For those who occasionally shop at Costco and need dependable, brand-name power tools, here’s what you should know: While it’s possible to find great deals on power tools occasionally, Costco is rarely the best place to start your search.
The reason is that, unlike Sam’s Club with its Cat Power Tools collaboration, Costco doesn’t typically offer a broad selection of power tools. Their current selection is often limited, but sometimes, you can find excellent tools at great prices. A quick browse of Costco’s power tools page might reveal recognizable power tools, but more often than not, it’s filled with power scrubbers and the occasional drill. Whether these are considered high-quality and well-priced depends on your perspective.
With an open mind, let’s explore some of the power tool deals that Costco offers and evaluate if they’re worth your consideration. Some might be great finds, while others may not be as impressive. Let’s dive in.
Costco offers a good deal on the Campbell Hausfeld portable quiet air compressor
As Freud might have put it, sometimes a power tool is just a power tool. This is true for the Campbell Hausfeld air compressor — a wheeled 8-gallon model that would fit nicely in a well-equipped workshop. Despite some minor quality control issues noted by reviewers, it’s a suitable option for a household garage or a DIY enthusiast’s workspace. The 65-dBA compressor operates relatively quietly compared to traditionally loud equipment. It delivers 125 PSI and 2.4 CFM (at 90 PSI), making it capable of powering a pneumatic stapler or brad gun and inflating tires. An 8-gallon tank stores enough air to clean off a dusty garage floor, and the wheels are essential for moving the 67.7 lbs device.
The pricing is attractive. At $139.99, it’s over $100 cheaper than the same model at Home Depot. It’s a good tool at a good price, so let’s count this as a win for Costco and move forward.
The DeWalt 8 Gallon Wet/Dry Vacuum is a good buy at Costco
DeWalt is known for its genuine power tools. The consumer-targeted DeWalt vacuums available at Costco resemble DeWalt tools, though they differ from the jobsite wet/dry vacuums on the DeWalt website, which are often either squat plastic designs or scientific-looking modules fit for a sci-fi setting. Instead, the DeWalt 8-gallon wet/dry vacuum at Costco features a sturdy stainless steel barrel and specs similar to professional DeWalt models. It boasts a 5 peak horsepower motor, casters, a washable filter, and a range of hoses and attachments.
The $94.99 model at Costco compares to the professional 9-gallon DeWalt vacuum on Amazon but is $35 cheaper. Reviewers on both the Costco site (536 ratings) and Amazon (340 ratings) rate it at 4.6 stars. However, it’s worth noting that the Costco model is manufactured by Alton Industry, while the standard DeWalt vacuum is listed as being made at a DeWalt factory. Whether this matters depends on your trust in product reviews.
Costco’s cordless electric screwdrivers are a hot find that you should embrace
Opinions may vary here. Once, cordless screwdrivers might have been dismissed by tradesmen who wore their repetitive strain injuries with pride, but the rise of the impact driver (and the cost of worker’s compensation) has created space for cordless screwdrivers in professional toolboxes. The question is whether the two cordless electric screwdrivers at Costco — the HOTO and the Fanttik — measure up, and that’s uncertain.
The 3.7-volt Fanttik and 3.6-volt HOTO won’t win power delivery awards compared to modern 12-volt screwdrivers or even 20-volt drills used as screwdrivers. Torque isn’t specified for either device. Both have internal, non-replaceable batteries, but you probably weren’t planning to invest in a Fanttik or HOTO battery platform anyway.
Despite their prices ($49.99 for the Fanttik and $34.99 for the HOTO), reviewers seem to love them. The Fanttik receives 4.5 stars at Costco and 4.7 stars on Amazon with an average of 659 ratings. The HOTO fares even better with 4.7 stars on 1,315 average ratings. Reviews for both products often highlight design aesthetics, a rarity in tool reviews. Interpret that as you will.
Let’s also look at the evidence of Costco tools unseen and unheard of
These current offerings — an air compressor, a wet/dry vac, and two electric screwdrivers — aren’t exactly an essential carpentry tool list for your next DIY project. Costco sometimes carries more traditional brands and tools typically thought of as power tools, such as the DeWalt 20V MAX reciprocating saw kit, but it’s been out of stock for a while, and at $199.99, it’s priced similarly to other retailers. However, if you’re lucky, you might find occasional solid deals like the Craftsman 20V Max brushless 4-tool kit, recently offered for $149.97. The kit, when available, included three brushless 20-volt tools at about half the price of comparable kits. Another example was the (also out of stock) Dremel 4000 rotary tool kit, priced at $69.97, which typically retails for around $200.
Remember, stock can vary by location. Even if Costco doesn’t win awards for a great power tool selection, membership has many perks, and you might fill a gap in your collection or find a perfect homeowner gift if your timing is right.
