Wide-Mouth Bag or Open Tote? Best Tool Bags for a Home Repair Kit

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn’t change our recommendations or the price you pay.

The best tool bag for a homeowner keeps the everyday repair kit together, so the screwdriver, tape measure and pliers are where you left them when a hinge squeaks or a faucet drips. Most bags split into two styles: a zip-top or wide-mouth bag that closes over your tools, and an open tote you can reach into with one hand.

We compared seven bags from their Amazon listings, from a budget 26-pocket bag and a classic wide-mouth bag with a rubber base to a 40-pocket Klein Tools bag and a hard-bottom DEWALT built for a cordless drill. Pocket counts, fabric denier and base claims are quoted as each listing gives them, and we flag what a listing leaves out. Every pick was sold by Amazon.com and in stock when we checked.

Our Top Tool Bag Picks at a Glance

Price key: $ under $50 · $$ $50–$100 · $$$ $100–$175 · $$$$ $175+. Prices change often; check Amazon for today’s price.

1. DEWALT 20-Inch Hard Bottom Tool Bag (DWST560104): Best Overall

DEWALT’s DWST560104 is a 20-inch zip-top tool bag with a hard bottom, built to carry a cordless drill and hand tools together. The listing describes durable 1680 denier fabric with a dirt-repellent tarpaulin, a waterproof base, and an IP54 water-resistant compartment for the things you most want to keep dry.

Inside and out, DEWALT counts 33 pockets, including a dedicated pocket for a cordless drill and battery. Yellow hi-vis internal fabric helps you spot dark tools at the bottom of the bag, and dedicated straps hold a level, with a tape clip and a metal carabiner for keys or a tape measure. An ergonomic U-shaped zipper pull is designed for opening and closing the bag while wearing gloves.

For carrying, there’s a padded shoulder strap for long walks and a backstrap that hangs the bag on a telescopic handle, so it can ride on a rolling tool box or wheeled case. The listing gives the size as 18.72 x 11.31 x 12.09 inches and the weight as 5.42 pounds empty, so it’s a substantial bag before you load it.

It suits homeowners who own a cordless drill and want it, its batteries and the core hand tools in one bag that won’t soak up water from a garage floor or a wet lawn. The warranty field is blank, so check DEWALT’s terms if that matters to you.

Why we like it

• Waterproof base and IP54 compartment
• Drill-and-battery pocket
• Hi-vis interior

Watch out for

It’s heavy for its size, and the listing gives no warranty term.

Check Price on Amazon →

2. Amazon Basics 16-Inch Tool Storage Bag: Best Budget

Amazon Basics’ 16-inch tool bag is a simple, budget-friendly organizer with 26 pockets, 10 inside and 16 outside. The listing describes a tough black and grey Oxford cloth exterior and a wide opening that makes it easy to see and reach what’s stored inside.

Day to day, the outside pockets hold the tools you grab most, screwdrivers, a utility knife, pliers and a tape measure, while the main compartment takes a hammer, a small level and a box of picture hooks or wall anchors. Padded web handles make short carries comfortable, and an adjustable shoulder strap frees your hands on the way up a ladder or out to the shed.

Amazon lists heavy-duty stitching with bar tacking at all stress points for reinforcement. Its listed dimensions are 15.9 x 8.3 x 9.1 inches, and the weight field reads 1.79 pounds, light enough to toss in a closet or a car trunk. The listing doesn’t mention a waterproof or molded base, a metal frame or a fabric denier.

It suits first-time homeowners, renters and anyone building a starter kit who wants organization without spending much. If you plan to set the bag on wet ground or carry heavy power tools, look for a bag with a molded or waterproof base.

Why we like it

• 26 pockets for the money
• Top seller in Tool Bags
• Light at a listed 1.79 lb

Watch out for

There’s no waterproof base, frame or denier on the listing, and the warranty field is blank.

Check Price on Amazon →

3. WORKPRO 16-Inch Close Top Wide Mouth Tool Bag (W081022A): Best Wide-Mouth with Rubber Base

WORKPRO’s W081022A is a 16-inch close-top, wide-mouth tool bag with a waterproof rubber base. An internal metal frame keeps the top of the bag open, so you can reach in, grab a wrench and drop it back without the sides folding in on your hand.

WORKPRO lists a large interior of 16 x 9 x 8.7 inches with 8 pockets inside and 13 outside to keep small tools and accessories organized. The bag is mainly black polyester, and the brand describes a double fabric with fine stitching throughout. The rubber foam bottom keeps the bag upright and, the listing says, protects contents from hard falls.

For carrying, WORKPRO pairs an extra-padded handle with an adjustable shoulder strap, which the brand says relieves hand fatigue and shoulder pressure with heavy loads. The weight field reads 2.3 pounds. WORKPRO markets it for electrical, plumbing, carpentry, automotive and home DIY work, and suggests wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers and accessories as the core load.

It suits homeowners who keep a bag in the garage or basement, where the floor may be damp, and who like a wide mouth that stays open while they work on a faucet, a door hinge or a loose cabinet handle. The listing doesn’t give a fabric denier or a warranty term, so check WORKPRO’s product page if either matters to you.

Why we like it

• Metal frame keeps it open
• Waterproof rubber base
• Low price tier

Watch out for

The listing skips the fabric denier and warranty, and pocket count is mid-pack.

Check Price on Amazon →

4. Carhartt Utility Medium Tool Bag: Best Compact Heavy-Duty

Carhartt’s Utility Medium Tool Bag is a 14-inch zip bag in Carhartt Brown with 26 pockets, 16 outside and 10 inside. An internal metal frame keeps the bag open and upright, which Carhartt says lets you reach in with one hand without the bag collapsing on itself.

Despite its compact size, Carhartt says the main zip compartment is large enough to hold a cordless drill, and the varied pockets are sized for screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, chisels, tape measures and utility knives. Dual webbing haul handles spread the weight of a full load across both hands, and a removable, padded, adjustable shoulder strap gives you a hands-free carry. An interior ID tag helps tell your bag apart.

The bag is built from 1200-denier polyester with Rain Defender DWR, which Carhartt says sheds light rain so tools stay dry on the way to and from the site. The base uses Carhartt’s Duravax abrasion-resistant treatment, which the brand says protects against concrete floors, truck beds and scaffold boards. The listing gives the size as 14 x 9 x 10.5 inches and the weight as 2.18 pounds.

It suits homeowners working in tight spots like utility panels, crawl spaces and under-sink cabinets who still want drill capacity. The manufacturer field names Signature Products Group, which makes it under the Carhartt brand, and the warranty field is blank.

Why we like it

• Compact 14-inch footprint
• Drill fits in the main compartment
• 1200-denier fabric

Watch out for

Carhartt pitches Rain Defender for light rain, not soaking, and no warranty term is listed.

Check Price on Amazon →

5. Klein Tools 40-Pocket Tool Bag (5541610-14): Most Pockets

Klein Tools’ 5541610-14 is a tool bag with a shoulder strap and 40 pockets, the most of any bag in this guide. Klein builds it from 1680d ballistic weave and gives it an orange interior, which the brand says helps you find tools faster when you look down into the bag.

Forty pockets means nearly every tool can have its own slot: screwdrivers by size, pliers, nut drivers, a voltage tester, a utility knife and a tape measure. A large zipper pocket secures small parts and tools, such as wire nuts, screws and drill bits, that would otherwise sink to the bottom.

Klein lists a fully molded bottom that keeps the bag stable and protects it from the elements, so it can sit on a basement floor or a damp driveway. The listing gives the size as 12.4 x 12.2 x 10 inches and the weight as 6 pounds empty, heavier than the other bags here. The warranty field reads 1 year manufacturer.

It suits homeowners with a large set of hand tools, especially electrical tools, who want everything organized and visible. The feature list is short, so details like strap padding and closure style come mainly from the title and photos.

Why we like it

• 40 pockets
• Molded bottom
• Orange interior

Watch out for

It’s the heaviest and most expensive bag here, and the listing is light on details.

Check Price on Amazon →

6. AWP 12-Inch Pro Tool Tote with Rotating Handle: Best Tool Tote

AWP’s 12-Inch Pro Tool Tote is a compact tote with a rotating apex handle, sized for the tools you need on a single job rather than your whole collection. AWP says the design keeps tools organized and within quick reach, saving time and energy on the jobsite.

The tote is built with large, separated compartments that AWP says suit both small hand tools and bulkier items, so a hammer can ride next to a caulk gun and a box of screws. The apex handle runs over the top and rotates out of the way, and AWP says it distributes weight for an easier, more comfortable carry, which helps when you’re moving from the kitchen to the bathroom to the porch.

AWP lists rugged 600 denier polyester that is water-resistant, with reinforced stitching throughout the wear areas. The listing gives dimensions of 8.5 x 12 x 13 inches, but leaves the weight field blank and doesn’t give a pocket count or mention a shoulder strap. AWP positions it alongside its tool rigs, belts and pouches for contractors, technicians and handymen.

It suits homeowners who like a tote they can set down and dig into, for quick fixes around the house or a weekend project. Anyone who needs to carry a large kit or wants a zip top should choose a full-size bag.

Why we like it

• Rotating apex handle
• Water-resistant 600D fabric
• Strong sales rank

Watch out for

No pocket count, weight or strap is listed, and the 12-inch size limits capacity.

Check Price on Amazon →

7. Bucket Boss Gatemouth 16 Tool Bag (60016): Lightest Wide-Mouth Bag

Bucket Boss’s Gatemouth 16 is a brown, 16-inch tool bag in the brand’s traditional Gatemouth series, named for its wide, zippered opening. The title gives the capacity as 15 liters, and the listing counts 16 pockets for organizing hand tools.

The Gatemouth design opens wide like a doctor’s bag, so you can see into the main compartment, then zips shut to keep tools in during the drive or on a shelf. Bucket Boss uses oversized industrial zippers, which are easier to grab, and durable webbing carry handles for lifting.

Underneath, the listing describes a padded, webbing-reinforced bottom. The bag’s size field reads 16 x 9 x 12 inches, and the weight field reads 0.95 pounds, the lightest of any bag here. The warranty field lists a 1 year limited warranty. The listing doesn’t name the fabric or its denier, and it doesn’t mention a shoulder strap.

It suits homeowners with a modest set of hand tools who want a light, zip-shut bag for the hall closet or car trunk, ready for a loose doorknob, a wobbly chair or a new curtain rod. Its 15-liter capacity, per the title, leaves room for a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers and a tape measure. If you need a waterproof base or more than 16 pockets, look at a larger, heavier bag.

Why we like it

• Very light, per weight field
• Wide Gatemouth opening
• Stated 1-year limited warranty

Watch out for

It has the fewest pockets and the weakest sales rank here, and no shoulder strap is listed.

Check Price on Amazon →

How We Chose the Best Tool Bags

We compared each bag’s Amazon listing, the spec fields and sales rank, and quoted only what the listings say:

• Size and capacity: listed dimensions and, where given, liters or interior size.
• Pocket count: inside and outside, as each brand counts them.
• Opening style: wide mouth with a frame, zip top or open tote.
• Base: molded, rubber, waterproof or padded, in the listing’s own words.
• Fabric: denier and coatings where stated, flagged where missing.
• Carry options: handles and shoulder straps.
• Availability: every pick was in stock and sold by Amazon.com when we checked, with one bag per brand.

Tool Bag Buying Guide

Best Tool Bag for Homeowners: How Big?

A homeowner’s core kit, a hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, an adjustable wrench, a utility knife and a tape measure, fits in a 14- to 16-inch bag. The Carhartt (14 in), Amazon Basics (16 in), WORKPRO (16 in) and Bucket Boss (16 in) sit in that range. Choose the DEWALT if a cordless drill and batteries ride along. If you’re still building the kit, our tool set guide compares ready-made sets.

Best Wide Mouth Tool Bag vs. Zip Top

A wide-mouth bag with an internal metal frame, like the WORKPRO and Carhartt, stays open while you work, so you can grab tools with one hand. The Bucket Boss Gatemouth opens wide and zips shut. The DEWALT and Klein close with zippers, which keeps tools in place in a car trunk. The Amazon Basics lists a wide opening but no frame.

Best Tool Tote for Quick Jobs

A tote trades a closed top for speed. The AWP 12-inch tote has a rotating apex handle and separate compartments, good for carrying the day’s tools room to room. For hands-free carry on a ladder, a tool belt keeps fasteners and a hammer at your hip.

Best Small Tool Bag

Small bags fit under a sink, behind a seat or in a closet. The AWP tote is 12 inches, the Carhartt is 14 inches, and the Bucket Boss is the lightest here at a listed 0.95 pounds. Small doesn’t have to mean few pockets: the 14-inch Carhartt lists 26.

Best Waterproof Tool Bag: Bases and Fabrics

The base takes the most abuse. DEWALT lists a waterproof base and an IP54 water-resistant compartment, WORKPRO a water-proof rubber base, and Klein a fully molded bottom that protects from the elements. Carhartt uses its Duravax abrasion-resistant base with Rain Defender DWR, which it says sheds light rain. AWP calls its 600 denier polyester water-resistant. Fabric weight runs from 600 denier (AWP) to 1200 (Carhartt) and 1680 (DEWALT and Klein); the other listings don’t state one.

Pockets: How Many Do You Need?

Listed counts range from 16 (Bucket Boss) to 21 (WORKPRO), 26 (Amazon Basics and Carhartt), 33 (DEWALT) and 40 (Klein). AWP doesn’t state a count. More pockets help only if you have the tools to fill them; a starter kit rattles around a 40-pocket bag. For bulky items such as a circular saw, a hard tool box may be the better fit.

Tool Safety and Storage at Home

A tool bag is also a safety tool. OSHA’s hand and power tools page notes that these simple tools can be hazardous and can cause severe injuries when used or maintained improperly. At home, that mostly means storage:

• Cover sharp edges. Retract utility-knife blades and cap chisels before they go into a pocket.
• Keep the bag out of children’s reach, on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet.
• Don’t leave tools in an unlocked car or open garage. A bag full of tools is easy to carry off.
• Dry tools before you zip them in to slow rust, especially in a bag without a waterproof base.
• Don’t overload a shoulder strap. Split heavy loads between a bag and a tote.

For more on keeping a new house in order, see our tips for first-time Ohio homeowners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best tool bag for most homeowners?

The DEWALT DWST560104 is our overall pick. Its listing describes a waterproof base, an IP54 water-resistant compartment, 1680 denier fabric and 33 pockets, including one for a cordless drill and battery, and Amazon.com sells it.

Is a wide-mouth tool bag better than a tote?

A wide-mouth bag with a frame, like the WORKPRO or Carhartt, stays open while you work and closes for transport. An open tote like the AWP is quicker to dig into but doesn’t close, so tools can spill in a car.

What is the best waterproof tool bag?

Look at the base. The DEWALT lists a waterproof base and an IP54 compartment, and the WORKPRO lists a water-proof rubber base. Klein lists a fully molded bottom, and Carhartt says its Rain Defender finish sheds light rain.

How many pockets should a tool bag have?

Enough for the tools you own. A starter kit fits well in the 16-pocket Bucket Boss or 21-pocket WORKPRO; larger collections suit the 26-pocket Amazon Basics or Carhartt, the 33-pocket DEWALT, or the 40-pocket Klein.

What is the best small tool bag?

The AWP 12-inch tote and the 14-inch Carhartt are the most compact picks here. The Carhartt lists 26 pockets and room for a cordless drill; the Bucket Boss is the lightest at a listed 0.95 pounds.

The Bottom Line

The DEWALT DWST560104 is the best tool bag for most homeowners: a hard, waterproof base, 1680 denier fabric and a drill-and-battery pocket among 33. The Amazon Basics bag is the budget pick and the top seller here, the WORKPRO is a classic wide-mouth bag with a rubber base, and the Carhartt packs 26 pockets and drill room into 14 inches. Choose the Klein for 40 pockets, the AWP tote for quick room-to-room jobs, and the Bucket Boss for the lightest bag here.

Wondering how your policy treats the tools you keep at home or in your car? Ask your agent, and see our Ohio homeowners insurance guide. Call Jeff Smith’s State Farm office at (740) 354-7747 or schedule a free coverage review.