Craftsman Tool Reviews 2025
You walk into Lowe’s looking for tools that won’t break your budget or your back. Past the flashy displays and premium price tags, there sits Craftsman – the red and black tools that built America’s garages.
Craftsman isn’t trying to be the loudest name in the tool aisle. They’re not chasing YouTube influencers or sponsoring race cars to prove their worth. What they are doing is building solid, dependable tools that get the job done without emptying your wallet.
We’ve spent months testing Craftsman’s V20 platform and their latest releases. Here’s what every DIYer and weekend warrior needs to know.
Table of Contents
- 1 Why Craftsman Deserves Your Attention in 2025
- 2 The V20 Platform: Your Gateway to Cordless Freedom
- 3 Essential V20 Power Tools
- 4 Additional V20 Power Tools
- 5 V20 Outdoor Equipment
- 6 Hand Tools That Honor the Legacy
- 7 V20 Combo Kits: Maximum Value
- 8 Specialty V20 Tools
- 9 How Craftsman Stacks Up Against the Competition
- 10 The Value Proposition: Quality You Can Afford
- 11 Areas Where Craftsman Falls Short
- 12 Who Should Choose Craftsman Tools
- 13 Who Should Look Elsewhere
- 14 The 2025 Craftsman Advantage
- 15 Best Craftsman Tool Deals Right Now
- 16 The Bottom Line: Honest Tools for Honest Work
Why Craftsman Deserves Your Attention in 2025
You probably remember your dad’s old Craftsman tools from Sears. Those tools that never quit, never let you down, and came with that legendary lifetime warranty.
The brand has changed hands, but the core philosophy remains: make tools that work for real people doing real projects.
Stanley Black & Decker now owns Craftsman, and they’ve been pumping serious resources into the brand. New tools launch regularly. Quality has stabilized. Prices stay reasonable.
Your neighbors might be buying Milwaukee and DeWalt. You’ll be getting 90% of the performance for 60% of the cost.
The V20 Platform: Your Gateway to Cordless Freedom
Craftsman’s V20 system is their answer to the cordless revolution. One battery powers everything from drills to lawn mowers.
V20 Battery System
The math is simple: buy into the platform once, expand forever. No juggling multiple battery types. No dead tools because you can’t find the right charger.
V20 batteries hold their charge well. They’re affordable to replace. Most importantly, they power tools that actually get work done.
V20 Battery Charger
Fast charging technology gets you back to work quickly. LED indicators show charge status at a glance. Compatible with all V20 batteries.
Essential V20 Power Tools
V20 Brushless Hammer Drill: The Garage Essential
You need a drill that drives screws without stripping heads and bores holes without wandering. This brushless hammer drill does both without breaking a sweat.
Key Features:
– Brushless motor for extended runtime
– 560 in-lbs of torque
– 2-speed transmission (0-450/0-1,650 RPM)
– Hammer function for masonry work
– LED work light that actually helps
Real-World Performance:
We drove hundreds of screws into everything from pine to hardwood. The drill maintained consistent power throughout the battery cycle. No gradual slowdown. No frustrating stalls halfway through a deck screw.
The hammer function isn’t going to replace a rotary hammer, but it’ll get you through most masonry tasks around the house.
Battery life impressed us. A single 4.0Ah battery handled an entire fence project – post holes, bracket installation, and final adjustments.
V20 Brushless Circular Saw: Cuts Above Its Weight Class
This 7¼-inch circular saw punches way above its price point. Clean cuts, good balance, and enough power for serious lumber work.
Key Features:
– Brushless motor delivers consistent power
– 5,000 RPM no-load speed
– 2-9/16″ cutting capacity at 90°
– Magnesium shoe for durability
– Bevel cuts to 50°
Testing Results:
We put this saw through lumber yard torture tests. Pressure-treated 2x10s, engineered lumber, even some hardwood projects.
The saw maintained cutting speed through thick materials. No bogging down. No burning. Just clean, straight cuts that don’t require sanding.
For weekend projects and light construction, this saw competes with tools costing twice as much.
V20 Oscillating Multi-Tool: Compact Versatility
When you need to cut, sand, or scrape in tight spaces, this oscillating tool delivers. It’s not the most powerful, but it’s perfectly sized for DIY tasks.
Key Features:
– Variable speed (8,000-18,000 OPM)
– Tool-free blade changes
– Compact design fits smaller hands
– Universal accessory compatibility
– Lock-on switch for extended use
This tool excels at flush cuts, detail sanding, and grout removal. For heavy material removal, step up to a more powerful model.
Additional V20 Power Tools
V20 Impact Wrench
350 foot-pounds of torque for serious fastening tasks. Perfect for automotive work and heavy-duty assembly projects.
V20 Cordless Ratchet
35 foot-pounds of torque at 300 RPM. Lifetime warranty on the ratchet mechanism. Perfect for tight spaces where a full-size impact won’t fit.
V20 Cut-Off Tool
3-inch brushless cut-off tool for precise cuts in metal, tile, and other materials. Variable speed trigger for material-specific cutting.
V20 Outdoor Equipment
V20 Lawn Mower
Dual-battery design provides surprising runtime. Quiet operation makes early morning mowing possible without waking neighbors. Foldable design saves storage space.
V20 String Trimmer
Brushless models offer power comparable to gas units without the maintenance headaches. Auto-feed line system keeps you working efficiently.
V20 Leaf Blower
Lightweight and powerful enough for most yard cleanup tasks. Variable speed control lets you match power to the job.
Hand Tools That Honor the Legacy
Craftsman Overdrive Wrenches
These Taiwan-made wrenches outperformed Snap-On in recent testing. MAC Tools’ “Rounded Bolt Removal Technology” helps you grab damaged fasteners.
Craftsman Ratchet Set
Current standard ratchets are functional for occasional use. Lifetime warranty still applies to most hand tools.
Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set
Comprehensive tool sets provide everything you need for automotive and general repair work. Organized storage keeps tools accessible.
V20 Combo Kits: Maximum Value
V20 2-Tool Combo Kit
Perfect starter kit with drill/driver and impact driver. Includes batteries and charger for immediate productivity.
V20 4-Tool Combo Kit
Expanded kit adds circular saw and reciprocating saw to the core drilling and driving tools. Excellent value for serious DIYers.
V20 7-Tool Combo Kit
Complete workshop solution with drill, driver, saws, light, and more. Maximum savings when buying multiple tools together.
V20 Starter Kit
Battery and charger package with promotional free tool offers. Perfect entry point into the V20 ecosystem.
Specialty V20 Tools
V20 Rotary Tool
Compact cordless rotary tool for detail work, engraving, and precision cutting. Direct battery connection eliminates cord management.
V20 Soldering Iron
Cordless convenience for electrical work and electronics projects. Adjustable temperature dial for different materials and applications.
V20 Personal Fan
Portable cooling for job sites and workshops. Pivoting head and variable speeds for customized airflow. Great for outdoor work.
How Craftsman Stacks Up Against the Competition
Craftsman vs. Ryobi
Both target DIYers, but Craftsman tools feel more substantial. Build quality is noticeably better, though Ryobi offers more tool variety.
Craftsman vs. DeWalt
DeWalt brings more power and professional features. Craftsman counters with better value and comparable reliability for most tasks.
Craftsman vs. Milwaukee
Milwaukee dominates in performance and innovation. Craftsman wins on price and practicality for non-professional use.
Craftsman vs. Harbor Freight
Harbor Freight beats Craftsman on price. Craftsman wins on quality, warranty coverage, and long-term reliability.
The Value Proposition: Quality You Can Afford
Craftsman’s biggest advantage isn’t what their tools can do – it’s what they cost to do it.
You’re not paying for racing sponsorships or celebrity endorsements. You’re buying tools engineered to solve problems without premium pricing.
Current promotions make Craftsman especially attractive. Starter kits with free tools, battery bundles, and combo deals provide exceptional value.
The three-year warranty on power tools exceeds many competitors. Hand tools still carry lifetime warranties in most cases.
Areas Where Craftsman Falls Short
Limited Professional Features: No app connectivity, advanced diagnostics, or cutting-edge smart features.
Smaller Platform: Fewer specialty tools compared to Milwaukee or DeWalt systems.
Marketing Presence: Less retail support and promotional activity than major competitors.
Service Network: Warranty service can be challenging depending on your location and retailer.
Who Should Choose Craftsman Tools
DIY Enthusiasts: You want reliable tools for home projects without professional pricing.
Weekend Warriors: Occasional use but need tools that work when called upon.
Budget-Conscious Buyers: Maximum capability per dollar spent matters more than bleeding-edge features.
Legacy Customers: You remember when Craftsman meant American quality and want to give the brand another chance.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Professional Contractors: You need tools that can handle daily abuse and maximum performance.
Tech Enthusiasts: You want the latest smart features and app integration.
Platform Investors: You’re already heavily invested in another battery system.
Specialty Workers: You need highly specialized tools that Craftsman doesn’t make.
The 2025 Craftsman Advantage
Craftsman has found their sweet spot in 2025. They’re not trying to out-Milwaukee Milwaukee or out-DeWalt DeWalt.
Instead, they’re focusing on what made them famous: dependable tools at fair prices for people who work with their hands.
The V20 platform offers enough power for serious DIY work. Build quality has stabilized. Prices remain competitive.
New product launches show the brand is investing in innovation while maintaining their value-first approach.
Best Craftsman Tool Deals Right Now
Starter Kits: Buy a battery and charger, get a free tool. These promotions provide exceptional entry points into the V20 system.
Combo Kits: Multi-tool packages offer significant savings compared to buying tools individually.
Seasonal Sales: Craftsman Days at Lowe’s, Father’s Day promotions, and back-to-school deals provide the best pricing windows.
Clearance Opportunities: Discontinued models and older inventory often sell at deep discounts while remaining perfectly functional.
The Bottom Line: Honest Tools for Honest Work
Craftsman tools won’t make you Instagram famous. They won’t dominate YouTube tool tests. They won’t impress your contractor buddy with cutting-edge features.
What they will do is help you build that deck, finish that basement, and tackle weekend projects without financial stress.
The brand has weathered ownership changes and quality inconsistencies. What emerged is a focused company making tools for real people with real budgets.
You don’t need the most powerful tools on the market. You need tools powerful enough for your projects, reliable enough to trust, and affordable enough to justify.
Craftsman delivers that balance better than anyone else in 2025.
Your father’s Craftsman tools built half the garages in America. Your Craftsman tools can build whatever comes next.
The red and black badges still mean something. They mean honest tools for honest work at honest prices.
In a market full of premium positioning and inflated claims, that’s exactly what most of us need.