Costco Tool Deals Tested: Six Surprising Finds Worth a Second Look

Introduction

Warehouse clubs are not the first place most people think of for tools, but that is exactly what makes a trip worthwhile. The selection rotates constantly, bulk kits show up around the holidays, and a surprising number of name-brand products sit quietly on the shelves at prices that undercut the usual hardware stores. On this visit in mid-October, the in-store tool aisle was thinner than expected, so we focused on the tool-adjacent gear that did show up, bought it, and tested everything back at the shop.

Some products impressed, some underperformed, and one turned out to be the sleeper hit of the whole haul. Here is how each one held up.

Fanttik Screwdriver: A Solid Shop Companion

The Fanttik electric screwdriver was one of the most promising finds, particularly because a cheaper version we had previously purchased felt underpowered. This one is a clear step up. The packaging and storage case are considerably more robust, and the bits are noticeably larger, which makes this better suited to daily or shop use rather than delicate gadget repair.

It offers multiple speeds, an on and off switch, a flashlight at the top, and forward and reverse. The bits are magnetized and include standard-size Phillips heads alongside a set of tiny precision bits for tech work, which came in handy when replacing a thermostat. Charging happens via USB-C, though there is still no charge-level indicator, which means you only find out the battery is dead at the least convenient moment.

In practice, it handled an outlet cover and general assembly tasks without trouble. It is a better product than the budget alternatives at the same $40 price point, and we rated it around three and a half stars. Solid, not spectacular.

Fanttik Tire Inflator: Small, Slick, and Surprisingly Quick

The Fanttik portable inflator, also $40, has been making the rounds online, so expectations were reasonably high. Out of the box it arrives nearly fully charged, stores in a small pouch for tossing in a drawer or trunk, and tops out at 150 PSI, which is standard for this category. You can dial in a target pressure, there is a built-in light with an SOS blink mode for roadside use, and mode switching covers cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and balls.

The real test was topping off an ATV tire, and it crossed the target in under two minutes. That is genuinely quick for something this compact.

The main caveat is the internal battery charged over USB-C. Unlike a tool-platform battery that holds a charge in your truck for months, you cannot be fully certain what the charge will look like after time in storage. As a sleek, small, keep-it-in-the-trunk inflator, though, it gets the job done, earning a score just shy of four stars.

CAT Ratchet Straps: Strong Value for Tie-Downs

CAT has been lending its branding to all kinds of gear lately, and these ratchet straps at around $20 for a four-pack look sharper than the price suggests, with red accents and a hook style that spreads the pull across the full piece of metal rather than an S hook that can pry apart. The webbing is soft with minimal stretch, the ratchet has a satisfying, loud click, and the release lever unlocks cleanly when you are done.

The specs caused a little confusion: the packaging claims 3,300 pounds, but that turns out to be the break strength, with the working load limit at 1,100 pounds. Each strap is 16 feet long and 1.5 inches wide.

Our highly scientific test involved lifting a bucket weighing roughly 1,200 pounds. The straps held without complaint, which was honestly more than we expected. For occasional tie-down duty around a truck or trailer, these are easy to recommend, and they scored just under four stars.

Shark MessMaster: A Handy Mini Shop Vac

The Shark MessMaster markets itself as the vacuum for “the unvacuumed,” which we are still not entirely sure how to define. It is a corded, bagged mini vacuum at $70, and that corded detail caught us off guard, so read the label before buying if cordless is what you are after.

On the plus side, it has surprisingly good suction for its size, a multi-stage filter setup designed to keep suction levels high, and a bag system that contains the mess neatly, which is convenient for car cleaning and small jobs. The power cord winds tidily onto the body, and everything packs up compactly for storage.

The downsides add up, though. The hose is only about two and a half feet long, so you end up crawling around with the unit, and it struggled with fine sanding dust across larger areas. For spot cleanup, cobwebs, and car interiors it works, but we would hesitate to recommend spending the money on it given the limitations. It scored a touch under three stars in our testing.

Magna Cart Plus: The Best Small Hand Truck of the Trip

This folding hand truck was probably the coolest thing we bought, considering the store had almost no actual tools. For $30, the Magna Cart Plus holds up to 150 pounds, extends over 39 inches, folds flat to around three inches for easy storage, and includes onboard bungee cords, which turned out to be genuinely useful for strapping down odd-shaped loads.

The standout feature is the set of three wheels on each side, designed to roll over curbs and climb stairs. We did not have stairs on hand to verify that claim, but rolling over uneven ground felt smooth, and the anti-tip design kept its rider, human or otherwise, exactly where they belonged. Folding it down and dropping it in the trunk takes seconds.

If you are tired of making three trips from the car with warehouse-club hauls, this is a cheap, compact fix, and it earned a strong 4.75-star score from us. A larger four-in-one foldable hand truck was also available at $129.99 with dolly, upright cart, and platform cart modes plus airless tires and an 800-pound upright rating, which is worth considering if you need more capacity.

Bombas Socks: Comfort Worth Investing In

Not everything from this trip came from the tool aisle. If you spend all day on your feet, Bombas socks are worth knowing about. They are the most comfortable socks we have worn, with none of the uncomfortable seams or bulky stitching you find in a standard sock, and they have held up through months of daily wear.

There is a charitable angle too: for every pair purchased, the company donates a pair to someone in need, with over 140 million pairs donated so far. The lineup now includes plenty of color and apparel options beyond the core socks, and current promotions often knock a meaningful amount off the price.

They are not a tool, but after a full day of testing gear in the shop, comfortable feet count for more than you would think.

Conclusion

This haul turned out better than the thin tool aisle suggested. The Magna Cart Plus was the clear winner, the CAT ratchet straps and Fanttik tire inflator offer strong value at $40 and under, and the Fanttik screwdriver is a decent step up from budget alternatives. The Shark MessMaster is the one we would pass on unless you specifically want a compact bagged mini vacuum. Warehouse club tool selections swing wildly by season, so if you are hunting power tools specifically, it pays to check back closer to the holidays when gift-oriented stock lands.