We’ve all heard the debates—Milwaukee or DeWalt? It’s the Coke vs. Pepsi of the jobsite. Both brands have legions of loyal fans, but when the batteries start dying fast, tools get dropped off scaffolding, and winter freezes everything solid, the truth comes out. At CEM Industrial Supply, we stock and test both, and we’re giving it to you straight.
If you’re a contractor, mechanic, farmer, or industrial technician trying to decide where to invest your tool budget, this article’s for you.
Jobsite Head-to-Head: Power Drill, Impact Driver, Sawzall
Cordless Drill:
Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL drill is lightweight but brutally powerful. In our shop tests, it drilled more holes on a single charge than DeWalt’s XR—especially in pressure-treated wood.
Impact Driver:
Both brands pack serious torque, but Milwaukee’s precision mode makes a difference when you’re fastening into softer materials. DeWalt’s brushless motor is slightly quieter under load.
Sawzall/Recip Saw:
Milwaukee invented the Sawzall, and it shows. Faster cuts through metal and better blade change mechanism. DeWalt holds its own in ergonomics but can lag on tougher cuts.
Battery Tech Breakdown: M18 vs. FlexVolt
Milwaukee’s M18 REDLITHIUM batteries are solid performers in extreme temperatures. DeWalt’s FlexVolt has the edge on runtime for heavy-duty tools but requires compatible FlexVolt tools to take full advantage.
In our freezer test (at -10°F), Milwaukee’s batteries lost less capacity than DeWalt’s—important for Michigan winters or unheated garages.
Which Handles the Cold Better?
Milwaukee clearly takes the win in cold-weather performance. If you’re working outdoors in Midwest winters or freezing warehouses, M18 tools are less likely to stall, underperform, or blink out from battery failure.
DeWalt performs better in sustained high-heat environments but needs a warm-up before peak performance in the cold.
Our Pick: Milwaukee M18 FUEL Series for the Win
While both brands are industry-grade and dependable, Milwaukee M18 FUEL tools edge out DeWalt when it comes to:
- Cold-weather performance
- Battery longevity
- Jobsite abuse handling
- Impact precision
That’s why we recommend Milwaukee to contractors, mechanics, and shop techs who need tools that just work—no excuses.
See It In Person at CEM Industrial Supply
Come by our showroom and get hands-on with Milwaukee and DeWalt tools side-by-side. We’ll walk you through what fits your trade, budget, and workload best.
And don’t forget—we service what we sell. Break a trigger, need new batteries, or just want to try a new bit system? We’ve got you covered.
Visit us in-store or call 517-617-4089 to check availability and current tool bundle deals.