Beyond Tools: 11 Underrated Harbor Freight Finds Users Swear By

Harbor Freight carries a large catalog of in-house brands, and it is not all about power tools, shop equipment, and accessories like cutting blades and screwdriver bits. The outlet also carries a huge selection of products that help with home maintenance, outdoor excursions, repair work, and a hundred other activities. 

There's lots to peruse in store, but most of its stable of goods can also be purchased online and shipped straight to your door. These underrated finds at the big box store go beyond the standard marketplace of tools and deliver added support to other areas of a user's lifestyle. It also helps that each one has been highly rated by buyers with hands-on experience with the gear in question.

The Vanguard 100-Foot, 12/3 Gauge 3-Outlet Extension Cord is a hardy cord for tools and accessories, both indoors and outdoors. The power cord offers contractor-grade usage specifics and coverage for three corded items rather than the single receptacle commonly found on long extension cords like this. 

It's built with a water-resistant jacket and a power indicator light to quickly identify whether the cord is live or disconnected. The extension cord is 100 feet in length, which offers plenty of distance between the power source and your camping setup, concessions stand, or work area.

The extension cord features a 98% recommendation rate from buyers. 477 reviewers give it a 4.9-star average rating and speak highly of the solution's price ($80) in comparison to alternatives, and the power indicator light, in particular. They note the 12-gauge, three-wire build offers heavy-duty performance and praise its overall durability. Rounding things out, the extension cord features a bright yellow and black outer jacket to increase its visibility in outdoor or busy workspaces where tripping hazards might otherwise be abundant.

The Predator 2,000-Watt Power Station is a great gadget for RV owners or builders who work without on-site power. It may also appeal to those preparing a supply kit for emergencies. This compact power station can deliver juice for up to 11 devices simultaneously. It can also be completely recharged in just 90 minutes, making it a realistic option for full-day support. 

The tool is rated to deliver over 3,500 charge cycles and perform for 10 years of regular daily usage. It includes three USB-C outlets, three USB-A outlets, four AC outlets, and a 12V DC plug. It also has pass-through charging, allowing the power station to recharge itself while simultaneously delivering power to connected devices. This makes it an ideal candidate for numerous backup power requirements. Furthermore, the power station can also be recharged via solar energy when connected to a panel array.

52 customers have reviewed this power station, giving it a 4.8-star average rating and a recommendation rate of 96%. Reviewers are amazed by the speed at which it can be recharged and note that the tool frequently delivers all-day power without issue, even when supporting large appliances and other demanding needs.

Harbor Freight's Bicycle Lift is an inexpensive and highly efficient way to reclaim some of your garage or entryway space. For those who live in apartments, this can be very useful. The lift features a series of pulleys and hooks that pull your bike toward your ceiling.

The lift can also support bike repair tasks. Rather than flipping the bike over to work on your chain or tires, you can lift the unit in the air instead, performing repairs or part changes while standing at a comfortable height.

Over 1,000 reviews (4.5 star average) praise the tool's ease of use, versatility, and $8 price tag. 95% of reviewers recommend the item to others, and numerous reviews suggest that this tool is equally useful in supporting kayaks, ladders, and many other items that might be found in a typical garage.

The right equipment can improve all sorts of outdoor events; one such item is Harbor Freight's Foldable Aluminum Sports Chair. This chair is built with a lightweight aluminum frame that's easy to transport and can support up to 250 pounds. The chair also includes a trio of side pockets with a bottle holder. It's got more than enough room to keep your phone, glasses, binoculars, and other important gear close by. On the other side, it adds a folding table to give you even more functionality. The chair folds down to a small form factor and is easy to toss into the trunk of a car for use at camp sites, sporting events, and wherever else.

The price tag only makes this chair more appealing. It's listed as an in-store only item at Harbor Freight, so you'll have to find a location nearby to pick one up. But it retails for just $30, and numerous reviewers rave about the value it offers for such a low cost. Price is naturally a consistent theme among the features that customers like best, and with 10,765 reviews on the outlet's website, it's safe to say that this chair is well-liked by buyers. 99% of customers recommend the item, and user reviews have an average 4.8-star rating, noting its wide, comfortable seat.

In seeking products from Harbor Freight that support important lifestyle needs, there's perhaps none like the CoverPro 10 by 10-Foot Heavy Duty Straight Leg Pop Up Canopy. This overhead coverage solution features a heavy-duty canopy and durable leg construction with steel tubing underpinning its build. The 10-by-10-foot canopy is made with a water-resistant polyester fabric rated at a 600-denier thickness, designed to withstand ripping and tearing that might otherwise be a problem in windy conditions. It also features a UV treatment preventing fading and mildew that can build up from sun and rain exposure. The legs and canopy tubing are powder-coated to resist rust and corrosion, rounding out an outdoor accessory that stands ready to provide shade and protection for many seasons to come. It's quick and easy to set up with three adjustable height levels built into the design.

689 customers have reviewed the product, giving a 4.6-star average rating and recommending it to others 93% of the time. Price and quality are consistent in the reviews that buyers leave for this item. They note that it's easy to assemble, in particular. The fabric density is another highlight that users rave about. The canopy sports a list price of $140, which is already a decent bargain for this kind of solution. However, Inside Track Club members can get the product for $110.

There's really no excuse for a mechanic not to have an automotive code reader. Generally, mechanics utilize professional-level diagnostic tools that can handle numerous requirements, but car owners should also use a basic code reader in their vehicle maintenance routine. There's no need to get fancy with this equipment if you aren't frequently popping the hood and exploring problems in cars for clients, and so the Cen-Tech OBD2 Code Reader is an ideal gadget for everyday drivers to have on hand. 

The device works with all OBD2-compliant vehicles, meaning nearly any car with a model year from 1996 onward is compatible with this code reader. You can use the reader to reset a check engine light, and it supports all OBD2 protocols and Controller Area Network protocols. The tool can read O2 sensor data as well as power and transmission control module information.

Whether you want to rectify problems on your own or want an additional diagnostic layer before taking your car to the mechanic, this is a great addition. Having a code reader on hand provides extra protection against some of the common scams that shady auto shops sometimes deploy. This code reader is $40 at Harbor Freight, and a 4.6-star average rating across 1,407 reviews marks it as a cost-effective and versatile solution that 95% of customers recommend.

The Haul-Master 2,000-Pound Capacity Truck Bed Cargo Unloader allows drivers to unload bulky material with ease. This installation features a heavy-duty drag sheet operated by a turning crank. You won't have to drill holes or fasten elements of the unloader to your vehicle, as the sheet roller connects securely to your tailgate, offering damage-free use in the process. The roller features a removable handle that can be easily stored while in motion and connected when you reach your destination. Unloading heavy, loose building material like gravel, sand, or topsoil doesn't have to be a huge pain. Simply connect to the crank and start working the drag sheet, and all of your material will dump out of the trunk bed with ease.

1,633 buyers have reviewed this product, giving it a 4.5-star average rating. Reviewers often note how easy it is to drag full truckloads out of the vehicle's tailgate and start using the material right away. Whether you're gardening or moving aggregate in support of a concrete or plastering job, the speed and ease with which you can move material is revolutionary in the eyes of many.

The U.S. General 14-1/8-Inch by 6-1/4-Inch Magnetic Stainless Steel Parts Tray is a stainless steel parts tray featuring magnetic holding capabilities, and it sits roughly in the middle of the U.S. General catalog of part holding gear. Despite that, this middleground option happens to be the brand's best-rated magnetic tray. 

Anyone who works with small parts can get tremendous use out of a magnetic tray like this. Auto mechanics, IKEA furniture builders, and carpenters alike can all rest easy knowing that the little fasteners, washers, and other metal components will stay together.

The tray features a rectangular shape with three non-marring, rubber-covered magnets. The tray can be placed in any orientation you might require, including on its side or upside down. The magnets are powerful enough to hold onto the side of a vehicle or the underside of a steel worktop, with an equally potent holding force to keep screws, bolts, and other components in place. Reviewers give this a 4.9-star average rating with 98% of the 233 reviewers recommending the tray to others.

I don't count this work platform specifically among my collection, but I use one very similar on a regular basis. The Franklin 40-Inch Lightweight Aluminum Work Platform weighs just 11 pounds and is therefore easy to move around a jobsite or workshop. The nonskid rubber feet make it usable indoors on finished flooring or in rough jobsite conditions alike. It also features a slip-resistant surface to give users a stable platform to work from without worrying about falling over. The legs fold in to make for easy storage, as well.

This platform offers a 20-inch standing height that can help you reach up to ceilings in the top segments of walls, easily tackling painting, installation tasks, and more. I've used my own work platform to install new overhead lighting, put up drywall and perform plastering and repair tasks up near the ceiling, and even as a makeshift workbench. This platform features a 225-pound weight capacity, making it more than capable for general use across numerous job requirements.

2,226 reviewers give this Franklin platform a 4.7-star average rating, with 97% recommending it to others. It's also worth noting that Franklin makes an industrial-style multipurpose scaffold with a 900-pound weight capacity and two-stage height adjustments that reach up to 48 inches. This isn't a support accessory that every routine homeowner will need or be able to effectively store, but reviewers also give this solution great ratings, so it's something to think about if your requirements go beyond the typical renovation.

As a tool supplier with plenty of focus on workshop and automotive essentials, it's no surprise that Harbor Freight carries numerous utility carts and storage solutions. The Franklin 30 by 16-Inch 2-Shelf Utility Cart is one of the brand's best-rated workshop carts. 98% of customers recommend this unit to others, and 1,155 reviewers have given it a 4.8-star average rating. The cart is made of industrial polypropylene and weighs roughly 38 pounds (shipping weight) while providing for a carrying capacity of 500 pounds. Users note its durability and praise the build quality.

The cart features good dent resistance with smooth rolling casters that make it easy to drag around or push in just about any setting. This is true for the cart when loaded with a few pieces of equipment, as well as while carrying the maximum load. It adds hardware bins, a cup holder, and additional tool storage functionality near the handles to keep your most used equipment right in front of your hands as you move around and perform routine tasks. It features deep trays and a bottom shelf that's ideal for carrying larger equipment or boxes. Users talk about its value in the workshop, but also note that it can be used in kitchens, around the house, and in many other applications.

The value of a carbon monoxide alarm can't be overstated, and this is a great choice from Harbor Freight at only $20. Just over 200 Harbor Freight buyers have given the First Alert Carbon Monoxide Alarm a 4.7-star average rating and 95% recommended to others. 

This battery-powered unit can be mounted on a wall or ceiling in your home wherever you require it. The sensor is rated to last for up to five years, and it features an 85-decibel alarm to alert you in the event of carbon monoxide detection. It features a single test and silence button to make easy operation with no question marks or hassles. The peace of mind a carbon monoxide detector brings to your home is vital, and this alarm will do the job. 

Each of these products is among Harbor Freight's less obvious finds. Many of them involve lifestyle enhancements or outdoor living functionality. Others are tool-type accessories that can make either general renovation or specific jobs a little easier to accomplish.

In many cases, less expensive options stood out particularly well, with numerous reviews highlighting the price as a key selling point that provided additional value for the money. Every product listed has garnered more than 50 reviews on Harbor Freight's website, with all average ratings above 4.5 stars.