodeling. Consider FLEX, Ridgid or a DEWALT compact. You get strong torque without a pro price.
• Pro or semi-pro. Stay with Milwaukee, DEWALT or Makita for service and parts. If you are open to a different battery, check the FLEX.
• Harbor Freight shopper. The Bauer and Hercules are fine for light or occasional jobs, according to Project Farm. Do not pick them for concrete.
• Anyone who already owns batteries. Stay with that brand. Switching rarely pays off unless the old batteries are dying.

For help planning a first project, see our circular saw guide and the DEWALT DWE575SB review, then use the free deck calculator to size your materials.

Key specs to look for

Where to get them

These five drills show the range. FLEX, Ryobi and Skil are the challengers. DEWALT and Milwaukee are the established brands. Ridgid, Hercules and Bauer also did well in tests but are sold mostly at Home Depot or Harbor Freight, so we have not listed them here.

FLEX 24V Brushless 1/2-Inch 2-Speed Hammer Drill Kit with 6.0Ah Battery

Mid ($$)Worth-owning score 8.3/10

• Topped Project Farm's 11-drill average ranking and Pro Tool Reviews' hammer drill test
• Turbo mode and kickback control, per the listing and reviewers
• Heavy for a drill, and the 24V battery is its own system

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How we scored it

Usefulness 9/10 · Value 8/10 · Durability 8/10. This is our own opinion, based on specs, buyer reviews and independent tests. It is not an Amazon or customer rating.

RYOBI 18V ONE+ HP Compact Brushless 1/2 in. Drill/Driver Kit

Budget ($)Worth-owning score 8/10

• Brushless motor and a 24-position clutch in a compact body, per the listing
• Pro Tool Reviews named Ryobi's HP hammer drill best for the money
• Joins a big battery system sold at Home Depot

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How we scored it

Usefulness 8/10 · Value 9/10 · Durability 7/10. This is our own opinion, based on specs, buyer reviews and independent tests. It is not an Amazon or customer rating.

SKIL PWR CORE 20 Brushless 20V 1/2-Inch Drill Driver Kit (DL6280B-10)

Budget ($)Worth-owning score 7/10

• A brushless 20V drill with a 2.0Ah battery and charger, per the listing
• A light, entry-level choice for shelves, furniture and small repairs
• A brushed Skil hammer drill made the least torque in Project Farm's test, so skip Skil for heavy work

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How we scored it

Usefulness 7/10 · Value 8/10 · Durability 6/10. This is our own opinion, based on specs, buyer reviews and independent tests. It is not an Amazon or customer rating.

DEWALT 20V MAX XR Brushless 1/2 in. Hammer Drill/Driver Kit (DCD805D2)

Mid ($$)Worth-owning score 8.7/10

• A 7 inch compact hammer drill with a 1/2 inch metal ratcheting chuck, per the listing
• Two speeds (0-650 and 0-2,000 rpm) and an adjustable LED light
• Backed by a very large tool and battery range

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How we scored it

Usefulness 9/10 · Value 8/10 · Durability 9/10. This is our own opinion, based on specs, buyer reviews and independent tests. It is not an Amazon or customer rating.

Milwaukee 3403-22 M12 FUEL 12V 1/2 in. Drill Driver Kit

Pro ($$$)Worth-owning score 8.3/10

• The maker lists a brushless motor, 400 inch-pounds and an all-metal 1/2 inch chuck
• Compact at about 6 inches, so it fits in tight spaces
• Milwaukee topped Project Farm's tests for working torque, though the model tested was larger

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How we scored it

Usefulness 9/10 · Value 7/10 · Durability 9/10. This is our own opinion, based on specs, buyer reviews and independent tests. It is not an Amazon or customer rating.

Check the current listings and recent reviews before you buy. Make sure each listing says what is in the box, because some kits include batteries and some do not.