Test and Costco deals: Six surprising finds worth a second look

Introduction

Warehouse clubs aren’t the first place most people think of when looking for tools, but that’s exactly what makes a visit to one worthwhile. The selection changes constantly, kits in larger sets appear during the holidays, and a surprising number of brand-name products quietly sit on shelves at prices that undercut typical hardware stores. During this mid-October visit, the in-store tool aisle turned out to be sparser than expected, so we focused on the tool-adjacent gear that did make an appearance, bought it, and tested everything back at the workshop.

Some products impressed us, some underperformed, and one turned out to be the dark horse of the entire haul. Here’s how each one fared.

Fanttik screwdriver: A solid workshop companion

The Fanttik electric screwdriver was one of the most promising finds, especially since a cheaper model we previously purchased felt underpowered. This one is a clear step up. The packaging and storage case are significantly more robust, and the bits are noticeably larger, making it better suited for daily or workshop use than for delicate gadget repairs.

It offers multiple speeds, an on/off switch, a flashlight at the top, and forward/reverse rotation. The bits are magnetized and include standard Phillips bits alongside a set of tiny precision bits for electronic work, which came in handy when replacing a thermostat. Charging happens via USB-C, although there is still no charge-level indicator, meaning 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 any issues. It’s a better product than the budget alternatives at the same $40 price point, and we rated it around three and a half stars. Solid, but not spectacular.

Fanttik tire inflator: Small, sleek, and surprisingly fast

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

The real test was topping up an ATV tire, and it reached the target in under two minutes. That’s genuinely fast for something this compact.

The main caveat is the internal battery charged via USB-C. Unlike a tool-platform battery that holds a charge in your truck for months, you can never be entirely sure what the charge will look like after time in storage. However, as a sleek, small inflator to keep in the trunk, it gets the job done, earning a score just shy of four stars.

CAT ratchet straps: Strong value for securing loads

CAT has recently been lending its name to all sorts of gear, and these ratchet straps for around $20 for a four-pack look better than the price might suggest — with red accents and a hook style that distributes the pull across the entire piece of metal instead of an S-shaped hook, which can pry open. The webbing is soft with minimal stretch, the ratchet has a satisfying, loud click, and the release lever works cleanly when you’re done.

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

Our highly scientific test involved lifting a bucket weighing approximately 1,200 pounds. The straps held without complaint, which honestly exceeded our expectations. For occasional load securing around a truck or trailer, these are easy to recommend, and they scored just below four stars.

Shark MessMaster: A handy mini shop vacuum

The Shark MessMaster advertises itself as a vacuum for “the unvacuumed,” a term we still don’t quite know how to define. It’s a corded, bagged mini vacuum for $70, and that corded detail caught us off guard, so read the label before buying if you’re specifically looking for a cordless model.

On the plus side, it has surprisingly good suction for its size, a multi-stage filtration system designed to keep suction high, and a bagging system that neatly contains the mess, which is convenient for car cleaning and small jobs. The power cord winds tidily around the unit, 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 the floor with the unit, and it struggled with fine sanding dust over larger areas. For spot cleaning, cobwebs, and car interiors it works, but we would hesitate to recommend spending that money given these limitations. In our testing, it scored just below three stars.

Magna Cart Plus: The best small hand truck of this 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 about three inches for easy storage, and has integrated bungee cords, which turned out to be genuinely useful for securing irregularly shaped loads.

The standout feature is the set of three wheels on each side, designed to roll over curbs and climb stairs. We didn’t have stairs handy to verify that claim, but rolling over uneven ground felt smooth, and the anti-tip design kept its user — human or otherwise — exactly where they belonged. Folding it up and tossing it in the trunk takes seconds.

If you’re tired of making three trips between the car and the house with warehouse club hauls, this is a cheap and compact solution, and it earned a strong 4.75-star score from us. A larger four-in-one folding hand truck was also available for $129.99 — with hand truck, upright cart, and platform cart modes, plus airless tires and an 800-pound capacity in upright mode — 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’re the most comfortable socks we’ve ever worn — no uncomfortable seams or thick stitching typical of standard socks — and they’ve lasted months of daily wear.

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

It’s not a tool, but after a full day of testing gear in the workshop, comfortable feet count for more than you’d think.

Conclusion

This haul turned out better than the sparse 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 the budget alternatives. The Shark MessMaster is the one we’d skip unless you specifically want a compact, bagged mini vacuum. Tool selections at warehouse clubs vary dramatically by season, so if you’re hunting for power tools specifically, it pays to check back closer to the holidays, when gift-oriented inventory arrives.