The Trade
Cordless tools, saws, and power equipment for contractors and professional tradespeople.
Top 10 Cordless Drills for 2026: Budget DIY to Industrial Pro
An advisor-first ranking of 10 cordless drills across every budget tier and brand. Specs grounded in manufacturer data, with explicit notes on who each drill is NOT for.
Best Cordless Angle Grinders in 2026: Milwaukee vs DeWalt vs Makita
Most cordless angle grinders share the same 9,000 RPM spec. The differences that matter — paddle switch vs trigger, spindle lock design, battery draw under load — only show up mid-job. Here's what to look for.
Pneumatic vs Cordless Framing Nailers: Which Is Right for Your Work?
Pneumatic framing nailers cost $150–$250 and never lose power. Cordless cost $300–$500 and go anywhere. The right answer depends on three job-site variables most buyers overlook.
10-Inch vs 12-Inch Miter Saw: Which Size Do You Actually Need?
A 10-inch miter saw crosscuts 2x6 at 90° and 2x4 at 45°. A 12-inch crosscuts 2x8 at 90° and 2x6 at 45°. Blade size, cutting capacity, weight, and cost compared for framing, finish carpentry, and trim work.
Read Guide
Best Brad Nailers for Trim and Finish Work in 2026
Milwaukee 2746-20 M18 leads on battery platform integration. DeWalt DCN680 for lightweight cordless work. Makita XNB01Z for extended use. Four 18-gauge brad nailers compared by nail range, depth adjustment, and battery platform for trim carpentry.
Best Cordless Shop Vacuums in 2026: Which Ones Actually Meet OSHA's Silica Standard?
Three of these four cordless shop vacs meet OSHA's silica standard. One doesn't — and it's the most searched option. Here's what separates compliant dust extraction from basic cleanup.
Best Laser Levels for Contractors in 2026
DeWalt DW088K projects two 90-degree lines with ±1/8-inch accuracy at 30 feet. Bosch GLL55 for self-leveling cross-line work. Milwaukee 3531-21 for the M18 platform. Four laser levels compared by accuracy, range, and leveling type for framing, tile, and finish work.
Bosch T4B vs DeWalt DWX726 Miter Saw Stand: The Direct Comparison
Trim carpenters and framers have opposite setup priorities — gravity-rise vs rolling wheels determines which stand earns its money on your jobs.
Milwaukee M18 vs DeWalt 20V MAX for Electricians: Which Platform to Buy in 2026
Commercial electricians and residential wiremen have different needs — here's how to choose between Milwaukee M18 and DeWalt 20V MAX based on your actual work.
Best Finish Nailers for Contractors in 2026
DeWalt DCN660B drives 16-gauge nails up to 2-1/2 inches with no hose. Milwaukee 2748-20 for M18 platform crews. Makita XNF01Z for HVAC trim access. Four cordless finish nailers compared by gauge, nail capacity, and battery platform.
Best Cordless Drills for Electricians in 2026: Trade-Specific Guide
Electricians need drills that handle conduit anchoring, panel box work, and overhead drilling in tight spaces. Milwaukee M18 FUEL leads on torque control. Here's the spec-driven breakdown for working electricians.
Best Impact Drivers for HVAC Technicians in 2026: Trade-Specific Guide
HVAC techs drive sheet metal screws, mount equipment, and work in attics and mechanical rooms where a compact, low-profile impact driver matters more than peak torque. Here's what to buy.
Best Reciprocating Saws for Plumbers in 2026: Trade-Specific Guide
Plumbers need recip saws that cut copper, PVC, cast iron, and ABS in confined spaces under sinks and inside walls. Milwaukee M18 FUEL HACKZALL leads on compact length. Here's the spec breakdown for working plumbers.
Best Belt Sanders in 2026
Compare belt sanders from Makita, Porter-Cable, WEN, and Bosch based on belt size, FPM, dust collection, and tracking adjustment. Spec-driven guide for contractors and woodworkers removing stock fast, leveling surfaces, and flattening joints.
Best Hammer Drills for Concrete in 2026
Compare hammer drills from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch based on BPM, torque, chuck type, and masonry performance. Spec-driven guide for electricians, plumbers, and contractors drilling concrete, brick, and block.
Best Jigsaws for Contractors in 2026
Compare jigsaws from Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita based on orbital action, stroke length, blade speed, and shoe flatness. Spec-driven guide for contractors cutting curves, plunge cuts, and complex profiles in wood, metal, and tile.
Best Portable Table Saws for Contractors in 2026
Compare portable and jobsite table saws from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Skilsaw, and RIDGID based on rip capacity, fence accuracy, motor power, and portability. Spec-driven guide for contractors who need table saw accuracy on the jobsite.
Best Rotary Hammers for Contractors in 2026
Compare rotary hammers from Bosch, DeWalt, Milwaukee, and Makita based on impact energy, SDS-Plus vs SDS-Max, drilling capacity, and demolition capability. Spec-driven guide for electricians, plumbers, and contractors drilling concrete and masonry.
Best Cordless Impact Wrench Under $200 (2026): 1,000 ft-lb Milwaukee + 4 Picks for Lug Nuts
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2767-20 delivers 1,000 ft-lbs breakaway torque ($170-$200) — the highest sub-$200 1/2-inch impact wrench. DeWalt DCF899B hits 700 ft-lbs for $30 less. Five compared by nut-busting torque, battery platform, and whether they actually free seized lug nuts.
Best Cordless Work Light Under $50 (2026): DeWalt DCL040 + 4 Picks by Battery Platform
DeWalt DCL040 (110 lumens, 20V MAX, $30-$40) is the best sub-$50 cordless work light for most contractors. Milwaukee, Ryobi, and Makita picks compared by lumens, runtime, and battery platform — the platform you already own usually wins.
Best Random Orbital Sanders Under $100 in 2026
Compare random orbital sanders from DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee, and Ryobi under $100 based on orbit diameter, dust collection, pad size, and variable speed control. Specification-driven guide for contractors and serious DIYers.
Best Reciprocating Saws Under $150 in 2026
Compare reciprocating saws from Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch under $150 based on stroke length, SPM, orbital action, and battery platform. Specification-driven guide for demo work, remodeling, and plumbing.
Best Wood Router Kits Under $200 in 2026
Compare wood router combo kits from DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, and Porter-Cable under $200 based on motor power, collet size, plunge depth, and base options. Specification-driven guide for woodworkers and trim carpenters.
Best Cordless Framing Nailers for Contractors in 2026
Compare cordless framing nailers from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Paslode by drive power, magazine capacity, nail size, weight, and battery platform for framing, sheathing, and deck work.
Best Oscillating Multi-Tool 2026: DeWalt DCS356B (20,000 OPM) + 4 Picks by Trade
DeWalt DCS356B (20,000 OPM, universal blade interface) is the best cordless oscillating multi-tool for most remodelers. Milwaukee M18 FUEL wins demolition, Fein wins flooring. Five picks compared by OPM, blade cost, and trade fit.
Best Track Saws for Contractors in 2026
Compare track saws from Festool, DeWalt, Makita, Kreg, and Milwaukee based on cut depth, track compatibility, dust collection, and precision for cabinet installers, finish carpenters, and remodelers.
DeWalt vs Milwaukee vs Makita 2026: Which Battery Platform Wins (Trade-by-Trade)
Milwaukee M18 for electricians and plumbers. DeWalt 20V/FLEXVOLT for framers. Makita 18V LXT for all-day light work. The trade-by-trade verdict, plus the $1,000+ mistake to avoid before buying your next cordless tool.
Best Circular Saws for Contractors in 2026
Compare 7-1/4 inch circular saws from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Makita, and Bosch based on cut depth, motor power, weight, and blade-left vs blade-right design. Specification-driven guide for framing, remodeling, and jobsite use.
Best Cordless Drills in 2026
Milwaukee M18 FUEL leads electricians. DeWalt DCD999B for GCs and plumbers. Makita XFD14Z for HVAC and tight spaces. Four 18V professional drills compared by torque, clutch range, and battery platform — by trade.
Best Impact Drivers in 2026
Milwaukee M18 FUEL leads on torque (2,000 in-lbs). DeWalt DCF887B is lighter and cheaper. Makita XDT16Z for compact work. Four 18V impact drivers compared by max torque, drive modes, and battery platform.
Best Miter Saw Stands for Contractors in 2026
Bosch T4B gravity-rise unfolds in one motion — best for trim carpenters moving 10+ times per day. DeWalt DWX726 for framers and deck crews. Milwaukee for solo operators. Five jobsite miter saw stands compared by setup speed, weight, and material support reach.
Best Miter Saws for Contractors in 2026
DeWalt DWS779 is the most-owned jobsite miter saw in the US. Bosch GCM12SD for tight spaces. Milwaukee 6955-20 for M18 platform crews. Cut capacity, bevel range, and slide mechanism compared — 12-inch sliding compound saws.