The 15 Best Tools of 2023: Power Tools, Outdoor Equipment, and Storage Picks

Introduction

After a full year of testing more tools than we can count, 15 products earned a place at the top of their categories. This list covers the best power tools, outdoor equipment, and jobsite accessories we got our hands on, from the strongest hammer drill we rated to the work boots we would wear on a long shift.

Every pick here earned its spot through performance, thoughtful design, and value. If you are upgrading a single tool or building out a collection from scratch, these are the products worth your attention first.

Best Hammer Drill: Milwaukee 2904

The fourth-generation Milwaukee 2904 raised the bar across all three major categories we evaluate in a hammer drill. Torque climbs 200 in-lbs to 1,400 in-lbs, top speed rises to 2,100 RPM, and the hammer rate hits 33,000 BPM, a full 1,000 blows per minute higher than before.

It also adds Auto Stop kickback control for the first time, while keeping the compact 6.9-inch head length that made earlier versions so easy to handle. The bare tool costs $199, and the kit runs $299 with two 5.0Ah batteries and a charger.

Best Impact Driver: Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2953

Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 2953 earned the top spot as the year’s best impact driver with a 3,900 RPM top speed and 2,000 in-lbs of torque. That combination of performance, size, and weight made it one of the strongest overall packages of any driver we tested.

You get four modes, including three standard modes and a self-tapping screw mode, plus a refined trigger that delivers smoother acceleration for better control when starting wood screws, self-tappers, and sheet metal screws. It sells for $149 as a bare tool, $299 as a two-battery kit, or $399 in a combo kit with the 2904 hammer drill.

Best Table Saw: DeWalt DWE7491RS

Some tools stay at the top simply because nothing has caught up, and the DeWalt DWE7491RS is one of them. In one form or another this saw has been around for roughly a decade, and it is still setting the benchmark for jobsite table saws.

The 15-amp motor delivers plenty of power, cut accuracy is excellent, and the wider table than most competing job site saws is what allows it to keep using a full 10-inch blade. At a very reasonable $649, it remains one of the most complete options on the market.

Best Sidewinder Circular Saw: Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt

When the final results were tallied, Metabo HPT’s 36V MultiVolt edged out Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel as the best cordless sidewinder circular saw overall. It scored perfect marks in cutting performance and accuracy, with high scores across most other categories.

It was the strongest sidewinder we tested, and it is the only saw in its class that can run from an AC adapter for effectively unlimited runtime. A lifetime warranty on the tool sweetens the deal further. The bare tool costs $179.

If your work leans toward framing and sheet goods, the accuracy alone justifies the choice. The MultiVolt platform flexibility makes it a practical pick for anyone splitting time between corded and cordless work.

Best Rear Handle Circular Saw: Flex FX2141R

For rear-handle fans, nothing in 2023 impressed us more than the Flex FX2141R. After pitting it against the top competitors, it came out clearly ahead as the best cordless rear handle circular saw currently available.

The design is solid and the features are thoughtful, but what sets it apart is raw output: it is stronger and faster than any other rear handle saw we tested, helped along by stacked lithium pouch-style batteries. The bare tool is $254, and deals matter here. At one point a kit with a 10Ah stacked lithium battery and charger was available for $299.

Best Jigsaw: DeWalt 20V DCS334

The DeWalt 20V DCS334 takes the crown as the best cordless jigsaw overall, available in both top handle and barrel grip styles. Its cutting speed was not the fastest we measured, but vibration control was better and it kept blade deflection to nothing on tough cuts.

Controls are well placed and easy to reach without moving your grip, something especially noticeable on the barrel grip, where testers could not always reach on-off switches on competing models. There are a couple of trade-offs to weigh, but DeWalt delivered the best overall cutting experience.

Best Angle Grinder: Hilti Nuron AG 6D-22

The Hilti Nuron 6-inch AG 6D-22 is the most impressive angle grinder we have ever used. Performance is excellent, with a brushless motor that keeps RPMs high even under heavy pressure, so you can genuinely bear down on this cordless grinder.

Two innovations set it apart. First, 360-degree active torque control senses sudden movement in any direction and shuts the tool off automatically. Second, SenseTech sensors in the handle detect when your hand is on the tool, even with gloves on, and stop the motor if you let go. That makes it the only grinder we have seen to combine the convenience of slide switch activation with the safety of a paddle switch.

Best Impact Wrench: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Mid Torque

Milwaukee’s latest generation of M18 Fuel mid torque impact wrenches delivers fastening torque up to 550 ft-lbs and nut-busting torque up to 650 ft-lbs, which is enough to avoid reaching for a heavier high-torque model most of the time.

Working on passenger vehicles, this tool tackles roughly 95% of the applications you are likely to encounter. That balance of power and manageable weight makes it our pick as the best cordless impact wrench.

Best Lawn Mower: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Self-Propelled

With a monstrous 10 ft-lbs of torque, more than a 200cc gas engine, Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel self-propelled mower is the strongest battery-powered walk-behind we have tested so far. Running a pair of 12.0Ah batteries, it can go up to an hour in light conditions, and we ran it for more than 40 minutes cutting 4 to 6 inches of growth.

The build quality suits professional use, and convenience features include single-point height adjustment and vertical storage. The drive thumb bar does require constant pressure, which introduces some fatigue, though adjusting your grip helps. Compared with larger options now appearing, such as a 30-inch 82V Greenworks, Milwaukee’s price is much easier on the budget.

Best String Trimmer: EGO Powerload with Line IQ

A good trimmer is arguably as important as a high-quality mower, and EGO’s Powerload string trimmer with Line IQ is our pick as the best of the year. EGO started back in 2013 with a surprisingly strong cordless trimmer with eye-opening vibration control, and the platform has only improved since as battery and motor technology advanced.

The Powerload feature makes changing line easier than any other tool we have used: thread the line to the middle and press a button. It works best with rounded lines, so keep that in mind if you hit snags. Line IQ then takes things further with automatic line feeding that maintains a 16-inch cutting swath without bumping the head. EGO has set the bar very high for any competitor hoping to claim the battery trimmer crown.

Best Blower: EGO LB7654

EGO’s LB7654 is redefining what a battery-powered handheld blower can be. With the stock 5.0Ah battery it produces more than 25 Newtons of blowing force, and in our testing it even touched 26 Newtons with the 10.0Ah battery. That is legitimate backpack-blower territory and twice the force of a leading homeowner gas model.

That force translates into 200 MPH of maximum air speed and 765 CFM of airflow. Among handheld models, this is simply the most powerful cordless leaf blower you can buy.

Best Shop Vac: Milwaukee M18 Fuel Modular Wet Dry Vac

Earning a best shop vac designation requires the best balance of everything, and Milwaukee nailed it, not with one vac but with an entire modular system. Choose single-battery, dual-battery, or corded powerheads, then pair them with 6, 9, or 12-gallon canisters.

Milwaukee also developed the AIR-TIP line of trade-focused accessories that are cross-compatible with almost any hose size. No single vacuum fits every need, but this system is far greater than any one model thanks to the sum of its parts.

Best Work Boots: Keen Utility Camden

If your workday stretches into long hours, the boots on your feet matter, and our recommendation is the Keen Utility Camden. It took something special to knock the Keen Cincinnati off the top spot, and the Camden finally did it.

These heeled boots expand the brand’s heavy-duty line with a composite toe and waterproof construction. The winning combination is an aggressive tread pattern paired with a super comfortable L-cell midsole, which makes them suitable for nearly any situation and our pick as the best overall work boot for men.

Best Tape Measure: Crescent Lufkin Shockforce G2 Nite Eye

Tape measures are a staple in every toolbox, from the most seasoned pro to the greenest DIYer, and after using dozens through the year, the Crescent Lufkin Shockforce G2 Nite Eye stood out. We wanted durability, standout accuracy, visibility, hook grip ergonomics, and useful features, and this tape delivered on all of it.

Our favorite version is the magnetic tip model, though standard and auto-lock versions are available if you prefer those. If the Nite Eye color scheme is not your style, the same tape comes with a standard yellow and black blade.

Best Tool Storage: Flex StackPack Modular System

Once all the tools are picked, you need somewhere to put them, and our choice for the best toolbox storage is the Flex StackPack modular system. The deeper we dove into it, the more impressed we were, and the second-generation Wave 2 additions make it even more versatile.

The system improves on the basic design of stackable toolboxes, adds premium features you would expect from other brands, and then goes further with boxes, cabinets, totes, and shelves we had not seen before. Flex StackPack is redefining what to expect from modular portable toolboxes, and everyone else is now playing catch-up.

Buying Advice

With 15 picks across so many categories, the smartest approach is to buy for your actual workload rather than for spec sheets. If you are a contractor, the Milwaukee hammer drill and impact driver combo, the DeWalt table saw, and the Flex StackPack system form a strong core. For outdoor work, the EGO trimmer and blower pair well with the Milwaukee mower on larger properties.

Watch for kit and combo pricing, since several of these tools were available in bundles that significantly beat buying bare tools individually. Deals like the Flex rear handle kit pricing show how much value timing a purchase can add.

Conclusion

2023 was a strong year for tools, with meaningful gains in cordless power, safety features, and modular ecosystems. Each of these 15 picks earned its place through real performance and design that makes daily work easier. Match them to the jobs you actually do, and any one of them will be money well spent.