Every year, the Pro Tool Innovation Awards highlight the most innovative, useful, and problem-solving new products in the tool industry. In 2025, over 200 products received PTIA awards across 15 categories, a testament to the many valuable solutions offered to Pros in the modern age. These products include power tools, hand tools, accessories, OPE, and much more!
With the tally of winners finally announced, I wanted to highlight some of the most intriguing, stand-out innovations—one from each PTIA category. There are so many more products than the ones listed here, so be sure to check out the full list of winners and finalists to see what other brands took home the gold in 2025!
Jump to Category
- Accessories and Fasteners
- Automotive and Metalworking
- Concrete and Masonry
- Cordless Power Tools
- Hand Tools
- Hardware and Household Products
- Outdoor Power Equipment
- Networking and Technology
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
- Pneumatic Tools and Nailers
- Tool Bags and Storage
- Test and Measurement
- Wall and Flooring Tools
- Woodworking and Carpentry
- Workwear and Safety
Pro Tool Innovation Awards 2025
Accessories and Fasteners
RYOBI MaxView Lag Driver Set
While Ryobi has a ton of accessories, the MaxView Lag Drivers are perhaps one of the most innovative we’ve seen in a while. These driver bits come with a cut-out design that provides a clear, unobstructed view of your lag screw head, which makes it easy to set it flush every time. This is a design we’ve never seen before, and it ensures precise alignment while eliminating guesswork.
They come in packs of 4 (7/16-inch, 1/2-inch, 91/6-inch, and 3/4-inch) for a variety of driving applications. Each lag driver is also equipped with a magnet to keep hold of your lag screws securely. Ryobi tells us they’re overlaid with a black phosphate coating to protect against corrosion and wear.
Price: $19.97
Automotive and Metalworking
DeWalt DCG402 ATOMIC 20V MAX 4.5-inch Angle Grinder
This DeWalt grinder reaches up to 760 max watts out of power, and its compact design makes it ideal for tight spaces. DeWalt equipped it with their Anti-Rotation System, which detects a pinch or bind up and automatically stops the wheel to reduce reactionary torque. This tool’s ergonomics are solid, and it also includes a clip-on guard feature that lets you quickly swap between cutting and grinding applications.
Price: $299
Concrete and Masonry
Hilti VC 5 Construction Vacuum
The Hilti VC 5 Construction Vacuum combines everything we look for in this type of tool, like portability, an excellent suction level, and a user-friendly design. It reaches top airflow levels of 140 CFM, and the 5-gallon tank requires emptying fewer times during the day. Like many construction vacuums, it cleans both wet and dry debris, and the retractable push bar lets you easily move it from one area to another on the jobsite.
Plus, the HEPA filtration system maintains OSHA compliance, and the filter cleaning system helps the vacuum maintain its top suction levels. Hilti also includes an onboard storage area for the included accessories to keep everything organized.
Price: $369
Cordless Power Tools
Milwaukee M18 Top-Off Charger and Power Supply – 2847
We got to test out the M18 Top-Off Power Supply at Milwaukee’s Pipeline event this year, and it resonated with many of the attendees. The biggest draw this tool has for M18 users is its bi-directional USB-C charging capabilities. This means that you can charge your M18 battery or use it to power a variety of devices, like laptops and smartphones. As a battery charger, it can bring an XC 5.0 battery to full charge in as little as 105 minutes. Its dual USB-C ports even let you power two devices at the same time.
Price: $99
Hand Tools
LevTech Mag Dog 8 Conduit Bending Level
The LevTech Mag Dog 8 Conduit Bending Level is perhaps one of the smallest tools on this list, but it’s packed with so many features that it’s difficult to list them all. It’s equipped with field-replaceable vials, rare earth magnets, and a CNC-machined aluminum for ultimate durability. At a price tag of just $50, this small tool could be one of the best decisions new electricians ever make!
Price: $50
Hardware and Household Products
Craftsman V20 Brushless RP Stick Vacuum
Craftsman has really made a name for itself in the homeowner/DIY market as of late. One example is the V20 Brushless RP Stick Vacuum, which features an innovative floorhead design that captures more large debris without pushing it forward. On top of that, the tangle-free beater bar reduces hair tangles by around 70%, which especially comes in handy for pet owners. Craftsman estimates up to 45 minutes of runtime, and three adjustable speed settings let you prioritize runtime or power depending on your needs.
Price: $249.99
Outdoor Power Equipment
Greenworks OCS800-C5DP-24 Optimus 82V 5.0kw 24-inch HOG Chainsaw
Greenworks Commercial’s 82V H.O.G. (High Output Gasless) chainsaw is simply a beast, with a gas equivalence of 80cc. It features a 28-inch bar with chain speeds topping out at 98 fps. These figures make it one of the most powerful cordless chainsaws we’ve seen anywhere on the market. It employs safety features like dual inertia-activated chain brakes and a smart interface that helps you keep track of battery levels, oil levels, and error messages. Plus, its aluminum alloy body keeps it as lightweight as possible.
Price: $1,267
Networking and Technology
Canvas Model 2000CX
Anyone not familiar with the robotics game may not realize how incorporated it’s become with the construction and building industry. In the case of the Canvas 2000CX, it expands upon the first model with high-reach drywall capabilities. It can reach more than 20 feet in height, while also fitting through most standard doorways with a compact design. This model is fully self-driving, and it can complete continuous drywall work with minimal operator intervention. Using the 2000CX, crews can also reduce the risks associated with drywall work, like falls and dust exposure.
Price: Leased
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing
Ridgid K-46 Cordless SinkSnake
The Ridgid K-46 SinkSnake removes many common hassles of plumbing jobs. With an integrated multi-position kickstand, you no longer have to position the tool at a precise angle while you work, which gives you hands-free operation in cramped spaces. The Autofeed rotates 360° for enhanced control around tight bends, and the rotating drum protects plumbing fixtures from damage. The cordless design is the icing on the cake, using Ridgid (red, not orange) 18V batteries for power.
Price: $550
Pneumatic Tools and Nailers
Metabo HPT 18V 16Ga Straight Finish Nailer NT1865DSA
Metabo HPT’s latest finish nailer on the 18V platform features an improved Air Spring Drive Technology, firing up to 3 nails per second. The brand also managed to shave off some weight since the last model; the NT1865DSA weighs just 5.7 pounds as a bare tool. It’s compatible with 16-gauge nails up to 2 1/2 inches in length. For power, you can equip it with either an 18V or 36V MultiVolt battery.
Price: $389
Tool Bags and Storage
Makita MakTrak Modular Storage T-90009
When Makita announced its MakTrak modular storage system in late 2024, we thought it was worth the hype. It offers several truly innovative advantages for jobsite storage. A creative horizontal design allows you to store larger tools while facilitating easier loading and unloading from your work vehicle. The system also features dual-hinging lids to allow you to access either side without unstacking your whole buildout. The best part is that Makita tells us the MakTrak system is designed and manufactured in the USA.
Price: $250
Test and Measurement
Ideal Electrical SureTrace Circuit Tracer Pro
Ideal Electrical designed the SureTrace Pro circuit tracer to address some common pain points for electricians. First, it includes a patent-pending Inductive/Sensing Clamp that enables non-contact circuit tracing as well as AC amperage measurements. If you’re working with inaccessible conductors, the clamp comes in handy by providing measurements right on the screen. A built-in continuity tester and voltage readings make troubleshooting a circuit easier than ever, with no second tester required. Combining the features, performance, and user-friendly design makes the SureTrace Pro an excellent investment for both new and veteran electricians.
Price: $700
Wall and Flooring Tools
Werner LevelSafe Pro PK100
If you’ve ever used a ladder on an uneven surface, you know the pain of wishing there was a safer way to work at height. Enter the Werner LevelSafe Pro, which eliminates the need to reposition your ladder when you’re working on slopes and inclines. It features a patented Micro-Adjust Technology that lets you calibrate your ladder’s height adjustment up to 8.5 inches without moving the ladder.
While other similar products on the market require manual adjustment, the LevelSafe Pro is equipped with 90° flip-out handles and an integrated bubble level for easy alignment. It’s available as either a factory-installed option or as a retrofit kit for your existing ladder.
Price: $229
Woodworking and Carpentry
SawStop T-Glide Advance
Table saw safety is extremely important, and luckily, there are several brands at the forefront of safety innovations. One such brand is SawStop, and their T-Glide Advance rip fence enables accurate, versatile, and safe table saw cuts. It features a dead-flat aluminum fence face, and you can use it in either high or low positions for narrow rip cuts and push stick access. It’s also compatible with accessories like featherboards and sacrificial boards for added versatility. If your table saw is in need of an upgrade, the T-Glide Advance is a compelling pick.
Price: $349
Workwear and Safety
Wolverine Alpha ft Wolverine Infinity System Work Boots
The Infinity System provides a combination of boot technologies that we haven’t seen before. The Infinity Frame stabilizes and cradles your foot, while the EnergyBound midsole provides a compressing/rebounding foam layer. Finally, the DuraShocks outsole delivers plenty of impact absorption and energy return, with added traction for stability. We especially like that it’s available with either a soft toe or a safety composite toe. If you spend a lot of time on your feet, these Wolverine boots should help you reduce foot fatigue at the end of your shift.
Price: $190
