âš¡Power tools
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 2-Piece Combo (2A3)
Best for: Builders and chippies who want a pro-grade drill and impact pair
Hammer drill (M18FPD3) and impact driver (M18FID3) from Milwaukee's top FUEL brushless range, in one kit.
Pros
- Top-tier FUEL brushless drill and impact driver
- Huge M18 battery platform to grow into
- Hammer drill handles masonry as well as timber and steel
Cons
- Dearer than DeWalt and Makita starter kits
- FUEL tools are heavier than compact models
âš¡Power tools
DeWalt 18V XR 2-Piece Combo 5.0Ah (DCZ2050P2T)
Best for: Tradies who want a solid 18V pair at a lower price
An 18V XR two-tool kit with two 5.0Ah batteries and a TSTAK case.
Pros
- Big-capacity 5.0Ah batteries included
- Comes in a stackable TSTAK case
- Much cheaper entry into a major 18V system
Cons
- Not DeWalt's top-end tool range
- Check the exact tools in the kit against your needs
âš¡Power tools
Makita 18V Brushless Combo 5.0Ah (DLX4205TX1)
Best for: Tradies already on Makita LXT batteries or wanting a bigger kit
A brushless Makita 18V LXT combo kit with 5.0Ah batteries.
Pros
- Makita LXT is one of the largest 18V ranges
- Brushless motors for longer runtime
- Good value for a multi-tool kit
Cons
- Big up-front spend
- Batteries don't swap with other brands
âš¡Power tools
Makita 18V Compact Brushless Impact Driver Kit (DTD153RTE)
Best for: Anyone who drives screws and bolts all day
A compact brushless impact driver with two 5.0Ah batteries, rapid charger and case.
Pros
- Compact head fits tight spots
- Kit includes two 5.0Ah batteries
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Impact driver only, no drill
- Not Makita's most powerful impact
âš¡Power tools
Milwaukee M18 Brushless 184mm Circular Saw (M18BLCS66)
Best for: Framers and fit-out crews on the M18 platform
A 184mm (7-1/4") cordless brushless circular saw.
Pros
- Full-size 184mm blade for decking and framing
- Brushless motor
- Runs on the same M18 batteries as your drill
Cons
- Tool only, battery and charger not included
- Not Milwaukee's FUEL saw
âš¡Power tools
Makita 18V Brushless 125mm Angle Grinder (tool only)
Best for: Metal workers, plumbers and sparkies cutting on site
A 125mm brushless angle grinder with slide switch and kickback detection.
Pros
- Kickback detection for safer cutting
- Common 125mm disc size
- Brushless motor
Cons
- Tool only
- Slide switch isn't a deadman paddle, so check your site rules
âš¡Power tools
Milwaukee M18 FUEL 26mm SDS Plus Rotary Hammer
Best for: Sparkies, plumbers and concreters drilling into masonry
A cordless 26mm SDS Plus rotary hammer for drilling and light chiselling in concrete.
Pros
- SDS Plus takes standard masonry bits
- Cordless means no leads on site
- FUEL brushless power
Cons
- Tool only
- Overkill if you only drill timber
âš¡Power tools
Milwaukee M12 FUEL Installation Drill/Driver Kit
Best for: Electricians, cabinet makers and installers
A compact 12V drill/driver with swappable heads (offset, right-angle and chuck).
Pros
- Interchangeable heads for awkward spaces
- Light 12V platform
- Kit ready to use
Cons
- 12V has less grunt than 18V
- Pricey for a 12V tool
âš¡Power tools
Makita 12V Max Impact Driver Kit (2x 2.0Ah)
Best for: Apprentices and DIYers on a budget
A light 12V impact driver kit with two 2.0Ah batteries, rapid charger and case.
Pros
- Light and compact
- Low price for a full kit
- Good for cabinetry and fixing
Cons
- Not for heavy bolts or big screws all day
- 12V batteries don't fit Makita 18V tools
🔨Hand tools
Stanley FatMax 8m Tape Measure (33-732)
Best for: Every tradie's belt
A metric 8m FatMax tape, a site favourite for decades.
Pros
- Cheap and tough
- Wide blade with good stand-out
- Easy to replace if lost
Cons
- Not magnetic
- Belt clip wears over time
🔨Hand tools
Milwaukee STUD 8m Tape Measure
Best for: Builders who want a tougher tape
An 8m tape with Milwaukee's coated STUD blade for extra life.
Pros
- Coated blade made for wear
- Reinforced hook
- Solid case
Cons
- Costs more than a basic tape
- Heavier than compact tapes
🔨Hand tools
Milwaukee 19oz Smooth Face Poly Handle Hammer
Best for: Framers and general builders
A 19oz framing hammer with a poly handle.
Pros
- Good weight for framing
- Smooth face won't mark finished timber
- Poly handle handles the weather
Cons
- Smooth face can slip on nails compared with milled
- Heavier than a finishing hammer
🔨Hand tools
Stabila Heavy Duty 1200mm Spirit Level (96-2/120)
Best for: Builders, tilers and landscapers
A 1200mm heavy-duty box level from Stabila.
Pros
- 1200mm is the all-round size
- Heavy-duty frame
- Trusted level brand
Cons
- One length won't suit every job
- Pricier than hardware-store levels
🔨Hand tools
Milwaukee FASTBACK Folding Utility Knife
Best for: Every trade
A one-handed flip-open folding utility knife.
Pros
- Opens one-handed
- Folds safely into a pocket
- Cheap and easy blade changes
Cons
- No blade storage on this model
- Blade is fixed, not retractable
🔨Hand tools
Milwaukee 3/8" Drive 56pc Ratchet & Socket Set
Best for: Mechanics, fitters and ute owners
A 56-piece 3/8" drive set with SAE and metric sockets.
Pros
- Metric and imperial in one set
- Covers most everyday bolts
- Good mid-size drive
Cons
- No 1/2" drive for big bolts
- Takes more space than a small kit
🔨Hand tools
Milwaukee 12-Piece VDE Screwdriver Set
Best for: Electricians
A 12-piece insulated VDE screwdriver set for electrical work.
Pros
- Insulated VDE screwdrivers for electrical work
- Covers common sizes
- One set for the whole kit
Cons
- Costs more than standard drivers
- Insulated handles are bulkier
🔨Hand tools
Milwaukee Torque Lock Locking Pliers 2-Pack
Best for: Mechanics, welders and fabricators
Two locking pliers (254mm and 152mm) with Milwaukee's Torque Lock screw.
Pros
- Two useful sizes
- Easy-turn locking screw
- Good value as a pair
Cons
- No cushioned grip on this pack
- Not insulated
🔨Hand tools
Milwaukee 8-in-1 Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver
Best for: Apprentices and service techs
A compact ratcheting screwdriver with bits stored in the handle.
Pros
- Replaces several drivers
- Ratchet speeds up the work
- Cheap
Cons
- Bits can go missing
- Not insulated for live work
🔨Hand tools
Makita 50m Laser Distance Measurer
Best for: Estimators, builders and painters quoting jobs
A laser measurer that reads distances up to 50m.
Pros
- Fast measuring for quotes
- One-person measuring
- Range for most homes
Cons
- Needs a target surface
- Bright sun can make the dot hard to see
🥾Workwear & boots
Steel Blue Parkes Zip Scuff Safety Boot (312658)
Best for: Tradies on their feet all day
A lace-up zip-sided safety boot with a scuff cap from Australian brand Steel Blue.
Pros
- Zip side for quick on and off
- Scuff cap protects the toe
- Popular Aussie boot brand
Cons
- Zip boots take some breaking in
- Check sizing, as fit varies by brand
🥾Workwear & boots
Blundstone 8063 Rotoflex Zip Safety Boot
Best for: Tradies who like Blundstone comfort
A 6" zip-sided safety-toe boot from Blundstone's Rotoflex range.
Pros
- Blundstone build quality
- Zip for quick changes
- Safety toe
Cons
- Costs more than basic safety boots
- Heavier than a jogger
🥾Workwear & boots
Oliver 34624 Elastic Side Safety Boot
Best for: A tough, low-cost pull-on safety boot
A classic elastic-sided safety boot from Oliver.
Pros
- Pull-on, no laces
- Lower price than many safety boots
- Classic Aussie style
Cons
- Less ankle support than lace-ups
- Elastic sides wear over time
🥾Workwear & boots
FXD WJ-1 Composite Toe Safety Jogger
Best for: Sparkies, installers and warehouse work
A sneaker-style safety jogger with a composite toe.
Pros
- Light like a runner
- Composite toe instead of steel
- Looks good off site
Cons
- Not for heavy, muddy sites
- Less ankle protection than a boot
🥾Workwear & boots
KingGee Workcool Pro Stretch Cargo Pant
Best for: Hot Aussie summers
A lightweight stretch cargo work pant built for heat.
Pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Stretch for crouching and climbing
- Cargo pockets
Cons
- Lighter fabric wears sooner on rough sites
- Colour and size range vary
🥾Workwear & boots
FXD WP-3T Taped Stretch Work Pant
Best for: Night work and low-light sites
A stretch work pant with reflective tape.
Pros
- Reflective tape for visibility
- Stretch fabric
- Modern fit
Cons
- Check that it meets your site's hi-vis rules
- Dearer than basic drill pants
🥾Workwear & boots
FXD LS-1 Lightweight Short
Best for: Summer jobs
A lightweight 4-way-stretch work short.
Pros
- 4-way stretch
- Light for hot days
- Modern cut
Cons
- Not for sites that need long pants
- Lighter fabric
🥾Workwear & boots
FXD WO-1 Insulated Waterproof Work Jacket
Best for: Winter early starts
An insulated waterproof work jacket.
Pros
- Waterproof and insulated
- Made for early starts
- Good everyday jacket
Cons
- Too warm for most of the year in the north
- Bulkier than a softshell
🥾Workwear & boots
FXD SK-1 Work Socks 5-Pack
Best for: Everyone wearing boots
A 5-pack of work socks.
Pros
- Cheap 5-pack
- Made for boots
- Easy upgrade for comfort
Cons
- Socks wear out, so plan to replace them
🧰Ute & van storage
Milwaukee PACKOUT Rolling Tool Box
Best for: Ute and van tradies building a modular storage system
The base of the PACKOUT system: a wheeled box that the other modules lock onto.
Pros
- Wheels and handle carry a full stack
- Modules lock together
- Tough for ute trays and vans
Cons
- PACKOUT gets expensive as you add modules
- Heavy when fully loaded
🧰Ute & van storage
Milwaukee PACKOUT Tool Box
Best for: Adding to your PACKOUT stack
A standard PACKOUT box that locks onto the rolling box or a van rack.
Pros
- Locks onto the rest of PACKOUT
- Tough shell
- Large space for tools
Cons
- Only locks onto PACKOUT modules
- No wheels
🧰Ute & van storage
Milwaukee PACKOUT Organiser
Best for: Screws, fixings and small parts
A PACKOUT organiser with removable bins for small parts.
Pros
- Removable bins
- Locks into the PACKOUT stack
- See-through lid
Cons
- Bins can shift if overfilled
- Pricey for a parts organiser
🧰Ute & van storage
Milwaukee PACKOUT Crate
Best for: Bulky gear and quick grab-and-go
An open PACKOUT crate for bulky items.
Pros
- Lowest price PACKOUT module
- Good for leads, PPE and bulky gear
- Stacks onto the system
Cons
- Open top, not weatherproof
- Small items can fall out
🧰Ute & van storage
Milwaukee PACKOUT 20" Tool Bag
Best for: Tradies who want a bag that clips into PACKOUT
A 20" open tool bag that clips onto PACKOUT.
Pros
- Clips onto the PACKOUT system
- Wide opening
- Tough fabric
Cons
- Bag, so it isn't crush-proof
- Dearer than non-system bags
🧰Ute & van storage
Milwaukee PACKOUT 2-Drawer Tool Box
Best for: Hand tools you grab often
A PACKOUT box with two drawers.
Pros
- Drawers keep tools tidy
- Locks into the stack
- Great in a van
Cons
- Drawers add weight
- Costs more than a plain box
🧰Ute & van storage
Milwaukee PACKOUT Jobsite Storage Tote 500mm
Best for: Carrying a day's tools to the job
A 500mm (20") open tote that fits the PACKOUT system.
Pros
- Quick access open design
- Fits the PACKOUT system
- Carries a lot
Cons
- Open top
- Large size isn't for small kits
🧰Ute & van storage
Ultimate Builders Australian Leather Tool Bag
Best for: Builders who like leather
An Australian leather builder's tool bag.
Pros
- Leather ages well
- Not tied to a tool brand system
- Classic look
Cons
- Leather needs some care
- Doesn't lock into modular systems
🦺Safety gear
Pro Choice V6 Full Brim Hard Hat (Ratchet)
Best for: Sun protection on site
A vented full-brim hard hat with a ratchet harness.
Pros
- Full brim gives shade
- Ratchet harness is easy to adjust
- Low price
Cons
- Vented hats aren't for electrical work
- Check your site's rules on brim style
🦺Safety gear
Milwaukee High Performance Clear Safety Glasses
Best for: Everyday eye protection
Clear safety glasses from Milwaukee's high performance range.
Pros
- Clear lens for indoor and outdoor work
- Low price
- Wrap-around style
Cons
- Clear lens means no sun protection
- Can fog in humid weather
🦺Safety gear
SafeStyle Fusion Polarised Safety Glasses (FMBP100)
Best for: Outdoor tradies who want sunnies that are also safety glasses
Polarised UV400 safety glasses from Aussie brand SafeStyle.
Pros
- Polarised lenses cut glare
- UV400 lens
- Look like normal sunnies
Cons
- Too dark for indoor work
- Dearer than basic glasses
🦺Safety gear
Maxisafe Class 5 Bluetooth Earmuff (HRE661-BT)
Best for: Noisy sites, with music or calls
Class 5 earmuffs with Bluetooth for music and calls.
Pros
- Class 5 hearing protection
- Bluetooth for calls and music
- Take calls without removing the muffs
Cons
- Need charging
- Heavier than basic muffs
🦺Safety gear
Pro Choice Riggamate Cut Resistant Glove
Best for: Handling sheet metal, glass and sharp material
A rigger-style glove with cut resistance.
Pros
- Cut-resistant
- Rigger style
- Cheap to replace
Cons
- Less dexterity than thin gloves
- Check the cut rating against your job
🦺Safety gear
JB's Wear 6DNSV Day/Night Hi-Vis Vest
Best for: Quick hi-vis for any site
A taped day/night hi-vis safety vest.
Pros
- Day and night (taped) visibility
- Very low price
- Throw over any shirt
Cons
- Basic fabric
- A vest may not meet every site's rules
🦺Safety gear
Milwaukee 10-1000V Dual Range Voltage Detector
Best for: Electricians and anyone near live wiring
A non-contact voltage detector with dual range.
Pros
- Non-contact voltage check
- Dual range
- Pocket size
Cons
- Not a replacement for a proper tester
- Requires batteries
🦺Safety gear
Elevate e-ZED Active Bluetooth Earmuffs
Best for: Hearing protection with phone calls
Active earmuffs with Bluetooth from Elevate.
Pros
- Bluetooth for calls and music
- Active design
- Mid price
Cons
- Need charging
- Check the class rating for your noise level
📱Phones & tech
OtterBox Defender for iPhone 17e/16e/15/14/13
Best for: iPhone users who drop their phone on site
OtterBox's rugged multi-layer Defender case.
Pros
- Multi-layer rugged protection
- Port covers keep dust out
- Belt-friendly brand
📱Phones & tech
UAG Pathfinder Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max
Best for: Lighter rugged protection
A rugged but slimmer case from UAG.
Pros
- Slimmer than a Defender
- Rugged design
- Lower price
Cons
- Less coverage than a full rugged case
- Specific to one phone model
📱Phones & tech
Anker Zolo 20K 45W Power Bank (built-in USB-C)
Best for: Long days on site with your phone and tablet
A 20,000mAh power bank with two built-in USB-C cables and 45W output.
Pros
- Built-in cables, so nothing to forget
- 20,000mAh capacity
- 45W fast charging
Cons
- Heavier than a 10K bank
- Built-in cables can't be replaced if damaged
📱Phones & tech
Garmin Instinct 3 45mm Solar
Best for: Outdoor tradies who want a tough smartwatch
A rugged GPS smartwatch with solar charging.
Pros
- Rugged build
- Solar charging stretches battery life
- GPS and fitness tracking
Cons
- Pricey
- Basic screen compared with smartwatches
📱Phones & tech
Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) 1-Pack
Best for: Tracking tool bags, keys and gear
Apple's Bluetooth tracker for finding gear with an iPhone.
Pros
- Cheap peace of mind for tools
- Uses Apple's Find My network
- Small enough to hide
Cons
- iPhone only
- Not a substitute for insurance
📱Phones & tech
Navman MiVue True 4K Dash Camera
Best for: Recording footage from the ute or van
A 4K dash camera for your work vehicle.
Pros
- 4K recording
- Evidence for insurance claims
- Australian brand
Cons
- Front camera only
- Needs a memory card
📱Phones & tech
Cygnett EasyMount Extendable Car Window Mount
Best for: Hands-free maps and calls in the ute
An extendable windscreen phone mount.
Pros
- Extendable arm
- Easy to install
- Low cost
Cons
- Suction mounts can drop in heat
- Check your state's road rules on phone placement
📱Phones & tech
Milwaukee M18 PACKOUT Radio + Charger
Best for: Music on site, and charging batteries too
A jobsite radio that also charges M18 batteries and fits PACKOUT.
Pros
- Charges M18 batteries
- Locks into the PACKOUT system
- Built for site
Cons
- Tool only, battery not included
- Expensive for a radio