Tool advent calendars replace the usual chocolate behind each door with screwdriver bits, hand tools and accessories that can be put to work long after Christmas. They're particularly popular with partners and family members buying for tradespeople, although plenty of tool enthusiasts enjoy treating themselves to one.
This year, Data Powertools has four options from Metabo, Wera, Makita and Milwaukee, with prices ranging from £35.99 to £149.99 including VAT. Our range of tool advent calendars covers everything from affordable screwdriving bit sets to larger collections of hand tools and accessories.
The differences go beyond price. Here's what each calendar contains, how useful the contents are likely to be and which one makes the most sense for the person you're buying for.
The first thing to consider is how much of the calendar will actually get used. Screwdriver bits, ratchets, drill bits and other everyday accessories are useful additions to a working tool kit. Branded merchandise such as hats, magnets and bottle openers has a different appeal, particularly for someone who collects products from their favourite manufacturer.
Storage is another consideration. Makita's MAKPAC case and Wera's modular storage system give the contents somewhere to live after Christmas. A reusable case can be particularly useful for someone who regularly transports tools between jobs.
Finally, think about the recipient's trade. Someone fitting hundreds of screws each week will probably appreciate a selection of replacement bits more than a tradesperson whose work rarely involves screwdriving. The contents should suit the jobs they actually do.
At £35.99 including VAT, the Metabo Christmas Tool Advent Calendar is the least expensive option in this comparison. Its 30-piece selection concentrates on practical screwdriving accessories rather than branded extras.
Inside are PH, PZ, slotted, hex and Torx screwdriver bits in 25mm and 75mm lengths, giving users options for different fixings and access requirements. The set also includes three 1/4-inch hex socket spanner sockets in 8mm, 10mm and 13mm sizes, along with magnetic bit holders.
This is a sensible choice for someone who regularly assembles furniture, installs fittings or carries out general fixing work. The selection covers commonly encountered screw heads without spending money on merchandise that may never leave the box.
It's also the easiest of the four to justify on a smaller Christmas gift budget, particularly for someone who already owns suitable screwdriving tools.
The Wera 2026 Advent Calendar costs £54.00 including VAT and contains 24 pieces, with a particular emphasis on screwdriving equipment and organised storage.
The standout item is the Flashdriver, which combines an LED torch with a built-in 1/4-inch bit holder. It has two brightness levels and an auto-focusing beam, making it useful for working on fixings in poorly lit cupboards, cabinets and other confined spaces.
Other contents include BiTorsion screwdriver bits, designed to absorb peak loads and reduce premature wear, Hex-Plus L-keys and a Kraftform bitholding screwdriver. The four removable storage modules and textile tool-dock help keep everything organised.
Wera is particularly appealing to electricians, maintenance engineers and anyone regularly working with smaller fixings. Existing Wera users may also appreciate how the contents fit into the brand's modular storage system.
At £109.99 including VAT, the Makita 2026 Advent Calendar offers a broader selection of drilling, fixing and general hand tools. Its Christmas-design MAKPAC Type 2 case is a significant part of the appeal, particularly for anyone already using Makita's stackable storage system.
The contents include a 38-piece bit set with its own case, additional screwdriver bits in 25mm, 50mm and 90mm lengths, a 1/4-inch ratchet handle, ratchet screwdriver and nutsetter. There are also metal and masonry drill bit sets, combination pliers, a hex wrench set and a 3m tape measure.
Makita has included some branded extras too, including a beanie hat, magnet, key ring, miniature folding ruler key ring, EFFICUT bottle opener, 2027 desk calendar and sticky notes.
The variety makes this calendar particularly suitable for general builders, carpenters and Makita users who regularly switch between drilling, measuring and fixing tasks. Unlike a conventional advent calendar box, the MAKPAC case remains useful for storing equipment after Christmas.
The Milwaukee 2026 Advent Calendar is the most expensive of the four at £149.99 including VAT. Its 24-piece collection focuses on everyday site equipment, with three limited-edition Milwaukee products included.
Rather than concentrating mainly on screwdriver bits, Milwaukee has assembled a selection covering several different tasks. There's an eight-piece multi-material drill bit set, a 6-in-1 stubby multi-bit screwdriver and a 6-in-1 impact multi-nut driver for fixing work.
The calendar also contains an LED torpedo level, an INKZALL double-tip marker, red mirror safety glasses supplied with a hard case, a zipper pouch and a bottle opener.
This makes it an interesting option for electricians, maintenance trades and existing Milwaukee M12 or M18 users who appreciate the brand's hand tools and accessories. The limited-edition items may also appeal to collectors.
Unlike Makita's calendar, Milwaukee's comes in gift packaging with a zipper pouch rather than a reusable hard tool case. Buyers are therefore paying primarily for the selection of individual items rather than an integrated storage system.
The main differences are price, the variety of tools included and what you can use after Christmas. Here's how the four calendars compare.
| Calendar | Price (inc VAT) | Pieces | Storage | Standout Item | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metabo | £35.99 | 30 | Calendar packaging | Long and short bit sets | Budget, frequent screwdriving |
| Wera 2026 | £54.00 | 24 | Modular storage and tool-dock | Flashdriver torch | Precision screwdriving |
| Makita P-84894 | £109.99 | 24 surprises | MAKPAC Type 2 case | Drill bit sets and ratchet | Makita users, general building |
| Milwaukee 4932501860 | £149.99 | 24 | Gift box and zipper pouch | LED torpedo level | Milwaukee users, electricians |
If you're buying for someone who already favours a particular tool brand, that's a sensible place to start. Makita users may appreciate the MAKPAC case, while Milwaukee enthusiasts are likely to be interested in the limited-edition items. Neither calendar requires the recipient to own that brand's cordless tools, though.
For someone who spends much of their working day driving screws, Metabo offers a practical selection at the lowest price. Wera provides a more varied screwdriving kit with integrated storage, making it particularly appealing for electrical and maintenance work.
Budget also helps narrow the choice. Metabo and Wera both cost under £60, while Makita and Milwaukee sit above £100.
For apprentices building their first tool collection, useful bits and hand tools can fill gaps without buying another power tool. Our guide to the tools an apprentice actually needs can help identify which items would be most useful.
Tool advent calendars are seasonal products, and popular editions may sell out before December. Once a particular edition has gone, there's no guarantee it will be restocked.
Data Powertools offers click and collect from its Cardiff and Bridgend stores. Qualifying orders over £50 excluding VAT are also eligible for free next-day delivery within Great Britain when ordered before 3pm, subject to the applicable delivery terms. Christmas delivery cut-off dates should be checked before ordering.
If your preferred calendar sells out, many of the practical contents remain available separately. Everyday accessories such as screwdriver bit sets and hand tools can be purchased throughout the year.
Q1: When do tool advent calendars go on sale in the UK?
A1: Most annual tool advent calendars become available during autumn, although release dates vary between manufacturers. Popular editions may sell out before December arrives.
Q2: Are tool advent calendars worth the money?
A2: That depends on how much use the recipient will get from the contents. Practical accessories and reusable storage generally offer more lasting value than merchandise alone.
Q3: Can you open a tool advent calendar early?
A3: Yes. There's nothing stopping you from opening every compartment immediately, particularly if you want to start using the tools rather than waiting until December.
Q4: Do tool advent calendars include power tools?
A4: None of these four calendars includes a powered tool. They contain hand tools, screwdriver bits, drilling accessories and other equipment designed to complement an existing tool collection.