Our editors have tested the top cordless tool brands on the market. Here are their expert recommendations—all available at The Home Depot.
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At Family Handyman, we’ve tested dozens of cordless power tools. From brad nailers and sanders to table saws, we’re always chasing the best gear for DIY-ers and pros alike.
When it comes time to stock your workbench, we have you covered. Our editors tested several tools below in the Family Handyman studio or in their own homes. Plus, each pick is available at our favorite destination for cordless tools: The Home Depot. No other retailer offers as many cordless solutions to power through any project—all at a fair price.
Now is an especially great time to buy, thanks to The Home Depot’s cordless tools savings. Now through November 1, you’ll find deep discounts on top brands like Ryobi, Milwaukee and DeWalt. Tested, trusted and ready for your next project, here are our cordless favorites.
Good lighting is key to getting the job done—especially in dark or tight spaces. “The Ryobi Hybrid Work Light is a go-to for me—it checks a lot of boxes,” says Deputy Editor Ethan O’Donnell.
First off, it’s bright—3000 lumens. It’s also lightweight, compact and super portable. “The light rotates 360 degrees,” Ethan adds. “Pair that with all the mounting capabilities, and the illumination possibilities are virtually endless.”
Powered by the Ryobi 18V One+ battery system, it also has a hidden backup: Remove the battery and plug it in using the built-in cord—perfect for those just-in-case moments when you run out of juice.
If you don’t already own a cordless drill kit, you should. It’s a must-have for everyday fixes and bigger DIY jobs. The Ryobi Drill and Driver is a solid pick, packing the power and speed you need for tasks like drilling pilot holes or driving screws with ease.
Its 3/8-inch keyless chuck makes swapping in most bits and attachments quick and hassle-free. Weighing under three pounds and reaching speeds up to 600 RPM, it’s built for fast, efficient drilling across a variety of materials. It also features a built-in LED worklight for better visibility and a variable speed trigger for total control, no matter the task.
The Ryobi Circular Saw packs serious cutting power, delivering 4,700 RPM and over 215 fast, clean cuts per charge.
Need angled cuts? No problem—bevel up to 50 degrees with a 1-3/16 in. depth of cut at 45 degrees, which is perfect for everything from framing to finish work. And if you want less mess, you can add the vacuum dust adaptor (sold separately) to hook up your wet/dry vac and keep your workspace clean while you cut.
Add to your ONE+ collection with the new and improved Ryobi Multi-Tool. Now delivering up to 20,000 max OPM with an adjustable speed dial, it’s built to cut through drywall, metal, wood, plastic, composite and more—with precision sanding for detailed work.
Designed for optimal comfort and control, this tool boasts the lowest vibration in its class to reduce fatigue and improve accuracy. A built-in LED light brightens dark workspaces, while built-in Allen wrench storage makes accessory changes quick and easy.
“If you’ve ever wrestled with a compressor hose on a nail gun, you know how game-changing a battery-powered brad nailer is,” says Project Editor Carmen De La Paz.
This Milwaukee Brad Nailer is a standout. It features depth adjustment for different wood types and automatically powers down when idle to save battery. “I’ve never had a jam with this gun—which is more than I can say for most other brands,” says Carmen.
The Milwaukee Detail Sander is built for precision. It is perfect for corners, contours, and tight spots where larger sanders can’t reach. It delivers fast, smooth results and a stain-grade finish.
“The first time I used this detail sander, I was convinced it had to be the next tool in my shop,” says Carmen. “It’s lightweight for finesse work but still packs enough power to smooth out surfaces. It’s by far one of my all-time favorite tools!”
“I bought this Milwaukee Cutoff Saw on sale, but I was drawn in by its compact size,” says Carmen. “It’s lighter than an angle grinder but delivers the power of a full-size tool.”
This small saw is great for hard-to-reach areas. Its blade runs perpendicular to the body, making it perfect for tight spaces and super easy to control for straight cuts. “Now that I’ve used it, I’d pay full price—no question,” says Carmen.
Need to make cuts in hard-to-reach spaces, like on the floor or deep inside a wall cavity? The DeWalt Cordless Reciprocating Saw is up for the task.
This model’s variable speed trigger delivers up to 3,000 strokes per minute. Plus, if you need to change the blade in the middle of a project, the four-position blade clamp makes it easy (and tool-free). Reviewers also rave that you can install the blade vertically or horizontally for greater versatility.
“Table saws offer the stability, power and precision fence systems that serious woodworkers depend on—qualities that are hard to find in a portable option,” says Ethan. That is, until we found the DeWalt Table Saw Kit.
This DeWalt table saw bridges the gap between shop-grade performance and job-site portability. Its metal roll cage base makes it incredibly sturdy, and the adjustable rear lets you level on uneven work surfaces.
The real standout is the rack-and-pinion fence system. With 24 inches of rip capacity, it adjusts smoothly, locks tight and stays accurate—even after repeated trips in and out of the work van.
When you need an angle grinder, you really need it. It’s one of the most versatile tools out there. It can cut metal, strip paint, sand wood, and more. The DeWalt Angle Grinder brings serious muscle and versatility to your workshop, thanks to its adjustable wheel speed.
Built for performance, it delivers up to 1,640 MWO and 9,000 RPM, all while running on battery power. Safety is covered with features like an anti-rotation system, and with the optional Tool Connect chip, you can track and manage tools through the Tool Connect Site Manager app.
“I have many, many angle grinders, but this DeWalt cordless model is a total game-changer,” says Carmen. “And since I already have DeWalt batteries, adding it to my lineup was a no-brainer.”
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