When it comes to tool brands, two of the best options out there are Japanese tool manufacturers Makita and Ryobi. Keep in mind that both brands compete in slightly different market segments, but there is some overlap when comparing Ryobi vs Makita.
Strictly in terms of quality and performance, Makita edges out Ryobi, however, when you consider the cheaper cost of Ryobi tools, the decision becomes less clear.
Let’s take a closer look at Ryobi vs Makita, see how these two tool brands compare, plus how to choose the right one for you.
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History of Makita and Ryobi
Ryobi
Ryobi is the flagship budget tool brand sold by home depot and has established itself as an affordable brand that punches above its weight in terms of quality.
The company came into existence back in 1943 and began manufacturing and selling die-cast tools. It then expanded into the power tool market in 1968 and shortened its name from Ryobi Seisakusho Co. to Ryobi.
In 1999, the brand was purchased by a large Hong Kong tool manufacturer called TTI (Techtronic Industries Co.). TTI is an enormous conglomerate that manufactures tools for a variety of well-known brands like Hoover, Empire, Hart, and Milwaukee.
Today, Ryobi is a powerhouse brand with an impressive and constantly expanding catalog of power tools. Their tools are primarily sold through Home Depot and Walmart but are also sold online and through other channels.
Makita
Makita was founded back in 1915 as an electric motor sales and repair company. In 1958 they began specializing in electrical planers, and over the next 50 years, rapidly expanded their power tool lineup.
Then, in 1969, the brand created the first rechargeable power tool with its 6500D battery-powered drill. A decade later, in 1978, they launched the first nickel-cadmium battery tool with their 6010D rechargeable drill.
In 1989, the brand introduced its grinder, drill, and circular saw at the Nagoya City exposition. In the decades following, the brand has greatly expanded its production and distribution capabilities by opening facilities throughout Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
The company has earned a reputation for producing some of the best power tools in the premium tool segment. They continue to manufacture many of their tools in Japan – resulting in top-quality tools at a somewhat premium cost.
Makita vs Ryobi Comparison
Let’s take an in-depth look at how these two tool manufacturers stack up against each other.
Price
When it comes to price, Ryobi is by far the cheaper option in nearly every tool segment. The Ryobi brand is positioned as a budget homeowner brand on par with brands like Craftsman, Black and Decker, and Kobalt. As a result, their tools are priced similarly to the above-mentioned brands – in other words – cheap!
This isn’t a downside for Ryobi, though, as although their tools are inexpensive, they offer impressive quality for the price.
If we take a look at a few of the popular offerings from each brand, you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about.
Ryobi’s 18V ONE+ Lithium-Ion 2-tool drill/driver combo kit (1.5Ah) retails for approximately $120, while Makita’s 2-tool 18V drill/driver combo kit (1.5Ah) comes in at approximately $190. If we look at their basic corded 7 ¼” corded circular saws, we find Ryobi’s retailing for just $90, whereas Makita’s retails for $170.
The same pattern repeats over and over if you compare the tool lineups of the two brands. One thing worth noting though is that Ryobi tends to offer a wider range of price points than Makita. They tend to offer a very cheap option, a mid-priced option, and a premium-priced option, whereas Makita mostly sticks to the higher end.
Quality
When it comes to quality Makita is the clear winner, although this is to be expected given their higher price point. Additionally, Ryobi’s tools are primarily manufactured in China, whereas Makita’s tools are manufactured in a variety of countries including the U.S., U.K., Japan, and – yes – China.
While quality is an important thing to look for in tools if you were to consider their value, the winner is less clear. As Ryobi offers quality tools at a significantly lower price point than Makita, the best bang for your buck is tough to determine.
Tool Selection
This one is fairly close, as both brands offer extensive tool lineups. If you examine the sheer number of tools offered, Makita sells over 325 tools in th2 18V segment, whereas Ryobi has over 280 in their 18V ONE+ segment. When it comes to 40V tools, Makita offers 125+ products, while Ryobi has 80+ tools.
Makita also has a 12V segment with over 70 products, whereas Ryobi no longer manufactures tools in the 12V segment. That said, Makita’s tools tend to be targeted at the tradesman/professional user, while Ryobi’s lineup is much more homeowner oriented.
Ryobi also offers a wide array of 40V and 80V electric outdoor home and garden power tools like tractor mowers, zero-turn mowers, pressure washers, tillers, and more. Makita’s 40V/80V lineup is more focused on heavy-duty trade tools like rotary hammers, power cutters, and the like.
Warranty
Both Ryobi and Makita offer similar three-year-long limited warranties on their 18V power tool lineups. When it comes to its 40V/80V outdoor lineup, Ryobi offers a 5-year warranty, which is better than Makita’s 3-year warranty.
One stipulation to note is that Ryobi’s warranties only apply if the tools are used for personal, family, or household use. That means they may not honor their warranty in cases where the tools are used in a professional setting. In practice, I’ve never heard of this happening, but it’s something to be aware of nonetheless.
Ryobi vs Makita: Which Brand is Best for Me?
Determining which brand is the best choice for you will depend on what you’re looking for in a tool lineup. If you’re a homeowner looking for basic tools to get jobs done around the home, look no further than Ryobi. Additionally, if price is your main consideration, Ryobi is the way to go.
Alternatively, if you’re a tradesman or a heavy-duty user that needs tools that can handle major abuse, Makita will likely make a better choice. This isn’t always the case though, as there are many tradesmen nowadays who’ve made the switch from a premium brand to Ryobi and are happy with their choice!
