DeWalt vs Craftsman Outdoor Power Tools: Which System Is More Affordable?
What's inside
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For a homeowner starting from scratch, Craftsman usually costs less to enter. DeWalt often costs more, but has a broader outdoor lineup and can be the better value if you already own its 20V batteries or need equipment for frequent, demanding work. The cheapest choice depends less on the logo than on the tools you need, the batteries included, and whether you’ll have to buy into a new platform.
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The short answer
Choose Craftsman for occasional mowing, trimming, and cleanup on a modest property, especially when a kit includes a battery and charger at a good price. Choose DeWalt if you already use its 20V tools, want more options across outdoor equipment, or expect to run tools hard enough that runtime, performance, and replacement choices matter more than the lowest checkout price.
Compare complete kits rather than tool-only prices. A bare tool may look like a bargain until you add a compatible battery and charger. Also check battery capacity: a 2Ah pack costs less and weighs less, but will generally run an outdoor tool for less time than a 5Ah pack. Actual runtime varies with workload, battery age, temperature, and tool design.
What the price comparison looks like
Prices change with sales and seasons, so the figures below are broad U.S. retail ranges, not current quotes. Bundles can fall below these ranges during promotions; tool-only prices can be misleading if you need to buy batteries separately.
| Purchase | Craftsman: typical range | DeWalt: typical range | What affects value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery string trimmer kit | $100–$200 | $150–$250 | Included battery capacity, cutting width, and whether you already own compatible batteries |
| Battery leaf blower kit | $100–$200 | $150–$250 | Airflow, runtime, and whether the kit includes a small pack suited to lighter cleanup |
| Battery chainsaw | $150–$300 | $200–$400 | Bar length, battery size, and whether the saw is intended for pruning or heavier cuts |
| Battery push mower kit | $300–$600 | $400–$700 | Battery count and capacity, cutting width, and whether the mower is sold with the packs it needs |
These categories aren’t always direct model-to-model comparisons. A lower-priced tool may have less power, a smaller battery, or a narrower cutting deck. Check the included equipment and specifications before treating a price gap as a like-for-like saving.
Batteries decide the real cost
If you already own batteries from either brand’s compatible outdoor platform, staying with it can save more than picking the lower-priced bare tool from the other brand. A spare battery also reduces downtime. But don’t assume every DeWalt 20V battery or every Craftsman V20 battery is an ideal match for every outdoor tool: verify platform compatibility and check the manual’s battery recommendations.
For example, someone with several compatible DeWalt packs may find a DeWalt trimmer sold tool-only is cheaper overall than buying a Craftsman kit plus another battery. A buyer with no batteries may get more immediate value from a Craftsman bundle that includes a useful pack and charger. Battery capacity matters especially for mowers and chainsaws, where a small pack can mean frequent stops or a tool that struggles under load.
Where Craftsman is the better budget buy
Craftsman makes sense for routine yard work: trimming grass around a small lawn, blowing leaves off a patio, or pruning modest branches. For these jobs, the cheaper kit may do what you need without paying extra for performance you won’t use. Its value is strongest when a sale bundles the tool, battery, and charger, and the included battery is large enough for your property.
Before buying, check return terms and battery availability locally. A discounted kit is less attractive if you can’t easily find a replacement battery or if the included pack runs out halfway through your normal job. For occasional use, though, a lower-cost trimmer or blower is often perfectly adequate. Browse current Craftsman V20 string trimmer kits and compare battery capacity, not just the advertised price.
When DeWalt is worth paying more
DeWalt can justify its higher price if you already own compatible batteries, need a particular tool in its lineup, or use outdoor equipment often. More frequent use makes battery availability and the ability to choose from multiple tool sizes more important. If a tool will be used weekly through a long season, a small upfront saving may not be worth repeated charging breaks or a performance mismatch.
Still, a more expensive brand is not automatically a better buy. Match the tool to the job: a compact blower can handle a small deck, but clearing a large lawn covered in wet leaves may call for a more capable tool and larger battery. A cordless saw is not a substitute for a gas saw on sustained heavy cutting. Shop DeWalt 20V outdoor power tools by kit contents and intended workload rather than brand reputation alone.
Costs and failure modes people miss
Battery tools can lose runtime as packs age, and high loads can drain them quickly. Cold weather can also reduce available battery performance. Keep packs within the manufacturer’s storage guidance, and avoid leaving them discharged for long periods. If your mower needs multiple batteries, price the full set—not just the tool—and check whether the kit includes enough capacity for your lawn.
For trimmers, line type and feed mechanism affect how often you stop to reload. For blowers, a high-power setting can drain a battery much faster than light sweeping. With chainsaws, a dull chain makes cutting slower, wastes battery, and can encourage unsafe pressure; keep the chain sharp and use the correct oil. These operating costs and hassles can outweigh a modest difference in purchase price.
How to buy at the lowest sensible price
Shop bundles around spring yard-cleanup season and major holiday sales, but compare the same battery capacity and accessories. If you only need a blower and trimmer, a combo kit can cost less than buying two separate kits. The trade-off is that combo bundles may include a small battery that is fine for short jobs but frustrating for a mower or saw.
For a compact yard and occasional use, start with the less expensive complete Craftsman kit that meets your runtime needs. For an existing DeWalt owner, price the bare tool first; using batteries you already own may make it the cheaper system in practice. If you’re buying a mower, calculate the cost of all required batteries and a charger before deciding. That’s the point where the advertised tool price matters least—and the complete system cost matters most.
