All too often, gifts can be meaningful and thoughtful but turn out to get little to no use. Think of most kitchen gadgets (the fondue set in particular) or novelty gift sets that get used only on Christmas Day before spending a lifetime in a cupboard until they get sold at a car boot sale.
On the other hand, a shiny new power tool will always come in handy. For petrolheads, they're essential, even if you don't do that much to your car. For everyone else, power tools will save valuable time during DIY and furniture building. They're an often overlooked gift idea, so we've chosen our favourites. These tools wouldn't have us reaching for the gift receipt and would have us disappearing into the garage for a couple of hours.
The best power tool gift ideas
Bosch Electric Screwdriver IXO
The best electric screwdriver gift
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A simple upgrade for any toolbox, the electric screwdriver removes the need for elbow grease when it comes to, err, driving screws. This stylish option from Bosch features variable speed control, a battery charge indicator, a selection of attachments and is chargeable via micro USB or a proper charging station. This is a great gift idea for more than just petrolheads too, it's the perfect gift for any DIY or flatpack furniture enthusiast.
Ryobi R18P-0 ONE+ Cordless Polisher
The best car polisher gift
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A good polisher, this Ryobi will allow the recipient to polish their car, sand wood and even restore some faded headlights. It's an especially good gift if the recipient already owns some Ryobi tools and can simply swap the batteries straight into this.
Tested 2021 - "For someone who's never polished anything more than a shoe, this is a really good way to enter into the exciting world of polishing. It has a reassuring heft to it (not unlike a good leg of lamb) and an adjustable rpm from the 18V motor that makes removing imperfections from paintwork easy without doing any further damage. "
WORX WG630E.1 18V (20V MAX) 4.0Ah Cordless Brushless Hydroshot Portable Pressure Cleaner
The best cordless pressure washer gift
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Cordless pressure cleaners are a new and interesting way to clean your car. We've tested the Worx Hydroshot and found it to be a really clever and easy-to-use gadget. With its lightweight design and long-lasting battery life, it's the perfect tool for cleaning the car. Because it's so easy to store and use compared to a typical pressure washer, it'd make an ideal gift for anyone who loves car cleaning, even if they already own a conventional pressure washer.
Draper 13785 Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner
The best wet and dry vacuum cleaner gift
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This is a brilliant gift idea for someone who's always working in the garage. A wet and dry vacuum cleaner is a beefed-up vacuum cleaner that will have no issue sucking up larger debris and even liquids. This model features a 20-litre capacity and a bunch of attachments, plus it comes with the build quality you'd expect from Draper.
Sealey LED108C Cordless Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Portable Floodlight
The best floodlight gift
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Needing a bit of extra life that even the best inspection lamp can't match? This weatherproof lamp features 108 LEDs, an adjustable head and either mains or 12V charging. Perfect for some winter tinkering.
Makita DTD152Z 18V LXT Li-ion Impact Driver
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Impact drivers are the best tool for loosening and tightening nuts and bolts, and can be important for more serious car jobs. This Makita Impact Driver can deliver 3500rpm and 165Nm torque, meaning it'll be perfect for most home garage tasks. This one also comes with the battery included, a real bonus.
Don't forget about those in need
While we love giving to friends and loved ones, it's also important we don't forget about those less fortunate than ourselves. Perhaps consider giving a gift to one of the UK's homeless youth through Centrepoint, the UK's leading youth homelessness charity.