Top 10 Tool Brands to AVOID! (Cordless Power Tools 2024)

Investing in cordless power tools is hard enough so here is a list of the top tool brands you should avoid in 2024.

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[bwselectronic]

No one company makes the best in every tool.
The best tool is the one that works for you that you can afford.

[blackcatw]

The only tool store within 40 miles of my farm is Lowes, so I dived into the 5 year warranty Kobalt XTR line. The battery on the big 1/2 inch impact stopped working after about 3 years so I went to Lowes to exchange it. The customer service told me no, you have to return all of the kit. What are you saying, I get an all new kit just because the battery failed? Yes.
I ran home and gathered up everything that came in the kit, returned to the store and walked out with a brand new box right off the shelf. Wow!
This is one reason why I am happy with Kobalt brushless 24V max tools.

[insidebean]

You chose Ridgid because you think they’ll warranty your drill forever. I chose Ridgid because I like orange. We are not the same.

[russellstarr]

I understand where you're coming from. As a professional mechanic for over 30 years, I was all in on Snap-On. Now as a retiree, I have bought several Bauer cordless tools and for no more than they get used, they are more than adequate. Milwaukee and DeWalt are great tools, but I can't justify the price.

[MrPaulis]

Hello, long time viewer here. Im a long time Ridgid fan. Ive been using their tools since 2008. I have never had to send a tool back for repair yet. But I have had to send a tool set back for replacement because the batteries was no longer available and was worn out. Rather than just send me new batteries for my tools they went ahead and sent me an entire new set including two new batteries and a new charger. So I thought this was exceptionally good of them to go ahead and do this as opposed to just giving me a lower voltage 18 volt battery which would work on the 24 volt systems. And have also had several of the 18 volt batteries fail. And each time they have gotten replaced no questions asked and just a few days and not even having to send the core back. So for my experience rigid is an exceptional tool line. Don't worry though while me and you still disagree on rigid and we can always agree to disagree, I still agree with you on many other things. Thanks for all you do.

[robertcasey]

I have Bosch power tools and yeah the majority of them have been bought online, ie Amazon, Acme tools, CPO tools etc. You wont find much at Lowe's. But that doesn't mean they should be avoided because they are some of the best built tools i own.

[jeffwright]

20 years ago when I did a two year stint as an installer I bought a set of 19volt Craftsman hand power tools. They worked great for me and never gave me a problem. 20 years later and I still have all the tools and they still are going strong. Yes I have replaced the batteries twice but the original chargers are still working. I have built patios, fences, sheds, and garden boxes for myself, freinds, and my adult children. I want to get a new set of Makita, Dewalt, Ryobi, or Milwaukee but I guess the emotional drag to Craftsman is strong. I'm glad you rate them close to, or on par, with Dewalt. I just wish Sears was still around.

[mikelafata]

I started with Ryobi back with the blue tools. All my old blue tools are still working today as well as all the newer yellow tools. I’ve never had any break. I love that they vowed to not change their battery platform.

[richadent]

I understand you placing Bosch on your list. But all my Bosch corded and cordless tools are great. And last a lifetime. I still have an old 10.8 volt screwdriver. Still works and the batteries stay charged.

[full-light]

I have been using Ryobi for years, and I love them.

[johng.]

Great video! I appreciate you NOT sugar coating the brands that suck! I have been a Ryobi user for awhile because of their selection. They are decent tools and the battery packs interchange easily enough. For what I do around the home, DeWalt and Milwaukee are overkill. I understand they are built better. Having noted that, I'm really interested in the Harbor Freight tools.. (Bauer/Hercules) Perhaps you could do a video on why a user would opt for either tool. Lastly, it's a shame what some of these larger companies have done to the old name-brand tools. (Craftsman etc.)
Thanks. Subscribed!
👍

[MrMayhem]

I'm a DeWalt guy. I didn't know about the Craftsman brushless line being just as good. I knew that SB&D owned them all it's just good to know that that particular Craftsman line can be as reliable as my DeWalt tools. Thanks for the informative video.

[kurtisskoog]

I have three power Ridgid power tools. I didn’t know you had a time limit for registration on my table saw so I lost out on the lifetime service plan. On the other two tools I promptly filled out the on-line forms. However, with both tools I received a follow-up questions a couple weeks later. I answered those questions only to have one other follow-up question a week or so later. If had failed to answer any of these questions, my lifetime service would be voided. I can only assume this tactic is intentional on Ridgid’s part

[Choptank-ygjx]

As someone who has had a lot of brands, I've ended up with a decent amount of Craftsman v20 brushless stuff. I really enjoy it. The whole Craftsman lineup including batteries has gotten more affordable which is why I've expanded into the line. All started with a couple good deals.

[edwardlee]

This was an excellent and well presented video. Your advice was spot on and fair. I have used and purchased most of the brands you discussed and found your advice to be pure wisdom. I supervised installation crews who used both company tools and personally owned tools. As cordless tools took over the job-site scene, maintaining the fewest number of battery platforms became important. This was often hard to do because of the fierce and sometimes irrational loyalty installers often held in tool brands. Frankly, battery life and performance was our most important matrix. Picking the best platform at the professional level is extremely important. The cost of having and maintaining several platforms is not to be underestimated!

[Gunpowdermuzik]

I worked for the Warranty dept at Ryobi/Ridgid in South Carolina. I fully disagree as far as the battery dept of the service agreement. I sent many battery replacements every day and was trained to give some room for paperwork/date issues u spoke of. I didnt work in the tool servicing dept so i cant speak of that side but the battery replacement is top notch. I replaced batteries up to 15 yrs old.

[SirTools]

100% right on ! I do think the tool market is getting to be TOO much selection and odd brand names that go no where. Shine on big guy !

[runesvensson]

HILTI tools from the '80s were made like tanks. They could not be broken.

[daveheiskala]

I appreciate your honesty Jeff that's why I watch !

[kenking]

When I graduated from Harbor Freight cordless drills in 2011, I went with Ryobi. This was mostly because I was relocating and Home Depot was close. Been happy with nearly everything I bought (around a dozen different tools so far) and am still using that first blue drill. Have had it smoking a few times and spilled acetone on it once scarring the case rather badly. It remains my go-to for daily use.
Thank you for saying something good about Ryobi. I don't see that very often. BTW, my shed doesn't have power yet so I made a lighting system for it that uses One+ battery power for LED lighting inside and out. Works great. Next door neighbor had me set up one for his shed too.