Cordless drills and drivers.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)(Buyers guide)

Lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are helping cordless drills add power and run time, with less weight for Li-Ion. Greener design is also a plus, since Li-Ion and NiMH batteries don't contain toxic cadmium, which can leach into groundwater if spent nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries are thrown out with trash instead of recycled.

While most drills with these new-tech batteries still sell for $200 or more, you'll find more lower-priced models as more brands make the switch. At as little as $100, however, capable NiCd drills still cost far less. You'll also see more impact drivers, which emphasize tightening and loosening power over speed, …