As we put 2022 in the rearview mirror, now is a good time to take a look back at some of the coolest, best, and most exciting tools we got this year. Check out what caught our eye last year!
Be sure to click on the titles to read a full hands-on review of each included tool.
#12 Greenworks 60V Battery Powered Lawn Tractor
Switching to a battery-powered lawn mower can be intimidating, especially since most options on the market have zero steering. The Greenworks 60V 42-Inch Lawn Tractor is an approachable and refreshingly simple lawn mower that won't let you down in the yard. Its feature set isn't as extensive as some other battery-operated lawn mowers, but there's no question it's capable of the job.
#11 Lenox Wave Edge Recip Saw Blade
Lenox Wave Edge inserts have cutting edges with shallow peaks and valleys along their length and a 3-stage tooth profile. The benefit is that these bi-metal blades last up to 50% longer than previous generation bi-metal blades. Honestly, faster speed for the same money impresses us every time.
#10 Crescent NailSlicer Circular Saw Frame Blade
Crescent redefines frame blade durability with NailSlicer. In an abusive head-to-head test, it cut further than the Diablo and still had excellent tracking characteristics. Plus, each blade costs only about $10.
#9 Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Transverse Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
We are impressed (and excited) by the leap in performance and quality Ryobi has made with this mower. The design team set a high bar, and the Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Transverse Self-Propelled Mower shatters that limit. They can still make some minor tweaks, but it's definitely one of the best battery lawn mowers available.
#8 DeWalt DCF850 20V Atomic Impact Driver
While the specs matched the DCF887, the DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Impact Driver was a little slower in performance on tougher driving tasks. Don't let that dissuade you, though. If you value compactness, the DCF850 is still one of the best cordless impact drivers around. Plus, it still packs enough speed and power to be the only impact driver you'll ever need in your kit.
#7 Milwaukee M18 FUEL Gen4 Hammer Drill
First up is the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Hammer Drill. In the second edition, it's even more powerful. Third, it becomes more compact. Now, the 4th generation of this impressive drilling and driving tool adds even more features and functionality. Under the hood, this flagship impact drill and driver cranks out a whopping 1400 inch-pounds of torque. It's still a 2 speed system with low gear up to 500 RPM and high gear up to 2100 RPM. You also get AutoStop technology, which prevents kickback technology with minimal tool travel before stopping.
#6 Makita 18V X2 LXT Cooler and Heater
After hours of hard work in the hot sun, there's nothing better than a cold drink. Whether you're in the market for a jobsite cooler, or something to keep your brisket warm while taking it off the smoker, the 20L Makita 18V X2 LXT Cooler and Warmer has you covered. Using electricity rather than direct insulation to maintain temperature, the Makita DCW180 is a compressor-style cooler that can operate in cooling or heating mode with six temperature settings. It's expensive, but still one of the top 12 most exciting tools for 2022.
#5 Flex Stack Pack Storage System
The more we researched the Flex Stack Pack tool storage system, the more impressed we became. It takes the basic design of a stackable toolbox, adds advanced features you'll find from other brands, and then takes it to a whole new level with a concept we've never seen before. The Flex Stack Pack is one of the most exciting storage tools we've seen. It certainly redefines what you can expect from a toolbox, and everyone else seems to be catching up.
#4 EGO Line IQ Battery Operated Harness Trimmer
With solid performance and low vibration, EGO makes some of the best battery-operated cord trimmers for homeowners. The EGO Line IQ battery-operated string trimmer automatically feeds the line, keeping your cutting line at 16 inches without banging your head as you walk. It's easier to use than previous models, with the high performance and low vibration we've come to expect. Can you ask for anything better than this?
#3 Worx Nitro 80V Self-Propelled Lawn Mower
Worx enters the high-voltage lawn mower arena with the release of the Nitro 80V self-propelled 21-inch mower. This is the first product Worx has released that uses four cells together to reach its rated voltage. Recommended for yards up to 1/2 acre, the Worx Nitro Mower features a brushless motor and a steel deck with mulching capabilities.
It's worth noting that it gets the voltage in an unusual way. Four 20V 5.0Ah batteries combined in one 4A 4-port charger/power supply. It might not be one of the best electric lawn mowers we've tested, but it's certainly an innovative tool.
#2 Hilti Nuron Battery Cut Saw DSH 600-22
Battery-powered chop saws are not very common, and full-size models are even rarer. Even among the few options available, the Hilti stands out because this model uses a pair of 22V Nuron batteries (for a total of 44V) to run its 12-inch blades. According to Hilti, the DSH 600-22 has as much power as a 60cc gas engine. It is a suitable replacement for the DSH 600-X.
In terms of run time, expect trigger times for two sets of B 22-170 batteries (four total) to be similar to trigger times for a full tank.
#1 Metabo HPT 225 PSI 8 Gallon Air Compressor
The Metabo HPT 8 Gallon 225 PSI Air Compressor (EC1315SM) is part of its The Tank series as part of the Metabo HPT 36V MultiVolt system. It might be just what you need to install framing, roofing, trim and siding with ease. It gives you five (5) ports. They allow you to run 3 framing nailers or 4 roof/siding nailers simultaneously. Or, you can run up to five 15-gauge or 16-gauge finishing nailers. In either case, each tool will have enough air to drive the nail.
Bonus: HART 40V Battery Powered Auger
Often, the hole is followed by a laborious process involving a hand hole digger or even a shovel…and multiple blisters. Let's help lighten the load with the HART 40V Battery Operated 8" Earth Drill. After testing the HART 40V 8" Auger, we were pleased that it speeded up our hole digging process. It handled a range of soil types with ease and showed no sign of letting up. This is a great option if you're looking to replace an old drill or just want to retire your backhole digger.
What is your favorite tool launched this year? Let us know in the comments below!