13 Of The Best Power Tools You Can Buy At Harbor Freight (According To Users)

Power tools are often required in various professional fields. Be it automotive, woodworking, or plumbing, there is no doubt that power tools reduce working time while also making the execution of certain tasks easier and more effortless by reducing the physical efforts that would otherwise be required. There are many places to purchase tools, everywhere from physical stores to online retailers. Harbor Freight is one such platform where you will find a wide array of power tools from brands like Bauer, Hercules, and Warrior.

We have listed some of the best power tools you can buy at Harbor Freight — ones that offer top-notch performance and are also durable, thus staying true to marketed claims and a brand's name and reputation. These items have been heavily favored by customers.

If you are looking to save a few dollars, you might want to consider an in-store shopping haul rather than an online purchase, since it can prove cheaper to buy Harbor Freight products from physical stores sometimes, courtesy of sale events happening in-store only.

The Warrior 1.1 Amp Corner/Detail Sander has a compact, triangular design made for sanding tight spots and corners that may not be accessible by larger sanders. The powerful motor delivers 12,500 orbits per minute for quick sanding, while the dust produced during the job is collected in the dust bag attached at the back of the tool. Moreover, replacing the sanding paper is easy, thanks to the hook-and-loop fastening — just make sure the holes are aligned with the design on the sanding pad.

Up for a price of $19.99, one Harbor Freight user even compared it with the famous tool brand DeWalt, and found this Warrior tool to be better in terms of performance. Out of 1,950 reviewers, 95% of them recommend the tool and have appreciated its lightweight build and how efficiently it tackles various around-the-house projects, like sanding corners of a bathroom wall without having to put much pressure onto the device.

A wet/dry vacuum is a multipurpose device, such that it can pull up dry dust and particles, as well as clean liquid spills from your surfaces. The Bauer Wet/Dry Vacuum comes with a six-gallon tank capacity to clean up large areas, along with a seven-foot hose to reach up and behind pieces of furniture for an efficient dust removal. Furthermore, it has a flow rate of 75 cubic feet per minute and a peak motor power of 4 hp, to efficiently suck large pieces of debris.

Converting this vacuum to a blower is super easy with the integration of a separate blower port. There is also an on-board storage where you can store the hose, extension wands, nozzle, and other included accessories for neat organization. Moreover, the tool has a lightweight design and four solid wheels, both of which aid in convenient transportation. Plus, the top-carrying handle is also crafted keeping in mind user comfort and ergonomics. It enjoys a 4.7 out of five rating on Harbor Freight, and a quick glance over the user reviews seems to confirm that the vacuum functions as it claims to and is a powerhouse for mid-level cleanups.

The Bauer Random Orbit Palm Sander is designed with an industrial fan-cooled motor that is capable of generating 13,000 opm to cater to tough industrial-level applications. It generates a 3/32-inch orbital action for a smoother and finer sanding. And like all good sanders, there's a dust collection bag for mess-free working. According to user reviews, it is effective in removing the toughest layers of paint, and can level rough surfaces like plywood and fiberglass.

You can choose between six speed levels, depending on the requirements of the task at hand. Plus, the hook-and-loop design works with 5-inch sandpaper sheets that are easy to replace. The tool has an ergonomic handle with a rubber palm grip to add comfort and prevent fatigue, especially during prolonged usage. Of 4,528 reviewers, 3,361 gave it a five-star rating — leading to an overall score of 4.6 out of five.

A cordless blower is way more convenient than a corded one, since it is easier to move around and clean every spot around your place. The Bauer 20V Workshop Blower has a speed selector switch to let you pick among three speed levels, with the highest being 200 miles per hour of airspeed and 120 cfm to remove large particles of debris. In addition, it is made with an impact-resistant housing and crush-resistant nozzle so that all the air is delivered precisely at the target spot.

What's more is that the tool has a weight of 2.48 pounds and a textured overmold grip, so you can easily use it for longer applications. Priced at $39.99 at Harbor Freight, you also get nozzle adapters that come in handy when inflating toys and other objects. A user even reported in a review to have used it for stoking fires and blowing snow. The blower is recommended by 97% of owners, with a total rating of 4.8 out of five.

Being one of the highest-rated Bauer power tools at Harbor Freight, the Tigger-Grip Angle Grinder is built with an eight-amp motor that can generate up to 11,000 revolutions per minute, for fast grinding and cutting. The tool has a trigger grip handle, along with an extra handle that can be attached to one of the two positions for better leverage and stability when working. Additionally, you can change the blade wheel without requiring any additional tools, thanks to the spindle lock.

The all-metal gear construction further adds durability to the grinder, making it suitable to work with metals, hardwood, and other tough materials. Moreover, with the adjustable wheel guard, you can cover the dangerous area of the wheel blade so that debris and sparks won't come directly onto you. Customers have also mentioned that it has ample power to be used in heavy-duty jobs. Get it for $34.99, along with a 90-day warranty.

The Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw by Hercules is made for sturdy jobsite applications for all types of rough and tough carpentry. It is made with a 7-1/2-inch crown molding nested capacity and a 6-3/4 inch baseboard vertical capacity to handle various cutting tasks. Plus, the 15-amp motor delivers 4,100 rpm, while the Precision LED Blade Guide System aids in precise cutting by providing you a clear preview of the cut lines.

Other than these, the miter saw comes with an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate that has 10 positive stops, so you can quickly choose the preferred angle of working from the presets to reduce measurement errors. But, if you want to go with some other cutting angle rather than the one offered in the presets, the miter detent override system will help you make adjustments.

In the package, you also receive a 60-tooth carbide-tipped saw blade for making sharp and fine cuts. A few specifications about this product — the saw miters 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left for a range of cuts, while it can tilt vertically by 45 degrees in each direction for a variety of angled cuts. With all these features, it is almost as good as that from DeWalt but is available for cheaper ($349.99) and is one of the best Hercules power tools out there at Harbor Freight, with a staggering score of 4.9 out of five.

Possessing the power to go up to 3,000 strokes per minute, with a stroke length of 1-1/8 inches, the Bauer Reciprocating Saw can cut various types of wood, metal, plastic, and more. The D-handle is shock-absorbent and has anti-vibration properties to reduce hand fatigue. The tool-free blade change minimizes the downtime, while the lock-on switch allows you to operate the tool without constantly having to press down on the trigger.

It has a pivoting shoe that can be set to three different positions so you can adjust the stability and cutting angle depending on the type of surface and the kind of cut you want to make. Apart from these, you can control the speed via the variable speed trigger to match the applications' demands. This saw consists of a double oil-sealed shaft so dust, debris, and other particles cannot get inside the machine, while the die-cast aluminum housing protects it from corrosion and other damages — thereby adding longevity.

The Bauer Metal Shear is made specifically to cut through sheets of metal, aluminum, and plastic with a thickness of up to 14 gauge, made possible by the three-blade cutter head. Moreover, the head can pivot 360 degrees so you can make various types of cuts, like a straight line, round designs, or irregular shapes in the metal sheet. The five-amp motor allows the tool to go as fast as 2,700 spm to prove handy in tough cutting jobs, though you can control the speed via the variable speed trigger.

The metal shear has garnered a rating of 4.6 out of five on Harbor Freight along with 94% customer recommendations, and multiple users specified that the tool cuts through steel and aluminum diamond plates "like butter." Plus, they say it is pretty easy to use and gives you clean edges after the cut.

Designed to tackle heavy workloads, the Bauer Impact Wrench produces a maximum speed of 2,600 rpm, with a torque of 300 ft-lbs — which allows it to deliver a 1,050 ft-lbs bolt breakaway torque. Buyers of this impact wrench say it easily removed bolts that other tools could not even budge, while some also mentioned that there has not been a single lug nut it could not remove, as noted in the member reviews section on Harbor Freight. The all-metal gear construction, paired with the rugged rubber nose with high-impact housing, ensures the tool does not break under heavy force. 

You can select either forward or reverse for fastening and loosening, using the switch built in the tool. Furthermore, the socket won't slip out mid-task, thanks to the 1/2-inch anvil with a sturdy hog ring that keeps it in place. The rubberized grip allows for a comfortable grip, so it does not strain your hands during extended use. Currently, you can buy it for $59.99 on Harbor Freight — down from an original price of $79.99 due to the ongoing Merry Christmas Sale on the platform.

With the Bauer Drill/Driver, you can execute light- to mid-level fastening jobs with absolute ease. It can go up to a top speed of 1,700 rpm and a torque of 450 inch-pounds to drive fasteners into a range of different materials, such as wood and drywall. You can select the speed between two levels (450 or 1,700 rpm max) based on the kind of task you wish to carry out. The 1/2-inch all-metal keyless chuck lets you quickly swap bits without the need of any additional accessories. In addition, there is a built-in LED light that helps illuminate the working space — super helpful for enhancing visibility in dark spots.

User comfort is another factor that the company kept in mind, that's why this tool has a lightweight, compact design with a textured overmold grip to minimize hand fatigue. Owning positive recommendations from 96% of the buyers, the Bauer Drill/Driver is rated at 4.7 out of five stars, earning notable praise for the power it offers for the price of $54.99. You don't only get the tool, but also a 1.5 Ah compact lithium battery and a 20V lithium charger, making it a no-brainer at this price.

Hercules stands well compared to its competitors at Harbor Freight, and this 20V Brushless Impact Driver Kit includes a 1/4-inch impact driver, a 2 Ah battery, and a dual-voltage charger — all for just $97.99. The impact driver has four modes: You can go with one of the three speed levels or with auto mode, which helps drive self-tapping metal screws and also allows the tool to cease operation once the screw is loose enough to prevent it from flying off. In addition, it can produce a top speed of 3,600 rpm while generating a maximum torque of 2,200 inch-pounds, bringing enough power for larger projects such as bathrooms repairs, as mentioned by a buyer.

Some users compared it to similar impact drivers from major power tool brands, DeWalt and Milwaukee, and found it to be lighter in weight, along with having a smartly placed LED light that illuminates the target area nicely.

This Oscillating Multitool by Bauer, costing $44.99, is crafted with a three amp motor that can bring about 20,000 opm, although you can control the speed via a six-speed selector dial. Customer reviews claim that the tool delivers just the right amount of power based on the application's demands, while also being able to cut angles at precise measurements. There is a universal quick-change blade system so you can switch between blades and accessories without any additional tools.

In addition, the rubber grip aids in reducing the impact of vibration, and the compact design lets you work in difficult spots. Customer reviews say it can cut through drywall, copper, and wood with ease, making it a handy Harbor Freight product for hobbyists. One downside is that this tool does not operate on batteries but requires a steady power supply; Hence, you would need access to an electrical outlet in order to use this. Nonetheless, the eight-foot-long power cord seems enough for hassle-free working.

A heat gun is a handy power tool that is useful in removing old layers of paint, removing decals, loosening tight fittings, and more. Therefore, it is necessary that the heat gun you are using generates enough heat to handle such mid-level jobs. With the Warrior Heat Gun, you get to choose between two heat settings, the maximum being 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, to receive the power you want for the task. Moreover, it takes very little time to heat up, according to customer comments, and works particularly well on heat shrinks. 

The heat gun also has a compact design, and it lets you point the heat at precise locations for effective melting. However, this is a corded tool, so the six-foot power cord may limit its usage in areas that are farther away from the electrical outlet. Buyers believe that this Harbor Freight find is an absolute no-brainer at a price of $19.99.

To qualify for this list, every product had to meet minimum criteria that would back up its effective performance and quality. For instance, users of these tools gave them an average score of 4.6 stars or above, coming from at least a thousand reviews. We also looked at customer comments to note any frequent complaints associated with each tool, and if any were found, the product would be immediately discarded. All the picks are recommended by at least 90% of customers.