Amazon Vs Harbor Freight: Who Has Better Deals On Essential Tools?

Whether you're putting together your first DIY toolkit or updating old equipment that's past its prime, you'll probably be looking to do so as economically as possible. There are a number of places that offer essential tools at budget-friendly prices, but few are better known or more competitive than Amazon and Harbor Freight. The question is, who has the better deals? The answer is: it depends on what you want, whether you have a brand you're loyal to, and how important a warranty is to you.

Amazon offers an unrivaled choice. Although there are nine brands of tools owned by Harbor Freight, Amazon sells things from dozens of different manufacturers. They are known for consistently competitive prices. However, as they don't do price matching, they aren't necessarily the cheapest at any given time. A quick trip to Harbor Freight (either in person or online) will reveal a host of bargains that can be hard to beat, and they seem to be running some kind of deal pretty much all the time. What's more, Harbor Freight has a mailing list so they can let you know about upcoming deals. Amazon does not.

If your aim is to DIY a basic home tool kit for under $100, for example, then achieving that might be easier if you take the time to do a thorough search at Amazon. The drawback is that those tools could be from brands you know nothing about. By comparison, Harbor Freight guarantees its hand tools for life. You might pay a little more, or you might not, but even if you do, that's arguably a better deal.

If you don't have a preferred brand and you're looking for a set of wrenches, for example, then although Harbor Freight offers a choice of 87 items, Amazon lists thousands. Even with such an enormous choice, though, it's hard to beat Harbor Freight's prices. The same is true when we checked for cordless drill drivers, one of those must-buy power tools for first-time homeowners. There's far greater variety at Amazon, but nothing cheaper than Harbor Freight's Warrior 18V model.

If you're a keen DIYer who is prepared to invest a little more in your essential tools, you might consider leading brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, or Makita. You'll find the best deals on them at Amazon, because Harbor Freight only stocks its own brands. On the other hand, Harbor Freight's Hercules brand is pitched as a direct competitor to those pro-grade tools and often undercuts them on price. Harbor Freight also has a lifetime warranty on its tools. That's certainly something to take into consideration. Some tool brands found on Amazon also offer warranties, but at HF, it's a given.

There isn't really an easy answer to the Amazon vs. Harbor Freight question about who has the best deals. Amazon may sometimes be cheaper, but it's important to check specifications carefully to make sure you're comparing like with like. Harbor Freight has more regular deals and publicizes them better. When you're shopping for essential tools, it's nice to have the choice.