Harbor Freight Power Tools You Won't Want To Skip, According To Real Reviews

Have you ever wandered into your local Harbor Freight and thought to yourself, "How on Earth am I supposed to choose from all these tools?" If so, then you're definitely not alone. Theoretically speaking, the chain's massive selection of tools should make it impossible to buy the wrong tool. But in reality, when you're faced with dozens of variations of the same ½-inch drill-driver — and drowning in a sea of persuasive product descriptions — the variety for which you visited the store can quickly become the stuff of fever dreams. If this sounds familiar, then don't worry — we are well versed when it comes to finding the best deals at Harbor Freight.

Whether you need budget-friendly starter tool kit essentials like a decent drill, an electric mixer to whip up some cement, or a hammer drill with which to destroy it, as you'll see in the sections below, there are some excellent power tools available at Harbor Freight. To help you find the best of them, we've scoured the online store for the most highly-rated products. The result, as you'll see below, is a selection of tools for various DIY jobs. Each is rated at least 4 stars overall, and each has been reviewed by at least 100 real customers. To find out more about how we chose them, check out the methodology at the end of this article.

Designed to take care of most day-to-day jobs around the house, Warrior's 18V Cordless ⅜ In. Drill Kit comes with everything you need to start working: a battery, a charger, and of course, a drill. The tool features variable speed settings, 20 torque clutch settings, and an LED light for working in dark corners — everything you'd probably expect from a quality drill. The kicker? Even with the charger and battery, it costs less than $30. This is enough to raise the eyebrows of even the most inexperienced DIYer, however, while it might sound too good to be true, it's hard to discount the tool's overwhelmingly positive feedback.

Out of more than 3,800 reviews to-date, this drill boasts an overall rating of 4.6 out 5. Of course, as is the case with any product, it's not without its negative feedback, and there are some who've said that it's unlikely to last for long, and that it's unsuitable for heavy-duty tasks. However, the overwhelming majority of users praise the product. In fact, 73% have given it 5 stars. Most agree that it's a superb drill for small household chores, and that, provided you're not buying it to perform industrial-grade tasks, that it's unlikely to be a waste of money. "Surprisingly good quality for the price," says one user. "The fact that it comes with the battery and charger makes it extremely good value."

An ideal partner to a range of highly-rated home renovation tools from Harbor Freight, this 20V 5Ah Lithium-Ion Battery from Bauer makes a number of impressive promises. First, it claims to deliver more runtime per charge than a standard 20V 5ah battery. It also promises less downtime between charges, and should you decide to use it when only partially charged, it still promises to deliver maximum power. In other words, if the product spec is anything to go by, this battery has lots to live up to.

Looking at the reviews, there are some who have cited issues with the battery, including difficulty getting it to take and hold charge. A few have also said that it broke after a handful of uses. However, these are far from pattern-forming, and we think it's reasonable to suggest that these problems are unlikely to affect most buyers. In fact, out of more than 2,900 reviews to-date and 4.7-star overall rating, over 85% have awarded the battery 5 stars. The reasons vary, but the most common threads include that the battery delivers on its promises of long-lasting, gutsy power. One user even mentioned how they ditched their 20V DeWalt tools since testing Bauer's 20V system. As another buyer simply put it, "Good product at a great price."

If you've been weighing up the difference between an impact driver and a hammer drill, and decided that you need the latter, then consider Hercules' 20V Brushless Compact Hammer Drill. It's designed to deliver up to 32,000 blows per minute in order to drill materials like masonry and concrete; an all-metal gear construction means it should withstand heavy-duty use, and to be safe, it comes with an attractive five-year warranty.

Out of over 370 reviews to-date and its current 4.8-star rating, 86% gave the drill 5 stars. A further 9% gave it four, while less than 5% gave it 3 stars or below. Among those, some experienced issues with a faulty clutch, and several said that the tool is unlikely to stand up well to heavy use. However, these should be taken with a grain of salt, especially since the vast majority of users awarded it top marks. "Unbelievable," said one, who described it as a "Real great product," and "powerful." Another, who labeled it as "Wonderful," added, "I love this drill, I use it all the time and it has plenty of power to do the job, really a fantastic product at a fantastic price. I would definitely recommend!"

Whether you use it to sharpen your gardening tools or remove stubborn fastenings from around your house and yard, an angle grinder is a versatile tool that's well worth having in your garage. And if you haven't already got one, the 7-Amp Slide-Switch Angle Grinder from Bauer is one of the best in its class on the shelves of Harbor Freight. It's designed with a two-position side handle for optimal comfort, plus a powerful motor that should make light work of most cutting, grinding, and shaping tasks. The product spec also highlights a durable aluminum gear housing which, in tandem with the tool's tough plastic body, makes it likely to stand up to frequent use.

After more than 1,840 reviews to-date, this grinder earns an overall rating of 4.7 stars, which is impressive. There are some who have had issues with removing the blades. There are others who said that the tool feels cheap. And to be fair, it is cheap. It currently retails for just $29.99. That's not a bad thing, though, in fact 96% of users actually disagree that it's built badly. 79% gave it 5 stars, and a further 17% gave it 4. Why? The reasons are varied, but most said that the tool works great, and that it's very hard to beat the quality, especially when you consider the price. As one user put it, "Really happy with this purchase. Works very well and the price is really affordable."

Built for comfortable, cordless use and with a built-in dust bag that should keep mess to a minimum, this 20V Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander from Bauer comes recommended by 95% of users. It fits most sandpaper discs with a hook-and-loop fastening system, and its ergonomic design helps to improve comfort during longer periods of use. As for whether Bauer tools like this are really worth buying, that's a question for the 700 (and counting) users who've actually used it.

78% of users gave the sander, which has a 4.6-star average rating, 5 stars, and among those, the sander received high praise for delivering great value and a surprising amount of power. "Great sander," said one user. "Easy to handle, and the dust bag actually catches most of the dust!" Around only 8% gave the sander 3 stars or less, including some who said that it stopped working after just a few uses.

There are various jobs for which Bauer's 12 Amp, 7 in. Variable-Speed Rotary Polisher/Sander could come in handy. You might be finishing furniture, preparing woodwork as part of a home renovation, or buffing out paint from your car. Whatever your specific need, this tool's adjustable speed range, rotary action, and ergonomic build is designed for versatility as much as it is for precision and comfort. A controlled-start function reduces mess and "wax fling-off," while an automatic sensor keeps power steady when you're exerting extra pressure.

Overall, it's rated 4.6 out of 5 stars. Over 440 users have rated the product, and of those, 79% have awarded it full marks. Yes, there are some who've critiqued the tool for delivering inconsistent torque (in spite of the product script's promise), and one who said that their tool stopped working after a single use. For the most part, though, users seem very impressed with the tool's power and quality, especially given the price. "I have been using this for 2 years now and it is holding up to the Makita I had," said one user. Another, who titled their review "Bauer vs. Dewalt," said that while they have both brands, "I like the Bauer better and it's half the price. It comes with two sets of extra bushes, the Dewalt doesn't come with any. I also like the soft start feature especially for buffing fresh paint."

Able to take on a range of tasks, from sanding and polishing to deburring metals, plastics, and other materials, this right angle die grinder from Hercules is a useful ally in the more awkward corners of your home. It delivers speeds of up to 25,000 RPM, and features a brushless motor that, according to Hercules, means faster speeds and longer runtimes. An LED light helps to make awkward work spaces more visible, while a rubber overmold helps reduce user fatigue by making the grip more comfortable.

What's most impressive about this tool is its current 4.9-star rating. That's the result of 174 user reviews to-date, 91% of which have given it full marks. Just one user has awarded the product 1 star, having experienced issues with overheating. The rest remarked on how impressed they were with the tool, including several who said that it outperformed their Milwaukees, and plenty more who praised its lightweight build and how it does away with the need for a bulky (and energy-hungry) air compressor. As one user put it, "It's a beast that packs a lot of power. Better than the Milwaukee die grinder I also have which quits if you work it too hard."

Are you ripping up an old kitchen floor? Is there an old concrete footing in your yard that you're hoping to seed with grass, or does your driveway need tearing up and replacing? In any case, a breaker hammer is one of the best tools for the job. And while there are various tools of this description at Harbor Freight, this 15 Amp, 66 lb., 1-⅛ in Hex Breaker Hammer from Hercules is one of the most highly rated. It features anti-vibration control to make use more comfortable than other, similar products. Pair this with a motor that yields a hefty 58 joules of striking power, and according to Hercules, the hammer makes light work of even the toughest demolition jobs.

To-date, over 430 users have reviewed it, and out of those, 82% have awarded it top marks, lending to an overall rating of 4.7. Yes, there are an anomalous few who've had issues with the tool not working, or breaking unexpectedly without the option to buy replacement parts. But on the whole, user reviews are far more favorable. It's popular among home remodelers, including several who said they used the tool for large demolition jobs and that it more than stood up to the pressure. One even explained how their crew acquired it for professional use and that it remains the most powerful jack hammer they've ever used. Another user, who titled their review "A powerful machine at a reasonable price," said, "The impact force is absolutely incredible! It handles stone and concrete with ease."

A cement mixer may not feel like a necessity if you only have the occasional need to work with mortar or cement. However, if you frequently take on DIY landscaping or construction jobs, then buying one could save you endless amounts of time and back-breaking labor. Central Machinery's 3-½ cu. Ft. Cement Mixer is a popular choice at Harbor Freight for those in need of such equipment. It's designed for general-purpose mixing, including cement, stucco, mortar, and concrete, and it includes large 9-inch wheels that make it easy to move around your worksite.

Crucially, it's ranked 4.2 stars overall, thanks to more than 4,200 reviews. Of those, more than half have given the product 5 stars, and 80% of total users have rated it at least 4 stars. There is a minority of users who've cited issues with low build quality and poor reliability. Another accused the assembly instructions of requiring an IQ "a few ticks below Einstein" to work out. Generally, though, it's praised for its reliable, back-saving performance, offering high quality at a price that's hard to argue with. "This mixer is an amazing value for money," said one user. "It gets the job done in a jiffy. It runs great and is built with high quality materials!"

If you're in the throes of a dirty DIY project, then we urge you: Don't put your regular household vacuum through the ordeal of cleaning up the mess. Whether it's sawdust, tiny fragments of dry wall, or dusty pieces of concrete, it's honestly not worth risking it. Instead, you should either hire or invest in your own shop vac. And if that sounds like a plan, then you may want to consider the 6 Gallon, 4 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum from Bauer. Per the name, it can be switched from wet to dry, allowing you to clear up solids and liquids easily. It also features a blower mode.

Most importantly, it's reviewed very strongly by over 3,580 users to-date, with an overall rating of 4.6 stars. Of those, 75% have awarded it full marks, with a further 19% having given it 4 stars. Yes, a few users said that it's not powerful enough, and several said that theirs gave off a burning smell after minor use. Most, however, compliment the vacuum's power, its compact design, and its exceptionally-reasonable price tag (less than $55). As one user, who titled their review "Strong vac," put it, "Does the job very well. The price was the main reason to buy!"

As one of the top Harbor Freight tool brands, Warrior delivers high-quality tools at attractively-low prices. This 1500 Watt, 11 Amp, Dual Temperature Heat Gun is a good example. At less than $20, it features high and low temperature settings, a durable build, and a coil that heats quickly and holds its temperature well. Is it likely to be the tool of choice for professionals who need it to perform hours and hours of work? That's unlikely. But is it up to the task of most DIY weekend warriors? It would seem so.

Admittedly, a few users have suggested that it's not built very well, including some who said that it broke after just minutes (sometimes seconds) of use. But it's hard to ignore the fact that 74% gave it full marks, and that it has a 4.7-star rating overall. "Great budget heat gun!" said one user who, like many others, used it for defrosting their home's frozen pipes. Another user, who titled their review "Unexpected," said, "I had it on low and running for 3 to 4 hours almost non-stop. I thought for sure it would over heat at some point but nope. Did exactly what I needed it to. It is definitely a great value for the money."

When creating this guide, we focused on products with at least 100 user reviews, and with overall ratings of at least 4 out of 5 stars. We aimed to cover a wide range of power tools and power-tool accessories, including batteries. Finally, to help readers make an informed purchase decision, we searched for both positive and negative product feedback, and included our findings in the final article above.