We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
Power tools keep getting faster, lighter, and more capable, and this year’s newest releases gave us plenty to put to the test. For BobVila.com’s 2026 Tool of the Year awards, we tested new models from Festool, DeWalt, Black+Decker, Craftsman, and more big names by cutting sheet goods, driving brads, making precision joints, tackling demolition and pruning cuts, and polishing tight areas where larger tools can’t easily reach.
These five stood out for the way they combined power with better control, smarter design, and cordless convenience. Some are geared toward serious woodworkers and remodelers, while others are just right for homeowners who want capable tools without jobsite-level bulk or complexity. Each one makes a familiar task faster, easier, or more precise, earning its place among the best new power tools of 2026.
Festool Cordless Domino Joiner DFC 500
Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com
The Festool Cordless Domino Joiner DFC 500 offers a fast and precise approach to furniture joinery. In testing, we liked how quickly we could create matching elongated mortises in adjoining pieces and then insert domino tenons for strong, twist-resistant joints. The joiner also provides a little adjustment during assembly, which makes alignment less fussy for projects like building cabinets, tables, frames, and furniture.
We appreciated being able to move the cordless joiner around larger workpieces instead of the old method of bringing our work to the tool. Festool’s fast pendulum cutting action produced clean mortises, and indexing points helped speed repetitive placement. The routing depth adjusts from 12 to 28 millimeters, and the fence handles angles from 0 to 90 degrees. For woodworkers who want fast, accurate mortise-and-tenon-style joinery without a cord getting in the way, the DFC 500 is worth a serious look.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer Kit
Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com
When installing trim, building cabinets, or tackling finish carpentry, eliminating the compressor and air hose makes the job noticeably easier. The DeWalt 20V MAX XR Cordless 18-Gauge Brad Nailer gave us that freedom while still delivering the speed and control we want from a finish nailer. It can drive up to five brads per second, and its compact design made it easier for us to maneuver in tight spots where larger cordless nailers can get awkward.
We also liked that its nail depth adjusts without tools, and the tool-free jam release makes clearing an occasional stuck fastener simple. At only 10.2 inches high, this is DeWalt’s most compact 20V MAX 18-gauge brad nailer, which made it easier for us to maneuver in tighter spaces. The kit includes a battery, charger, no-mar tips, and a bag. For standard trim jobs, we think it’s much more convenient than dragging a compressor and hose from room to room.
DeWalt 20V MAX XR 6½-Inch Plunge Track Saw Kit
Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com
Breaking down a full sheet of plywood on a table saw can be awkward, especially when you’re working alone, and that’s where a good track saw can make a difference. The DeWalt 20V MAX XR 6½-inch Plunge Track Saw brings the saw to the work site and simplifies making straight, controlled cuts. DeWalt rates it for repeatable cuts within 1/32 inch.
The kit includes an 8 amp-hour (Ah) battery and two 30-inch tracks that connect for 60 inches of guided cutting. DeWalt’s kickback brake rapidly shuts off the blade if the saw detects a pinch, stall, or bind, and its dust-collection system would be handy if working in a shop.
We liked the amount of control built into the saw. Its brushless motor is powerful enough to rip solid hardwood, and its variable speed let us adjust the cutting action to our material. Our test cuts were smooth, and the tracks kept the blade perfectly aligned to our cut lines. It’s well-suited to cabinetry, built-ins, doors, countertops, and sheet goods.
Black+Decker 20V MAX PowerConnect Reciprocating Saw
Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com
A reciprocating saw is one of those tools you may not reach for every day, but when demolition, pruning, or rough-cutting is on the to-do list, it can save a lot of time. We found the Black+Decker 20V MAX PowerConnect Reciprocating Saw well-suited to the types of cutting most DIYers tackle.
We liked the combination of a 1-inch stroke, dual-speed settings, and variable-speed trigger because it gave us solid control whether cutting lumber, metal, roots, or branches. Blade changes are tool-free; an LED illuminates the cutting area; and the metal gearcase adds durability. The kit also comes with 6-inch wood and metal blades plus a 12-inch pruning blade, a battery, and a charger. This tool is a great addition to the Black+Decker 20V MAX PowerConnect system.
Craftsman V20 RP 3-Inch Dual-Action Polisher
Photo: Glenda Taylor for BobVila.com Team
Full-size polishers work well on broad panels, but we’ve found that their large pads can become awkward around mirrors, pillars, bumpers, and other tight areas. That’s where the Craftsman V20 Brushless RP 3-Inch Dual-Action Polisher stood out in our testing. Its compact 3-inch pad made it easier for us to concentrate on smaller sections with control, while its 12-millimeter dual-action polishing orbit reduces the risk of leaving swirl marks.
We liked having nine speed settings, reaching up to 6,000 oscillations per minute, so we could adjust for cutting, correcting, or final finishing. Craftsman positions the battery in line with the tool, which helps keep it from accidentally contacting and marring the finish—that’s one of those small design choices that we feel makes good sense if you’re working around paint. Cutting, correcting, and finishing pads are included, and we think this little polisher is just right for DIY automotive detailing.
More Top-Rated Power Tools That Deserve Recognition
Our winners above weren’t the only new power tools that performed well in our Tool of the Year testing. These five tools also grabbed our attention for their combination of power, control, runtime, or thoughtful design.
- FOR BIG SANDING JOBS: The DeWalt 20V MAX XR 6-Inch Random Orbit Sander pairs aggressive material removal with smooth, low-vibration control, offers five speeds from 6,000 to 10,000 OPM, and is rated to sand up to 200 square feet per charge.
- GAS-FREE CLEANING POWER: With up to 3,000 PSI and 1.1 GPM, the Karcher K 3000 E Pressure Washer tackles driveways, decks, and siding, and includes a 35-foot high-pressure hose and a full set of quick-connect nozzles, including a turbo nozzle.
- FOR TIGHT SPACES: The low-profile DeWalt 20V MAX XR 5-Inch Random Orbit Sander keeps hands close to the work surface for better control, with variable speeds from 8,000 to 12,000 OPM and an AirLock port that captures up to 95 percent of dust with a compatible extractor.
- FOR CURVES AND CUTOUTS: Compact and easy to maneuver, the Black+Decker 20V MAX PowerConnect Jig Saw Kit offers straight and orbital cutting modes, a sturdy aluminum base, and an LED light, and it comes with a 2.5-Ah battery, charger, dust port, and wood and metal blades.
- UPGRADE YOUR WHOLE LINEUP: The Craftsman V20 6Ah Advanced Battery Starter Kit uses tabless-cell technology designed to run cooler with more power and longer runtime, and it includes a fast charger with charge-status indicators.
