Whether you’re into woodworking as a hobby or it’s how you make a living, power tools are at the heart of our shops. I decided to take the plunge and see what’s new and worth your consideration in 2025. There’s certainly plenty to talk about, so let’s cut straight to the chase.
New Woodworking Power Tools for 2025
- Milwaukee M18 Fuel Read Handle Circular Saw 2930
↓ Jump to this Circular Saw - DeWalt 20V Max 12-inch Miter Saw DCS785
↓ Jump to this Miter Saw - Skil 8 1/4-inch Compact Table Saw TS6308-00
↓ Jump to this Table Saw - Bosch 18V Brushless Barrel-Grip Jig Saw GST18V-60BCN
↓ Jump to this Jig Saw - Oliver HCX 15-inch Benchtop Planer 10055
↓ Jump to this Planer - Milwaukee M18 Fuel 5-inch Random Orbit Sander 2837
↓ Jump to this Sander - Festool Cordless Random Orbit Sanders ETSC 2 125 / ETSC 2 150
↓ Jump to this Sander - Makita 40V max XGT Belt Sander GSB01
↓ Jump to this Sander - Grizzly 17-inch Brush Sander G0400
↓ Jump to this Sander - Powermatic ArmorGlide Coating
↓ Jump to this Coating
Milwaukee M18 Fuel Rear Handle Circular Saw 2930
If a rear-handle model is your go-to circular saw, Milwaukee’s next-generation 2930 offers some nice upgrades from the original model. There’s a more power and a higher blade speed along with significantly lower weight. The 90° cut depth is also slightly better, and the saw is now able to cut 3x in a single pass. Convenient bevel and depth detents make precision cutting easier as well.
The saw comes with Milwaukee’s 24T Thick Kerf blade, which offers stable cutting. However, you may want to upgrade to a higher tooth count if you’re looking for a finer finish.
Have you seen Milwaukee’s new Nitrus Carbide Framing and Demo blade yet?
Key Features
- Powerstate brushless motor
- Bevel detents at 22.5° and 45°
- Depth detents at 1/2, 3/4, and 1-1/2 inches
- Magnesium shoe and guards
- Electric brake
- Integrated rotational dust port (vac adaptor included)
- LED light
- Integrated multi-sized rafter hook
Specifications
- Blade Speed: 6300 RPM
- Cut Capacity: 2 5/8 in at 90°, 2 1/16 in at 45°
- Bare Weight: 8.3 lbs
- Working Weight: 11.6 lbs w/a 12.0Ah Forge battery
- Price: $279 bare, $449 kit
- Warranty: 5 years
DeWalt 20V Max 12-inch Miter Saw DCS785
DeWalt has an excellent range of miter saws, but they’ve never had a 12-inch model on the 20V Max system until now. Advancements in battery technology, most notably DeWalt’s PowerPack tabless batteries, open up much more efficient energy transfer to power such a large blade using a 20V Max battery. From there, the design draws from the majority of the top features of DeWalt’s other miter saws, so there’s a lot of familiarity to the design.
The price to go cordless is pretty steep, though, so make sure you really want cordless convenience. If you do most of your miter saw cuts in a fixed location, you can save several hundred dollars by sticking with one of DeWalt’s excellent corded models.
Key Features
- Brushless motor
- Regenerative Braking Technology returns energy to the battery
- Wireless Tool Control automatic vacuum activation
- Bevel gear transmission efficiently transfers power to the blade
- Quickly set bevel cuts using the 22.5° and 33.9° bevel pawls
- LED shadow cutline indicator
- Captures up to 97% of dust
- Tool Connect Tag ready
- Compatible with all DeWalt 20V Max and FlexVolt batteries
Specifications
- Blade Diameter: 12 in
- Blade Speed: 3800 RPM
- Miter Capacity: 50° left and 60° right
- Bevel Capacity: 49° left and right
- Sliding Cut Capacity: 14 in
- Standing Base/Nested Crown Capacity: 6 1/2 in
- Bare Weight: 51.7 lbs
- Price: $699 bare, $879 kit
- Warranty: 3 years
Skil 8 1/4-inch Compact Table Saw TS6308-00
If you’re getting started in woodworking, the price of all the tools you need can be daunting. The number of table saw options can be as well. Launched in the back half of 2024, Skil’s 8 1/4-inch compact model is a portable option that’s easy on your wallet, has some solid features, and a relatively small storage footprint. At $249, it’s easy on your wallet as well. Pair it with a quality 60T or 80T blade, and you’ll have an excellent starter saw to learn on.
Key Features
- Rack and pinion fence system
- Parallel micro blade adjustment
- Compact and portable design
- Aluminum table
- Safety switch
Specifications
- Motor: 15 amps
- Blade Diameter: 8 1/4 in
- Blade Speed: 5000 RPM
- Max Cut Depth: 2 1/2 in
- Rip Capacity: 24 1/2 in
- Dado Capacity: 5/8 in
- Weight: 39.5 lbs
- Price: $249
- Warranty: 5 years
Bosch 18V Brushless Barrel-Grip Jig Saw GST18V-60BCN
Bosch launched three new cordless jig saws on its 18V platform, and the GST18V-60BCN caught my attention. It’s one of the most full-featured models I’ve come across, with everything you could want to help dial in the precision, accuracy, and quality of your cuts. Additionally, it’s a connected tool that offers tool controls and diagnostics in the Bosch PRO360 app, so it’s more than just inventory management tech.
If you prefer a D-handle model, it’s available in that configuration as well. Look for the GST18V-60CN model if you’re interested.
Key Features
- Brushless motor
- Precision control with an adjustable blade guide/channel
- Adaptive speed control eases into cuts before ramping up the speed
- Connect via Bosch PRO360 App for tool controls and diagnostics
- Four orbital models
- Variable-speed control
- Tool-free blade-change
- Extended upfront soft-grip areas
- Double-sided pulse-activated switch
- Automatic shut-off if the tool is dropped
- Dust blower
- LED light
- Large die-cast aluminum footplate with no-mar plastic overshoe
- AMPShare System compatible
Specifications
- Speed Range: 800 – 3800 RPM
- Stroke Length: 1 in
- Bare Weight: 4.4 lbs
- $209 bare tool
- Warranty: 5 years
Oliver HCX 15-inch Benchtop Planer 10055
Oliver’s new 15-inch benchtop planer offers impressive capacity and performance for a benchtop unit. Boasting a 2.5 HP, 230V motor and an HCX helical cutterhead, it’s much more capable than many of the popular and less expensive benchtop models. Our friend, Izzy Swan, summed it up nicely:
“This is the first portable planer that I have seen that can stand up with the big boys. Great job, Oliver Tools!”
Izzy Swan
Key Features
- 2-speed gearbox
- 4-post design ensures cutter head alignment to table
- Includes a 40-knife Oliver HCX Helical Cutterhead
- Oliver DRO for precise material removal
- Large table size
- 4-depth stops
- Elevation crank with lock and easy-to-read scale
- Blower assisted chip ejection
- Safety switch with overload protection and lock-out
- CSA listed
Specifications
- Motor: 2.5HP 1Ph 12Amp 230V
- Cutterhead Speed: 5600 RPM
- Max Stock Width: 15 in
- Stock Thickness Range: 1/8 – 6 in
- Feed Rate: 12 or 20 FPM
- Table: 15 x 23 (15 x 48 w/included extensions)
- Depth Stops: 1/4 – 1 in
- Dust Port: 4 in
- Weight: 158.7 lbs
- Price: $2269.99
- Warranty: 2 years on parts, 1 year on motor and electronics
Milwaukee M18 Fuel 5-inch Random Orbit Sander 2837
Milwaukee has expanded its cordless sander lineup with a new 5-inch random orbit sander that has a couple of key characteristics to note. For one, it’s an M18 Fuel model, so it has a high-end Powerstate brushless motor. Sanders don’t necessarily need to be brushless to the get power you need, but it’s a big boost in runtime and service life.
This model also pulls in VacLink technology. When you pair it with Milwaukee’s new 0888-20 9-gallon dust extractor (and presumably future models as well), you get automatic vacuum activation that helps preserve the vac’s runtime while ensuring you get the best dust collection and reducing the overall noise in your shop.
Key Features
- Powerstate brushless motor
- Up to 95% dust collection in the bag
- Automatic vacuum activation when using the M18 Fuel Packout 9 Gallon Dual-Battery Dust Extractor w/ VACLINK
- 5-mode speed control
- Low vibration
- Ergonomic form-fitting pommel grip
- Removable edge guard
Specifications
- Max Speed: 12,000 OPM
- Orbit: 3/32 in (2.5mm)
- Weight: 3.1 lbs
- Price: $229
- Warranty: 5 years
Festool Cordless Random Orbit Sanders ETSC 2 125 / ETSC 2 150
I loved Festool’s first-generation ETSC 125/150 sanders. Their hybrid battery/AC power source was convenient, and of course, the performance and ergonomics were up to Festool standards. The problem was that those sanders used a different battery form factor, so you couldn’t use them with other Festool 18V tools.
The new models fix that by using the standard 18V battery as their power source. However, they don’t have the AC capability, so they’re purely cordless. With the latest EC-TEC brushless motors on board, the added runtime may make that a moot point, though.
These sanders also get a big upgrade from an adjustable LED light and app connectivity. While the light is helpful in helping you see what you’re sanding, its biggest benefit is that its lateral throw helps you identify imperfections quickly.
Key Features
- EC-TEC brushless motor
- Integrated light ring with two brightness modes
- Built-in vibration control
- Carbide-tipped sanding pad brake reduces speed at startup
- Optimized ergonomics
- Low-profile design
- Smart control using the Festool App
- Quiet performance
Specifications
- Pad Diameter: 5 in (125), 6 in (150)
- Eccentric Motion Speed: 6,000 – 10,000 RPM
- Orbit: 9/64 in (3.5 mm)
- Vacuum Port: 1 1/16 in
- Bare Weight: 2.65 lbs
- ETSC 2 125 Price: $399 Basic, $565 Plus
- ETSC 2 150 Price: $499 Basic, $665 Plus
Makita 40V max XGT Belt Sander GSB01
Makita made some solid calls in the design of their 40V max XGT belt sander. It features the highly convenient automatic vac activation technology, AWS, that’s been around for a while. Note that you’ll need to add the AWS transmitter to take advantage of it. There’ also an automatic belt tracking system to keep you from making manual adjustments. Adding to its versatility, there an available Clamper Set that lets you setup the sander in a stationary position that makes shaping an easier task.
Since it’s part of the high-performance XGT system, you’re getting into a platform that has the potential to replace more of your corded tools without compromises in performance.
Key Features
- Brushless motor
- Up to 20% Faster Sanding than Corded
- Auto-start Wireless System (AWS) automatic vacuum activation (transmitter sold separately)
- Adjustable large front grip for sanding flush to wall with nose and side of sander
- Variable speed control dial
- Auto-tracking belt system
- Optimal tool and battery weight balance
- Adjustable L.E.D. light
- Trigger with lock-on button
- Stationary use option with Clamper Set (sold separately)
Specifications
- Belt Size: 3 x 21 in
- Belt Speed: 390 – 1,540 FPM
- Weight w/ Battery: 9.9 lbs
- Price: $319 bare
- Warranty: 3 years
Grizzly 17-inch Brush Sander G0400
Grizzly’s new brush sander got my attention thanks to the amount of freedom you have to dial in the performance settings exactly where you want them, and ensure you get precise results. That includes sanding material as thin as 1/32 of an inch!
It’s a versatile machine as well. By switching brushes, you can work on multiple material types, including metal. Thanks to its quick-release belt tension system, brush changes are quick, allowing you to spend more time creating and less time wrenching.
Key Features
- Ample power for efficient and effective sanding operations
- Variable-speed conveyor allows for precise feed rate adjustments
- Variable-speed brush and digital readout allow for precise brush speed adjustments
- Variable frequency drive offers smooth, high-torque variable speed
- 240-grit silicon carbide-impregnated brush
- Quick-release belt tension lever
- Compatibility with multiple brush types
- Sands stock as thin as 1/32-inch
- LED for illumination and brush activation indication
- Built-in storage for extra brushes
Specifications
- Sanding Motor: 1 3/4 HP, 220V
- Feed Motor: 1/4 HP
- Power Source: 110V, 20A
- Brush Head Diameter: 5 – 8 in
- Brush Head Speed: 400 – 1700 RPM
- Feed Rate: 4 – 17 FPM
- Max Stock: 17 in wide x 2 in thick
- Min Stock: 1 in wide x 10 in long x 1/32 in thick
- Dust Port: 4 in
- Weight: 320 lbs
- Price: $3755
- Warranty: 1 year
Powermatic ArmorGlide Coating
Powermatic’s new ArmorGlide Coating isn’t a new tool per se, but it’s a new option for their table saws, band saws, and jointers. There are five key benefits:
- Low Friction: Feeding material takes 50% less effort
- Rust Resistance: You no longer have to worry about cleaning rust off the table
- Improved Visibility: The coating is dark, making your material stand out in contrast
- Zero Maintenance: There’s nothing you need to do to maintain ArmorGlide’s performance
- Durability: The coating can endure more than 250,000 passes without signs of wear
How much the ArmorGlide coating adds to the price is based on the type and size of the tool you’re buying.
