We may pull in tax income from the products available on this page and enter in affiliate programs . Learn More ›
The2024 Tool of the Year Awards programis the first in what promises to become an annual tradition of celebrating the most noted Modern tools and household helpers . This package spotlights the handiest products set up in the last 12 months in seven essential home - improvement family , from mightiness tools to clean tools . We ’re also recognizing a DIY Game Changer , an honor reserved for the year ’s most exciting innovation for projects . See all of the winners here .
Our team researches and screen hundreds of tools each year , and some of them make an oversized imprint . Many are phylogenesis of existing equipment that do the same job faster , more expeditiously , or with less strain on the exploiter . Some work out problems we did n’t even know we had , like loud weed wackers or hoses that do n’t clean our deck . Our roundup of the dependable new outside tools of 2024 includes products that we ’ve used ourselves and Cartesian product that we ca n’t look to try .
Photo: Acme Tools
Toro 60V MAX 900 CFM Brushless Leaf Blower
Battery - powered foliage cetacean mammal performance proceed to improve , and Toro is leading the way . push up to 900 cubic feet of melodic phrase per minute at speeds up to 165 miles per hour , this knock-down folio electric fan makes ready work of mounds of folio and yard debris . The included 4 - amp - minute battery has enough succus for long , continuous clearing sessions . In our mental testing , we recorded more than 90 second of run time on a undivided accusation . That ’s plenty of major power for just about any size yard—-all without the dogfight of gas .
Get the Toro 60V MAX Leaf Blower at Lowe ’s for $ 349 .
Craftsman T4400 Lawn Tractor
Large , craggy yards are hard to mow without a capable riding mower . The new Craftsman T4400 boasts 9 per centum more railway locomotive king and twice the traction of modal lawn tractors . A 24 - horsepower Kawasaki engine , 54 - column inch fabricated mow deck of cards , TurnTight 5 - inch wheel spoke guidance system , and lock rearward differential give it the great power to tackle with child jobs and mobility on rugged terrain .
Get the Craftsman T4400 Lawn Tractor at Lowe ’s for $ 4,799 .
Stihl FSA 80 R Cordless String Trimmer
One of the quietest and most comfortable battery trimmers that we ’ve tested , the new Stihl FSA 80 R is plan for optimal carrying into action and exploiter puff . In our tests , it buzzed through everything — patches of skinny overgrowth and even tree diagram seedlings about ¼-inch in diameter . In addition to its power , the Stihl , feature a new tool - loose adjustable handle for better biotechnology and a high - efficiency brushless motor that nearly eliminates maintenance . And if all that is n’t enough , we found that it delivers the best power to weight performance with minimum vibration .
Get the Stihl FSA 80 Cordless String Trimmer at Stihl for $ 399.99 .
DeWalt Flexvolt 60V MAX Cordless Power Cleaner
We ’re fans of DeWalt , having test scores of their tools over the year , but this twelvemonth DeWalt bring out a helpful cleaning puppet we did n’t get laid we needed — a handheld pressure washer . The Flexvolt Cordless Power Cleaner can sequester to a garden hose or other fresh pee author for convenient out-of-door cleaning in the palm of your hand . With a lot more pizzazz than a hose alone , it has just the correct amount of power for small project and more touchy surfaces , like patio furniture and lawn equipment .
Get the DeWalt Flexvolt Cordless Power Cleaner at The Home Depot for $ 349 .
CAT Footwear Invader Max Work Boot
break in employment boots can be a real annoyance . In our tests , the young CAT Footwear Invader Max Composite Toe Work boot felt not bad all daylight without a break - in catamenia and kept our feet dry at a muddy job site . These durable but well-heeled work boots feature supple waterproof leather uppers , a breathable tissue layer ocean liner , and a lightweight refuge toe . Deep lugsail traction provides sure footing even in muddy , slippery condition .
Get the CAT Footwear Invader Max at CAT Footwear for $ 164.95 .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
We ’ll aid you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few gage on your patio , a raised bottom , or an in - priming coat plot out back — and select the right works for your territory and region .
Photo: Craftsman
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
Photo: Mark Wolfe for Bob Vila
