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Best Tools and Gear From the National Hardware Show 2025

Written by
Stephanie Minasian-Koncewicz
Written by
Stephanie Minasian-Koncewicz
Updated 04/14/2025
National Hardware Show 2025 crowd photo.
Credit: National Hardware Show

Each year, the National Hardware Show (NHS) gives us a glimpse into the home improvement industry’s latest tools, gear, innovations, and trends. Walking the buzzing halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center was like stepping into a workshop dreamland: booth after booth of clever gadgets, rugged gear, and organizing tools designed to make DIY and professional jobs alike a whole lot easier.

From modular storage systems to terrain-conquering carts, this year’s offerings hit that sweet spot between innovation and practicality. After trying, testing, and talking with passionate inventors and exhibitors, we’ve rounded up our favorite finds from the show. These standouts earned top marks for quality, utility, and good old-fashioned “Why didn’t I think of that?” ingenuity.


Boltster Magnetic Organizers

Boltster’s line of magnetic silicone bit organizers proves that simple ideas, executed well, can make a big difference in the workshop. The Tennesee-based brand has a handful of designs we wanted to take home, but two stood out in particular: the Bitster 2.0 and Flexible Organizing Tray.

Bitster 2.0 Magentic Bit Strip

Boltster Bitster 2.0 magnetic organizer bit strip, winner of the NHS 2025 Rising Star Award.
Boltster Bitster 2.0, winner of the NHS 2025 Rising Star Award | Jilli Cluff

The Bitster 2.0 received NHS’s Best New Product of the Year award—and it’s not hard to see why. If you’ve ever wasted time digging through a stash of driver bits to find the one you need, the Bitster 2.0 may just change your life—or at least your workflow.

Whether you’re on a roof, under the hood of a car, or organizing a storage drawer, flexibility and portability are two factors that really make the Bitster 2.0 stand out. The combination of grippy silicone compartments and powerful magnets keeps both magnetic and non-magnetic parts secure. At just 8-by-2 inches, it’s more compact than most hand tools, and the locking carabiner makes it easy to clip on a belt loop or tool bag.

Boltster Flexible Organizing Tray

Boltster Bitster 2.0 and Boltster Flexible Organizing Tray.
Boltster Bitster 2.0 (left) and Flexible Organizing Tray (right) | Jilli Cluff

Also from the team at Boltster, the Flexible Organizing Tray is a new favorite for corralling loose parts, fasteners, and hand tools on the fly. Featuring the same rugged yet pliable silicone as the Bitster, it’s heat resistant, easy to clean, magnetic, and surprisingly grippy—perfect for engine bays, ladders, or sloped surfaces.

No more chasing runaway screws or mixing up bolt sizes mid-project. It’s a deceptively simple fix to a frustratingly common problem that industry professionals, DIYers, and hobbyists all share.

Shop the Flexible Organizing Tray and more Boltster products at The Home Depot.


Rhino Cart All Terrain Mover

Rhino Cart All Terrain Mover.
Rhino Cart All Terrain Mover | Credit: Rhino Cart

Moving heavy tools or materials across gravel, grass, or uneven job site terrain? That’s exactly what the folks at Midwest Innovative Products built the Rhino Cart for. This heavy-duty dolly features eight oversized, never-flat casters that roll like a dream over just about any surface and grade. With a whopping 2,000-pound load capacity, it handles everything from tool chests to appliances.

At NHS, we took the all-terrain cart for a spin over cracked pavement and thick carpet—both of which it handled without a hitch. The frame expands from 6 inches to 3.8 feet, and built-in tie-down points let you secure cargo. It’s a clear upgrade from traditional dollies and a must-have for pros and do-it-yourselfers alike.

Shop Rhino Cart at The Home Depot and Amazon.


HOTO SNAPBLOQ™ Modular Tool System

HOTO SNAPBLOQ™ Modular electric Tool System.
HOTO SNAPBLOQ™ Modular Tool System | Jilli Cluff

Winner of the 2025 iF Design Award, HOTO’s SNAPBLOQ™ electric modular tool system stopped us in our tracks with its brushless motor technology, slim footprint, and LEGO-like form factor. The cordless product line includes a precision drill set, a rotary tool kit, and a precision screwdriver set.

Each tool operates on battery power or while plugged in and features a toolbox base of interlocking “bloqs” that snap together magnetically. HOTO color codes each bloq according to type of tool—red for the drill and drill bits, blue for the rotary tool and heads, and yellow for the screwdriver and bits.

Beyond its clutter-proof design, the system is easy to customize. You can combine, stack, rearrange, and scale it based on your needs, making it ideal for electronic repairs, woodworking, locksmithing, and detail work. The satisfying “snap” as the bloqs lock into place is just a bonus.

Shop HOTO’s SNAPBLOQ™ System at Amazon.


Veto Pro Pac Tech-MCT Tool Bag

Veto Pro Pac Tech-MCT Tool Bag in high-viz yellow.
Veto Pro Pac Tech-MCT Tool Bag in hi-viz yellow | Jilli Cluff

If your current toolbox is more of a bottomless pit than an organized workspace, the Veto Pro Pac Tech-MCT Tool Bag is worth the investment. We’ve recommended Veto Pro Pac bags before because of their rugged, detail-oriented construction, and the Tech-MCT folds those qualities into a medium-compact yet ultra-functional tote that keeps every item in its place.

The Tech-MCT has 44 interior and exterior pockets, a claimed capacity of up to 50 hand tools, a molded base that keeps the bag upright at all times, and a detachable padded shoulder strap. It uses durable, weatherproof fabric, and every zipper, stitch, and handle feels built to last.

What we appreciate most is how easy it is to find exactly what we need—no more digging for the right screwdriver or tester. It’s a game-changer for construction workers, electricians, HVAC techs, and serious DIYers who demand efficiency.

Shop the Tech-MCT Tool Bag and more Veto Pro Pac products at The Home Depot.  


Drill Dock by Midwest Innovative Products

Drill Dock power drill holster display at the 2025 National Hardware Show.
Drill Dock exhibit at NHS 2025 | Jilli Cluff

For anyone tired of balancing their power drill on a workbench or stuffing it into an ill-fitting drawer, the Drill Dock provides a refreshingly simple (and surprisingly affordable) fix. Created by Midwest Innovative Products out of Joliet, Illinois, the cradle’s flexible design fits nearly all standard cordless drills and impact drivers.

Hook the dock to the side of a crate or drawer using its robust, built-in clip, or fix it to shelving with the included mounting bracket. Whether you’re outfitting a workshop or moving from one job to the next, the Drill Dock cuts down clutter, improves worksite safety, and extends the life of your equipment.

Shop Drill Dock at Amazon.


Wrap-It Storage Solutions

Wrap-It Storage is a rock-solid American brand that turns clever, problem-solving ideas into must-have gear for the garage, home office, or job site. If the name sounds familiar, home centers and big box stores across the U.S. have carried Wrap-It’s durable but affordable cable and cord ties for years.

This year, the company is staking a bigger claim in the gear storage category with several new product lines. Our favorites? The Bungee Buddy® and MagSnap™ Wristband.

Bungee Buddy®

Wrap-It Bungee Buddy organizer with 8-cord bungee set.
Bungee Buddy® starter set | Credit: Wrap-It Storage Solutions

The Bungee Buddy® is one of those “why didn’t this exist sooner?” products. It’s a simple but genius way to store your tangle-prone bungee cords. Each kit includes a storage rail and eight color-coded bungees with reinforced hooks. The cords wrap neatly onto the rail and snap into place.

We liked how easy it was to hang the system in a garage, closet, or trailer. The open design lets you quickly identify and grab the right cord length. Whether tying down furniture for transport or keeping a tarp in place, this tidy system makes bungees a pleasure to use instead of a hassle to manage.

Shop the Wrap-It Bungee Buddy® at Amazon and Walmart.

MagSnap™ Magnetic Wristband

Wrap-It MagSnap™ Magnetic Wristband.
MagSnap™ Magnetic Wristband | Credit: Wrap-It Storage Solutions

Our last standout, the MagSnap™ Wristband, might be small, but it packs serious utility into a low-profile accessory.  The adjustable band uses dense, ripstop fabric and fits snugly around almost any wrist. The heavy-duty magnetic bars inside the band keep metal fasteners and other parts at your fingertips while you work. 

We wore it during a demo and were amazed at how much it streamlined the process. It’s also lighter, less obtrusive, and more powerful than we expected. For ladder work, overhead installs, complex assembly jobs, and simple tasks, the MagSnap™ earns a permanent spot in our workshop.

Shop the Wrap-It MagSnap™ Wristband at Best Buy and Amazon


Looking Ahead to NHS 2026

This year’s NHS expo reminded us that great gear doesn’t just solve problems—it makes work feel smoother, safer, and more intentional. From Boltster’s grippy magnetic organizers to Rhino Cart’s go-anywhere hauler and Veto Pro Pac’s meticulously engineered tool bag, we hope this small sample of the show’s impressive collection inspires you as much as it did us. 

And great news—NHS’s head of public relations, Kathryn Emery, tells us that the trade show will be open to the public starting in 2026! Subscribe to the National Hardware Show Newsletter for the latest updates and announcements, or visit www.nationalhardwareshow.com. We hope to see you there.

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