POPULAR MECHANICS TOP AWARDS 2024

For more than 120 years, Popular Mechanics has been a heavy-duty brand. We see no reason to change that now.

- 

BEST FULL-SIZE ROUTER
Milwaukee 2838-21 18-Volt Cordless Router Kit $600

This top-notch cordless router demonstrates that Milwaukee also builds great tools for woodworkers. Observers of the company know that it is well-known for its metalworking equipment, such as those used by plumbers, electricians, welders, fabricators, sheet-metal mechanics, and HVAC installers. Yet for the last three decades, we've marveled that its tools for wood are also excellent. We turned on this router, set its six-speed dial to 5, and neatly carved out deep rabbets in C Select verticalgrain Douglas fir and plain-sawn maple.

The tool is well-balanced and easy to handle, and it performs just as flawlessly as the company's corded counterparts. Advanced woodworkers will appreciate that this machine comes as a complete kit, with two bases (standard and plunge), an auxiliary faceplate, an edge guide, 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch collets, a tool bag, a charger, and a massive 6-Ah battery. With that big battery and the standard (non-plunge) base, the tool weighs exactly 9 pounds, or about what a corded full-size router weighs. Although we didn't test its length of cut, Milwaukee says the tool will rout 225 linear feet per charge (it doesn't specify with what bit).

BEST COMMERCIAL-DUTY CONSTRUCTION TOOL 
Bosch GNB18V-12N 18-Volt Concrete Nailer $504