I thought it would be interesting to take a look at readers’ top 10 Amazon tool purchases from this year.
As is generally the case, the bestseller’s list roughly resembles Amazon’s better Prime Day and Black Friday promotions.
There are two exceptions – the tool box and scissors, which are personal favorites, weren’t on sale.
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Logix Tool Box
The Logix tool box is the clear and undisputed bestseller of the year, and for good reason – it’s extremely versatile and inexpensive.
I posted about the ArtBin tool/gear box nearly a year ago, and the comments section discussion led me to this Logix. I posted about it in February, and again since then.
I bought more, and I’m probably not done. While I prefer the ArtBin, the Logix is unbeatable for the money. I will likely snag some more when the price drops to $5 again.
Dewalt 14pc Drill Bit Set
I don’t know how Dewalt gets away with selling 14 decent quality drill bits plus a reusable case for under $10 with free shipping.
This is a bestseller every year.
Craftman Magnetic Tool Tray
The price went up (boo), but not before I bought 3 sets for my own use.
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Gearwrench MicroDriver Tool Set
I bought my Gearwrench MicroDriver tool set on sale too, years ago.
The price is pretty terrible now, but if you missed the deal I’m sure there will be another promo in a couple of months – maybe next Prime Day.
Fluke GFCI Socket Tester
I bought one of these in July, during the Prime Day sale. Did I need a new socket tester? No. Did any of you?
But, I’m happy I got in on the deal – I’ve slowly been upgrading some of my testing tools. This one’s a little higher priced, but is a more premium design. Plus it’s a Fluke.
Knipex TwinGrip Pliers
Of course Knipex made slip joint pliers popular again.
While I tend to prefer cushion-grip pliers, I like this version of the TwinGrip better, due to the handles being more pocketable.
Dewalt 20V Max Cordless HEPA Vacuum
I recently mulled over whether I should donate my test sample yet or not, and opted to keep it (for now). It’s a great compact and convenient cordless vacuum that comes with a lot of useful accessories.
You can still get the tool-only vac for the same price as throughout the holiday season ($99).
Streamlight MicroStream LED Flashlight
This one surprised me. The Streamlight Stylus Pro (2x AAA), is usually a top-10 bestseller, but the 1x AAA MicroStream was on sale this year and won over more wallets.
Engineer Compact Scissors
I bought my first Engineer PH-55 scissors more than 10 years ago and at nearly double the price it’s selling for today.
These aren’t the strongest or flashiest scissors, but they’re compact, convenient, and built to high quality.
Most of the best-selling deals are typically of the “yeah, I can use that” variety.
12-in-1 Survival Tool Set
And then there’s… this.
Harbor Freight launched a 12pc survival tool kit. I noticed that the “compare to” model was priced lower at Amazon, and so I included a link to it in that post too.
I supposed I shouldn’t be surprised; if you look at all of the similar kits currently available for sale at Amazon, they’re selling by the thousands.
S
The fluke outlet tester is probably the weirdest thing on this list, as it’s the absolute most bulky outlet tester that’s ever seemed to exist.
It’s not cheaper, it doesn’t transport well, and it’s only real feature is an audible tone when plugged in…
Herb
Agreed.
Lewis
That audible tone saves so much time (and so much running back and forth!) while locating circuits. I avoided these at first because of the reasons you mentioned, but after a friend gifted one to me I discovered it’s super power: the tone remains identifiable several rooms away, even on noisy job sites (unlike the non-contact tester that’s already in hand for every electrical job I do – the Fluke 1acii – love it!). I only really use it during that discovery phase, but for that it’s indispensable. A little awkward to pack, but I always keep one in my electrical kit anyway.
Travis
I could not agree more. This thing has become my go-to and I keep it in my bag full time now.
fred
I bought 2 of those Logix (a Great Neck saws company) boxes back in February when ToolGuyd first posted about them. I consider the $4.98 that I paid for them a bargain for a decent small box.
I bought a pair of the Engineer PH-55 scissors in 2014. They were about $26 back then – so the $16.62 on Amazon looks like a good deal. But my fat fingers found them to be awkward and uncomfortable to use.
Brad
I bought the twingrips with the multi-component handle for $31.45 because it seemed like a decent deal, but then last month they popped up for $23, so I got a pair for my stepfather. They’re excellent pliers.
One really good deal not on the list that I think might have been posted here on ToolGuyd was the Bosch 12V brushless Flexiclick, which I picked up for $99 in October.
Derek
I bought the two grip regular handles for $28 I think. Would buy them again at $23 too!
Derek
Was at Home Depot yesterday, seems that the Gearwrench long reach but set isn’t selling at all.
Stuart
That seemed to be the case last year and I believe the year prior as well.
I haven’t surveyed my local stores for late-season remnants yet, but will try to get to them this week and again just before New Year’s.
MM
Most of these make a lot of sense to me. Generally speaking they’re inexpensive and very useful. I bought one of the drill sets myself (though not from Amazon), and I would certainly have bought TwinGrips if I didn’t already have two pairs. Shop scissors, parts bins, mini flashlights….all very useful to have around.
What does surprise me is the popularity of that survival kit. I hope it’s people buying them as gifts for kids getting into outdoors stuff!
Jared
In defense of a kit like that, my kid got one last year from his aunt – and loved it. He’s lost half of the pieces by now, so clearly he wasn’t ready for higher-quality gear, but he enjoyed it while camping or doing bushcraft projects.
On the other hand, with some gear knowledge and maybe a little more money, it would be easy to cobble together a much better kit with quality components.
Jared
I’m surprised by the microstream popularity. I suppose it was a lot cheaper in the USA than in Canada though, so the value calculation was a lot different.
There’s so many compact flashlights that are smaller, cheaper and more powerful that the microstream seems a bit outdated.
You don’t always need blinding brightness though, so I suppose the build quality is still attractive.
Bradley
Jared,
I’m a fan of the microstream. What are your recommendations that are smaller, cheaper, and more powerful?
Always looking for something else to blow money on.
Thanks.
Jared
The Olight Diffuse sold for less here in Canada for Black Friday – and it peaks at 700 lumens (different beam shape though – more of a flood pattern).
Acelight Pokelit is about the same price on sale. There are a few different versions with different lumen ratings and flashlight body materials – the 550 lumen one with the 90+ CRI rating would be my choice.
Lumintop Tool AA 2.0 also has a high CRI rating in the same price range with 650 peak lumens.
Those are all about the same size – well, I think the Olight is a bit fatter but shorter. There are options from Wuben and Nitecore if you want about the same power in a smaller form factor.
I’m not knocking the Streamlight – it just seems like it is lagging a bit on specs, but I appreciate it’s a well-known brand. For it’s intended purpose, I think it’s still a good flashlight. I’m not surprised it sold, just surprised it sold so well as to make the this top ten list.
Bradley
Thank you.
Have a Merry Christmas.
Jared
I noticed the Acebeam I mentioned is on sale for $17 on Amazon right now:
https://www.amazon.com/ACEBEAM-Pokelit-Rechargeable-Flashlight-Everyday/dp/B0B5BZLKWT/?th=1
MM
I suspect one reason why it’s so popular is because it’s a brand that many people recognize even if they aren’t flashlight enthusiasts. EDC flashlights can be a deep rabbit hole, and while I’m sure experts can name many models which have superior stats most people would better recognize the big names like Surefire or Streamlight.
BrianA
I did buy the engineer scissors, knipex twin, and a knockoff mag cup set. Had ordered the green larger scissors but now have both, told the kids they are super scissors and when demonstrated they were amazed. Not happy with the mag cups because when collapsed they don’t stick to a metal surface, plus the magnet is kinda weak.
Saulac
Dewalt must have gotten that vacuum right. It is the most expensive on the list, by a large amount. Also could be newest. They must sell well. I got one. It good to see that Dewalt made an innovative product and get the reward.
928'er
I bit on 4 of the top 10.
Got the Engineer scissors.
Bought a pair of the Knipex TwinGrip pliers and found them so useful that I bought a second pair for my bike tool box.
Couldn’t pass up the Dewalt drill bit set for 10 bucks.
Started out with 2 of the Logix boxes and found them so useful for organizing USB cables, small tools, and misc bits & bobs that I’ve now got 22 of them – 20 in use and 2 spares that I’m sure I’ll find a use for soon…
Chris
I personally don’t see the value in the microstream powered by AA when the usb version is such a home run. I have a couple of the microstream usb rechargeable ones and they are fantastic- more lumens, easy to plug in to charge, and just as conveniently fits in a pencil pocket on my work pants.
ITCD
I like the Engineer Scissors but I really don’t like the handles. Anything that requires some amount of pressure brings to light how ergonomics took a backseat to making something that looks like it’s gonna transform into a robot at any moment. If they at least took out the ridges on the inside of the loops and put a little more attention into the sprue line they would probably be fine.
Since we’re on about Japanese Scissors, check out the offerings from Canary!