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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.
It came as no surprise to us that the Power Tool category in our Tool of the Year 2024 search involved stiff competition. With manufacturers continually pushing forward with new cutting-edge technology and innovation, new tools are being released regularly, so our judging panel had its work cut out for them.
To win a spot in this lineup, the power tools had to have been released within the last 12 months and offer improvements, solutions, and forward-thinking designs. After reviewing a year’s worth of news and new releases, the five winners come from leaders in the power tool industry. Keep reading to learn more about these power tools and what they can do to improve your projects.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless Plunge Router
Pros and DIYers alike will love this plunge router from DeWalt because the operational controls are accessible from the dual handles. While this seems like a small design change, it’s one that produces more professional results: There’s no need to lift a hand away to make an adjustment, which translates into cleaner, more precise grooves and cutouts. Plus, a revolutionary anti-twist safety adds another dimension to the tool: If the user encounters dense wood grain or a knot in the wood that can create a kickback twist, the tool automatically shuts off, protecting both the user and the workpiece from damage.
Get the DeWalt 20V Cordless Plunge Router from The Home Depot for $349.
DeWalt 20V MAX Grabo Lifter
This innovative power tool from DeWalt provides a safer and easier way to lift large or heavy objects with flat surfaces—even, to an extent, if the surfaces are porous. Think of a glass lifter on steroids: The battery-powered Grabo uses a powerful vacuum to create a tight bond with granite and quartz slabs, drywall panels, concrete pavers, large-format tiles, and much more. Once the suction is engaged, Grabo locks onto the item and doesn’t let go. It has a pressure sensor that regulates the amount of suction needed, and it’s capable of lifting up to 265 pounds horizontally or 132 pounds vertically. This truly revolutionary power tool will come in handy on a wide range of projects, from hauling heavy materials around a worksite to setting pavers and tiles without risk of pinching fingers.
Get the DeWalt Grabo Lifter from Ace Hardware for $249.
Stihl MSA 300 C-O 20-Inch Battery Chainsaw
From a brand with a legacy of high-powered gas motors, Stihl’s new MSA 300 C-O Chainsaw is the most powerful in the company’s battery-powered lineup. It makes more than 225 cuts on a single charge, packing the professional-grade power needed to fell trees and cut firewood. Plus, it packs a host of features for ease of use. Its electronic indicator lets the operator monitor the saw’s performance. The tool features an ergonomic rubberized grip and an overall lightweight-yet-durable design for maximum comfort during usage. The Stihl MSA 300 also comes with an IPX4 rating for humidity and water-splash protection.
Get the Stihl 20-inch battery chainsaw from Stihl dealers for $819.99.
Bosch Power Tools 18V 5-Inch Band Saw
The new cordless band saw from Bosch makes it easy to cut pipes, angle iron, or other metal even when an electrical outlet isn’t anywhere nearby. It even comes with its own bright light to illuminate the cutting area. Unlike stationary band saws, this Bosch model goes anywhere thanks to its 18-volt battery, and packs into a heavy canvas bag for storage and transportation. Despite its deep, 5-inch throat for cutting larger pipes, it’s still relatively compact, so it fits into spaces that might be challenging for larger saws.
Get the Bosch 18V portable band saw from Amazon for $649.
Grizzly Knife-Making Belt Sander/Grinder
Billed as a knife-making machine accessible for the entry-level crafters, Grizzly’s unique new portable power tool excels at this task. We’re impressed with how these features make the tool versatile enough to tackle other workshop needs, such as sharpening tools, grinding rust off mower blades, or even sanding wooden items. It features an adjustable tilt frame for grinding steel horizontally or vertically, while an adjustable tool rest tilts anywhere from 5 to 120 degrees, allowing users to position and support the workpiece at various angles. It offers adjustable speed control, so users can select slower speeds for soft metals like aluminum and higher speeds for hard metals like cast iron when shaping or fine-tuning.
Get the Grizzly knife-maker at Grizzly for $396.
