Cordless and corded power tools tested on real jobs. Drill/drivers, impact and hydraulic drivers, heat guns, and saws from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and the value brands worth a look. We rate torque, runtime, ergonomics, and whether the battery platform is worth buying into.
A compact brushless 1/2-inch drill/driver that punches above its size — the reliable everyday workhorse in DeWalt's 20V lineup.
A cordless heat gun that hits 990°F with no cord to drag around — genuinely useful for shrink tubing, thawing pipes, and paint work away from an outlet.
Milwaukee's 12V hydraulic driver trades brute force for near-silent, low-vibration control in a one-pound body — ideal for precision and overhead work.
A brushless 20V hydraulic impact driver that runs dramatically quieter and smoother than a standard impact — the pick for finish work and occupied spaces.