Veteran-built.
Brand warranties and platforms side by side
The cards above take you to each brand's deals, news, manuals and guides. This table puts the basics in one place so you can compare before you commit to a battery platform. Terms are from each maker's US warranty pages as of October 2026; always check the product page for your model.
| Brand | Main cordless platform | Tool warranty | Battery warranty | Registration | Main US stores |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | M12, M18, MX FUEL | 5 yr most tools (MX FUEL 2 yr) | 3 yr most M12/M18 packs; MX FUEL 2 yr | Not required | Home Depot, Acme, dealers |
| DeWalt | 20V MAX, FLEXVOLT, 12V MAX | 3 yr + 1 yr free service + 90-day money back | Most packs 3 yr (check pack) | Recommended | Lowe's, Home Depot, Acme |
| Makita | 18V LXT, 40V XGT, 12V CXT | 3 yr | 3 yr | Recommended | Home Depot, Acme, dealers |
| RIDGID | RIDGID 18V | 3 yr; lifetime service if registered in 90 days | Covered by LSA on eligible kits | Required for LSA | Home Depot |
| Ryobi | 18V ONE+, 40V outdoor | 3 yr (ONE+); 5 yr consumer 40V | 3 yr | Recommended | Home Depot |
| Kobalt | 24V MAX | 5 yr | 3 yr | Keep receipt | Lowe's |
| ECHO | Gas; eFORCE 56V | 5 yr consumer / 2 yr commercial | 2 yr (56V) | Recommended | Dealers, Home Depot |
| xTool | Lasers (F2) | 1 yr standard; xToolCare extends | n/a | Recommended | xTool direct, Amazon |
| Bambu Lab | 3D printers (X2D) | See Bambu Lab's warranty for your region | n/a | Account | Bambu Lab direct |
How to choose a brand (and stick with it)
- List the five tools you use every week. The platform that does those five well is your platform.
- Check the specialty tools you'll need later. Press tools, PEX, SDS-max, outdoor equipment: not every platform has them.
- Look at where you already shop. Kobalt is Lowe's only; RIDGID and Ryobi are Home Depot; Milwaukee and DeWalt are in both or at dealers.
- Do the warranty math. A RIDGID kit with the Lifetime Service Agreement, or a Milwaukee tool with a 5-year warranty, can outlast a cheaper kit.
- Buy batteries in kits during promos. Our deals page tracks the live ones.
Our full walkthrough is in the battery basics guide. To understand which companies own which brands, see who owns what.
FAQ
Which tool brand has the longest warranty?
For cordless tools, Milwaukee (5 years on most tools) and Kobalt 24V MAX (5 years) have the longest standard tool warranties among the brands here. RIDGID's Lifetime Service Agreement can last longer if you register within 90 days.
Can I mix batteries between brands?
No. Each brand uses its own battery design, even brands owned by the same parent company. Third-party adapters exist but can void warranties.
Do I need to register my tools?
Milwaukee says registration is not required. RIDGID requires it for the Lifetime Service Agreement. For everyone else it's a good idea; keep the receipt either way.
Sources
- Milwaukee warranty: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/support/registration-and-warranty
- DeWalt warranty: https://www.dewalt.com/en-us/support/warranty
- Makita warranty: https://www.makitatools.com/service/warranty
- RIDGID LSA: https://www.ridgid.com/us/en/lsa-warranty
- Ryobi warranty: https://www.ryobitools.com/pages/warranty
- Kobalt 24V warranty (Lowe's PDF): https://pdf.lowes.com/productdocuments/95673650-a8ae-4110-95f6-625ac18f906e/64625142.pdf
- ECHO warranty: https://www.echo-usa.com/product-warranty
- xTool F2 FAQ: https://support.xtool.com/article/2818