Everyone – retailers, mass media, and influencers – have been hyping up Labor Day 2025 tool deals, but I’m not seeing much to be excited about.
Yes, there are some deals and bargains, but there are a lot of higher prices mixed in.
Shop Labor Day Tool Deals at Home Depot
Shop Labor Day Tool Deals at Lowe’s
Shop Labor Day Tool Deals at Amazon
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Here are some examples that quickly got my attention.
Home Depot has this Dewalt 7pc cordless power tool combo kit as a $599 special buy.
This seems like a good deal until you check ToolGuyd’s past deal posts. I feel that $499 is a more appropriate price for this bundle, and maybe even less.
We’ve seen better-equipped Dewalt cordless power tool combo kits for less money.
That doesn’t mean this is a bad deal, but it doesn’t seem to be the best deal one could hope for right now. $600 seems like a lot for this kit.
Home Depot also has this Milwaukee M12 Fuel 2-tool cordless power tool combo kit bundle, with their top M12 hammer drill and impact driver, plus 2 included batteries, a charger, and 2 more XC batteries, all for $199.
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This strikes me as a very good price for what you get.
Home Depot also has the Milwaukee M18 9-tool cordless power tool combo kit for $599. This is the same price as for last year’s Black Friday and Holiday season 9-tool special buy, but it looks like there’s been a slight downgrade in battery sizes.
Amazon raised the price of this Dewalt 20V Max cordless drill kit, which is now around $17 more than its typical price of $99.
Lowe’s has done the same. Don’t worry, you’re “saving $50” with the price of this typically $99 Dewalt cordless drill kit now up to $129.
Amazon also jacked up the price of this Dewalt 2pc cordless drill and impact driver combo kit, which is now $179.
$129 is a good price for this long in the tooth basic Dewalt cordless power tool kit, and $149 has been typical.
Lowe’s has this Kobalt mechanics tool set for $99, which is typically as good as you can expect for an assortment this size.
So why all the hype if the deals are pretty mediocre right now?
As you might know, every time you buy something through an affiliate link, the channel gets a referral commission. Here are some example links:
Shop Labor Day Tool Deals at Home Depot
Shop Labor Day Tool Deals at Lowe’s
Shop Labor Day Tool Deals at Amazon
But also, every time you load a page, an ad loads, and clicks there also contribute to revenue.
Mass media has turned into content mills, where “content experts” churn out garbage where every deal is “practically free,” “a must-buy,” xy% off!!,” “the best,” and so forth.
But from what I’m seeing, the deals are poor, and mediocre at best. There are tool bargains, but you need to hunt for them and then know you prices very well.
Lowe’s Dewalt cordless drill deal isn’t $50 off right now, it’s $30 higher than its regular price.
My advice? Unless you’re absolutely certain you’re getting a good bargain, or close to the lowest price possible, keep your wallet closed and hope that the holiday shopping season gives us better values.
If you need something now, go ahead and buy what you need. But if you don’t, shop very carefully and be prepared to wait.
I’ll be taking a deeper look at the Labor Day tool deals to see what’s good, but right now I’m not seeing much to be excited about.
Shop carefully and with a clear head.
Julian Tracy
I noticed on the Home Depot deals of the day (either yesterday or Sunday?) that the mechanic’s tools were priced sky high in comparison to prior deals and pricing. Milwaukee and even the Husky stuff had some silly-high pricing for wrenches, socket sets, etc.
TomD
“know you prices”
But yes, it’s getting harder to be sure anything is a “deal” unless you spend time on the research (or outsource it to Toolguyd 😂).
But lots of buyers just look at what’s available when they walk in or browse online. What’s most interesting to me is how divergent the prices are becoming; they used to be pretty in lock sync.
Greg
Is it me or does it seem that HD special buy of the day have been very underwhelming for most of this year ? it feels like it’s always the same old combos that keep coming back, with mildly discounted prices.
Stuart
The only difference I’ve seen is higher frequency these past 2 years compared to earlier years. Thats not bad.
I’ve seen changes in the past few months, presumably due to tariffs and whatever is going on between Dewalt and Home Depot regarding the Atomic line.
I am hesitant to post about the more boring ones, but there’s always a comment or two “thanks, I missed this last time.”
Compared to earlier years, the promo periods have started to bleed together where there’s nearly year-round special buys.
Mark S
Greg I agree too. The deals are mostly mediocre at best. Several years ago there were some deal of the day listings that were too good to pass up.
In the past 6 months or so I have only purchased one thing that was decent (M18 Packout 6 port charger and 5.0 battery for $199).
I do see the point Stuart is making in that they are more frequent (the $2000+ garage cabinet wall comes up nearly twice a month it seems!) But I also think the value is no longer there on most all of the deals. If it was 40% off two years ago, it may only be 25% off today. Or less.
Same to be said for Lowe’s ones if you ask me….
I can really only attribute it to “economy uncertainty” which at this point is becoming more and more of a wide ranging list of variables we all know and DON’T love. Tarrifs, taxes, shipping issues, labor costs, inflation, people scared of spending, on and on and on.
Stuart
Never go by the percentage. 25% off $400 is $300. 40% off $540 is $325.
Sometimes the price is the same but the package content changes.
You have media channels promoting everything as “steals” and “practically free,” and a lot of those deals are also bad values.
For example, everyone keeps promoting the Dewalt oscillating multi-tool for $105, but that was the bare tool while the kit with battery and charger was $99.
I think everyone should hesitate when shopping. “Is that a good deal?” These days the answer is too often “no.”
Bonnie
The only thing Icm buying for Labor Day this year is a new water heater.
Bill
Are you installing a conventional tank water heater or tankless?
Bonnie
Heat pump hybrid. Going for direct run pex tubing out of a manifold which should reduce long wait times.
Got a few hundred off for Labor Day and a good chunk of the rest in utility rebates.
Bill
Sounds like you will have an energy efficient system along with some upfront savings.
Good luck with the install.
LGonToolGuy'd
Man, I love that you’re not beholden to corporate employers like my writing. Thank you for being legit about what you find (or don’t).
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
Between content farm affiliate slop and AI, I’ve been very concerned about where the media industry is headed.
mark w
Well I’m certainly glad your keeping this little corner steady in these times.
It feels like everything is so uninspired these days. Like most people are just trying to survive and very few are trying to strive for anything great that isn’t just making money. A CD used to come out and be a journey you went on. Now there’s 1000 fresh tracks available everyday – but they all sound like a low effort facsimile of personal expression, instead of a person’s soul.
bubble
Dear Stuart, I have to say, your writing style is truly authentic and sharp. You have a remarkable ability to view things from the consumer’s perspective. Thank you for helping readers find genuine value amidst the so-called “discount frenzy.”
Stuart
Thank you! I try my best.
DH
Man I dont see many deals!
Anton
The value of ads were always inflated IMO, but now it’s just bots looking at bots – basically worthless but the numbers look good.
Stuart
And mass media channels that have turned into content farms.
Last night I saw a post on Reddit where someone asked about a $599 cordless combo kit. Someone actually said it’s a good price because the kit has “$1500 in value.” People need to be dissuaded from this type of mindset, but apparently affiliate commissions are more important.
Clay
I see alot of “X is giving away free tools” or “how to get a free tool” when things are bundled. As if you did not have to spend anything.
Stuart
“Claim your free tool now.” It’s clickbait that erodes trust.
Tojen1981
The “free tool” is a hackable deal at Home Depot. HD assesses a value to it and you can return what you don’t want and get a credit for it. I don’t do it, but it’s well documented.
Stuart
Right. But you’re not actually getting anything for free. The item you buy is inflated in price, and that’s where the discount for the “free” item comes from.
A lot of content mill channels use “free” language as clickbait, like “hurry and get your free Milwaukee batteries” without making it clear there’s a purchase requirement. That’s what they’re referring to.
Marc
Stuart,
Your last line says “Show carefully and with a clear head.”
Did you mean **Shop** carefully and with a clear head.
-Marc
Stuart
Sorry – yes! *fixed* Thank you!
Jim Felt
Stuart. I’ve always thought of you as the gold standard (remember when even that meant something positive?) of tool related content, price and value blogs. And a fun read!
Nothing has changed.
Some people gravitate towards facts and logic and sadly many don’t invest the effort to become better informed. Sounds like real life actually.
So thank you for your service!
We here all appreciate it.
Stuart
Thank you, I appreciate it!
It takes time and experience to learn how to analyze deals and special buys. The media is supposed to help inform and educate consumers, not exploit their naivety.
Matt_T
Not Labor Day as such but Ebay are running a 20% coupon for their 30th anniversary right now. I tried a search for Bosch and it pulled up several tools from CPO Outlets. 20% off reconditioned tools that are sometimes significantly cheaper than retail anyways. Not sure what other brands CPO carries but might be worth a look.
GC
I saw the new DEWALT 60V 12″ Miter Saw kitted with a battery and charger online at Home Depot for less than the bare tool in store for Labor Day. $649 vs $699.