Power tool Kit Choice - Which one to choose (Makita vs AEG)

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy a tool kit that I will be using lightly in the initial days and planning to do moderate work in the future.
It will be home diy to start off with and then may be looking at doing more jobs around the house. I won't be doing trade level stuff but aiming to do more than just home diy

I have done a lot of research and come to the last two. I was wondering if some of you can help me choose the right one.

The two links below. I am also open to suggestions (No Ozitos pls)

  1. https://www.cltoolcentre.com.au/makita-dlx2283st1-18v-5-0ah-…

  2. https://www.bunnings.com.au/aeg-18v-5-0ah-2-piece-brushless-…

Comments

  • +1

    You should consider the Ryobi 18V product line. The choices you've listed are a bit of an overkill for home DIY.
    Initially with $400 I got this kit https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-18v-one-2-5ah-4-piece-kit_… and I'm happy with it. It comes with 6y warranty on tools.

    Now, if you're set on the higher-end brands, I would go with the Makita.

    • As above, I too was considering something more than Ryobi, but bought it when the Father's Day sales came on a few years back. Been great and I do a lot of DIY because of investment properties.

      I've got a few things (drill, impact driver, circular saw, nailer, etc) which use the 18V eco system and only one failed but was within the 6 year warranty so easily replaced.

      I've since committed to lawnmower and blower, whipper snipper and all been fine for my size of house.

    • I have heard the 2.5Ah batteries do not have a lot of power and might struggle sometimes?
      How did you find it when you used them?
      Thanks very much for all the information

      • Depending on the tool, yes, the 2.5Ah batteries drain fast. The angle grinder and the circular saw chew through a lot of power.
        OTOH, the drill and the impact driver go a long way with one battery.

    • I have heard the 2.5Ah batteries do not have a lot of power and might struggle sometimes?
      How did you find it when you used them?
      Thanks very much for all the information

      • Keep in mind, the Ah rating basically determines how long the battery lasts.

        The "strength" of the tool is determined by the tool itself, and can be measured in different units depending on which tool. But for things that are used for turning (screws, drill pieces etc) it's normally measured in Nm.

    • Yep, I'm not a fan of Ryobi but their One+ range can't be beat for home DIY IMO, which is why I use a lot of their stuff myself. There are cheaper options but none beat them for range or warranty. Even the top shelf stuff doesn't match their warranty.

  • Milwaukee.

    • I have Milwaukee and would be reluctant to recommend it… not because its not awesome. The stuff I have is amazing and so reliable, but the problem is cost. Very easy to justify the cost if you are a tradesman but this is not the case. Currently I am looking at a line trimmer (powerhead). To buy the milwaukee is $583 - which is so much more expensive than a similarly spec'd AEG at $398. Likewise, Makita is a lot cheaper and that carries across to chainsaws, drills, impact wrenches….. the whole lot.

      Milwaukee are great but they've pushed themselves out of the domestic market. Seems to be a conscious as many AEG/Milwaukee tools are just re-skinned (they are the same company - also mixed in with Ryobi). With very different pricing.

  • +1

    IMO you don’t really need to go beyond consumer level power tools like Ryobi One series for DIY/home use. I’ve been using a set of Bosh green 18V power tools for over 5 years now (Bosch green tools used to compete in the current Ryobi One space at Bunnings few years ago). I’ve used them for so many DIY jobs around the house and also used them to build a small landing deck, and installing a moderately long steel balustrade on a concrete floor. So those tools are capable of handling the occasional tough job you throw at them.
    The biggest benefit of going with a popular series like Ryobi One is you have quick access to a whole range of cheap power tools that takes in the same batteries. Batteries can be quite expensive, so if you are planning to expand your tool set beyond a couple of drivers, then think about battery compatibility.

    • Thanks very much

  • +1

    From what I understand, AEG are not what they used to be, and their quality is a hit and miss these days. However the Makita range still holds its value in the marketplace.

    • Thanks

  • depends on the prices, at those prices I'd just get the makita one

    I got the Dewalt driver + drill + 6ah 54v battery for $279 in a previous deal and it's excellent.

    Have got 3 genuine dewalt batteries and 2 ebay ones and you honestly couldn't tell that you're running a chinese battery they last equally as long and are excellent.

    • I have looked around and Dewalts are very expensive at the moment. Thanks for the suggestion

  • +2

    Ryobi is good for DIY with dozens of home use tools in the One+ range. Its great for the average home user doing odd jobs putting together a cubby and other DIY, but may not last on a jobsite being dropped etc.

    AEG is stepping into more heavy duty for the most popular tools (drills, drivers, mitre saws etc) with a better warranty and stronger tools. More for the home owner who has a workshop and does things regularly or wants a better quality more powerful tool. This would be a "handymans" tool of choice in my opinion.

    Milwaukee is the tradies tool of choice (personal choice of course) and is rarely used by the DIY home user. Very good quality with a wide range however is targeted to the commercial and heavy trades. This would be overkill for DIY unless your an owner builder etc.

    I think Makita is the equivalent of AEG (my perception) and heading into commercial Milwaukee space which is trade use and pretty heavy duty. They have a wide range and you often see them on a building site.

    Dewalt, Bosch and others are fairly good although i dont find them as good as the AEG/Milwaukee stuff.

    you will find Milwaukee and Bosch Blue amongst others are only available at specialty tool shops like Total tools. sydney tools etc. thats when you know they are more heavy duty than something at bunnings.

    This is all based on my understanding and buying a heap of tools over the last few years.

    The thing to look for is a good warranty and the amount of tools you can buy on a single battery platform. AEG 18v range is actually really good, and once you have a battery and charger you simply buy more tools (skins) without the battery and it works out great value. You can do this with all the brands and then it becomes personal choice on colour and branding you prefer…

    Shop around and understand if you can get a complete kit as these work out pretty good value if your buying a few tools at once.

    • +1

      Thanks for taking the time to write up such a detailed message, appreciate that.

      I am leaning towards the Ryobi 4 piece set, looks like good value set. I must admit I may never use these tools on a daily basis and may not need the bigger brands.

      I was very tempted by the AGE offer, 2 tools, 2 large power batteries and a sturdy case but then for the same price Ryobi has 2 extra tools and warranty is pretty good.

      Looks like Ryobi has got the best kit deals atm

  • Milwaukee

  • +1

    Ozito

    • Did you read the title? Might as well send him to Aldi.

      • I did but Bunnings is better for returns than aldi.

        Usually if someone doesn't have any tools they say they're point for a kit but really they'll probably only need one or two pieces so it's better just to buy a few tools and get more as you need them. Also ozito is more than adequate for DIY work.

        • Personally I use Ozito whenever I can, my weak arms love light stuff. (No Aldi for 1000km) Our son uses Ryobi and Milwaukee, their grinders grind faster. He got snap on stuff too. Corded stuff matters less.

  • +1

    I have AEG that I bought in 2018 and I really like it but I didn't (and wouldn't) pay that type of money.

  • +1

    Makita Japan

  • +1

    Coming from using a Bosch green set of tools to picking up a cheap full AEG 12 pce set (the set before the force/brushless range) leaps and bounds above in quality and power over the Bosch green I was using. Use them regularly in renovating our house and they are awesome, highly recommend. I also picked up a jigsaw second hand and the power is awesome. Just pair with semi decent quality bits as well and you'll carve through anything. If I could afford Makita I probably would but for the length of warranty and more in frequent use than that of a tradie you're sorted. But yeah doesn't have the range of tools that ozito and Ryobi has. Only thing I can't justify buying is the caulking gun, eye wateringly expensive compared to others.

  • +1

    Look into the future: If garden work is in your line, prepare. If soldering or small stuff Ryobi goes a long way. Google Techtronics and check out the makers.

  • +1

    I use that AEG kit for work (not by choice) and find it a pain. It is OK… but he battery falls out with vibrations and the chuck needs constrant tightening.
    I've used a lot of Makita for work and choose to use it for home. They are better built IMO but the kit you have listed although is brushless, has the plastic chuck, breaks more easily if using a holesaw and hit nails etc, is their lower end product and from experience is not as powerful and durable as some of their better ones. If your aim is to keep to a similar budget then i'd go for this one https://www.cltoolcentre.com.au/makita-dlx2145-18v-cordless-…. Handles more of a beating…

    • Thanks, great to know it from someone who has already used it.

  • I use a variety of brands since I got corded and cordless. Most are Ryobi one+ simply because 1 battery fits everything, and their battery are pretty good and also affordable ($200 for 2x 5ah).

    But for corded I use a mix of makita and aeg - mitre saws, circular saw, sander, table saw. I'm not fuss with the cord (just yet) but knowing I can also get a ryobi cordless quite easily. I even have a cheapo black and decker hammer drill for $20 from super cheap auto. I rarely use it since I do most wood works, but had to install a new door bell and it required drilling into brick. $20, did the job no issues. The tool won't handle much abuse though.

    Just buy as you need it, or when you find an OzB deal…

  • Those two kits are pretty comparable. Makita has a few different "levels" in their gear which is confusing at best like many of the other brands but they start in the "prosumer" to "trade" categories.

    AEG is pretty much the prosumer Ryobi (It's labeled as Rigid in the states). Both are divisions of TTi, who also own Milwaukee which is their trade tool range.

    Ryobi is a good unit, and cheap enough that if you do drop one off a rooftop and it breaks it's not big deal. They have a heap of tools that the trade categories don't have or are 2-4x more expensive. You've got the advantage you can run their garden tools etc on the same battery as well. (Granted milwuake, makita etc have garden tools, but again they are 2 or more time more expensive than ryobi).

    Trade tools are generally better built, designed to be used all day every day, and can survive some pretty rough handling, all of which are less likely for the homegamer. But they are moore expensive, have less tool choices and the batteries are generally dearer.

    I think you'll pretty much know yourself when you need to upgrade to a trade tool.

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