What's the Best Tool Brand in 2024 for Woodworking?

The Best Woodworking Tool Brand in 2024?

I found the best tool brand for woodworking in 2024.  I tested all of these tools over the past year or so, and here’s my opinion.  I’m going to give you the pros and cons of each brand, and I’ll also give you my top pick at the end.  Keep reading after that because I’ve got some info you’ll want to know.

When I make my picks, don’t run off just because it’s not your brand.  Let me plead my case.

This review guide is not sponsored.  The links to the tools in this review can be found within this post.  Affiliate links are used on this website to help support the website.  For more information, read our affiliate disclaimer.

Ryobi – Ryobi is very attractive, especially to beginners and those on a budget, but I don’t think they are the best for woodworking in 2023, although, they are a strong pick.  I’m trying to say “REE-oh-be”, which is how they say their name.  The pro of the Ryobi system is the fact that they have so many tools on the 18-volt platform.  They have basically anything you can think of--- 260+ some-odd tools you can choose from.  You can also just walk into any Home Depot and grab those tools.

That is a huge bonus.  I actually detailed that in-depth on my Hater’s Guide to Ryobi, which you can watch here - https://youtu.be/TTtzXsfWt5M?si=yDMUdPxGxhrMQxJz.  This is a strong brand, but the cons of Ryobi are the fact that their table saw isn’t all that great nor is their miter saw.  Some of these tools are underpowered as well.

Ryobi Table Saw Fence

I purchased a complete Ryobi kit to test out.  The little circular saw that comes with the kit is not very good.  It’s underpowered, and it’s too small to realistically use for woodworking.  Later on, as I developed a relationship with Ryobi, they sent me one of their 7.25” saws.  (That is a very nice saw.)  The router is very good, although I didn’t care for the top-heaviness of the one in the kit.  They sent me an updated one that was much more balanced overall.

Overall, if you go with Ryobi, you’re fine.  It’s not that big of a deal, but you’re going to have to branch out when you start looking at the bigger tools – tables saws, miter saws, etc.

One of my favorite Ryobi tools is actually the Airstrike 18-gauge nailer. That thing is fantastic.  I like this tool, and I use it quite often in the shop.  So, if you’re already in the Ryobi system, I don’t think that you should say, “Oh, I’ve got to sell all of this stuff.  It’s not any good.”  They’re really good tools for what you’re paying.  They’re just not my top pick in 2023.

Ridgid – If you’ve looked at Ryobi, you’ve probably looked at Ridgid because they’re in the same store (at Home Depot).  I started out with Ridgid for two reasons.  One, they were in my budget.  The second is because of that lifetime service agreement.  That is a very strong determining factor when you start looking at buying tools for your shop.

I had to use that service agreement after 5 years of use and abuse of the trim router I have.  It went up in smoke on camera, actually (which was kind of cool to catch it on camera).  It still smells like smoke even though I’ve already had it serviced.  That’s one of the great things about the L.S.A.  I took it to the local shop here in town, and they fixed it.  They put a new motor in it, and it’s back in business.

That’s hard to beat when you start looking at the Ridgid line.  They also have planers, miter saws, and table saws.  All of those are decent quality tools.  Ridgid is a strong contender to be the best that you can get in 2023, especially with the recent addition of the Ridgid track saw.  I did a review on it recently, and it is a strong contender for track saws.  If you’re already in the platform, you can pick it up for $399.  If you’re not in the platform and have to buy a battery and a charger, plus some extra track, you’re looking at $500 to $600.  It’s still a strong contender, being a good, solid track saw that works very well.

That’s puts them in a really good place for woodworkers.  They also have other tools (such as a leaf blower) and all kinds of stuff to go along with your Ridgid batteries.

Flex – One of the most recent contenders is Flex tools.  They came on the scene about three-ish years ago, give or take, and have been coming on strong with a lot of tools.  A lot of their tools are very highly rated as far as power goes.  They use technology they claim offers 200% more power versus the competition.  We’ll find out if that’s true in an upcoming review.

I purchased the FLEX Trim router myself just a few weeks ago.  Just unpacking it and seeing the features that it has built in, and the accessories that they send with it, it’s quite impressive.  However, I don’t think they’re the tool brand for most people in 2023 because of their tool selection.  Since they’re so new, they just can’t compete with the massive tool selection of the other, bigger brands.  Although, they do have some nice tools.

Festool – While I am a huge fan of Festool tools (I have several of their tools), I don’t necessarily think they are the best tool brand in 2023 if you’re just going with one brand.  I think they are some of the best tools made, but they don’t have the same tool selections that others have.

They do have some amazing tools like the track saw.  I love this track saw, and it’s my favorite.  The Kapex miter saw is also fantastic, although very expensive, and not really worth that much money.  They also have the Domino, which nobody else has.

Too, they have one of the best sanders ever made.  The ETS 125 is by far the best sander I’ve ever owned.  Pair that sander with the dust extractor, and it can’t be beat i(n my opinion).  I know a lot of people like the Mirka.  I also like the 3M sander, which is fantastic, but the Festool is the one I’m going to grab for fine detail sanding every single time.

So, those specific tools make them great, but they’re not the go-to brand for most people because of tool selection.  Take their drill and driver sets, which are wildly more expensive than any other brand.  From what I can tell on reviews, they’re also underpowered versus some of the other ones.  Based on that, I don’t necessarily think I would go with that brand if I’m just going to pick one brand for my shop.

(Still, this track saw is amazing.)

Bosch – We can’t forget about Bosch.  They are a very big tool company.  They have a lot of different types of tools, from miter saws, to routers, to cordless tools.  I did a review a while back comparing the Bosch 1617 router versus DeWALT, and this is one of my favorite routers that I own.  I have one in my router table, and I have one here that will be given away to our Tubafour Nation members.  If you’re not a member, you can check that out here - https://www.patreon.com/731woodworks.

I think Bosch is a very good tool brand for a lot of people, especially with their routers and miter saws.  They make fantastic tools.  Bosch may be a very strong contender for the best tool brand for your shop in 2023, but there are some other considerations you should think about first.

Makita – Makita is another tool brand that deserves consideration when you’re looking for the best of 2023.  In a lot of people’s opinions, they make the best track saw on the market.  They also have a miter saw that’s priced well below the Festool Kapex.  I even did a comparison video between the two.  I ended up sticking with the Festool just because I’m a Festool fanboy (I’ll admit it).

But the Makita was a very good option.  Mine did have a slight defect, but from what I understand that was a rare occurrence.  They also have a full line of cordless tools that are beloved around the world, and Makita makes some of the best tools you can buy.  Are they the best of 2023?

Excluded Brands - You may now notice some tool brands missing.  Specifically, Cobalt, Hart, Skil, Craftsman, and those brands just because I haven’t personally used them.  Also, their tool selection is much lower than some of these others.

I think in a lot of people’s minds, the two top brands are going to be DeWALT and Milwaukee.  Before I give my pick, let me say that once I do give my pick, allow me to plead my case.  I think you’ll probably see what I’m talking about.

Milwaukee – Milwaukee has a full line of tools.  They have miter saws, table saws, and track saws.  They have sanders, and they have routers.  I mean, pretty much anything a woodworker could want, they have.

And, they’re adding to that lineup.  I recently discovered some secret patents for new woodworking stuff that they’re coming out with soon.  I made a video on those things, and you can check that video out here - https://youtu.be/bYkYep_GD90?si=SNug_8IU_Hc9k1MR.

DeWALT – When you look at DeWALT, they have tables saws, and they have one of the best benchtop planers on the market with the DW735x.  I’ve owned one for over 5 years, and it is a rock star.  It is a very good tool for most garage or small woodworking shops.  They also have nice table saws that are pretty affordable, like their jobsite table saw. One of the best cordless routers is also from DeWALT in the 20V MAX XR Router. One of my favorite DeWALT tools has to be the DWS779 miter saw. I’ve had this miter saw since 2017 and I think it’s the best “bang for the buck” miter saw on the market.

They also have several different variations of their cordless tools, such as the Atomic line, the XR line, and several others.  You can get pretty much any woodworking tool you want from DeWALT.

Final Verdict

Truthfully, I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these platforms, so long as they have the tools you want.  But if you’re looking at a tool brand that has the best tool selection, then in my personal opinion it’s going to be Milwaukee.   Now, let me plead my case!

I love the DeWALT tools.  I love having them in my shop, and I use them all the time.  But, over the last year I’ve been buying more and more Milwaukee tools simply because they’re catering to the woodworker.

Check out what they’ve released just in the last year.  They released one of the best track saws I’ve ever used, second only to my Festool.  And honestly, it’s probably only second because I’m a Festool fanboy.  You can often get the full Milwaukee track saw kit on sale for 15% off, and get the Packout, the track, the saw, the battery, and the charger just under right around $700.  It’s a very, very good deal for that tool.

They’ve also come out with a new 3.5” electric planer.  While I don’t have that tool, it is for woodworkers or DIY construction.  They also just announced a 2.25” hp cordless router with half-inch and quarter-inch collets.  For us woodworkers, that’s a game changer.  I’m going to order one as soon as it’s available.

By far, my favorite woodworking tool that’s been released in the last year, and one that I use multiple times a week in the shop, is the M12 orbital detail sander.  It’s a 12-volt, and it’s fantastic for getting up into tight corners.  I also use it for edge sanding because it comes with an interface pad that will not damage your rounded-over edges and things like that.

The installation driver that’s been out for multiple years now is a 4-in-1 driver.  I did a whole video on this, and you can check it out here - https://youtu.be/l1Z79NY2ewo?si=9iyaoorJXrk5htRk.  It is one of the most useful drills you can have in the shop for getting up into tight corners or installing hinges on cabinets.  It’s just a really good tool to have.

Milwaukee also has Packout.  Now, a lot of people hate packouts because they say that they’re just overpriced plastic boxes.  I thought the exact same thing, until I ordered the track saw, and it came with a packout box.  When I got it, I was like, “This thing is kind of nice.”  I went ahead and picked up some more packouts, first some smaller boxes, then some little bit bigger boxes and the wall storage.  It just really helped organize the shop.

I also got the little rolling cart that’s fantastic.  With the whole bank of drawers, I can store all kinds of stuff.  I keep my push sticks in there from my table saw.  When I’m working on a project, I can lay my drill and other parts on top of this little tiny workbench.  It’s just super handy to have and roll around the shop.

Flex, DeWALT, Ridgid, and Ryobi have lines of storage, yet nobody can compete with Milwaukee for the amount of storage options available.  The most important thing in my opinion is the amount of aftermarket add-ons that you can purchase for packouts.  There are tons of people selling things all over Etsy.  You can rig out your storage to be exactly how you want it.

I personally bought some Kaizen foam inserts.  I did a poor job of making the cutouts on one, but they help keep everything nice and secure.  The inserts allow you to customize your storage needs to you, and the inserts come cut to perfectly fit in each packout, whether it’s the small organizers or the drawers.

With the exception of a couple of the Ridgid and Ryobi tools (and the Festool track saw that was a gift from a very close friend), I bought all of the tools I tested myself.

In 2023, I think it’s pointless to try to stay on one battery platform because there are too many options.  For instance, the Milwaukee track saw is amazing, while the Ryobi track is not so much.  If you’re on the Ryobi platform and you wanted a really good track saw, then you really have to step outside your platform.  I personally think the Milwaukee’s the best for most people.

Take the orbital detail sander.  None of these other cordless tool brands have one.  There was a brief moment in time when Rikon had an amazing little tool, and it sold out.  Since the day I made the video about it, it hasn’t come back in stock.  I don’t think they’re making it anymore, which is a shame.

So why did I buy all of these?  Well, there are two reasons.  Number one, I wanted to be able to test all of these tools and actually use them in the shop, so I could give my opinion to you.  That way you could make a better buying decision.  I feel if I’m able to do that, I would love to be able to help you out.

Number two, it’s my job.  This is what I do for a living.  I test these tools, and I use the tools to build things in the shop.  While I don’t always video the builds, I’m still building things and using these tools to build them.

The final reason Milwaukee is the top brand for 2023 is their innovation.  You’ve got to check out the patent video I did where I found their secret stuff.  They’ve got a packout-compatible folding workbench that they’re working on.  They’ve already patented it.  They’ve also got some bit-stopping technology coming in their routers and much more.

Matt OutlawComment