The Best Electrician Tool Belts, According to Our Testing
Electricians wear belts and shoulder harnesses that frequently have 10 or more pockets for optimal customization and organization of their specialized tools. This is because electricians spend a lot of time on ladders, in tight spots, or covering a lot of ground throughout the day and need to have multiple tools on hand.
The material, storage, and design of a tool belt are key when carrying around the heavy tools electricians need, and are just a few of the qualities we looked for when testing these belts. Keep reading to learn about other key features to consider when shopping, and then explore the picks for the best electrician tool-belt options on the market today, which we assembled after we performed days of hands-on testing with the following electrician tool belts.
- BEST OVERALL: Klein Tools Tradesman Pro Electrician’s Tool Belt
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: AWP 1L-23021-3 Mini Electrician Tool Pouch
- UPGRADE PICK: Occidental Leather 5590 Commercial Electrician’s Set
- BEST FOR DIYERS: ToughBuilt TB-316-2 Utility Pouch and Tool Belt
- BEST POUCH: Klein Tools 5178 8-Pocket Tool Pouch
- BEST ADJUSTABLE: Milwaukee 48-22-8110 Electrician’s Work Belt
- BEST WORK BELT: Klein Tools 5207 Electrician’s Leather Tool Belt
- BEST SHOULDER POUCH: Klein Tools 5242 Tradesman Pro 9-Pocket Tool Pouch
- ALSO CONSIDER: CLC 5505 12-Pocket Electrician’s Tool Pouch
How We Tested the Best Electrician Tool Belts
We knew it was important that all the tool belts for electricians that we suggested be top-notch options. To ensure that they were, we performed hands-on testing with all of the models in our list. First, we used our experience in the trades and maintenance to come up with the most important criteria that a tool belt had to meet. Then, we hand selected the models we thought could meet our standards and put them to the test.
First, our test consisted of adjusting each belt to fit and then loading it with as many applicable electrical tools as it could hold. Then, we wore them, walked around in them, jumped down from a truck bed, and climbed a ladder to test how secure and comfortable the belt would be. Next, we performed three mock tasks: wiring a light fixture, wiring an outlet, and running wiring through a garage to see how useful these belts were when reaching for tools and working at different heights and positions.
We spent several hours with each belt over 4 days testing their capabilities, comfort, and utility. Some belts failed our tests, whether it was from quality or utility, so we removed them from our list. The ones that passed were given awards based on their strengths or style, allowing us to put together a rock-solid list of the best electrician tool belts.
Our Top Picks
The top-rated products below were chosen for quality, price, and customer satisfaction to help shoppers find the best electrician tool belt to organize their gear.
Note: Some of our pocket counts might differ from the belts’ descriptions. This is because we counted only true openings with closed bottoms as pockets, while we considered those with open-bottom sleeves to be tool holders. This might not be the criteria that the tool belt manufacturers use to count their pockets (in fact, we know it’s not).
Best Overall
Klein Tools Tradesman Pro Electrician’s Tool Belt
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Product Specs
- Type: Standard belt
- Number of pockets: 12 pockets and 24 tool holders
- Materials: Mesh, ballistic weave, rubber, and leather
- Size(s): Medium, large, and extra large
What We Like
- The belt consists of thick nylon and extremely thick, durable leather with heavy-duty stitching
- Hook-and-loop backing keeps pouches in place wherever you set them
- Built-in drill bit holder allows access to common driver bits much more easily than digging through pockets
- Wide, structured pockets make reaching in for items and storing large tools easier
What We Don’t Like
- Stitched-in suspender loops don’t allow for any adjustability or removal
The Klein Tools Tradesman Pro tool belt is one of the best tool belts for electricians on the market. It features a padded electrician belt that has a mesh inner liner, so it is breathable and comfortable to wear for a long time. The pouches feature hook-and-loop backing that allows you to adjust your position on the belt as well, making access to essential tools a priority.
With a ballistic-weave material and rubber-reinforced bottoms, this Klein Tools belt is strong and durable enough to last for years. It also has a heavy-duty nylon belt with an extremely thick leather belt end to keep things light but sturdy. A built-in handle makes the belt easy to carry when you aren’t wearing it as well. The two pouches have wide-open pockets for easy access and designated areas for screwdrivers, drill bits, a tape measure, and even a small drill.
We liked a lot about the Klein Tools Tradesman Pro tool belt. This belt features a hook-and-loop closure that temporarily holds the belt in place until the extremely thick belt is fastened, so putting the belt on is easy. It also has a neat flip-down drill bit holder to easily access common bits and driver bits. The padded belt is comfortable and breathes reasonably well so we could stay cool while working.
We liked that the pouches are positionable a few inches forward or backward, allowing you to move them to a more comfortable position. Plus, they stay in place thanks to the hook-and-loop backing. Our main complaint is that the suspender loops are stitched into the belt, so there isn’t any adjustability.
Read our full review: Klein Tools Tradesman Pro Electrician’s Tool Belt
Get the Klein Tools Tradesman electrician tool belt at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Bang for the Buck
AWP 1L-23021-3 Mini Electrician Tool Pouch
Product Specs
- Type: Pouch
- Number of pockets: 6 pockets, 7 tool holders
- Materials: Polyester
- Size(s): NA
What We Like
- The low price ranks it as a great choice for those who want to save money
- Small in size but contains quite a few pockets for storing essential items
- Can stand up on its own on a table or other surface and serve as a tool station
What We Don’t Like
- Exterior pockets are pretty shallow, so some tools don’t sit deep enough
- The belt clip on the back of the tool belt is uncomfortable
Folks who need a lightweight electrician’s belt at a very affordable price should consider the AWP mini electrician tool pouch. This pouch features a compact design with a total of six pockets and seven tool holders, ensuring there is room for the most essential tools. It also has a tape chain (though it’s actually a strap) as well as a carabiner for keys or tool lanyards.
This tool belt is primarily made from polyester, which is lightweight and durable. It has a belt loop and a belt clip so the wearer can clip the tool holder onto a pant pocket or pant belt. It’s worth noting that it does not come with a belt of its own.
Although this belt lacks a lot of thrills or fancy features, it serves its purpose at this price point. We liked that there were enough pockets for our most essential items, including several screwdrivers, wire strippers, and other small hand tools. We also liked that this pouch would stand up on its own if we took it off and placed it on a table, since this allows the pouch to serve as a tool station of sorts. The exterior pockets were a bit shallow, and the metal belt clip isn’t the most comfortable way to carry this tool belt, but overall, we feel it provides plenty of value.
Get the AWP electrician tool belt at Amazon.
Upgrade Pick
Occidental Leather 5590 Commercial Electrician’s Set
Product Specs
- Type: Standard belt
- Number of pockets: 37
- Materials: Leather and nylon
- Size(s): Small, large, and extra large
What We Like
- It features hand-specific tool holders, so pros can get used to where their tools are
- Extremely high-quality leather, including the belt and the tool pouches
- It has more pockets than we had electric-specific tools to even test
What We Don’t Like
- No medium-size options are available, and we barely fit into our test small
The Occidental leather tool belt was designed with functionality in mind, featuring hand-specific tool holders to avoid having to reach across the body for a tool. This is a bonus for anyone who is a southpaw because the pouches can be switched for left-handed optimization.
This leather tool belt comes at a premium price, but the belt’s leather construction will ensure long-lasting durability that might see tools wearing out before the tool belt. Occidental Leather’s patented NoSpill holders use the flexibility of leather to form fit around the tools in the belt, keeping them in place when not in use. The two pouches have 37 pockets and tool holders between them. And if that isn’t enough, this belt comes in sizes from small to extra large to help buyers find the best fit.
To be quite fair, this leather tool belt has more pockets than we had electrical tools to test it. It can handle several screwdrivers, pliers, and strippers, and even clips for metal conduit, fasteners, and a small drill. There isn’t a ton of adjustability in the belt, but it does come in small, large, and extra-large sizes (and we barely fit our small-size test belt; a medium would help), but the belt’s leather is thick and wide, and it’s just tacky enough to stay put when snugged down.
It’s also worth noting that all Occidental belts are made with extremely high-quality leather, heavy-duty nylon stitching, and lots of reinforcement. While this belt is big and heavy, and best suited for electrical construction work, it will likely last most electricians for their entire careers. We’ve tested and owned other Occidental belts, and they’re always worth the premium price tag.
Get the Occidental Leather electrician tool belt at Amazon or Occidental Leather.
Best for DIYers
ToughBuilt TB-316-2 Utility Pouch and Tool Belt
Product Specs
- Type: Tool pouch with belt
- Number of pockets: 13 pockets plus 5 loops
- Materials: Nylon and rubber
- Size(s): Up to 52 inches
What We Like
- Provides plenty of storage for tools, including bulky items like meters or small drills
- The bag can come off the shoulder or hip and sit upright on its own without spilling its contents
- Relatively high-quality construction and design for an affordable price point
What We Don’t Like
- The belt is stiff, thin, and uncomfortable
- Tape chain is in an awkward place and difficult for right-handed users to reach
ToughBuilt’s utility pouch can offer just about everything a DIY electrician could ask for in a tool belt. It has 13 pockets total, including the main pocket with eight smaller pockets inside it, as well as four on the outside. It also has five tool holders, a chain for electrical tape, and a carabiner for keys or tool lanyards.
The ToughBuilt utility pouch features all-nylon construction except for the rubber-reinforced bottom. It also has a built-in handle with a thick rubber grip for comfort, and it comes with a nylon adjustable belt that goes up to 52 inches.
Since the average DIYer would rather spend their money building out their tool kit than the tool belt they haul it around in, the ToughBuilt utility belt is worth considering. We liked that this tool belt provided plenty of storage thanks to its large structured pocket that can hold a meter and plenty of tools. We also liked that this belt could stand on its own, meaning DIYers can bring it to their project and place it down without its contents spilling out.
We weren’t big fans of the thin, uncomfortable belt. Also, the tape chain is in the back of the bag, which makes it a challenge for righties to reach. But overall, the quality exceeds the price point, so it’s definitely a consideration.
Get the ToughBuilt electrician tool belt set at Amazon.
Best Pouch
Klein Tools 5178 8-Pocket Tool Pouch
Product Specs
- Type: Pouch
- Number of pockets: 8 pockets and 4 tool holders
- Materials: Leather
- Size(s): Universal
What We Like
- Stiff, heavy-duty leather ensures that this pouch will last, even becoming better with time
- Organizes only the essential tools for streamlined work on smaller projects
- Contoured to wrap around a leg for comfort and it stays in place while walking
What We Don’t Like
- The pockets aren’t as deep as we would prefer
Electricians who would prefer to keep their load light while doing some light-duty work should consider the Klein Tools 5178 eight-pocket tool pouch. This pouch consists of a classic electrician’s pouch design with two main pockets and six smaller pockets, as well as four tool holders, a keychain holder, and a clasp for keys or a lanyard.
This tool pouch features thick leather and mostly rivet construction with some stitching reinforcement at the bottom and between pockets. It has a standard belt loop that you can feed a 2.5-inch work belt through, but it doesn’t have any handles or carrying straps.
This tool pouch is definitely built for the long haul. The leather is thick and quite stiff, and it hardly broke in during our hours of use. It holds tools securely due to the stiff leather, though the pockets aren’t tremendously deep (that might be our biggest complaint). It has just enough pockets for essential screwdrivers, pliers, wire strippers, and a pen tester, so finding the right tool was easy when crouching to work on a low outlet or when working one-handed. As time goes on, this pouch will continue to break in and become more pliable, but even in its brand-new stiff iteration, its contoured fit around the leg was comfortable and it stayed in place while walking.
Get the Klein Tools 5178 electrician tool belt at Amazon or Acme Tools.
Best Adjustable
Milwaukee 48-22-8110 Electrician’s Work Belt
