Does Lowe’s Sell Milwaukee Tools in 2023?
No, unfortunately Lowe’s does not currently sell Milwaukee power tools or accessories in their stores or on Lowes.com as of 2023. Lowe‘s and Milwaukee ended their retail partnership back in 2008 following a contractual dispute.
While Lowe‘s has carried other leading brands for years, Milwaukee products have been unavailable there for over a decade now.
However, don‘t worry – Milwaukee tools are still readily available through several major retailers and online shops. You can also conveniently buy directly from Milwaukee.
Below we will explore:
- The history of Milwaukee tools
- Why Lowe‘s and Milwaukee parted ways
- What tool brands you can find at Lowe‘s
- Where to buy Milwaukee tools today
- Milwaukee‘s extensive product range
- How Milwaukee tools rate for quality
A Brief History of Milwaukee Tools
Milwaukee Tools has been a leader in tool manufacturing for almost 100 years. Founded in 1924, the company originally focused on metal-working equipment.
Early Milwaukee innovations included the first trigger-activated hand drill and the first right-angle drill for electricians. The brand became synonymous with rugged reliability.
Over the decades, Milwaukee expanded into developing new power tools for professionals and advanced technologies like brushed power tools and lithium-ion batteries. They built a reputation for product durability, performance, and quality.
Today, Milwaukee is a subsidiary of Techtronic Industries, with tools designed and assembled in the USA, Europe, and China. However, Milwaukee maintains its focus on enabling user productivity through tool innovation.
Why Does Lowe’s No Longer Sell Milwaukee Tools?
For many years, Lowe’s maintained a profitable retail partnership selling Milwaukee products in their stores. However, in 2008 this relationship suddenly dissolved.
The breakup stemmed from a contractual dispute over payment for shipped inventory. According to Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp, Lowe’s failed to pay them around $1.2 million owed for tool shipments.
Lowe’s apparently refused to pay up, leading Milwaukee to cut ties and sign an exclusive retail partnership with Home Depot instead.
While Lowe’s may have sold remaining Milwaukee stock, they have been blocked from officially ordering more for over a decade now. The two companies have never resolved this payment dispute.
What Tool Brands Does Lowe’s Sell Instead?
Lowe’s may not offer Milwaukee anymore, but they do sell a wide range of power tool brands:
DEWALT – One of Lowe’s most popular brands, offering tools for professionals and homeowners. Known for performance and durability.
Craftsman – Historic American tool company now owned by Stanley Black & Decker. Known for mechanics tools and storage.
Kobalt – Exclusive Lowe’s brand covering power tools, hand tools, and outdoor equipment. Provides a limited lifetime warranty.
PORTER CABLE – Owned by Stanley Black & Decker, Porter Cable provides reliable and affordable power tools.
Bosch – For high-quality German engineering applied to drills, saws, routers and more.
Metabo HPT – Previously Hitachi power tools, known for performance, durability and value.
FLEX – Focusing on grinders, polishers, and other surface finishing tools.
SKIL – Budget-friendly power tool company owned by Chervon. Great for homeowners.
Lowe’s also offers their own Kobalt brand of tools exclusively. Their prices across brands are designed to be competitive with other major retailers.
Where To Buy Milwaukee Tools in 2023
Just because Lowe’s doesn’t sell Milwaukee tools doesn’t mean you can’t easily purchase them from other major retailers:
Home Depot – As Lowe’s direct rival, Home Depot stocks the full Milwaukee range online and in-store.
Acme Tools – Trusted retailer offering all Milwaukee products, fast shipping, and great service.
ToolNut – Online tool retailer with big Milwaukee selection and frequent promotions.
Amazon – Convenience of purchasing Milwaukee tools on Amazon but verify the seller is authorized.
Milwaukee Tool Website – Order any tools direct from Milwaukee with detailed product info.
You can also use Milwaukee’s Store Locator to find smaller, local retailers near you that carry their latest products.
So while Lowe’s may not sell Milwaukee, you have plenty of options to purchase directly or from major national retailers.
What Products Does Milwaukee Manufacture?
Milwaukee designs and manufactures over 500 different professional-grade tools across all categories. They also produce 3500+ accessories for their tools.
Some of Milwaukee’s major product categories include:
Cordless Power Tools
- Drills & Hammer Drills
- Impact Drivers
- Circular Saws
- Reciprocating Saws
- Angle Grinders
- Rotary Hammers
- And more across the M12 and M18 lines.
Hand Tools
- Wrenches
- Screwdrivers
- Hex Keys
- Snips
- Pliers
- Tape Measures
- Levels
- Demolition Tools
Storage
- Tool Boxes
- Tool Bags
- Packout Modular Storage
Outdoor Power Equipment
- Chain Saws
- String Trimmers
- Leaf Blowers
- Hedge Trimmers
Lighting
- Jobsite Lighting
- Headlamps
- Inspection Lights
Work Gear
- Backpacks
- Coolers
- Jackets
- Kneepads
Milwaukee is likely best known for their innovative cordless power tools designed for professionals. But they manufacture quality products across all tool categories.
How Do Milwaukee Tools Rate for Quality?
With over 95 years of experience, Milwaukee has built a reputation for delivering high-performance, durable, and innovative tools. Both professionals and hobbyists praise Milwaukee’s quality.
Reviewers on Home Depot, Acme Tools, and other retailers consistently give Milwaukee tools 4+ out of 5 stars. Their products earn positive reviews for power, useful features, and lasting durability.
Some of the advantages of Milwaukee tools include:
Powerful Motors – Designed to tackle demanding applications while protecting from overloads.
Advanced Batteries – REDLITHIUM batteries offer up to 2x more runtime and better performance.
Latest Technologies – Exclusive tech like REDLINK electronics provides intelligent controls.
Heavy-Duty Construction – Aluminum and steel components withstand constant jobsite use.
Extensive Lineup – Tools for metalworking, electrical, plumbing, automotive, and more.
5 Year Warranty – Most Milwaukee tools have outstanding warranty coverage for defects.
Milwaukee certainly positions itself as a premium tool brand and prices reflect that. But most users find Milwaukee products well worth the investment in terms of durability, capabilities, and productivity.
While brands like DeWALT, Makita, and Bosch compete closely with Milwaukee – many professionals still prefer Milwaukee for advanced features and innovation.
Direct Milwaukee Tool Competitors For Lowe’s Shoppers
If you typically purchase tools at Lowe’s, here are some of the top competing brands that align closely with Milwaukee‘s reputation for performance and quality:
DeWALT
DeWALT offers a wide range of powerful, reliable, and versatile power tools used extensively by professionals. They provide similar cutting-edge innovations as Milwaukee.
Makita
Known for efficient brushless motors, Makita makes pro-grade power tools with extensive capabilities similar to Milwaukee. Excellent for demanding job site use.
Bosch
For advanced German engineering applied to drills, saws, routers, and more, Bosch provides comparable quality to Milwaukee.
Metabo HPT
Formerly Hitachi, Metabo HPT produces durable, reliable power tools at a more affordable price point than Milwaukee.
Kobalt (Lowe‘s Exclusive Brand)
While not pro-grade, Kobalt tools are a step above other DIY brands in quality. Their warranty provides peace of mind.
Conclusion
While Milwaukee tools are a popular choice for professionals and homeowners, Lowe‘s unfortunately no longer carries them due to a past contractual dispute.
However, Milwaukee products are readily available at major retailers like Home Depot, Acme Tools, ToolNut, and Amazon. You can also conveniently purchase Milwaukee power tools, hand tools, accessories and more directly from their website.
Lowe’s does offer other leading brands like DeWALT, Craftsman, and Kobalt. But for those who prefer the latest Milwaukee innovations, you‘ll need to shop elsewhere or direct from their site.
With over 95 years experience developing productive, durable, and powerful tools, Milwaukee has earned a reputation for excellence among both tradesmen and DIYers. If you‘re in the market for high-capability tools, Milwaukee delivers quality worthy of consideration.
