The Snap-On brand has a much higher price tag than its competitors, and there are several factors at play there. A big one is the lifetime guarantee the brand offers. This could mean the higher upfront cost pays for potential replacements needed down the road for other buyers, even if you never get anything replaced yourself.
Another factor at play is the fact that the majority of Snap-On tools are made with professionals in mind. People who are more serious about their craft are more likely to search for higher quality tools, which comes with a price. While budget brands are fine for the average person, experienced mechanics will want very reliable tools. Spending close to $2,000 on a socket set guaranteed to last for life isn’t the worst deal when you think about it from that standpoint. With mechanics essentially living or dying by the tools they have, having good quality is important. Buying cheap tools that have to be replaced over and over can become more costly in the long run.
Snap-On boasts they use a proprietary formula to craft their tools, which could also be a factor in a higher price tag. On top of that, the company says the sockets are heat treated to increase their life and allow them to withstand prolonged use, but whether that’s worth paying more than $1,000 is up to you.