Are Milwaukee tools at Home Depot worth buying?

Published Oct 27, 2026, 9:30 AM EDT Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He's covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family. He's covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He's written over 9,000 articles. Sign in to your How-To Geek account When you need a power tool and head to the hardware store, you'll see options from Ryobi, DeWALT, RIGID, Makita, Milwaukee, and more displayed in a rainbow of colors. Once you choose a brand, you'll start stocking up on battery packs, chargers, and endless tools. Here's what you need to know about one of the most recognizable names, Milwaukee, and whether they're worth buying. The Milwaukee tool company was founded in 1924 by Albert F. Siebert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its first major break and big innovation (back in those days) was the first industrial drill light enough to easily use one-handed, named the "Hole-Shooter." A century later, Milwaukee is one of the biggest brands around. It makes everything from cordless power drills and fasteners to specialty tools for electrical, plumbing, automotive, metal, and woodworking, to name a few. You can find Milwaukee tools at your neighborhood Home Depot, Walmart, Acme Tools, Northern Tool and Equipment, Ace Hardware, and more. Credit: Milwaukee Milwaukee has a long and storied history dating back 100 years. But like everything, things change over time. A common question online is who makes these tools. While the company still has its headquarters in Wisconsin, Techtronic Industries (TTI Group), which acquired the company in 2005, makes most of the cordless power tools in the M12 and M18 lines. If that name sounds familiar, it's because TTI is one of the largest tool manufacturers on the planet. TTI also owns and manufactures tools for many other top brands, including Ryobi, RIGID, Hoover, Dirt Devil, ORECK vacuums, AEG, and Hart Power tools you find at Walmart. Credit: Cory Gunther / How-To Geek Milwaukee Tools are very popular in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. Like Ryobi, they're all over the shelves of Home Depot. So, where are they made? According to TTI, Milwaukee's cordless power tool line is mainly manufactured in China. However, some production still happens in Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, and the United States. Most of it, at least for the cordless power tools, is made in China. So, the next time you go to bash someone's Ryobi drill, remember that the same company made your red M18 FUEL tool. That said, the brand does have a "Made in USA" line of hand tools and still operates several manufacturing and R&D facilities in states like Wisconsin, Mississippi, Indiana, and Tennessee. Credit: Milwaukee Milwaukee makes a wide assortment of corded and cordless power tools and hand tools, and I absolutely love my Milwaukee toolbox. The brand makes all sorts of things to help enthusiasts, DIY types, and professionals get the job done. For this article, however, I'm focused on its M12 and M12 cordless power tools. Like most power tool brands, Milwaukee offers an expansive selection of tools running on the same battery. And that's a big deal. You can use the same 12V (M12) battery from your first Milwaukee on 150+ other tools, and that's why the first tool you buy is a big deal, locking you into a battery ecosystem. What makes Milwaukee different from many other brands, like Ryobi, is that it offers two distinct power tool lineups with slightly different form factors and target audiences. The Milwaukee M12 line of sub-compact tools uses a smaller, lightweight battery yet still delivers exceptional performance. One M12 battery pack powers over 150 tools, perfect for homeowners or small jobs. Then, the star of the show is the Milwaukee M18 and M18 FUEL line, which is more powerful and directly competes with Ryobi's One+ 18V, DeWALT 20V tools, and pretty much any other brand. The M18 (18 volt) selection offers an expansive collection of 250+ tools for homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, and trade professionals. When you wander into Home Depot or Walmart, you'll find all sorts of Milwaukee M18 tools, including drills, drivers, impact wrenches, leaf blowers, electric screwdrivers, sawzalls, multi-tools, sanders, grinders, table saws, jigsaws, portable shop vacs, demolition hammers, Bluetooth speakers, rivet guns, and so much more. If there's a tool you need, Milwaukee probably makes it, and you can quickly find it at a store nearby. Credit: Cory Gunther / How-To Geek So, are Milwaukee Tools any good? The answer is a resounding yes. Power tool owners are a passionate bunch who love to hate other brands. You have Ryobi lovers for affordability, people who spend an entire salary on Snap-On, and everything in between. Milwaukee is hands-down one of the most popular power tool brands these days, especially in the United States. Whether or not they're right for you depends on your wants, needs, and budget. If you're looking for a tool for a DIY job around the house, consider the M12 line or something cheap from Ryobi. Those on a job site will certainly gravitate towards the M12 line, along with the powerful M18 and its 250+ tools. Credit: Milwaukee Milwaukee tools are built by one of the biggest power tool brands in the world. Most are competitively priced, readily accessible, and available in stores everywhere. The M18 tools and battery packs come with a standard 5-year warranty, although some batteries have a shorter 3-year warranty. Specific tools, models, or items in the M12 line may have varying warranty options. If you're an electrician or a mechanic, Milwaukee remains one of the best options thanks to its growing collection of tools that cater to specific jobs or trades. For example, the company makes several tools you won't find from Ryobi, DeWALT, or Makita. While I own a massive selection of Ryobi tools and battery packs, I'd choose Milwaukee if I were starting fresh. In closing, yes, Milwaukee is very much worth buying. You'll love the power and performance, the vast selection, the pricing, and the ease of access at stores everywhere. Get started with something like the Milwaukee M18 4-tool combo below. Milwaukee M18 Cordless Tool Combo Kit Color Red Special features Built-In Light, Keyless Chuck Join the Milwaukee tool family with this affordable 4-tool combo from Home Depot. It features a drill/driver, impact driver, hackzall, circular saw, charger, two battery packs, and a carry case.