3 Power Tool Brands You Should Avoid, According To User Reviews

When it comes to tool brands, everyone is in their own camp. Some people will want to level up DIY projects by grabbing DeWalt tools, while others might prefer Makita, Milwaukee, or Ryobi to get the job done. But regardless of where your main loyalties lie, there are some power tool brands that just don't fly with customers. Today, we'll discuss a few brands you should avoid, according to Trustpilot and forum reviews from users — Craftsman, Black and Decker, and EGO. Each of these power tool brands are known for different types of machines, with EGO being particularly niche with its battery-powered lawn tools and chainsaws. The reviews that have been collected highlight some of the specific problems users have faced with these brands, such as reliability and interactions with customer service.

Now, it's worth pointing out that these brands are not in the category of tools you should be purchasing to build a house with. Most are value-priced, offering tools for common household repairs and upkeep rather than professional work. Even then, though, there are quality control issues that really make these brands worth avoiding.

While Craftsman has maintained a somewhat legendary status as the unbreakable tools your grandfather swore by, the reality is that the brand no longer produces power tools of consistent quality. YouTuber Ultimate Tool Reviews notes that, since being purchased from Sears by Stanley Black & Decker in 2017, "Craftsman, unfortunately, is nothing but a shell of their previous self at this point ... I hear a lot of complaints about people who have a Craftsman tool that broke." 

User reviews from Trustpilot, where the brand maintains a 1.7 out of 5 rating, back this up. One reviewer noted: "I bought an angle grinder at Lowes for my construction company. Used it less than 2 mins and it burned up. Took it back and replaced it with another. Within 5 mins it caught on fire from inside." Other reviewers have noted issues with poor batteries, low power, and a frustrating warranty service. 

Redditors have pointed out that the only reason folks are even buying Craftsman tools is because of their former status as a reliably high-value choice, with woodland_dweller saying: "The reason anybody buys CMan is because all their tools used to be good. Then they weren't, and are coasting on the name." While frustration with the decline certainly casts a cloud over judgment of the brand, it is probably best just to avoid Craftsman altogether.

Founded in 1910, Black & Decker (B&D) offers a wide range of power tools and outdoor power equipment, as well as household appliances like air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Similar to Craftsman, B&D was once held in high esteem for its quality. However, many users across both Trustpilot (where the brand holds a 1.4 out of 5) and Reddit have noted that the quality of B&D is yet another Stanley Black & Decker brand that has seen its quality fall dramatically.  

The chief issue most users and customers have is with the quality of the tools themselves. One Trustpilot reviewer noted that the poor quality of a jigsaw actually damaged his thumb, writing: "It was cheap in price and a very good brand name but I was to find out how wrong you can be as the blade fell out every so often... this is not safe as normally you would have a plastic guard on the front and this doesn't." Redditor brown_pleated_slacks also mentioned that B&D cordless drills are "underpowered and don't seem very well made." A look at the Black & Decker website confirmed that users recommend avoiding other models, such as the 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Cordless Leafblower or the 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Cordless String Trimmer, which maintain sub-par scores due to poor battery quality and lifespan and other malfunctioning parts. Reviews regarding tool warranty are also generally low. 

Owned by Chinese manufacturer Chervon, EGO Power appeared in the USA in 2012 and prides itself on its electrical battery technology used to operate its range of lawn mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and many other outdoor power tools. The prices are the highest of any brand on this list, so you would think that it would be a solid option. Unfortunately, according to users, the opposite seems to be true.

The Trustpilot score is currently standing at a 1.5 out of 5 with 641 reviews. The issue is not so much with the quality of the tools themselves but rather what powers them: the battery. If your goal is to be a completely electrified tool company, one thing you should be sure of is that your battery technology is reliable. However, as one review put it: "Seems I have the same problem as everyone else. Bad battery after 8 months, nightmare to get replaced. Very aggravating and frustrating. A year and a half, my chainsaw quit working." 

Other comments have mentioned how the batteries run out exceptionally fast, which is one of the many cons of using a battery-powered lawnmower and other cordless outdoor power tools. Customer service is reportedly also not too helpful. Redditor Real-Feedback5603 wrote of their experience: "My attempts to resolve this [faulty trigger] through EGO customer support have been met with disconnections, unreturned calls, and voicemails left unanswered. It's been three weeks since the last repair was initiated, and I'm still waiting." 

These recommendations have been based on user review data collected directly from consumer review sites. Trustpilot has served as our main source, thanks to their open feedback platform and verified reviews. Reddit has also been heavily used due to the ability of users to provide detailed opinions and analysis based on their personal experiences. Additional research was conducted on manufacturer websites, YouTube reviews, tool forums, magazines, and professional contractor pages.