Professional Tool Reviews for Pros
Fresh off our team’s return from World of Concrete in Las Vegas, we’ve had a glimpse at some of the latest and greatest new tools aiming to revolutionize construction in 2025. From breaking unexpected barriers to flat-out unexpected tools, we rounded up 17 next-generation tools from four of the biggest names in the business. Cabinet Grade Plywood
The GKW18V-26 is Bosch’s first cordless rear-handle saw. That in itself is newsworthy, but there’s more to the story. The design focuses on balancing performance and ergonomics.
Levering its high-performance Profactor DNA, it can match or exceed the performance of 15-amp corded worm drive saws. If fears of inadequate power have been keeping you from cutting the cord, this saw calms them.
From an ergonomic standpoint, it does little to change the general design, so it makes for a very natural transition from corded to cordless. The bare tool weighs 10.6 pounds, which is lighter than many of the other options currently available. With a Core18V 8.0Ah battery, the weight is 12.7. That’s lighter than many corded worm drive saws.
Bosch’s GSA18V-126 makes big strides in both performance and features, making it one of the most compelling cordless reciprocating saws I’ve seen in a while.
It has the same 1 1/4-inch stroke length as the GSA18V-125, which was a big upgrade when it launched several years ago. However, the max stroke rate is 3000 SPM—500 SPM more than the previous model. That should vault Bosch near the top of the tables in our next round of performance tests.
Two significant new features are also on this model. Kickback control detects when the blade binds and automatically stops the motor. While this is becoming a common feature on cordless drills, it’s new to reciprocating saws.
Another new concept is end of cut detection. This sensor detects when you finish your cut and automatically stops the motor. It’s similar in function to what we saw on Flex’s hybrid table saw, though we haven’t seen it applied to a reciprocating saw until now.
Bosch’s GSV18V-14 breaks cold cut saws through the cordless barrier for the first time. While we have seen abrasive models such as Makita’s XWL01, this is the first cold cut model we’ve seen.
With a full 14-inch blade diameter, you don’t lose any of the cutting capacity you’re used to, but you do lose the frustration of finding a nearby power source.
Helping you manage your battery power and ensure the saw is operating efficiently, there’s an LED overload indicator on the handle so you can easily see if you’re putting too much pressure on the cut.
There’s also an LED cutline indicator. While that’s a common feature on some classes of saw, it’s not something you usually find on a chop saw.
Diving deeper into the depths of cordless possibilities, Bosch’s GCS18V-230 opens up the 9-inch cut off saw class. While there are common features we see on competitor’s saws (enclosed battery compartment, adjustable guard, water valve), there are a couple that stand out.
One is the blade spindle lever. Instead of having to hold the spindle lock with one hand and manage the blade wrench with the other, the lever holds the lock, so you have two free hands to work with. It makes wheel changes easier and faster than before.
There’s also a spring assist for the battery. Since it sits inside an enclosure to protect the pack and connections from water, having a spring pop the battery up makes it easier to grab, especially if you’re wearing gloves.
The GSH18V-5 is Bosch’s first dedicated cordless demo hammer. Balancing weight and performance, it weighs under 15 pounds with a 12Ah battery yet produces a hard-hitting 6.3 ft-lbs of impact energy. With chisel rotation and a 360° rotating handle, you can direct that power to the best working position, even if it’s at shoulder level or higher.
The relatively light weight also makes this an attractive option for lighter tasks, such as tile removal. When you’re working on lower-demand jobs, you can step down to a 70% mode that extends your runtime to 40 minutes—double what you get in full power mode.
Hilti OPE? Not quite. While Hilti is launching a couple of products that trace their roots to the landscaping world, their focus is 100% on jobsites. For the blower, it’s all about surface prep and cleanup. Whether you’re blowing off a foundation before the wall structure starts going up or you’re clearing away metal shavings after cutting rebar bundles, Hilti is giving you the cleanup tool you need without forcing you onto another battery system.
This model sports 460 CFM and 119 MPH ratings, which may seem tame compared to some of the numbers we’re seeing from the lawn care industry. But this blower is designed to clean up jobsite debris on hard surfaces, and that power level does a great job of balancing the performance you need while managing your battery usage well.
Hilti’s SCN 60-22 may have been the biggest surprise at World of Concrete. Boasting the fastest chain speed in its class, it’s designed to cut utility poles and cross bars, along with overgrowth you may come across on a neglected site.
This one’s still a little way out before it launches, but we did get a sneak peek of what sets it apart. The weight balances nicely on the front handle, which we find helpful in controlling cuts. There’s also an LED brake indicator to help you quickly identify whether the brake is on or off, plus the tool cuts off the power after one minute of non-use. For users who don’t use chainsaws as often as professional foresters and arborists, those are handy features.
The DSH 700-22 is Hilti’s second-generation battery-powered cut-off saw that’s a step up from the DSH 600-22 we reviewed. If you’re familiar with Hilti’s cut-off saw lineup, the DSH 700 model number is one you recognize, and the DSH 700 X is a popular option in the 12-inch class. Those are some big shoes to fill, and the design team knows it.
The DSH 700-22 has more power under load than the 600, giving you more of the torque gas models offer and resisting bogging down.
Kickback control is built into the electronics of this saw. That’s a big deal when it comes to safety. While cut-off saw injuries aren’t as frequent as table saws and some of the other tool classes, they are often catastrophic.
One element that might surprise you is that you can get twice the service life out of this saw compared to a gas model. When you’re looking at the cost over the life of the tool, be sure to consider that in your calculations.
Makita’s XDefense tool management system creates an additional layer of security to help prevent your 40V max XGT tools from theft. Using a computer, you set a pin code that uploads to the ADP13 adapter and then pair it to the battery and tool. The tool will only work with the battery (or batteries) you paired with the same pin code.
Since the tool won’t work with other batteries, and the batteries won’t work with other tools, there’s less temptation for them to walk off the jobsite once the job is done.
You can manage your crib however you like. Assign a gangbox full of tools for a jobsite or assign them to each crewmember—it’s up to you. No matter how you decide to work with XDefense, the data is yours. Nothing gets transmitted back to Makita, ensuring the system you set up is secure.
Makita’s 18V LXT rebar tying tool was a huge time-saver, but the 40V max XGT version takes it to another level. This model steps up to 16-gauge wire. That’s the same you use for manual tying and it results in 65% stronger ties than the 18V model. The XGT model also ties 30% faster, which is impressive considering the 18V was no slouch.
Thanks to the larger gauge wire and XGT power source, the GRT01 can also handle larger rebar and has a deep jaw to accommodate it. You can use on combinations like #11 x #6, #10 x #7, or #9 x #8. Of course, smaller ties like #3 x #3 are also well within this tool’s capabilities.
When I started at Pro Tool Review more than a decade ago, none of thought we’d see a battery-powered breaker, much less a 70-pound model that produces more than 50 ft-lbs of impact energy. Harnessing the power of two 40V max XGT batteries, Makita made it happen.
Capable of outperforming corded models with up to 70% faster breaking speeds with the runtime to break 6′ x 8′ x 4″ section on 5000 PSI concrete on one set of batteries, its performance is certainly impressive.
However, it’s also packed with features. Anti-vibration technology reduces fatigue and wear on the operator, while a soft start function helps you ease into the break. There’s a soft no-load function as well. This reduces the motor speed when it senses the load release, helping manage your battery efficiency and letting the soft start reset as you reposition.
The icing on the cake is that this breaker is AWS-capable. By adding an AWS chip and connecting to an AWS vacuum or using the universal adapter, the tool will automatically power the vac on and off while you work.
Makita’s MAKTRAK modular storage system is making waves in the tool storage category thanks to its focus on being the most pickup-friendly system available. With a horizontal approach to its modular design, it solves many of the pain points professional contractors have with other system.
Standing on four pillars with its innovative design concept, MAKTRAK addresses the transportation, access, storage, and organization needs of Pros. There’s much more to the system than I have space to write about here, so be sure to check out our MAKTRAK deep dive article.
Milwaukee is taking circular saw blade durability to the next level with the launch of its Nitrus Carbide framing and demolition blade. Fit with 24 carbide teeth welded to the blade, they’re larger and sharper than previous designs. Those changes give the blade much longer durability than other demo blades on the market, including premium competition from brands like Diablo.
It’s not just about durability, though. Nitrus Carbide circular saw blades are also designed for fast cutting, making it a go-to blade for any framing or demo applications.
Milwaukee’s latest charger is specifically designed for gangboxes with a footprint that spreads out to minimize the amount of space it takes up. There’s more to it than just the physical design, though.
There are a couple of keyholes for traditional mounting, but magnets and a cleat system make it more gangbox-friendly than other chargers on the market.
There are four ports for charging Milwaukee batteries—two M18 ports and two hybrid M12/M18 ports, one of each on either side. The two ports on one side charge simultaneously before switching to the other. As a bonus, there are also a pair of 15W USB-C ports for devices and Milwaukee RedLithium products.
Finally, there’s a 450-lumen pivoting light in the center of the charger. Whether you’re charging batteries or not, it lights up the entire gangbox, helping you find what you’re looking for more easily.
Milwaukee already had a winner of a cordless rear handle saw, so it was interesting to see what improvements they made on the next-gen 2930.
A PowerState segmented brushless motor is supported by next-gen high-output electronics that can optimize the latest Forge batteries to this saw. The result is that it’s getting 20% better power and 20% cutting speed than before.
What might be even more impressive is that the design team managed to shave 1.5 pounds off the weight. That puts it at 8.5 pounds bare and under 12 pounds with a 12Ah Forge battery!
A few other notable changes include cutting depth detents, mounting the lockout button on top of the handle, and shifting to a front-mounted dust port.
Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel 2835 is primarily a tech upgrade over the 2834 we reviewed last year. One-Key makes its first appearance on a Milwaukee circular saw, offering tool tracking and management.
The VacLink feature we’ve seen on a few other tools is here as well, adding wireless vacuum control to help you manage your cordless vac’s battery and reduce unnecessary jobsite noise.
Something completely new for circular saws is AutoStop kickback control. Just like we see on cordless drills, the saw can sense when a bind-up occurs and automatically stop the motor.
Aside from being the only rebar cutter in Milwaukee’s portfolio, the M18 Fuel 3675 makes several improvements over other models on the market. Starting with performance, you’re able to cut up to #10 rebar. Working with #5, you can complete a cut in less than 2 seconds and a High Output 6.0Ah battery can make up to 240 cuts on a charge.
You may have noticed the paddle switch, and this is the first cordless rebar cutter to include one. Milwaukee’s RapidStop brake stops the blade in under two seconds once you let go.
There’s also a Cut Brake that senses when you’ve completed your cut. By automatically stopping, you’re able to conserve battery life and add an extra layer of safety.
Blade changes are easier and faster with just two thumbscrews on top and a cover that stays attached. Under the cover, 3 pins ensure you can’t put the new blade on incorrectly.
The design team also saw an opportunity to shift the chip chute. Instead of pointing out to the side or back at you, they go straight out where they’re less likely to come back and strike you.
Kenny holds a B.S. in Biology and a minor in chemistry. While that might not sound like a direct line into the power tool industry, his analytical and scientific mindset helps him design repeatable testing methods for Pro Tool Reviews’ head-to-head testing and offers highly objective comparisons in his reviews.
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