Hand tools are a defining feature of human history, separating us from our caveman ancestors. In modern day, however, we have a lot more options than just whatever rock we can find for tools. Trying to pick a good hand tool from the myriad of products and brands out there can be a bit daunting.
No company has reinvented the hammer, and yet, there are still countless options to choose from in the store and online.
We think we’ve found the best hand tools on the market, narrowing it down to eleven amazing products of the most reliable brands and tools that you can use without a power socket.
We can’t make the decision for you, but we can help narrow down what you’re looking for!
Our Top 3 Recommendations
1. Tekton 63-Piece Screwdriver & Nut Driver Set
Features
- Versatile hand toolset
- Unique manufacturing design
- Free shipping and 10% back in rewards
Price: From $220.00
2. Channellock Tool Roll Plier Set
Features
- Pliers for every job
- Durable
- Easy to use
Price: From $199.95
3. Milwaukee Utility Knife and Tape Measure Set
Features
- High-quality
- Innovative one-hand blade opening
- Magnetic tape measure
Price: From $38.97
11 Best Hand Tool Brands for 2021
WilFiks 16-Inch Pro Hand Saw
Price from $35.97
Pros
- Glides through various materials
- Non-slip ergonomic handle
- For pros, hobbyists, gardeners
Cons
- None
WilFiks company, based in New York, makes excellent hand tools that won’t break your bank. Their selection is limited, but they offer good-quality tools that users love.
We chose their 16-inch hand saw, as hand saws are one of the most used hand tools in general and are one of the best hand tools for woodworking.
Aside from professional woodworkers, this saw is advertised as great for pruning branches, cutting trees, and cutting lumber for construction and DIY building projects.
The blade is made of high carbon steel, with sharp teeth protruding from it in a unique design allowing it to glide easily through lumber. It stays sharp for longer than competing saw blades, and the handle is ergonomically fitted to avoid blistering and injury to your hands.
Some saws are flimsy and easily break, but the Wilfiks 16-inch pro hand saw cuts through wood, drywall, plywood, pipes, and wallboard without issue. Because hand saws are basic hand tools, they must be versatile and durable, and this saw must be good because it received almost no bad reviews!
DeWalt Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set, 204-Piece
Price from $177.80
Pros
- Parts are compatible with the primary ratchets
- Tough case
- A limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Heavy when full
A mechanic needs a wide range of tools for every vehicle repair, and you’ll find various ratchets, wrenches, hex keys, and sockets in every mechanic’s kit.
We choose the DEWALT mechanic tools kit as the all-inclusive collection of the best hand tools for mechanics.
It’s a terrific value set that contains everything you may need: the primary quick-release 72-tooth ratchet works with every socket in the collection, which saves space and is designed for one-handed use. The sizes are marked on the sockets and wrenches, and a knurled ring will provide a non-slip surface for the sockets.
The set comes in a sturdy molded plastic case with durable metal hinges and latches. You’ll notice the full case is heavy, and it could be difficult to lug around. Another minor problem you could face is small parts falling out of the case.
DeWalt is probably the best tool brand for mechanics, and they made sure you’ll be covered for every automotive job. They are, after all, guaranteed tough. We don’t take the weight of the tools as a downside; it makes sense the durable steel will weigh more. You really can’t get better quality for the money!
Stanley Hand Planer
Price from $32.39
Pros
- Affordable and Versatile
- Fully Adjustable
- Finger rest for comfort and control
Cons
- Tuning takes a lot of time
Stanley is one of the most popular tool manufacturers in the world. They have been in the industry for more than 100 years and make some of the best hand tools for the money.
There is pretty much nothing you can’t get from Stanley, but our choice for this review is their manually adjustable block plane. This versatile plane is well-made, with machined sides, a cast-iron base, and an epoxy coating over the entire tool to ensure longevity.
It features an entirely adjustable cutter, changing the thickness of the shavings. For cross-grain cutting, it rests at a 21° angle. It will handle different jobs, but it’s perfect for DIY projects and light-duty tasks, as it’s a smaller tool. The finger rest helps control the instrument and provides comfort, making it one of our must-have hand tools.
Stanley secures this product with a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring the durability of their tools and creating satisfied customers. Give yourself some time when setting it up, however, it can take a long time to fine-tune this tool, especially for a first-timer. Don’t worry though, you only have to do it once!
Tekton 63-Piece Screwdriver & Nut Driver Set
Price from $220.00
Pros
- Versatile hand toolset
- Unique manufacturing design for better torque
- Free shipping and 10% back in rewards
Cons
- The price of $220
Tekton is an American family-owned tool design and manufacturing company. They offer state-of-the-art hand tools made in the USA and pride themselves in producing uniquely designed products for the best price.
We went for their 63-piece set of screwdrivers and nut drivers because of the versatility of the set. You can use it for virtually any home improvement project.
Tekton’s diverse high-torque screwdriver sets carry different sizes and head styles of the screw- and nut drivers (Torx, Square, Phillips, Hex, Flat). In this set, you’ll receive 41 standard, six long, and two stubby screwdrivers and 14 nut drivers, and they come in readable imperial and metric sizes (printed on the end of the driver).
If you are looking to buy some high-quality hand tools, Tekton’s got your back.
The screwdrivers are fitted with steel blades, hardened by a strong nickel, molybdenum, chromium alloy. Nut drivers also have strong alloy steel hardened shafts, and for increased rust resistance, the screwdrivers are chrome-plated, while the nut drivers have a black oxide finish.
By placing the blade into the handle mold during manufacturing instead of fitting it afterward, Tekton claims that their drivers are of exceptional strength and produce more torque without breaking than the average screwdriver. This makes them contenders for the best hand tools for 2021, with polypropylene handles reinforced with calcium carbonate and over-molded soft thermoplastic grip.
When purchasing through the official Tekton website, you’ll get 10% back in rewards for your every order and free shipping. We love the brands that value their customers!
Estwing 16 oz Curved Claw Hammer
Price from $21.46
Pros
- Forged from one-piece steel
- Affordable
- A nylon-vinyl grip
Cons
- Not for heavy-duty jobs (you’ll have to size up)
Estwing is based in Rockford, Illinois, and has been making tools for more than 90 years, using only solid American steel. This is one of the top hand tool brands in the US and worldwide.
Because it’s hard to imagine any toolset without a hammer, we picked up this Estwing 16-ounce curved claw hammer for its excellent universal design and formidable strength.
The manufacturer achieved the sturdiness of the tool by forging it from just one piece of steel. It includes a patented shock reduction grip made of nylon-vinyl for comfort and reduction of vibration upon impact, making it the most ergonomic hammer on the market.
The hammer’s curved claw can pull out any nail not hammered below the surface, has a nice balance while still being lightweight.
Estwing is among those hand tool brands whose tools are designed with all users in mind from professional, to average homeowners.
This hammer is proof that excellent tools don’t have to cost much. For only 20 bucks, you’ll get a tool that you’ll pass onto your grandchildren, and while it won’t replace a heavy-duty sledgehammer, it suits just fine for regular handy-work.
You can get this particular hammer in sizes from 12 ounces to 30 ounces and can see the weight etched into the hammer’s head. All of Estwing’s top-rated hand tools come in different sizes, always keeping the user in mind with their designs.
Channellock Tool Roll Plier Set
Price from $199.95
Pros
- Pliers for every job
- Durable
- Easy to use
- High-quality American steel
Cons
- Purchasable only through the sellers listed on their website
Channellock has come a long way since their humble beginning in 1886 when a blacksmith named George B. DeArment started forging tools by hand selling them out of his wagon. Now this company has the best hand tools kit with heavy-duty professional pliers, wrenches, and screwdrivers around. They pride themselves on treating both workers and customers with the utmost respect and having exclusively American-made tools.
We tried out the Code Blue grip 8-pc plier set. It carries pliers for every type of use; a cable cutter, crimping, long nose, tongue&groove, linemen, and diagonal cutting pliers.
The cutting edges and teeth of the pliers are laser heat-treated for better grip and durability, and the tools are made of high-carbon steel. The whole set is fitted with Code Blue hand grips making these professional hand tools completely American-made.
With every purchase, you receive a limited lifetime warranty ensuring the quality of the tools, and to be honest, our only criticism is you can’t find them in every store!
Wen 36-Inch Steel Bar Clamps
Price from $31.85
Pros
- An “extra pair of reliable hands”
- Great value
- Firm grip doesn’t damage your projects
Cons
- Clamps sometimes slip
Wen products were among the first companies to “put the power in power tools” and are pioneers of random orbital sander technology. They have a reputation for making affordable and durable power tools since 1951, but they also make quality hand tools.
In particular, their 36-inch steel bar clamps deserve a place in any workshop or home. Sometimes you have to build, fix, or glue something together, and you just can’t do it yourself. In that case, a good set of clamps become your extra pair of hands.
Two flawlessly designed F-shaped clamps come in the set. They are quickly adjustable and easily close without any tricky buttons or latches. The clamp heads are spray-protected from rust, and they are equipped with non-marring pads to prevent scratching during use.
These clamps are one of the best rated hand tools on the market because they don’t do any extra damage, unlike a lot of the competition. Their rails are 36 inches in length, with a 2-5-inch throat and micro-adjustment knob. They meet the requirements for various projects, providing the same precision, and it’s easy to tighten or loosen them.
Wen knows what they’re doing! These clamps can easily handle over 1200 pounds of clamping force, which secures their place among the best hand tools on the global market.
Husky 4 Piece Precision Set
Price from $11.99
Pros
- Four different picks
- Make small wires or electronics reachable
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- The picks are quite delicate
Husky is an all-American company known for its quality tools and storage equipment. Home Depot acquired this brand, and you can find all types of Husky tools on their shelves. With reasonable prices and outstanding quality, Husky is many people’s favorite in the hand tools manufacturers category.
From their selection, we picked out their 4-piece precision set. These four different labeled picks come bent in different angles for picking into otherwise unreachable places. The total length of each pick is 6 inches, so, in combination with ergonomic handles and rotating caps, you’ll manage to work even in the most awkward positions and angles.
Maybe you wouldn’t ever think of getting this sort of tool, at least until you start to meddle with tiny parts and wires where other tools can’t reach. In our humble opinion, these babies are the best hand toolset, especially for working on delicate projects.
Milwaukee Utility Knife and Tape Measure Set
Price from $38.97
Pros
- High-quality
- Innovative one-hand blade opening
- Magnetic tape measure
- Numbers on both sides of the tape
- Tape measure includes a blueprint scale
- A limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- No integrated spare blade storage on the knife
Every professional and regular handy worker needs a tape measure and a utility knife, so Milwaukee put them in the same pack. Milwaukee has a stellar reputation that precedes the products that they sell. For years they have been manufacturing some of the best hand tools in the world, and their storage options and power tools are also worth the praise!
Milwaukee’s line of Fastback knives doesn’t leave much to be desired. You can easily open this knife one-handedly by pressing a button opening the blade, which immediately locks into place.
There are no tools required to change the blade, and it’s compact enough to be carried around in your pocket safely. It has an integrated wire stripper and a gut hook making most reviewers agree us included), that this utility knife has to be one of the best hand tools.
Sold with it is the 25-foot compact magnetic measuring tape. The magnetic feature is ideal for measuring metals, and it’s pretty much everything-proof. It features double-sided printing and a completely ergonomic finger stop to protect your fingers.
Milwaukee takes care of their pros with a manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty, but we doubt you’ll ever have to claim it.
Stabila 48-inch and 16-inch Level Set
Price from $150.00
Pros
- Unparalleled durability
- Granted precision
- Amazing design
- A limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- The price is $150
Stabila is among the top hand tools brands in Germany. Behind them is more than 130 years of producing the best quality measuring tools. They offer modern, innovative products, one of which is this set of two levelers.
Apart from the funky colors and design, the craftsmanship of their levels is superior. These are both lightweight and easy to maneuver. The larger one has three plumb vials and two hand holes, while the smaller one has two vials and one hand hole.
In every homeowner’s, DIYer’s, or professional tool kit, one of the top hand tools is a level. This German brand will give you ruggedness, lightness, and comfort, all in one.
A strong aluminum frame with removable rubber end caps keeps the vials safely in place, and the fluid is bright green for readability. The manufacturer guarantees the vials won’t break or leak, and if they become inaccurate or foggy, they provide a tool replacement.
This is the Number 1 selling level set in the US, making Stabila the best hand tool brand in the measuring field, even if it is a little expensive, retailing at $150.
Imothecom 10 Piece Punch and Chisel Set
Price from $89.99
Pros
- Best of the best industrial quality
- Good variety of sizes
- Innovative
- A warranty covers every piece
Cons
- The price could make your head spin
Imotechom is one of the most innovative tool brands in existence. They have more than a hundred-year-long tradition and stores in more than 100 countries worldwide, providing customers with some of the best new hand tools and patents.
We chose one of the most basic but essential tools from them, a chisel (or rather, a complete set of them, plus a storage tray).
Chisels and punches come in different sizes and find use in many jobs. They have to be tough enough to handle working with the hammer and materials of different densities but not too heavy to damage lighter materials.
This brand produces its punches and chisels of special alloy steel and treats them with heat to last longer. They hand polish every cutting edge for precision and smoothness, making their tools some of the best quality hand tools in the industry.
Their soft-grip handles and black oxide coating are not only for show. The grip helps with vibration reduction, while the oxide layer prevents chipping. The manufacturer even found a way to improve the thermal sensation when working in cold settings!
It puts so much care into developing their products that they’ve covered everything. Their pieces are all industrial quality and backed by a warranty. Just take a look at their website; you’ll see why Imotechom is the best hand tool brand in the field of innovation.
We think this set of three flat chisels, three starter punches, three pin punches, and a center punch is worth the price of $280, but if you just need it for a few fixes here and there, maybe go with a cheaper version. If you want quality tools that will last a lifetime, however, this brand is exactly what you need.
How to Choose Best Hand Tool Brands?
With so many competitors in the hand tool market, choosing the right one can indeed be tricky. Thinking about the purpose you need your tools for is a great way to narrow down options. Whether it is a couple of quick fixes around the house, or a professional worksite, knowing the task you need to accomplish will provide direction and eliminate unnecessary costs.
When purchasing tools (especially those with higher prices), look for a warranty, replacement, or return option. All good hand tool brands offer these features and are usually stated on their websites (and on Amazon).
One more piece of advice: sometimes the official brand’s webshop offers a lower price than Amazon and even offer free shipping. Find some reviews online and ask around. Customer reviews can give you a lot of information about products that you can’t get anywhere else.
People Also Ask
There are many excellent brands for hand tools: Milwaukee, DeWalt, Husky, Craftsman, and Stanley, to name a few. All of them make top-notch tools, but not all of them cater to everyone.
For example, DeWalt and Milwaukee focus more on professionals, while Craftsman and Stanley go for light- and medium-duty products.
Depending on your needs, you’ll have various tools in your set. The essential ten tools everyone should have are:
- Tape measure
- Hand saw
- Pliers
- Screwdrivers
- Wrenches
- Hammers
- Utility knife
- Level
- Files
- Clamps
You can also add flashlights, chisels, punches, crowbars, calipers (whatever you deem necessary).
Snap-on is one of the most innovative brands on the global hand tool market. With thousands of approved and pending patents, they prove time and time again that they are not afraid to try new things.
Everything they make is exceptionally durable and almost always extremely expensive. However, it’s tough to find an alternative to Snap-on quality.
Some worthy opponents are Beta, Grey Pneumatic, Proto, SK, Mac, Wrightgrip, Gearwrench, and Stahlwille tools.
Ultimately, finding the best hand tools comes down to preference. Knowing your needs and price range, considering a couple of reviews, and testing them out will help get the right fit for you.
