Tool belts and tool bags are great ways for electricians, plumbers, general contractors, and other trades professionals to carry around their tools at work. Electricians have to carry around a variety of specialized tools on the job — plus, many electrical projects involve using a ladder or climbing through small spaces where it’s hard (and unsafe) to carry a toolbox. An electrician tool belt makes it so that you don’t have to go back to your toolbox every time you need a new tool.
For a professional electrician, it’s important to have all the appropriate tools to be able to do the job quickly, safely, and efficiently. An ideal electrician’s tool bag will be able to hold your most important tools, including pliers, strippers, tape measures, levels, electrical tape, a hammer, and more.
There are different types of electrician tool bags and belts and it’s important to find the right one for you and your work. In this guide, we’ll discuss what to look for when buying a new tool belt and give you 10 of the best tool belts for electricians on the market today.
Our Picks for the Best Electrician Tool Belts and Bags
Best Overall: Milwaukee Electrician’s Tool Belt
Best Electrician Tool Bag: Greenlee 11” Electrician’s Open Tool Carrier
Best Electrician Backpack: Dewalt 33-Pocket Lighted USB Charging Tool Backpack
Best Electrician Tool Pouch: Klein 15-Pocket Tool Pouch
Best Electrician Tool Box: Dewalt One Touch Tool Box
Best Leather Tool Belt: CLC 4-Piece Leather Pro Framer’s Tool Belt
Best Tool Belt with Suspenders: CLC 6-Piece Carpenter’s Framing Belt
Best Electrician Tool Tote: Ideal Journeyman Electrician’s Tote
Best Electrician Tool Apron: Ergodyne Arsenal 5704 Canvas Tool Apron
Best Tool Belt for the Money: CLC 16-Pocket Deluxe Carpenter’s Combo Apron
Types of Tool Belts for Electricians
There are a few different ways for electricians to organize, store, and transport their tools. You can find aprons, bags, belts, boxes, or pouches to use for convenient tool storage. Which option you’ll need depends on the types of jobs that you do and what works best for you. For example, an apron may work for some electricians but may be considered uncomfortable or inconvenient to others.
- Apron: While this sounds like a coverup you wear in the kitchen, there are other styles of “aprons” too. You can find full aprons for electricians – these look exactly like the ones you wear in the kitchen — but you can also find an electrician apron that just goes around your waist, rather than over your chest, too. With an apron, your tools sit nicely in front of you and the apron fastens at your back. An apron can better help to distribute the weight of your tools, making them easier to carry around on the job.
- Bag: An electrician tool bag is a popular choice amongst electrical workers. Tool bags can usually carry more than a belt, pouch, or apron, but are more “flexible” than a toolbox. Most electrician tool bags have an over-the-shoulder strap, making it easier to carry tools around from job to job.
- Belt: Tool belts are another popular option among electricians. An electrician tool belt fastens around the waist, just as a normal belt would do. Some tool belts are more of a suspender-style belt where there are straps that go over the shoulders. The tools are usually stored towards the sides, but some have the tools in front.
- Box: An electrical toolbox is what most people think of when they hear “toolbox” – it’s a large box that has space for a variety of different tools. Most toolboxes are too big to carry up ladders and into small spaces, but it’s an important thing for all electricians and general contractors to have. Tool belts and bags can only carry a handful of tools and chances are high that you’ll need a toolbox to hold the rest.
- Pouch: An electrician pouch is similar to an apron as it goes around your waist. Generally, a pouch is a bit smaller than most tool bags on the market. The tools are held in the pouch in the front of your body, making it easy to grab a tool when you need it.
Electrician Tool Belt Buying Guide
To find the right tool organizer for your job or home improvement needs, you need to know what to look for. As you can see above, there are many different types of tool organizers, and while they all hold tools, each one has different features. When looking for the right tool belt, keep in mind the features that are most important to you. This is subjective for each person – you have to consider what features you’ll personally need the most while on the job.
Use
The first thing you want to consider is how your tool belt will be used (and who will be using it). If you are looking for a tool belt to start on a few home improvement projects, that’s different than if you need it for large-scale electrical jobs. For example, if you know you’ll be climbing ladders, going into small spaces, or moving around a lot while using the tool organizer, a tool belt, apron, or pouch is likely the best option for you. These options allow you to move around more freely than others.
Comfort
It’s very important to find an electrician tool belt or tool bag that is comfortable for you. If you’re using this belt for work, you’ll be wearing it for hours and hours at a time, so it’s imperative that you find a comfortable organizer that you can wear for long periods. Additionally, you need to decide if having an over-the-shoulder organizer is more comfortable than a waist-fastening organizer. There are a few different types of both options, so you just need to determine which is more comfortable for you.
Size
The size of your tool organizer is an important factor to consider. Some organizers only hold a small handful of tools, while the larger organizers can hold more. An electrician tool bag or toolbox can hold up to 50 or more tools, while an electrician tool apron or pouch can only hold a couple of dozen tools at most.
Quality
The quality of your tool organizer is very important. If you plan to use the organizer as a professional, chances are that you’ll want a high-quality and durable tool belt that will last for many years. If you’re simply using this organizer around the house, the quality and durability of the organizer may not be as important to you.
Material
Tool organizers come in a few different materials. The material is especially important if you will be working on a lot of outside projects — for example, if you’ll be outside with your tool belt or bag, you’ll want to consider a more durable material. Depending on the material, your tool organizer could last a lifetime!
- Canvas: One of the most common materials for an electrician tool belt, canvas is a very durable option. A canvas tool belt or tool bag can withstand heavy weights and any poking from sharp tools.
- Leather: A leather tool organizer is usually indicative of a less expensive bag or belt. Leather may rip easier than the other materials, as well. You can find more durable leather options, but they will likely be more expensive than other materials. A leather bag is a good option for indoor projects.
- Nylon: Thick nylon is one of the most durable materials for an electrician tool bag or tool belt. An organizer made out of thicker nylon material will last a long time.
- Polyester: Polyester is another great option for a durable electrician tool belt or tool bag. Similar to canvas, polyester material can withstand a lot of weight and sharp tools as well.
Care
To make your tool organizer last as long as it’s made to, taking proper care of it is essential. Keep this in mind while you search for the right tool organizer. Some materials are more difficult to clean than others. For example, if you opt for a leather electrician tool belt, there will be specific care instructions to follow. You may even end up needing to get a special leather cleaner. Canvas, on the other hand, is relatively easier to spot-clean and/or wash fully.
Price
Having a budget in mind before you start browsing for a tool belt is a good idea. Aprons, pouches, belts, and bags can range from around $20 to a couple hundred dollars. The larger the item (i.e., the more tools it holds), the more expensive it’s going to be. It’s dependent on how often you’ll be using the organizer and what you’ll be using it for. If it’s for personal (instead of professional) use, you may be more willing to compromise on quality to spend less.
Personal Preference
Ultimately, the tool belt that you choose should be dependent on your personal preferences and need. The style, color, and material you prefer personally should influence the type of tool belt you end up purchasing — don’t let anybody tell you otherwise.
Best Overall: Milwaukee Electrician’s Tool Belt
Our best overall pick is the Milwaukee Electrician’s Tool Belt. This nylon Milwaukee electrician tool belt has 27 pockets to hold the tools you use the most. It’s lightweight and sturdy enough to stand on its own.
Why We Picked It: This is our best overall pick because of the convenience; you’ll be able to keep all the tools you use most right where you need them. It’s made from durable nylon and it’s built to last for years with regular use. For even more convenience, it has a tape measure clip and the ability to quickly adjust the belt itself.
Best Electrician Tool Bag: Greenlee 11” Electrician’s Open Tool Carrier
Our pick for the best electrician tool bag is the Greenlee Electricians Open Tool Carrier. This carrier has 27 double-stitched pockets to hold all the tools you need most. The double stitching stops the tools from stabbing or poking through. Made from a nylon/polyester blend, this option is lightweight but durable and has a reinforced shoulder strap for easy carrying.
Why We Picked It: We chose the Greenlee Open Tool Carrier because of how durable and lightweight it is. This bag is a great choice for electricians who have to constantly climb ladders or crawl into small spaces and need easy access to their tools. Plus, the handle in the middle of the bag makes it more balanced and easier to carry around.
Best Electrician Backpack: Dewalt 33-Pocket Lighted USB Charging Tool Backpack
Up next is our pick for the best electrician backpack. The DeWalt USB Charging Tool Backpack is a modern and convenient way to store, organize and transport your tools while on the job. This backpack has 33 pockets plus a USB charging port. It also has large pads on the back for added comfort.
Why We Picked It: This electrician backpack is a top-of-the-line product. It’s convenient for jobs where you need a ladder, it has a charging port for your phone or electric tools plus it’s comfortable, too! This bag is modern with its technology, but it’s also very durable and made to last.
Best Electrician Tool Pouch: Klein 15-Pocket Tool Pouch
We chose the Klein 15-Pocket Tool Pouch as the best electrician tool pouch on the market. This pouch goes around the waist like a standard belt, but also comes with a padded shoulder strap for over-the-shoulder carrying. It weighs just two pounds, so it’s a great lightweight option for those who don’t want to carry anything too heavy.
Why We Picked It: This pouch may be small but it is a great option for electricians. It has the space for 15 of your most important tools and can be conveniently carried as a belt around your waist or over your shoulder using the padded shoulder strap.
Best Electrician Tool Box: Dewalt One Touch Tool Box
Our choice for the best electrician toolbox is the Dewalt Onetouch Tool Box. This is one of the more convenient toolbox options. You can open it with just one hand making it easy-to-use when your other hand is occupied. It also has an integrated water seal which helps to protect it from the elements.
Why We Picked It: For those who are looking for a more traditional and stationery toolbox (rather than a belt or bag), this is a great option. The ease of access it offers makes it an ideal toolbox for working on electrical jobs. It also has a soft-grip handle, which makes it easier to carry from job to job.
Best Leather Tool Belt: CLC 4-Piece Leather Pro Framer’s Tool Belt
The CLC 4-Piece Leather Tool Belt is our choice for the best leather electrician tool belt. It has 5 main pockets for nails and other essential tools. It also has 10 smaller pockets, sleeves, and holders. The belt is wide and has a double buckle so you know it will stay put while you’re working.
Why We Picked It: This is another compact, convenient option for electricians. This belt has a handle design that provides simple adjustments without spilling all the contents of the bag, which is very important while working. It’s made from a lightweight, but durable and heavy-duty leather material.
Best Tool Belt with Suspenders: CLC 6-Piece Carpenter’s Framing Belt
The best tool belt with suspenders on the market is the CLC 6-Piece Carpenter’s Belt. This CLC carpenters tool belt is 5” wide with padding and is a double-tongue roller buckle belt. It contains 28 reinforced sleeves and pockets, plus a cordless drill hook for added convenience. Made from double-layer ballistic polyester fabric, this is a great option for electricians.
Why We Picked It: This belt is perfect for professionals who need an electrician tool belt with suspenders. The suspender style makes this belt easy to transport tools from job to job comfortably. It’s durable enough to last for many years.
Best Electrician Tool Tote: Ideal Journeyman Electrician’s Tote
Our pick for the best tool tote is the Ideal Journeyman Electrician’s Tote. The compact and versatile design allows you to carry this as a hand-tote, shoulder-tote, or tool belt. It’s made from polyester and while it is small, it’s perfect for carrying your most essential tools.
Why We Picked It: This electrician tool tote is durable, yet compact and small enough to carry from job to job. You can easily strap this over your shoulder and access the tools in it while you’re working. It’s one of the smallest options on our list, but the durability makes it a great long-lasting tool organizer.
Best Electrician Tool Apron: Ergodyne Arsenal 5704 Canvas Tool Apron
The Ergodyne Canvas Tool Apron is our pick for the best electrician tool apron. It has 22 various-sized pockets for tools and small parts. It also contains an interior pocket for your phone or other devices. This apron does a great job at distributing the weight of your tools and keeping them in close reach.
Why We Picked It: An electrician tool apron is one of the most convenient and comfortable options on our list. This apron is ergonomically designed with evenly distributed pockets to stay balanced. It also has wide straps for better shoulder and back support. You’ll be comfortable, plus have easy access to all your tools when you need them.
Best Tool Belt for the Money: CLC 16-Pocket Deluxe Carpenter’s Combo Apron
Our pick for the best tool belt for the money is the CLC 16-Pocket Combo Apron. This CLC apron is a belt-style apron with two pouches and pockets in the front. It has 9 main pockets and 7 smaller pockets. The main pockets are large for easy access. The padding on the belt is made of mesh fabric so that it doesn’t get hot when you wear it all day long. It also includes a built-in utility knife to prevent punctures.
Why We Picked It: This is a great option for professionals who don’t want to carry anything big. It’s small but has enough storage pockets to carry your most important tools. For even more convenience, the handles are designed for easy adjustments and one-handed carrying.