Bought as throwaway stopgaps, still in the garage years later. How-To Geek writer David J. Buck bought a handful of cheap power tools ($30–$100) as temporary fixes — and was surprised when several of them outlasted the “temporary” part entirely. Here’s why budget tools deserve a second look, and which kind are actually worth buying.
Ryobi One+ and Milwaukee M12 cordless tools (Credits: How-To Geek)
Why Cheap Power Tools Can Outlast Their “Temporary” Job
Buck’s rule of thumb: “cheap” means “I didn’t pay very much for it,” not “it’s poorly built.” His garage is full of budget finds — Ryobi tools, a paint sprayer, an electric lawnmower — most bought to solve one problem until a better replacement came along. But a few turned out to be genuinely multipurpose workhorses that never got replaced.
His best example: a $50 handheld vacuum he got for a penny during a pricing quirk at Ace Hardware years ago. It became his go-to tool for cleaning vents and his car, delivering years of use from what was meant to be a bargain-bin grab. The lesson isn’t to hunt for penny deals — it’s that even inexpensive tools, used for the right job, can surprise you.
How to Buy Budget Power Tools That Actually Last
The practical takeaway is simple. Buy cheap tools for specific, limited jobs where a premium tool would be overkill — a quick paint job, occasional vent cleaning, a one-off project. Stick to known budget lines (Ryobi’s cordless lineup gets a nod in his garage) rather than no-name hardware, and you’ll often find the “temporary” tool is still there years later, having earned its shelf space. When a tool proves multipurpose, it transcends the temporary status — and that’s when a $30–$100 purchase becomes one of the smartest buys in your garage.
Also Read: 6 Milwaukee Tools You Didn’t Know Were Recalled (And What to Do If You Own Them)
Source: How-To Geek — read the full story there.