Sometimes the size of the tool is not commensurate with its impact on your life or business. Sometimes small things have big impacts. That’s one of the common themes running through the top tools of 2025.

In no particular order, here are some products that stood out to Woodworking Network editors over the course of the year. Some of these products received industry award recognition. Others just grabbed our attention and wouldn’t let go.

Best production machine: Felder edgebander
Felder group USA won a Visionary Award for the Format 4 – Tempora F-1000 high-capacity edgebander. The machine is designed for exceptionally smooth running of all units and the highest level of adjustment precision and maximum service life, according to the company. Learn more at feldergroupusa.com.

Best power tool accessory: Ultimate router base
With the advent of CNC routing, one might think handheld routers are an anachronism in today’s pro shops, but the fact is that lots of them are still used daily. The problem with them has always been setup time. Award-winning woodworker Scott Grove came up with a new design for an outrigger style baseplate that fits nearly every router and has lots of markings and features to streamline many tasks, including cutting radii, template routing, and plunging mortises. This is the kind of tool that the more you use it, the more you’ll find you can do with it. Learn more at imaginewoodworking.com.

Best work wear: Keen and Milwaukee
What you wear in the shop can make a huge difference in your comfort, safety, and quality of work. Shop clothing we liked this year included the Keen Speedworks work shoes with composite toes, as well as new women’s work wear from Milwaukee. I found the Keen shoes comfortable, flexible, safe, and stylish. Learn more at keenfootwear.com. Karen Koenig tried Milwaukee’s new line of work wear “fitted and designed specifically for tradeswomen by tradeswomen.” Learn more at MilwaukeeTool.com.

Best machine accessory: Better Vacuum Cups
The SS Series Vacuum Cup from Better Vacuum Cups Inc. is a PVC double-sided vacuum cup that will allow a shop to do solid woodwork or edge detail by raising the material off the table on top of an existing spoil board. It won a Visionary Award at AWFS this year. Learn more at bettervacuumcups.com.

Best work-holding device: Work iQ vise
Good work holding is crucial to success, but it’s a challenge when dealing with unusual shapes and odd work angles. To solve that problem, the folks at Work IQ Tools came up with the IQ Vise. It’s an articulating vise that uses a ball-and-socket arrangement plus a variety of special jaws and locking pins to provide a versatile clamping platform. We initially saw it as a gimmick, but in our shop tests, it really proved its worth. Learn more at WorkIQTools.com.

Best small machine: Shaper Bench Pilot
Shaper Tools captured a Visionary Award for the Shaper Bench Pilot. Although Shaper Tools made its name with the first successful handheld CNC router, the Shaper Origin, this new tool ironically turns the Shaper Origin into a hands-free benchtop CNC router. If you’ve already got a Shaper Origin, but still want a small CNC router, this could be the way to go for you. Learn more at shapertools.com.

Best finishing product: PaintLine Pro Face Frame and Door Mover
Making and finishing parts is one thing, but how do you safely and securely move the parts around before they are shipped or installed? PaintLine’s solution for face frames and doors, the Pro Face Frame and Door Mover, won a Visionary Award at AWFS Fair. The unit has a base and optional shelves with a 5-degree angle for extra security when rolling up or down shop ramps. Slotted trays safely and quickly guide panels into place, and fiberglass rods keep parts from touching one another. Learn more at paintline.com.