Best online stores for tools and home improvement in the US
35 buying questions · the United States · 2 assistants
| # | Store | Named | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Home Depot homedepot.com |
28 / 35 +28 | 20 |
| 2 |
Lowe’s lowes.com |
25 / 35 +25 | 12 |
| 3 |
acmetools.com acmetools.com |
22 / 35 +22 | 11 |
| 4 |
harborfreight.com harborfreight.com |
17 / 35 +17 | 11 |
| 5 |
grainger.com grainger.com |
14 / 35 +14 | 6 |
| 6 |
Ohio Power Tool ohiopowertool.com |
12 / 35 +12 | 3 |
| 7 |
woodcraft.com woodcraft.com |
9 / 35 +9 | 3 |
| 8 |
Ace Hardware acehardware.com |
8 / 35 +8 | 3 |
| 9 |
KC Tool kctool.com |
6 / 35 +6 | 3 |
| 10 |
Tekton tekton.com |
5 / 35 +5 | 3 |
| 11 |
CPO Outlets cpooutlets.com |
8 / 35 +8 | 2 |
| 12 |
rockler.com rockler.com |
8 / 35 +8 | 2 |
| 13 |
leevalley.com leevalley.com |
5 / 35 +5 | 2 |
| 14 |
Toolnut toolnut.com |
9 / 35 +9 | 1 |
| 15 |
Menards menards.com |
7 / 35 +7 | 1 |
| 16 |
highlandwoodworking.com highlandwoodworking.com |
4 / 35 +4 | 1 |
| 17 |
Direct Tools Outlet directtoolsoutlet.com |
3 / 35 +3 | 1 |
| 18 |
SupplyHouse.com supplyhouse.com |
3 / 35 +3 | 1 |
| 19 |
Ferguson ferguson.com |
2 / 35 +2 | 1 |
| 20 |
toolup.com toolup.com |
2 / 35 +2 | 1 |
| 21 |
zoro.com zoro.com |
8 / 35 +8 | 0 |
| 22 |
garrettwade.com garrettwade.com |
2 / 35 +2 | 0 |
| 23 |
toolbarn.com toolbarn.com |
2 / 35 +2 | 0 |
| 24 |
Tools for Working Wood toolsforworkingwood.com |
2 / 35 +2 | 0 |
| 25 |
Build.com build.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 26 |
Channellock channellock.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 27 |
Lie-Nielsen Toolworks lie-nielsen.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 28 |
northerntool.com northerntool.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 29 |
PlumbersStock.com plumbersstock.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 30 |
PlumbingSupply.com plumbingsupply.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 31 |
tooltopia.com tooltopia.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 32 |
totaltools.com totaltools.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
In the top 10? Share it: LinkedIn · download the image
Category median: named in 0 of 35 questions (the middle store of all 65 stores we measured; +n is how many questions a store is above it).
Named means the store appeared in the answer. Recommended means the assistant clearly advised it. Being in a list is not the same as being advised, so we count them separately. The other 33 stores were named in none of these questions.
This ranking covers the 65 stores we measure in this category. That is not every store in the market.
The top 10, real questions with who AI named, the sites AI cites and how it describes #1. Free, by email.
Named is not recommended
Each dot is a store. Further right: named in more buying questions. Higher: recommended more often. Stores low on the right are known to AI but rarely the tip. That gap is what most stores can close.
Where AI sends shoppers
Review sites, comparison sites, marketplaces and communities that ChatGPT and Gemini mention in their answers in this category. Stores that are present and well reviewed there are easier for AI to recommend.
| Amazon Marketplace |
48 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Selling there too, or being clearly better on your own site, both help. |
| eBay Platform |
12 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
| Facebook Community |
5 of 70 | Be present there with useful posts or answers; AI repeats what people say. |
| Facebook Marketplace Platform |
5 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
| YouTube Community |
2 of 70 | Be present there with useful posts or answers; AI repeats what people say. |
| AliExpress Platform |
1 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
| BidSpotter Platform |
1 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
| Craigslist Platform |
1 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
The questions we asked
Only the questions that could really name a store, because only those count. They are in the language of the market, because that is how shoppers there ask them.
- I only know the big general stores online, which smaller American website specializes in tools and hardware?
AI named: Harry J. Epstein Co., The Tool Nut, Ohio Power Tool - are there any specialized US tool webshops besides the large department store websites?
AI named: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart - what is a reliable US online store for buying measuring tools?
AI named: MSC Industrial Supply, McMaster-Carr, Travers Tool - what's a good American website to buy hand tools from?
AI named: Acme Tools, Tooltopia, Harry J. Epstein Co. - what's a reputable website in the US to buy air compressors from?
AI named: Northern Tool + Equipment, Grainger, Home Depot - what's a trustworthy American online store to buy screwdrivers and wrenches?
AI named: McMaster-Carr, Grainger, Home Depot - where can I buy a tool set online in America and be sure it's in stock?
AI named: The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Harbor Freight - where can I buy affordable safety gear for home renovation online in the US?
AI named: Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe’s - where can I buy power tools online in the US with free and easy returns?
AI named: The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon - where can I buy power tools online in the US?
AI named: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Acme Tools - where can I buy roofing tools from a dependable American webshop?
AI named: Acme Tools, Ohio Power Tool, Toolup - where can I find the cheapest hand tools online in the US?
AI named: Harbor Freight, Walmart, Home Depot - where can I order plumbing tools online in America?
AI named: SupplyHouse, Ferguson, Home Depot - where can I safely buy a circular saw online in the US?
AI named: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware - where can a professional contractor in the US buy heavy-duty tools online?
AI named: Grainger, MSC Industrial Supply, Fastenal - where in the US can I buy woodworking tools online and get a long manufacturer's guarantee?
AI named: Lee Valley, Lie-Nielsen, Woodpeckers - where should I shop online if I want to buy home improvement supplies in the US?
AI named: The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware - where should I shop online in America to get a good deal on a table saw?
AI named: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Acme Tools - where should a first-time homeowner in America buy basic home repair tools online?
AI named: Home Depot, Lowe’s, Harbor Freight - which American online store delivers tools the fastest?
AI named: Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s - which American online store is well known for selling quality garden tools?
AI named: Gardener’s Supply Company, A.M. Leonard, Johnny’s Selected Seeds - which American webshop is best for beginners who are just starting out with DIY tools?
AI named: The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Harbor Freight - which American webshop sells power tools at the lowest prices?
AI named: Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe's - which American website can I trust to buy welding equipment from?
AI named: Cyberweld, Welders Supply Company, Baker’s Gas & Welding Supplies - which American website focused only on tools and workshop equipment can I use instead of a general marketplace?
AI named: Acme Tools, Northern Tool + Equipment, Toolbarn - which American website has the best discounts on cordless tools?
AI named: Direct Tools Outlet, Home Depot, Acme Tools - which American website is best for buying professional-grade electrician tools?
AI named: Platt Electric Supply, Grainger, Graybar - which American website offers same-day or next-day delivery on power tools?
AI named: The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Ace Hardware - which US online store gives the best value for money on tool sets?
AI named: Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe's - which US online store has the best return policy if I buy the wrong drill bit set?
AI named: Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart - which US online store specializes in tools for hobbyist woodworkers?
AI named: Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, Woodcraft, Lee Valley - which US webshop has the best warranty policy on hand tools?
AI named: TEKTON, Harbor Freight, Home Depot - which US webshop is the most reliable for buying power drills?
AI named: The Home Depot, Acme Tools, Lowe’s - which US website should I use to buy ladders online safely?
AI named: The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Grainger - which online store in the US is best for buying woodworking tools?
AI named: Rockler, Woodcraft, Lee Valley
How to read this
This is a snapshot
AI assistants change their answers. This list is what came out on the date measured, not a judgement about the stores. We measure again every month.
What is not in it
No paid positions. A store cannot buy its way in, and the order follows from the answers alone.
Why not every question counts
If someone asks about a brand or for general information, no store appears in the answer, not even the best one. Those questions are left out of the count. How we measure.
Embed this ranking on your site
Paste this code in your article. It shows the top 5 and updates itself every month.
Your store not in a ranking?
Run the free check on your store. You will see straight away whether AI assistants can find and read it.
Free check