Cordless Power Tool Reviews

Our in depth cordless power tool reviews include the best cordless drills, best cordless saws, LED flashlights, best oscillating multi-tools, and more. If you’re a Pro, knowing whether or not you’re using the very best tools for the job makes all the difference. Pro Tool Reviews does head-to-head testing, tool shootouts, and individual tool reviews. We cover the latest products so you can know which manufacturers and tools work the best. While anyone can read our cordless power tool reviews, we write them with professional tradesmen in mind. That means we test some tools in-house with our expert panel of tool testers. Others, we send out on the jobsite and put them into the hands of Pros for evaluation. This lets us really get a feel for how a tool performs against the expectations of real-world applications. Also, it ensures we don’t miss out on a particular tool application we may not have thought of.

Masterforce 18V Cordless Band Saw 241-0440 Review

Masterforce 18V Cordless Band Saw 241-0440 Review

The Masterforce 18V cordless band saw was something that intrigued me. It looked light and portable and it was based on a decent platform that I was familiar with, so I knew there were batteries, chargers, and other tools that could work off the same system. That alone made it expandable and attractive and, besides that, I had been looking forward to trying out a cordless version of this type of tool for quite a while now. Not many DIY-types will have much use for a cordless band saw, but if you are an electrician or a plumber, it will almost undoubtedly be one of the greatest power tools in your bag. I happen to work for a local electrical company and so the ideas that were running through my head while pondering the use of this type of tool in my daily job, were beginning to overwhelm me. This was going to be a review I could really dive into.

Metabo STA 18 LTX 18V Cordless Jig Saw Preview

Metabo STA 18 LTX 18V Cordless Jig Saw Preview

Metabo Corporation is a company we’re at least familiar with, though we haven’t done too much hands-on with their tools to-date (something we hope to remedy soon). The German company has been around for decades and specializes in pro-grade electric and cordless power tools and abrasives for the industrial, construction and welding industries. This week, Metabo introduced the 18V STA 18 LTX Cordless Jig Saw which is part of the company’s PowerMaster Series of 18V lithium-ion cordless power tools. Metabo is focusing on power and run-time, stating that the new saw can cut more than 98 feet of chipboard with a single battery pack charge. The tool seems ideal for all the expected roles of a jig saw, like HVAC duct cutting, cabinet making and fitting, and just about any plywood application you can think of.

Kobalt KT200A 18V Compact Drill Driver Review

Kobalt KT200A 18V Compact Drill Driver Review

When we went to Kobalt’s Press Event in New York where they debuted the new line of 18V Li-ion tools, one of the things we were most impressed with was the Compact Drill Driver. This was a tool that, while not perfect, took a lot of cues from successful products that had come before it. Kobalt’s first foray into the world of Cordless Power Tools didn’t appear to be so introductory as some other manufacturers’ have been. They more or less leapt right into the second generation tools, making themselves more competitive than if they had debuted a product lacking many of the features and qualities we now come to expect.

Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review

Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-ga Angled Finish Nailer Review

Going cord-free with trim nailers is the way to go, and the Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer makes this easy to do. This nailer is best suited for the pro that focuses on remodeling and trim work. With an excellent line of sight and an angled nail magazine, getting fasteners into difficult-to-reach places is easy and can be done with great precision. The idea of not having to drag around a compressor, cords and hoses is a very compelling argument for going cordless. Not to mention, this Paslode is lightweight, compact, comes with a built-in hanging hook and is incredibly easy to use. This nailer makes our list of must-have tools!

Paslode IM250A LI Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review

Paslode IM250A LI Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer Review

We already did a pretty thorough review of the Paslode 900600 Cordless 16-gauge Angled Finish Nailer last year. That was an excellent tool (still is) and it transformed, in my mind, the potential for what a finish nailer could be. Apparently, however, that was the dry run – regardless of how great a run it was. This year, Paslode released an update/replacement that has more than a few tweaks to the former tool. They’ve been listening to their users and we have to say, these tweaks – present in the new IM250A LI – really refine this tool into something special.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 3/8" Ratchet 2457-21 Preview

Milwaukee 2457-21 M12 Cordless 3/8 in Ratchet Preview

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand the versatility of their M12 Li-ion system with the introduction of the M12 Cordless 1/4″ and 3/8″ Ratchets. At only 10-3/4″ long and 1.9 lbs, these new tools are the most compact and powerful ratchets in their class, providing an ideal fastening solution for automotive mechanics and maintenance-repair professionals desiring maximum performance, portability and productivity.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless 1/4" Ratchet 2456-21 Preview

Milwaukee 2456-21 M12 Cordless 1/4 in Ratchet Preview

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation continues to expand the versatility of their M12 Li-ion system with the introduction of the M12 Cordless 1/4″ and 3/8″ Ratchets. At only 10-3/4″ long and 1.9 lbs, these new tools are the most compact and powerful ratchets in their class, providing an ideal fastening solution for automotive mechanics and maintenance-repair professionals desiring maximum performance, portability and productivity.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Jig Saw Kit 2445-21 Preview

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Jig Saw Kit 2445-21 Preview

Jigsaws can be very inexpensive and occasional-use tools, or they can be the thing you reach for at all times to solve a whole suite of difficult cutting challenges. In our case, we find that the tool really determines which viewpoint you have. Take the new Milwaukee M12 Cordless High Performance Jig Saw (2445-21), for example. This new jigsaw was shown off to us at the 2011 Milwaukee Press Event and we really haven’t stopped thinking about it. The new jigsaw is incredibly simple in design – but in a good way. It has a “Hybrid Grip” design, which Milwaukee pitches as the best combination of features from a top handle and barrel grip jig saw. And really, the handle is unique and it provides ample grip, while giving you really good balance while making cuts. The tool is also very small and handles well. It weighs just 4.1 lbs and is only 8.75″ long from base to front. From our inventory of the market, this looks to be one of, if not the most, compact cordless jigsaw that targets professional users. While the Milwaukee 2645-22 M18 Jig Saw we reviewed earlier this year provides more power, this M12 model is infinitely more flexible and portable.