Josh Mcgaffigan

Battery-powered pole saws have come a long way over the past few years. What was once a category dominated by heavy gas tools is now filled with cordless options that offer impressive cutting power, longer runtime, and far less maintenance. The Ryobi 40V HP Brushless 10-inch Pole Saw enters this increasingly crowded field with a focus on homeowner convenience. But the big question we want to answer is whether it has enough strength to take on more demanding pruning and storm cleanup tasks. We put it to the test to find out.

Honda clearly knows what they're doing when it comes to battery-powerd lawn mowers—and the HRX-BV Self-Propelled Lawn Mower is the proof.

The Metabo HPT doesn't try to completely reinvent its 36V circular saw. Considering how well the previous version performed in our tests, it didn't need to. Still, it refines a proven formula with more power, smarter ergonomics, and some extra torque for when the going gets tough. After putting it through our full battery of tests, one thing is clear: Metabo HPT built a circular saw that can run with the best in the business—and in a few areas, it may just beat them.

Ryobi has spent the better part of the last decade building one of the largest battery-powered outdoor power equipment ecosystems on the market. Everything from string trimmers to chainsaws, and the star of today’s show—the all-new ZR3 80V HP Brushless Zero-Turn Mower. This new mower represents another big step in Ryobi’s evolution in the OPE space, and we’re curious to find out what sets this mower apart from the rest.

We just wrapped up our latest round of head-to-head testing with mid-sized wet dry vacs, and the results were pretty interesting. The star of today’s show is the DeWalt 12-Gallon Wet Dry Vacuum (model DXV12P), which looks like a top performer in this class. We put this vacuum through a series of tests to see how it would perform under pressure, and help you decide if it’s a class leader.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen an interesting trend developing in the cordless tool market. Rather than simply pushing to new performance highs, some brands are refocusing on reducing size and weight while still maintaining relevant performance to meet Pro demands. Enter Ridgid’s latest offering, the 18V Nuke SubCompact Impact Driver (RNKSID02)—a compact contender that’s looking to make its mark.

Over the years, Skil has built a reputation for offering feature-rich cordless tools at prices that are simply too hard to ignore. The Skil 20V brushless jigsaw (model JS8290B-10) fits that mold perfectly. It promises versatility, speed, and everything you need to tackle your next woodworking project, all without the premium price tag.

Hilti Cordless Metal Cutting Circular Saw Delivers Impressive Performance and Ergonomic Upgrades

Back in 2021, Flex dropped a brand new line of 24V tools that aimed to challenge the biggest names on the market. Leading the charge, the FX1271 Hammer Drill delivered genuine raw power that we don’t typically see from a first-gen tool.

After getting some hands-on time with this oil pulse driver, I'm impressed. I know I've said it several times already, but the truth is, I was genuinely surprised by the RNKSID03's performance during our testing, given what I'm used to from other hydraulic impacts. It displayed confident driving power, and the added self-tapping mode improves the overall versatility of this tool.