Milwaukee Tool just announced a new 5pc bit holder set, and I think it’s going to be their most popular tool accessory of all time.
The new Milwaukee bit holder set with carabiner, model 48-32-4537, comes with 5 bit carriers that can work with a wide range of 1/4″ hex bits and accessories.
You can clip the locking carabiner to a belt loop, rings on a tool bag, and pretty much anywhere else an accessory-type carabiner can attach to.
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The holders can work with screwdriver bits, nut drivers, drill bits, step drill bits, extensions, and other accessories that can be used with 1/4″ hex quick-change chucks.
The bit holders can be used together, or you can separate them for use where you need them.
Price: $15
ETA: August 2025
If preordering from Acme, they have a coupon promo going on right now. You can also use coupon code TOOLGUYD for $10 off $79 (one use per customer, code resets every 30 days).
I’ve tried a bunch of different bit holders, and some are better than others. The new Milwaukee mobile bit holder set is likely towards the top with respect to quality and durability, but it’s by no means a new or unique concept. Still, I think this set will further popularize the concept.
I haven’t decided whether I’m going to preorder or wait until I see these in stores, but I’m going to get at least one or two for myself, and more to give as gifts. It’s a must-buy for me, and I think a lot of tool users new to the concept are going to pick one up at first sight.
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These might go great with Milwaukee’s mini bit ratchet, but probably not the stubby bits.
blocky
Cool, the Milwaukee locking extension bit holders are among my favorites. Never had any issues with the mechanisms.
Jared
Do you pull-down or push-up to release the bit? I like how they appear low-profile. It might not work as a finger-driver like the Vessel version, but a few of those can quickly become unwieldy.
Stuart
Hmm, I’m not sure. I’m guessing you pull back on the collar and pull forward on the bit. If it was the other way (pull both in the same direction rather than opposite), I’d think the knurls would be closer to the bit for an attempt at one-handed operation.
Jared
That is the reason I was wondering. I imagine that if you were wearing this on a pant loop, it would be better to reach up and remove the bit one-handed. It’s probably not that hard to do either way though.
Wayne R.
For me, one-handed operation would be the diff between using something like this or chucking it.
If I had to set the machine down to fiddle with one of these with both hands, I wouldn’t. Rather use a Pocket Protector-type sleeve or something magnetic.
James
In my experience, all of these end up being two handed operation. I still use several, but normally prefer stuffing them in a tool bag pocket because 1 hand, 1 step vs 2 hands, 2 steps.
Adam
I have tried a couple of similar sets of these and the pull down release is great for one handed operation. The other set that is push up, sits in the tool box.
Dennis
Seems like a product that will have a Home Depot promo price around Christmas. I can wait until then.
fred
For last Christmas stocking stuffers, I bought some (Workpro brand) on Amazon. They were cheap – and my recipients liked them well enough. These from Milwaukee look nice too – and I like the knurled grip – but the Amazon set at about $6 (after coupon) might be OK too – and it has 7 holders. Last year I had to split my orders for the Amazon coupon to work on each item.
https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-Keychain-Portable-Screwdriver-Aluminum/dp/B0BJZR638M
Stuart
That does look like a good deal. They sold out of the 3pc set and then jacked up the price. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/workpro-bit-holder-keychain-deal/%3C/a%3E It’s good to see a nice price on more holders.
Those are decent for the money as a starter set, but I do anticipate the Milwaukee’s being better, maybe comparable to Vega or Railer (https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/railer-bit-holders/%3C/a%3E ).
Wayne R.
The locking biner is a nice touch, too.
Scott F
What makes these a must buy? Do they do anything new/different than competing alternatives? Do they function meaningfully better? Is the pricing really good?
I can definitely see the value of having bit holders, but it feels like a product that once you buy a set, you probably don’t need to buy another. Admittedly, I have none of them, so maybe the existing options are just terrible?
I do like the inclusion of a locking carabiner!
Jared
$15 MSRP. That’s certainly much better than Vessel, albeit not “WorkPro” pricing. I think the general idea is that they’re a higher-quality version than all the cheapo ones, yet considerably less than the premium stuff we have now.
Stuart
Because they’ve got Milwaukee’s name on it.
Railer is an unknown. Vega is an unknown. Cheap no-name alternatives on Amazon could vary from batch to batch and are designed to be as cheap as possible.
These are increasingly popular with different trades, and with Milwaukee there’s no guessing if it’s going to be good or not, at least in theory.
I’ve got a couple from Japan, and they’re better than anything I’ve seen in the USA so far, but they’re also pricey.
$15 is low enough to be an impulse buy.
I imagine that if Home Depot didn’t specifically ask for this, it would have been among the fastest sells Milwaukee could have ever made. I can very see them selling through an initial order of 50K (25 at 2,000 stores) to 100K (50 at 2,000 stores) units.
Whether HD puts these out in August when it launches or late October for the winter holiday season, it’ll sell through in a week.
Just looking at the variety and selection you get in Japan, there’s also opportunity for expansion.
I’ve been tracking this product category throughout the years. Milwaukee is hitting gold at just the right time. Enough people have seen or used cheaper versions, but not enough where this will be seen as a “me too.”
Scott F
Fair points, I could see myself buying these on impulse. Never looked at/for them, but could have used a set last weekend. Was not familiar with alternatives available and pricing, did not look back to the other articles I know had been written.
Kingsley
I can imagine accidentally sitting down on these if I had them clipped to a belt.
Useful for working at height.
Matt_T
Giving these a “must buy” headline based solely on the manufacturers marketing materials is a bit much. They’ll probably be an option worth considering but even that isn’t definite at this point.
Anyways, it’s interesting that one picture states “FITS ALL 1/4″ HEX SHANKS”. If they’ll work well with insert bits that’s something which could set them apart from some of the competition. Haven’t tried it but I don’t think the rubber Railer holders I bought a while back would work well with insert length.
Stuart
These typically work with power bits, not insert bits.
I’m basing the must-buy on my experiences with the category and faith that Milwaukee’s quality is at least on-par with the best full-metal holders I’ve seen so far.
This is the type of product where balking will have people missing out and waiting, and so I let myself be a little more enthusiastic.
If in doubt, wait until it comes out in stores. If I were Home Depot’s buyer, I’d be salivating over getting these in stores.
Alexk
Everyday I work with a drill/driver I am wanting bits on my person. If these (or any other decent ones) ever were in a store and visible, I’d get it. 1- Phillip, 1-T30, 2-T25 and 1-T20. Hopefully, the locking Carabiner is good quality and they offer addl. bit holders.
As I typed this, I realize that I’d also like something on my belt, holding other/more bits and a hex drill bit or two.
Stuart
I anticipate the carabiner being serviceable. It’s easily replaceable where users could upgrade.
Joseph Perkins
I always keep a cheapo set on my belt loop. Having 5-10 bits and a place to put them back is perfect. Like you said T20, T25, T30, P2, possibly a drill bit, and/or a combo of 1″ or 3-4″ versions of said bits works amazing. And I’m not fumbling around in my bags looking for a random bit amongst everything else.
s
i find it interesting that milwaukee pictured their own magnetic hex ‘flip bits’. i’ve been exclusively buying the Malco version because i thought they were the only brand offering them. i have no idea when milwaukee released them…
i intend to make a special trip tomorrow now to pick up a set. they’re extremely handy, and i’m curious about the differences between the malco and milwaukee.
on another note, i never saw any headlines about it, but northern tool came up as a reseller for those bits. in searching for local availability, lots of their stores in their own store locator are showing up as “PERMANENTLY CLOSED”.
in my 100 mile radius, it shows that there used to be 5 stores, but now only 2 remain open.
has northern tool made any announcements on restructuring at all?
Stuart
This is the first I’ve heard about Northern Tool closing stores. Could be regional.
That’s also the first I’ve seen of the Quik-Clear nut driver bits. There’s nothing in my inbox. They either came out a long time ago or very recent. Let me ask around.
Tdot77
DeWalt also has these cleanable flip nut drivers too. I’ve had it for quite a while (3+ years), and I think I got it at Lowe’s. It’s the ¼”-⁵/16″ version which is the most common, I’m not sure if they have additional larger sizes.
Klein also has these cleanable flip bits. They have all the sizes up to ½”(9/16″?) and metric versions are also available.
I think everyone jumped on Malco’s idea after they came out.
hleb shauchuk
almost the same at aliexpress for 4 dollars
Stuart
Not even close.
Al
I recently changed to changed to these “Magnetic Suction But Holders sold by V2ine, on Amazon. On sale rn for $9.99. They are 5 strong rare-earth magnetic bit holders without those PITA collars. One-handed they suck bits inside and easily allow you to pull out a bit.
At first I was worried they would attract bits on the outside, but no just put the bit at the opening and it is pulled securely inside.
I haven’t had any bits fall out and I keep multiple sets on my tool bag including my extensions up to 8″, 10″ & 12″ extensions. My favorite La Bear 2-in-1 Impact Bit and Socket Adapters – that hold 1/4″ bits and 1/4″ or 3/8” sockets are my most used.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM2HLM2T
I’ll check out the Milwaukees as I have some Railer bits, and my old collared bit holders I never use any longer. Never say never.
Wayne R.
Anyone try one of these? https://www.amazon.com/Vessel-QB-10B3K-Quick-Catcher-Holder/dp/B0CMQ764CT?th=1
It looks a lot less dangly, might make one-handed operation the way you’d want it to be. My read of the diagram is that the bit just goes in, and removal is a “push the ring while you pull the bit”.
Yes, it’s more expensive.
Stuart
That exact holder? Yes. The swinging arm? No. Neat design! You might be able to do similar with any bit holder.
I bought them from Amazon Japan for review consideration in 2020. It’s a great holder, but hard to get in the USA and I determined they were too expensive to recommend.
CJ
I love Milwaukee as much as the next guy, but I have been this version for about 2 years and they are great. One hand to remove bits. Push down on catch and pull bit, super easy and significantly cheaper: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VLDP8VG
RJ
Someone needs to invent a holder system like this, but that holds the bits by their tip rather than by the back end. If I could remove the bit currently in my driver tip first directly into an empty holder and then select the next bit I need and insert it straight into the driver, that would be pretty slick.
Stuart
Some can if you use double-ended bits.
frampton
These look great. I have purchased similar holders from Amazon from a few different manufacturers, and they have always been disappointing, and I eventually gave up on them. I am admittedly an easy lay for all things Milwaukee, but these look very promising.
SteveP
One thing I have found with the cheap Amazon versions of these holders is that they may not always grab a double-eded bit (like Kobalt offers) securely