The Great Big-Box Battle: Evaluating the Power Tool Ecosystems of Ryobi, Craftsman, and Hyper Tough

While Lowe’s continues to carry its own in-house brand, Kobalt, it has increasingly pivoted toward Craftsman as its primary consumer-facing powerhouse. This shift has allowed Craftsman to leverage the engineering prowess of Stanley Black & Decker, which also owns professional mainstays like DeWalt and Porter-Cable. The result is the V20 line, a modern 20V battery platform designed to compete directly with Ryobi and other mid-tier brands.

The Craftsman V20 lineup is significantly younger than Ryobi’s ONE+ system, having launched alongside the brand’s rollout at Lowe’s. Consequently, its library of tools is smaller, currently sitting at just over 100 products. While it lacks the sheer eccentricity of Ryobi’s catalog—you won’t find quite as many niche lifestyle gadgets—it covers the essential needs of any homeowner with high-quality execution. The V20 line includes everything from compact brushless drills and reciprocating saws to more heavy-duty equipment like sliding miter saws and lawnmowers.

One of the primary advantages of the Craftsman brand is its accessibility and the aggressive sales cycles at Lowe’s. The retailer frequently runs "Buy One, Get One" events or battery trade-in deals that make it easy for new users to jump into the ecosystem. Furthermore, for those who still own legacy Craftsman hand tools, Lowe’s often honors the traditional warranties, maintaining a bridge between the brand’s storied past and its cordless future. For a user who prefers the shopping experience of Lowe’s over Home Depot, the V20 platform offers a reliable, well-engineered alternative that feels more like a traditional tool brand and less like a hobbyist’s toy box.

Hyper Tough is Walmart’s budget-friendly option

It’s the cheapest way to get a cordless drill, but the lineup is a lot thinner

In the hierarchy of power tools, Hyper Tough occupies a unique space. As Walmart’s house brand, it does not aim to compete with the high-torque specifications of professional tools or even the massive variety of Ryobi. Instead, Hyper Tough is designed for the absolute budget-conscious consumer—the individual who needs a tool that works for occasional repairs without the "platform tax" associated with more established names.

Unlike Ryobi and Craftsman, whose manufacturing origins are well-documented, the specific manufacturer of Hyper Tough tools is less publicized. However, Walmart’s backing provides a significant level of retail support and a straightforward warranty process. For many, the appeal of Hyper Tough is its sheer affordability. In a market where a single battery from a premium brand can cost $100, Hyper Tough offers entire starter kits—including a 12V or 20V drill, a battery, a charger, and often a set of accessories—for under $40.

Despite its reputation as a "budget" brand, Hyper Tough has been making strides to appeal to more serious DIYers. The brand has expanded its cordless offerings to include roughly 100 tools across its 12V and 20V lines. Perhaps most surprisingly, Hyper Tough has begun introducing brushless motors into its lineup. Brushless technology, which was once reserved for high-end professional tools, offers better efficiency, less heat, and a longer lifespan than traditional brushed motors. By bringing this technology to a Walmart price point, Hyper Tough is challenging the notion that "cheap" tools must inherently be "low-tech."