Upgrade Your Next Home Renovation With These Highly Rated DeWalt Tools

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DeWalt is consistently ranked as one of the most popular power tool brands in the US, favored by contractors and DIYers alike. In 2025, the brand was the most-trusted tool brand in the US for the fourth year in a row, according to surveying by Lifestory Research. These yellow and black tools are recognized for their signature color scheme as much as their excellent performance at a reasonable price point. If you're ready to upgrade your toolkit, DeWalt is a brand to consider. To help your search, we've rounded up some of the most highly rated DeWalt tools for DIYers.

This list includes some must-buy power tools for first-time homeowners and more. It assumes you already have some basic tools, but are looking to upgrade your current setup to handle more renovation tasks. Each product on this list is very highly rated on Amazon with at least 4 stars from 1,000 reviews. To learn more about our selection methodology, skip to the end of the article. Here are the top tools new DIYers should invest in from this reputable brand.

For all but the smallest sanding jobs, you'll want to invest in a power sander. Sanding by hand might be fine for a one-off small project. But for anything bigger, like refinishing furniture and resurfacing floors, a power sander is the way to go. The DeWalt 20V MAX Orbital Sander is our top pick for most DIYers. It's a random orbital sander, which means it sands in an irregular path to prevent visible patterns on the sanded surface. It's easy to use, worlds faster than hand-sanding, but is also a good upgrade if you're using a rotary sander. This tool is cordless, has a powerful brushless motor, and a variable speed dial so it's adjustable to the material at hand.

This is a very highly rated tool, with 4.8 stars from over 13,200 reviews on Amazon. Around 86 percent of reviewers give it 5 stars. One 5-star reviewer comments, "I recently picked up the DEWALT 20V Orbital Sander, and I'm really impressed with its performance! It's lightweight, easy to handle, and packs a lot of power for a cordless sander. I've used it for several DIY projects, and it's made sanding so much quicker and less tiring."

Stop trying to hold a regular old flashlight in your mouth or prop it up somewhere for DIY projects: the DeWalt 20V MAX LED Work Light solves these problems. It's lightweight and compact, so it's not a hassle to carry around, but it's designed for hands-on work in mind. It has a stand, so you can prop it on a tabletop or floor and adjust the angle of the head to shine light where you need it. It also has a 360-degree rotating hook on the top, so it can hang from above to illuminate a work area.

Reviewers appreciate this work light's user-friendly features, rating it 4.8 stars from 13,200 reviews on Amazon. Impressively, almost 90 percent of reviewers give it 5 stars, making it one of the most favorably rated products on this list. A reviewer explains, "I use these for all kinds of work. The level of brightness is great, and the adjustable angle really helps. There is also a hook on top that allows you to hang this from rafters and hooks." 

An oscillating tool should really be in any DIYer's kit because of how absolutely versatile it is. If you're shopping from DeWalt's catalog, the DeWalt 20V MAX XR Oscillating Multi-Tool is a well-rated, high-performing tool. Also known as a multi-tool, it's useful for all sorts of jobs, like creating cutouts in drywall, scraping out caulk, removing grout, and other small building and demolition tasks. True to its name, it can complete the function of multiple tools and is an excellent upgrade from several manual tools. We tested this DeWalt Oscillating Saw and found it was particularly easy to swap out accessories compared to other multi-tools.

This is another top-rated DeWalt tool with 4.7 stars from over 13,900 reviews. About 86 percent give it 5 stars. One reviewer raves, "Every now and again you buy something that, after using it a bit, you wonder how you ever got by without it. This tool is one of those things. It's extremely well built and makes easy work of cuts that used to be quite a [pain]. If this versatile tool fell in the lake, I'd buy another one immediately."

If you don't have a shop vacuum, it's worth getting one: they're more rugged to handle renovation messes, including wet messes. Even if you do have one, if you want ultimate flexibility, consider the DeWalt 20V MAX Wet and Dry Shop Vacuum. It's possible to use it corded or cordless, so you can choose between unlimited runtime or the flexibility of being away from an outlet. This handy little vacuum has a 2-gallon tank capacity and a HEPA-rated wet/dry filter that ensures messes don't escape.

Reviewers rate this product 4.4 stars overall from over 8,400 reviews on Amazon. Over 70 percent of reviewers give it 5 stars, with one explaining, "The DeWalt Shop Vacuum is outstanding! It handles both wet and dry messes with ease, making cleanup fast and effortless. The suction is strong and consistent, and the build quality feels durable and professional." It receives some mixed reviews on suction power, with some noting it's excellent for small projects but might not handle heavy-duty cleaning jobs as well.

If you're facing a project where you need to make long, straight, and precise cuts in wood, a circular saw is the tool for the job. It's not just an upgrade from a handsaw, but a necessity for cutting long sheets of plywood or lots of 2 x 4s. The DeWalt 20V MAX Circular Saw is DeWalt's highly rated and user-friendly pick that's suitable for any beginner and many experienced DIYers, too. It has a powerful 5150 RPM motor and 0 to 50-degree bevel capacity to cut on an angle.

Overall, this product has 4.6 stars from over 10,500 reviews and over 80 percent of reviewers rate it with 5 stars. One reviewer explains, "I absolutely love this saw. It's small enough and light enough that it's perfect for most any job ... This is probably not for the commercial contractors who will likely want a larger, more powerful saw. But for the average DIY person, this saw is great."

For smaller cuts and demolition jobs, the DeWalt 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw is an excellent upgrade from a hand saw. The compact and cordless build makes it better for getting into finicky spots. This saw has features like a 4-position blade clamp (which enables it to cut flush), pivoting shoe, and variable speed trigger, all of which make it beginner-friendly and easy to control.

This handy saw has 4.8 stars overall on Amazon, based on over 12,500 reviews. Around 86 percent of reviewers rate it 5 stars. One calls the saw, "Absolutely fantastic! Light, yet sturdy, no cord, convenient, and fast cutting. This is a huge win for any project where you don't have a plug nearby ... It cuts [quickly] and stops immediately once you let go of the trigger, which is a good safety feature."

A power drill a tool that every homeowner should have; they aren't that expensive and are much easier and more efficient to use than a manual screwdriver. The DeWalt XTREME 12V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver is the brand's top-rated pick for light- to medium-duty jobs. It's well-suited for tasks around the house like mounting shelves, hanging pictures, or assembling furniture. Small but useful features like a built-in LED light, belt hook, and a compact and lightweight construction make it an attractive upgrade to a basic drill.

From over 1,900 reviews, this tool has a 4.8-star rating and around 87 percent give it 5 stars. A reviewer explains, "Sometimes great things can come in small packages. If you just need a drill for light- to medium-duty household use, this is the one for you. I was suspicious something so diminutive could still function as a decent drill in its own right, but this unit put those fears to rest." It balances size and power for many household tasks.

Choose an impact driver over a drill for jobs that need more power, like for installing a deck or fence. The DeWalt 20V MAX XR Impact Driver is an excellent pick from this brand, with a brushless motor, 3-speed selector switch, and variable speed trigger to adjust to the job at hand. LED lights improve visibility, and all this power and convenience is housed in a compact body.

Reviewers give this tool 4.7 stars from over 12,000 reviews, and over 85 percent give it 5 stars. A happy reviewer explains, "The DeWalt 20V MAX XR Impact Driver has exceeded my expectations in every way during my DIY testing. What stands out most is its power and efficiency. The brushless motor delivers consistent torque across three speed settings, allowing me to tackle a variety of tasks from driving screws into tough materials to delicate assembly work without a hitch."

The DeWalt Quick Square is a useful and cheap tool for making sure angles and cuts are accurate. If you have a project coming up where you need to mark angles, ensure straight edges, or if you just want something that's more convenient than a tape measure for small measurements, this quick square is an appealing solution. It's made of sturdy aluminum, and shoppers praise it for its accuracy and easy-to-read markings.

This tool has 4.8 stars from over 2,200 reviews and just shy of 90 percent give it 5 stars. A commenter calls it a "Fantastic tool for the typical home handyman. I'm not a construction professional, but I like to tinker around the house a lot ... It is sturdy, and the markings are clear and easy to read, and is notched at the right increments for scribing lines." This little square is perfect for most woodworking measuring tasks.

The DeWalt 10-inch Claw Bar is the tool to have on hand for demolition jobs. Whether you're buying a first one or replacing a regular old crowbar, this tool is a good pick. Alongside the beveled claws for pulling up nails, it also has a nail digger for ones that are really embedded. An extra-wide strike surface makes us the ideal wrecking claw for prying, striking, and generally breaking things apart.

This claw bar has 4.7 stars from over 1,100 reviews, and over 80 percent of those reviewers give it 5 stars. A reviewer explains why it's a step above a basic pry bar, saying, "This has proven itself to be ideal with even very small nails. It was able to pull an embedded finishing nail out without me pulling my hair out over how to do it without damaging the cabinet that the nail was in. It left no marks in the cabinet."

Despite its name, the DeWalt 9-in-1 Painter's Tool is helpful for more than just painting jobs. With a variety of edges and openings, it can handle little tasks like opening paint cans, pulling out nails, scraping residue, and more. Its intended 9 uses are a straight scraper, curved scraper, gouger, paint roller cleaner, paint can opener, bottle opener, nail puller, screwdriver, and even a hammer with the end of the handle. If you've been using an old screwdriver to pop open paint cans, this is an excellent upgrade. But, you'll probably reach for it for other tasks, too, when you don't want to dig around for other tools for one-off tasks.

Shoppers agree this is a useful utensil, rating it 4.8 stars from over 2,200 reviews on Amazon. Around 89 percent give it 5 stars. A professional raves, "I'm a full-time carpenter. When I first started carrying this in my belt, I got laughed at pretty hard. We rarely do painting projects, but we do everything else. You know what this tool is good for? Everything else." Don't underestimate the usefulness of this little paint tool.

The DeWalt MT16 Multi-Tool is another fabulous upgrade tool if you're looking for a handheld item that consolidates a few uses in one. This multi-tool revolves around a set of wire-cutting pliers. Built into its handle, it also has a small knife, bottle opener, can opener, a wood and metal file, ruler, flathead screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, and mini scissors. With so many features, it's useful to have in your pocket as a quick-grab gadget.

Reviewers give this tool 4.7 stars overall based on over 1,300 Amazon reviews, with 80 percent of them rating it a full 5 stars. A reviewer who bought it as a gift says, "DeWalt products are superior tools in my opinion, and this multi-tool is no different. It's small and compact, and the blades and tools on it are high-quality and useful. [It] definitely makes a great gift for the handyman in your life."

The DeWalt Cordless Screwdriver is a user-friendly, affordable upgrade to a manual screwdriver without the bulkiness of a drill. If you're doing a lot of finicky tasks like assembling several pieces of furniture, installing light fixtures, or screwing into more delicate materials, a cordless screwdriver is a great option that takes the strain out of manual screwing. This model feels comfortable in-hand and has a six-stage torque adjustment to suit different applications. Twelve bits are included, and they're easy to swap out on-the-job with the quick-load system.

Reviewers give this product 4.3 stars from over 9,500 Amazon reviews, and over 70 percent give it a full 5 stars. One says of this handy tool: "It's super useful for lots of simple jobs, provided you don't need too much torque (it won't drive a long screw into a 2 x 4, for instance). Great for assembling furniture, hanging decor on the walls, switch plates and switches, hanging fixtures, etc." 

If you're looking to upgrade your basic level, the DeWalt Torpedo Level is an elevated budget-friendly pick. It has features like a rotating vial for measuring angles, slope, and pitch. One side also has built-in magnets for securing to metal surfaces. This level is lightweight and has an aluminum body, so it's durable without weighing down a tool belt.

Reviewers are very happy with this level, giving it 4.8 stars on Amazon overall from over 1,200 reviews. Over 90 percent of reviewers rate it 5 stars, with one commenting, "I've been using cheap, plastic off-brand levels my entire life. I recently upgraded my entire power tool set to DeWalt and suddenly realized that some of the other smaller tools needed an upgrade as well. This is far better than what I've been using."

When it comes to levels, an even bigger upgrade is a laser level. The DeWalt Self-Leveling Line Laser is one of DeWalt's top-rated options. It's useful for bigger jobs like installing cabinetry or wall tiles, projecting a laser line onto the wall or surface. They're more accurate, too, since you aren't relying on interpreting the level bar. They also allow you to work hands-free — all worthwhile benefits of this tool upgrade. This laser is self-leveling and accurate to approximately ⅛ inch at 30 feet.

Reviewers on Amazon give it 4.7 stars overall from over 9,500 reviews, and over 80 percent rate it 5 stars. One reviewer explains, "[I] purchased this after borrowing one. Makes cabinet hanging and shiplap installation a breeze. [I] should have bought this a long time ago! Having the right tools makes the job easier, and this will be used over and over again. Just one use pays off in time saved." If it's within budget, this is a tool that can greatly improve the installation of almost anything wall-mounted.

The DeWalt 20V MAX XR 18 GA Cordless Brad Nailer is a worthwhile upgrade when a regular hammer won't cut it in terms of accuracy or efficiency. For jobs like installing trim and building small woodworking projects, use a brad nailer. This model is powerful despite the fact that it's battery-powered, still getting the job done without having to use gas, a compressor, and a hose. It has a depth adjustment function for precise insertion of nails, as well as a tool-free jam release feature to clear stuck nails.

Overall, this tool has 4.8 stars from over 3,500 reviews, and over 85 percent give it 5 stars. A reviewer calls it an "Excellent brad nailer. Bought to replace a DeWalt pneumatic brad nailer. This guy is very powerful. Seems comparable in power to the pneumatic gun, and is way more convenient. Put a couple thousand brads through it so far, and zero jams or misfires."

We researched the most highly rated DeWalt tools on Amazon for this list. To make the cut, the product had to have a minimum of 4 stars from at least 1000 reviews, but many surpassed this criteria. Several products have over 4.5 stars, sometimes from over 10,000 reviews. The products on this list also have a high satisfaction rating, with at least 70 percent of Amazon reviewers rating each tool a perfect 5 stars. If you're a die-hard DeWalt fan, you can also browse the best DeWalt products that are not tools.