I’m a Professional Carpenter, and These Are the Best Early Prime Day Deals on Tools

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Amazon Big Deal Days is coming October 7-8, and Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price-tracking tools before it's over.

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If you’re looking to build a cordless tool kit or add to one you already have, you’ve probably noticed how expensive tools can be. When you shop for new tools, the cost of batteries, bits, blades, and accessories can be high, not to mention hand tools. Looking out for deals on reliable brands that will hold up over time can save you money now as well as in the long-term when you consider the cost of replacing batteries and tools as they wear out. Here are some of the best early Prime Day deals on tools.

Cordless drills and drivers

A cordless drill and driver set is the cornerstone of a home tool set. These tools allow you to do basic home DIY projects like putting up shelves or hanging a TV, and they will also be useful for more advanced projects like building furniture or repairing fencing. The Dewalt 20-volt Max Drill and driver set is $179, 31% off its regular price. This set comes with a drill, a driver, two 20-volt batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. This is the driver set that I use at work, and it stands up to a lot of abuse. The batteries can go for up to1 0 years without needing to be replaced, even with daily use.

Best deal on a specialty set

This refurbished Makita 18-volt subcompact drill and driver set is now $164.99, 31% off its typical price. This set comes with a drill, impact driver, two 18-volt, 1.5-amp-hour batteries, a charger, and a tool bag. A sub-compact drill or driver weighs less than three pounds, making them idea for portability. These tools are also smaller than the average drill and driver so they’re good for fitting into tight spaces.

Makita CX203SYB 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact Brushless Cordless 2-Pc. Combo Kit (1.5Ah) (Renewed)

$164.99 at Amazon

$227.38 Save $62.39

Get Deal

Get Deal

$164.99 at Amazon

$227.38 Save $62.39

Best deal under $100

The 18-volt Ryobi cordless power drill is $49.97, 17% off its usual price. The set comes with a drill, a 1.5-amp-hour battery, and a charger. This is a good set for a beginner; it will do everything you need for basic projects. The battery will hold a charge for about an hour and a half with moderate use.

Cordless power tools

Cordless power tools have gotten lighter and more advanced over the last couple of years, allowing you to use power saws for hours without swapping batteries, and to finish work without dragging an extension cord behind you. The Milwaukee 18-volt cordless random orbital sander is $99, 39% off its regular price. This is the sander I use in my personal tool kit, and it works just as well as the corded version without needing an outlet and an extension cord. It comes with a dust catcher attachment and a couple of sanding discs, but you’ll need an 18-volt Milwaukee battery to use it.

Best deal on a cordless saw

The DeWalt 18-volt jig saw is $152.99, 36% off its regular price. This saw is good for making custom shapes and for doing small, precise cuts. It comes with a starter multipurpose blade, but you’ll need a DeWalt 18-volt battery to use it.

Best deal under $100

The Ryobi 18-volt three-inch cutoff tool is $98.88, 29% off its regular price. This is a saw designed for cutting metal, wood, or PVC, so it’s a versatile addition to your home DIY tool kit. It comes with a three-inch metal cut-off blade, but you’ll need an 18-volt Ryobi battery set to use it.

Ryobi PSBCS02 ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless Compact Light Weight Cut-Off Tool (Tool Only, Battery Not Included)

$90.89 at Amazon

$139.99 Save $49.10

Get Deal

Get Deal

$90.89 at Amazon

$139.99 Save $49.10

Hand tools

Hand tools can be an overlooked component of a home DIY tool kit, but they’re important for most home maintenance and DIY projects. Getting all the different tools and bits you need can be expensive, though. The Irwin 6 ½ inch coping saw is $8.99, 43% off its regular price. It can make precise cuts in wood for custom projects like installing trim or making dovetail joints.

Irwin Tools ProTouch Coping Saw

$8.99 at Amazon

$15.82 Save $6.83

Get Deal

Get Deal

$8.99 at Amazon

$15.82 Save $6.83

Best deal on screwdrivers

The Craftsman ratcheting screwdriver set is $16.98, 29% off its usual price. This set comes with a ratcheting screwdriver handle, 24 bits, and a telescoping magnetic pick-up tool. This is a good set for a simple home maintenance kit—it doesn’t take up much space and it comes with almost any bit you would need for basic DIY home maintenance like changing air filters or swapping cabinet hardware.

Best deal under $20

A pair of 10-inch Irwin locking pliers is $12.93, 52% off their typical price. These locking pliers are indispensable for removing stripped or rusted nuts and bolts, pulling nails, and a variety of other tasks. I have a pair that I keep in my personal tool set that have lasted more than a decade, and I find new uses for them every time I start a new project.

Looking for something else? Retailers like Walmart and Best Buy have Prime Day competition sales that are especially useful if you don’t have Amazon Prime.

• Walmart’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. ET through Oct. 12 and includes deals up to 50% off. It’s an especially good option if you have Walmart+.

• Best Buy’s Prime Day competition sale runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 12, and has some of the best tech sales online. It’s an especially good option if you’re a My Best Buy “Plus” or “Total” member.

• Target’s Prime Day competition sale, runs from Oct. 5 through Oct. 11, and it has deals going up to 50% off. You can become a Circle member for free.

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