16 Highly-Rated Harbor Freight Essentials For Your Next Home Renovation Project

Harbor Freight continues to build on its reputation for discounted tools that often punch above their price point. It's a go-to chain for money-minded home renovators who don't have the budget for name-brand tools. And honestly, once you've spent a few hours perusing the wares of Harbor Freight's growing list of owned tool brands, it becomes increasingly hard to understand why you'd need to spend more elsewhere.

For home renovators, especially those who are building their DIY kit from scratch, this makes a trip to Harbor Freight an immensely attractive proposition. However, the discount tool chain isn't exempt from the sound logic of "you get what you pay for." Low prices inevitably means that there'll be some less reliable models, and, obviously, we all want to avoid these. To help you save on tools while renovating and still get quality, we've scoured Harbor Freight's lineup to identify the top performers. 

Below, we explore 16 essential home renovation tools that you can currently buy from Harbor Freight. From powerful demolition tools and trusty claw hammers to detail sanders and screwdrivers, there's something here to pique the interest of every home renovator. We'll cover our methodology in more detail at the end of the article, but for now, the most important thing know is that each boasts a minimum rating of 4.5 stars from at least 50 real user reviews. 

Hercules' 20V Brushless Cordless, ½-Inch High Torque Impact Wrench can make a powerful ally on a home renovation. The all-metal gearing and brushless motor are real ticks in its favor. So, too, is the auto shut-off feature that prevents overtightening. The tool also features an extended 2-inch anvil to give easier access to recessed fasteners — ideal if you're stripping parts off your fixer-upper and need a tool to make light work of it. 

Boasting an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, this impact wrench from Hercules is somewhat more pricey than the equivalent from Bauer, which comes in at approximately $60 cheaper. However, with more than 60 reviews to date, the Hercules tool is recommended by 100% of users. As one buyer, who described it as a great product, said, "I haven't come across something yet I couldn't break loose!" 

If you're planning on tearing down internal walls, breaking and removing tiles, or smashing up tough concrete, a demolition hammer is the tool for the job. Harbor Freight's 10 Amp, 12 Pound SDS-MAX Type Demolition Hammer from Hercules offers 3,800 BPM of striking power and is designed to be comfortable, with a shock-absorbent, anti-vibration handle to reduce arm strain. As a handy extra, the demo hammer also comes with a blow-molded case. 

Overall, it earns 4.8 out of 5 stars, and out of over 160 reviews, 99% have given it full marks. As of writing this guide, there is just a single 1-star review from a user who questioned the tool's muscle power. However, the vast majority of other reviews have praised it to the contrary. One user said, "I needed to demo tile and subfloor. This tool was perfect for that." Another, who described the item as a "beast," explained that they've had zero issues after more than two years of use. 

Anybody who's familiar with Harbor Freight's growing list of tool brands will understand why Hercules' power tools are almost always worth buying. But what about its batteries? Well, as one of the brand's all-time highest-rated power sources, the 20V 5Ah Extended-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Bundle boasts an overall rating of 4.9 out of 5. That's the result of over 200 user reviews to date, most of which give the set 5 stars.

Individual ratings aside, 100% of those who've reviewed the batteries say that they would recommend them. Admittedly, one single-star reviewer was rather let down when their battery died after being left outdoors during a light rain shower. However, there are plenty more who seem to love the batteries' easy-view fuel gauge, the fact that they come in a two-pack, and how long they last. As one user, said, "I like the fact I can use one of the batteries daily for a week without having to worry about it needing a charge."

Suited for cutting sections of trim, molding, and timber framing, Hercules' 12-Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw comes with a precision LED shadow guide, making it easier to achieve precise cuts. It's powerful, too, thanks to a high-output 15-amp motor. As for the reviews, it lands just short of a perfect score. 

A small handful of reviews mark the saw down for quality and reliability issues. However, compared to the mere seven (to date) who have rated the saw 1 star, nearly 3,200 have given it full marks, contributing to its overall rating of 4.9 out of 5. Several have said how useful the saw is for a variety of home improvement projects, with most agreeing that it's incredibly well-priced given the quality. As one user said, "This is the best saw on the market, especially for the money."

Whether you're retiling the walls in your bathroom or laying new flooring in your kitchen, a tile saw can make the job a whole lot easier. The 7-Inch Wet Tile Saw from Diamondback promises a good amount of power, includes an adjustable rip fence for miter cuts, and can also do plunge cuts. According to the product specs, it promises to handle porcelain, masonry, and stone up to 2¼ inches thick. What's more, it boasts an overall user rating of 4.7 out of 5. 

Now, we should note that some reviewers suggest the motor could be of a higher quality, and that the bearings are prone to dying. However, out of more than 1,400 reviews, 78% have awarded the product 5 stars, with a further 15% giving it 4. One user, who explains that they recently bought the tile saw to cut pebble stone mosaic tiles for their bathroom floor, says that while they were initially worried about the glass tiles splintering, they were pleasantly surprised by the machine's ability to deliver clean, precise cuts. Another, who bought it for a paving job, explains, quite simply, that the saw is "worth every penny."

Applicable to an array of cutting, grinding, and polishing jobs, this 4½-Inch Paddle-Switch Angle Grinder from Hercules features all-metal gearing, and is, according to the specs, designed to hold up to professional use. Its paddle-switch feature increases ease of use, regardless of your dexterity, and in case you're unsure whether it's the angle grinder for you, it's also rated 4.8 out of 5 stars overall. 

Of course, not every review is favorable; in fact, several users have said you should steer clear of the tool due to issues like motor burnout. However, these are once again in the minority. Out of over 770 reviews to date, over 83% have awarded the grinder 5 stars. As one user said, "What a workhorse! I needed a grinder to level a concrete floor and remove the old paint."

Another of Harbor Freight's most popular tool brands, Bauer's increasingly diverse line-up of power tools offers home improvers the chance to save a significant buck versus shopping from premium name brands. But are Bauer tools actually any good? Well, if customer ratings for the brand's 20V Cordless, 6-Tool Combo Kit are anything to go by, it's fair to say that they are. This toolkit features a ½-inch drill/driver, a ¼-inch impact driver, a 6½-inch circular saw, a brushless oscillating multitool, a compact LED light, and a jet fan blower. Two battery sizes keep the tools amply powered, while a charger keeps one on charge whenever the other is in use.

What's really impressive, however, is that out of over 200 reviews to date, over 84% have awarded the set 5 stars. There have been a few 1-star reviews, all of which bemoaned the quality of the included saw. However, they are very much in the minority, and as one 5-star reviewer said, "This is an excellent kit! A little bit of everything for a great price. Everything's been very durable and I put it through the test!"

Aiming to catch as much of sanding dust as possible via an eight-hole, through-the-pad collection function, this 3 Amp, 5-Inch Random Orbit Palm Sander from Hercules can be used with either a dust bag or a vacuum attachment via a universal port. It also accepts most hook-and-loop style sanding pads, and the variable 6-speed design means it's suitable for various sanding applications. This is particularly important during renovation work, where you might find yourself needING to bust through thick layers of old paint one day — and do light sands between paint coats on cabinets the next. 

There are those who question the sander's quality, including one whose sander only worked for a few hours, and several who said it requires two hands to keep under control. However, 81% of customers have awarded the product 5 stars, lending to an overall rating of 4.7 stars. One reviewer advised, "If you're doing home projects don't go buy one of those expensive sanders, buy this one." Many praise the variable-speed, dust collection, and power, and multiple reviewers comparing the tool to pricier models like DeWalt.

There are some Harbor Freight tools that every DIYer should know about, and this 20V Cordless Corner/Detail Sander from Bauer is one of them. It's designed for tight spaces and sanding jobs where finesse is key, like stairway spindles and furniture refinishing. It features on-board dust collection to keep mess to a minimum, plus an operating speed of 11,000 orbits per minute (OPM) that should, at least theoretically, help to make easier work of whatever you're sanding. 

As for how it's reviewed, there are a few who give it poor marks, including two whose reviews cite poor build quality, and another who said that the sander worked for just four hours. However, more than 230 users (over 81%) have given the sander 5 stars. As one user put it, it's "One of the best tools I have in my collection."

If you're taking on a fixer-upper, there's no telling what size screws you'll need to remove or install. With that in mind, it pays to have a complete set of screwdrivers to hand, and while you could easily spend a small fortune buying a set from a premium name brand, you'll find that there are lots of affordable screwdriver sets at Harbor Freight to choose from. And according to reviews, this premium 15-Piece Screwdriver Set from Quinn is a solid option.

Overall, despite a handful of poor reviews that question the set's quality (including one whose set arrived incomplete), the set is rated 4.8 out of 5 stars. Out of more than 920 reviews to date, more than 82% have awarded it 5 stars. "These drivers are excellent," surmised one happy buyer. Another, who cited the great price they paid for the set, said it has all the screwdriver sizes you're likely to need and added, "You can't beat the warranty that comes with it."

This 9 Amp Variable-Speed Surface Conditioning Tool from Hercules is designed to remove paint and rust, as well as condition metal surfaces. Per the product specs, ergonomic design features and all-metal gearing make it both comfortable to use and long-lasting. And according to the 89% of customers who've reviewed it with 5 stars, it would seem that it is, indeed, up to the use and abuse it's designed for. 

As you might expect, not all feedback is positive. One 2-star reviewer said that the tool was supplied with a faulty part, although this is unlikely to affect most buyers. There is also a single 3-star reviewer who said that the tool was slower to strip paint than they'd have liked. Overall, though, the feedback is very positive, with reviews proving the tool's versatility. "I am redoing a lot of old furniture and wanted something more efficient than my disk sanders," said one user. "This tool really works great. I also used it to strip old glue from floors I am redoing."

If you're undergoing a home renovation and you're not a professional electrician, the strongest recommendation we can make is to hire one. The next recommendation is to ensure that you're adequately protected should you accidentally come into contact with live wires, and that's where this trio of 1000V Insulated Screwdrivers from Doyle comes in. Per the name, the handles are insulated to protect against accidental shocks. But they also appear to be built with comfort and convenience taken into consideration, including a printed base on each that makes it quick and easy to choose the right tool. 

Overall, the set is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars. A single 1-star reviewer wrote that one of the driver tips failed to fit securely in the screws they were fastening. However, out of more than 280 reviews in total, 88% have given the set 5 stars. As one user explained, "If you are doing electrical work, this is the set of screwdrivers you need."

Whether you're ripping a load of panelling off the walls in your kitchen or pulling up the baseboards in the living room, you'll need a crowbar set. Harbor Freight's 2-Piece Pry Bar Set from Quinn's has oversized, comfort-first grips and high-torque, heat-treated, chrome-vanadium shafts. This set is affordably priced, and reviewers praise the sturdy feel and great grip on the handles.

So far, out of over 90 reviews, the lowest is 3 stars — from a user who said that the pry bars should be used for light work only. That said, they still recommended the product, as did the 87% of users who gave the set 5 stars. "Worked great removing tiles," said one user, who added that "the angle on the pry bar made it really easy." 

If you've yet to add a decent pair of scissors to your toolbox, then something like these 8-Inch Multipurpose Stainless Steel Scissors from Pittsburgh could be worth considering. They're designed with a serrated, stainless-steel blade that's able to cut through a wide variety of materials with minimal effort, from strips of carpet to vinyl and leather. The Pittsburgh scissors also feature a dedicated cutout for cables, so you can cut wires without damaging the main part of the blade. 

They're rated 4.8 out of 5 stars, with 84% of users having awarded them full marks. A minor few questioned their quality, including two who accused them of feeling cheap given the price. Others, however, praised them for their sheer sharpness, as well as the spring-loaded mechanism that makes them easy to use. As one happy customer said, "These are more than scissors. They are heavy-duty cutting tools."

The ProSensor M150 Stud Finder from Franklin Sensors can help with tasks like hanging shelves or a TV, or any other instance where you need to avoid drilling into pipes or wires. It's designed to locate and identify both wood and metal studs, and it can also help to detect any live electrical cables to ensure you don't accidentally drill or cut through them. It can detect studs and cables up to 1½ inches behind the surface you're working on, and since it works instantly and without the need for calibration, you can put it to use as soon as you break it out of the box. 

Overall, despite a few users who suggested that the tool doesn't work, or that it's inconsistent and inaccurate, the finder scores an impressive 4.6 out of 5 stars, with 81% of users giving it top marks. One buyer, who explained that the product works great and as described, said, "I love that it detects electrical lines as well. It worked great detecting both wood and metal studs. I would totally recommend this to others."

Sometimes, the simplest tools are the most versatile, and this 16-Ounce Fiberglass Claw Hammer from Pittsburgh is certainly simple. The handle is designed to absorb the inevitable shock that comes with this kind of tool's territory, and a nonslip grip ensures that it doesn't accidentally become airborne when those annoying rusty nails eventually come free from the wall. With a 4.8 out of 5 rating overall, it's one of the highest-rated products in its class at Harbor Freight; out of more than 1,850 reviews, more than 82% have given it 5 stars.

A very small number of users have cited issues with the hammer, including one who suggested that it broke while hammering a nail. However, most users agreed that it's tough to beat the quality of the hammer, especially given the current price of just $6.99. As one user said, "Like most of the tools I buy at Harbor Freight, this took the abuse well. I would buy it again."

Each product in this guide was chosen based on several key criteria. Firstly, products had to be rated at least 4.5 out of 5 stars overall by real Harbor Freight customers. Next, to ensure that those ratings represented a fair appraisal of the products, we focused exclusively on those with a minimum of 50 user reviews. We also focused on the core tools that, as much as possible, can be used for an array of home renovation projects and tasks. Finally, to offer readers a wide variety of tool types, we avoided featuring tools designed to perform exactly the same function.