The 26 Harbor Freight Tools Every DIYer Should Know About, According To Reviews

Even with an uncertain economy and fluctuating unemployment rates, the home improvement sector remains resilient and continues to grow. The DIY trend, bolstered during the COVID-19 lockdowns, has stayed strong in 2025, driven by ongoing high prices and inflation. And with a new wave of young homeowners, there's a growing population of beginners out there who are building their dream tool collection. Whether you're just starting out or replacing a tool that's seen better days, we've reviewed the options, and these Harbor Freight tools, which range from a tape measure to a table saw, are ones that every DIYer should consider.

Everyone needs a few tools around the house to do odd jobs, such as hanging a picture or tightening the screw on the fridge door. When you start tackling DIY projects, it takes the tool game to an entirely new level. Of course, it can take years to build a dependable tool collection. Still, you have to start somewhere, and these must-have tools from Harbor Freight are your everyday workhorses — the ones you'll reach for again and again. According to the reviews, these are the ones you should consider adding to your toolbox.

DIYers need a wide range of tools, so while it's hard to know where to start this list, we're going to begin with the Fortress 6-gallon 175 psi Jobsite Air Compressor. This tool is used for everything from airing up tires to powering nail guns and paint sprayers. While not every project requires an air compressor, when you need one, nothing else will suffice. Harbor Freight offers a wide range of air compressors in various styles and sizes, priced from approximately $70 to $2,000. For DIYers, reviews say the 6-gallon Fortress is a solid choice at $159.99.

An angle grinder is useful for a wide range of repairs and builds. With various heads, brushes, and attachments, you can polish, grind, and cut a wide range of materials. One of the significant advantages of Harbor Freight is its tiered pricing, which offers multiple entry points for consumers. At $14.99, the WARRIOR 4.3 Amp, 4-1/2 in. An Angle Grinder is an affordable choice for beginner toolkits. With over 1200 consistently strong reviews, people like that it is small, lightweight, and gets the job done.

Few tools are as necessary as a carpenter's square when it comes to building. In fact, if this weren't alphabetical, the carpenter's square would be vying for the top spot. For everyday use, any carpenter's square will do, but if you're making rafters, you need a special tool like the Doyle 12-inch Professional Rafter Square, available at $16.99. Customers appreciate the high contrast degree markings and angle guides for quick angle layouts. This rafter square can also be used for tasks such as checking pitch and marking angles.

Anyone who has ever caulked a large project understands the value of a good caulk gun. A bad caulk gun leaves you with cramped hands and a mess to clean. Before you use that same old piece of junk you've been using for years, consider the Bauer 20V Caulk and Adhesive Gun. Bauer is one of the best-known brands of tools offered by Harbor Freight. With 93% of customers saying they would recommend it, this is an affordable option at $39.99 compared to name-brand models that cost almost $200.

If you're finding it hard to rationalize getting a cement mixer for your next project, then consider all the ways it can be used. Whether you're setting fence posts or installing a sidewalk, a cement mixer makes concrete work manageable. It can also be used for various alternative purposes, such as mixing potting soil. According to reviews, the Bauer 4 Cubic Foot Cement Mixer mixes cement fast. Priced affordably at $379.99, it has enough capacity to mix two 80-pound bags of concrete or stucco at a time.

DIYers should know about Harbor Freight's Hercules power tools, and next on our list is the Hercules 20V Cordless Worm-Drive Style Circular Saw from this lineup. Whether you choose a corded or cordless model, circular saws are a necessity for DIY projects involving lumber and plywood. According to 28 reviews, the Hercules worm-drive saw is a good value for its $149.99 price tag. Batteries and chargers aren't included in this price, but the saw still costs half of what leading brands do.

No matter what your project is, tools that get consistently strong customer reviews on Harbor Freight's website are worth looking at, even if they're not something you would use frequently. Stockpiling a decent set of tools means making useful additions like clamps, and at only $3.49, the 6-inch Pittsburgh Quick-Release Bar Clamp is the cheapest way to get an extra set of hands on your jobsite without feeling like they're reaching into your pocketbook. With over 5,000 reviews, this clamp received an overall rating of 4.7 out of five stars.

Another tool that may not seem particularly important at first glance is a chisel set. A quality chisel set, however, is indispensable for many DIY enthusiasts who enjoy woodworking. As long as you're not getting into anything too fancy, a simple set like the $9.99 Windsor Design 6-piece Wood Chisel Set is a good place to start.

Probably the number one tool that comes to mind when they think of DIYing is a cordless drill. From drilling holes and installing screws to mixing paint, the cordless drill is a versatile and compact tool. At Harbor Freight, customer reviews point to one top choice: the Hercules 20V Cordless Hammer Drill Combo Kit, which comes with a charger, two batteries, and two types of drills, including an impact driver and a hammer drill. At $249, it's a solid entry point if you're interested in the Hercules 20V system. 

The average DIYer doesn't do enough framing to justify spending a few hundred dollars on an expensive framing nailer. However, if you're building a shed or an add-on as a weekend project, you will want to use a nail gun to save your elbow and make your work go faster. Reviewers say that the Banks 3-in-1 Framing Nailer does the job it's intended to do, although it's slightly heavy compared to other nailers. Priced at $119.99, this nailer received consistently good reviews and puts a nail gun within reach of any budget.

Reciprocating saws, sometimes called sabre saws or Sawzalls, are essential for any demolition work. Reciprocating saws easily cut through a wide range of materials, including nails, metal, wood, and branches, and are a standard tool for many different types of tradespeople. It's hard not to see the value in the Bauer 10 Amp Variable-Speed Reciprocating Saw, even if you only use it occasionally. Priced at $54.99, the Bauer reciprocating saw costs less than half of similar models from big box stores.

No one likes cutting concrete, but sometimes DIY projects require it. Whether it's for creating expansion joints in a new slab or cutting new openings for doors and windows, a concrete saw gives you the controlled cuts you need for clean work. While many people rent this tool, the Bauer 15 Amp Concrete Saw is nearly the same price as a rental, making it a practical addition to your growing collection of DIY tools.

Something that many homeowners don't even think about purchasing, a bench grinder is the solution to all those dull garden tools in your garage. Whether it's for sharpening chisels or mower blades, a bench grinder has a wide range of potential applications for DIYers. According to reviews, the Bauer 6-inch Bench Grinder with LED Lights is a reliable and effective sharpening tool. You could spend about four times as much and get a more powerful Hercules bench grinder, but at $49.99, this one has the required strength for many homeowners and DIYers.

If you're working on a wood or construction project with curves or cutouts, then you need a jigsaw. None of the other tools we've discussed so far can make the kind of detailed and rounded cuts that a jigsaw can, so just like anything else, when it's the right tool for the job, it's the one you have to get. If you're considering investing in the Bauer 20V Cordless Variable-Speed Jig Saw Tool, it's available from Harbor Freight for $44.99.

Often, the difference between a professional finish and a DIY hack job is in the details. Using tools like laser levels enables DIYers to achieve the same high-quality work as many professionals, even when it comes to hanging cabinets and installing tile. You'll find hundreds of cheap knock-off laser levels online, but the Bauer 50-foot Self-Leveling Laser Level from Harbor Freight is reported to be a quality option. Customers appreciate the $99.99 price tag, giving this model 4.4 out of five stars in 280 reviews.

If your DIY project involves furniture and cabinet making, then you need a table saw. If you don't have a couple of grand to drop on the model you really want, you can still get professional-quality cuts with the Hercules 15 Amp Jobsite Table Saw from Harbor Freight. At $379.99, this is still a major investment for many people, but it helps that 96% of customers recommend this purchase. Reviews indicate that it works well, and you can use it over the next few years while saving money for your dream saw.

If the cordless convenience of a small palm sander isn't enough to convince you that this is a tool you should have in your toolbox, then maybe the fact that it costs less than $20 will. Although this cost is for the tool only, the $19.99 price tag for the Bauer 20V Cordless Corner/Detail Sander is hardly any more than the sandpaper itself. According to reviews, customers used it on everything from sanding and detailing automobiles to refinishing furniture, giving it 4.7 out of five stars.

Ladder injuries are common and can even be fatal, and they're often caused by people not having the right ladder for the job. That alone should be enough to convince you to add a decent ladder to your DIY toolkit. A multitask ladder can be used safely in so many different ways. At Harbor Freight, customers wholeheartedly approve of the Franklin 17-foot Multitask Ladder, which is available for $159.99 (about $80 less than similar models at big-box home improvement stores).

Speaking of ladders, let's talk about scaffolding. For certain types of work, such as ceiling installation or drywall finishing, a scaffold provides a stable platform to stand on, store your tools, and work for extended periods. This can be much more efficient and comfortable than working off a ladder. Harbor Freight customers say that using the Franklin 900 lb Capacity Scaffold beats the shaky knees you get when using step ladders on vaulted ceilings. With over 2,300 reviews, the Franklin scaffold earns 4.8 stars out of five.

One of the most common tools in a homeowner's toolbox is a stud finder. This is because, whether it's for hanging something heavy on walls or installing an outlet, DIYers often find themselves looking for studs. The Franklin Sensors ProSensor M10 Stud Finder costs $14.99, which is nothing compared to what you'll spend patching drywall if you accidentally hang something heavy where there's no stud. Customer reviews say that it works exactly as expected, making it easy to find studs in walls.

For tough clogs, you call the plumber, right? If you're looking to save money on your home maintenance budget, buying a tool is often more cost-effective than hiring a plumber to unclog your drains. If you're having to justify the cost of this tool to anyone, mention that the Bauer 23-foot Automatic Drain Snake costs $99.99, which ironically is about the same as the low-end estimate to have a plumber come to your house. With almost 2,000 reviews on Harbor Freight's website, this tool earned 4.5 out of five stars.

Okay, everyone has a utility knife, and most DIYers have several, so why would you need another? Answer: You just do. At $8.99, the Doyle Professional Retractable Utility Knife is worth taking a look at, based on what customers are saying. Reviews highlight benefits such as the comfortable grip, which facilitates easier cutting, the tool-free blade changes, and the additional blade storage capacity. This means you can keep your utility knife blade ready to slice whatever you need, instead of having to search for blades or another tool.

Like utility knives, for some reason, you always seem to need more tape measures. Having a spare one handy in various areas around the home makes life easier. This is why it's common for DIYers to keep them in places like the garage, laundry room, and even the kitchen or a vehicle. Customers say the Bauer 25-foot Tape Measure is a solid unit, and for $9.99, it's an affordable way to have one everywhere you might need it.

They say experience is the best teacher, and that's true if you've ever tried to install drywall on a ceiling without a hoist. Using the Franklin 150-pound Drywall Hoist, this job is manageable for one person. Since many DIYers work alone, this is the type of tool that's a game-changer when you're renovating and remodeling around the home. According to reviews, the $219.99 cost would quickly be eaten up if you had to pay someone to help you hang drywall, making this tool purchase a practical one.

If you always thought owning a paint sprayer would cost too much for your DIY tool budget, think again. One of the best things about saving money on tools is that you can afford to buy even more tools, like the Avanti HVLP Paint Sprayer for $69.99. According to reviews, the Avanti paint sprayer is a budget-friendly option that works well for a variety of applications, including painting houses, fences, and cabinetry. If you have a number of painting projects ahead of you, it's worth considering adding this one to your tool collection.

Just when you think you have all the different types of saws and cutting tools you need, along comes the oscillating multitool. Oscillating tools are one of those products that, once you discover everything you can do with them, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one. From sawing and scraping to making plunge cuts, the Bauer Oscillating Multi-Tool costs $39.99 (not including the battery). Customers appreciate that the heads are easy to change. They also enjoy its cordless convenience and versatility.