Harbor Freight's Socket Set Is Leaving Customers Disappointed. Here's Why

One of the biggest perks of walking into Harbor Freight has always been the savings. You can stock up on tools without feeling like you've emptied your wallet, which is a big part of why so many people keep going back. The second is the sheer variety of brands you get to choose from. Among those brands, Icon has built a solid reputation for delivering quality tools at a budget-friendly price point, especially with its compact socket set.

Unfortunately, the next time you head to Harbor Freight for that particular Icon set, you won't find it. It has been replaced by a new version that's nearly twice the price, and according to early buyers, isn't quite as nice. In fact, many are saying the upgrade feels more like a downgrade. Now, why exactly are customers dissatisfied, and should that be enough to dissuade you? Before we get into whether the new set is worth your money, let's look inside the box and break down what's actually changed.

The updated ICON 1/4 in. Drive Compact Socket and Bit Set, 52-Piece now comes in a bigger storage case, but doesn't, on its own, justify the $79.99 price tag for many customers. One Reddit reviewer, however, argues that the value is there if you break it down: the meme tool, two sets of 1/4-inch Icon sockets, the bit driver, and the 1/4-inch U-joint would cost about $115 if purchased separately. You could piece together a similar kit, but it wouldn't come bundled or carry Harbor Freight's nationwide lifetime warranty.

When Harbor Freight retired the OG meme tool for a larger, 52-piece upgrade, customers naturally assumed that the bigger toolbox was going to translate into more bang for their buck. However, in gaining pieces, it loses what made the original so popular. For starters, the old 35-piece kit fits neatly into glove boxes and tight tool drawers, making it a go-to for quick, on-the-go fixes. The new set's case is nearly double the size and depth. (via Reddit)

But despite being a bigger kit, the new set actually ships with eight fewer bits, dropping smaller Torx sizes (T6 to T9) and key hex metrics like 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 8 mm. And that's not even the worst part. The redesigned ratchet is not a pass-through model like in the previous set. The OG tool's low-profile hex drive doubled as a bit ratchet and socket driver without adapters, while its T-handle function delivered extra torque in tight spots. The new ratchet abandons both for a slightly bulkier square anvil drive that requires an adapter and loses the clever T-handle option entirely.

Even the build has a few problems. Some early users, as indicated by one YouTuber, have flagged wobble in the extensions, a finicky bit adapter, and a hinge that doesn't close as smoothly as the original. For $79.99, that's disappointing and immediately puts it in the category of Harbor Freight Icon tools you should reconsider buying.

It's not the home run some customers expected, but the new Icon socket set isn't a total miss either. The most obvious upgrade is the hardware itself. The sockets are now made from chrome molybdenum instead of the standard chrome vanadium, so it's supposed to be stronger. Plus, with the new 72-tooth ratchet (which is an improvement over the OG tool's 60 teeth), you get a more precise finish, which helps in awkward angles.

The kit also covers a near-complete range of quarter-inch sizes, with 10 SAE sockets from 3/16 to 9/16 inches and 11 metric sockets from 5 to 14 mm. That breadth makes it a solid all-rounder for general maintenance, whether you're mounting a TV, assembling IKEA furniture, or tackling quick repairs on a boat or in the garage. In these scenarios, the larger case becomes clearly beneficial. One trip gets you every socket and bit you need without constantly shuffling back to the toolbox.

Then there's the warranty. Harbor Freight's lifetime guarantee on Icon tools remains its strongest selling point. The peace of mind that comes with knowing you can easily swap it out when something breaks may be sufficient reason to give it a try. Still, for many others, that's not enough to justify the jump in price from $39.99. A lot of customers really liked the pass-through, and since Icon no longer offers that, they'd rather find an alternative that does.