Holiday Gift Guide: 21 Tools and Gear Picks for the Workshop and Beyond

Introduction

Last minute shopping is easier when the list writes itself. We pulled together some of our favorite tools and gear we came across this year, spanning jobsite audio, cordless automotive tools, woodworking accessories, yard equipment, outdoor kit, and a few small comforts. Each pick solves a real problem or simply makes the work more pleasant, and most of them come in at prices that make gift giving easy.

For Everyone on the List

The Milwaukee Red Lithium USB Earbuds deliver great sound quality with OSHA certified hearing protection, plus a situational awareness mode that lets you hear what is going on around you without removing the earpiece. The case runs on a 3 amp hour Red Lithium USB battery and recharges the earbuds whenever you drop them in. At $179, they are an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a lightweight, quality headset for the job site.

For the Car Lover

The Flex 24V Mid Torque Impact Wrench helps you kiss the cords and hoses of pneumatic impact tools goodbye. Do not let the compact size fool you: the brushless motor produces 600 ft lb of fastening torque and 750 ft lb when breaking nuts loose, which covers nearly everything a mechanic could hope for. Look for it at Acme Tools for around $269.

A flat tire is inconvenient no matter when it happens, and the factory scissor jack only adds frustration. The Greenworks 24V Cordless Car Jack lets the battery do the heavy lifting, with a 3 ton rating and a maximum lift of about 17 1/2 inches. A kit with a 2 amp hour battery and charger gets you back on the road for $148.

For the Woodworker

A blade is a blade, right? Pros know better. The CMT Orange Tools Framing Blade uses a thin kerf to improve cutting speed and reduce material waste, while laser cut expansion slots reduce vibration and dampen sound. The shear angle grind on the front of the teeth creates a smooth cutting experience, and high carbide density in the teeth supports a long cutting life. At about $9.97 each, grab a couple and put them under the tree.

Metabo HPT nailed the complete package with the 18V Triple Hammer impact driver. The triple hammer design and brushless motor deliver fast driving performance, while bolt mode dials in performance specifically for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts. It is compact and lightweight, and at $179 for the two battery kit it is currently the best value available for a professional grade impact driver.

Bessie has a brilliant new take on the traditional trigger clamp with the EHK 360 Series. The triggers rotate 360 degrees around the bar into 12 positions, which makes clamping simple in tight spaces where you would normally compromise on how the jaws engage. You can even swivel the triggers aside to make room for more clamps. Prices range from $43 to $73 depending on size, and the smaller ones make great stocking stuffers.

For the Metal and Sheet Goods Trades

Hilti’s cordless metal cutting circular saw is a cold cutting saw that operates at 4,000 RPM and simply melts through metal, making cuts up to 2 3/8 inches deep while keeping the cut cool and spark free. The chip collector keeps the mess to a minimum and empties easily when full, all wrapped in Hilti’s excellent ergonomics. Find it for $310 at hilti.com.

Making straight cuts in sheet goods is always a challenge, and the Ridgid Track Saw gets you back on track, literally. It delivered confident performance with precise results, has the features pros want, and the price tag makes it an excellent value, especially considering Ridgid’s lifetime service agreement.

The Milwaukee Faucet Swap Out Wrench is one of those simple but game changing tools, ideal for plumbers and homeowners alike. The design is sleek, the handle is long and slim so it easily reaches tricky mounting hardware spots under faucets, and it is sturdy enough to count on for many swap outs. At $30, it is a no-brainer gift for the handyman in your life.

Small Tools That Punch Above Their Price

The idea of a screwdriver seems cut and dry, until you meet the Skil Twist 2.0 Cordless Screwdriver. It is one of the handiest tools you can add to a toolbox for a wide range of light duty screwdriving jobs, and Skil’s attractively low price makes it a low risk purchase and a perfect stocking stuffer.

Why buy a dedicated pipe cutter when an attachment can do the job with a tool you already own? The DeWalt PVC Pipe Cutter Attachment fits on your existing impact driver and tackles up to 2 inch Schedule 80 PVC. Line up the cut, pull the trigger, and let the tool do the hard work. Grab it for $119 at Acme Tools, and if you also work with copper pipe, DeWalt makes a version for that too.

For the Yard Work Warrior

Every good mower needs a great trimmer, and the EGO 56V Line IQ String Trimmer delivers the gift of lower frustration. It automatically feeds line to maintain a consistent 16 inch cutting swath, and when the line eventually runs out, the power load feature makes reloading painless: run the line to the center, push the power load button, and watch it spool itself. You get premium performance and low vibration along with it. The kit runs $329.

Once the trimming is done, the Ryobi 730 CFM Whisper Series Leaf Blower quietly clears the driveway. Ryobi combined outstanding performance with an amazingly quiet tool, pushing just under 22 Newtons in our testing, well beyond typical gas handheld models, while producing only 76 dB in turbo mode. It is so quiet your neighbors will not mind even an early Saturday morning start. It is $329.

For the Outdoors Family

The Milo Action Communicator reimagines two-way communication. Instead of radio channels, groups of units create a mesh network among themselves for completely secure communication that others cannot listen in on. Each unit also acts as a repeater, extending range beyond the base 2,000 feet, and the units are waterproof, hands free with no button to push, and attach via a strong magnetic mount that will not detach easily. At $250 apiece, a full system is a bit pricey, but for families that ski, hike, or ride long mountain bike trails, it is entirely worth it.

Ever been on the job or the trail wishing for a good cup of coffee? The Vessel Nest Pour Over Kit lets your next brew happen wherever you are. It includes a holder for beans or grounds, a pour over dripper and filter, and the cup, and everything nests together into one easy to carry kit.

If you run trail cameras or automatic feeders, you know the pain of keeping power deep in the field. The Moultrie Universal Solar Power Pack makes the chore far less painful, available in 3.4 or 10 watt configurations. The built-in power bank supplies consistent power and recharges via a solar panel, and with an IP65 rating and automotive grade cable sheathing, these are built to shrug off the weather.

Mellan Outdoors absolutely nails the value proposition with the Pro Explorer 75L Cooler. Large capacity and high ice retention are just the start: latches on both sides let you open it from either side or remove the lid completely, and an integrated bottle opener, divider, and top pad all come standard. It is a great Christmas gift for any outdoorsman.

The Brunt Distasio Boot is a logger style boot with a composite safety toe, offering the traction and stability you need on uneven and unstable ground. The name is all about excavation, and the Distasio excels when climbing and navigating rough terrain. A pair runs $179.

Small Comforts and Everyday Carry

Gerber’s made in the USA Assert features an S30V clip point plain edge blade that performs far better than value blends, and a glass filled nylon handle with a honeycomb structural pattern that achieves a remarkably low carry weight of just 1.9 ounces. The thumb stud pivot lock combination sets it apart from typical frame or liner lock models, and it is part of Gerber’s customization program with plenty of ways to get the look you want.

You may know Coas for high quality boots, but we went a different direction this year with the Goat Leather Billfold. Handcrafted from real goat leather, this classic style has room for your cash and cards, and the natural oils and soft hide help it patina quickly, aging gracefully while working hard, much like the Western integrity that inspires it.

Rounding out the guide is something anyone over 21 can enjoy: a nice bottle of whiskey. This year we will be sipping a bourbon from Breen Ridge Distillery. It is an absolute rock star in an old fashioned, where the whiskey outshines the bitters and sugar, with notes of butterscotch, candied orange, and apple on the way down.

Conclusion

Whether you are shopping for a mechanic, a woodworker, a weekend warrior, or someone who just appreciates good gear, this list covers every corner of the workshop, the yard, and the trail. Match the gift to the person’s actual work and hobbies, and any of these picks will land well.