Buying guide · updated 24 Oct 2026

Best tradie gear under $100

Useful upgrades that cost less than $100 each at today's prices.

Quick list

  1. JB's Wear 6DNSV Day/Night Hi-Vis Vest $11
  2. Pro Choice V6 Full Brim Hard Hat (Ratchet) $24
  3. FXD SK-1 Work Socks 5-Pack $30
  4. Milwaukee 8-in-1 Ratcheting Multi-Bit Screwdriver $31
  5. Milwaukee High Performance Clear Safety Glasses $31
  6. Stanley FatMax 8m Tape Measure (33-732) $32
  7. Pro Choice Riggamate Cut Resistant Glove $33
  8. Milwaukee FASTBACK Folding Utility Knife $33
  9. Apple AirTag (2nd Gen) 1-Pack $39
  10. Cygnett EasyMount Extendable Car Window Mount $50
  11. Milwaukee STUD 8m Tape Measure $52
  12. UAG Pathfinder Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max $52

What to look for

  • Small upgrades like good socks, glasses and a ratcheting driver make every day easier.
  • Prices change, so check the retailer before you buy.
🦺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
from $10.95at Workwear Express · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🦺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
$24.00at Workwear Express · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🥾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
$29.95at Workwear Express · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🔨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
$30.73at Tool Up · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🦺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
$31.32at Tool Up · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🔨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
$31.75at Tool Up · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🦺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
$33.00at Workwear Express · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🔨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
$33.11at Tool Up · checked 24 Oct 2026
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📱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
$39.00at JB Hi-Fi · checked 24 Oct 2026
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📱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
$49.95at JB Hi-Fi · checked 24 Oct 2026
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🔨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
$51.75at Tool Up · checked 24 Oct 2026
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📱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
$51.75at JB Hi-Fi · checked 24 Oct 2026
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For tradies, from Bizzoo

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FAQ

Are cheap tools worth it?

For tapes, knives and PPE, yes. For power tools you use every day, it is usually worth buying into a pro platform.

Prices checked on 24 Oct 2026 at the retailer shown and may have changed. TradieKit AU may earn a commission from links on this page. Disclosure.