Ask ten tradies which drill brand is best and you’ll get ten answers, mostly the brand they already own. That’s not stubbornness. Once you’ve got four batteries and two chargers, switching brands means buying them all again. So the real decision is the battery platform, and it’s worth getting right the first time.
This guide compares the four brands you’ll see on most Australian sites and in every Bunnings and trade store: Milwaukee, Makita, DeWalt and Ryobi. It covers their main battery platforms, the warranty terms (checked on each brand’s Australian site in October 2026) and where you can buy without losing the warranty. We haven’t run our own drill tests for this guide. We don’t publish power or runtime rankings we can’t back up.
The four platforms at a glance
| Brand | Main 18V platform | Bigger platform | Where sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | M18 | M18 FUEL (high output) | Authorised retailers |
| Makita | 18V LXT | 40V Max XGT (separate batteries) | Authorised dealers |
| DeWalt | 18V XR | 54V XR FLEXVOLT (fits 18V tools) | Authorised resellers |
| Ryobi | 18V ONE+ | 36V | Bunnings |
Two platform details are worth knowing. DeWalt FLEXVOLT 54V batteries work in 18V XR tools, switching to 18V automatically, so you can grow into bigger tools without stranding your 18V kit. The reverse doesn’t work: an 18V battery won’t run a 54V tool. Makita’s 40V XGT is a separate system from 18V LXT, with its own batteries.
Warranty terms compared (checked October 2026)
| Brand | Cordless tool | Batteries and chargers | Registration needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 5 years | 2 years | No |
| Makita | 3 years, or 5 years if registered within 30 days | 2 years | Yes, for 5 years |
| DeWalt | 3 years (limited, repair) | 1 year standard, 3 years on some batteries if registered | Yes, for battery extension |
| Ryobi | 4 years, plus 2 if registered within 30 days | Check the schedule | Yes, for the extra 2 years |
Sources: each brand’s Australian warranty page or statement. Makita’s current table took effect on 1 August 2025. DeWalt lists a 3-year warranty on some XR batteries, including POWERSTACK, when registered.
Our view: register every tool the day you buy it. With Makita and Ryobi it’s the difference between the base and the extended warranty, and with all four it gives you a record of serials and purchase dates for insurance. Our tools insurance guide explains why that record matters when the ute gets broken into.
Milwaukee M18
Milwaukee has a big following among sparkies, plumbers and fitters, and electrical and plumbing wholesalers tend to stock it. The M18 range is very wide, and the FUEL models are its high-output line for heavy drilling and fixing. There’s also the smaller M12 range for tight spaces and lighter work.
Milwaukee
Good
- 5-year tool warranty without needing to register
- Very wide M18 range, including trade-specific tools
- M12 range for lighter, compact tools
- Easy to find at electrical and plumbing wholesalers
Not so good
- Usually among the dearest to buy into
- Batteries carry 2 years, not 5
- Warranty void if bought on Amazon, eBay or other unauthorised sites
- Range is so wide it's easy to overspend
Makita 18V LXT and 40V XGT
Makita’s 18V LXT platform is huge and has been around a long time, so batteries and second-hand tools are easy to find. You’ll see a lot of it with chippies, builders and landscapers. The 40V XGT range is for heavier tools, but it’s a separate battery system.
Makita
Good
- Large, long-running 18V LXT range
- 5-year tool warranty if registered within 30 days
- 40V XGT for heavier work
- Widely stocked in trade and hardware stores
Not so good
- Only 3 years if you forget to register
- Batteries and chargers are 2 years
- XGT batteries don't fit LXT tools
- Must buy from an authorised dealer for warranty
DeWalt 18V XR and FLEXVOLT
DeWalt has a strong following with builders and carpenters, and FLEXVOLT is its big selling point: one battery that runs both 54V tools and your existing 18V XR tools.
DeWalt
Good
- FLEXVOLT batteries run 54V and 18V XR tools
- 3-year limited tool warranty
- Some XR batteries get 3 years when registered
- Strong range for building and carpentry
Not so good
- Standard battery warranty can be just 1 year
- Warranty is a repair warranty, freight not covered
- Chucks, switches and brushes are excluded as wear items
- Kit tools with old date codes have warranty limits
Ryobi ONE+
Ryobi is sold in Australia through Bunnings, and its ONE+ range is enormous, including garden and home tools. It’s made by the same parent company as Milwaukee, Techtronic Industries, but it’s aimed at a different user.
Ryobi
Good
- 4-year replacement warranty, 6 if registered within 30 days
- Warranty claims handled at your local Bunnings
- Cheapest of the four to buy into
- Huge ONE+ range, including garden tools
Not so good
- Sold only through Bunnings (and Ryobi direct)
- Fewer heavy-duty, high-output trade tools
- Registration needs a clear photo of the Bunnings receipt
- Less common on commercial sites
Batteries: the real running cost
Over a few years you’ll spend as much on batteries as on tools. A few things to weigh up:
- Capacity (Ah). Higher amp-hour batteries run longer but weigh more. Many tradies keep a compact battery for overhead drilling and a big one for saws.
- Warranty. Batteries carry shorter warranties than tools with every brand here: 2 years with Milwaukee and Makita, and 1 year standard with DeWalt unless the battery is one covered by its 3-year registered warranty.
- Compatibility. Stick to genuine batteries for the platform. DeWalt’s warranty excludes damage caused by non-genuine batteries and chargers.
For more on volts, amp hours and charging safely, see our battery platforms comparison.
Which platform suits your trade?
- Sparkies and plumbers: Milwaukee is a common choice, partly because wholesalers stock it. Check which brand your wholesaler carries and discounts.
- Chippies and builders: Makita and DeWalt are both strong. If you want room to grow into bigger saws and grinders on one battery, FLEXVOLT is worth a look.
- Handymen and maintenance: Ryobi’s price and long warranty make sense, especially as an add-on kit.
- Apprentices: buy what your boss and crew run, so you can share batteries and chargers on site.
Not sure whether you need a drill, an impact driver or both? Our impact driver vs drill guide explains what each one does best.
Before you buy
- Pick the platform, then the drill. Look at the three or four other tools you’ll want in the next two years and check they’re in the range.
- Buy from an authorised seller. Each brand lists them. Keep the tax invoice.
- Register within 30 days. Diarise it if you have to.
- Engrave or mark your tools and record serial numbers. It helps police and insurers.
- Plan storage. Lockable, enclosed storage protects the tools and your insurance claim. Our ute tool storage guide compares the options.
We don’t link to marketplace listings for the tools themselves, because of the warranty rules above. For bits, drivers and other accessories, where warranty matters less, Amazon is a handy option.
Browse drill bits and accessories on Amazon Affiliate link. For accessories only: buy the tools themselves from an authorised dealer to keep the warranty.
While you’re kitting out, our workwear brands guide covers the clothes side. Next step: write down the five tools you’ll need in the next two years and pick the platform that covers all five.
Common questions
Can I use a Makita battery in a Milwaukee drill?
Not without a third-party adaptor, and using non-genuine batteries or adaptors can affect your warranty. DeWalt's warranty, for example, excludes damage caused by non-approved batteries and chargers. Treat each brand's platform as a closed system.
Is Ryobi good enough for tradies?
For lighter trade use, maintenance work and as a second kit, many tradies find it fine, and the warranty is long. For all-day heavy drilling and fixing on commercial sites, the trade platforms from Milwaukee, Makita and DeWalt have bigger ranges of high-output tools.
Does buying tools on Amazon or eBay void the warranty?
It can. Milwaukee Australia says its manufacturer warranty is not valid for products bought on Amazon, eBay and other non-authorised websites. Makita and DeWalt warranties also require purchase from an authorised dealer or reseller, and Ryobi's applies to Bunnings purchases. Your Australian Consumer Law rights against the seller still apply.
Should I buy brushless?
For trade use, yes, where the budget allows. Brushless models are generally more efficient and need less maintenance, and all four brands sell brushless drills on their main platforms.
