DeWalt vs Makita vs Milwaukee: Which Battery Platform Should You Choose?

Buying your first cordless tool feels like a simple enough decision — pick a drill, pay the money, get to work. But here’s the thing nobody tells you until you’re three tools deep: you’re not just buying a tool. You’re choosing a battery platform. And once you’ve got two or three batteries for one brand, switching costs real money.

The three dominant platforms in the UK market are DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee. Each has genuine strengths, real weaknesses, and loyal followers who’ll argue their corner to the death in any Facebook DIY group. This guide cuts through the brand loyalty and gives you an honest comparison so you pick the right ecosystem for your situation.

Why Choosing a Battery Platform Is the Biggest Tool Decision You’ll Make

Here’s the maths that catches people out. Say you buy a DeWalt combi drill with two 5.0Ah batteries and a charger — that’s roughly £200-250. Then you add an impact driver (body only) for £80-100, a circular saw (body only) for £120-150, and maybe a reciprocating saw for £80-100.

Within a year, you’ve spent £500+ and own three or four DeWalt batteries. Switching to Makita at that point means your batteries are worthless (to you) and you’re starting from scratch. The batteries are the platform, and the tools are the accessories.

So it’s worth spending 20 minutes thinking about this before you buy your first tool. That’s what this comparison is for.

DeWalt 20V MAX / FLEXVOLT

DeWalt’s cordless range runs on their 20V MAX battery system (which is actually 18V nominal — the naming is a marketing quirk shared with the US market). Their FLEXVOLT batteries are backwards compatible and can also power 54V tools for heavier work like table saws and mitre saws.

Strengths

• FLEXVOLT backwards compatibility. The 54V FLEXVOLT batteries work in all 18V/20V MAX tools too. This means if you upgrade to bigger tools, you don’t need separate batteries.
• Excellent build quality. DeWalt tools feel solid and take a beating. The metal gearboxes on their drills and drivers are genuinely robust.
• Wide UK availability. Stocked at every Screwfix, Toolstation, and B&Q. If a tool breaks on a job, you can get a replacement the same day.
• Strong construction-grade tools. Their framing nailers, rotary hammers, and heavy-duty saws are some of the best in the market.

Weaknesses

• Slightly heavier than Makita equivalents. Not a massive difference, but noticeable after a full day of overhead work.
• Premium pricing. DeWalt tools tend to cost 10-15% more than Makita equivalents, though less than Milwaukee.
• Fewer compact options. If you want sub-compact tools for tight spaces, the range is thinner than Milwaukee’s M12 line.

Best For

Serious DIYers and tradespeople who want robust, proven tools with excellent UK support. Particularly strong for construction trades (carpentry, building, renovation).

Makita 18V LXT / 40V XGT

Makita’s 18V LXT range is the widest cordless platform available — over 300 tools worldwide running off the same battery. Their newer 40V XGT line covers heavier-duty applications but uses a different battery, which is the main criticism.

Strengths

• Biggest range of tools, full stop. From drills and saws to coffee makers, radios, and robotic lawnmowers. If it can run on a battery, Makita probably makes one.
• Lighter weight. Makita tools are generally lighter than DeWalt and Milwaukee equivalents. For all-day use, this adds up.
• Competitive pricing. Typically the most affordable of the big three, especially for body-only tools. Good deals at Screwfix and online.
• Reliability. Makita has a reputation for tools that just keep working. Their brushless motors are excellent.
• Dual-port charger support. Their rapid chargers are fast and the twin-port versions are great for keeping multiple batteries topped up.

Weaknesses

• 40V XGT is a separate system. Unlike DeWalt’s FLEXVOLT, the XGT batteries don’t work in 18V LXT tools (though Makita sells an adaptor). This makes upgrading less seamless.
• Some heavy-duty tools lag behind. For the absolute most powerful rotary hammers and grinders, Milwaukee and DeWalt have an edge.
• Teal colour scheme. Petty, I know. But they’re the most recognisable tools on a job site, which makes them a target for theft.

Best For

DIYers who want the widest choice of tools at the best price. Tradespeople who prioritise light weight and reliability. The default recommendation for most people starting out.

Milwaukee M18 / M12

Milwaukee is the brand that’s grown the fastest in the UK over the last decade. Their M18 FUEL range covers heavy-duty applications, while the M12 line offers compact tools for trades like plumbing and electrical where space is tight.

Strengths

• M12 compact range is unmatched. Nobody else offers the breadth of sub-compact tools that Milwaukee does. Their M12 ratchets, pipe cutters, and stubby impact wrenches are genuinely brilliant for plumbers and mechanics.
• Raw power. Milwaukee M18 FUEL tools frequently top performance tests. Their high-torque impact wrenches and rotary hammers are the benchmarks.
• ONE-KEY smart technology. Some Milwaukee tools have Bluetooth tracking and can be configured via an app. Useful if you’re managing a fleet of tools on job sites.
• Excellent professional features. Side handles, LED lights, and battery fuel gauges are well-implemented across the range.

Weaknesses

• Most expensive of the three. Milwaukee tools carry a price premium, and their batteries are particularly pricey.
• Less common in UK retail stores. You can get them at Toolstation and online, but Screwfix and B&Q stock is thinner than DeWalt and Makita.
• Two battery systems. M12 and M18 batteries aren’t interchangeable, so you could end up maintaining two sets of batteries if you mix lines.

Best For

Tradespeople — especially plumbers, electricians, and mechanics — who need specialist compact tools and are willing to pay for best-in-class performance. Also strong for anyone doing heavy-duty work where raw power matters most.

Battery Compatibility and Range of Tools

This table gives you the headline numbers:

The key takeaway: All three brands make excellent tools. The differences are at the margins. If a mate already has one platform and will lend you batteries, that’s honestly a good enough reason to pick the same brand.

Price Comparison (Starter Kits)

The best-value way into any platform is a starter kit with a combi drill and impact driver plus two batteries and a charger. Here’s roughly what you’ll pay in the UK:

Note: Prices fluctuate, and you can often find deals. Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, and Screwfix seasonal sales are the best times to buy. Don’t pay full RRP if you can wait a few weeks.

My Recommendation by User Type

After comparing DeWalt vs Makita vs Milwaukee across price, performance, range, and availability, here’s my honest advice:

If You’re a Homeowner/DIYer

Go with Makita 18V LXT. It’s the most affordable of the three, has the widest range of tools, and is widely stocked so you’ll find deals regularly. The tools are lighter (your arms will thank you on a long weekend project) and the quality is proven over decades. For occasional to regular DIY, you genuinely can’t go wrong.

If You’re a Tradesperson

It depends on your trade. Plumbers and electricians should seriously look at Milwaukee’s M12 range — the compact tools are purpose-built for your work. Carpenters and builders tend to favour DeWalt for the FLEXVOLT cross-compatibility and heavy-duty performance. General trades are well-served by any of the three.

If You Want the Widest Range

Makita wins. With 300+ tools on the 18V LXT platform, including some wonderfully niche options (cordless coffee maker, anyone?), you’re unlikely to hit a gap in the range.

Ultimately, all three brands make professional-grade tools. The one your mate already owns — so you can share batteries — might genuinely be the smartest choice of all.