Which is better for cutting hardwood?

The Milwaukee. Its 20,000 OPM and 4.2-degree oscillation angle cut faster and its vibration damping keeps the blade steadier in hard material. The Skil tops out at 17,000 OPM with a 3.6-degree angle.

Is the Milwaukee worth $200 more?

Only if you use the tool often or cut tough material. The Skil kit covers trim, drywall and light sanding at $79.00 at Walmart as of November 7, 2026, while the Milwaukee is $279.00 at The Home Depot.

Which is easier to hold for long sanding jobs?

The Skil is lighter at 1.72 lb bare tool versus 2.58 lb for the Milwaukee. The Milwaukee offsets that with lower full-tool vibration, which reduces fatigue over long sessions.

Does the Skil kit come with more accessories?

Yes. It includes a wood blade, a segment blade, a sanding pad and nine sandpapers. The Milwaukee kit includes one 1-3/8 in wood blade and a sanding pad.

Which battery lasts longer per charge?

The Milwaukee. Its included M18 XC5.0 pack is 5.0Ah against the Skil's 2.0Ah, so expect roughly two and a half times the runtime per charge.

Which has better blade changes?

Both are tool-free. The Milwaukee uses its Open-Lok interface, which takes Milwaukee and other Open-Lok blades; the Skil uses its own tool-free clamp.

Milwaukee 2836-21 M18 FUEL Oscillating Multi-Tool vs Skil PWRCORE 20V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool

Buy the Milwaukee 2836-21 if you cut hardwoods, nail-embedded wood or do heavy remodel work and want the fastest, smoothest cuts. Buy the Skil Pwrcore 20V kit if you need an occasional-use multi-tool for trim, drywall and light sanding at a low price. As of November 7, 2026, the Milwaukee kit is $279.00 at The Home Depot and the Skil kit is $79.00 at Walmart, a $200 gap.

Today the Skil PWRCORE 20V Brushless Oscillating Multi-Tool costs $200.00 less at its best price.

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