Power Tools by Category
Six categories, 21 tool types. Each type has a buying guide, brand-by-brand specs, and a comparison page ranking current models.
Drills
Drills bore holes and drive fasteners. The category splits into cordless drill/drivers for general use, hammer drills for concrete and masonry, right-angle drills for tight spaces, and corded drills for stationary workshop tasks. Most people start with a cordless drill/driver and add specialized types as projects demand them.
Hammer Drill
Combines rotation with a hammering action to drill into concrete, masonry, and brick. Heavier and louder than a standard drill, but the only cordless option that punches through hard mineral surfaces without a rotary hammer.
Guide / Best of 2026Corded Drill
Unlimited runtime and consistent power output. No batteries to charge or replace. Best for workshop use, stationary projects, and long drilling sessions where you have access to an outlet.
Guide / Best of 2026Right-Angle Drill
Built for tight spaces between studs, joists, and in plumbing/electrical work. The angled head puts the chuck at 90 degrees to the motor, letting you drill where a straight drill physically cannot fit.
Guide / Best of 2026Drill/Driver
The standard cordless drill for everyday drilling and fastening. Adjustable clutch, two-speed transmission, and enough torque for most residential and light commercial work. This is the drill most people buy first.
Guide / Best of 2026Impact Driver
Drives screws and bolts with rotational force plus concussive blows. Lighter and more compact than a drill/driver, with higher torque output. The go-to tool for deck screws, lag bolts, and any fastening job that fights back.
Guide / Best of 2026Saws
Saws cover everything from ripping sheet goods on a table saw to cutting curves with a jigsaw. Each type handles a different job, and picking the wrong one costs you time and clean cuts. This section breaks down table saws, jigsaws, and worm-drive saws by specs, price, and what actual owners say about them.
Table Saw
Stationary saw for ripping long boards, crosscutting sheet goods, and making repeatable cuts with a parallel fence. A workshop staple.
Guide / Best of 2026Jigsaw
Handheld saw for curved cuts, scrollwork, and cutouts in countertops, panels, and drywall. The go-to when a straight cut isn't what you need.
Guide / Best of 2026Worm-Drive Saw
Heavy-duty circular saw variant with the motor behind the blade. Preferred by framers on the West Coast for its torque and line-of-sight visibility.
Guide / Best of 2026Sanders
Sanders smooth rough lumber, strip old finishes, and prep surfaces for stain or paint. The category splits into a few distinct tool types: random-orbit sanders handle most finishing work, belt sanders tackle aggressive stock removal, detail sanders get into corners and tight spots, and drum sanders flatten wide panels. Each one fills a different role in the shop. Picking the right sander depends on the scale of your work, the material you are starting with, and how fine a finish you need.
Belt Sander
Continuous-loop abrasive belts for fast stock removal, leveling rough lumber, and stripping paint. The most aggressive handheld sander you can buy.
Guide / Best of 2026Detail Sander
Small triangular-pad sanders for corners, edges, and tight spots that larger sanders can't reach. Sometimes called mouse sanders.
Guide / Best of 2026Drum Sander
Stationary or benchtop machines that flatten wide boards and panels. A workshop tool for serious woodworkers who need consistent thickness across wide stock.
Guide / Best of 2026Wrenches
Wrenches cover everything from high-torque cordless impact wrenches to precision torque wrenches, pipe wrenches, and ratcheting wrench sets. This section compares specs, prices, and real user feedback across tool types so you can pick the right wrench for the job.
Impact Wrench
High-torque cordless fastener tools for lug nuts, lag bolts, and structural work. Measured in ft-lbs.
Guide / Best of 2026Torque Wrench
Precision fastening tools that click or signal at a preset torque value. Essential for automotive, machinery, and structural work.
Guide / Best of 2026Pipe Wrench
Heavy-duty adjustable wrenches for gripping and turning pipes and fittings. Plumbing essential.
Guide / Best of 2026Ratcheting Wrench
Fixed-size wrenches with a built-in ratcheting mechanism. Faster than open-end wrenches and fit where sockets cannot.
Guide / Best of 2026Measuring
Layout and measuring tools for construction, remodeling, and finish work. Tape measures, laser measures, levels, and stud finders compared by accuracy, range, and real-world reliability.
Tape Measure
The most-used tool on any job site. Blade length, standout, and durability matter.
Guide / Best of 2026Laser Measure
Point-and-shoot distance measurement. Replaces tape for rooms, ceilings, and long runs.
Guide / Best of 2026Level
Spirit levels, laser levels, and digital levels for plumbing walls, setting grades, and layout.
Guide / Best of 2026Stud Finder
Locates wall studs, wiring, and pipes behind drywall before drilling or hanging.
Guide / Best of 2026Grinders
Grinders remove material through abrasion. Angle grinders handle broad surfaces and cutting. Bench grinders sit on the workbench for sharpening and shaping. Die grinders fit into tight spaces for detail work at high RPM. The category spans handheld, stationary, and compact rotary tools.
Bench Grinder
Stationary grinder bolted to a workbench with two wheels: one coarse for shaping, one fine for sharpening. Sizes run 6-inch and 8-inch.
Guide / Best of 2026Die Grinder
Small, high-speed rotary tool for grinding, polishing, porting, and deburring metal. Runs 20,000-30,000 RPM in cordless or pneumatic configurations.
Guide / Best of 2026