Amazon Basics 173-Piece Hand Tool Set Review: A Budget Starter Kit for House, Barn and Shop
This page reviews the Amazon Basics 173-piece hand tool set, highlighting its features, strengths, and weaknesses. It's a budget-friendly option for basic household repairs but is not suitable for heavy-duty tasks. You can read the review to decide if this tool set meets your needs.
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Every house, barn and shop needs a basic tool kit within reach. The Amazon Basics 173-piece general household hand tool set (model DS-JYAMZ0003) is a budget starter kit packed into one hard case. Here’s what’s actually inside, how the 173 pieces break down, what independent testers found, and where it falls short.
The Set at a Glance
- Model: Amazon Basics DS-JYAMZ0003, 173-piece
- Case: blow-molded hard plastic, about 16.9 x 12.7 x 3.4 in
- Weight: about 11.2 lb
- Materials: heat-treated, chrome-plated alloy steel tools; non-slip plastic handles
What’s Inside
- 8 combination wrenches (10, 12, 13 and 14 mm; 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 in)
- 3/8-in drive ratchet
- 34 sockets: 16 in 1/4-in drive and 18 in 3/8-in drive (metric and SAE), plus two spark plug sockets (5/8 and 13/16 in)
- Adapters and a 3-in extension bar
- 22 hex keys (metric and SAE)
- Three pliers (6-in slip-joint, 6-in long-nose, 8-in water-pump) and 6-in wire strippers
- 8-oz claw hammer
- Two screwdrivers (1/4-in slotted, #2 Phillips) and a bit holder with 19 bits
- 12-ft tape measure, 18 mm utility knife and 9-in torpedo level
- Two small clamps and a small hand saw
- 70 assorted fasteners
How the 173 Pieces Break Down
Keep in mind that 70 of the pieces are screws and other fasteners, 34 are sockets, 22 are hex keys and 19 are bits. That leaves 28 other tools and accessories. That’s still a useful selection, but the number of actual tools is smaller than the number on the box.
What Independent Testers Found
TechGearLab tested it among 13 tool sets and called it a great value with a strong selection for simple household tasks. They also found the weak points:
- Pliers: slick grips and loose joints; the slip-joint pliers had the worst action they tested.
- Ratchet: coarse gearing, so tightening and loosening take more swings.
- Case: it doesn’t always hold every tool firmly; a pair of pliers fell out during their testing.
On the Homestead
It’s handy for gate hinges, shelving, coop repairs, and light mower or small-engine work, since it includes two spark plug sockets. Keep one in the house and you’ll stop borrowing tools from the barn.
Know Its Limits
- Light duty. It’s not built for heavy equipment, tractors or seized bolts.
- Largest socket: 19 mm (3/4 in).
- Small hammer and saw. The 8-oz hammer and small hand saw won’t replace full-size tools.
- Safety: wear eye protection when hammering or cutting.
- No warranty is stated on the listing.
The Bottom Line
The Amazon Basics 173-piece hand tool set is an affordable, well-organized kit for light household and homestead fixes. Count it honestly (70 pieces are fasteners), expect weak pliers and a slow ratchet, and it’ll cover most small jobs around the place.
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