Buy the battery platform, not the drill
The single most expensive power-tool mistake is buying a tool, then a second from a different brand, then discovering the batteries don't share. The platform locks you in — so it's the real decision. Answer three questions and we'll shortlist your platform from the 13 that matter.
The 3-question picker
1 · How hard will you use your tools?
2 · Where do you actually shop?
3 · Will you ever need high-power tools (big saws, outdoor equipment)?
Or browse the reference
- How to choose a platform — the 5 questions, in order.
- For pros · For DIY · Budget · Premium.
- Every platform in one comparable table.
- Head-to-heads: DeWalt vs Milwaukee · Milwaukee vs Makita · Ryobi vs DeWalt.
The one rule
Once you own three or four batteries, switching platforms costs more than most people's whole tool budget. Pick the ecosystem you'll grow into — by how hard you'll use it, where you shop, and whether you'll ever need high-power tools — before you buy tool number one.
Ready to buy into a platform?
These four are what buyers actually cross-shop — the first three are pro-grade, Ryobi is the DIY value pick. Batteries are the lock-in, so start with a kit on the platform you'll stay on.
| Platform | Voltage | Best for | Ecosystem | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | DeWalt 20V MAX | 20V MAX | Professional | Massive | Tools → |
 | Milwaukee M18 | 18V (M18) | Professional | Massive | Tools → |
 | Makita 18V LXT | 18V LXT | Professional | Massive | Tools → |
 | Ryobi ONE+ 18V | 18V ONE+ | DIY & homeowner | Massive | Tools → |
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