Debugging React applications efficiently is greatly enhanced by using React Developer Tools, which provide specialized features beyond standard browser developer tools. These tools, available as a browser extension or standalone app, allow developers to inspect and manipulate React component internals such as props and state, and include a profiler for performance analysis. The latest updates, particularly from version 4.x, offer significant improvements in performance, user interface, and functionality, such as filtering component trees, improved support for React Hooks, and the ability to handle higher-order components. Visual enhancements include an indented component view to eliminate horizontal scrolling and better search functionality. The tools also support profiling initial component mounts and tracking component render times, crucial for performance optimization. Overall, React Developer Tools streamline the debugging process, making it easier to handle complex and large-scale React applications by offering a more tailored approach to inspecting and modifying components during development.