17 Harbor Freight Tools Under $50 That Are Worth Buying

Since 1977, loyal customers have turned to Harbor Freight for affordable tools and reliable DIY essentials. Its reputation for affordability makes it a popular destination for customers to stock up on all their hardware needs. By working directly with manufacturers, the retail giant manages to keep a wide variety of stock at generally low prices. This lack of a middleman is one of the reasons why tools at Harbor Freight are cheaper than their competitors. Harbor Freight even manufactures its own tools under the brand name Pittsburgh to ensure quality and affordable pricing on products sold exclusively at its locations.

Some Harbor Freight products can still cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If you know where to look, however, you can find hidden gems tucked away in the hardware store's aisles for less than $50. These affordable finds are vetted with sky-high ratings and positive reviews from firsthand buyers. Here are some of the best affordable Harbor Freight tools for your home that may actually be worth your time and hard-earned money, and why they may be a better alternative to pricier name-brand options. More information about our selection process can be found at the end of this article.

The Doyle 12-inch Professional Rafter Square is one of the Harbor Freight tools that, according to reviews, every DIYer should know about. This lightweight and highly practical tool is useful for measuring and marking, and the straight angles can aid in guiding your saw while cutting. The saw is equipped with conversion tables so you can easily switch units while working. This rafter square is priced at $17 on Harbor Freight's website, where it has an excellent rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. Reviewers say it's easy to read and helpful for woodworking and carpentry.

This Pittsburgh 14-piece SAE Combination Wrench Set is perfect for knocking out quick projects when duty calls. The durable, fully polished steel wrench set comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate a wide array of jobs, and satisfied buyers report that it's a good value for your money. Priced at just $25 on Harbor Freight's website, this standard-size set is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. Reviewers say that the tools' quality is well worth the price, especially compared to prices at competing stores.

This Doyle 14-in-1 Precision Screwdriver/Nut Driver comes with eight different screwdriver bits and six integrated nut drivers, enabling you to tackle countless jobs with one inexpensive tool. This tool has a perfect 5-out-of-5 star rating and is priced at $12 on Harbor Freight's website. Reviewers appreciate the quality of the precision screwdriver and noted that features like the rotating end cap were especially useful. Satisfied customers also mention that this product is nearly identical to other screwdrivers from pricier brands like Klein.

This four-piece Icon Professional 10-mm Socket Set is the perfect solution for replacing those slippery 10-millimeter sockets that are infamous for going missing. Listed for just $10 on Harbor Freight's website, this set has garnered a perfect 5 stars out of 5 and comes with four different sizes, accommodating both shallow and deep sockets. Reviewers note that buying this extra set is useful for times when the 10-millimeter sockets from their existing sets inevitably go missing. Customers also note that this set is high-quality and comes at a reasonable price.

The Pittsburgh 10-inch Adjustable Demolition Pry Bar Wrench is another versatile tool with four different functions. This wrench also includes a pry bar, striking face, and nail puller that come in handy for more complex jobs. This is another Harbor Freight product with a perfect 5-out-of-5 star rating, and it's priced at $20 online. Reviews from verified buyers reveal that the wrench is made from sturdy materials, has a strong grip, and performs well according to all its different functions.

These petite Pittsburgh 5-inch Micro Flush Cutters are exceptionally cheap, priced at just $3 on Harbor Freight's website. Despite its low price tag (or, in part, because of it), the product has overwhelmingly positive feedback and boasts 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviewers note that the tool is the perfect size for getting into hard-to-reach places, and it's strong enough to cut through a variety of wires and materials. When you factor in that the tool only costs a couple of dollars, most agree it's well worth your money.

The Pittsburgh 10-inch Double-Edge Pull Saw does not disappoint, according to reviews from verified Harbor Freight buyers. Priced at only $15, this saw has triple-ground and induction-hardened teeth for clean, precise cuts and is rated a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 stars online. Reviewers say that the saw works exceptionally well and makes accurate cuts with ease, though they do warn against using too much force to avoid bending the thin blade. Many consider this saw a staple and note that it's handy to have on hand.

Braun's 500-Lumen Professional Swivel Headlamp will only set you back $15 when purchased on Harbor Freight's website. This headlamp is particularly useful for providing much-needed light when working in dark spaces, or when you lose track of time and the sun sets before you've completed a job. This headlamp has an impressive rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Satisfied shoppers say that the light is exceptionally bright and has a reliable battery life, and that the hands-free design is convenient. Overall, the majority of buyers believe this lamp is a great value for the price.

These Hardy Professional Mechanics Gloves cost just $10 online, a small price to pay for the extra grip and protection they provide. Not only do they protect your fingers and knuckles from impact and irritation from rough materials, but they also come with double-reinforced protection on the palms, which can absorb vibrations and help with gripping objects. The gloves are rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Harbor Freight's website. Buyers say that despite the cheap price, the gloves are durable and made of comfortable, breathable material, perfect for extended periods of use.

Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh SAE and Metric Long-Reach Hex Key Set comes with both metric and standard hex keys and keeps the various sizes neatly organized in marked holders to avoid clutter or confusion. The set comes with 36 pieces total, so you'll be equipped to take on a wide array of jobs. Priced at just $9, this product has earned a commendable rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars across more than 2,400 reviews. Customers appreciate the hex keys' overall quality and that the product includes two sets to accommodate different units of measurement.

The HFT 6-Outlet Power Strip with Metal Housing is a reliable solution for a shortage of readily available outlets. Its heavy-duty build can endure even the most rugged job sites and accommodate multiple power tools, chargers, lights, or any other appliances you need to use in your workspace. The power strip is priced at $23 online, where it has garnered 4.8 out of 5 stars. Reviewers appreciate that the design is easy to mount and features an extra-long power cord. They also say it's both functional and reliable.

When choosing ratchet straps, it's important to feel confident in the product's ability to safely and efficiently secure your cargo. Harbor Freight's Haul-Master E-Track Ratcheting Tie-Down can be trusted to haul up to 1,467 pounds and has a perfect 5-out-of-5 star rating online, where it's listed for $11. Many reviewers say that these excellent straps are made of high-quality materials that you can trust with heavy loads. Buyers also note that the straps' overall durability and quality are on par with comparable products from expensive name brands.

This Bauer 20V Cordless Jet Fan Blower is useful for knocking out tasks around the yard or cleaning dust and debris out of your workspace after completing a particularly messy project. High-end blowers can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but this budget alternative from Harbor Freight is priced at $50 and is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. Verified buyers say the blower is lightweight and ideal for use in small or hard-to-reach spaces. They also note that the blower is surprisingly powerful given its low price, and they believe it's a great value.

When you think of power tools, drills are likely one of the first essentials that come to mind. This Hercules 12V Cordless Compact Drill/Driver is a highly rated and affordable option from Harbor Freight, comparable to popular name-brand options like Milwaukee, but at a fraction of the price. Listed for just $40 on Harbor Freight's website, this drill is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars. Reviewers appreciate the drill's power and weight. They note that it's a reliable and handy addition to their tool collection and is a great value for the money.

Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Stubby Claw Hammer is perfect for hammering tasks in compact or hard-to-reach spaces. The short handle is an ideal size for knocking out smaller jobs that don't necessitate a heavy-duty power tool. Priced at $4 online, this is another Harbor Freight essential that will set you back just a couple of dollars. It's rated 4.9 out of 5 stars, and reviewers say the miniature hammer is compact but powerful. Buyers also note that the hammer's weight is nicely balanced, and it's ideal for small jobs or quick tasks around the house.

Doyle's Professional Flip Utility Knife can come in handy for a number of unexpected occasions. Priced at just $10 and rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Harbor Freight's website, this inexpensive necessity is comparable in quality to knives from brands like Milwaukee. Fortunately, it can save you a couple of bucks in the long run without compromising reliability. Skeptical shoppers admit in reviews that they didn't expect much from this bargain knife but were pleasantly surprised, and some buyers even stocked up on extras as gifts. They also note that the blades are sharp and the handle is comfortable to grip.

This four-piece Pittsburgh 12-inch File Set is durable enough to handle heavy-duty tasks, despite costing just $15. The file set comes with tapered flat, round, half round, and triangle files, all with double-cut serration patterns, ideal for smoothing surfaces with ease. The set boasts a customer satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with reviewers writing that the files are of adequate length, easy to grip, and do a satisfactory job. Most buyers are pleased with the product's quality and durability and are happy with the set's overall value.

When selecting products to feature on this list, we prioritized items on Harbor Freight's website with the highest customer satisfaction ratings. We examined reviews from verified buyers to determine the pros and cons of each product and chose to include items with a minimum of 4.5 out of 5 stars and with an adequate number of reviews. We also used online forums such as Reddit to gauge the overall popularity of specific items and referenced Consumer Reports when applicable (and available).

At the time of publishing, all items featured on this list are priced under $50 on Harbor Freight's website; however, costs are subject to change over time. Additionally, the prices found on the brand's website might differ from those found in person at Harbor Freight locations. The author of this article did not personally test out any of these products, and the opinions here are entirely based on customer reviews. This list is not organized in any specific order and is not intended to be an official ranking.