DeWalt vs Milwaukee: Which Brand Wins?
Project Farm has put DeWalt and Milwaukee products into the same head-to-head test 67 times in this index. Counting each brand's best finisher, Milwaukee came out ahead in 39 of those 67 matchups and DeWalt in 28. Neither brand sweeps: the lead changes with the tool category, so the grid below shows every matchup, category by category, with each brand's exact finishing position and a link to the full test results.
DeWalt
28 / 67
matchups finished ahead · 11 outright test wins
Milwaukee
39 / 67
matchups finished ahead · 11 outright test wins
“Finished ahead” compares each brand's best-placed product in a test. “Outright test win” means the test itself declared that brand's product the overall winner.
DeWalt vs Milwaukee, category by category
Every test below included at least one genuine product from each brand. Positions are the order the products finished in the test; knockoff and counterfeit entries never score.
Power Tools21 tests
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Wrench2025 · 13 products | #3 of 13DeWalt Atomic | #1 of 13Milwaukee M12 Fuel | Milwaukee |
| Cordless Hammer Drill2025 · 11 products | #10 of 11DeWalt | #9 of 11Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Impact Drivers2025 · 12 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 12DeWalt 860 DCF860 (implied by 860 model designation, not stated by full number in transcript) | #2 of 12Milwaukee M18 Fuel | DeWalt |
| Heat Gun2024 · 18 products | #12 of 18DeWalt Corded | #11 of 18Milwaukee Corded | Milwaukee |
| Cordless Screwdriver2024 · 17 products | #14 of 17DeWalt | #11 of 17Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Corded Angle Grinder2023 · 11 products | #5 of 11DeWalt | #3 of 11Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Cordless Framing Nailer2023 · 6 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #5 of 6DeWalt | #1 of 6Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Right Angle Drill2022 · 10 products | #4 of 10DeWalt | #6 of 10Milwaukee M18 | DeWalt |
| Corded Vs Cordless Power Tools2022 · 10 products | #3 of 10DeWalt (cordless angle grinder) | #7 of 10Milwaukee M18 Fuel (cordless reciprocating saw) M18 Fuel | DeWalt |
| Battery-powered Sanders2022 · 12 products | #12 of 12DeWalt | #9 of 12Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Cordless Circular Saws2022 · 10 products | #8 of 10DeWalt | #2 of 10Milwaukee Fuel | Milwaukee |
| Angle Grinder2022 · 10 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #4 of 10DeWalt | #1 of 10Milwaukee M18 Fuel | Milwaukee |
| Oscillating Multi-tool2022 · 10 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #3 of 10DeWalt | #1 of 10Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Cordless Drill2021 · 8 products | #2 of 8DeWalt | #1 of 8Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Compact Battery Screwdriver2021 · 15 products | #3 of 15DeWalt Gyroscopic inline screwdriver kit | #15 of 15Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Cordless Reciprocating Saw2021 · 9 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 9DeWalt | #2 of 9Milwaukee M18 Fuel (cordless) | DeWalt |
| Hammer Drills2021 · 6 products | #3 of 6DeWalt DCD999B | #1 of 6Milwaukee FUEL 2804-20 | Milwaukee |
| Cordless (battery Powered) Wet/dry Shop Vacs2021 · 7 products | #4 of 7DeWalt | #2 of 7Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Impact Wrench2020 · 5 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #3 of 5DeWalt | #1 of 5Milwaukee M12 FUEL | Milwaukee |
| Battery Grease Gun2020 · 5 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #2 of 5DeWalt | #1 of 5Milwaukee M18 cordless two-speed grease gun | Milwaukee |
| Impact Driver2020 · 4 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #3 of 4DeWalt DCF 888BR | #1 of 4Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2853-20 | Milwaukee |
Blades, Bits & Abrasives20 tests
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drill Bit Set2026 · 14 products | #5 of 14DeWalt Cobalt, pilot point | #2 of 14Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Drill And Tap Set2026 · 17 products | #6 of 17DeWalt | #2 of 17Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Step Drill Bits2024 · 20 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 20DeWalt | #12 of 20Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Drill Bit2024 · 14 products | #3 of 14DeWalt high-speed steel (HSS) | #9 of 14Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Annular Cutters2022 · 12 products | #6 of 12DeWalt | #12 of 12Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Circular Saw Blades2022 · 15 products | #9 of 15DeWalt | #6 of 15Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Bit Holders2022 · 19 products | #8 of 19DeWalt locking | #7 of 19Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Wood Drilling Bits2022 · 12 products | #1 of 12DeWalt Spade | #8 of 12Milwaukee Spade | DeWalt |
| Circular Saw Blade2021 · 10 products | #6 of 10DeWalt framing and demolition blade | #4 of 10Milwaukee framing blade | Milwaukee |
| Torx Bit2021 · 12 products | #1 of 12DeWalt | #2 of 12Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Masonry Drill Bit2021 · 10 products | #7 of 10DeWalt Rock Carbide | #2 of 10Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Duty | Milwaukee |
| Oscillating Multi-tool Blade2020 · 10 products | #10 of 10DeWalt | #9 of 10Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Hole Saw2020 · 14 products | #7 of 14DeWalt 2X 2X | #2 of 14Milwaukee Hole Dozer | Milwaukee |
| Step Drill Bits2020 · 13 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 13DeWalt | #6 of 13Milwaukee Shockwave | DeWalt |
| Impact Driver Bits2020 · 10 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #4 of 10DeWalt Max Fit | #1 of 10Milwaukee Shockwave Shockwave | Milwaukee |
| Utility Knife Blade2019 · 11 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 11DeWalt carbide edge | #7 of 11Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Twist Drill Bit2019 · 12 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 12DeWalt black oxide standard tip, 14 piece set | #4 of 12Milwaukee titanium split tip, Shockwave, 15 piece set | DeWalt |
| Metal Cutoff Wheels2019 · 6 products | #3 of 6DeWalt | #4 of 6Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Demolition Sawzall Blades2018 · 6 products | #5 of 6DeWalt | #3 of 6Milwaukee Axe | Milwaukee |
| Reciprocating Saw Blade2018 · 7 products | #3 of 7DeWalt | #2 of 7Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
Hand Tools9 tests
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustable Wrenches2025 · 21 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #13 of 21DeWalt | #1 of 21Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Utility Knife2023 · 16 products | #4 of 16DeWalt | #2 of 16Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| 3/8 Inch Drive Ratchets2022 · 18 products | #12 of 18DeWalt | #9 of 18Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Folding Pocket Knife (EDC)2022 · 15 products | #11 of 15DeWalt | #12 of 15Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Needle Nose Pliers2022 · 14 products | #4 of 14DeWalt | #10 of 14Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Lineman Pliers2021 · 14 products | #9 of 14DeWalt | #10 of 14Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Diagonal Cutting Pliers (wire Cutters)2021 · 15 products | #5 of 15DeWalt | #9 of 15Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Tape Measure2021 · 11 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 11DeWalt | #6 of 11Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Impact Socket Adapter2020 · 18 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 18DeWalt | #14 of 18Milwaukee Shockwave | DeWalt |
Outdoor Power Equipment8 tests
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Chainsaw2025 · 13 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #11 of 13DeWalt | #1 of 13Milwaukee M18 FUEL | Milwaukee |
| String Trimmers2025 · 10 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #2 of 10DeWalt DCST 980 | #1 of 10Milwaukee 17 inch dual battery straight shaft trimmer | Milwaukee |
| Battery Powered Chainsaw2025 · 10 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 10DeWalt | #6 of 10Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Chainsaw2022 · 12 products | #7 of 12DeWalt chainsaw, 12in bar | #1 of 12Milwaukee M12 FUEL Hatchet 6-inch pruning saw | Milwaukee |
| Cordless Leaf Blower2022 · 10 products | #8 of 10DeWalt 772B, 60V | #4 of 10Milwaukee 2824-20, 36V | Milwaukee |
| String Trimmer2022 · 9 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #1 of 9DeWalt | #2 of 9Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Pole Saw2022 · 10 products | #4 of 10DeWalt | #10 of 10Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Chainsaw2020 · 6 products · DeWalt won the test outright | #3 of 6DeWalt | #5 of 6Milwaukee M18 FUEL | DeWalt |
Power Tool Batteries3 tests
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tool Battery (counterfeit Vs Genuine)2024 · 6 products | #1 of 6DeWalt DCB205 (genuine) | #3 of 6Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Power Tool Batteries2021 · 3 products | #1 of 3DeWalt | #3 of 3Milwaukee | DeWalt |
| Power Tool Batteries2020 · 4 products | #1 of 4DeWalt 5 amp hour 20V max lithium ion battery | #2 of 4Milwaukee M18 Red Lithium XC 5.0 extended capacity | DeWalt |
Jump Starters & Car Power2 tests
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tire Inflators2023 · 13 products · Milwaukee won the test outright | #7 of 13DeWalt | #1 of 13Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
| Portable Tire Inflator2019 · 8 products | #4 of 8DeWalt | #1 of 8Milwaukee M12 Compact Inflator | Milwaukee |
Workwear & Safety Gear2 tests
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch Box2024 · 16 products | #7 of 16DeWalt | #5 of 16Milwaukee Packout | Milwaukee |
| Heated Jackets2021 · 5 products | #3 of 5DeWalt heated jacket (with battery and charger) | #5 of 5Milwaukee M12 Heated Tough Shell Jacket, Stretch Polyester (jacket only) | DeWalt |
Home & Cleaning1 test
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stapler2022 · 15 products | #8 of 15DeWalt electric stapler with depth control | #3 of 15Milwaukee | Milwaukee |
Home Appliances1 test
| Test | DeWalt best finish | Milwaukee best finish | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handheld Vacuum2024 · 14 products | #14 of 14DeWalt genuine (20-V system) | #12 of 14Milwaukee genuine (M18) | Milwaukee |
Where DeWalt finished ahead
How this scoreboard works
Every row comes from one Project Farm head-to-head test that fielded genuine products from both DeWalt and Milwaukee. For each test we take each brand's best-finishing product, in the order the test ranked them, and score which one placed higher; the test's own declared winner is reported separately as an outright win. We did not run any of this testing ourselves, and no number on this page exists outside the underlying test data. Click any test to see the full measured results and the link to the original video.
The products behind these results
The best finisher each brand fielded in the tests above. We link what the tests named, not our own pick, and we have not tested anything ourselves.
Power Tools · test winner
DeWalt 860 DCF860
Blades, Bits & Abrasives · test winner
DeWalt carbide edge
Outdoor Power Equipment · test winner
Milwaukee M18 FUEL
Outdoor Power Equipment · test winner
Milwaukee 17 inch dual battery straight shaft trimmer
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FAQ
Is DeWalt better than Milwaukee?
Neither brand sweeps. Across the 67 independent Project Farm tests in this index that included both brands, Milwaukee's best product finished ahead in 39 matchups and DeWalt's in 28. The result varies by tool category, so check the grid above for the product you are actually buying.
How many tests did DeWalt win outright?
DeWalt took the test's declared overall win in 11 of the 67 shared tests, including impact drivers, battery powered chainsaw, step drill bits. An outright win means the test itself named a DeWalt product the winner; finishing ahead of Milwaukee happened more often than that.
How many tests did Milwaukee win outright?
Milwaukee took the test's declared overall win in 11 of the 67 shared tests, including compact chainsaw, string trimmers, adjustable wrenches. An outright win means the test itself named a Milwaukee product the winner; finishing ahead of DeWalt happened more often than that.
Who wins in power tools?
Power Tools is the pair's biggest battleground here: 21 shared tests. Milwaukee's best product finished ahead in 16 of them. Every one of those tests is linked in the grid above so you can check the measured results.
Did Which Brand Wins run these tests?
No. Every measurement and finishing order on this page comes from Project Farm's independent test videos. We index the results and compute the scoreboard; each row links to our write-up of the underlying test, which links the original video so you can check the numbers yourself.