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The 2024 Tool of the Year Awards program is the first in what promises to become an annual tradition of celebrating the most notable new tools and home helpers. This package spotlights the handiest products launched in the last 12 months in seven essential home-improvement categories, from power tools to cleaning tools. We’re also recognizing a DIY Game Changer, an honor reserved for the year’s most exciting innovation for projects. See all of the winners here.
Our team researches and tests hundreds of tools each year, and some of them make an outsized impression. Many are evolutions of existing equipment that do the same job faster, more efficiently, or with less strain on the user. Some solve problems we didn’t even know we had, like loud weed wackers or hoses that don’t clean our decks. Our roundup of the best new outdoor tools of 2024 includes products that we’ve used ourselves and products that we can’t wait to try.
Toro 60V MAX 900 CFM Brushless Leaf Blower
Battery-powered leaf blower performance continues to improve, and Toro is leading the way. Pushing up to 900 cubic feet of air per minute at speeds up to 165 miles per hour, this powerful leaf blower makes quick work of mounds of leaves and yard debris. The included 4-amp-hour battery has enough juice for long, continuous clearing sessions. In our tests, we recorded more than 90 minutes of run time on a single charge. That’s plenty of power for just about any size yard—-all without the hassle of gas.
Get the Toro 60V MAX Leaf Blower at Lowe’s for $349.
Craftsman T4400 Lawn Tractor
Large, hilly yards are hard to mow without a capable riding mower. The new Craftsman T4400 boasts 9 percent more engine power and twice the traction of average lawn tractors. A 24-horsepower Kawasaki engine, 54-inch fabricated mowing deck, TurnTight 5-inch radius steering system, and locking rear differential give it the power to tackle big jobs and mobility on rugged terrain.
Get the Craftsman T4400 Lawn Tractor at Lowe’s for $4,799.
Stihl FSA 80 R Cordless String Trimmer
One of the quietest and most comfortable battery trimmers that we’ve tested, the new Stihl FSA 80 R is designed for optimal performance and user comfort. In our tests, it buzzed through everything—patches of weedy overgrowth and even tree seedlings about ¼-inch in diameter. In addition to its power, the Stihl, features a new tool-free adjustable handle for better ergonomics and a high-efficiency brushless motor that nearly eliminates maintenance. And if all that isn’t enough, we found that it delivers the best power to weight performance with minimal vibration.
Get the Stihl FSA 80 Cordless String Trimmer at Stihl for $399.99.
DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX Cordless Power Cleaner
We’re fans of DeWalt, having tested dozens of their tools over the years, but this year DeWalt unveiled a helpful cleaning tool we didn’t know we needed—a handheld pressure washer. The Flexvolt Cordless Power Cleaner can attach to a garden hose or other fresh water source for convenient outdoor cleaning in the palm of your hand. With a lot more oomph than a hose alone, it has just the right amount of power for smaller projects and more delicate surfaces, like patio furniture and lawn equipment.
Get the DeWalt Flexvolt Cordless Power Cleaner at The Home Depot for $349.
CAT Footwear Invader Max Work Boot
Breaking in work boots can be a real pain. In our tests, the new CAT Footwear Invader Max Composite Toe Work Boots felt great all day without a break-in period and kept our feet dry at a mucky job site. These durable but comfortable work boots feature supple waterproof leather uppers, a breathable membrane liner, and a lightweight safety toe. Deep lug traction provides sure footing even in muddy, slippery conditions.
Get the CAT Footwear Invader Max at CAT Footwear for $164.95.
