Choosing gifts for mechanics can be difficult unless you are a mechanic yourself. There is a variety of tools and gadgets available that can make the best possible gift.
Mechanics can be very picky when it comes to their brands and tool specifications. However, at ProCarReviews, we are here to help with our expert knowledge.
Although we have already covered gifts for car lovers, buying for mechanics can be far more testing as they prefer to get their hands dirty.
To help you make the correct buying decision, we have produced a list of the best gifts for mechanics below.
Table of Contents
20 Best Gifts For Mechanics
1. Portable Jump Starter
The purpose of a portable jump starter is to provide a burst of power to the battery to start the engine. Unlike jumper cables, they don’t require a second vehicle and can also be used for charging other electronics such as smartphones and much more.
The NOCO Genius Boost GB40 is the best option that mechanics will appreciate and the brand are highly reputable across the USA.
Check it Out2. Mechanics Work Light
Whilst working on cars, using a mechanics work light is highly recommended for maximum visibility. If the mechanic you are buying the gift for is constantly using their smartphone or a broken light, this may be the best gift.
The Neiko 40464A is an excellent all-rounder that outputs 350 Lumens with a runtime of 5 hours. It features a 4,000 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery that recharges quickly using the provided battery charger.
Check it Out3. Mechanics Creeper
Crawling around on the floor to reach a bolt is not an enjoyable part of working on car. Therefore, the best gift for mechanics may come in the form a mechanics creeper. They are far cheaper than they once were and most high quality examples will last several years with very little maintenance.
The Pro-Lift C-2036D is a great option that adjusts from a creeper to a stool and has a weight capacity of 600 LBS. It also has 6 swivel casters that allows for easy movement on all-terrain.
Check it Out4. Mechanics Socket Sets
Every mechanic needs sockets to remove various nuts and bolts. Over the years, many of these sockets can become lost, which can make working on certain cars a nightmare. Some of the latest mechanic socket sets include over 100 pieces, which will be suitable for most automotive tasks.
The Dewalt Mechanics Socket Set is one of the most comprehensive sets that is available as 104, 142 and 168 piece sets. It includes everything from a 72 tooth ratchet to all the sockets that you could ever need.
Check it Out5. Cordless Impact Wrench
Using an impact wrench to efficiently tighten and loosen nuts or bolts will speed up time spent working on cars. A cordless impact wrench for automotive use will have adequate torque for most tasks. Alternative wrenches may have too much torque, which may over-torque the nuts or bolt and lead to further problems.
The Ingersoll Rand W7150-K2 is one of the best options that provides up to 1,100 ft-lb nut-busting torque. It’s also extremely lightweight compared to many other available, which makes it ideal for working around the car.
Check it Out6. Diagnostic Scanner
The invention of an OBD2 port has allowed for mechanics to diagnose most vehicles far more easily. OBD2 ports have become standardized within most cars and trucks since 2001, which means most will be compatible. Due to advances in technology, they are far more intelligent, which means there is plenty of functionality.
The BlueDriver is by far the most popular and is one of the best automotive diagnostic scanner tools available. It makes use of Bluetooth connectivity to link your cars ECU to a smartphone, which you can then perform a variety of tasks.
Check it Out7. Car Dollies
Moving vehicles around the garage is made far easier by using car dollies. They are constructed of heavy duty materials with swivel casters for easy movement.
Dependent upon your budget, there are a number of car dollies to choose from. The best option would be slightly too pricey as a gift but an affordable option would be the Pentagon Tools 5061 dollies. They are sold as a set of four with a 6,000 LBS weight capacity, which is suitable for most cars.
Check it Out8. Breaker Bar
The purpose of a breaker bar is to give you extra leverage for nuts or bolts that simply won’t move. They are much longer than a standard wrench and are very useful to have around the garage with multiple configurations available.
The TEKTON 15356 breaker bar is a very popular option that provides both 1/2 or 3/8 inch drive sizes, which is suitable for automotive tasks.
Check it Out9. Floor Jack
Every mechanic will more than likely own a floor jack but many are either very old or not suitable for every application. Owning more than one jack can make a huge difference to the way you work on cars and are available to suit multiple applications.
The Arcan ALJ3T is an excellent all-round aluminum floor jack that ticks every box. It does come with a premium price tag but it will be one of the best gifts for mechanics.
Check it Out10. Magnetic Wristband
Magnetic wristbands for mechanics allow you to keep hold of all magnetic items such as screws, nails and much more. This will allow you to have the components needed without having to back and forth to the work bench.
The RAK Magnetic Wristband is one of the most popular that uses 10 strong magnets to keep hold of most small magnetic items. They are great gifts for mechanics that is inexpensive and will fit most wrists with an adjustable design.
Check it Out11. Durable Travel Mug
A travel mug that is durable and can withstand the tough garage environment will always be a winner. It’s also one of the cheapest gifts that will always have a use in one way or another.
The MISHOWNET is a popular choice that has a design based upon car tyres. However, it’s not just an aesthetically pleasing design as it has an insulating structure with a stainless steel interior and ABS plastic exterior. The brand state that it will be able to keep liquid warm for up to 5 hours and its highly heat resistant.
Check it Out12. Gas Can
Gas cans are something that mechanics always struggle to find in the garage and they can make a great gift. Some of the latest offer benefits such as specifically designed funnels that prevent spillages whilst pouring fuel from the container.
The No-Spill 1405 gas can is one of the best options that has a 7/8 inch funnels that will fill even the smallest of equipment. The design is far more complex than you would expect and it can make a huge difference.
Check it Out13. Oil Extractors
All vehicles will have fluids that include brake fluid, motor oil, power steering fluid and much more. Rather than crawling around underneath the car, an oil extractor can be used to suck up the fluid from the engine bay, which saves a lot of time.
The Mityvac 7201 Fluid Evacuator Plus is by far the most popular and provides superior performance. It has a 8.8 liter capacity and can be easily hooked up to an air compressor for quick extraction of various oils or fluids.
Check it Out14. Heating For The Garage
Not all mechanics are lucky enough to have reliable heating within their garage, which can make working on cars unpleasant. However, purchasing a garage heater can be one of the best gifts for a mechanic that won’t disappoint.
The Mr Heater Buddy is a popular heater that provides 4,000 to 9,000 BTU radiant heat for spaces up to 225 square feet. This is more than ideal for most small garages but it can also be used for several other applications.
Check it Out15. Tool Chest
Mechanics that don’t have anywhere to store their tools can find themselves spending hours trying to find them. Buying a tool chest will be an excellent gift that will last many years and will always be used.
The Crafstman tool chest is an affordable option that is small yet hold plenty of tools and equipment. There are many alternatives available but for a gift, the cheaper Craftsman tool chest is the best choice that won’t disappoint.
Check it Out16. Torque Wrench
Most mechanics will have plenty of wrenches for tightening various nuts and bolts but may not have a tire torque wrench. The purpose of this type of wrench is to avoid over-torquing the bolts, which can reduce the chances of the tightened component failing.
The TEKTON 24335 is the most popular option that is manufactured by a reputable garage tools brand. It’s available in multiple configurations and is ideal for lug nuts, spark plugs and various other automotive tasks.
Check it Out17. Fender Cover
Whilst working on cars, many mechanics will be stretching over the fender to reach engine components. Depending upon the type of clothing the mechanic is wearing can determine the amount of damage that can be caused to the fender. For example, belt buckles can cause deep scratches that you may struggle to remove.
Using a cover such as the OCM Premium Magnetic Fender Cover is the best line of defence. It uses 6 strong magnets and 3 Velcro straps to securely hold onto the fender. It also has an ultra soft cloth liner that further protects the cars fender and can be cleaned easily.
Check it Out18. Garage Radio
Every mechanic will enjoy blasting out their favorite music whilst working on cars. However, most radios are not suitable for the tough garage environment, which means you will need a rugged alternative with powerful speakers.
The Dewalt DCR018 is a great option that has a roll cage for additional durability and it uses AC/DC power for flexibility.
Check it Out19. Paintless Dent Repair Tools
Rather than spending a fortune repairing dents within the body panels, you could potentially use a dent puller to repair them. They are available in several forms that are suitable for both beginner and professional use.
The BBKANG is one of the most comprehensive dent pulling kits that includes a total of 60 components, which is suitable for multiple repairs.
Check it Out20. Mechanics Gloves
Whether you require more grip or simply want to keep your hands warm, a pair of gloves can be a great gift for a mechanic. There are many different types available with most manufacturers offering plenty of size for a comfortable fit.
The Mechanix Wear gloves are one of the best options that are form fitting to keep your hands dry and comfortable. They also have the added benefit of being machine washable once they have become overly dirty.
Check it OutConclusion
Finding gifts for mechanics can be difficult as you will not want to disappoint with incorrect or low quality tools. The list of 20 gifts for mechanics above are all from reputable brands and are developed specifically for mechanics.
All of our recommendations are suited to a range of budgets and at least 1 of the 20 gifts will be something they don’t already own.