These Are the 3 Power Tools You Need (2026)

If you opt for a circular saw, you must decide: corded or cordless. If all things were equal, it would be easy. Nobody likes a cord. The problem is that corded saws are more powerful. I own both, but if I could only keep one it would be the wire saw. That said, I probably use my wireless more for the simplicity of being able to take it anywhere. If you go cordless, change blades often. It takes a lot more power to cut with a dull blade, and a cordless circular saw doesn’t have the power to spare. Making sure you have a sharp blade will not only make cutting easier, but will extend the life of your battery. It is always better to buy a cheap saw and a high quality blade rather than the other way around.

If you’re going cordless, the next decision you’ll face is brushless or brushed motors. A saw with a brushless motor is better in almost every way. Performance is better, more efficient and more durable. A brushless saw uses electronic commutation, which is a fancy way of saying that it uses the interaction of magnetic fields to generate torque. This means there is less friction, less heat and, by extension, better battery life.

The downside to brushless motors is their much higher price. It’s also possible that if you only use it to make a few cuts once or twice a week, you won’t have to worry about the increased friction and heat of a brushed motor. Brushed circular saws are undeniably cheaper and also easier to repair. If you don’t have big jobs in mind, they are more than sufficient for light DIY use.

Also grab a quick square ($20) to ensure you’re making straight cuts on dimensional lumber.

Bonus Pick: Shop Vac

Milwaukee

M18 6 gallon fuel. Cordless Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum

If you have both of these things, the next thing I would suggest is a shop vacuum. Nobody likes cleaning, and nothing cleans faster or better than a shop vacuum. The ability to vacuum liquids will change your workspace. I have a cheap shop vac from Harbor Freight, which does the job, but I wish I had the much more powerful shop vac above.

Which brand should I buy?

I would like to tell you that there is universal compatibility between brands and that each brand’s batteries work with all other tools. This is the world as it should be. The world we live in? Well, you have to choose a brand, because the batteries are not interchangeable. (There are adapters, mostly cheap off-brand Chinese adapters. I have a tool that I use with a suitable battery, but it’s not something I recommend.)

Big brands like Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Ryobi all make the same products, and most of them are pretty good. The choice of brands really comes down to compatible batteries. Unlike the typical savvy customer, I have tools from Milwaukee and DeWalt, and have had no problems with either. (Be wary of purchasing tools from Amazon, especially in Milwaukee, as there are no authorized Milwaukee tool retailers on Amazon and the company does not guarantee or support tools purchased from dealers.)

Now that you have the right power tools to handle most home repairs and small projects, you can sit back, relax, and contemplate the more mysterious aspects of home repair, like why a two-by-four is no longer 2 inches by 4 inches, how to make crown molding corner cuts, and why sometimes it’s probably best to hire a professional to handle complex jobs.

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