Milwaukee drills/drivers design analysis
Ask any trade professional who regularly relies on power tools which cordless drill/driver is best and they'll probably say Milwaukee, DeWalt or Makita.
All of these brands offer great tooling solutions, as well as Bosch, Rigid and Ryobi, but Milwaukee Tools often appear at the top in terms of revenue and market share in North America.
Online reviews declaring the best cordless drill/driver tend to rely on specs and demonstrations which lead to mixed conclusions. There is no brand that works perfectly for everyone for every job, but Milwaukee is consistently acclaimed; this analysis attempts to understand why from key user experience factors.
User Interface
The first thing people notice about Milwaukee drills/drivers is the iconic red. It's a rich, slightly metallic crimson which balances between bold and professional.
The overall forms communicate clearly where and how users can pick them up by using contours that cradle the fingers and palm naturally. Smooth surfaces elevate the elements that users can interact with.
Subtle angles used on buttons, over molds and vents reflect the angles in their lightning rod logo which creates design consistency.
Usability
Internal component placement and use of materials create a center of gravity that aligns with the user's grip, minimizing wrist strain.
The sculpted grips are made from soft elastomers placed in key contact areas. Texture is added to secure hold even with sweaty or gloved hands.
Symmetrical design elements cater to right and left hand users and allows for comfortable two-handed operation.
Multimodal Feedback
While still producing noise when the trigger is pulled, motor dampening is used to reduce operator fatigue and improve the work environment.
Clicks and motor noises offer auditory and haptic feedback to confirm actions.
Many design decisions are made to produce a Milwaukee power tool. While other brands may offer advantages for specific tasks, Milwaukee drills and drivers are a solid choice for professional and home use cases.
Project Farm names Milwaukee best driver brand overall (video).
Project Farm names Milwaukee best hammer drill brand overall (video).
