Bauer Tools from Harbor Freight are generally highly rated and loved by users. Some tools stand out as exceptional, while others don’t quite make the cut.
Hardware retailer Harbor Freight doesn’t just have one house brand – it has several, including Hercules, Icon, Predator, and Warrior. Bauer is a solid mid-range brand that’s also owned by Harbor Freight, with a focus on 20V power tools, such as drills and saws. Bauer makes dozens of cordless tools that use the same interchangeable batteries and chargers and share a distinctive red and black design.
This is similar, but not the same, as the red and white aesthetic of Milwaukee Tools and the differences don’t end there — while Milwaukee offers powerful professional-grade tools that can withstand daily use for heavy-duty applications, Bauer tools are better suited for more casual DIY projects and occasional home repair. However, Bauer tools are typically much more affordable than premium brands, as are their batteries and chargers. Because of this, it’s a popular choice among Harbor Freight customers looking for useful, well-made power tools for less demanding projects and tasks. Like any brand, though, not all of Bauer’s tools are built the same, and just because you may have a great experience with one doesn’t mean you necessarily will with another.
Here are four Bauer tools worth buying at Harbor Freight, as well as one you should definitely avoid, based on user experience and ratings. More information on how these Bauer tools were evaluated can be found at the end of this list.BUY: 20V Cordless ¼-inch Hex 3-Speed Impact Driver
One of the best-rated Bauer tools on Harbor Freight’s website is the brand’s 20V Cordless ¼-inch Hex 3-Speed Impact Driver, and buying one is a no-brainer if you’re building a casual DIY kit. Based on nearly 700 customer reviews, the tool has a near-perfect 4.9 out of 5 average user rating, with 99% of surveyed customers recommending it.
The brushless motor of Bauer’s 20V impact driver allows it to deliver up to 3,200 rpm and 3,750 ipm, as well as up to 2,000 in-lbs of max torque, which is enough for drywall, sheet metal, subflooring, and more. It uses a variable-speed trigger with three speeds for more versatile use and has a compact design for work in tight spaces. It’s also lightweight enough to be used for extended periods with minimal fatigue and features a quick-release ¼-inch hex chuck and on-board LED work lights.
Some redditors on r/HarborFreight say they prefer Bauer’s brushed impact driver, but the overwhelming majority of reviews for the brushless model are five stars nonetheless, with one customer reporting that it worked just as well as a Milwaukee driver and that they „ran it hard for two days and it held up great, with comparable battery life.“ Another user calls it „practically bulletproof“ even after using it „almost daily for almost 5 years and recently it was thrown down on the floor in anger.“
Harbor Freight sells the Bauer 20V Cordless ¼-inch Hex 3-Speed Impact Driver (model 2181CR-B) for $39.99.BUY: 20V Cordless 2,500-lumen Spotlight
An often-overlooked addition to anyone’s toolkit is a good work light. Harbor Freight offers several lighting solutions for job sites and other work areas, including the Bauer 20V Cordless 2,500-lumen Spotlight.
Combining seven LEDs to produce 2,500 lumens of bright light, the spotlight can last up to 5-½ hours on a full charge. With its 8-½-inch height and 6-3/4-inch length, it’s also compact and highly portable. It weighs just 1.6 pounds. Other lights from Bauer are also highly rated by users. You might find it worth buying Bauer’s Dual Power Work Light for indefinite illumination, though it has lower brightness.
