Your Favorite Stories of the Year: PTR’s Official Top 10 for 2025

2025 is another great year in the books! At Pro Tool Reviews, we’ve performed hands-on testing on dozens and dozens of tools over the course of the year. As always, there were standout products that generated more attention than others. The numbers don’t lie, and we’ve gathered the most popular articles into one list so you can see what PTR readers were most excited about.

Be sure to pop down to the comments and let us know what your favorite article was this year—or tell us what tools you’d like us to cover in the future!

Also, consider signing up for our newsletter so you don’t miss any of the top tool news and reviews for 2026! (It’s FREE!)

Without further ado, let’s get into the countdown!

#10. Sharper, Tougher, Better: Gerber Assert Magnacut Folding Knife

We had previously reviewed the Assert knife back in 2023, but when Gerber announced a variation with a MagnaCut steel blade, readers took notice. Coupled with Josh McGaffigan‘s firsthand experience, this review takes a closer look at how the blade steel upgrade affects this popular model.

#9. Why I Switched to the Generac IQ5200 Inverter Generator

Inverter generators are useful to have in case of emergencies, natural disasters, or even home energy independence. So, why would our Editor-in-Chief replace his current generator with one that provides significantly lower watts? Kenny Koehler talks through why it made sense for his home.

#8. Versatile Talent: DeWalt 20V Max Atomic Multi-Head Drill DCD803

Multi-head drills aren’t a new concept, but DeWalt’s DCD803 is a compelling introduction for those new to this type of tool. It allows Pros to quickly switch between multiple heads that provide a more versatile approach than standard cordless drills. In this review, Josh outlines the details and who can benefit from the design.

#7. Battery Chainsaw Showdown: Milwaukee vs EGO vs Stihl

Milwaukee, EGO, and Stihl. Each brand’s chainsaw offers power and gas-free convenience, but only one model will rise to the top. In this head-to-head experiment, Josh provides an in-depth look at how the EGO CS2005, Stihl MSA 300 C-O, and Milwaukee 2827 perform against each other in a series of tests, and which model he recommends over the others.

#6. Next-Gen Woodworking: 10 New Power Tools for 2025

Woodworkers have some of the most specialized tools in the industry, but what models are worth your consideration in 2025? Kenny breaks down some of the newest players in the industry that were introduced this year and can change the way you approach woodworking.

#5. Has the Final Nail Been Fired in the Coffin of Air Nailers?

It’s no secret that cordless tools have dominated the market in recent years, including in the nailer space. With all of the convenience that battery tools offer, is there still a demand for pneumatic nailers? Kenny offers his perspective on the current state of nailers and what might lie ahead for pneumatics going forward.

#4. Are Battery-Powered Chainsaws Worth It?

The age-old (figuratively) question: ‘Should I use gas or battery-powered OPE?’ For chainsaws, many are hesitant to step into the cordless world, citing power and runtime as major concerns. Kenny delves into the benefits and drawbacks of both power sources, offering his outlook on which is better for Pros and homeowners.

#3. New Milwaukee Tools Announced at Pipeline 2025!

Milwaukee Pipeline is one of the most anticipated new product launch events on the calendar, and we’ve been attending every year since 2008 (when it was called Milwaukee NPS (New Product Symposium)). In this article, Noelle Howe shares every single new Milwaukee product announced at Pipeline this year, along with pricing and expected release dates.

#2. Could the Future of Cordless Power Tools Be… A Cord?

Our top editorial article of 2025 explores the concept of runtime and battery longevity for cordless tools. Kenny examines the modern limitations of battery power, ponders potential solutions to take cordless tools to the next level, and considers what the future of cordless technology may hold.

#1. Power on Demand: Milwaukee M18 HotShot Jump Starter

Finally, the #1 review PTR Nation read most in 2025 was Milwaukee’s M18 HotShot jump starter. Ever imagine using your power tool batteries to jump-start your vehicle? Milwaukee has, and with the 3841, it’s never been easier. But how effective is it, really? Josh delves into the nitty-gritty, exploring what you can expect from this tool.