Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Celebrating its 60th year in 2026, the Retailers’ Choice Awards honors the best, most creative and most innovative products of the year. Sponsored by the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA), the Retailers’ Choice Awards program has been a channel favorite since the program started at the National Hardware Show in 1966.
A panel of independent retailers browses the show floor at spring buying markets, including wholesaler and distributor shows and NHS Concept to Commerce, looking for products they think would perform well in their operations. The Retailers’ Choice Awards rely on the opinions of actual retailers who know what their colleagues need in a product to attract customers.
After the spring market season, the judges meet together to share their nominations, and from these nominations, the top products are chosen as Retailers’ Choice Awards winners. All of the winners will be recognized at the Independent Home Improvement Conference.
This year’s panel included:
- Ash Ebbo, Clement’s Paint
- Katie Prus, Abbotsford Paint and Decorating
- Franklin Cloninger, Triangle True Value Hardware
- RJ McDaniel, B&B Hardware
- Diana Newton, South Bay Hardware
- Emily Wood, Wood’s Ace Hardware
- Katie DeMaris, DeMaris Hardware
- Brookelyn McClellan, Hardware Sales
- Joe Franquinha, Crest True Value Hardware and Urban Garden Center
- Jared Brown, Aubuchon Hardware
- Karen Mayer, Busy Beaver Building Centers
- Megan Menzer, Newton’s True Value
Magnetic Pencil Holder
The Magnetic Pencil Holder from Quick Draw is a compact magnetic pencil holder that clips to surfaces to keep a writing tool accessible. Its silicone construction holds Pica and OX mechanical pencils, carpenter pencils, No. 2 pencils, pens and markers. It is designed for use in work environments where tools need to be stored within reach.
Quick Draw | quickerdraw.com, (503) 621-6436 or thequickdrawtool@gmail.com
Shelving Unit
The K-Steel Shelving Solutions from HOMEDANT are heavy-duty, boltless metal shelving designed for the modern home. Built with a powder-coated steel frame and reversible laminated wood/white shelf boards, K-Steel adjusts to any space. Made in South Korea with over 45 years of manufacturing expertise, K-Steel offers versatile storage in multiple sizes and configurations, combining industrial strength with clean, contemporary design.
HOMEDANT | homedant.com, global@homedant.com or (886) 205-0319
Seeds
Survival Garden Seeds offers heirloom seed collections packaged as preselected assortments to reduce the need to choose individual packets. The collections are designed for retail display and consolidate multiple seed types into single bundles. Packaging is shelf-stable for storage. The assortments are priced at an equivalent per-packet cost and can be sold as a single unit and produced in small batches.
Survival Garden Seeds | survivalgardenseeds.com
Plant Stimulant
It’s Not Dead Yet from Mitogrow is a plant care product formulated to support plant recovery and ongoing maintenance. It is designed for use on a range of indoor and outdoor plants as part of a routine that includes feeding and care. The product is applied directly to plants to help maintain plant health and support growth.
Mitogrow | mitogrow.com, hello@mitogrow.com or (877) 365-8733
Insulated Tumbler
The Outsider Everyday is a 40-ounce double-wall vacuum-insulated stainless steel tumbler designed for daily use. It features a 180-degree rotating handle for one-handed carrying and a spill-resistant lid for transport. The tumbler is designed to retain cold temperatures for extended periods and maintain heat for several hours. It includes a tapered base sized to fit standard cup holders and comes with a stainless steel straw with a silicone cover.
Outsider | outsider.com or (757) 450-3165
Frozen Cocktail Mix
The Craft Frozen Cocktail Mixes from D’Marie Inc. are packaged in pouches and designed to be mixed, sealed and frozen to create a slush-style drink without a blender or ice. Instructions are printed on the packaging and involve adding ingredients directly into the pouch before freezing for 4 to 5 hours. The product can be stored in the freezer for up to one year after opening. It is available in a range of flavors and is formulated to be all natural, gluten free and vegan.
D’Marie | dmarieinc.com or (216) 581-7000
Trash Can System
The Bags n’ Seals Trash Can System from Bags n’ Seals is an 8.75-gallon waste container designed with an integrated bag management system. It includes a built-in continuous bag roll dispenser for dispensing liners directly from the unit. The system uses a mechanical sealing mechanism that applies tape to close bags, removing the need for drawstrings or knots. It is available in grey, black and white finishes.
Bags n’ Seals | bagsnseals.com or (310) 483-5975
Garbage Disposal
The Composer One from Composer is a food waste disposal unit designed for installation in sinks. It features a one-horsepower motor for grinding food waste and a drain iris that opens for loading and closes during operation. The system includes automatic water and enzyme injection to assist with flushing debris through the unit during use.
Composer | composer.me, (973) 727-0503 or kevin@composer.me
Driver Kit
The Mako Driver Kit from iFixit is a precision screwdriver set that includes a 4 millimeter aluminum driver handle with a magnetic bit socket, knurled grip and swivel cap. The kit contains 64 precision bits covering standard, security and specialty screw types used in electronics and small devices. It also includes a flexible extension for hard-to-reach areas and a case with a magnetic lid and an integrated sorting tray for organizing parts.
iFixit | ifixit.com
Multi-Use Canner
The Electric Bath Canner from Roots & Harvest is a countertop unit designed for water bath canning, multi-cooking and hot beverage dispensing. It features an adjustable temperature range from 120 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit with an indicator light that signals when the set temperature is reached. The unit includes cool-touch handles for transport and a built-in spigot for draining and dispensing liquids.
Roots & Harvest | rootsandharvest.com or (513) 202-1188 ext. 121
Adhesive Remover
The TakeOFF Adhesive Remover is a 2-fluid-ounce liquid cleaning solution in a spray bottle designed to dissolve and remove adhesive residue and other contaminants. It is used on sealed surfaces to remove materials such as sticker adhesive, grease, tar, oil, tree sap, gum and wax. The formula is non-toxic and eco-friendly and is designed to leave no residue after use.
TakeOFF Products | takeoffwipe.com
Keychain Flashlight
The TripleLite TL050 Keychain Flashlight delivers 50 lumens of light across a 180-degree field of view to illuminate left, right and center. The unit is impact- and water-resistant and is designed for portability, with a compact size suitable for keychains, bags or packs. It includes a matching carabiner for attachment and operates on one AAA battery, which is included. The flashlight is available in multiple colors.
TripleLite | triplelite.com, (760) 239-7735 or travis@triplelite.com
Chair Blanket
The Chair Blanket is a waterproof and windproof chair cover designed to fit most outdoor chairs, including Adirondack and patio styles. It features a fleece surface with a waterproof backing to protect against moisture. The design includes a stretch-to-fit construction for secure placement and an integrated pouch for storage and transport.
The Chair Blanket | thechairblanket.com or info@thechairblanket.com
Carrying Straps
ShoulderDolly Moving Straps from Nielsen Products are a two-person lifting system designed to move heavy items such as furniture, appliances, mattresses and boxes. The adjustable harness allows users to carry loads while maintaining an upright position. The straps are designed to provide control when moving through doorways, stairs and tight spaces. The system has a load capacity of up to 800 pounds.
Nielsen Products | shoulderdolly.com
Plier Wrench
The Milwaukee Tool 10-inch Pliers Wrench is a hand tool that combines pliers-style adjustment with parallel jaws for gripping and fastening. It features one-handed operation and a wide jaw capacity up to 2 1/4 inches to accommodate a range of fastener sizes. The design allows for continuous adjustment and ratcheting without removing the tool from the fastener. The jaws provide a non-marring grip for use on finished surfaces. The tool is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Milwaukee Tool | milwaukeetool.com or 1 (800) 729-3878
Meat Thermometer
The WiFi Display and Predictive Thermometer Bundle from Big Green Egg includes two predictive thermometers with multiple sensors to measure internal, surface and ambient temperatures. The WiFi display unit supports up to four probes and provides monitoring, alerts and timers without requiring a mobile device. The probes are heat-resistant with an IP69K rating and are designed for repeated use in high-temperature cooking environments.
Big Green Egg | biggreenegg.com or (404) 344-4323
Children’s Hammer
The Handy Famm Giraffe Hammer is a functional hammer designed for children ages five and up. It features a metal head for driving nails and a protective guard around the striking area to help reduce impact near fingers. The design includes horn-shaped nail pullers, a soft-grip handle for control and a storage feature that holds nails when not in use. The tool is available in multiple colors.
Handy Famm | handyfamm.com or Hello@handyfamm.com
Adhesive Bug Catchers
The RESCUE! TrapStik line is a series of adhesive traps designed to capture flying insects such as flies and wasps. The traps use visual attractant patterns to draw insects to a large sticky surface for capture. They are intended for use indoors and outdoors, including areas such as living spaces, patios and outbuildings. The units are weather-resistant and do not use chemical sprays or odors.
RESCUE | rescue.com or (401) 524-2004
Magnetic Tool Holder
The MagMaster from Holstery is a magnetic tool holder designed to secure tools and hardware on a belt, harness or bag. It uses a neodymium magnet to hold items such as hammers and small metal parts, with a rated capacity of over 5 pounds. The unit features a clip system for attachment and a lanyard loop for tethering. It is assembled in the U.S. and backed by a lifetime guarantee.
Holstery | holstery.com or (336) 253-8805
Rubber Band Gun Set
The Tactical Ops Mission Kit from Magnum Enterprises is a rubber band gun set that includes a 9mm-style pistol, a spinner target and a supply of rubber band ammunition. The components are designed for target shooting and play use, with a repeating firing mechanism typical of rubber band guns. The set provides a complete package with both the launcher and target system included.
Magnum Enterprises | rubberbandguns.com, info@rubberbandguns.com or (605) 719-9488
Post-Setting Foam
PostFix from Sika is a two-component expanding foam designed for setting fence posts, signs and mailboxes. The product expands to fill the surrounding space and cures to secure wood, steel and PVC posts in the ground. It is intended as an alternative to traditional concrete post-setting methods.
Sika Corp. | usa.sika.com
Portable coffee maker
The X2 20V Max Portable Hybrid Coffee Maker from SENIX is a portable coffee maker powered by either a rechargeable battery or a power cord. It is designed for use in workspaces, garages and outdoor environments and includes both the charger and cord. The unit is compatible with single-serve coffee pods and ground coffee.
SENIX Tools | senixtools.com
Box beam level
The Magnetic Box Beam Level from Spec Ops Tools is an aluminum level designed for measuring and leveling applications on jobsites. It features magnetic edges for attachment to metal surfaces and includes integrated bungee functionality for securing the tool during use or transport. The level is built for use in construction and layout work.
Spec Ops Tools | specopstools.com
Cleaning Wipes
The Original Cleaning Wipes from Crocodile Cloth are heavy-duty disposable wipes designed for removing dirt, grease, paint, adhesives and other materials from hands and surfaces. The wipes are made for shop, construction and industrial environments and are packaged in a 100-count container.
Crocodile Cloth | crocodilecloth.com
Hole Saw Kit
The Rapid Core Eject 13-Piece Bi-Metal Hole Saw Kit from Spyder is a cutting kit designed for drilling holes in materials such as wood, plastic and metal. The kit includes multiple bi-metal hole saw sizes and features a core ejection system designed to remove cut material more easily after drilling.
Spyder | spyderproducts.com
Magnetic Hook
The magnetic hooks from Gator Magnetics come in a variety of sizes and are designed for mounting and organizing tools, accessories and other items on steel surfaces. These hooks use a magnetic attachment for repositionable storage without drilling or adhesives.
Gator Magnetics | gatormagnetics.com
Lever-Nuts
The 221 Series Lever-Nuts from WAGO are lever-operated wire-splicing connectors designed to connect solid, stranded and flexible conductors. The connectors feature a transparent housing for wire inspection and a compact design for use in electrical boxes and tight spaces. The lever mechanism allows tool-free wire insertion and removal, and the connectors are available in multiple conductor configurations.
WAGO | wago.com
Funnel
The FunL is a funnel designed to attach directly to fluid containers for controlled pouring. It is compatible with a range of bottle cap sizes and is intended for use with automotive, household and commercial fluids. The design allows the funnel to remain attached for storage and reuse, helping reduce spills during dispensing.
CKD Solutions | newfunl.com
Griddle
The Carbon Steel Griddle from Made In is a cooking surface designed for use on stovetops and grills. It is constructed from carbon steel for direct heat transfer and even cooking. The griddle features raised welded handles for lifting and sloped sides to help manage grease and moisture. It is manufactured in Sweden and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Made In | madeincookware.com
Other Winners Include:
Smart Eyewear
Lucyd | lucyd.co
Prestige PRO 665
NAPOLEON | napoleon.com
SoloCam S340
Eufy | eufy.com
360-Degree Lid Drinkware
Topl | toplcup.com
Warmies Stuffed Animals
Warmies | warmies.com
Magnetic Dog Collar
OTRcarry | otrcarry.com
Raised Bed Soil
Fox Farm Soil & Fertilizer Co. | foxfarm.com
Rubs and Spices
Grill Your Ass Off | grillyourassoff.com
Home Defense Mosquito Kill & Prevent
Ortho | scottsmiraclegro.com
Hummingbird Feeder
Feathersnap | feathersnap.com
Dog & Pet Bowl Bottle
ASOBU | asobubottle.com
Surfprep Sanding System 3×4
Surfprep | surfprepsanding.com
