Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
Whether it’s the latest announcements from your favorite tool brands or the year’s Pro Tool Innovation Award winners and finalists, we’re staying on top of the best new tools, so you have one place to check each month to see the latest and greatest. Be sure to bookmark this page and check back to see what’s new! Hose Clamp Crimping Tool
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Ryobi’s Expand-It attachment system lets you use the same powerhead for a variety of lawn care tools, saving you both storage space and money. It features a 10-inch tri-arc blade to tackle thick weeds and brush around your property. Plus, the blade is reversible, meaning you can flip it around when it starts to get dull, doubling its lifespan.
Note: If you’re planning on venturing into this attachment system, make sure you also pick up a Ryobi 40V Expand-It Powerhead kit for $169!
Milwaukee’s 2838 router is one of two routers in the cordless mid-size 2 HP class, sharing the space with Metabo HPT’s M3612DA. Team Red’s strengths lie in power level, achieving a power output of 2.25 HP at the top end. A High Output battery will get you the best performance out of this tool since it’s more power-hungry than Milwaukee’s compact model. The 2838 router’s performance makes it a legit corded replacement in the mid-size class.
Price: $349 bare; $599 kit with 6.0Ah High Output battery and charger
DeWalt revealed its new PowerShift battery platform designed to expand cordless and gas-free jobsite applications. There’s still a lot of speculation about the battery’s voltage and cell type, but so far the brand has unveiled a 554Wh pack. We do know that this 11.5-pound battery can fully recharge in under an hour.
As for the design of this new platform, it’s quite a bit different than DeWalt’s standard 20V Max/60V Max tools. It features a completely new type of battery connection, presumably to prevent people from powering smaller tools with such a large battery.
Six tools were announced along with the batteries, targeting the concrete sector, including:
Hilti has several dust extractors on its roster, but the VC 140-2-22 is one of its more compact models. It has a 1-gallon capacity for liquids and a 15-pound capacity for solids and dust. As Hilti’s first cordless model to join the ranks, it fills an important gap in the brand’s lineup, doing a respectable job with small to medium-sized dust and debris. Although it has a higher price tag than many other dust extractors, it’s justified by Table 1 safety compliance and cordless portability.
Price: $519 bare; $951 kit with a B 22-255 battery and charger
Flex’s FX4331 cordless brad nailer delivers excellent driving power and zero ramp-up time. You can fire up to three nails per second, even into hardwoods, and its exceptional runtime lets you drive up to 2200 nails per charge with the kitted 2.5Ah battery. For design, Flex thinks outside the box with a 7-position lever to quickly adjust your drive depth, as well as three LED lights positioned around the tool for full light coverage.
Price: $279 bare; $349 kit with a 2.5Ah battery and charger
In our tests, the Greenworks Commercial 82V backpack blower actually exceeded the performance specs promised by the brand. Reaching a top blowing force measurement of 36.9 Newtons in the highest setting, this blower packs a serious punch. On top of that, this tool offsets its 31.9-pound operating weight with padded shoulder straps and a chest strap to avoid uncomfortable pressure points.
Price: $449.99 bare tool; $1299.99 kit with two 8.0Ah batteries and dual-port charger
Ridgid’s brushless 16-gauge straight finish nailer R09893K features up to 35% faster nail driving and a 15% more compact design than the previous model. It has the power to drive up to (1700) 1 1/4-inch to 2 1/2-inch nails per charge using a 4.0Ah battery. Like many nailers, this model gives you the choice between single or sequential driving. Plus, it uses Clean Drive technology to drive nails flush at any angle.
Price: $269 bare; $319 kit with a 2.0Ah battery and charger
ECHO’s newest X-Series chainsaw is on our radar for the same reasons that the ECHO DCS-2500T stood out to us. However, a couple of things have changed between the two models. Namely, the DCS-2500TN has a more efficient cutting system, giving you up to 60 cuts per charge. This model also sees reduced vibration, leading to a more comfortable experience and less fatigue with extended use.
Price: $569.99 bare tool; $659.99 kit with a 2.5Ah battery and charger
CMT Orange Tools introduced its 007 License to Cut Xtreme demo blades and they quickly cemented themselves as a standout option. They even took home a PTIA award in the circular saw blade category. Now, the brand’s Zero Gravity blades are designed specifically for framing and they keep many of the same aspects as their aforementioned demolition counterparts. For starters, they feature a low-mass plate design, unique tooth geometry, and large gullets for chip ejection. Oh, and then there’s their orange coating, which doubles as a friction-reducing PTFE layer to prevent overheating while you cut.
One thing is for certain— USB-C cords are a dime a dozen nowadays, and most homes have several for charging phones, tablets, and other devices. Skil realized a gap in the market and created the USB-C PWRCore 20 batteries, which have the capability to recharge via a USB-C cable. Not only that, but they can also act as a portable power supply for charging your device directly from the battery via a USB-C charging cord.
Price: $59.99 bare; $99.99 with a USB-C charging cord and power block
Klein’s latest laser level entry projects clear green 360° lines in the X, Y, and Z planes with a range of up to 100 feet. The brand tells us the green lines are up to two times brighter than standard red beams. This laser level is also self-leveling, with two mounting options (magnetic and survey tripod). Plus, a runtime of more than 6 hours on a single charge allows for all-day leveling.
HART is a brand after the hearts of more value-minded DIYers and homeowners since they’re easy on the budget while still bringing appropriate performance. A case in point is the HART One-Handed Reciprocating Saw, which features a brushless motor for more efficient cutting in tight areas. It features a no-load speed of up to 3200 SPM and a 7/8-inch stroke length. These specs even compete with some of the premium models we’ve tested, so this HART tool is worth keeping an eye on.
Price: $119 bare; $228 kit with a 4.0Ah battery and charger
The Makita 40V max ConnectX Portable Power Station is powered by a Makita ConnectX, LXT, or LXT X2 backpack power supply. It turns DC power into AC power to let you charge up to seven Makita batteries at a time, or power corded tools when you’re out of reach of an AC outlet. It features a peak power output of 2800W (1400W continuous), with 2 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports, and a 12V outlet for plenty of powering and charging options.
Ryobi 18V One+ Bucket Top Wet/Dry Vacuum Attach this Ryobi 18V vacuum directly to any 5-gallon bucket for quick shop cleanup.
HandyScribe Cam-Shaped Scribing Pencil This pencil helps you draw lines at a variety of distances thanks to its unique cam-shaped design.
The 2023 Pro Tool Innovation Award winners and finalists have been announced! With 233 products across 15 distinct categories, they represent the best new tools coming over the next year (some are already available). Head over to the PTIA website to see the entire list for yourself or click on the headings below to look at the individual category pages.
As for us, we’ve selected some of the most intriguing new tools—one from each category. There are so many more than just the ones listed here, though, so be sure to check out the pages to see the most innovative products on the docket for the next year!
Take one look at CMT Orange Tools’ 007 demo blade, and it’s immediately clear this blade is different. Large cutouts around the blade reduce overall mass, leading to faster acceleration and less overall energy use, helping you manage the battery on cordless saws. They also help reduce heat buildup during cutting.
A closer look reveals a tooth design that handles nail strikes more effectively by avoiding a full-on nail hit against a single tooth and brazing deeper into the plate. At the same time, a 5° ATB configuration offers stable, fast cuts in clean and nail-embedded wood.
While you’re applying Neosporin to your busted knuckles, Milwaukee’s automotive team has been working on a way to keep them from getting that way in the first place. By inserting the socket into the ratchet head instead of onto it, the M12 Fuel Insider drops another 3/4 of an inch and significantly improves your ability to access tight areas. That by itself is enough to make it a winner in our eyes, but Milwaukee’s product team took it further. The ratchet is compatible with all three standard drive sizes, 1/4″ hex bits, is pass-through capable up to 15mm, has an extended reach, and a high speed drive of 350 RPM. We’re guessing it’s going to be a while before anyone can top that!
If your work involves setting adhesive anchors, you’re going to love Hilti’s Kwik-X Dual Action Anchor System. To put it simply, the Kwik-X system can be stated as “drill, drop, drive, done.” No joke.
Just like you would with any other anchor, you start by drilling the appropriate-sized hole for it. But instead of reaching for your vac or hole blower, you skip the cleanout step completely. The way you get around it is by using Hilti’s SafeSet procedure, which includes using a hollow bit and vac to remove dust while you’re drilling.
Next, you take the adhesive packet and drop the entire thing into the hole, package and all. You don’t need to squeeze it out, and you don’t need to use an applicator.
Finally, use your impact wrench to drive the fastener in place. As it turns, it breaks the packet open and displaces the adhesive to fill the gaps. That’s it, you’re done. It’s a huge time-saver and makes getting new crew members up to speed easier while reducing the risk of errors along the way.
You’d think battery chargers would be a fairly boring category, but this year’s vote was tight thanks to several outstanding options. Flex came away with the win for their 4-Port Simultaneous Charger. Each of the four ports can charge at a rate of 280 watts, and can run at that pace simultaneously. That’s better than any 4-port charger we’ve seen so far, and keeping your power tools operating without interruption for charging is the number one concern our team has for its charging needs.
We’ve seen some impressive ways to make siding installation easier over the years, but Malco’s Adjustable Siding Gauge is the best. By setting the pair to the same detent and clamping them onto the already installed siding, it’s your second and third set of hands to hold pieces up to 16 feet in length and exactly the right height, leaving you with both hands to fasten them properly. Best of all, it makes a 2 – 3-man job one that you can do by yourself, and it’ll cost you less than you’d pay your helper for the day.
For common 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch press fittings, you’ve got to see what Ridgid’s team has come up with. The RP 115 is less than 15 inches long and is 2.5 inches wide, giving you easier access to tight connection spaces better than other models. It’s also just 5.5 pounds, including the battery press jaws, making it the lightest cordless option you have available as well. This lightweight, compact press tool is a fatigue-busting solution for press connections from a name you can trust.
Visualizing what the final results will be is a challenge for every home contractor and client relationship. HOVER can help bridge that gap with its design functions, and give your clients more confidence that they’re getting the home of their dreams before the groundwork even starts. When it’s time to crunch numbers, HOVER can help you build your estimates more quickly and even order materials once the contract is signed. There are even applications for homeowners, such as help with insurance claims and brainstorming future upgrades. When it comes to exterior design, HOVER is a high-tech solution in a high-tech world.
Price: $25 – $199 per design (membership program also available)
2023 marks the year log splitters make the jump to battery power from mainstream brands. Ryobi’s 40V HP Brushless Log Splitter uses a kinetic drive to split logs with 12 tons of splitting force. With a capacity for logs up to 10 inches in diameter and 20 inches long, it’s capable of splitting up to 150 times on a 4.0Ah battery and has a cycle time of just 2 seconds. With a frame designed for easy transport to and from your log pile, getting ready for fireplace season has never been easier or more convenient.
The SST MegaFlow 3 Stage Air Filter and Regulator is a classic example of “see a problem, solve a problem” engineering. If you’ve used compressors or air tools for any length of time, you know that contaminants cause problems eventually. By incorporating a 3-stage filter on the intake end, the SST MegaFlow ensures you’re getting more time between maintenance and longer service life. Plus, the visible cartridges make it easy to see when filter changes are due, and the high-quality construction ensures it will be around for a long time. It’s a fantastic solution to a common problem.
Fluke’s 2062 Advanced Pro Wire Tracer gives you a big advantage when you’re tracing wires. With the ability to trace energized or de-energized wires, you can avoid disrupting other work that’s going on in an occupied space. Multiple modes allow you to work in residential, commercial, and industrial structures without having to switch tools. Plus, the 2062 has a 3.5″ color screen that helps you visualize where the wire is running and avoids losing track of the run. It has everything you need to trace wires, find breaks, detect shorts, and identify breakers, all with the protection of a CAT IV 600V rating.
Craftsman is stepping up its storage game in a big way with the Pro-focused V-Series. It’s all about the build. I-Frame construction and heavier gauge steel set it apart from less expensive homeowner models. That gives it a much higher 3000-pound total capacity, and it has suspension-loaded casters to ensure it’s able to handle the load and still roll effectively. Best of all, these professional toolboxes are still well under the price you’ll pay from the tool truck guys while maintaining the quality Pros demand.
Graco is continuing to expand its line of impressive cordless paint sprayers, this time with a solution designed to make small jobs quicker and easier. The Ultra QuickShot features an easy-filling 32-ounce cup and connects to a 6-foot hose that only contains an ounce of paint when loaded. In a brilliant move, the pump sits on a holster you wear, leaving only the weight of the gun in your hands, giving you outstanding control in tight or awkward spaces and making it ladder-friendly when you have to climb. Rather than manufacturing a proprietary battery, Graco goes with the popular DeWalt 20V Max battery as a power source, making spare and replacement batteries easy to get hold of.
Ridgid combines the control of a barrel grip style, the ease of a compact design, and the convenience of a cordless power source with the 18V SubCompact R86346. It’s packed with just about every feature you’d hope to find on a jigsaw: adjustable speed, orbital action, lever action blade release, a dust port, dust blower, and tool-free bevel adjustments. Combined with a brushless motor and a fast 3200 SPM stroke rate, it’s a fantastically well-rounded jigsaw.
If you’re a fan of the T1 WerkPant (who isn’t?), then you’ll love the Truewerk XP WerkPant for those days that your knees are in contact with the ground or against equipment you’re working on. With built-in knee pads that retain the movement and flexibility Truewerk is known for, it’s an excellent upgrade to keep the T1’s primary characteristics while saying goodbye and good riddance to your strap-on knee pads.
E-commuting is becoming more popular and today’s brushless motor and battery technology is making it a legitimate option for many people. Greenworks is entering the space with a commuter E-bike that has an excellent 20 MPH top speed and a competitive 25-mile range. Considering it only takes 40 minutes to charge, you can make longer commutes to work without a problem. What really caught our attention was the price. Just under $1900, Greenworks is offering a quality, full-feature E-commuter for about half of what you’d pay from name brands like Trek.
Both at work and as a hobby, Noelle enjoys working on creative projects. Her exceptional attention to detail and voracious appetite for learning makes her perfect for gleaning the important info from product releases and conveying that online via the PTR website and social media channels.
Noelle has spent the past couple of years working very closely with the Pro Tool Reviews crew during product testing and evaluations, learning the ins and outs of what it takes for a manufacturer to make an exceptional tool or accessory. She brings sophisticated communication skills to the team, helping relay the details that truly matter to tradesmen, landscapers, woodworkers, DIYers, and others.
This proves incredibly helpful when considering new tools that bring advanced features, capabilities, and/or value to your trade or business. Noelle currently serves as the “tip of the spear” for our tool news, weekly newsletters, social media, and lifestyle product reviews.
When not at work, she loves spending time with her husband, pets, and friends.
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