Mulberry Blog

Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, or Amazon: Who has the best tool warranties?

Written by Kim Miller | Jul 7, 2023 4:54:53 PM

As any DIYer knows, tools are often expensive purchases and you need a different tool for every job. While many tools are advertised as “heavy duty,” unfortunately accidents happen and tools break. That’s why it’s important to make sure you get the best extended warranty for your tools.

If you’ve looked into extended warranties before, you’ve probably noticed that most extended warranties are vague, hard to understand, or really expensive. Not Mulberry Unlimited. When you subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited, you'll get the lowest-priced product protection on the market for all your online purchases, guaranteed. Coverage is clear, and you'll never pay any deductibles or fees if you need to file a claim.

Most retailers offer warranty coverage options when you purchase your tool. You may also get some basic manufacturer warranty coverage. How do these coverage options compare, and how do you know if you're getting your money's worth? Let's take a closer look at your options when it comes to extended warranty coverage for tools.

Manufacturer's warranty vs. extended warranty coverage for tools

The standard manufacturer warranty for a tool can last anywhere from 90 days to 5 years. Usually, these warranties offer coverage for manufacturer and workmanship defects, but exclude both accidents and damage from normal wear and tear. With so many details, subtleties and limitations, it's nearly impossible to compare manufacturer warranty coverage for different brands of tools.

The best thing to do is to subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited so you know you're covered. Then once you decide on the brand you like and make a purchase, read the fine print to see what is actually covered by the manufacturer. At this point it won't matter what the manufacturer warranty restrictions are because you'll have Mulberry Unlimited.

What should an extended warranty for your tools provide?

  • Normal wear and tear coverage. Even when you take good care of your tools, damage from regular use is bound to happen. This is where normal wear and tear coverage will help you in the event a tool just becomes worn out and no longer functions as it should.
  • Increased length of coverage. Extended warranty plans can increase your length of coverage anywhere from 1-5 years, depending on how long you expect the tool to last. Most manufacturer warranties won't last beyond a year, if you're lucky.
  • No deductibles or services fees. The best extended warranties will not require you to pay a deductible when you file a claim. Make sure you read the fine print to ensure you know all of the potential costs and service fees upfront.

If you’re tired of the many terms, conditions, and loopholes in most warranty plans, subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited and find out what the Mulberry difference can do for you.

Who offers extended warranties for tools?

Let’s take a look at a few of the top retailers for tool purchases and explore the power tool warranty plans they offer.

Lowe’s

Lowe’s offers both 2-year and 3-year extended warranty plans on power tools. If you choose to purchase a plan, it will begin after the manufacturer service plan ends, and it covers both accidental damage and power surges.

Plan at a glance:

  • Plan length: 2 or 3 years
  • Deductible: No
  • Accidental damage: Yes
  • Free shipping: Yes

Home Depot

A Home Depot tool warranty will also cover two or three years after the manufacturer service plan ends. Home Depot’s extended warranty covers incidents like manufacturer defects and workmanship flaws, but one major drawback is that accidental damage is not covered.

Plan at a glance:

  • Plan length: 2 or 3 years
  • Deductible: No
  • Accidental damage: No
  • Free shipping: Yes

Walmart

Walmart offers a standard product protection plan for power tools. The plan includes protection against power surges and manufacturing defects, but does not cover accidental damage beyond normal wear and tear.

Plan at a glance:

  • Plan length: 2 or 3 years
  • Deductible: No
  • Accidental damage: No
  • Free shipping: Yes

Amazon

Amazon offers protection plans for power tools through SmartGuard. Although specific coverage varies by product, most SmartGuard plans include coverage for workmanship defects and mechanical failures. For some products, coverage for accidental damage can be purchased for an additional cost.

Plan at a glance:

  • Plan length: 1, 3, or 5 years
  • Deductible: No
  • Accidental damage: Sometimes for an additional fee
  • Free shipping: Yes

Which extended warranty is your best option?

Each retailer offers warranty plans with pros and cons. If maximum coverage for your tool is important to you, you'll want to look into an extended warranty that goes beyond the standard manufacturer coverage. If you only plan to use the tool once a year, coverage for accidents and normal wear and tear might not matter as much to you as a frequent user. Will you use your tool for small projects around the house, or heavy duty tasks? Higher risk tolerance may equate to a warranty option with less coverage. Questions like these will help you decide which warranty plan is the best option for you.

When you subscribe to Mulberry Unlimited, you'll get coverage for all your tools, DIY materials, and more under the same product protection plan. It's the ultimate peace of mind for the things you use most.