Professional Tool Reviews for Pros

We all have that friend, dad, brother, uncle, son, or significant other who loves to work on projects. For the people in your life who love to tinker, fix, make repairs, or otherwise work with their hands, finding great gifts can be a challenge. Fear not. We put together this list of the 24 best tool gifts for DIYers for 2021. If you can’t find something here that knocks their socks off, you won’t find it anywhere!

While the main feature of the Gerber Prybrid Utility Multi-Tool knife revolves around its integrated pry bar, this unique tool/EDC knife offers even more. Gerber managed to jam 8 different tools into a sub-$25 package that’s more compact than most utility knives.

Tactical pens make for great self-defense weapons that can, for the most part, go anywhere you do. We prefer traditional designs that don’t go overboard on features. Forget the penlight—just give us a plain tactical pen with aircraft aluminum body and refillable ink.

These bits tackle everything from wood to metal. The titanium nitride coating is great for thinner steels and non-hardened metals. They also have excellent chip ejection and don’t heat up as quickly as other bits we’ve used. The Quad-Edge tip may seem like a gimmick—but it drilled 30% faster than other split-tip bits in our testing. Maybe that’s why it made it on our best drill bits list.

Any handyman or woman needs a great pair of wire strippers, and we love the ergonomics and feel of the Klein Kurve. Klein makes about two dozen variations of wire strippers for every possible occasion. We think this one makes for one of the best tool gifts for DIYers of all types. It gives you the most common wiring sizes and features that comfortable curved handle. Best of all—it’s made in the USA!

MagLite makes some excellent flashlights. For everyday task use, their SP2P01H LED flashlight gets the job done. Powered by a couple of AA batteries, this simple light puts out up to 332 lumens for up to 2.5 hours straight. Of course, for longer run-time, drop it into low and you can run this flashlight for multiple 8-hour workdays. We like its adjustable beam, IPX4 rating, and 1-meter drop-tested durability.

The Irwin Vise-Grip 5-inch curved jaw locking multi-pliers add some twists to the traditional tools. They include a wire cutter feature as well as a fold-out stainless steel serrated knife blade. You even get a screwdriver that handles removable bits in its 1/4-inch bit holder. This three-tools-in-one design lets your favorite DIYer do more with less. Finally, it carries a lifetime guarantee.

Who doesn’t like organization? We love that, for under $15, you can get anything from brooms and mops, to rakes and shovels off the ground and on the wall. The system uses gravity to instantly lock tools in place simply by creating tension from the floating gripper balls. You get 7.5-pounds of support for each position. Any DIYer loves an easy way to get organized, so this makes for an easy win when looking for an inexpensive but handy gift.

Stud finders come in all shapes and sixes. Some get downright complicated to use. The Franklin Prosensor T6 is an accurate, compact whole stud finder that works intuitively. You don’t need a user manual. The simplicity of the control and one-hand use combine with accurate readings in drywall to make it one of the best tool gifts for DIYers.

We’ve used this tool extensively, charing up dead car, truck, SUV, and motorcycle batteries. One feature that really stands out is its ability to use “Force mode”. Where other chargers fail, the NOCO Genius 2 lets you force the charger to trickle juice into a battery until it comes back to life. Then the normal charging process takes over. We’ve literally brought back batteries from the dead with this smart charger!

The GLM 20 laser distance measure builds on the foundation of the simple but accurate GLM 15. They then added a backlit screen and boosted the range from 50 feet up to 65. Bosch also simplified this model with the addition of an inches-only setting in addition to feet and inches.

Every DIYer needs a good basic digital multimeter. The Klein MM400 auto-ranging multimeter keeps you from having to manually adjust to measure different voltage ranges. It measures AC/DC voltage and current as well as resistance. However, it also adds the ability to measure temperature, capacitance, frequency, duty-cycle, and even test diodes and continuity. For the price, this multimeter covers all the bases.

Milwaukee makes these Hole Dozer hole saws in the USA. This 9-piece kit gives you a great assortment from 3/4 to 1-1/2 inches. Milwaukee Hole Dozer hole saws also have a unique slot design that gives you full access for plug removal. We also love the quick-change arbors that allow for quick, tool-free change-outs. Pick up an additional 2-1/8″ hole saw and you can tackle door slabs as well.

When my Ridgid power inverter bit the dust, I picked up a Bestek 300W 12V power inverter. With two 120V outlets and dual 0-2.4A high-speed USB charging ports, it has delivered flawless on-the-road power for more than a year—and I use it every two weeks for approximately 6 hours straight. You may not have heard of Bestek, but they have a good thing going.

I don’t know how you get more convenient than a cordless orbital sander. The Ryobi P411 sander uses the company’s 18V ONE+ batteries to cut the cord on a 5-inch random orbit sander. They kept vibration fairly low on this tool and the run-time is adequate for smaller jobs—well worth the convenience. Since the Ryobi ONE+ system already has over 175 cordless tools, your favorite DIYer may already have the required 18V battery and charger. If not, you can pick up a starter kit for not much money.

Hart Tools has some pretty impressive products—all of which are sold at Walmart. Notably, they have a 20V cordless rotary tool that includes a 33-piece accessory kit. You can do all manner of tasks and projects with this tool. Plus, since it’s cordless, you can take it anywhere. You still have to buy a battery and charger ($58), but at $69 for the bare tool, it makes for a fantastic and reasonably-priced gift.

Any DIYer eventually comes across a need to re-thread a metal hole, nut, or bolt. The Gearwrench 3886c gives you a 42-piece metric ratcheting tap and die set to handle nearly anything. We love the 5-degree arc on the ratcheting T-wrench. These die adapters also work with the Gearwrench Pass-Thru ratchet and socket system. You get everything you need in this set—including 17 taps, and 17 dies. If you want SAE, Gearwrench makes that as well.

We really loved using DeWalt metal folding sawhorses for their convenience and stacking. The problem is, we can’t locate them in most places online. For a close substitute, pick up a pair of Toughbuilt C550 Metal Sawhorses. ToughBuilt constructed the steel C550 sawhorses so they could support 1100 lbs. each or 2200 lbs. per pair. You also get 2×4 support arms to convert 2 sawhorses into a solid jobsite table. When you fold them up, an easy carry handle lets you easily move them to the garage, truck, or shed. A pair cost less than $70.

For a simple but effective layout tool, you probably can’t beat the DeWalt DW08802CG Green Cross Line Laser Level. You get the benefit of a brighter green laser for easier indoor viewing. You also get a really simple tool without a lot of complexity.

The Makita DMP180ZX 18V Cordless Inflator lets you inflate vehicle tires or sports equipment quickly. This 12V Max cordless inflator features a backlit digital LCD screen so you can dial in the auto-stop function when the tool reaches the desired pressure. The kit version of this tool includes two 2.0Ah batteries. For anyone already on the Makita battery platform—this tool makes for an easy recommendation at just $99.

The EGO Powerload String Trimmer has a carbon fiber shaft. That makes it super-durable—but also very lightweight. We recommend this trimmer for anybody and everybody. From the unusual automatic powered string loading to the durability of this tool—this remains our favorite string trimmer by far. At around $229 for the kit, it also makes a great DIY gift.

If you’ve never used a battery-powered chainsaw, buckle up. We really like the boost in performance this Greenworks 60V 16-inch chainsaw has over the first generation. This updated saw pushes well beyond what general homeowners need. It moves into performance levels that even larger property owners can take advantage of. From storm cleanup to regular tree maintenance, we love this saw.

This might just be the ultimate best DIYer tool starter kit on the market right now. For less than $180 you get three core Skil cordless tools, an LED flashlight, two batteries, and a charger. The three primary tools include a 1/2-inch drill, 1/4-inch impact driver, and reciprocating saw with a 1-inch stroke. Whether your day has you installing shelves, loosening tough bolts, or even demoing a wall, this kit should get you there. With the two included batteries, you should have almost unlimited run-time depending on the task at hand.

Back when this saw was branded Hitachi, it consistently topped our recommendation list. Now the company rebranded as Metabo HPT. As it turns out—it didn’t affect our favorite tool one bit. The C8FSE miter saw weighs just 36.2 lbs. It’s the most portable, easy-to-use miter saw we’ve ever used. We recommend it for everyone—from DIYers to trim carpenters, framers, and even woodworkers who insist on the highest-quality, most accurate cuts.

We love the cordless freedom you get from the Milwaukee M18 FUEL framing nailer. From simple repairs to building projects in your workshop, this 18V battery-powered nailer has the power and run-time to get it done. Unlike some battery-powered nailers on the market, this one uses the battery to “pre-load” the firing mechanism. That means that when you pull the trigger—you get results. It doesn’t have to “spool up” before that first shot. The result is a battery-powered nailer that has the responsiveness and power of a pneumatic tool.

If you have a favorite DIY tool gift for the handyman or woman in your world, leave a comment below. We’re always looking for more ideas. Also, be sure to check us out on Youtube for great tool reviews, head-to-head comparisons, and great guides for training the apprentice.

When he's not remodeling part of his house or playing with the latest power tool, Clint enjoys life as a husband, father, and avid reader. He has a degree in recording engineering and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another since 1992.

Clint’s career has covered nearly the entire realm of audio and video production. After graduating at the top of his class with an Associates Degree in Recording Engineering, he began working for the famed Soundelux studios in 1994, one of the largest post-production companies specializing in audio for feature films & television. Working on a myriad of feature films, Clint honed his skills as a dialogue editor, foley editor, and sound designer. Years later, he moved into the expanding area of video editing, where he served as the company’s senior AVID video editor for three years.

Working for such clients as Universal Pictures, Hollywood Pictures, Paramount Home Entertainment, NASA, Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, SEGA, NASCAR, and others, Clint dealt extensively with client management as well as film & video editing, color correction, and digital video & MPEG compression. He also carries several THX certifications (Technician I and II, THX Video), and is ISF Level II Certified.

After founding the CD Media, Inc. publishing company in 1996, he went on to help start or grow several successful online publications, including Audioholics (as Editor-in-Chief for 12 years), Audiogurus, and AV Gadgets. In 2008, Clint founded Pro Tool Reviews followed by the landscape and outdoor power equipment-focused OPE Reviews in 2017. He also heads up the Pro Tool Innovation Awards, an annual awards program honoring innovative tools and accessories across the trades.

Crediting his excellent staff for the success of what is now the largest power tool review publication in the industry, Clint DeBoer hopes to see continued growth for the company as it rapidly expands its reach. Pro Tool Reviews critically reviews hundreds of hand tools, power tools, and accessories each year to help inform users about the best and newest products in the industry. Reaching everyone from the construction industry professional and tradesman to the serious DIYer, Pro Tool Reviews helps tool consumers shop better, work smarter, and stay aware of what tools and products can help put them at the top of their game.

Table saws are undeniably the kings of cutting sheet goods. The concept is simple: place a motor below a solid table to spin a blade through the surface and watch the sawdust fly. The idea may be simple, but there are a lot of things to think about when you’re looking for the best portable jobsite […]

After testing dozens of options, our team picked the absolute best cordless reciprocating saw models from manufacturers we trust the most. What sets these saws apart from the rest of the cordless reciprocating saws? Some run on higher voltages, such as 36V or 60V (54V max). Others use advanced battery technology to pull more power […]

Lighting has been a big part of what I do professionally for over thirty years. I am a professional photographer and videographer for the Polk Museum of Art in Lakeland, FL. Nineteen of those years were spent as the exhibits manager. An exhibits manager is the person that oversees the installations of the art exhibits […]

Using Color Correcting Gels Helps in a Variety of Lighting Applications Sometimes you may be forced to use a daylight bulb mixed with a warm bulb or vice versa. Or, you may want to change the color of your bulbs altogether. You can buy colored bulbs and you can buy LED bulbs that change colors […]

I’m curious why you think wire strippers that do 12 AWG and LARGER would be best for a DIYer. While 12 AWG I get, working with 10, 8 and 6 AWG wires is probably not something most DIY’ers should do. Wouldn’t the ones for 10-18 Solid And #12-20 Stranded be more useful for DIYers (they can be used on smaller wires to fix electronics too) – link https://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/klein-tools-11055k

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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros