There’s a reason popular brands are so, well, popular. They’re often better quality, higher performing, more innovative, offer a better value, or a combination. But they all had to start somewhere, and there are some cool products are available from smaller brands that you might not have heard of before. I’ve pulled together 10 of my favorites in hopes you might find a gem or two that can help your next job run more efficiently.
1. The Hitch Hatchet
The Hitch Hatchet is a clever niche camping/outdoor tool that transforms your car’s 2-inch hitch receiver into a sort of mini kindling splitter. Simply align a log over the blade, give it a whack with a mallet, and it spits out kindling, eliminating the need to crouch over or risk your fingers like with a traditional hatchet.
Built from high-strength carbon steel and designed to be portable, it’s a unique, ergonomic solution for firewood prep that’s especially appealing if you’re the outdoorsy type. Although its design is pretty specialized compared to the more traditional hatchets and axes you might already own, the Hitch Hatchet makes it easy and safe to process kindling in a matter of minutes.
Price: $89
2. LumaNail High-Vis Roofing Nails
The LumaNail is a specialized roofing fastener system aimed squarely at roofing Pros. The fluorescent powder-coated coil nails are designed to improve on visibility and installation speed. The standout feature is the bright, ultra-visible finish that helps roofers spot and correct missed or low-set nails easily, even in low light conditions.
The patented waffle head and galvanized steel core aim to deliver a reliable grip and corrosion resistance over time. It’s an interesting take on traditional roofing nails that prioritizes efficiency and quality on the jobsite, squarely focused on the needs of Pros.
Price: Varies
3. SpitzLift Aluminum Truck Crane
The SpitzLift system offers a line of rugged, lightweight portable lifting cranes designed to make heavy lifting easier and safer for Pros across construction, fleet service, and industrial fields. The aircraft-grade aluminum cranes are easy to transport and install, meet major safety standards like OSHA/ASME, and can lift several hundred pounds with simple manual or powered operation. This mechanical advantage helps reduce back strain and improve jobsite efficiency while loading and unloading heavy equipment.
Price: Varies
4. Magic Creeper
The Magic Creeper is a lightweight rolling mat designed to help you slide comfortably under vehicles or heavy equipment without the bulk of traditional wheeled creepers. Its slick, low-clearance design helps you move smoothly on uneven surfaces like gravel or dirt where wheeled creepers struggle. On top of that, its oil- and puncture-resistant materials make it more durable and versatile than cardboard or cheap mats.
While the slippery surface is great for reducing drag under a car, you’ll need to be cautious of slip hazards when it’s not in use. With that in mind, if you’re a mobile mechanic or off-road enthusiast, this is a fantastic option for roadside repairs!
Price: $109.90
5. Tite-Reach Extension Wrench
The Tite Reach Extension Wrench Pro is a specialty hand tool designed to help you reach and turn nuts and bolts in tight, hard-to-reach spaces where traditional ratchets can struggle. This slim design makes them especially handy for automotive techs, industrial mechanics, and maintenance workers who frequently work in cramped conditions.
The lineup includes options from light-duty DIY extensions, like the Tite‑Reach 3/8 Do‑It‑Yourself Extension Wrench, to more Pro-focused sets with multiple drive sizes and adapters for more intense use.
Overall, the Tite-Reach fills a gap for reaching fasteners where traditional tools simply won’t fit or turn, though they’re best employed as complementary tools.
Price: Varies
6. RemoveRite Duplex Reusable Screws
The RemoveRite Duplex Screw is a clever twist on traditional temporary fasteners, pairing a #2 Phillips head design with a 1/4-inch hex head that makes installation and removal incredibly simple. You can use your cordless drill, but it’s even easier with an impact driver since you don’t need a bit.
This means no wrestling with stripped heads or bent nails after a job is done. These screws are designed for repeated installation and removal without significant damage or wear, saving you time and money on your next concrete forming job.
While they’re not designed for permanent structural work, for anyone who frequently puts up and takes down temporary framing, forms, or boards, Duplex Screws offer a noticeable labor-saving advantage over duplex nails that have to be hammered out or ruined in the removal process. Plus, you don’t need to buy a separate duplex nailer.
We actually covered RemoveRite’s initial launch back in 2015. However, they’ve recently unveiled upgrades at World of Concrete 2026 with an eye on smoother installs and a better hold. The shank is now longer, they have type 17 serrated tips for easier starts, powder-coated heads, and overall higher quality.
Price: Varies
7. KeySmart Nano Pliers
The KeySmart Nano Pliers are ultra-compact stainless-steel pliers designed to fit right on your keychain or inside a KeySmart key organizer. This gives you a handy pair of pliers for small everyday tasks like pulling staples, twisting wire, or gripping tiny objects without the bulk of full-size pliers.
Their pint-sized design makes them incredibly portable and convenient so they’re always with you. They’re lightweight, durable, and highly useful for small tasks. Granted, these are best suited for light-duty tasks, but if you’re not committed to carrying a full-size multi-tool, these are hard to pass up!
Price: $9.99
8. Spinout Paint Roller Cleaner
For me, cleaning paint rollers at the end of a project is one of the most tedious and downright boring tasks on earth, but there might be a better way. The Spinout Paint Roller Cleaner is a simple, affordable tool that attaches to a faucet or garden hose and uses a water-powered spinning action to flush paint out of roller covers quickly. The process is fast, clean, and much easier than scrubbing them by hand.
The cupped design shields you and your surroundings from unwanted spray and contains the mess to a smaller area. Keep in mind that your relative water pressure may affect the speed at which you can clean each roller, but I’m willing to accept that caveat if it means I stay cleaner in the process!
Price: $24.95
9. Door Stud Heavy-Duty Caster
Hanging a door by yourself can present a number of challenges, especially if you’re installing a pre-hung door, and that’s where the Door Stud comes into play. The Door Stud is a robust door handling and installation tool that simplifies what’s traditionally a two-person job. The adjustable design supports pre-hung or heavy slab doors weighing up to 500 pounds (depending on model), ultimately reducing muscle strain, damage to the door, and streamlining the installation process.
The Door Studs are constructed from durable steel and made right here in the USA. While it is a fairly niche tool mainly targeting builders, carpenters, and remodelers, I believe it offers a legitimate benefit for anyone regularly hanging interior or exterior doors. Overall, it can be a real time- and labor-saving asset that pays for itself in efficiency.
Price: $199 – $399 (sets of 2)
10. Scale Up Tools Lag Boss
The Lag Boss is an innovative impact-rated socket that’s specifically designed for driving lag bolts. The two-piece spring-loaded socket compresses as you drive your lag and sits flush with your material once it is fully driven. The idea is that this helps prevent over-driving or leaving bolt heads proud by giving you a visual indicator that the bolt is fully seated.
As of right now, this invention from Scale Up Tools is only a concept, so there isn’t a ton of information available. However, we heard rumors that it may be licensed for production soon. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get our hands on one when they finally hit the shelves to see if it really is worth the hype.
If you’re looking for some lag help and can’t wait for the Lag Boss, Ryobi’s 2025 Pro Tool Innovation Award-winning MaxView Lag Drivers are a big improvement over standard sockets.
Dear Pro Tool Reviews, this is Bernard, Founder of PowerBoot Tools. Just came across this recently written and terrific review of PowerBoot and wanted to reach out and thank you! At the end of your review, you mention that the use of PowerBoot will bulk up the footprint of your batteries and that’s true if you’re using PowerBoot without the PowerBoot Switch (in that case, PowerBoot is adhered to a single battery). With the PowerBoot Switch, you gain much more flexibility in being able to transfer PowerBoot between batteries and in addition, users working in tight spaces can remove PowerBoot from the Switch and then the only bulk that remains on their drill is the 1/4″ thin, lightweight galvanized steel plate. Just wanted to let your readers know they have the option to remove PowerBoot from their cordless tool as they choose. Thanks again for the wonderful review!