Skip advert
Advertisement

The best tool bag

Carrying tools in your car? Keep them organised and protect your boot as we name our three best buys from 10 soft bags

Soft tool bags are easy to carry, less likely to damage your car’s interior trim and are often a better choice than a metal box if you regularly have to transport tools around. Plus, a bag is almost always going to be cheaper than a box.

We chose our favourites after loading 10 up with a selection of common car tools. We also wanted some way of keeping them apart, so we looked for pockets and compartments, including one for keeping small items such as fuses and screws.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Winner: Halfords Large Tool Bag with Tray

Price: £24.99

Contact: 0845 762 6625, www.halfords.com

The secret of this 400mm bag’s success is the large plastic tray in a zipped compartment at the base. It’s packed with compartments that can be altered with movable dividers, making it ideal for small items and tools. Despite that box, there’s still plenty of room for tools and a good selection of pockets and slots makes it easy to keep them apart.

Commended...

Sealey 500mm Tool Storage Bag

Price: £17.26

Contact: 01284 757500, www.sealey.co.uk

A more conventional approach compared to our winner, but equally well thought-out, this bag has masses of pockets inside and out. They’re padded on the outside, while inside the pockets come in a variety of shapes to accommodate all tool sizes. Crucially, they’re also quite deep, which prevents items falling out. The bag is good to use, too, as the stiffened jaws stay open even when it’s empty. This offers a lot of storage for less than £20.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Silverline Tool Bag Hard Base 600mm

Price: £10.78

Contact: 01935 382252, www.toolstream.com

It’s hard not to focus on the low price when looking at this huge Silverline, but products have to be more than just cheap to earn a commendation from us. Alongside its huge capacity and hard-wearing plastic base, this bag has a good selection of external pockets, including a zipped one for safe storage of small bits and pieces. Internal pockets are a little shorter than we’d like, but that’s easy to overlook at this great price.

Tool bag Q and A

Why have tool bags become so popular? What’s wrong with an old-fashioned tool box?
Tool boxes are still useful, but are probably best suited to being kept in the workshop or garage. They’re not the easiest to carry and are usually quite heavy, especially the metal ones. If it goes in the boot, sharp edges can damage carpet and plastic trim, which is where a softer tool bag can often be a better choice.

I’d like to save some cash by servicing the car myself. What tools will I need to do the job?
We recommend you leave the electronics to the experts, but there’s lots you can do yourself. If you have a jack and axle stands, you can change the oil and oil filter. Spanners, socket wrenches and screwdrivers are all you need to replace the air, fuel and pollen filters, and these will also allow you to check and replace the coolant and brakes.
 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment
Xiaomi YU7 - front cornering

New Xiaomi YU7 2025 review: a world-beating new EV to worry the establishment

BMW or Mercedes would do anything to keep the new Xiaomi YU7 from sale in the UK and Europe, and this is why
Road tests
14 Jul 2025
New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail
Auto Express creative director Darren Wilson charging the Lexus RZ

The EV grant is back: Government's new £3,750 electric car discount in detail

The government has set out its plan to help reduce the cost of affordable EVs by introducing a new £3,750 grant for new EVs sold
News
15 Jul 2025