Costco's Best-Selling Home And Garden Tools (& If They're Worth Buying)

Costco carries almost anything a household could ever need for the home and garden. As of 2024, the retail giant had over 70 million members, and many more people browse their online website. Between the online-only and in-store selection, there are hundreds to thousands of reviews of this popular retailer's best-selling products. The positive side of these products is that they're often worth the money, as the low price is owed to Costco's membership-based business plan. The only question is whether or not each of these products is worth the investment.

Below are Costco's most-reviewed tools and hardware for indoor and outdoor tasks. All of these products are rated on a scale of one to five stars, with the lowest-rated one being just below four stars. These reviews are based on months or years of purchase history, and many product ratings have risen or lowered as manufacturers change small details or make amendments to their tools. Many of these equipment pieces and devices are made by top brands, making them more reliable than something like home and garden tools from Dollar Tree, which have the same appeal of being budget-friendly without being backed by potential refunds or replacement parts. Read more below to find out if the most recent versions of these tools are worth buying or if you should pass on them for now.

It's vital that you wear protection while working on home improvement projects, whether they're inside or outside. Gloves protect your hands from chemicals, cuts, and other dangers, especially if you invest in a reliable pair made of heavy-duty material. Costco carries a six-pack of Wells Lamont's Leather Work Gloves ($39.99) in sizes ranging from medium to triple-extra-large. These gloves are built to keep hands safe from injuries while also fitting comfortably.

The slip-on gloves are made of cowhide leather with abrasion and puncture resistance. Their quality is upheld by over 5,000 reviewers who rate them an average of 4.7. Most reviews made in the past six months are exceptionally happy, giving this product five stars. There was a period a few years ago where reviewers claimed the quality and sizing were off. However, more recent purchasers do not currently have the same issues. Based on those recent reviews, they're worth purchasing nowadays. The only downside is that these gloves are no longer sold in-store and are an online-only item.

Most people don't use hand trucks daily, but these tools are incredibly handy when you need them. It's a simple carrying tool on wheels for transporting heavy items, like tall plants, large furniture pieces, and garbage cans. Costco's Cosco 4-in-1 Convertible Hand Truck ($159.99) is maneuverable into four different positions, and depending on the chosen setup, can hold between 800 to 1,000 pounds. In short, it's a commercial-grade product, but one of the best home and garden carts for typical households.

This best-selling item has a nearly perfect rating, with a 4.8-star average from almost 500 people. Many agree it's well worth the price — being able to convert it from the standard hand-truck position to a cart-like shape makes it very versatile. In addition to being useful for many different endeavors, it folds into a slim profile that also makes it easy to store. The adaptability of this equipment makes it well worth the money if you need assistance with heavy-lifting around your home and garden.

Everyone needs a reliable ladder for indoor and outdoor projects to help them reach high places. Indoor ladders should be between 2 to 8 feet, while outdoor ladders should extend to at least 13, and many models don't have such a wide range. The Little Giant MegaLite Ladder ($189.99) at Costco adjusts between 4 to 15 feet on either side, giving it potential for jobs inside and outside the house. Whether you need to reach the gutters bordering the roof or the top of the highest kitchen cabinet, ladders with this design are a lifesaver. A boost in height is simply one of those tools every homeowner should have.

About 3,100 reviewers give this ladder an average 4.7 rating, applauding its use as both a stepladder and extension ladder. It is a heavy tool to transport but it has a set of wheels on the bottom to make it easier to move from room to room. People from all walks of life leave reviews for this ladder, from contractors to homemakers, making it a trustworthy purchase for amateurs and professionals. 

The larger your collection of tools and equipment, the more space you'll need to store them. The Trinity Pro 72-inch stainless steel workbench ($1,449.99) is one of Costco's more expensive items, but nearly one thousand people have purchased and reviewed it. With its solid extendable tabletop, back pegboard, various cabinets, and wheeled bottom, you can easily slide it around your garage, shed, or outside while working on a household project. Workbenches are one of the best tools out there to organize your garage and other workspaces.

The majority of reviewers are more than happy with the purchase, giving it a solid 4.7-star average. It's expertly made with heavy-duty 18-gauge stainless steel, making it perfect for garages or workshops. But because of this, it's a solid 400 pounds — though reviewers think that's a testament to its quality. Luckily, a smooth set of wheels makes it relatively easy to move around the space if needed. It also comes pre-assembled — all you will need to do is add the wheels and set up the pegboard. 

Depending on where you live, a leaf shredder may be necessary throughout the year. In the fall, most places that experience the changing of seasons need a way to break down leaves and make them easier to throw away. This is where a device like Costco's Yardforce Corded Electric Leaf Shredder ($124.99) is convenient. The online-only product comes with hand rakes, safety goggles, a bungee cord, and replacement lines to create an all-in-one kit for homeowners.

Costco's leaf shredder is perfect for fall lawn care, if you solely intend on using it for leaves. If you're trying to remove larger debris, such as fallen sticks and branches, this tool isn't going to suffice. 360 people gave this product an average of four out of five stars, with most recommending it for basic yard pickup. It is modest and weighs only 15 pounds, so it's best suited for small to average yards. It can shred 12 full lawn bags into one large bag, though many people say it's easier to operate the shredding part if you have an extra pair of hands. Single homeowners or people with a lot of acreage may want to pass on this popular item for a product that operates better single-handedly or can break up massive amounts of leaves.

A garden hose is a home essential if you intend to keep up with exterior cleaning and watering outdoor plants. Costco's Rapid Flo Garden Hose ($49.99) doesn't include a nozzle, but it is a standard 100-foot hose for most outdoor tasks. It's lightweight compared to other heavy-duty hoses and is easily attachable to sprinklers and nozzles, making it a popular purchase for homeowners.

Over 7,000 people have written reviews for this item, giving it a 4.3-star average. While many people are happy with their purchase, there is a common complaint. Costco has been selling this hose for years, and there are consistent reports of defective parts. More specifically, it tends to leak at the connection. Fortunately, if this occurs within the first 90 days, you should be eligible for a refund or replacement, or you can attempt to patch up the hose yourself. Essentially, they're worth buying if you're willing to put in a little extra work if you receive a defective product.

The most tedious part of owning a hose is wrapping it up when you're done using it. Costco carries a Sunneday Retractable Garden Hose Reel ($144.99) that holds up to 98.4-feet of hose and automatically rewinds it, eliminating this frustrating chore. The inner mechanisms roll up the hose without tangling, and there's a locking mechanism to keep the hose at certain lengths during use.

More than 800 people give this product an overall 4.2-star rating. They seem to agree that it eases the process of putting away your hose, but it's not as automated as its advertising implies. Once you purchase a separate hose and hook it up to this device, you have to guide it when retracting the hose back onto the wheel. Without guidance, it leans to one side or the other, filling up one side and preventing you from rolling up the rest of the hose. Only go for this best-selling Costco product if you don't mind dealing with this minor inconvenience.

A flashlight comes in clutch for all kinds of situations. The most common issue is that the power's gone out. However, a flashlight also comes in handy for peering into unlit places, like deep crevices in cabinets and behind furniture, unpowered outdoor sheds, or simply when you wish to survey your home at night. The Feit Rechargeable Flashlight from Costco ($39.99) ranges from 700 to 3,000 lumens, and the batteries are rechargeable and replaceable. This heavyweight rotating flashlight can be used for outdoor and indoor endeavors, making it useful around the home and garden.

Nearly 300 reviewers rate it a 4.6-star average, with most people applauding its use for short-term tasks. However, many recent reviewers aren't fond of the battery, claiming it can't hold a charge and dies within minutes. Luckily, an included indicator on the tool shows how fast it's dying, but you may want to pass on this purchase if you want a long-lasting flashlight.

Most outdoor plants require occasional pruning and cutting to remove weaker or dying foliage. They also need pruning to ensure they grow in the right direction and shape for optimal appearance and health. Costco carries Fiskar's Lopper and Hand Pruner Set ($29.99) at a price that competes with Walmart's identical best-rated garden tools. They're a great duo for maintaining landscapes and gardens. The lopper cuts through thicker branches up to 1-¼-inch, while the pruner takes care of thinner stems and leaves up to ½-inch around. The contrasting sizes are precise and robust enough to take care of a variety of plants, making them useful for most homeowners with lush and diverse landscapes.

Over 250 reviewers left an average 4.5-star rating, with most of these ratings appraising the lopper tool. However, people seem less impressed with the smaller hand pruner, which is manufactured with plastic. The lopper, on the other hand, is made from Duraframe metal. The plastic piece is easily damaged by the metal screws, making this tool's design impractical. Both tools are lightweight and best used for thinner branches, meaning you may want to pass on this product if you have much larger shrubs and trees to prune.

The journal Health Environ Insights reports that composting is not only good for the environment, but for the economy. Costco's Aerobin Composter ($239.99 to $379.99) is self-automated, making larger-scale composting as simple as possible. The device comes in two sizes; a 55 or 111-gallon bin, making it a good size for smaller and larger households. This bin retains decomposing organic material, transforming it into compost for lawns and gardens.

Over 800 people give this composter an average 3.9 rating, with there being many mixed reviews on the product. Some people claim it's, "easy to assemble," while others claim, "Difficult to put together. It's a 2 person job. Parts don't fit nicely." Many of the five-star reviews are from people who have assembled the product but haven't collected any compost. Those who have waited a year to leave a review also mentioned that it doesn't work that well, explaining that the bottom of the heap becomes sludge, while the middle and top stays dry and undecomposed. Due to the unreliable testimonials, you may want to skip this online-only product.