Ryobi Vs. Milwaukee
Milwaukee and RYOBI are two Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries-owned power tools brands that cater to artisans of all skill levels. There are a lot of positional market differences between both despite sharing the same lineage.
While RYOBI targets homemakers or DIYers looking for durable and affordable tools, Milwaukee serves professionals seeking best-in-class performance and striking results.
Are you looking for power tools but need help choosing between Milwaukee and RYOBI? This piece covers everything, from the detailed comparison between the two leading brands to my final verdict.
RYOBI Vs. Milwaukee - Compared In All Aspects
In the following sections, I’ll review RYOBI and Milwaukee based on their history, manufacturing units, products, warranty, and more.
A Look At The History
RYOBI
RYOBI was founded in 1943 by Yutaka Urakami under the name RYOBI Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
Note: In 1961, RYOBI was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Initially, the company manufactured die-cast products but started manufacturing power tools in 1968 and changed its name in 1973. For your information, RYOBI manufactures printing equipment, builder’s hardware, automobile components, and electronics, besides power tools.
Headcount-wise, RYOBI is a huge company with around 10,000 employees.
Did you know that RYOBI is older than Milwaukee but got into the power tools business later?
Milwaukee
Milwaukee was started by A.H Peterson and Albert Siebert in 1924 and was officially named the “Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation.” Being an American company, it’s located in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
Note: Unlike RYOBI, Milwaukee focuses entirely on manufacturing power tools.
This brand first introduced portable and lightweight drills known as hole-shooter. However, it’s famous for its Sawzall. In comparison to RYOBI, it’s not a huge company, but currently, it has approximately 4000 employees and generates a revenue of $810 million annually.
Manufacturing Plants
RYOBI
RYOBI has a global presence with 12 manufacturing units in 6 countries. The American plant is located in Shelbyville, Indiana. However, RYOBI is expanding its business to boost the local economy.
Its other offices are located in Japan, Mexico, Thailand, China, and Northern Ireland. Every site is specialized in manufacturing different products. The corporate office of RYOBI is situated in Chicago.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a Hong Kong-based brand with a significant presence in the United States, but mainly in Wisconsin. It has other manufacturing units set up in Mississippi and Indiana, besides China, Coahuila, Europe, and Mexico.
Products Line
RYOBI
In terms of product options, RYOBI is more versatile and manufactures a variety of products. For example, it manufactures affordable home products such as vacuums, outdoor equipment, power tools, and many others. All the RYOBI products are portable, compact, easy to use, and long-lasting.
As aforementioned, RYOBI is in the hardware industry. Thus, it manufactures door hinges too.
Below are a few popular product series that RYOBI power tools are categorized under.
One+ System
One+ System is the exclusive product line of RYOBI, in which all tools have identical batteries, chargers, and accessories.
Brushless Compact Series
Brushless technology is gaining popularity in the tools industry, and RYOBI is incorporating it into most of its modern tools. Thus, they have named it the “Brushless Compact Series,” in which tools are built as compact, lightweight, and brushless.
Milwaukee
On the other hand, Milwaukee sticks to manufacturing only outdoor tools. Which brand to pick will depend on the kind of product you want. It’s not as diverse as RYOBI but has a few different ranges of products for professionals and hobbyists.
All Milwaukee power tools are high-quality and durable. Not only that, but Milwaukee is also into hand tools manufacturing, such as hammers and wrenches.
Among power tools, two product lines are quite popular in Milwaukee, which include M18 and M18FUEL.
M18
Milwaukee’s M18 line of products is the most preferred tool that offers 18V of power, and they come in a mid-sized package and offer high performance. The tools under this category include angle grinders, impact wrenches, impact drivers, jigsaws, Sawzall, routers, and multi-tools.
M18 FUEL
The most dynamic product line of tools falls under this category. These tools with the FUEL designation feature include REDLINK PLUS intelligence hardware and software, RedLithium battery packs, and brushless motors.
Note: Milwaukee also manufactures instruments used in construction, such as multimeters, ballast testers, and imaging tools.
Price
RYOBI
RYOBI tools are affordable even for homeowners and hobbyists, and its products are great for those who want a decent tool without a high price tag.
Most of its tools are categorized under 18V One+ systems. However, RYOBI also offers some premium and advanced tools, such as the One+ Brushless Compact series, to the professionals, which are more expensive than the others, yet they can be economical.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee products are on the pricier side because of the quality and premium features they offer. Even essential tools, such as hacksaws and drills, are costlier than RYOBI.
Proprietary Technology
RYOBI
RYOBI is famous for its One+ system. This product line offers 18V lithium-ion batteries for power and outdoor tools that share similar batteries and chargers.
If you own a multi-tool workshop, then you need one type of charger and battery for all the products of this series.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee power drills use brushless motor technology with a RedLink Plus, and the tools are much more compact and durable. It comes with a gear case and vibration-dampening design, and Milwaukee also has One-Key and Tool Connect Technology in its tools.
In simple terms, the One-Key is a collaborative tool cum platform that helps your jobs run smoother, with fewer headaches along the way.
Warranty
RYOBI
RYOBI offers a warranty of 2-3 years on all its tools, which is pretty good when considering the cost of the tool. Also, a limited lifetime warranty covers most of its hand tools.
RYOBI’s outdoor tools are covered by a 5-year limited warranty covering repair and parts replacement costs.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee offers different kinds of warranties that depend on the type of products. Some tools are covered under a limited lifetime warranty, while others come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The types of warranty you will get will entirely depend on the product you want to buy.
Thus, compared to RYOBI, you can get much more if you choose Milwaukee. You might also get free replacement or repairs on return. Also, you can easily avail of the warranty service on the company’s website.
Customer Support
RYOBI
RYOBI offers pretty decent customer service. You can contact the customer care people until 6 pm on weekdays for any help. You can also email them your query on their official email ID available on the website, but there is no live chat option. This is what I feel RYOBI can work on.
The service agents are friendly and try to respond to your query as quickly as possible, but take 24 hours as a minimum.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee has a fabulous online presence on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You can contact them there. And they will respond as soon as possible.
Similar to RYOBI, there is no live chat option on any of these platforms.
RYOBI Vs. Milwaukee - Comparison Table
The following table summarizes the differences between RYOBI and Milwaukee for a quick look.
| Parameters | RYOBI | Milwaukee |
| History | Founded in 1943 by Yutaka Urakami | Founded in 1924 by A.F. Seibert |
| Manufacturing | Six manufacturing plants in the United States, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, China, and Northern Ireland. RYOBI is headquartered in Japan. | Three separate manufacturing units in the United States. Milwaukee is headquartered in Brookfield |
| Top Product Lines | One+ System and Brushless Compact Series | M18, M12, M18 FUEL |
| Warranty | 2-3 years on all products. The warranty includes parts replacement and repair. | Five years of warranty on all its power tools. The warranty includes everything from the replacement of tools to the repairing |
| Price | Less expensive | More expensive |
| Customer Support | Less developed | More developed |
| Proprietary Technology | Brushless motors | RedLink Plus and brushless motors |
RYOBI Vs. Milwaukee - My Verdict
I have owned products from both RYOBI and Milwaukee. If you want to know which brand I’ll bet on, it’ll be RYOBI due to its affordability with no compromise on quality or variety.
However, if I’d overlook the price and take into consideration the other aspects, Milwaukee is a clear winner.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that the brand you choose between RYOBI and Milwaukee will depend on various factors.
For professionals dealing with vast and complicated projects, Milwaukee manufactures some seriously high-performing, heavy-duty, and durable tools. However, they come at a higher cost. Nevertheless, I’ll say it’s a worthy investment, and you will also get excellent product warranties.
On the other hand, if you want power or hand tools for residential purposes or small DIY projects, RYOBI should be on your wishlist. Its products are mostly affordable and loaded enough to suit your needs perfectly.
So, which is your next power tool brand - RYOBI or Milwaukee?