Power tool reviews
Every review ends with a clear verdict: buy it, or skip it — and what to get instead.
routers
Bosch 1617EVSPK Review: 2.25HP Fixed/Plunge Combo
Furniture makers, cabinet builders, and serious woodworkers who need both fixed and plunge routing capability with 1/2-inch shank bit access — one kit that handles edge profiling, mortises, raised-panel doors, and template routing.
miter saws
Bosch GCM12SD Review: The 12" Axial-Glide Miter Saw Explained
Dedicated workshop users and professional trim carpenters who want the widest crosscut capacity in a space-saving footprint and can tolerate the weight.
impact drivers
Bosch GDX18V-1800CN Freak Review: One Tool, Two Chuck Sizes
Plumbers, HVAC technicians, and multi-trade contractors who drive both screws and bolts throughout the day and want to carry one impact tool rather than two.
cordless drills
Bosch GSR18V-400 18V Compact Drill Review (2026)
Budget-conscious DIYers and light-trade users who want the lightest, most compact drill with the longest warranty for everyday fastening and small holes.
table saws
Bosch GTS18V-08N Review: Cordless Table Saw Worth the Cost?
Contractors working in finished spaces, upper floors, or sites where running extension cords is impractical, who are already invested in the Bosch PROFACTOR 18V platform.
jigsaws
Bosch JS365 Review: The Corded Jigsaw Benchmark
Woodworkers, remodelers, and dedicated DIYers who want the most consistent cutting power available in a jigsaw and work near outlets — the JS365 is the corded reference point everything else is measured against.
reciprocating saws
Bosch RS428 14-Amp Reciprocating Saw Review: Corded Precision Meets Demo Muscle
Homeowners, remodelers, and tradespeople doing extended demo sessions near an outlet who want the best cutting performance per dollar without committing to a cordless battery platform.
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.
cordless drills
DeWalt DCD800 20V MAX XR Cordless Drill Review (2026)
DeWalt 20V MAX owners who want a light, fast, well-lit everyday drill and value compact size over headline torque numbers.
impact drivers
DeWalt DCF887B 20V MAX XR Impact Driver Review: Fast and Compact
Contractors and serious DIYers on the DeWalt 20V MAX platform who need the most torque in a compact 18V/20V impact driver, and anyone doing mixed structural and precision fastening on the same jobsite.
jigsaws
DeWalt DCS334B 20V MAX XR Jigsaw Review: Light and Fast
DeWalt 20V MAX platform users who want a light, fast cordless jigsaw for sheet goods, trim work, countertop cutouts, and general curve cutting.
oscillating multi tools
DeWalt DCS356B Review: 3-Speed 20V Oscillating Tool
Remodelers, finish carpenters, and serious homeowners on DeWalt 20V MAX who want the fastest blade-swap mechanism and straightforward speed control at a competitive bare-tool price.
reciprocating saws
DeWalt DCS386B FLEXVOLT Advantage Reciprocating Saw Review
DeWalt 20V MAX users who want a light, easy-handling full-size reciprocating saw for mixed demo work where fatigue reduction matters more than maximum cutting speed.
circular saws
DeWalt DCS573B Review: 20V FLEXVOLT Advantage Circular Saw
DeWalt 20V MAX or FLEXVOLT users who want a full-size 7-1/4-inch saw with wide bevel range and the option to unlock extra power with a 60V FLEXVOLT pack.
string trimmers
DeWalt DCST972X1 60V MAX Review: 17-Inch Pro Attachment Trimmer
DeWalt FLEXVOLT platform owners who need a professional-grade trimmer for a half-acre or larger property, want universal attachment capability for edger or brush-cutter heads, and already own 60V MAX or 20V MAX batteries.
sanders
DeWalt DCW210B Review: 20V Cordless 5-In ROS Unpacked
DeWalt 20V MAX platform owners who want a lightweight, cordless finishing sander for furniture touchups, cabinet door sanding, trim work, and any job away from an outlet.
routers
DeWalt DCW600B Review: Cordless Compact Router
DeWalt 20V MAX platform users who do job site work — kitchen installations, finish carpentry, trim work — where routing without an extension cord is a real practical advantage.
angle grinders
DeWalt DWE402 Review: 11-Amp Corded Angle Grinder
DIYers and tradespeople who want corded power without corded-tool prices — the DWE402 is the reliable workhorse for grinding welds, cutting tile, and removing rust scale on a frequent but not daily basis.
sanders
DeWalt DWE6411K Review: 1/4-Sheet Palm Sander for Detail Work
Painters, furniture refinishers, and cabinetmakers who need a compact, affordable flat-surface sander that accepts cheap cut-to-fit sandpaper for door faces, cabinet boxes, shelving, and straight-line sanding tasks.
table saws
DeWalt DWE7485 Review: Best Compact Jobsite Table Saw?
Contractors and serious DIYers who need to rip sheet goods and dimensional lumber on the jobsite or in a small shop where floor space and truck capacity are real constraints.
miter saws
DeWalt DWS780 Review: 12" Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Professional trim carpenters and serious DIYers who want a highly accurate 12-inch sliding compound saw with a projected cutline for rapid, repeatable cuts on wide stock.
pressure washers
DeWalt DXPW3425E Review: 3400 PSI Gas Washer with Dual Start
Property owners, contractors, and serious DIYers who need to strip paint, clean commercial concrete, or cover large surface areas that would take multiple hours with an electric washer.
shop vacuums
DeWalt DXV10P Review: Quiet 10-Gal Jobsite Wet/Dry Vac
Contractors and shop owners who run their vacuum frequently and need quieter operation, plus anyone whose primary use is tool-side dust collection or job sites where a compact footprint matters.
pressure washers
EGO HPW3200 Review: 3200 PSI Cordless Pressure Washer
EGO platform owners and buyers in locations without convenient outdoor outlets who want near-gas pressure output without engine maintenance or fuel.
leaf blowers
EGO LB6504 Review: 650 CFM Without the Gas Can
Homeowners with quarter-acre to full-acre suburban lots who want gas-comparable clearing power without fuel mixing, cold-start hassles, or emissions.
string trimmers
EGO Power+ ST1521S Review: 56V PowerLoad String Trimmer
Suburban homeowners on a quarter-acre to half-acre lot who want gas-level cutting performance, effortless line loading, and long manufacturer warranty without the noise and fumes of a gas trimmer.
sanders
Makita BO5041 Review: Corded 5-In ROS with Wide Speed Range
Woodworkers, cabinet finishers, and serious DIYers who want the widest variable-speed range on a corded 5-inch random-orbit sander for fine furniture, veneer, and multi-coat finishing work.
angle grinders
Makita GA4534 Review: 6-Amp Paddle Grinder, Lightest Class
Homeowners, tile setters, and light tradespeople who want a proper-brand paddle switch grinder at the lowest cost — particularly tasks where the lighter weight reduces fatigue: overhead cutting, vertical work, and precision fitting.
routers
Makita RT0701C Review: Best Compact Trim Router
Cabinet installers, countertop fabricators, and serious DIYers who need precise edge profiling, laminate flush-trimming, and light template work with the most refined variable-speed control in a compact corded router.
leaf blowers
Makita XBU02Z Review: Balanced LXT 36V Clearing Power
Makita LXT platform users who already own two 18V 5.0Ah batteries and want a quiet, precise, well-balanced blower for lots up to half an acre.
impact drivers
Makita XDT16Z 18V LXT Impact Driver Review: 4-Speed Precision
Makita LXT users and tradespeople who want the finest speed-control granularity available in an 18V driver, particularly for cabinet installation, finish carpentry, and mixed-material fastening.
cordless drills
Makita XFD131 18V Cordless Drill Review (2026)
DIYers and tradespeople already on Makita 18V LXT who want a light, well-balanced everyday drill with a battery and fast charger included.
oscillating multi tools
Makita XMT03Z 18V LXT Oscillating Multi-Tool Review
Makita LXT platform owners who need an oscillating multi-tool primarily for fine finish work, slow-speed detail sanding, and general remodeling tasks on existing battery stock.
miter saws
Metabo HPT C10FCGS Review: 10" Budget Miter Saw Worth It?
Homeowners cutting door casing, window trim, and standard base molding who need a portable, light saw at minimal cost and do not regularly work with material wider than 8 inches.
table saws
Metabo HPT C10RJS Review: Best-in-Class Rip Capacity Tested
Home-shop woodworkers and contractors with a fixed or semi-fixed setup who want 10-inch saw capability at a jobsite saw price — maximum rip capacity and cut depth without paying cabinet-saw prices.
reciprocating saws
Milwaukee 2722-20 M18 FUEL Super Sawzall Review: Peak Cordless Demo Power
Professional remodelers, demolition contractors, and electricians on the M18 platform who need maximum cordless cutting performance and can tolerate the weight.
leaf blowers
Milwaukee 2724-20 M18 FUEL Blower Review: Platform Loyalty Rewarded
Existing M18 platform users who want a light, fast-starting blower for maintenance blowing, workshop cleanup, and residential lots under a quarter acre.
circular saws
Milwaukee 2731-20 M18 FUEL 7-1/4" Circular Saw Review
M18 platform users who want the lightest, most capable 7-1/4-inch cordless saw for production framing, roofing, and any task where the saw is held for hours at a stretch.
jigsaws
Milwaukee 2737-20 M18 FUEL Jigsaw Review: 3,500 SPM Cordless
M18 platform users who need the highest-performance cordless jigsaw available and do enough jigsaw work to justify a premium bare-tool purchase.
oscillating multi tools
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2836-20 Review: Top Cordless Multi-Tool
Contractors and serious DIYers already on Milwaukee M18 who need the fastest cutting speed and widest oscillation angle available in a cordless oscillating tool.
angle grinders
Milwaukee 2880-20 M18 FUEL Review: Cordless Pro Grinder
Tradespeople and serious fabricators on the Milwaukee M18 platform who need cordless freedom without sacrificing motor output — particularly for site work, outdoor cutting, and situations where dragging a cord is a genuine hazard.
cordless drills
Milwaukee 2904 M18 FUEL Drill Review (2026)
Tradespeople and serious DIYers on M18 who need maximum torque and occasional masonry capability in one drill and already own batteries.
shop vacuums
RIDGID HD1600 Review: 16-Gal Detachable Blower Wet/Dry Vac
Renovation contractors, serious DIYers, and garage-shop owners who want one machine that vacuums debris, picks up water, and blows leaves without buying a separate blower.
circular saws
Ryobi PBLCS300B Review: 18V HP Brushless 7-1/4" Saw
Homeowners already on the Ryobi ONE+ platform who need a capable cordless 7-1/4-inch saw for DIY framing, deck-building, and sheet-goods cutting without moving to a more expensive battery ecosystem.
impact drivers
Ryobi PCL235B 18V ONE+ Impact Driver Review: Budget Done Right
Homeowners tackling weekend projects, furniture assembly, cabinet hardware, and occasional deck screws who want a complete kit with batteries at a sub-$100 price point.
routers
Ryobi PCL424B Review: Budget 18V Compact Router
Homeowners already on the Ryobi 18V ONE+ platform who need occasional laminate trimming, roundover profiling, and light edge work without buying into a new battery ecosystem or spending above $100.
oscillating multi tools
Ryobi PCL430B Review: Budget 18V Oscillating Multi-Tool
Homeowners and occasional remodelers who already own Ryobi 18V ONE+ batteries and need an oscillating multi-tool for infrequent tasks: caulk removal, drywall repair cuts, door jamb undercutting, and spot sanding.
angle grinders
Ryobi PCL445B Review: Budget Cordless Angle Grinder
Ryobi ONE+ platform owners who want cordless angle grinder capability for occasional light tasks — cutting tile, trimming rebar, removing surface rust — without buying into a second battery system.
jigsaws
Ryobi PCL525B 18V ONE+ Jigsaw Review: Best Budget Entry
First-time jigsaw owners, casual DIYers, and homeowners already in the Ryobi ONE+ 18V platform who need a capable tool for occasional cuts in plywood, trim, and sheet goods.
shop vacuums
Ryobi PCL735B Review: 6-Gal 18V Cordless Wet/Dry Vac
Ryobi 18V ONE+ users who already own batteries and want cord-free cleanup in vehicles, detached garages without easy outlet access, outdoor work areas, or tight spaces where running an extension cord is inconvenient.
reciprocating saws
Ryobi PSBRS01B ONE+ HP Compact One-Hand Recip Saw Review
Homeowners and tradespeople who need a reciprocating saw for occasional plumbing repairs, access cuts in tight spaces, overhead pruning, or light demolition where a full-size saw cannot physically fit.
sanders
Ryobi RS290G Review: Budget 5-In ROS That Covers the Basics
First-time sander buyers, occasional DIYers, and property owners who need a capable, affordable random-orbit sander for furniture prep, light paint removal, and general wood sanding without the investment of a premium tool.
pressure washers
Ryobi RY142300 Review: Best Mid-Range Electric Pressure Washer
Homeowners who need reliable mid-range electric cleaning power for driveways, decks, siding, and vehicles on a weekly or seasonal basis.
string trimmers
Ryobi RY40250 40V String Trimmer Review: Expand-It Value Pick
Budget-conscious homeowners with a quarter-acre or smaller yard who want to extend one battery platform across multiple Expand-It yard tools.
leaf blowers
Ryobi RY404014BTL Review: Whisper-Quiet 650 CFM on 40V
Ryobi 40V platform owners, or any homeowner in a noise-sensitive neighborhood who wants full clearing power without disturbing early mornings or weekday evenings.
miter saws
Ryobi TSS103 Review: $269 Sliding Miter Saw for Homeowners
Homeowners and occasional DIYers who need sliding crosscut capacity for base molding and trim work on a $250–$300 budget and do not require dual-bevel capability.
circular saws
Skil 5280-01 Circular Saw Review: Best $70 Corded Saw
Homeowners, weekend DIYers, and workshop users who cut near an outlet and want maximum bang per dollar — or anyone who needs a reliable second saw that can be replaced cheaply if damaged on a job site.
table saws
Skil TS6307-00 Review: Budget Table Saw That Earns Its Keep
First-time table saw buyers, weekend DIYers doing home improvement projects, and budget-conscious homeowners who need 10-inch cutting capacity for occasional sheet-good and lumber work.