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Tool of the Year Awards is an annual tradition of celebrating the most notable new tools and solutions for pros and average Joes. This series spotlights the handiest products launched in the last 12 months across 10 essential categories, ranging from power tools to cleaning tools.
Every year Bob Vila’s Product Reviews team puts hundreds of home, garden, and DIY products to the test, giving us a front-row seat to the latest developments in design and technology. For this year’s Tool of the Year Gadgets and Tech category, we’ve handpicked an assortment of game-changing products that blend impressive technology with designs that simply make life better.
From a shockingly powerful tool that fits in the palm of your hand to a brilliant lighting solution with endless customization, these innovations are packed with state-of-the-art features that improve everyday life, save time on chores, and sometimes even infuse a bit of fun into your routine, too.
1. Hedgehog Jet
From Hedgehog Dryer, the Norwegian brand best known for incredibly fast boot and glove dryers, comes a compact battery-powered blower for indoor or outdoor use. Small enough to fit into a glove compartment or tool drawer, the Hedgehog Jet weighs in at only 1.5 pounds and measures just 9 inches tall and 4 inches wide. It features a 3-speed motor that spins at 80,000 RPM and produces an airspeed of up to 165 mph.
We found out right away how this tiny tool got the name JET: The air power was surprising the first time we used it. It did an incredible job clearing away all sorts of dirt and debris, including sawdust, leaves, grass clippings, and even gravel up to 15 feet away.
2. Govee Lamp Post Light
Sleek, customizable, and assembled in minutes, the Govee Outdoor Smart Post Light adds style and illumination to patios, gardens, and walkways. Stack the included poles to the desired height, lock them in place, and you’re ready to go. The kit includes an assortment of anchors for temporary, permanent, and semi-permanent installation options.
The best part of this light is the extensive list of app-controlled lighting themes. We think users will have as much fun as we did scrolling through the dozens of themed lighting programs. Our favorite? The sound synchronization setting that pulsed with ambient music.
Control is simple through the Govee Home app, which allows you to choose from a wide range of colors, brightness levels, and dynamic lighting effects for any mood or occasion. The post light is weatherproof for year-round use. Whether you want to illuminate a patio or create a festive atmosphere, this lamp post offers an endless array of color choices in a sturdy, modern design.
3. Filtrete Refillable Air Filter
Home maintenance just got easier, more affordable, and more environmentally friendly with the new Filtrete refillable air filter system. As the name suggests, each starter kit includes a filter frame and replaceable filter inserts that you expand and slot in when it’s time to change the filter. These unique MERV 12 HVAC filters capture more particles, produce less waste, and last longer than similarly rated conventional air filters.
The heavy-duty filter frames are designed to last as long as your HVAC system, and the replaceable inserts keep the air clean for up to 12 months at a time. Kits are available to fit most HVAC systems, including both 1-inch and 4-inch thicknesses.
4. Airthings Corentium Home 2 Radon Detector
Airthings’ highly accurate radon sensing technology has been trusted for personal and professional applications for years. Now, the brand released the upgraded Corentium Home 2 Radon Detector to reveal the presence of the naturally occurring radon gas in homes and help prevent the health risks associated with this invisible threat. In addition to keeping a running average of radon levels and reporting changes, Corentium Home 2 also monitors temperature and humidity—conditions that could lead to mold growth and moisture damage if left untreated.
This updated model is Bluetooth-enabled for easy remote access and analysis. With the Airthings mobile app and the additional sensors provided, you can even set up and monitor multiple Corentium Home 2 units in different locations in the home or in separate homes.
5. DJI Power 2000 Portable Power Station
The DJI Power 2000 delivers 2048Wh of capacity in a compact unit with a 3000W continuous output—enough to power most household appliances. It features four AC outlets plus multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, as well as dedicated DJI drone-charging ports. (The company is known, after all, for its high-quality drones.)
The Power 2000 can be recharged to 80 percent in just 55 minutes by plugging it into a household outlet, or it can be charged remotely via solar panels (not included), making it handy for remote or off-grid use.
Operating at just 30 dB in standard recharge mode, it’s quieter than a refrigerator, making it suitable for home and RV use. This is serious portable power in a surprisingly small, quiet package.
More Top-Rated Gadgets and Tech
- GREAT FOR OUTDOOR AMBIENCE: The color-changing, app-controlled Enbrighten Eternity Landscape Lights create customizable ambiance that transforms any outdoor space.
- COMFORT WITH A VIEW: This Energy Star-rated Hisense Smart UltraSlim Window Air Conditioner cools up to 700 square feet and features a slim profile to preserve the view.
- YEAR-ROUND EFFICIENCY: The vertical Hisense Smart Tower Portable Air Conditioner with Heat Pump warms or cools spaces up to 350 square feet, regardless of available window size.
