Just because it’s snowing doesn’t mean you need to break out your full-size snowblower, especially for those early and late-season lighter snowfalls. For those times when you just need to clear walkways or give the driveway a quick once-over, the Masterforce 20V cordless snow shovel might be just what the doctor ordered.

Editor’s Note: We’re still waiting on our first snow accumulation… since 1977. But just because we live in Florida doesn’t mean we’re completely snow-ignorant. We’ve got plenty of experience in Pennsylvania and Connecticut on our crew, so enjoy this walkthrough and don’t hate us too much for shooting photos on a bright 80° F day.

Masterforce 20V Cordless Snow Shovel Performance

Masterforce’s brushed motor turns the snow shovel’s 4.6-inch auger up to 2800 RPM. Its intake covers 12 inches of width and can handle snow depths up to 4 inches and throw it as far as 20 feet depending on the conditions. A rear scraper helps get packed snow near the bottom moving, though it’s not going to clear layers of ice.

This model uses a brushed motor and while it’s not as efficient or strong as a brushless motor, it keeps the price down (more on that shortly).

Masterforce 20V Cordless Snow Shovel Design Notes

Rather than going with a string trimmer head the way most attachment system snow shovels do, Masterforce has a rear-handle design. That makes it a bit easier when you need to apply some force behind it to get packed snow moving.

Just in front of that is a secondary handle that rotates 360° around the shaft and pivots forward or back. Combined with a telescoping shaft that’s adjustable for a total length of 46 to 54 inches, nearly everyone can find a comfortable working fit.

The shaft has a split design and there’s an electrical connection at the attachment point rather than using a wire to run from the battery down to the motor. It also allows you to completely separate the two pieces instead of leaving them connected at a joint and gives it a smaller storage footprint if you want to break it down between uses.

If you don’t want to break it down, the base allows the shovel to stand up on its own on hard surfaces.

Without a battery, the tool weighs 7.4 pounds. Adding a 4.0Ah battery brings the total working weight up to 9.0 pounds.

Additional Highlights

• Compatible with all Masterforce 20V FlexForce and Boost batteries

Masterforce 20V Cordless Snow Shovel Price

You can find this electric snow shovel at Menards for $179.99 as a kit. It includes the snow shovel, a 4.0Ah battery, a charger, and a storage bag. There’s no kit option available. One thing is different about this tool, though—it’s only in-store and not available online as we’re writing this.

When you look at premium options, such as EGO’s Multi-Head system with a snow shovel attachment ($399.99 for the kit, $189.99 for the attachment), Masterforce’s price tag is very attractive for value-minded shoppers.

The Bottom Line

Masterforce’s cordless snow shovel is a good choice to supplement your full-size snowblower for light snowfalls or to clear smaller areas such as walkways after heavier snowfall. While it doesn’t have the performance of premium brushless models, it doesn’t have a high price tag either. Grab it if you’re looking for a high-value cordless snow shovel.

Specifications

• Model: Masterforce 4832
• Power Source: Masterforce 20V FlexPower battery (or Boost battery)
• No-Load Speed: 2800 RPM
• Clearing Width: 12 inches
• Max Clearing Depth: 4 inches
• Max Throw Distance: 20 feet
• Bare Weight: 7.4 pounds
• Working Weight: 9.0 pounds

The post Masterforce 20V Cordless Snow Shovel appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Stihl’s MS 250 Chainsaw Gives Homeowners A Reliable Wood-Cutting Solution

Heading into the winter months, some homeowners may rely on fireplaces to warm their homes, which means having a stockpile of firewood is a must. Plus, with cold weather often comes snow, as well as all of the cleanup to do once that snow starts to melt. Luckily, the Stihl MS 250 chainsaw has your winter worries covered. We’re taking a brief look to see why this tried-and-true chainsaw has stuck around throughout the years to help homeowners with various woodcutting tasks.

Stihl MS 250 Chainsaw Basics

Stihl starts with a 45.4 cc engine and uses it to drive a 3/8-inch RM3 chain around its 18-inch bar. If you prefer, it’s also rated to take a 16-inch bar.

According to Stihl, The MS 250 chainsaw was built and designed specifically for cutting firewood. Since the majority of firewood gets cut during the fall and winter, you don’t want to worry about cold weather preventing the engine from starting. Luckily, its winter/summer shutter allows the carburetor to remain at the optimum temperature for the season. It also helps prevent the carburetor from icing when working below 50°F by drawing air from around the cylinder to warm the carburetor.

Additionally, the side-access chain tensioner allows for better access to the saw chain with a bar wrench, as opposed to the typical guide bar adjustment screw location. Along with the easy-access air filter cover, this chainsaw definitely emphasizes easy maintenance.

Additional Features

• Master control lever operates the choke, starting throttle lock, and power switch
• Rear hand guard reduces the risk of injury, as well as provides a wide foot-placement area during starting

This chainsaw is also made in the U.S.A from American and foreign materials.

Stihl MS 250 Chainsaw: Why So Popular?

With its 16-inch or 18-inch bar and 10.1-pound powerhead dry weight, this saw is right in the wheelhouse for homeowners who have a larger property to maintain. With its 45.4cc gas engine, it’s not as powerful as the MS 271 Farm Boss that makes its living on farm and ranch properties, but it’s not as heavy and it’s $80 less.

Looking in the other direction, it’s a more capable saw than Stihl’s less expensive models and more feature-rich than the MS 271 Wood Boss.

At the end of the day, the MS 250 simply balances performance, weight, features, and price well for homeowners who want a solid all-around chainsaw for storm cleanup, property maintenance, and firewood cutting.

Stihl MS 250 Chainsaw Price

This chainsaw retails for $399.99 and you can find it at several local and online Stihl retailers. Stihl backs your purchase with a 1-year warranty.

For more Stihl content, check out our top Stihl chainsaw recommendations!

Specifications

• Model: Stihl MS 250
• Bar length: 18 in
• Powerhead weight: 10.1 lbs
• Power source: Gas
• Engine displacement: 45.4 cc
• Chain oil capacity: 6.8 oz
• Engine power: 3.0 BHP
• Fuel capacity: 15.9 oz

The post Stihl MS 250 Chainsaw: All-Around Workhorse for Homeowners appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Switching from Gas to Battery is Easier with the Latest Generation of Battery-Powered String Trimmers

Even if you’re not quite ready to pull the trigger on an electric lawn mower, cordless string trimmers are a much easier jump for most homeowners to make. Even Pro lawn care crews have legitimate options to replace gas models. What’s the best battery-powered string trimmer for your needs? We got our team together to determine top picks for a range of priorities.

Want to see our top overall string trimmer picks, including gas models? Check out this article!

Best Battery-Powered String Trimmer Overall

Best for Professionals: Husqvarna 520iLX Battery-Powered String Trimmer

When we’re talking about the best all-day, everyday professional string trimmer for residential crews, we love Husqvarna’s 520iLX. What helps it rise above other solid picks from Stihl, EGO, and Greenworks Commercial is its combination of lighter weight, extremely low vibration, and thoughtful feature set in conjunction with excellent performance. Other professional brands hit several of the same elements, but none of them put them together as completely as Husqvarna.

Price: $299.99 bare tool

Best for Homeowners: EGO PowerLoad String Trimmer with Line IQ ST1623T

EGO started back in the day with surprisingly strong performance for a cordless string trimmer with eye-opening vibration control. Since then, it’s only gotten better as battery and motor technology have improved. Add to that, automatic line loading with EGO’s PowerLoad feature makes string trimmers with it the easiest to load we’ve ever used. For 2022, automatic line feeding takes it to another level, setting the bar very high for any other brand hoping to compete for the title of the best battery-powered string trimmer.

Price: Price: $299 with 4.0Ah battery and charger

Best Battery-Powered String Trimmer Power

Ryobi 40V HP Brushless Whisper Series Carbon Fiber Shaft String Trimmer RY402110VNM

In case you haven’t noticed, Ryobi has been absolutely unleashed in the last year. The 40V HP Brushless lineup has been impressive, taking the Home Depot-exclusive brand to a whole new level in OPE. For the latest flagship string trimmer, that means impressive cutting power.

The combination of advanced battery and brushless motor tech lets you spin line up to 0.105-inch with a 17-inch cutting swath. It’s fantastic when you’re reclaiming overgrown areas or simply have a lot of lawn to maintain. It gets even better, though, because this model is also part of the Whisper Series, boasting 60% quieter operation than a comparable gas model thanks to specifically focusing on the pitch of the sound.

Price: $329 with 6.0Ah battery and rapid charger

Best Lightweight Battery-Powered String Trimmer

Makita ConnectX String Trimmer CRU03

Makita packs 30cc gas power equivalence into a sub-10-pound package with the ConnectX string trimmer. By shifting the weight of the battery off of the tool and putting it on a harness, you also get incredible runtime thanks to the 1200Wh of capacity you’re wearing. Makita isn’t the only brand to offer a backpack battery, but this combination of weight and performance is special.

Price: $419 bare tool

Best Attachment-Capable Battery-Powered String Trimmer

Stihl Battery-Powered Kombi System KMA 135 R

When we tested cordless attachment systems, none of them had the overall performance that Sithl’s 36V KombiSystem did. It was the closest one to using a gas powerhead. Now it’s even better with the launch of the KMA 135 R powerhead.

Even though Stihl doesn’t use a universal attachment mechanism, the brand’s list of available attachments is deeper than we’ve seen from any other. Plus, there’s Stihl’s extensive dealer and service network to support you after the sale.

Price: $359.99 powerhead only

Best Budget Battery-Powered String Trimmer

SKIL 40V PWRCore Brushless String Trimmer LT4818-10

This year, we set a price limit on our best budget battery-powered string trimmer recommendation. Capped at $160 for the entire kit, we looked for something powerful that also included the battery and charger. The powerful Skil 40V PWRCore Brushless string trimmer really impressed us with its value.

This battery-powered trimmer really fills a need for a capable weed eater that doesn’t go overboard on weight or price. With more power than 18V/20V models, it’s a good fit for budget-minded individuals. It also carries a 5-year limited warranty.

Price: $159 with 2.5Ah battery and charger.

Best Line for Battery-Powered String Trimmers

Echo Black Diamond 0.095-Inch Trimmer Line

Echo Black Diamond trimmer line is denser than others and has sharper cutting edges in its design. For battery-powered string trimmers, you can use Black Diamond 0.095-inch line that cuts like it’s thicker without killing your runtime. There’s some reduction because of the increase in mass, but not as much as when it combines with the increased air resistance of thicker lines. It’s the line we prefer on our gas trimmers and with cordless models being as capable as they are today, we’re able to on those as well.

Price: $14.99 1-pound package (253 feet)

More Battery-Powered String Trimmer Options from Brands We Trust

Best DeWalt Battery-Powered String Trimmer: DCST972

DeWalt sports an impressive 17-inch cutting swath on its latest 60V Max brushless string trimmer. It’s a 2-speed attachment-capable trimmer using a universal connection system, opening up more options beyond DeWalt attachments. With 5800 RPM on the top end (4650 in low), there’s plenty of speed and you can swap out the 0.080-inch line that comes pre-spooled with 0.095-inch.

It’s a little beefier than some models with the 3.0Ah 60V battery pushing the total weight over 11 pounds. The trigger grip section is also a bit thicker than most, so you might not care for it if you have smaller hands. On the plus side, there are three points for the attachment detent to lock into, making it simple to convert the trimmer head into a string edger.

Price: $249 bare tool, $299 with 3.0Ah battery and charger

Best EGO Battery-Powered String Trimmer: ST1623T

There’s a reason we picked EGO’s Line IQ trimmer as our best overall for homeowners. It’s so easy to use with excellent performance and smooth operation, that it can make one of the worst tasks enjoyable.

Price: $299.00 with 4.0Ah battery and charger

Best Greenworks Battery-Powered String Trimmer: ST60L254

Greenworks’ Pro 60V line has a few options and we like the ST60L04 as the best overall balance of performance and price for trimming. It’s a smooth-operating trimmer with an easy-loading Load N’ Go head that uses 0.095-inch line and runs for more than half an hour on its 2.5Ah battery.

Price: $199.99 with 2.5Ah battery and charger

Best HART Battery-Powered String Trimmer: HLST051VNM

HART stepped up big time this year and now has a brushless 15-inch carbon fiber shaft model for its 40V line. It’s another attachment-capable option using a universal connection and is capable to whipping 0.095-inch line. Thanks to its carbon fiber shaft, the weight comes down a bit without sacrificing the strength you need for the job.

Price: $248 with 4.0Ah battery and rapid charger

Best Husqvarna Battery-Powered String Trimmer: 520iLX

From its lighter weight and smoother operation to its excellent performance, Husqvarna’s 520iLX is our pick as the best overall battery-powered string trimmer for professionals.

Best Makita Battery-Powered String Trimmer: GRU01

We realize not everyone is in a place to jump onto Makita’s ConnectX system. If you want high performance with wider OPE and power tool compatibility, give the 40V max XGT GRU01 a look. It has three speeds and tops out with a blistering 6500 RPM. Plus, there’s an Automatic Torque Drive feature that auto-adjusts the speed to match what you’re cutting. Even better, this one is just 10.4 pounds with a 4.0Ah battery, giving it an excellent blend of performance and weight.

Price: $289 bare, $439 with 4.0Ah battery and rapid charger

Best Milwaukee Battery-Powered String Trimmer: 2825-21ST

Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel Quik-Lok attachment system still holds the top spot for the best Milwaukee string trimmer in our books. Its 2-speed brushless design does an excellent job on a wide range of grasses. Even though it doesn’t use a universal connection, the available attachments have done a fantastic job over several years of service with our crew.

Now that there’s a new commercial lawn mower, whispers of further Milwaukee OPE expansion are in the wind, so keep your eyes open in case something new in the string trimmer department shows up.

Price: $229 powerhead and string trimmer attachment, $299 string trimmer kit with 8.0Ah High Output battery and rapid charger

Best Ryobi Battery-Powered String Trimmer RY402110VNM

For all the reasons we already stated and more, Ryobi’s 40V HP Brushless 17-inch string trimmer is something special.

Price: $329 with 6.0Ah battery and rapid charger

Best Skil Battery-Powered String Trimmer: LT4818-10

It’s tough to find a brushless string trimmer under $150 that includes a battery and charger. Skil is one option and it’s a compelling high-value pick. It’s capable of using 0.080-inch line and we whacked down some pretty tall grass in Josh’s backyard when we decided to reclaim it. It’s also a good pick if you’re looking for a lightweight trimmer—it’s just 9.3 pounds with a 2.5Ah battery.

Price: $149.00 with 2.5Ah battery and rapid charger

Best Stihl Battery-Powered String Trimmer: FSA 135 R

Stihl was already doing a great job in the professional battery-powered lawn care department, but the 135 line takes it a step further with even better performance and durability. Comparable to the power the FS 91 offers, it’s matching up with one of Stihl’s workhorse gas models. The trimmer works best with 0.095-inch line and has a 16.5-inch cutting swath. It also comes in both standard and bike handle models, giving you a great option for clearing large areas.

Best Battery-Powered String Trimmer Buying Guide | What We Look For

Cutting Power

Three primary factors go into cutting power: line speed, line thickness/mass, and motor torque.

The faster the line whips around, the better the tips cut grass. Most battery-powered string trimmers are fine in this category. As long as you’re getting at least 5000 RPM, you should be in good shape. The top models are capable of hitting 6500 RPM and there is a significant difference in how fast you can complete your trimming duties at higher rotational speeds.

Shifting the focus to the line thickness, the higher the line mass, the more force it’s able to cut through thicker grass with. It’s like the difference between getting hit by a 175-pound safety and a 225-pound linebacker at the same speed. More mass equals more cutting power.

Most cordless string trimmers take 0.080-inch line at a minimum. We recommend 0.095-inch for the best all-around performance. If you have tougher grass or deal with overgrowth frequently, a string trimmer with 0.105-inch line lets you power through even better. Just keep in mind that line diameter has a direct effect on runtime—thicker line takes more power to run.

Finally, a motor with higher torque helps the trimmer resist slowing down as the going gets tougher. Even though trimming grass seems like a low-demand task, grass does push back against the line, causing it to bend back and eventually start to bog the motor. Higher torque holds keeps the head spinning better in tough cutting situations, even when its highest RPMs are lower than low-torque gearing.

Cutting Swath

Having a large cutting swath helps you clear large areas faster or gives you a more generous border for your mower. You need more power to run wider, though, and runtime is always a consideration. That said, in the past couple of years, we’ve seen the technology come together to give us solid options. Look for a 15-inch cutting diameter for most situations. Recent 16- and 17-inch models are a great choice when you have larger areas to cut.

Runtime

The average homeowner on a 1/4-acre lot only needs about 15 minutes of consistent trigger time to cover trimming. Most cordless string trimmers are able to hit that at high speed without too much trouble.

Professional lawn care crews need much more, though. So do homeowners with large properties and farm/ranch acreage.

If your runtime needs are greater, look for a string trimmer that balances the efficiency of a brushless motor, uses 0.095-inch line, and possibly comes with a higher-capacity battery. Of course, you can always carry multiple batteries.

Also, consider learning how to trim at low speed when the grass isn’t as thick. Even though you have to slow down a bit, you’ll cut a significantly larger area.

Vibration

We highly value low-vibration string trimmers. We already have enough work to do managing the weight of such a long tool without vibration adding additional fatigue. The harmonics in some of today’s models are so good that hardly any vibration makes it up the handle… and they are a joy to use!

Weight and Balance

If you’re working all day on a lawn crew or even just putting the finishing touches on your own lawn, you want the lightest weight you can get without sacrificing the power you need. Bare weight isn’t everything—the battery can add a lot. If you can get a fully-loaded battery-powered string trimmer that meets your performance needs and comes in under 10 pounds, that’s a big win.

Balance is a consideration and the trimmers that have the best typically mount the motor on the trimmer head to counter the battery weight on the back. Many models also let you adjust the front handle to help dial in your fit.

If you’re after an attachment-capable model, you’re stuck with the motor in the back, and the balance shifts back. For those and trimmers that are simply heavier by nature, consider adding a shoulder strap to help you out.

Sound Level

Low noise is one of the major benefits of moving away from gas power. Cordless string trimmers we’ve tested range from decibels in the low 80s to the upper 90s (measured at our operator’s ear). Even at the top end, it’s an improvement over the majority of gas trimmers.

Your line selection plays a bigger part than it does on gas trimmers. Sometimes, switching the line you use can reduce the overall noise level or change the tone to a less irritating pitch.

Line Changes

When you have to change the line, it can be an easy or frustrating process. Manual loading is largely a thing of the past, though some trimmers still have manual heads. To make the process easier, look for models that have some type of fast-loading system (SpeedFeed, Rapid Load, etc). With these, you thread the line through the head to the middle, turn the head to load it, and go get on with the work.

Regardless of what comes on the trimmer, you can upgrade most to a quick-load head.

The best on the market right now is EGO’s PowerLoad design. It takes the fast-load concept and adds automatic winding and gives us the easiest, quickest line changes we’ve ever had.

Attachment Capability

Pro lawn crews typically have dedicated machines for string trimming, edging, and hedge trimming, but homeowners can save a lot of money by using interchangeable heads and tools that cover everything from blowing to brush cutting.

As we mentioned earlier, attachment systems require a top-mounted motor that affects the balance. It’s a trade-off you have to make for the convenience you gain.

One thing to keep an eye on is the attachment connection style. Models with a “universal” connection can use attachments from other brands, opening up far more choices. Recent multi-head systems including EGO, Milwaukee, and Stihl aren’t compatible with others, so you need to make sure they have everything you need before investing.

The post Best Battery-Powered String Trimmer Reviews 2022 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

If you poll our office and ask what the most hated object in retail history is, nearly everyone will tell you it’s clamshell packaging. A relatively new tool to the scene is the cordless power cutter, and we had the opportunity to use the HART 4V Power Cutter and get some revenge on our nemesis.

Check out our other HART reviews!

Using the HART 4V Power Cutter

Cutting

While our collective anger is set against clamshell packaging, the HART HFCT01 is capable of cutting much more than that. Rotating a 10-sided, self-sharpening blade against the guide, you can cut plastic, cloth, leather, rubber, and cardboard up to 1/4-inch thick.

Simply line up your material, slip the guide bar underneath, pull the trigger, and push forward. It’s that easy. Since the cutting wheel takes care of slicing through your material, all you have to do is guide the tool forward.

The trigger has a two-stage design to add some safety. You need to push the blue safety forward and then press the paddle trigger. You can fit three to four fingers across the trigger depending on your hand size, and that helps to reduce the amount of fatigue your hands experience if you’re doing a lot of cutting.

There’s also a guard underneath the trigger on the HART 4V Power Cutter. This is helpful when you’re cutting that [insert insulting adjective here] clamshell packaging, cardboard, or other material that might cut your fingers if you run them across it.

Power Source

An internal 4V battery powers the cutter and recharges with a USB-C cord. HART includes a cord in the package, but there’s a good chance you already have a couple in your home as well. There’s no brick in the package, so you’ll need to repurpose one you already have if you want to plug it directly into the wall. Otherwise, any USB-A outlet will do the trick.

There’s an LED indicator on the back of the tool to give you an idea of your charge status. When you press the trigger, it’s green then changes to red when your battery drops below 25%. When it’s below 5%, it blinks red three times. During charging, it blinks until it reaches a full charge and turns solid green.

HART 4V Power Cutter Price

This hand-saving cutting tool is available at Walmart online and in select stores for $49.88. HART backs it with a 2-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

If you have materials that are on the HART 4V Power Cutter’s menu (and who doesn’t in a 2-day delivery world?), give your hands a break and pick one up. Heck, pick up several and keep one in your home, office, and toolbox!

The post HART 4V Power Cutter Review: Cut Clamshell Packs and More! appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

The Hilti Nuron Cordless Impact Driver Packs A Serious Punch In A Compact Frame

The Hilti Nuron cordless impact driver is part of the latest generation of tools coming down the pipe from Hilti and it’s boasting eye-opening performance improvements. We’re putting it to the test and diving deeper to see how it compares to Hilti’s other cordless impact drivers.

Pros

• Strongest impact driver we’ve tested
• Significant improvement in performance compared to the SID 4-A22
• More compact than the previous model
• Excellent ergonomics
• LED light ring surrounding the collet
• Nuron technology

Cons

• Slower driving light and medium-size fasteners than some competitors
• On the heavy side when you’re not using the most compact battery

Hilti Nuron Cordless Impact Driver Performance

Diving into the details on this impact driver reveals some truly impressive specs. It’s Hilti’s most powerful 1/4-inch impact driver and the most powerful we’ve seen on paper. The brushless motor produces up to 2,655 in-lbs of torque. The previous leader was Flex at 2500 in-lbs.

For speed, it’s a bit slower than some of the top dogs, topping out at 3600 RPM. With some models hitting 4000 RPM or more in high speed, we expect this to run a little slower with light to medium-size fasteners.

That’s not an unusual move with impact tools, though. If you consider impact wrenches, as they grow in overall power from compact through mid-torque all the way to high-torque, the top speed tends to drop.

That’s what we saw in our 8-inch GRK rugged structural screws test. Driving into stacked OSB, Hilti’s Nuron impact driver averaged 10.4 seconds. That’s significantly slower than the 5.8 seconds of Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel which currently holds the record.

Before we close the door on this part of the conversation, there are a couple of important takeaways. First, it’s a big jump from the SID 4-A22 on Hilti’s previous line. That one had just 2700 RPM and a max torque of 1717 in-lbs.

The other side is the impressive torque level. Particularly in wood fastening when adapters and bits hold up better, you can drive lag screws and other large fasteners… all the way up to M16 bolts according to Hilti’s ratings.

Hilti Nuron Cordless Impact Driver Design Notes

Ergonomics

The textured and contoured grip is very comfortable and gives you a ton of control during long periods of use, or when working overhead. With the recommended B 22-85 battery in place, the SID 6-22 has a good balance and isn’t too top or bottom-heavy.

While it’s still a beefy tool (2.2 pounds bare, 3.9 pounds with a 4.0Ah battery), it’s more compact than the SID 4-A22. Measuring 5.4 inches from front to back, it’s about 1/2 an inch shorter.

LED Worklight

One thing we love about this impact driver is the LED light ring surrounding the collet. It helps to fully illuminate the work area and has a diffuser on it which softens the light and cuts glare on your material.

Additional Features

• Protective rubber bumpers
• One-handed bit insertion

Hilti Cordless Impact Driver Quick Comparison

Nuron Technology Benefits

With Nuron’s updated battery design, we expect longer runtime, especially when you need to keep the tool under a heavier load for longer periods of time. It’s a combination of cell selection, cooling technology, and lower resistance of the pack design that makes it happen. All of that works together to power this impact driver more efficiently than before.

On the inventory management side of things, the batteries’ ability to automatically store and transmit data about the tool and battery can be a big help. Even if You’re using multiple tools with one battery, it stores the data and transmits it via the charger when you put it on.

Hilti Nuron Cordless Impact Driver Price

This Hilti Nuron retails for $169 as a bare tool. From there, you can customize your kit with the exact batteries and chargers you want. Hilti backs the tool with its signature 20-year warranty, 2 years of free service, and 1-day turnaround on service.

If you’re looking to outfit an entire tool crib, be sure to check out Hilti’s fleet pricing program. It includes free service, maintenance, and loaner tools to help mitigate downtime. On this program, the price for the SID 6-22 comes to $5.50 per month.

Compatible Batteries

• 2.5Ah (B 22-55): $84 each (most compact option)
• 4.0 Ah (B 22-85): $114 each (best for balancing size and weight with performance and runtime)
• 8.0 Ah (B 22-170): $174 each (best for long runtime and extra performance but heavy)
• 12.0 Ah (B 22-255): $204 each (compatible but not recommended due to size and weight)

The Bottom Line

The Hilti SID 6-22 impact driver is another example of how Nuron technology is resulting in significantly higher performance. It leaves its predecessor in the dust with far greater speed and torque. While it still has some room to grow in speed, its impressive power makes it far more capable of driving large fasteners than its competition.

Hilti Nuron Cordless Impact Driver Specifications

• Model: Hilti SID 6-22
• Power Source: Hilti Nuron 22V battery
• Chuck Type: 1/4 in. hex collet
• Max Torque: 2655 in-lbs
• No-Load Speed: 1800/2700/3600 RPMs
• Impact Rate: 4250 IPM
• Weight: 2.2 lbs (bare), 3.9 lbs (with recommended B 22-85 battery)
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 5.4 x 2.7 x 8.1 in.
• Warranty: 20-year
• Price: $169 (bare tool), $5.50/mo. (fleet pricing)

The post Hilti Nuron Cordless Impact Driver Review SID 6-22 appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Ridgid Launches Long-Awaited 18V Cordless Rear-Handle Circular Saw

Ridgid has been on a run fulfilling the requests of its user base. First, it was outdoor power equipment. Today, we’re getting our hands on the Ridgid 18V cordless rear handle circular saw. Was it worth waiting for? Let’s find out!

Pros

• Excellent cutting speed and power
• Smooth guard action
• Incredibly lightweight for a rear-handle saw
• Excellent value
• High-contrast depth and bevel markings

Cons

• No significant drawbacks

Ridgid 18V Cordless Rear Handle Circular Saw Performance

Ridgid turns to a brushless motor to drive this saw’s blade speeds up to 5800 RPM. It’s one of the first products we’ve seen specifically designed around the 8.0Ah Max Output EXP battery with members of the OPE line also using it.

The big deal is that this battery provides not only higher capacity, but also even more power output than the original Max Output packs. Like all Ridgid 18V tools, this saw can use any Ridgid 18V battery. However, you’ll see better performance with a Max Output battery and the best performance with a Max Output EXP pack.

All of that translates into blade speed and torque that exceeds what 15-amp worm drive models can produce. The cutting is confident and we weren’t able to stall the blade, even when pushing it hard. Like most saws, you can stall it if you’re cutting without regard to cutting accuracy, but that’s not realistic on the job.

The cutting depth is right where we expect it to be: 2 1/2 inches at 90° and 1 7/8 inches at 45°. The saw also has the standard 53° maximum bevel.

As you would expect with an advanced circular saw, the Ridgid R8658 has an electric blade brake to stop the blade quickly.

Ridgid 18V Cordless Rear Handle Circular Saw Design Notes

Ergonomics

Aside from the performance, this saw’s weight is a really big deal. Thanks to an all-magnesium construction, the bare tool weighs just 9.5 pounds (10.1 pounds with blade and dust port).

With its 8.0Ah battery and blade, the Ridgid R8658 has a working weight of 12.4 pounds. That’s a hair under Makita’s XSR01 at 12.5 pounds with its 5.0Ah battery loadout which was the previous lightweight champ. However, it’s not as light as Metabo HPT’s 36V model which has a working weight of just 10.6 pounds.

Compare that to Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel rear handle saw that weighs 10.3 pounds before you add the hefty 12.0Ah battery that comes with it and 13.7 pounds fully loaded.

Adjustments

Blade depth and bevel adjustments are standard with an all-metal clamp lock taking care of security. Both have high-contrast white markings against black that make the measurements very easy to see.

The bevel range has built-in detents to hit the 15°, 22.5°, 30°, and 45° marks you commonly need.

Blade Changes

There aren’t any surprises when you need to change the blade. Just be aware that you do need to remove the diamond knockout on new blades and that the blade-left orientation means you’re using a reverse-thread arbor bolt to secure it.

Additional Highlights

• Removable dust port accepts 1 1/4 or 1 7/8-inch hoses without an adapter
• Integrated rafter hook

Ridgid 18V Cordless Rear Handle Circular Saw Price

You can get your hands on this saw at your local Home Depot or homedepot.com for $239.00 as a bare tool. There’s also a kit that comes with an 8.0Ah Max Output EXP battery and charger for $349.00.

As usual, Ridgid offers a Lifetime Service Agreement on your purchase if you register within 90 days.

The Bottom Line

Ridgid did it right with the design of its cordless rear-handle circular saw. It’s lightweight and ergonomically sound with excellent cutting speed and power. While there are a couple of minor feature trade-offs compared to other options, the R8658 has the performance Pros need with the value you’re used to getting from Ridgid.

Specifications

• Model: Ridgid R8658
• Power Source: Ridgid 18V battery
• Blade Size: 7 1/4-inch
• No-Load Speed: 5800 RPM
• Max Cutting Depth: 2 1/2 inches (1 7/8 in @ 45°)
• Max Bevel: 53°
• Bare Weight: 9.5 lbs
• Working Weight: 12.5 pounds

The post Ridgid 18V Cordless Rear Handle Circular Saw Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Boy, did we open a can of worms when we started searching and testing to determine the best battery-powered chainsaw models. Not that long ago, there weren’t that many cordless chainsaws, and even fewer had high enough performance to warrant replacing gas saws.

Fast forward to today and cordless chainsaws meet and even exceed gas performance all the way up to 20-inch models. The big change this year is we have battery options to replace farm and ranch chainsaws!

Best Battery-Powered Chainsaw for Pros

Sithl 20-Inch Battery-Powered Chainsaw MSA 300 C-O

Pros have more options than ever before and as of Spring 2022, that includes 20-inch cordless chainsaws. Of the three available, Sithl earns our pick as the best battery-powered chainsaw for professionals in a tight battle (DeWalt and Greenworks Commercial also have 20-inch models this year).

Stihl is introducing the AP 500 S battery along with the saw, giving the MSA 300 C-O an advanced power source to pull high performance from. Where it pulls away from the pack is intelligence. The saw has 3 performance settings so you have options when you want to prioritize runtime over power. It also has an LED screen that displays power status, mode, chain brake position, and has a low oil alert. For those of you managing inventory, it’s also Smart Connector A 2 compatible.

Price: TBA

Best Cordless Chainsaw for Home Use

EGO 56V 18-inch Cordless Chainsaw CS1800

In choosing the best battery chainsaw for home use, we didn’t want to sacrifice the power we enjoy from our professional saws. While there are a lot of options available, we tend to get the best balance of performance and weight in the 60V class.

Moving to an 18-inch bar, we put the EGO CS1800 on the top of the charts. It has excellent power and there’s plenty of runtime with available batteries up to 10.0Ah (a 5.0Ah pack comes in the kit).

In addition to its performance, EGO’s auto-tensioning system makes it super-easy to adjust the chain tension and access the bar and chain without the use of additional tools. There’s even an LED to help with post-storm cleanup when the power’s out and you can’t wait for sunrise.

Price: $259 bare, $349 with 5.0Ah battery and charger

Most Powerful Cordless Chainsaw

Greenworks Commercial 82V 20-Inch Chainsaw

In late 2021 at GIE, DeWalt, Geenworks Commercial, and Stihl all announced new 20-inch battery-powered chainsaws with the power to take on the farm and ranch class. All three also claimed to have the most powerful and as the dust settled, Greenworks Commercial’s had the highest-rated power.

The caveat here is that we haven’t been able to fully test these saws yet. They’re too new. We got our hands on them at GIE, though, and no matter which one you choose, you’re in for a treat! Once we get a chance to use for a more thorough test, we’ll be sure to share our experience. Learn more at the links below.

• DeWalt 60V Max 20-Inch Chainsaw DCC677 (March 2022)
• Greenworks Commercial 20-Inch Chainsaw
• Stihl 20-Inch Chainsaw MSA 300 C-O (Summer 2022)

Best Battery Top Handle Chainsaw

Makita 18V X2 (36V) Top Handle Chainsaw XCU08

Top handle chainsaws are an arborist’s and lineman’s best friend. The differences in design give these saws a very different feel while you’re cutting and we generally only recommend them for experienced chainsaw users.

Our choice for the best battery top handle chainsaw is the Makita XCU08. It’s a legitimate gas replacement that has the muscle to hang with traditional names such as Stihl and Husqvarna. The best part is that it comes in with a lower price tag.

The saw comes stock with a 14-inch bar, but you can also order the XCU09 if you want the same saw with a 16-inch bar instead.

Price: $339 bare, $449 with two 5.0Ah batteries and charger

Best Battery Pole Saw

Makita 18V X2 LXT Telescoping Pole Saw XAU02

When it comes to the best battery pole saw, multi-head systems are an excellent platform. However, most professional crews prefer dedicated tools to attachment systems. If that sounds like you, check out Makita’s XAU02. It’s a 9- to 13-foot telescoping system that reaches significantly higher than most of its competition.

Its performance is impressive, using two 18V batteries with its 10-inch bar to cut at speeds up to 3940 fpm (20.0 meters per second). In terms of overall power, it’s the equivalent of a 30cc gas engine, and Makita’s internal testing shows it cutting faster than a 31.4cc gas competitor.

What helps set this model apart is a torque boost mode. You can do most of your cutting on a battery-saving standard setting and then kick it up to full power for thicker or harder braches.

Price: $499 bare

Best Small Battery-Powered Chainsaw

Choosing the best small cordless chainsaw isn’t just a matter of choosing something lightweight with a 10- or 12-inch bar anymore. The introduction of battery pruners with a 4- to 6- inch bar and chain ups the ante. So we picked one of each for you.

DeWalt 20V Max Compact Cordless Chainsaw DCCS620

DeWalt launched a line of light-duty OPE for its popular 20V Max platform as a way to give contractors the ability to clear jobsites using the batteries they already have. Those same OPE tools are great for homeowners that need occasional or limited use equipment.

The name says it all: DeWalt’s 20V Max compact cordless chainsaw features a highly-manageable 12-inch bar and chain that works with one of the deepest lines of cordless power tools available. For dedicated lawn care, you might look to the FlexVolt 60V Max line, but this saw is just right for limbing and light felling around your home.

Price: $179 bare, $249 kit with 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Battery Pruner

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Hatchet 6-inch Pruner 2527

As the only current member of Milwaukee’s OPE line to use the M12 battery platform, the M12 Fuel Hatchet does a couple of things better than its limited competition.

First of all, we like that it’s a 6-inch bar and chain rather than 4-inch. Even though it’s only 2 more inches, it gets you into cutting branches you might normally turn to a heavier standard-form chainsaw for.

We also like that this model has an auto-oiler, something that’s missing on Stihl’s model. Combined, this makes it the best cordless chainsaw for those looking for a truly compact pruning tool.

Price: $189 bare, $269 with 4.0Ah battery and charger

Best Value Cordless Chainsaw

Greenworks 60V Pro 16-Inch Battery-Powered Chainsaw C60L212

We were thrilled with the performance improvement in Greenworks’ 2nd-generation 60V Pro chainsaw. Capable of cutting faster than 42cc gas saws, it’s a fantastic all-around chainsaw for property maintenance and storm cleanup.

In addition to its higher performance, it has a more professional-grade feel with metal bucking spikes, dual captured bar nuts, and excellent balance. If your priorities include getting a lot of bang for your buck, this is the chainsaw for you!

Price: $229.99 bare, $299.99 with 2.5Ah battery and charger

Best Budget Battery-Powered Chainsaw

Skil PWRCore 40 14-Inch Cordless Chainsaw CS4555-10

Just because you’re on a sub-$200 budget doesn’t mean you can’t get a quality brushless chainsaw. Skil’s PWRCore 40 system includes a 14-inch brushless chainsaw that finds an excellent balance between performance, design, and price.

We tested this saw cutting oak and it did an excellent job of confidently melting through branches up to 12 inches thick. With auto-oiling and a tool-free chain adjustment system, it’s very easy to use as well. Best of all, the kit is just $199.99.

Price: $199.99 with 2.5Ah battery and charger

See Also: Can battery power cut it? Read our article: Why use a battery-powered chainsaw

More Recommendations from Brands We Trust

Best DeWalt Cordless Chainsaw

Without a doubt, DeWalt’s 60V Max 20-inch cordless chainsaw (DCCS677) is the best model in Yellow’s lineup. As one of three battery-powered 20-inch chainsaws announced launching in the spring of 2022, it’s in a very elite class.

In designing the saw, DeWalt’s development team used the largest brushless motor in any tool they have, period. Along with a list of features that verify its professional pedigree, it’s also the first DeWalt chainsaw to come with a case.

Price: $349 bare, $449 with 4.012.0Ah battery and charger, $499 with 5.0/15.0Ah battery and charger

Best Hart Battery-Powered Chainsaw

Hart makes a strong statement with its 16-inch brushless chainsaw (HLCS021). For starters, a 16-inch chainsaw is no joke—you need a stronger motor than most DIY saws use.

A 360° tour around this model reveals a big step forward for Hart. Dual bar nuts are a nod to Pro-style design while the scrench conveniently stores on the handle. There’s an automatic oiler and the saw comes with a hard plastic case for storage. Overall, this is a much more capable cordless chainsaw than we saw from Hart’s initial offerings.

Price: $274 with a 4.0Ah battery and fast charger

Best Echo Cordless Chainsaw

Echo is moving away from its original cordless line to a new 56V Force system (the two systems are not compatible). Along with the initial launch, there are two chainsaw offerings: a homeowner-grade 18-inch model and a Pro-focused 12-inch top handle.

The top handle is our choice as the best Echo battery-powered chainsaw. As part of the X-Series, the DCS-2500T oozes professional design. It starts with a muscular brushless motor and builds out the drop protection (including a quickdraw harness ring) you expect from a professional gas top handle saw. It’s definitely not your least expensive top handle option, but it is designed with the demands of professional tree care use in mind.

Price: $429.99 bare, $499.99 kit with 2.5Ah battery and charger

Best Husqvarna Cordless Chainsaw

In the end, Husqvarna’s 540i XP is one of the best cordless chainsaws for professionals. Though not as powerful as the Greenworks Commercial 82V, its balance of 40cc power and weight makes it an excellent all-rounder for cordless cutting.

We also like the option to use a standard battery pack or switch over to a battery backpack for extended cutting.

Price: $589 bare (14-inch bar), $599 bare (16-inch bar)

Best Greenworks Cordless Chainsaw

Take the Greenworks model we recommended as the best value cordless chainsaw earlier, flip out the 16-inch bar for an 18-inch, and you get our favorite Greenworks chainsaw for homeowners. With performance that rivals a 42cc gas engine, its 18-inch bar offers excellent capacity you’ll get plenty of runtime from the 4.0Ah battery that comes in the kit.

Price: $279.99 bare, $429.99 with 4.0Ah battery and charger

Best Makita Cordless Chainsaw

Makita’s cordless chainsaw didn’t take long to get dialed in really well and they make some of the best cordless chainsaws in the industry. The XCU08 top handle we recommended earlier is a sold choice for arborists.

For a rear handle design, go for the XCU04. It’s a 16-inch 36V (18V X2) model that’s reasonably lightweight at 11.1 pounds with batteries. Like Makita’s other cordless chainsaws, expect smooth cutting and exceptional balance. Its 32cc gas equivalence isn’t quite as strong as some of the competition, but its refined design makes up for it and then some.

Price: $299 bare, $329 with two 5.0Ah batteries and dual-port rapid charger

Best Milwaukee Cordless Chainsaw

Milwaukee had one of the first really great cordless chainsaws and the M18 Fuel 2727 is still an excellent choice. It sports a brushless motor that runs its 16-inch bar and chain to levels that exceed 40cc gas power. It has a quality build with metal bucking spikes and dual captured bar nuts.

Even though other brands have pushed the power boundary forward, we still highly recommend this saw. Now that Milwaukee has raised the bar with its self-propelled lawn mower, there are whispers beginning to ask if there’s a new high-performance chainsaw in the works for later this year.

Price: $329 bare, $499 with 12.0Ah battery and charger (also available with a 14-inch bar for $319)

Best Ryobi Cordless Chainsaw

Ryobi’s launch of HP Brushless tools has been impressive and it’s a game-changer for the 40V lawn care and landscaping line. The 40V HP Brushless 18-inch chainsaw is a fantastic example. With cutting performance far ahead of any other chainsaws we’ve tested from Ryobi, it earned our respect and recommendation.

While it’s not completely Pro-style with its plastic bucking spikes, property owners looking for a high-performance cordless option to replace gas can rely on Ryobi.

Price: $189 bare, $349 with 5.0Ah battery and charger

Best Battery Chainsaw Buying Guide | What We Look For

Performance is King

Thanks to advanced brushless motors, electronics, and batteries, voltage no longer tells the entire story. However, cutting speed with the torque to get through thick hardwood species is the number one priority for us.

Runtime is (Sort of) a Big Deal

Ideally, a battery-powered chainsaw balances cutting speed and power with runtime. Larger batteries are certainly helping. Advancements in battery technology are as well. Denser cells with more robust connections are able to more efficiently transfer energy from the battery to the chain, giving you higher performance without a drop in runtime that makes the saw irrelevant.

The other side of the conversation involves rapid chargers. Most brands offer them now and several include them as a standard part of the kit. With today’s cordless technology, two batteries and a rapid charger can be enough to keep you running continuously all day.

Triggered

Most chainsaws are similar in form and share all of the same basic operational features. Where the best cordless chainsaws differ in form is primarily in their switches and triggers.

All of the saws have a UL or similar test lab certification on them, but they’re not all the same. In use, some of the saws in our test have more defined two-step triggers while others can be easily activated with a single grasp around their lockout button and trigger. At the end of the day, we expect our chainsaws to have a trigger mechanism that will keep us from accidentally activating the motor, and all of our recommendations meet that requirement. From there, it’s just a matter of the feel or function you prefer.

The true two-step lockouts aren’t difficult to operate in normal conditions. In odd positions, such as reaching around a tree while limbing, sometimes the mechanical lockouts can be tricky to slide.

For select cordless chainsaws, the first of two (or sometimes three) stages of starting is an electronic power button.

Some electronic switch saws can be run with a single grab once powered on. You just have to be mindful of the auto timeout feature. It can be frustrating the pull the trigger to no effect when you thought the saw was ready.

Ease of Adjustment

Chainsaw bars need to be adjusted nearly every time you use the saw. A new chain stretches out pretty quickly. You need to snug it up at least a few times as it breaks in.

If your chain gets tight rather suddenly, it usually means the bar is not getting oil. Don’t loosen it until you make sure the saw is oiling properly.

Pro Tip: Get into the habit of loosening your chain at the end of the day. Cold weather can cause it to tighten as it cools and damage parts.

A saw’s bar will be designed for either tool-free adjustment or will require a screwdriver-wrench combination tool called—yep, you guessed it—a scrench. Tool-free adjustment is the quickest and easiest with plastic knobs and/or dials built into the saw. They loosen the bar, move the bar forward or back to properly tension the chain, and lock the bar down tight again.

Dual Studs vs Tool-free Adjusters

Saws with tool-free adjusters use a single stud to attach the bar to the saw, but manual adjusting models typically have two mounting studs. Some old-school users view dual studs as an indication that the saw is geared toward professionals, but we don’t think that’s a hard, fast rule. Not for modest-sized saws anyway. However, the biggest and strongest chainsaws made all have dual stud bar mounts.

Pro Tip: Be sure to snug the nuts evenly because torquing down on only one can loosen the other.

Aw, Nuts!

Lost bar nuts are a frequent occurrence during regular use in the field. To prevent this, some saws have the added feature of captive nuts that won’t come all the way off the cover no matter how much you spin them.

Pro Tip: Keep a spare nut on hand if the ones on your saw aren’t captuve—it’s not unusual to lose one in the field!

To keep your adjustment tool close at hand, look for models that have storage slots built into the saws.

Your preferences may vary, but I can appreciate both adjustment methods. We like the speed and convenience of tool-free adjustments for my small saws. For big saws, we feel more confident securing the business end of these powerful tools down with a wrench.

It’s not a deal-breaker either way for the saws in our test unless the mechanism itself is flawed. The best battery-powered chainsaw for you is the one that instills a sense of both confidence and convenience.

Bars and Chains

Most chainsaw brands don’t try to reinvent the wheel by making their own bars and chains. Instead, many use quality Oregon components, though Stihl makes their own bars and chains. Most cordless chainsaws use 3/8-in. pitch, 0.043-in. gauge chains while stronger models are moving up to 0.050-in. gauge.

Oiling Systems

Bar and chain oil is the lifeblood of a chainsaw as the saw cannot run without it for very long. Most saws oil readily, but we occasionally run across models that have issues after a while. If a saw oiled well out of the box, it usually just needs a good cleaning to unclog it.

Oil Visibility

Most battery-powered chainsaws have translucent windows that let you check if there’s oil in the tank, and most let you estimate the level pretty well. If yours has a small window or none at all, be sure to stop and check the oil level frequently. About every hour of working time or anytime you notice a change in performance is a good rule of thumb.

Oil Caps

The ease of filling the oil reservoir is a noteworthy convenience factor when considering the best battery-powered chainsaw. We don’t like having oily fingers, so being able to fill the tank while leaving our work gloves on is our preference. Look for oil caps with lugs that are easy to turn with gloves on and/or flip-up tabs that provide an even better grip.

Spills & More Spills

Chainsaws often leak oil while sitting because daily heating and cooling shrinks and expands a plastic tank like a rudimentary pump. Some saws are messier than others.

Wherever you store your saw, put a piece of cardboard underneath it to collect any oil. You can switch it out as needed and whenever an Amazon order arrives.

Be careful when filling your chainsaw. Some have a large section of the cap that goes inside the tank and displaces a surprising amount of oil when you fill it anywhere close to the top. Wiping gooey oil off a chainsaw is an annoying waste of time.

Another cause of spills is an oil tank with a filler neck that is too narrow. Bar and chain oil is thick and tacky. It can pour like molasses in the cold, so it easily “piles up” and overflows in a narrow neck.

Pro Tip: Only poke a small hole in the foil of your oil container or use a (clean) syrup bottle to dispense oil into your chainsaw’s reservoir.

Providing another challenge, plastic filters at the inlet of its tank can constrict the diameter.

Caps that cross-thread easily can also make the oil-fill process more of a chore.

Environmental Sidetrack: Try Biodegradable Bar and Chain Oil

The other part of this cleaner, greener, lithium-ion-powered story is you can pair your battery chainsaw with a biodegradable bar and chain oil made of vegetable-based ingredients, such as Stihl Bio Plus. Those barrels of useful wood waste also contain a few gallons of oil from the saws.

Aside from having to landfill all of your petroleum-preserved sawdust, it’s just good practice to minimize your exposure to petroleum oil on your skin, clothing, and the atomized portion that you breathe in.

Naked? Don’t Use a Cordless Chainsaw Like This Guy!

Back on Track… Bucking Spikes

For pushing a saw through wood more efficiently, chainsaws come fitted with bucking spikes (a.k.a. bumper spikes, felling spikes, or dogs). These spikes sit against the body of the saw alongside the bar and anchor the saw in place while the bar pivots through the cut.

The spikes allow you to apply a lifting motion of the rear hand instead of pushing downward. Holding the saw tight to the wood, the motor can exert its maximum pulling power. This saves you from some of the cutting vibrations and especially the jerking common to holding a saw away from your work.

Our battery-powered saws all have some semblance of spikes. Most aren’t as long or as sharp as those on large gas saws, but actual steel spikes are becoming more common. We prefer those to the simple plastic ridges on other models.

Pro Tip: Applying leverage with spikes adds control, but go easy and listen to the pitch of the motor. You can overload battery chainsaws with too much pressure, and the weaker models stall easily.

Balance

While it’s true that the comfort and feel of a tool are largely subjective, it’s also true that some designs work better than others. Most Pros and experienced homeowners can immediately tell.

For the best battery-powered chainsaw, a balanced feel in your hands and the ability to cut straight without introducing a twisting motion to overcome are both important ergonomic factors.

Holding a saw with your left hand on the front handle in front of you should have the saw balancing fairly flat. Being a bit front-heavy is okay, but a rear-heavy saw lifts the cutting end of the saw up towards you and requires more effort and vigilance to use and carry safely.

Cutting Sideways

Determining a good feel for felling cuts while holding the chainsaw sideways is more about the comfort of applying force to the front and rear handles as you grasp it from the side, and also the ease of operating the trigger while sideways.

Handles

In general, chainsaws with thicker handles are more comfortable to grasp in use because have more surface contact and soften that contact with your hand. Of course, rubber handle surfaces help too, not only for padding but also for the increased grip they provide.

Trigger Comfort

Most cordless chainsaw triggers are large enough for two fingers to fit on them. Some have an extra-long trigger with more room to vary your grip stance for comfort. The best feeling triggers retract flush with the handle instead of leaving a raised bump your fingers have to push against.

Weight

The dry weight of the best battery chainsaws can swell to well over 15 pounds. Experience shows that a saw’s weight is less important than proper balance overall as you only feel the full weight when you’re NOT cutting.

But carrying around and positioning a heavy saw can certainly be more taxing over a long workday. The catch with these saws is that the batteries are a major part of the weight. So the stronger, longer-lasting saws with high-capacity battery packs and longer bars that we prefer end up being the heaviest.

Battery Selection

While we do the majority of our testing with the kitted batteries, it’s worth looking at the full range a manufacturer has available for your cordless chainsaw. If you end up investing in the entire lineup, you’ll likely want to consider the biggest batteries you can buy for it to get all of your lawn chores done efficiently.

You might also want a lower-capacity battery to shave some weight when you don’t have a lot of work to complete.

“Current” State of Affairs

Voltage

Higher voltage means more power, right? There’s certainly an argument for that, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Power is measured in watts and that comes from multiplying the voltage times the current. You can make a 36V chainsaw with the same power as a 56V model. The lower voltage simply has to produce more amps (current) to get there.

That’s why you see chainsaws with 40cc gas performance at 18V, 36V, and 60V. It’s all about the combination of volts and amps.

Watt-Hours

Another thing that is interesting to note is the discrepancy between the amp-hour and watt-hour ratings on some of the batteries in our tests for their given voltage. We’ve covered the subject of battery voltage, storage capacity, and current output many times. To review simply:

Volts x Amp Hours = Watt Hours

It’s the same basic equation we use for power, just applied to energy storage instead of output. It’s an easy way to compare the available energy of one battery to another when they have different voltages.

We’re increasingly finding that manufacturers—perhaps to simplify things for consumers—are rounding amp-hours. Some calculate their watt-hours with maximum voltage while most use nominal. Unfortunately, this makes some comparisons more challenging and adds to potential confusion.

“Nominal” Differences

When you charge a lithium-ion battery, it will reach its maximum voltage. Shortly after putting it to use, it settles into a slightly lower voltage—its nominal voltage. The nominal voltage is where the battery spends most of its working life and is roughly 90% of the maximum voltage.

Brands have to choose which one to display. When you see numbers such as 60V Max, that’s a battery that settles into a 54V nominal voltage. When you don’t see “Max” on the battery and packaging, you’re usually looking at a battery that is displaying its nominal volts.

We say “usually” for a reason. Some brands market their maximum voltage but don’t make it clear.

Some European countries regulate stated voltages more stringently, and it seems that it could only serve to help if the simple math all added up.

Buy Into a System

One other consideration for these saws is the system of battery-powered OPE to which they belong. Like other cordless tools, you can purchase some of our best battery-powered chainsaws as bare tools at significant savings over the kit. If you’re already invested in one of these systems, the overall winner may not interest you as much as seeing which model from your brand is the best in the lineup. Though not the best overall, it might be the best balance of performance and value for you.

Look at the Entire Model Lineup

If you haven’t bought into a system yet and may pick up more outdoor power tools in the future, check out the entire lineup from a brand. Make sure they can fulfill your wish list before going after just the chainsaw. For many users, the saw functions as a secondary tool when compared to the hours you spend with a string trimmer or mower.

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested the tools or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers?

That’s not us. We only recommend what we’d actually use, even if we don’t earn a commission from it. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction, automotive, and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 250 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

We consult with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites and consult with us on testing methods, categories, and weighting.

We’ll provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers—including objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

The post Best Battery Chainsaw Reviews 2022 | Best Cordless Chainsaws appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

EGO Snow Shovel Attachment Makes Light Clearing More Convenient

If you are like many others and use a bristle brush or rubber broom attachment to clear snow from patios, decks, and walkways, then EGO has the attachment for you! I had the opportunity to get an early look at the EGO Multi-Head snow shovel attachment in time for this year’s snow-clearing season.

Why Consider the EGO Multi-Head Snow Shovel Attachment?

Powered snow shovels fill a need that is in between the big jobs and the small ones. You probably wouldn’t use one on a small set of stairs with a light dusting, or a long driveway with heavy snow. But there is a sweet spot where this type of tool really shines, and that’s on patios, decks, walkways, and driveways with light to moderate snow. That’s also how EGO is marketing it.

With a small profile of 14 inches of total width and 12 inches of clearing swath, this snow shovel can fit on single-tile walkways around the house. If you have the larger single-stage or two-stage snowblower, by the time you lugged it out of the shed, you could have the job done with this in your hands.

EGO Multi-Head Snow Shovel Attachment Performance

The EGO 56V system is known for its high quality and handy features when compared to competitor models, and my experience with the snow shovel is no exception.

The powerful brushless motor translates to throwing pillowy plumes of snow 25 feet if you are hitting several inches of powdery snow. There’s an anti-stall system to keep you throwing snow. Instead of hitting a chunk and coming to a jarring halt, the motor slows down, grinds through it, and then revs back up. Only by moving fast through thick layers of icy snow did we actually get it to stall and stop entirely. If that happens, you need to release the trigger and pull it again to spin it back up.

On that note, knowing what to expect out of this powered snow shovel will make or break the experience. Clearing 2-3 inches of dry, powdery snow from the driveway and deck was a breeze, put a smile on my face, and got the chores done in record time!

However, clearing the 5-6 inches of heavy packed snow and ice from the driveway is doable with the SSA1200, but it’s more difficult than using a larger single-stage or two-stage snowblower.

The power isn’t necessarily the problem when compared to something like the Snow Joe iON 40V single-stage paddle blower, since I had them both chewing on and bogging down the same snow. But the form of the single-stage model supports the weight of the unit rather than the person holding it (AKA, me). It’s a considerable difference in terms of the physical energy you use (and subsequent back soreness the next day). Of course, that’s something you’re going to experience with any attachment system snow shovel.

Pro Tip: For clearing heavy snow, the snow shovel is easier to push when bracing the battery against your body and pushing forward with your legs rather than relying on your arms and back to do the work.

Runtime

The convenience of this highly portable snow-clearing power usually comes with a price, which is how much area you can clear on a charge. EGO claims that the SSA1200 will clear 4 inches of snow from a 4-car driveway using a 4.0Ah battery.

Lucky for us, we received 5 inches of snow with ice layers along with it, so it was a good test of battery endurance. After clearing our entire 4-car driveway, I still had 1 bar of a 4.0Ah battery left and no distinct loss of power.

I was also able to clear my sidewalks, patio, and deck before I needed to put the battery back on the charger. My entire snow-clearing needs were met on just one charge, which is a win in my book. My lower back felt it the next day, but we will discuss that later.

EGO Multi-Head Snow Shovel Attachment Design Notes

Changing Directions

You can change the direction of the throw 45° right or left by using the knob on the top of the unit, which rotates the guide fins in front of the auger.

The knob only has locking detents in the full left or right position, with several smaller detents in between. So there is flexibility with throw direction, and it will stay put until some harsh transitions work it one way or the other, but this was never an issue since I only threw snow full left, right, or straight.

The adjustment of the throw is a notable feature over some of the other brands with no guiding fins, such as the Ryobi 40V and the Hart 40V Powered Snow Shovels. The EGO SSA1200 boasts a farther throw than the Hart 40V and Brushed Ryobi 40V, but has the same throw specs as the Brushless Ryobi 40V Powered Snow Shovel.

Weight

The hard plastic auger, brushless motor, and guiding fins are all great features, but there is a cost that comes with it, which is weight. The entire system with a 4.0Ah battery, Powerhead, and the SSA1200 shovel attachment came in at 22.8 pounds on my scale. For comparison, the Ryobi 40V and the Hart 40V Powered Snow Shovel entire systems came in at 17 pounds and 18.4 pounds, respectively. That may not seem like much in terms of barbells, but most of that weight is from the snow shovel itself, which is 12.8 pounds for EGO.

The weight on the snow shovel is actually good for keeping the auger into the snow and getting down to the pavement. But since there are no wheels on this unit, anything the auger doesn’t eat up will cause an abrupt stop, such as sidewalk transitions or cement breaks. Picking up the unit every so often gave me a decent amount of lower back strain, and was quite a workout by the end of the job. You can mitigate some of this by adding EGO’s shoulder strap. If you’re planning on using the SSA1200 as your primary snow-throwing tool, then I’d highly recommend it.

EGO Multi-Head Snow Shovel Attachment Price

If you already have EGO’s Multi-Head system, you can add the snow shovel attachment for $189.00. If you don’t, you can get it as a kit with the powerhead, a 4.0Ah battery, and a charger for $399.00. Both the powerhead and attachment carry a 5-year warranty.

Note: EGO attachments are not compatible with other attachment systems.

The Bottom Line

Based on our tests, the EGO Multi-Head snow shovel attachment did great at knocking out several chores, like cleaning off sidewalks, decks, and patios with ease.

With the power, quality, and features that we come to expect from EGO, the SSA1200 has a sweet spot of utility that fits a need where your broom or blower isn’t enough and a full-size snow blower is overkill. It outperforms its competition, though that performance comes at the cost of additional weight.

If those first snowfalls of the season or a false spring cover your outdoor spaces with a white blanket, you can recover them easily with this attachment.

Specifications

• Platform: EGO POWER+ Multi-head system
• Battery: EGO 56V
• Motor: Brushless
• Clearing Width: 12 in.
• Max Throw: 25 ft.
• Clearing Depth (Auger size): 6 in.
• Weight: 12.8 lbs.
• Rotation Speed: 2000 High/1650 Low RPM

The post EGO Multi-Head Snow Shovel Attachment Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

How in the world do you recommend the best work boots for men and women in the trades? Every trade has different features and priorities and everyone’s foot is different. Add in literally thousands of choices from plenty of quality brands with different designs and styles, and it’s overwhelming.

Seriously, we’ve been trying to narrow the list down for weeks now and we’re leaving out so many great boots to keep this from turning into an encyclopedia-length review. While these are our top choices for the best work boots in each category, we had to leave out some of our favorites.

So help us and your fellow readers out! If you see a brand, collection, or model you love that didn’t make our list, tell us about it in the comments below!

Best Work Boots for Men/Best Work Boots for Women

Keen Utility Cincinnati

As we said, it’s impossible to tell you there’s one best work boot for everyone. It doesn’t exist. So we have to give you the best work boot for the way we work. That means covering everything from concrete floors at trade shows to outdoor power equipment reviews and standard jobsites. In other words, we need a great all-around boot and the Keen Utility Cincinnati is the one we keep coming back to over and over again.

Its combination of comfort, soft or carbon fiber safety toe options, solid construction, wedge design with aggressive tread, and even the look make it our top choice as the best work boot for men. Thanks to women’s-specific models, it’s also our choice as the best work boot for women.

Price: $190 – $225

Best Waterproof Work Boots

Wolverine I-90 DuraShocks Moc Toe Wedge

Obviously, the best waterproof boot has to be waterproofed and Wolverine’s I-90 DuraShocks Moc Toe Wedge does it in style with their premium waterproof full-grain leather and waterproof membrane with a moisture-wicking liner. From there, the I-90 gets even better with a DuraShocks insole and wedge outsole to improve comfort.

This model features a more dense midsole than some of our other selections. While it’s not as cushy because of that, it does offer more stout protection and is able to resist oil, chemicals, and heat better.

• Wedge design
• Moc toe style
• 6-inch height
• Full-grain leather upper
• Removable Durashocks dual-density footbed
• Goodyear welt construction
• Waterproof
• Soft or CarbonMax safety toe
• Men style only (I-90 EPX CarbonMax has a women’s option)
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated

Check out the I-90 line here.

Price: $160 – $170

Why Do Your Feet Get Wet in Waterproof Boots?

Waterproof boots are great, but they have limits. Waterproof linings, sealed stitching, and other techniques can prevent water from penetrating the material. However, the tongue area on a traditional boot is one likely area where water can find its way in if you’re standing in water.

If you’re looking for the best way to keep water out of your work boots, consider a Wellington slip-on style to avoid a tongue. If you need the ultimate protection against water, go with a dedicated water boot, such as the Grundens’ Deck Boss.

Best Steel Toe Work Boots (Safety Toe)

Thorogood 1957 Series Safety Toe

We love the look of classic boots and Thorogood’s 1957 Series and their safety toe models make the cut as our best steel toe work boots. A wedge sole storm welted to the upper and moc toe design set the stage for this one. It’s a comfortable and durable waterproof steel toe boot with a great style to match. Plus, it’s made in the USA using global materials.

• Heeled or wedge design
• Moc toe style
• 6-inch or 8-inch heights
• Full-grain leather upper
• Removable Ultimate Shock Absorption memory foam footbed
• Goodyear storm welt construction
• X-Stream Waterproof
• Steel toe (soft toe also available)
• Men’s style only
• Slip resistant
• EH-rated (heeled style only)

Other options are available in the series. You can select 6-inch or 8-inch heights and there are also heeled options. If you don’t need a safety toe, you can get them in a soft toe.

Price: $249.99

Best Non-Metallic Safety Toe Work Boots

Red Wing King Toe 8-Inch Waterproof CSA Safety Toe (Style 3512)

The King Toe collection is all about giving those toes of yours some extra wiggle room—44% more than Red Wing’s standard boots. Red Wing’s King Toe 3512 has it all: it’s EH-rated, puncture-resistant, has a non-metallic safety toe, and features a waterproof design. If you happen to be north of the border, it’s also CSA-approved. It can handle the heat, too, with an HRO sole that’s rated to 475°.

• Heeled design
• Traditional style
• 8-inch height
• Full grain leather upper
• Swen-Flex puncture-resistant footbed
• Direct attach construction
• Waterproof
• Non-metallic safety toe
• Men’s style only (check out the King Toe 2340 for a women’s option)
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated
• CSA-approved

Price: $269.99

Best Pull-On Work Boots (Slip-On/Wellington)

Ariat WorkHog XT Tumbleweed

We love the convenience of Wellington boots and if you’re looking for the best pull-on work boots, take a turn to the West and check out Ariat’s WorkHog XT Tumbleweed. They have the western look and quality of Ariat’s cowboy boots with a distinct jobsite focus with a waterproof design and aggressive tread to go with a carbon safety toe.

Ariat goes with a dual-density midsole and Energy Max insole to keep the comfort level high and the entry is designed to be friendly if you have high arches.

• Heeled design
• Western Wellington style
• Mid-calf height
• Full grain leather upper
• Energy Max anti-fatigue footbed
• Goodyear welt construction
• Carbon safety toe
• Men’s style only (check out the Krista for a women’s option)
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated

Price: $224.95

Best Lightweight Work Boots

Keen Utility Roswell

Getting lighter boots often means sacrificing quality and/or stability and that’s simply not a trade we’re willing to make. That’s why we selected Keen Utility’s Roswell as the best lightweight boot. The average carbon fiber safety toe version weighs 22.6 ounces and the soft toe checks in under 20 (19.3 ounces).

It’s also a very unique boot. The canvas upper helps reduce the weight and adds breathability. Most unusually, it has a fold-down design that lets you go wear it up or down based on the conditions you’re dealing with or the look you’re going for.

• Heeled design
• Canvas style
• Mid and tall heights in one boot
• Canvas upper
• Keen ReGen midsole
• Polyurethane footbed
• Cement construction
• Soft or carbon fiber safety toe options
• Men’s only
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated

Price: $150 – $155

Most Comfortable Work Boots

Keen Utility Cincinnati

Finding the most comfortable work boots starts with the correct fit. It has to fit right or the other comfort features and design functions go out the window.

The most comfortable works boots we’ve put on our feet are the Keen Utility Cincinnati. Its combination of a wedge sole and air-infused polyurethane (KEEN Luftcell) midsole makes it incredibly comfortable over long days, even if you’re a big guy. I’m 200+ and this is my go-to boot for shows such as World of Concrete where we’re on asphalt and concrete for even longer days than normal.

New starting in 2022, men now have a wellington option.

• Wedge design with aggressive tread for hard surfaces or bare ground
• Moc toe and wellington styles
• 6-inch, 8-inch height, or mid-calf height
• Full-grain leather upper
• Keen Luftcell air-infused PU midsole
• Removable PolyAer dual-density footbed
• Goodyear welt construction
• Waterproof options
• Soft or left/right-specific carbon fiber safety toe
• Men and women’s styles
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated
• Barnyard chemical resistant

Price: $190 – $225

Best Insoles for Work Boots

Dr. Scholl’s

Sometimes the insoles that come in our boots just don’t cut it for one reason or another. Often, it’s a preference, but your foot shape, arch, or other characteristics can create more painful chronic issues. If that’s what you struggle with, your best insole for work boots is going to be an orthotic from a podiatrist that works closely with you.

If it’s more of a preference thing, we recommend starting with Dr. Scholl’s as the best insoles for work boots. They’re readily available over the counter at a ton of retailers and they carry everything from extra support and odor-fighting to heel pain and plantar fasciitis insoles. They’re also not crazy expensive, so you can afford to try them out and see if they work for you before trying more expensive brands.

Price: $4.99 – $44.99 (most are less than $15)

Best Work Boots From Brands We Trust

Best Caterpillar Work Boots: Caterpillar Fairbanks

Cat’s Fairbanks line includes mid and high models with a couple of Chelsea options and either soft or steel toe. Our favorite in the line is the standard Fairbanks soft toe. It has a classic light brown/tan look and puts its focus on comfort with an EVA/memory foam footbed, microfiber footbed liner, and DuoFuse midsole that blends rubber and foam. Adding to the comfort of everyone around when your boots come off, the footbed liner has a CleanSport NXT layer that actively fights odor.

• Heeled design
• Traditional or Chelsea style
• 6-inch and 8-inch heights
• Leather upper
• DuoFuse rubber/foam midsole
• EVA/memory foam footbed
• Strobel construction (cement construction on Chelsea models)
• Waterproof options
• Soft, or steel safety toe options
• Men’s style only (check out the Paisley line for a solid women’s option)
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated

Price: $135 – $170

Best Danner Work Boots: Danner Caliper

Danner focuses on all-day comfort with their Caliper line of work boots. Working from your foot down, the insole is Danner’s Dual Layer Comfort design featuring memory foam and polyurethane. That sits on top of the Strobel sock base that uses memory foam instead of a basic fabric to complete it. The midsole uses polyurethane to wrap it all up on top of Danner’s Caliper oil and slip-resistant outsole.

• Heeled design
• Traditional style
• 6-inch height
• Full grain leather upper
• Polyurethane midsole
• Dual layer comfort footbed
• Strobel construction
• Waterproof
• Soft or aluminum safety toe options
• Men’s and women’s options
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated

Price: $130 – $150

Best Georgia Work Boots: Georgia Amp LT Edge

Georgia Boot’s AMP LT Edge series has three basic styles to choose from: standard, moc toe, and Wellington. The standard style is available with either a soft or aluminum safety toe. Across the board, these are some of the more attractively styled boots we’ve seen even though they only come in one color (medium brown).

The entire line is EH-rated and waterproof with an EVA midsole and AMP LT insole promoting comfort. A fiberglass shank and heel lock help keep your feet stable on nearly any jobsite surface.

If you like the AMP LT Edge idea, but prefer a wedge, Georgia Boot has AMP LT models with that outsole and includes a couple of women’s styles with it. AMP LT Edge boots are only available in men’s styles currently.

• Heeled design
• Traditional, moc toe, or Wellington style
• 6-inch of mid-calf height
• Full grain leather upper
• EVA midsole
• AMP LT footbed with memory foam
• Goodyear welt construction
• Waterproof
• Soft or alloy safety toe options
• Men’s style only (check out Georgia’s AMP LT Wedge for a women’s style)
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated

Price: $190 – $201

Best Irish Setter Work Boots: Irish Setter Nisswa

If you’re looking for something more athletic in style with a lot more breathability and lighter weight, check out Irish Setter’s Nisswa line. These safety toe work boots (more work shoes, really) feature an oxford style on top of a wedge sole and makes for a great warehouse or delivery shoe.

• Wedge design
• Athletic style
• Low height
• TPU-infused nylon mesh upper
• EnerG EVA midsole
• Memory foam/EVA footbed
• Cement construction
• Aluminum safety toe
• Men’s and women’s options
• Oil resistant
• EH-rated

Price: $149.99

Best Kodiak Work Boots: Kodiak Quest Bound

Outstanding comfort and a perfect fit are the two things Clint DeBoer mentioned the first time he put Kodiak’s Quest Bound Mid work boots on. Available in low or mid heights, these composite toe hiker-style boots offer reasonably lightweight protection as an excellent all-around work boot.

• Heeled design
• Hiker style
• Low or mid height
• Full grain leather upper with TPU guards
• EVA midsole
• Comfortzone footbed with Ortholite comfort foam
• Direct attach construction
• Waterproof
• Composite safety toe options
• Men’s style only (check out Kodiak’s Bralorne for an excellent women’s option)
• Oil and slip resistant
• ESR-rated
• CSA-approved

Price: $155 – $165

Another Great Wolverine Work Boot: Wolverine Raider Durashocks

We just couldn’t leave out Wolverine’s Raider Durashocks. The Raider design has been around for more than 10 years but the Durashocks combination is fairly new. It’s a more flexible, comfortable ride and keeps the classic Raider style with soft or Carbonmax toe options.

• Heeled design
• Traditional, Wellington, Romeo, or low work shoe styles
• Low, 6-inch, 8-inch, or mid-calf heights
• Full grain leather upper
• Polyurethane midsole
• Full cushion footbed
• Wolverine CountourWelt construction
• Soft or Carbonmax safety toe
• Men’s style only
• EH-rated

Price: $115 – $200

Bonus Brand to Keep Your Eyes On: Brunt Workwear

Brunt work boots are relatively new to the scene, entering the market in 2020 with a direct-to-customer business model. Despite the circumstances, they gained a lot of momentum and are seeing great success. If you’re the type of person that likes to support smaller brands, give them a shot. The lineup is more limited than bigger names, but we like the quality we’ve experienced so far.

Check out our review of the Brunt Marin wedge or take a closer look at the Ryng for a more traditional style. It’s a lightweight design with a composite toe and flexible cement construction that’s more affordable than similar boots from other brands. As long as your checking out the boots, consider the Coady sweatshirt while you’re there—it’s not as bulky as most sweatshirts and moves really easily.

• Heeled design
• Traditional style
• Low or 6-inch heights
• Tech mesh upper
• Rubber/foam midsole
• Triple layer comfort footbed with memory foam
• Cement construction
• Waterproof
• Composite safety toe options
• Men’s style only
• Oil and slip resistant
• EH-rated

Price: $105 – $135

Work Boots Buying Guide | What We Look For

Fit

Never, ever buy a work boot that doesn’t have the proper fit. It’s a recipe for a lot of discomfort for your feet. When you put your foot in, make sure your heel is as far back in the shoe as it can go. Once there, find a size that gives you a little extra room—about the width of your thumb. If you do that, you’ll have room for the foot swelling that everyone experiences over the course of a day. The amount of room can be tough to check on steel toe boots, so try a soft toe for sizing if you’re buying in the store.

Then there’s the width. Good-fitting boots should snug up against the sides of your feet, but they shouldn’t squeeze them. You’re looking for stability, not discomfort. The opposite is also true—you don’t want too much width. Too much room can let your feet slide side-to-side and leave you with unstable footing.

The other big piece of the fit puzzle is the heel. When you’re trying on boots, check to make sure your heel is locked in and stable. You don’t want it sliding around.

Comfort

What makes a boot comfortable changes with your foot shape. In general, your foot should feel secure without putting any undue pressure on parts of your feet. You can always loosen the laces over the course of the day (which is why we LOVE BOA systems), but you can’t do anything about the rest of the boot.

The midsole does a lot for the overall comfort of a boot. One of the reasons you see some contractors wear sneakers on jobsites is that the EVA foam in them is so cushiony that it’s much more comfortable than boots. At least until recently.

New midsoles are air-infused and less dense, giving them more cushion than most. Like sneakers, the midsole breaks down faster than more dense designs, but we’ve found we’re replacing most of our boots for other reasons before the midsole is shot.

The last major discussion point is the insole. Most brands put some type of polyurethane insole in their boots to help with cushioning. Keep in mind that they’re replaceable. If you want more cushioning, arch support, or just a different feel, you can always pick up another insole and swap them out.

Sole

Boots usually come in one of two sole styles: heeled or wedge.

Heeled boots are the most traditional style and there are more of these available from virtually every brand. They tend to have an aggressive tread that offers fantastic traction on bare ground. They’re appropriate for just about every jobsite but typically aren’t as comfortable as wedges on hard surfaces.

Wedges tend to be more comfortable because they spread your weight out over a larger surface, reducing fatigue in your feet and legs. The trade-off is that they typically have very shallow tread that isn’t as appropriate for work on bare ground jobsites. They do their best work on asphalt, concrete, steel, and other hard surfaces.

Recently, we’ve started seeing hybrid boots that combine a wedge design with a medium-aggressive tread that fits the best of both worlds. As a big guy, it’s the style I prefer for all-around work.

Construction

Materials are important but it’s how they’re put together that tells you a lot about how long the boot will last. There are three main types of construction with a fourth we see from time to time.

Cement construction is when the upper, midsole, and outsole are glued together. It’s the weakest connection type but tends to be lighter and more flexible with a lower price tag than other construction types.

Strobel construction pops up occasionally and is more common with athletic shoes. With this form, the upper is sewn to fabric to create a sock-like look. From there, the midsole and outsole are glued on.

Direct injection is a process of injecting molten material (often polyurethane work boots) for the sole and then immediately pressing the upper onto it so they bond. This keeps the boot lightweight, flexible, and is generally stronger than cement without driving the cost as high as welting.

Goodyear welting has been around for a looooooong time and is still considered the strongest possible way to put a shoe together, the upper, midsole, and outsole are sewn together using thick, strong thread. These boots tend to be heavier and take longer to break in, but are much more durable.

Features and Certifications to Consider

• Pull-on, laces, or BOA system
• Low, mid, or high lengths
• Waterproof or non-waterproof
• Steel, aluminum, non-metallic (carbon) safety toe
• EH: Electrical Hazard rating
• CSA: Canadian Safety Authority approval
• Oil and slip resistance
• Heat resistance
• Puncture resistance
• Chemical/barnyard chemical resistance
• Anti-bactieral/anti-odor treatment

Why You Can Trust Pro Tool Reviews

Ever check out a “review” site and you can’t tell if they actually tested anything or if they’re just “recommending” the Amazon top sellers? That’s not us. We won’t recommend anything unless we’d actually use it ourselves, and we don’t really care who the primary retailer is. It’s all about giving you a legitimate recommendation and our honest opinion of each product.

We’ve been in business since 2008 covering tools, writing reviews, and reporting on industry news in the construction and lawn care industries. Our Pro reviewers work in the trades and have the skills and experience to know whether tools can perform well in the field.

Each year, we bring in and review more than 350 individual products. Our team will put our hands on hundreds of additional tools at media events and trade shows throughout the year.

Pro Tool Reviews consults with innovators in the technology and design of tools to gain a broader grasp of where these products fit and how they work.

We work with more than two dozen professional contractors around the United States who review products for us on real job sites. We consult with them extensively on testing methods, categories, and practical applications.

Our site will provide more than 500 pieces of new content this year absolutely free for our readers. That includes objective evaluations of individual tools and products.

The end result is information you can trust because of the editorial, scientific, and real-world professional experience we collectively utilize each and every time we pick up and test a tool.

The post Best Work Boots 2022 | Most Comfortable Boots for Men and Women appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader Drops Size and Weight for Smaller Pipes

Milwaukee’s original cordless threader is a really big deal in a couple of ways. Not only does it give tradesmen a cordless option for threading pipe, but it is also a hefty tool. While convenient, it can be a bit much if your needs are primarily on smaller-diameter pipes. If that sounds like you, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader is right up your alley.

Pros

• More compact
• Much lighter
• Excellent threading speed
• Kickback control
• Head extension (Side-Grip) eliminates contact with the dies during use
• One-Key onboard
• Easy die changes

Cons

• No significant drawbacks

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader Performance

The trade-off for going with a more compact threader is that you have a smaller capacity than the full-size version. The compact threader is compatible with 1/8-inch to 1 1/4-inch dies whereas the 2874 can thread up to 2 inches.

Speaking of dies, there’s news on that front, too. Milwaukee is launching a line of die heads that claim to be the industry’s lightest—50% lighter than the competition. These compact forged aluminum die heads are compatible with the new threader but not the larger model. If you have the 2-inch threader already, Milwaukee has dies for it, too.

Between the dies and the tool’s brushless motor, you can thread rigid conduit, stainless steel, and even black iron pipe at speeds up to 35 RPM. That’s slightly lower than the larger version’s 41 RPM top speed. The compact model also sports one speed compared to 2874’s two speeds.

The Milwaukee 2870 shares the Autostop kickback protection of its big brother. If the tool senses kickback, it automatically shuts down the motor before it can cause an injury.

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader Design Notes

Size and Weight

Without a doubt, size and weight are the two biggest talking points on Milwaukee’s latest threader. The compact 2870 is 19.7 inches long as a bare tool. That’s more than 6 inches shorter than the original 2874.

The weight is significantly lower, too. Where the original weighed 22.3 pounds bare, the compact version is just 14.3 pounds… with a 1-inch die and 8.0Ah High Output battery. Bare, it’s 10.6 pounds. That’s a HUGE drop!

Die Changes

Another big advantage the Milwaukee 2870 has is that die changes are super-easy. Just turn the collar to the unlock position, slide the new die in, and turn the collar back to the lock position. It’s much easier and faster than we found with DeWalt’s cordless threader.

Additional Highlights

• Side-Grip eliminates hand contact with the die head before and during threading
• Dedicated support arm included
• One-Key integrated for tracking, inventory management, and security

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Pipe Threader Vs M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader

Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader Price

Look for the compact threader as a kit for $2199.99. It includes the tool, two 8.0Ah High Output batteries, and an M12/M18 multi-voltage rapid charger along with the lightweight 1/2, 3/4, 1, and 1 1/4-inch dies. There’s no bare tool option at the moment.

Milwaukee backs the threader with a 5-year warranty.

The Bottom Line

Whether you deal exclusively with pipe and conduit 1 1/4-inch or less, or you want a compact supplement to your larger threader, the Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader is incredibly convenient. It’s lighter, smaller, and still has excellent threading speed. Of course, it’s cordless, so you can take it anywhere without needing to worry about a separate power source.

Specifications

• Model: Milwaukee 2870-22HD
• Power Source: Milwaukee M18 battery (High Output recommended)
• Die Range: 1/8 – 1 1/4 inches
• Length: 19.6 inches
• Weight: 10.6 pounds bare, 14.3 pounds with 1-inch die and 8.0Ah battery
• Warranty: 5 years

The post Milwaukee M18 Fuel Compact Pipe Threader 2870 Review appeared first on Pro Tool Reviews.