12 Expensive Tools That Are Well Worth Buying For The Price

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Power tools can be pricey, so you want to spend your dollars wisely. Your best bet is to choose reliable, powerful, and long-lasting models that fit your needs. Even if it means stretching your budget a bit, some tools are worth splurging on so that you don't have to deal with frequent problems or poor performance.

To find the best tools for your projects, we combed through power tools across all categories from major manufacturers. We ranked them based on customer ratings and only considered tools with at least a 4-star rating. While some of these specialty tools have a small number of reviews, most of our picks have at least 500 positive ones. In addition, we only considered tools that a minimum of 80 percent of reviewers would recommend. These popular tools aren't the cheapest, but they have proven to be worth the spend because of their features and efficiency.

A gas-powered chainsaw often has faster cutting speeds than a cheaper electric version. The payoff is that it requires less user effort for large jobs, like cutting thick limbs or correctly felling a tree using the chainsaw. While the average gas chainsaw costs around $400 or less, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher Chainsaw is just shy of $600. But this 20-inch chainsaw offers reliable cutting ability and is very easy to start. That's important because some gas chainsaws might require more than a pull or two to get going. Instead of figuring out what to try if your chainsaw won't start, you can save your effort for the actual work ahead of you.

Based on more than 650 reviews at Lowe's and an average rating of 4.7 stars, this is a popular gas chainsaw. It performs well enough that an impressive 94 percent of buyers would recommend it. As one reviewer says, "I have used a much smaller saw for years and just got by. I had no idea the time that I was wasting. I purchased this 455, and in 30 minutes, did 8 hours worth of cutting. This is a perfect saw for what I needed. It has the power to cut through 18" trees like butter. I should have made the purchase years ago."

Ready to move beyond the basic tools worth investing in to start woodworking at home? A quality bandsaw will help you take your craft to the next level by allowing you to make curved cuts or execute detailed designs. The Grizzly Industrial G0555 Bandsaw costs $950 and has a 1 HP motor, a tilting table for bevel cuts, and a sturdy steel base. Fair warning: the heavy-duty construction of this bandsaw means that it's a hefty piece of equipment that requires two people for set-up. Fortunately, the assembly is a straightforward process.

A nearly perfect rating of 4.9 stars based on a couple of hundred reviews shows how much users like this tool. In fact, 93 percent of customers would recommend it for purchase. One Home Depot reviewer sums up his buying journey this way: "Buying a 14-inch bandsaw is a big decision...pretty sure I made the right one! As a woodworking hobbyist, spending a thousand bucks on a tool was a big leap, so you can be assured that I studied up on all the options. I chose the Grizzly G0555 because it had the most features in the price point and because I could order it through my local Home Depot!"

A benchtop planer is another splurge-worthy tool for woodworking enthusiasts. This tool shaves boards to a uniform thickness. And while you'll spend $729 for this DeWalt version, it's worth remembering that a planer can save you money by turning lower-quality boards into useful lumber. This model adds value by including an extra set of knives, which are a replaceable part for portable planers. You'll also get an infeed and outfeed table so that your milled boards don't wind up on the floor.

The DeWalt DW735X Bench Planer earns 4.7 stars based on over 1,400 reviews at Home Depot. Eighty-eight percent of users would recommend buying it. The most notable drawback is that the dust collector hose can interfere with wood exiting the planer. If you run into this snag, you might have to secure the hose out of the way. In general, though, buyers note that it's worth spending the money for this benchtop planer. Take it from this reviewer, who says, "I considered the lower-priced model but went with this one instead and have been very happy with it. The extra money was worth it. The wood is just so smooth when you run it through."

The Dewalt DWE7491RS Job Site Table Saw is a well-liked investment for cutting projects at home or on the job. The table saw is attached to a wheeled chassis with a built-in stand. Reviewers say the stand is stable and easy to set up. A telescoping fence expands to allow for 32.5 inches of rip capacity but retracts for smaller cuts. There's an included miter gauge and saw blade, but the quality of the blade draws some criticism. With that in mind, you may upgrade it even before you see the usual signs that it's time to replace the blades on your table saw tool.

This tool has racked up over 5,600 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.7 stars. You'll spend about $700, but it's money well spent, according to satisfied buyers. One reviewer says, "Yes, it commands the highest price of common portable contractor saws on the market right now, but it's money well spent if the increased fence capacity and refined portability is worth it to you. As they say...buy once, cry once."

Compact but powerful, the Makita LS1219L 12-inch Compound Miter Saw is a top pick for jobs that call for precise, angled cuts. This model is capable of cutting angles up to 60 degrees and bevel cut angles up to 48 degrees. For the sake of portability, this miter saw is designed to have a small footprint, and it weighs only 65 pounds. In addition to its cutting capability, its smooth start mechanism is one reason to splurge on this Makita tool. Reviewers find this to be very helpful and an important safety feature.

Just over 200 reviewers have given this tool an average rating of 4.6 stars. You can expect to spend over $900 for this miter saw, but according to this reviewer, it's money well spent: "It is not cheap, but you get a lot for the money. IMHO, it is the best 12-inch available." While there are plenty of reasons to spend big for this saw, it's not flawless. The included laser line is a bit faint, according to some reviewers. Even still, 84 percent of reviewers would suggest buying this tool.

When you're looking to choose the best pruning tool for your needs, a pole saw will come in handy for fast, efficient cutting of high branches. The Echo PPT-2620 Telescoping Power Pole Saw stands out for having a 2-stroke engine with 25.4 CC. That's enough power to put it on par with professional-grade gas pole saw motors, according to the manufacturer. Other user-convenience features include an automatic oiling mechanism and convenient side access for adjusting the chain tension.

All of these features add up to a $649 price tag, but reviewers find the tool to be worth it based on the features and durability offered. One reviewer explains, "I bought this power pole saw and I have been using it ever since to prune trees in my yard. It can be a bit of an overkill for a typical homeowner, but for me, it's worth its weight in gold in the sense that I went with a cheaper option that hasn't worked out. It's a bit pricey, though, but I bought it to serve me for a decent amount of time." At Home Depot, the tool garners 4.7 stars based on over 400 reviews. An impressive 95 percent of buyers would recommend the tool to someone else.

There's big value in the DeWalt 20V Max 6-Tool Cordless Combo Kit, but expect to pay a pretty penny for this package deal. For $899, you get six cordless hand tools. That's actually a very good value when you consider that these 20V power tools cost between $149 and $229 each. To keep your tools juiced up, the kit includes two interchangeable batteries, including a long-lasting 5 AH battery, and a charger. You'll also get a storage box with wheels and a handle in case you need to take your tools on the go. Despite the steep price tag, this kit can be a good investment if you're starting from scratch and looking for must-buy power tools for first-time homeowners.

These cordless tools feature brushless motors for the sake of longevity. And while they're suitable for most household use or medium-duty projects, heavy-duty or professional-grade projects might need more specialized tools. Based on this tool kit's positive review rating, an average of 4.7 stars from over 6,200 reviews, most people are very happy with the value. Take it from this reviewer who says, "Absolutely love this tool bundle! The price is fantastic, and the tool bundle is a real winner. You can always trust the products from DeWalt. Always high quality. The tools cover pretty much everything I need for my home projects."

A circular saw is one of the most essential saws you can buy. This Makita 40V 7 ¼-inch Cordless Circular Saw isn't the least expensive option, but it has features that make it worth the splurge. For instance, the brushless motor is capable of 6,400 RPM, so the saw feels powerful and fast, according to reviewers. To keep things under control, it has an electronic brake that users say provides smooth, reliable stopping power. And for the sake of durability, this circular saw has more seals to keep out dust and water and improve the tool's durability.

This tool costs $678 at Home Depot and includes a 40V 4.0 Ah battery and charger. Just over 200 reviewers have bestowed a rating of 4.7 stars, and 83 percent would recommend buying it. Keep in mind that at almost 12 pounds, it can be a little heavy to use for long periods of time. For many users, though, the extra weight is worth it for the power. One reviewer provided a positive summary of the tool, saying, "This saw, while not the lightest rear handle circular saw, is an absolute beast and the quality is second to none. It works great when making plunge cuts and rips 2x treated lumber without any hesitation. If you're willing to pay the higher price, the Makita XGT platform does not disappoint in any way."

The DeWalt 8-Gallon Gas Air Compressor has impressive compressed air output along with easy maneuverability. This 168-pound wheelbarrow-style compressor is reliably mobile with its never-flat tire. It also has twin tanks with 8 gallons of air capacity. A reputable Honda gas engine gives the compressor the power to fill the tanks as needed, and tank pressure gauges give you at-a-glance information.

In combination with the compressor's overall build quality, you can quickly build a case for the $1,499 price tag. This tool has an average rating of 4.5 stars, and most impressively, 94 percent of users would recommend buying it. Reviewers call it a top-of-the-line compressor and say it's well-equipped for just about any air tools found on a typical job site. Case in point is this comment from one reviewer: "First impression of this is WOW. This is built for work; every part of this compressor is top quality."

When you have a dirty job to do, use a pressure washer to clean up everything from driveways to garbage cans or your kid's play equipment. A 4400 PSI pressure washer, like this Westinghouse model, gives you lots of cleaning power. The gasoline-powered engine also frees you from the constraints of a cord or battery life, which are little-known downsides to electric pressure washers. There aren't many causes for complaints, but early hose failure because of friction has been reported by reviewers. The good news is that if this happens to you after extended use, the hose is replaceable.

The Westinghouse WPX4400 Gas Pressure Washer costs $849, but it has a stellar track record for performance. It holds an average rating of 4.7 stars based on more than 14,000 reviews. And 95 percent of buyers think that you should invest in this model, too. "This Westinghouse WPX3400 is powerful, easier to start, has a much better design and features and it came with a parts list for replacement parts when that time comes. I know I made a great investment in this product," says one satisfied user.

The Westinghouse WGen9500DFc Dual Fuel Portable Generator is equipped to keep essential appliances functional in the event of a power outage. At just over $1,000, it's a pricey but powerful option. It offers up to 12,500 peak watts and 9,500 running watts. To ensure you have no downtime, this model is equipped with a transfer switch. As a dual-fuel model, this compressor offers 12 hours of runtime using the 6.6-gallon fuel tank or 7 hours with a 20-pound propane tank.

More than the price tag is hefty — this generator weighs 212 pounds. The good news is that it's equipped with a never-flat tire and handles to make maneuvering it easier. However, attaching the legs and wheels can be cumbersome, according to reviewers.

If you need evidence that this generator is worth the splurge, consider that it's recommended by 97 percent of users who give it an average rating of 4.8 stars. Reviews praising the generator's performance and build quality aren't hard to come by. One user says, "Product performed flawlessly. Lots of power for its size. Extremely well built. I would highly recommend!"

A snow blower can help you clear your driveway efficiently and save time and effort spent shoveling snow. For that reason, many homeowners consider a snowblower an essential piece of outdoor power equipment. It may not be cheap, but the $999 Ariens Classic 24 in. Gas Snow Blower can make quick work of clearing snow from sidewalks and driveways. This model is a two-stage snowblower, which means that it has an auger to collect snow and an impeller to throw the snow. In this case, the snowblower has a 24-inch clearing path and an adjustable chute that throws snow up to 40 feet. Reviewers sometimes point out the lack of a throttle adjustment as a downside to this model, but it's not an impediment to the machine's snow-clearing abilities. An electric start is a popular feature of this snowblower.

At Home Depot, this top-rated snowblower has an average of 4.3 stars from nearly 500 reviews. And 85 percent of users would recommend that you buy this model based on its performance and user-friendly features. One reviewer has this positive report after using the snowblower, saying, "Was very impressed with my snowblower and the amount of deep snow that it just walks through. Starts easy in the cold, controls are made well and easy to use. This machine is going to last for many years."

To find the tools worth splurging on, we researched popular picks across the primary tool categories, including woodworking, power tools, and yard equipment. To make the cut for our list, we considered the average rating and general pros and cons for each tool. We only included tools that earn at least 4 stars from reviewers and have at least 50 reviews, although most have 500 reviews or more. We also only considered tools that at least 80 percent of users would recommend buying.