Craftsman power tools
The Craftsman name was registered by Sears in 1927, when Arthur Barrows — head of Sears' hardware department — acquired the rights to the name from the Marion-Craftsman Tool Company for $500. For roughly nine decades, Craftsman was one of the most recognized tool brands in American retail, sold exclusively through Sears stores and known for a lifetime hand-tool warranty that made it a household name. In 2017, as Sears Holdings struggled financially, Stanley Black & Decker acquired the Craftsman brand and associated intellectual property for approximately $900 million, bringing it under the same corporate roof as DeWalt and the Stanley and Black & Decker brands.
Post-Sears Transformation
Under Stanley Black & Decker ownership, Craftsman has been repositioned and expanded significantly. The brand is no longer a Sears exclusive — it is now sold at Lowe's, Ace Hardware, and other retailers, giving it far broader distribution than it had in its final years at Sears. Stanley Black & Decker has invested in a new cordless V20 battery platform for Craftsman, creating a purpose-built ecosystem distinct from DeWalt's 20V MAX system despite superficially similar voltage. V20 tools and DeWalt 20V MAX tools are not battery-compatible with each other, which is an important consideration for buyers who also own DeWalt products.
US Market Position
Craftsman sits in the value-to-mid tier of the US power tool market, positioned a step above pure budget brands like Skil but below the professional-grade pricing of DeWalt. Its strongest legacy is in hand tools and mechanics tools, where the Craftsman name still carries significant brand equity among older buyers. The power tool lineup is competent for general homeowner use — the cordless drills, circular saws, and combo kits perform adequately for renovation and maintenance tasks. Craftsman is also a strong brand for socket sets, wrenches, and hand tool storage, where the lifetime warranty on many items remains a selling point.
What Craftsman Does Well — and Where It Falls Short
Craftsman's clearest advantages are brand familiarity, wide retail availability, and a well-established hand-tool lineup with strong warranty support. For buyers who grew up with Craftsman in the garage and want to stay in the ecosystem, the V20 cordless platform offers a logical starting point. The limitations are real, however: the V20 power tool lineup does not match the depth or engineering investment of DeWalt, and the brand's identity can feel uneven now that it spans multiple retail partners and a reorganized corporate structure. Professionals and serious DIYers who plan to invest heavily in a cordless ecosystem will typically find more tools, better performance, and a deeper accessory catalog at DeWalt — even though both brands share a parent company.
Known for
- Long-standing American tool brand dating to 1927
- V20 cordless battery platform for power tools
- Strong hand tool and mechanics tool lineup
- Wide retail availability at Lowe's and Ace Hardware post-Sears
- Lifetime warranty on many hand tools
- Owned by Stanley Black & Decker since 2017
Craftsman reviews
string trimmers
Craftsman CMCST930P1 V20 Review: Brushless Trimmer Under $140
Small-yard homeowners with lots under 5,000 square feet who want the lightest possible trimmer and are already on or building the Craftsman V20 battery platform.
pressure washers
Craftsman CMEPW1700 Review: Best Entry-Level Electric Washer
Apartment dwellers, condo owners, and budget-focused homeowners who need to rinse outdoor furniture, clean a small patio, or wash a car a few times a year.
shop vacuums
Craftsman CMXEVBE17595 Review: 16-Gal Lowe's Shop Vac
Budget-conscious DIYers, homeowners tackling renovation projects, and Lowe's loyalists who want a proven 16-gallon wet/dry machine at the lowest available price from a major brand.
Frequently asked questions
- Who makes Craftsman tools now?
- Craftsman is owned by Stanley Black & Decker, which acquired the brand from Sears Holdings in 2017 for approximately $900 million. Stanley Black & Decker now manufactures and markets Craftsman tools, and has expanded distribution to retailers including Lowe's and Ace Hardware. The same parent company also owns DeWalt and the Stanley and Black & Decker brands.
- Are Craftsman V20 and DeWalt 20V MAX batteries compatible?
- No. Despite sharing a parent company and similar voltage ratings, Craftsman V20 batteries are not compatible with DeWalt 20V MAX tools, and vice versa. The two platforms use different battery interfaces. If you own both brands, you must maintain separate batteries and chargers for each.
- Is Craftsman still a good brand?
- Craftsman remains a solid choice for general homeowner use, particularly for hand tools and mechanics tools where its brand reputation and lifetime warranty hold real value. For cordless power tools, it is a competent mid-tier option — reliable for typical DIY work, though it lacks the depth and performance ceiling of the professional-grade DeWalt or Milwaukee platforms.
- Where can you buy Craftsman tools?
- Since leaving Sears, Craftsman tools are available at Lowe's (the primary retail partner), Ace Hardware, and other retailers. They are no longer a Sears exclusive. Stanley Black & Decker has significantly broadened Craftsman's retail footprint since acquiring the brand in 2017.