In partnership with The Home Depot.
The 2026 Pro Tool Innovation Awards are in, with tons of entries across 15 categories spanning cordless power tools, accessories, outdoor power equipment, and more. We’ve already highlighted winning products from brands like Ryobi, DeWalt, and Milwaukee, and now we’re rounding up all of the Cordless Pro Tool Innovation Award-winning power tools from across the industry that you can find right now at The Home Depot!
WINNER: Drills/Drivers
RIDGID 18V Nuke Subcompact Brushless 1/2-inch Hammer Drill
Big performance doesn’t always require a big tool, and Ridgid’s 18V Nuke SubCompact Hammer Drill is a good example. Smaller than the X4 line, it delivers 750 in-lbs of torque and up to 2,000 RPM in a compact, 2.6-pound package. A 16-position clutch gives pros plenty of control for a variety of drilling and driving applications, while the lighter design helps make working in tight spaces more manageable.
According to Ridgid, the Nuke delivers the best power-to-weight ratio the company has ever demonstrated across its entire lineup of cordless drills. For Pros who want serious performance without the bulk, this compact hammer drill makes a compelling case.
Price: $139 kit with 2.0Ah battery and charger
WINNER: Stud/Joist Drills
RIDGID 18V Brushless 1/2-inch Stud and Joist Drill
Ridgid’s R864002 18V Brushless Stud and Joist Drill combines the muscle to drive 2 9/16-inch self-feed bits through multiple layers of 2x material with a keyed chuck and ergonomic design. It reaches a top speed of up to 1,400 RPM, but the addition of Kickback Protech technology is what really stands out. If a bit suddenly binds, the system is designed to help protect the user from a potentially painful reaction.
Ridgid rounds things out with onboard storage for the chuck key, which is a big plus and something that is lacking in models from many competing brands.
Price: $349 bare
WINNER: Fans
Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Brushless Hybrid 9-inch Oscillating Fan
The Ryobi 18V One+ HP Brushless Hybrid 9-inch Oscillating Fan is one of the most compact battery-powered oscillating fans we’ve seen. However, the brand didn’t just go small; they also went powerful, giving it up to 1200 CFM of air volume. As a hybrid tool, you can either power it using any 18V One+ battery for off-the-grid cooling or connect it to an extension cord for all-day runtime. Using a 6.0Ah battery, Ryobi says you can get up to 23 hours of runtime.
This fan features a 120° oscillation range and an articulating base with a pivoting and rotating fan head to feel the airflow in any direction you choose. It’s also part of Ryobi’s Whisper Series, letting you keep cool at just 57dB(A) on the highest speed setting.
Price: $139 bare
WINNER: Impact Drivers
Ridgid 18V NUKE Subcompact Stealth Force Oil Pulse Impact Driver
Ridgid’s original Stealth Force Oil Impulse impact driver made its debut in 2015, and the revamped RNKSID03 brings the concept into the 18V Nuke Subcompact Brushless platform. The updated design shaves off a considerable amount of weight while improving speed and torque, making it an appealing option for working in cramped spaces.
Noise reduction is another major selling point, with Ridgid claiming a 73% decrease that makes this driver worth considering for noise-sensitive environments. For design, this tool features a quick-release 1/4-inch collet for quick and easy bit changes. Ridgid also places tri-beam shadow-free lighting just behind the collet, keeping the work area illuminated with minimal visual obstacles.
Price: $169
WINNER: Inverters Under 1000W
Ryobi 40V 300W Power Source/Charger
Ryobi is making its 40V battery platform more versatile with a power source that can keep your devices charged while also replenishing your batteries. This is the brand’s first charger and power source combo on the 40V platform, and it can charge a 40V battery while continuing to supply power through its USB ports.
The unit includes 18W USB-A, 30W USB-C, and 60W USB-C ports, along with a 120V AC outlet for powering compatible devices and equipment. Pure sine wave technology also helps protect sensitive electronics connected to the AC outlet, including laptops and mobile devices. When plugged into a wall outlet, Ryobi says it can charge a 4.0Ah battery in around 95 minutes.
At $119, it’s a useful addition for 40V users who want more flexibility at the campsite, on the road, or wherever an outlet isn’t readily available.
Price: $119
WINNER: Circular Saws
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 10 1/4-inch Rear Handle Circular Saw Kit
A 10 1/4-inch circular saw is already an impressive sight to behold, and Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel model cuts out the cord without sacrificing performance or capacity. It features a 10 1/4-inch blade that provides an impressive 3 13/16-inch cut capacity—enough to cut 4x material in a single pass.
Milwaukee also claims it’s the lightest 10 1/4-inch circular saw on the market, weighing in at just 10.3 pounds. Paired with a RedLithium Forge 12.0Ah battery, this saw can tackle a serious amount of cutting with the highest runtimes Milwaukee currently offers.
Price: $599 (with 12.0Ah battery and charger)
Other Cordless Tool Winners
- Winner – Batteries
STIHL AP 300 P ALLPRO Battery - Winner – Battery Chargers
STIHL AL 1602 MO High-Speed Battery Charger - Winner – Screwdrivers
SKIL PWRCORE GO Powered Hex Key - Winner – Glue Guns
CRAFTSMAN CMGL200B V20 Standard Glue Gun - Winner – Heat Guns
WORKPRO 7.2V Cordless Mini Heat Gun - Winner – Inflators
SKIL PWRCORE GO Compact Travel Inflator - Winner – Inverters Over 1000W
Kress KAC925L 2000W Inverter - Winner – Reciprocating Saws
Black+Decker 20V MAX POWERCONNECT Reciprocating Saw - Winner – Vacuum Lifting Tools
GRABO Pro Brushless
