The Tool Brand Showdown: Who Really Owns the Site?

When it comes to tools, every tradie has an opinion — and they’re usually loud, loyal, and bloody proud of their go-to brand. So we put it to the test. We asked the Intrade community a simple question:
“What’s your #1 tool brand on site?”

And the results? Let’s just say there’s a clear leader… but it’s a tight race at the top.

Here’s who’s dominating the toolbox across Aussie job sites in 2025.

🥇 Milwaukee ❤️ — Torque For Days (40%)

Milwaukee didn’t just win — they belted the competition.
With 40% of tradies backing the red beast as their ride-or-die, it’s no fluke.
Milwaukee is known for torque, grunt, and gear that holds up no matter what you throw at it.
Verdict: Tradies trust red. And red rules for now.

🥈 Makita 💚 — Built Different (31%)

Makita's no joke — holding strong with 31% of the vote.
Reliable, balanced, and smooth under pressure, Makita’s the quiet achiever in the game.
Old-school performance meets new-school design. It’s the kind of gear that just works.
Verdict: Still one of the big dogs, and loved by crews who’ve been around the block.

🥉 DeWalt 💛 — Yellow Gets It Done (20%)

The black-and-yellow gets the bronze with 20%.
DeWalt’s still got a strong rep, but it’s clear some tradies are jumping ship.
Backed by heritage and toughness, but maybe slipping when it comes to innovation and hype.
Verdict: Solid, but might need a second wind to stay in the game.

🧰 The Rest of the Pack

• Bosch 🔵 — Tough as nails (4%)
  Quality kit, but hasn’t cracked the top ranks. Might be more loved in the shed than on site.

• Snap-On 🔴 — Top-tier precision (1%)
  Sleek and accurate, but comes at a price. Precision over power — not for every tradie.

• Kinchrome 🔧 — Aussie trusted (2%)
  A homegrown legend still pulling votes. More nostalgia than domination.

• Klein Tools ⚡️ — Sparkies' favourite (0.5%)
  Klein’s got the sparkies on lock, but it’s niche gear. Not a generalist’s go-to.

• Something else 🖤 — (2.5%)
  Whether it’s Festool, Ryobi or some left-field beast, there’s always a few outliers.

💬 What This Means For Tradies (And Brands)

This isn’t just a popularity contest — it’s a pulse check on the job site.
Tool brands that want to stay on top better bring more than just shiny marketing.
Tradies care about grunt, reliability, battery life, and whether it can survive a two-storey drop onto concrete.

And for businesses?
If you're slinging gear, offering perks, or looking to sponsor, these numbers tell you where loyalty really sits.

🔍 Final Take

Milwaukee is the current king, but Makita and DeWalt aren’t far off.
The game’s tight. The opinions are strong. And the next quarter might flip the script.

So here’s our challenge to you:

👉 Still loyal to your brand? Or ready to switch teams?
Tag us with your rig on site, and tell us why your tools earn their place in your kit.

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🛠️ This is the kind of insight you only get from the Intrade crew — real tradies, real feedback, no fluff.
Stick with us for more deep dives, giveaways, and gear reviews coming soon.