6 Best Tool Bags of 2024

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The Best Tool Bags

electricians tool bag
  1. Best budget 12" tool bag - STANLEY Medium Size Tool Bag

  2. Best 18" rigid tool bag - STANLEY FATMAX 18” Open Mouth Rigid Tool Bag

  3. Best 12" tool bag for number of pockets - Amazon Basics Tool Bag

  4. Best tool bag for number of pockets - WORKPRO 16" Tool Bag

  5. Best value 18" rigid tool bag - AIRAJ 18” Wide Mouth Classic Tool Bag

  6. Best large tool bag - Bosch Professional 1600A003BK Tool Bag

Tool Bag Reviews

Editors Choice

1. STANLEY Medium Size Tool Bag

Best budget 12" tool bag

best tool bag STANLEY Medium Size Tool Bag
  • Compared with the exterior pockets on the Workpro bag, the big pocket on this tool bag extends to allow for more storage, even when the main compartment is full up.
  • It’s a simple and minimalist lightweight bag. Other tool bags can be too busy, with stacks of pockets, loops, and hooks on the outside. Some users simply don’t need the extras.
  • This is an incredibly affordable way to organize tools when you’re on the road or job site. If you just need a simple but rugged bag for gadgets or an emergency kit, this is great.

  • There are no shoulder straps on this tool bag. Unless you’re happy carrying it around in one hand all day long, you might not like this type of tool carrier. You can’t even attach your own one.
  • This bag is 30 cm long so it's not really big enough to accommodate a full size hammer laying flat in the bottom. It’s fine for small hand tools, but don’t expect to fit your combi drill inside.
  • I’m not a fan of zips that hang loosely over the end of a tool bag. They’re often a pain to try and open and close, and it’s almost impossible to operate with one hand.
Tool Bag Size
12" (30 x 25 x 13cm)
Tool Bag Material
Cloth Fabric
Outside Pockets
2
Inside Pockets
8
Shoulder Strap
No
Overall Score 4
Durability
4
Value for Money
4

One of the biggest and best-known tool brands around, STANLEY have close to 200 years of experience in the industry. If you’re looking for a basic and rugged tool carrier, their 1-93-330 tool bag is just about right. It’s a no-nonsense but durable tool bag with a useful zip-close front pocket.

Starting with the construction of the bag, it’s made entirely of 600 denier material that’s tough enough for almost any situation. There’s a pair of carrying handles on the top that have a comfortable grip shape, and a zip that runs all the way along the bag.

As for pockets, you get a huge one on the front that can hold plenty of extra bits, and several inside that are different sizes for your small tools. The base of the bag is padded to help reduce the impact on the contents inside too. It’s a simple lightweight tool bag that is lightweight and ideal for smaller hand tools.

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Runner Up
  • There’s a little business card-size holder on the front of the bag so you can put your name or the contents of the bag on display. It’s a nice little feature that the other kits have missed.
  • Compared to some other tool bags on my list, the exterior pockets can all be closed. Open pockets are fine when you’re at work, but not for travelling.
  • I like the little tool loops on the inside of the bag, they’re the right size and orientation for hand tools like pliers or screwdrivers. It means you can find them straight away.

  • Compared to other tool bags on my list, this is an expensive piece of kit. Unless you’re a pro, it’s quite a lot to spend on a single bag.
  • Several users have complained about the wire that holds the bag in shape. It’s a potential weak point as it can break through the stitching on either end.
  • It’s not the lightest bag you can get, even when it’s empty. Weighing close to 2 kg without any tools inside, you’ll notice the difference when you’re carrying it around all day!
Tool Bag Size
18" (50 x 29 x 30cm)
Tool Bag Material
Cloth Fabric
Outside Pockets
7
Inside Pockets
4
Shoulder Strap
Yes
Overall Score 4
Durability
4
Value for Money
4

The STANLEY FATMAX brand is loved by tradespeople all over the place. These tools and accessories are built tough and last a long time, whether on-site or in the workshop. This FATMAX open-mouth tool bag is probably one of the best tool bags you can get for the money. It’s extremely robust, well-thought-out, and has enough room to hold a huge number of tools in complete comfort.

Tool bags like this are a tradesperson’s dream. Made from heavy 600 denier material, all the seams are protected, and the base is made from tough polypropylene. It’s a heavy duty bag that’s built to last, as you’d expect from a FATMAX product. And if you’re worried about your tools getting crushed, the tool bag has a rigid construction with stiff sides to keep all your tools safe.

The carrying handles have a rubber grip portion, and there’s a padded shoulder strap if you want a bit more comfort. What I really like though is the huge variety of useful external pockets and metal rings that you can use to hang bits and pieces off. This is a serious tool bag that will take all your tools without complaint, so you can carry them all in comfort.

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Also Good

3. Amazon Basics Tool Bag[ SAVE 3% ]

Best 12" tool bag for number of pockets

best tool bag Amazon Basics Tool Bag
  • Compared with the Bosch tool bag, this is an absolute bargain. It costs less than half the price, so unless you’re in the trades, it makes good financial sense.
  • If, like me, you’re good at losing things like a tape measure or other tools with tool belt hooks on them, you’ll love this bag. MOLLE loops are one of the best ways to keep things safe.
  • I’m a huge fan of tool bags. They’re much more flexible and easier to carry compared to a traditional tool box. This one is incredibly light weight and takes up no room at all.

  • Apart from the single hook and loop pocket on the front, none of the other pockets can be closed. They don’t have elasticated tops either, so they’re not great at holding things on the go.
  • Compared with the incredibly durable base on the AIRAJ tool bag, the polyethylene bottom section on this bag isn’t quite as reliable. If you treat you bags roughly, this bit will go first.
  • It’s a 30 cm long bag. The average hammer length is 36 cm, so you can’t expect to hold lots of bulky tools in a compact tool bag like this. It’s fine for small bits of kit though.
Tool Bag Size
12" (31 x 20 x 14cm)
Tool Bag Material
Cloth Fabric
Outside Pockets
7
Inside Pockets
9
Shoulder Strap
Yes
Overall Score 4.5
Durability
4
Value for Money
5

Internet giants Amazon have been getting heavily into their tools and accessories of late, and their Basics brand is good for decent quality and straightforward bits and pieces. Their take on the classic tool bag is just as you might expect. It’s made from thick Oxford cloth, has plenty of storage space for everyday tools, and one of the best tool bags if you’re not keen on a tool box or are on a budget.

Measuring just over 300 mm long, this is the smaller of Amazon’s two Basics tool bags. You get 16 separate pockets, nine on the inside and seven on the outside, so there’s enough room for all your gear. I really like the hook and loop closing front pocket, it’s great for items that take a little more looking after.

There are stacks of pockets on this bag, and the fabric strap makes carrying it around rather easy. There’s even a MOLLE-type set of fabric loops on the front of the bag. You could hook on all sorts of tools or gadgets that need easy access, it’s a nice system. For the money, it’s a rugged and reliable compact tool bag for around the home or garden.

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4. WORKPRO 16" Tool Bag [ SAVE 15% ]

Best tool bag for number of pockets

best tool bag WORKPRO 16" Tool Bag
  • Compared with the Amazon basics bag, you get a lot more internal space for bulky hand tools. At just over 40 cm long, there’s ample room for hammers and toolkit saws.
  • If you’re going to take this bag out and about with you, the rigid plastic base is a lifesaver. It protects the contents from most knocks and drops and is reliably waterproof too.
  • The zip is just the right size for this sort of bag. It’s chunky and robust, so it shouldn’t fall apart after a few weeks. The pull tabs are big enough to use with gloves on too.

  • Several users have complained that the connection between the bag and the plastic base is a weak point. It’s only held on with a single seam of stitches, which might not be tough enough.
  • The short carry handle straps don’t wrap around the entire work bag. They’re held on with double stitching only. If you carry a lot of heavy tools, this might not hold the weight.
  • The inner and outer pockets would be a lot more useful if they had elasticated tops. They’re well stitched but won’t hold items if they’re jogged around during transport.
Tool Bag Size
16" (41 x 28 x 20cm)
Tool Bag Material
Polyester
Outside Pockets
13
Inside Pockets
8
Shoulder Strap
Yes
Overall Score 4
Durability
4
Value for Money
4

With a decent range of hand tools on offer, WORKPRO have found that sweet spot between affordability and quality. The same goes for their 16″ tool bag. It’s a surprisingly high-capacity tool carrier that is still incredibly affordable. With plenty of pockets, a padded shoulder strap and carrying handles and an easy pull zip, it’s an ideal accessory for those DIY projects where you are sick of lugging a heavy tool box.

One of the first things to notice about this bag is how sturdily built it is. WORKPRO have double-stitched the handles and panels in white so you can see where they’re reinforced. Constructed from 600 denier polyester, it’s waterproof and lined with tough plastic to extend its useful working life.

If you need quick access to your favourite tools, there are 13 different pockets on the outside of the bag, and another eight pockets that line the inside of the bag itself. Add to that the eight tool belts on the outside, this tool bag is an organiser’s dream!

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5. AIRAJ 18” Wide Mouth Classic Tool Bag

Best value 18" rigid tool bag

best tool bag AIRAJ 18” Wide Mouth Classic Tool Bag
  • The padded shoulder strap reduces rubbing on your shoulder. The hardware is all metal as well, so it’s a lot more rugged than straps with plastic clips.
  • The overall length of this heavy duty bag is just under 46 cm. It’s still small enough to be easily transportable, but big enough to hold a combi drill and charger amongst other tools.
  • The hard base adds an extra layer of protection for your tools. It’s made from rugged ABS plastic that has a high tolerance against scuffs, knocks, and drops. It’s also waterproof.

  • If you need lots of exterior pockets or places to hang tools, this isn’t the bag for you. You get only get three pockets on one side of the bag. It lacks MOLLE loops or other holders.
  • If you want the rigid base version of this bag, you need to splash out on the 18” one. You can get smaller versions for lightweight tools, but they only have small plastic feet.
  • The outside pockets on this bag look quite large, but they don’t hold much. Once the main compartment is full, the side pockets get squeezed so they don’t add much space overall.
Tool Bag Size
18" (45 x 25 x 29cm)
Tool Bag Material
Cloth Fabric
Outside Pockets
8
Inside Pockets
6
Shoulder Strap
Yes
Overall Score 5
Durability
5
Value for Money
5

Home and garden gadget makers AIRAJ have obviously put a lot of thought into how to make the best tool bags for DIY projects. Their 18″ classic tool bag is big enough to accommodate all sorts of hand tools and has a hard plastic base to keep everything safe when you’re moving around.

The first thing I noticed was how overengineered parts of this bag are. I like that the padded shoulder strap attaches to the bag by four chunky metal mounting brackets. They look like they’ll last for ages. The smaller carrying handles have big plastic hand grips that stop the straps from digging into your hands too.

As for pockets, there are three cavernous pouches on the front side of the bag that have hook and loop fasteners for extra security. Surrounding the inside of the main bag are six pouches that should help to keep you organised as well. You even get a small plastic box to keep a handful of screws, fixings or drill bits thrown in.

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  • The materials used for this quality tool bag make it as attractive to professionals as well as DIYers. This tool bag should last for ages.
  • Bosch claim that you can fit up to four power tools in the bag. At 55 cm long and just under 30 cm wide, it’s one of the bigger bags on my list. There’s plenty of room for useful tools.
  • If you don’t like shoulder straps, the smaller handles can be strapped together with the hook and loop pad. It keeps the bag closed and makes it more comfortable.

  • I’m not sure it’s a great idea to advertise that your bag is full of expensive “Bosch Professional Power Tools”. Although most bags have branding on them, it’s obvious what you’re carrying here.
  • Compared with the hard plastic bases found on the AIRAJ and Workpro tool bags, this one is much more prone to wear. The plastic skids won’t protect it in harsh environments.
  • The adjustable shoulder strap doesn’t run along the centre of the bag, it clips on to opposite corners. It’s a strange choice because it’s only comfortable to hold on your right shoulder.
Tool Bag Size
22" (55 x 35 x 35cm)
Tool Bag Material
Nylon
Outside Pockets
6
Inside Pockets
5
Shoulder Strap
Yes
Overall Score 5
Durability
5
Value for Money
5

German tool experts Bosch have an unbelievable range of kit in their blue line of Professional equipment. Their version of the handyman’s bag is the 1600A003BK Tool Bag, and it’s an impressive storage system if you’re always on the go with your tools. It’s the best tool bag for anyone with a collection of Bosch gear.

Instead of a hard plastic shell bottom, you get a pair of tough plastic skids that raise the bottom of the bag up off the deck and protect the inside from bad weather. The strap is one of the best quality ones I’ve checked out too, with a wide pad to make things easier on your shoulder. It’s a bit odd that the clips don’t spin around though.

The pockets are what make this one of the best tool bags you can buy though. On the outside you get three high-capacity pockets with hook and loop fasteners, and five internal pockets to choose from. Two of the internal ones can be fastened as well, which makes them ideal for small gadgets and accessories.

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Harry's Smart Buying Tips

If you’ve just purchased a home tool kit in a rigid plastic case and want to add more bits and pieces or just want a more flexible solution to storing your tools, a tool bag is an ideal solution. Tool bags are lighter than bulky tool boxes and more versatile thanks to their pockets and compartments. Tool bags are also more flexible and easy to carry than tool boxes.

  1. The best tool bags should be made of a strong, resilient and flexible double fabric cloth for the best protection against wear and tear when carrying tools.
  2. The base of the tool bag should be rigid and made of a resilient ABS plastic material that is waterproof and drop-proof and protects from moisture and dirt.
  3. Corners should ideally be reinforced against scuffs, knocks and drops with leather or metal protectors.
  4. The number and capacity of interior and exterior pockets are obviously important for easy access to your tools.
  5. Most tool bags come with exterior pockets that can be closed with zips or Velcro.
  6. Fasteners, hooks and loops always come in useful.
  7. Internal capacity is also important for tool storage – using more pockets inside can compromise the space available for larger hand tools and power tools.
  8. Comfortable padded handles and shoulder straps are important features. The very essence of a tool bag implies portability so these features should not be compromised. 

Compare Product Features

Use the dropdown to sort the table by the feature you want to see.

  • STANLEY Medium Size Tool Bag
    best tool bag STANLEY Medium Size Tool Bag
    • 4
    • 12" (30 x 25 x 13cm)
    • Cloth Fabric
    • 2
    • 8
    • No
  • STANLEY FATMAX 18” Open Mouth Rigid Tool Bag
    best tool bag STANLEY FATMAX 18” Open Mouth Rigid Tool Bag
    • 4
    • 18" (50 x 29 x 30cm)
    • Cloth Fabric
    • 7
    • 4
    • Yes
  • Amazon Basics Tool Bag
    best tool bag Amazon Basics Tool Bag
    • 4.5
    • 12" (31 x 20 x 14cm)
    • Cloth Fabric
    • 7
    • 9
    • Yes
  • WORKPRO 16" Tool Bag
    best tool bag WORKPRO 16" Tool Bag
    • 4
    • 16" (41 x 28 x 20cm)
    • Polyester
    • 13
    • 8
    • Yes
  • AIRAJ 18” Wide Mouth Classic Tool Bag
    best tool bag AIRAJ 18” Wide Mouth Classic Tool Bag
    • 5
    • 18" (45 x 25 x 29cm)
    • Cloth Fabric
    • 8
    • 6
    • Yes
  • Bosch Professional 1600A003BK Tool Bag
    best tool bag Bosch Professional 1600A003BK Tool Bag
    • 5
    • 22" (55 x 35 x 35cm)
    • Nylon
    • 6
    • 5
    • Yes

How to Choose the Best Tool Bag

Before selecting a new tool bag do spend a couple of minutes reviewing its main features below.

Material

Traditional bags are made from reinforced polyester or canvas – these durable materials are both naturally strong and lightweight. It should also feature an abrasion-resistant base made from ABS plastic. Open-mouth rigid tool bags typically have an internal metal frame.

Dimensions and Capacity

Depending on how many tools you want to carry, you’ll need to choose a tool bag of optimal size. Too big a bag with too few tools will cause extra movement during transport and possible damage to the tools.

You should also consider whether you need to carry tools like a cordless drill or even a laptop before making your choice.

Number of Pockets and Compartments

Pockets and compartments are a big part of a tool bag as they are your main source of organization and convenience. Outside pockets are handy as they provide easy access to tools that you use often.

Having specialized compartments designed to hold specific tools is great. This allows for easy organization and also allows those tools to be securely held.

Loops

Some tool bags have loops to hold tools such as screwdrivers or pliers. The loops should be strong enough to hold the tools securely in place as well as flexible enough to accommodate a range of different tools.

Waterproof

A waterproof tool bag is very useful during adverse weather conditions. Whilst some tool bags are fully waterproof others have waterproof bases so you don’t have to worry about putting them on the ground on a job site or suchlike.

Handle / Strap Design

Having a nice adjustable padded shoulder strap and padded handles can make transporting your tool bag a much easier and more comfortable experience. A sturdy handle is essential as the toolbag will be heavy once loaded with tools.

Tool Bag FAQs

Organizing your tool bag is important so you can access all the tools you need quickly and easily. Furthermore, well-organized tools will be maintained in good condition as they won’t be banging into each other.

Unlike a toolbox, but similar to tool belts, tool bags typically have special pockets, pouches and loops to hold specific tools and accessories such as a tape measure or drill bits. Follow the design of the bag to keep the tools safe and well-organized. This is especially important for sharp tools.

Many tool bags have a sizeable interior compartment for large tools, including power tools. Check the dimensions of this compartment to ensure it’s large enough for all the tools you intend to carry.

Sensitive tools such as meters and laptops should be stored in a padded section of the bag to protect them from knocks.

The best tool bags are made from durable material – reinforced canvas or polyester with an ABS plastic or polypropylene abrasion-resistant base. Open-mouth rigid tool bags typically have an internal metal frame. In all cases, the tool bag will be strong and durable yet lightweight. Some tool bags have leather or metal reinforcements in areas that are prone to wear and tear.

Having good quality zips or Velcro to ensure all the pockets and compartments can be securely shut is also important.

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