Are Snap-On Tools Really Worth It? What To Know Before You Buy

If you've been around the world of automotive repair for long enough, there's a good chance you've heard of Snap-On. Even if you're not into cars, you may have noticed Snap-On trucks cruising around your city or parked at your local auto repair shop. Snap-On sells everything from hand tools, like socket sets and wrenches, to corded, electric, and pneumatic power tools, as well as storage solutions, clothing, and more. 

The company is legendary among gearheads and tool enthusiasts, and it's long been defined by its extremely high-quality tools and equally lofty prices. That last part is what generally makes people hesitate when it comes to buying Snap-On products. The brand produces some of the most expensive tools and tool storage solutions on the market, and it can be difficult to justify the investment when there are so many other cheaper names from which you can choose. However, Snap-On has such a strong reputation for a reason: namely, the exceptionally high quality and reliability of its tools, along with a pretty attractive warranty. As a former professional mechanic who owns thousands of dollars in Snap-On gadgets, I can personally attest to their quality. 

However, Snap-On isn't the only tool manufacturer that builds durable products. There are a huge number of quality tool companies out there, and many of them offer far lower prices than Snap-On. While paying a premium for high-quality products makes sense for many, it may not be the best move for you, and there are some things you should consider before dropping big bucks on a Snap-On tool. Fortunately, that's exactly what we're going to cover today. From warranties to prices and more, here's everything you need to know about Snap-On tools before you buy.

Snap-On is a U.S. company that maintains its headquarters in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The company first sprang into existence in the early 20th century, when partners Joe Johnson and William Siedmann started the business as a mail-order tool store. Today, Snap-On has an international presence and sells its tools and other products in more than 130 countries around the world. However, unlike many modern businesses with a global presence, the Snap-On tools you buy in the States aren't necessarily built overseas.

Snap-On maintains 15 manufacturing centers in the United States. It has 21 manufacturing centers located in other countries around the world. However, the company states that those 21 facilities primarily manufacture products for their local markets. Many of the Snap-On products that you can buy here in the U.S. are built at one of the company's 15 U.S.-facilities. When you're shopping for Snap-On tools, you can view the product's country of origin. Many of Snap-On's most popular products, including both hand tools and power tools, are built in the U.S. However, some of the company's more budget-friendly products, like many tools in the Blue-Point line, are manufactured overseas.

If you work with tools for long enough, you're bound to break at least one or two, which is annoying for a couple of reasons. First, it's never fun to break something that you bought with hard-earned money. If you use extremely cheap tools, you may not care much about having to replace them periodically. However, what's often even more frustrating than the loss of money is the effect a broken tool can have on your work. Professionals depend on their tools to provide reliable service every day. If your ratchet breaks in the middle of a repair job, and you don't have a spare, you could lose the day's work and maybe even the customer.

That's exactly why so many professionals favor Snap-On products. While the company provides limited guarantees on some electronics, like cordless power tools and batteries, Snap-On offers lifetime warranties on most of its hand tools. These warranties are extremely useful, as even high-quality tools, like those built by Snap-On, can break or wear out with years of use. I personally broke a couple of Snap-On tools during the years I spent working as a professional auto repair technician and never had a single issue getting my local Snap-On franchisee to replace or rebuild them for me free of charge. Even if you don't buy your Snap-On tools directly from a franchisee in your area, they should still honor the company's lifetime warranty. For professionals who rely on tools daily, knowing that their devices are backed up by a lifetime guarantee can make spending a premium fee easier to stomach.

A lifetime warranty is great. However, a lifetime warranty for a tool that breaks all the time or that doesn't work properly is pretty useless and definitely not worth paying a premium fee. Another reason why Snap-On tools are so popular among professionals is that these devices provide exceptional quality in addition to usually coming with that lifetime guarantee.

Snap-On has long been revered for its exceptionally high-quality hand tools, like wrenches, ratchets, and screwdrivers. Of those devices, the Snap-On Flank Drive Plus line is often considered one of the best wrench options on the market. These tools are designed with grooves cut into the open end of the wrench, allowing the device to grab onto fasteners and prevent slipping or rounding fastener heads. I own various Flank Drive Plus wrenches myself, and the difference between them and a standard combination wrench is truly night and day. You can buy a 10-piece set of SAE Flank Drive Plus Wrenches for $497. That's a lot of money, especially when you compare it to cheaper options, like Husky, which sells a 10-piece combination wrench set for $29.97.

Another one of Snap-On's most popular products is its ½" Drive Heavy-Duty Air Impact Wrench. It costs a pretty penny at $720.95, but backs that price up with nearly 1,200 foot-pounds of breakaway torque and 810 foot-pounds of fastening torque. Compared to more economical products, like the Earthquake XT, the Snap-On product is several hundred dollars more expensive. However, as is the case with the Flank Drive Plus wrenches, the Snap-On tool provides substantially more power and durability than most competitors, along with the security of Snap-On's warranty and impeccable quality.

One thing that separates Snap-On tools from brands like Craftsman and Klein is that you can't walk into your local hardware store and find Snap-On products. That's because Snap-On tools are only sold through official channels, like the company's website or franchisees. The most common way to buy Snap-On tools is through a franchise owner. Remember those Snap-On trucks we mentioned earlier? Snap-On franchisees drive these around town, stopping at auto repair and body shops along their route, to sell their products. In my experience working in both independent repair shops and dealerships around the country, the Snap-On rep generally stops by once a week. They usually hang out for 30 minutes to an hour, allowing techs to stop by the truck and pick up any tools they need or drop off devices that need to be repaired or replaced.

You don't have to be a professional mechanic to buy tools from a Snap-On rep, though. If you see a truck around town, you can walk right up and ask the representative to show you around. Alternatively, you can buy Snap-On products from the website. There shouldn't be a difference in price, unless an individual franchisee decides to offer their own discounts or sales.

It's worth mentioning that while Snap-On tools are only officially sold through the website or franchisees, you can frequently find used Snap-On products for sale through a third party. Pawn shops are a great place to check for discounted Snap-On tools and are, in fact, one of the best places to look when building a tool kit on a budget. The great thing about this is that the lifetime warranty still applies, even if you buy your tools from a pawn shop or someone's garage sale.

Any time you buy a new product — whether it's extremely expensive or relatively cheap — it's a good idea to look into what previous buyers have to say about the quality and longevity. When it comes to Snap-On tools, owners tend to be overwhelmingly pleased with the quality, craftsmanship, and utility of their devices, and that's probably just the average customer. It may surprise you to learn that Snap-On has a massive and intensely devoted customer base, many of whom own tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in Snap-On products. There are innumerable fan groups, YouTube channels, and internet forums dedicated to celebrating the Snap-On brand, showcasing impressive collections, reviewing new tools, and more.

That's not to say that Snap-On doesn't have its detractors. However, even those who aren't fans of the company generally acknowledge the quality of Snap-On tools. The main issue people have with Snap-On is its prices. That's understandable, as Snap-On sells some of the most expensive tools on the market. With so many brands selling relatively high-quality products for much cheaper prices, paying a premium fee for Snap-On tools isn't worth it for most DIYers and hobbyists. Overall, most people either tend to love or hate Snap-On. Its fans are typically extremely devoted and sing the company's praises whenever possible. On the other hand, Snap-On detractors might admire the quality of the company's products but don't believe the prices are worth it when there are so many cheaper options from which you can choose.

Now that you know a bit more about Snap-On and the tools it sells, you may be wondering if the company is right for you and your needs. The easiest way to answer this question is to consider how you plan to use your tools. Snap-On tools are designed and priced with professionals in mind. If you're a professional mechanic and plan to continue in the industry for most or all of your career, then Snap-On tools could absolutely be worth the investment. However, if you're not a pro and simply like to tinker on the weekend or are looking for some solid DIY tools to keep in your garage, there are far cheaper options.

As someone who owns a substantial amount of Snap-On tools and used them professionally for many years, I can't deny that they provide exceptional quality and utility. Snap-On tools have saved me time and made highly difficult jobs bearable more times than I can count. However, most people won't need a premium tool for weekend oil changes and brake pad replacements. There is a huge market of cheaper alternatives to Snap-On tools, many of which provide robust quality and can last for years of demanding use. If you're a professional who plans to use your tools daily for many years, Snap-On can definitely be worth the price. However, if you're just starting out in your automotive career and aren't sure about the future, or if you're a hobbyist or DIYer, you're probably better off searching for some more budget-friendly options.