5 super-affordable DeWalt tools I always keep in my trunk

Published Sep 5, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT Cory Gunther is a senior author and Newsletter Editor at Valnet, covering cutting-edge tech, Android, and more for How-To Geek. He's covered Android, cars, and technology for over a decade. When he's not reviewing the latest gadget, you can find him off-roading in his Toyota truck, fixing said truck, or doing something outdoors with friends and family. He's covered CES, SEMA, and MWC and reviewed countless phones, TVs, speakers, EVs, e-bikes, and more. Before Valnet, Cory worked for GottaBeMobile. His writing has also appeared on SlashGear, InputMag, and AndroidCentral. He's written over 9,000 articles. One of the worst feelings is realizing you're unprepared for a situation, whether that's stuck on the side of the road or during a big weekend project. That's why I always have a selection of dependable tools ready to go for flat tires, stubborn bolts, and other situations. With that in mind, here are five affordable DeWALT tools you'll want in your trunk or in the back of your truck. Keeping a dedicated setup in your vehicle doesn't have to mean spending big bucks or hauling a large tote around. A few essentials can go a long way in ensuring you're ready for whatever life brings your way. DeWALT 3-in-1 Battery Booster Jump-start your car or charge a phone Everyone should have jumper cables in their vehicle, but I also like to carry a portable jump-starter so I don't have to rely on another vehicle to jump-start a dead battery. And while these devices can quickly become expensive, if you already own some DeWALT tools, you'll love the 3-in-1 battery booster that runs on your DeWALT 20V battery. This gadget is ultra-portable, has built-in alligator clamps to connect to any car's 12V battery, and even has USB ports to charge a phone or laptop in an emergency. Toss in a 20V battery, tap a button, and boost that car battery to turn over your engine. It's a solid little option for under $100. DeWALT 20V Battery Booster Jump-start a car or recharge phones with ease using the portable DeWALT 20V battery booster. DeWALT ATOMIC 20V Impact Wrench Lug nut-busting power Credit: DeWALT Fighting stubborn, overtightened lug nuts on your car or truck, especially on the side of the road, is something no one wants to deal with. And while many vehicles come with the tools to remove a tire, most don't make it easy. That's why you'll absolutely want to get one of DeWALT's compact ATOMIC 20V Impact Wrench tools and toss it in your trunk. I think everyone should own an impact wrench or two, as they're the perfect tool for working on vehicles, busting nuts free, or having extra power when you can't use a hand wrench. If you get a flat tire and need to swap it out, the fastest and easiest way is, without a doubt, the humble Impact Wrench. It's also just a highly capable and versatile tool, perfect for anything you'll be doing on a vehicle or weekend projects that need a little extra muscle. DeWALT ATOMIC 20V 1/2-inch Impact Wrench Tons of power in a compact package. That's what you get from the DeWALT ATOMIC series, and that's especially true with this 20V MAX Impact Wrench. The perfect little kit to store in your car Credit: DeWALT I own a lot of power and hand tools, but one thing I've always kept in my truck is the DeWALT 1/4-inch Drive 50-piece mechanic set (DWMT45422), which is around $35. It's just a solid little kit with enough things to give you peace of mind, and there's one in my wife's car, too. While this kit is nothing special, it has a bunch of essentials that are just nice to have on hand for anything and everything. You get a wrench, various sockets and extensions, a durable screwdriver, and a ton of different bits. All of this comes in a small yet durable carry case that can bounce around the trunk. Make sure you have one of these, and maybe an extra 10mm socket just in case. You can thank me later. DeWALT Portable Tire Inflator Air for when you need it most Credit: DeWALT Another must-have item for the trunk is a decent little tire inflator. And while DeWALT doesn't make some that are as compact as Ryobi and a few other brands, the DeWALT 20V Portable Tire Inflator is still pretty small, easy to carry around, and fits in any trunk. When you need to air up a tire, this will be perfect. It features a built-in handle, air hose, needles, and other accessories. Then, there's an onboard display for ease of use, presets for specific PSI so you don't over inflate car or bike tires, and more. It's a capable little machine you'll absolutely want to have on hand. The included LED light for when you're roadside at night is a nice little bonus, too. DeWALT 20V Max Tire Inflator $149 $170 Save $21 Warranty Year Free Service Contract, 1 Year Limited Warranty DeWALT's portable and powerful 20V tire inflator is perfect for in the garage, on the jobsite, or while camping. Helpful tools don't need to have a battery Credit: DeWALT Last but certainly not least, I wanted to recommend the MT21 multi-tool from DeWALT. While there are endless multi-tool options on the market these days, like expensive Leatherman's, DeWALT's option is solid. More importantly, if you're just going to throw it in the trunk or the back of a truck, it doesn't need to be expensive; it just needs to be durable. The DeWALT MT21 is a dependable 11-in-1 tool that includes a knife, pliers, screwdriver, saw, bottle opener, and much more. For the price, you can't go wrong. DeWALT MT21 Multi-Tool One tool, eleven different uses, and it even comes with a carry case. Essentials worth having on hand You don't need much in the back of your car to be ready for the road — just a few dependable and compact tools. More importantly, everything on this list is super affordable, aside from maybe the 20V tire inflator. That said, everything on our list will run you less than a single tow truck call. Grab these essentials and have peace of mind whenever you start your engine.