Choosing the best power tools to gift is genuinely tricky when the person you’re buying for already owns half of what’s in the B&Q catalogue. Whether they’re just starting out or they’ve been building furniture in a back shed for years, here’s a breakdown of what’s worth wrapping up this year, across a range of budgets and skill levels.
The Best Power Tools to Gift: Top Picks for Every Kind of DIYer
The standout pick overall is the Makita 18-volt LXT drill and driver set. The drill delivers about 70% more torque than its predecessors, and according to Bob Vila, the 18V LXT brushless combo puts out 1,500 in-lbs of torque, which is a proper amount of grunt for a cordless tool. The impact driver comes with speed control, so you can ease off on more delicate materials without switching tools.
It’s worth knowing what you’re buying into here. Business Insider notes that brushless motors deliver a 15% to 35% increase in performance over brushed equivalents, and Makita’s LXT line is built around that technology throughout. The practical upside: lighter batteries, more work per charge, and tools that are easier on the wrists over a long day.
The set ships ready to use, with an 18-volt hammer drill, an 18-volt impact driver, a 2-amp-hour battery, a 5-amp-hour battery, and a charger. For those after the premium configuration, Pro Tool Reviews highlights a top-tier Makita combo that includes the XPH12 brushless hammer drill, the XDT13 brushless impact driver, two 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, and a storage bag. Makita has been making battery-powered drills since 1969, and they’re still the tool professionals reach for when they want something balanced and reliable.
The runner-up for gifting this year is the 20-volt DeWalt oscillating multitool. It’s the kind of tool that earns its place in a kit because it handles an enormous range of jobs, from sink installation to drywall repair. The new model has been re-engineered to vibrate less than its predecessor, which makes a real difference over a long session. It also comes with a wider cutting radius and a brighter LED. The kit includes the multitool, a 20-volt MAX compact battery, a charger, a tool-connect chip adapter, a fast cut wood blade, a wood-with-nails blade, a sanding attachment, sandpaper, and a depth guide. Everything needed to get going, straight out of the box.
For the woodworkers, the Kreg Rebel 20-volt pocket hole joiner is a step up from the standard Kreg jig setup. Kreg has long been associated with quality jigs for joints and straight lines, but this tool integrates a power drill into the jig itself, so lining up and drilling a pocket hole takes a fraction of the time. It’s particularly useful for cabinet-making, hidden joints on frames, and shelving. The kit comes with the joiner, a 4-amp-hour battery, a charger, an easy-set drill bit, and dust collection attachments.
If the person you’re buying for tends to spend more time under a car than above one, the 20-volt DeWalt sealed head powered ratchet set is a considered choice. Its interchangeable coupling works with both 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch sockets, and the gear mechanism is protected from metal dust and debris, making it more durable than previous versions. The set includes the ratchet, a 20-volt 2-amp-hour battery, and a charger. Compact enough for oil changes, but with enough torque for stubborn bolts.
Beginners are best served by a solid cordless drill, and the Ryobi 18-volt cordless drill set covers that ground at a reasonable price. It comes with the drill, an 18-volt 1.5-amp-hour battery, a charger, a 40-piece bit set, and a tool bag. A decent foundation for anyone just starting to build out their kit.
The Budget Pick and the Shop Essential
For anyone with a home workshop, the DeWalt 20-volt cordless/corded wet-dry vac is the kind of gift that looks unglamorous but earns its space immediately. Sawdust is combustible, so a decent shop vac is a safety item as much as a tidiness one. This model handles wet and dry messes, works with or without a battery, and comes with a hose, a crevice tool, and a HEPA filter.
Under £100 (or thereabouts in dollars, at $32.97), the Klein digital laser level and angle finder rounds out the list. It uses an internal electric accelerometer rather than a spirit bubble, so you get a number on a screen rather than a visual approximation. Useful for mounting a TV level, useful in a woodworking shop, and genuinely handy at any skill level. At that price, it’s the easy add-on for anyone who already has the bigger tools covered.
