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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
Whether you’re working on a large-scale DIY project, like building a bed frame, or a minor home improvement task, like hanging a picture, having a reliable tool kit is a game-changer. While specifics may vary, as a general rule, Glenn Wiseman—RASDT, RHDT, and sales manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services—specifies that “The most useful tools for those who want to tackle basic repairs on their own are a hammer, an assortment of nails and screws, a stud finder, an adjustable wrench, a measuring tape, a set of screwdrivers, pliers, a manual or laser level, a flashlight, a utility knife, a pair of wire cutters, and an extension cord.”
We researched dozens of tool kits, considering their included components, sturdiness, durability, and functionality.
Here are the best tool kits.
Best Overall
BLACK+DECKER 12V Max Drill 60-Piece Home Tool Kit
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Amazon
Excellent starter tool kit
Includes cordless drill
Includes selection of drill bits
Many of the screwdriver bits are duplicates
Some complaints that drill isn't very powerful
It’s hard to imagine any basic DIY project or household repair you couldn’t tackle with the BLACK+DECKER 12V Max Drill 60-Piece Home Tool Kit. This handy tool kit contains not just the basic hand tools you’ll reach for most often, including a hammer, screwdrivers, tape measure, pliers, wrench, ratcheting screwdriver with nut drivers, utility knife, and a level, it also comes with a BLACK+DECKER 12V Max Cordless Drill along with 10 assorted drill bits and 32 assorted screw-driving bits.
That means you’ll make short work of assembling furniture, tightening screws, hanging pictures, fixing that drooping door or garden gate, or any other common tasks on the honey-do list. And while these tools might not be professional quality, they are sturdy enough so that just about any average DIYer can rely on dependable performance use after use after use. It's the perfect tool kit for anyone just starting their tool collection, a new homeowner, or anyone who enjoys handling their own repairs around the house and garden.
The kit also includes a charger and tool bag.
Price at time of publish: $162
Number of Pieces: 60 | Best Use: General purpose | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 7.3 pounds
Best Budget
Apollo Tools Original 39-Piece General Repair Hand Tool Set
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Amazon
Includes all the basics
Case is easy to store
Not the highest quality
For those who do minimal work around the house, a budget pick like the Apollo Tools 39-Piece General Repair Hand Tool Set will be more than enough for your needs. This highly rated kit is incredibly wallet-friendly and it includes all your basic tools in a convenient, compact storage case.
This Apollo Tool Set comes with a claw hammer, slip joint pliers, tape measure, utility knife, manual bit driver with 2-inch bit extension and 20 popular bit sizes, precision screwdrivers for small screws, hex keys, and a pair of scissors. All the tools are made from steel alloy and are chrome-plated to resist corrosion, and they feature non-slip handles for a more comfortable grip. While these tools are by no means heavy duty, this affordable tool set is ideal for small, common household jobs.
Price at time of publish: $30
Number of Pieces: 39 | Best Use: General purpose | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 4 pounds
Best Power Tools
RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit
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Amazon
Great starter set of power tools
Includes two batteries
Reasonable price
Best for light to medium-duty jobs
Power tools are a must-have for tougher jobs, and the RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Lithium-Ion Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit will help you tackle a wide range of tasks. The kit includes six popular power tools, two batteries, a charger, bag, and several accessories—basically, everything you need for a solid at-home workshop.
In this set, you’ll get an electric drill, impact driver, reciprocating saw, circular saw, multi-tool, and worklight, as well as a 1.5 Ah battery and 4 Ah battery. Because the tools are all part of the brand’s ONE+ platform, you can use the same batteries in all of them, as well as in other RYOBI ONE+ tools. The tools even come with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty.
Price at time of publish: $260
Number of Pieces: 10 | Best Use: General purpose | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 8.8 pounds
Best Basic
Anvil Homeowner’s 76-Piece Tool Kit
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Amazon
Comprehensive collection of basic tools
Includes spring clamps
Can be tricky to fit tools into their carrying-case slots
If you are starting from scratch and just want all of the basics in one easy bundle, then you'll love the Anvil Home 76-Piece Tool Kit. This handy set of tools includes all of the essentials, such as a hammer, pliers, adjustable wrench, tape measure, screwdrivers, utility knife, level, and much more. It even includes four clamps, an unusual find in a home tool kit.
The kit includes a sturdy plastic storage case, which makes it easy to store in a closet, garage, or even under your bed. While you aren't going to carry out complex DIY projects with these tools, they are more than adequate for basic tasks and repairs around your home, such as tightening loose screws, hanging pictures, tackling minor plumbing repairs, or putting up curtain rods. There's even a bottle opener so you can enjoy a cold beverage once your project is complete.
Price at time of publish: $55
Number of Pieces: 76 | Best Use: General purpose | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: Not specified
Best Mini
Stalwart 6-Piece Household Tool Set
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Amazon
Perfect for those in small living quarters
Inexpensive
Measuring tape is only 3 feet long
If you're looking for a mini tool kit that has only the bare basics, then look no further than the Stalwart 6-Piece Household Tool Set. This mini set is perfect for college students living in dormitories, apartment dwellers, to put in an emergency kit, or for anyone who never needs anything much beyond a hammer or screwdriver.
The included tools are a hammer, tape measure, needle-nose pliers, long tweezers, Phillips screwdriver, and a flat-head screwdriver. The case measures a mere 8.25 x 4.5 x 1.75 inches, so you could fit this even in the most storage-deprived home or in your car's trunk. Note that the included tools are a little smaller than the typical sizes, but that helps keep the weight and storage requirements down.
Price at time of publish: $25
Number of Pieces: 7 | Best Use: General purpose | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 1.2 pounds
Best Deluxe
DEWALT 20-Volt MAX 10-Tool Cordless Combo Kit DCK1020D2
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Amazon
Includes two batteries
Covers all common DIY needs
Some complaints about power
If you’re ready to move beyond hand tools, and want to add some serious power, versatility, and convenience to your home tool collection, you can’t go wrong with the DEWALT 20-Volt MAX 10-Tool Cordless Combo Kit. This deluxe set provides just about everything you need for a well-stocked power tool collection. You’ll get one each of the following: 20V MAX XR oscillating multi-tool, 20V MAX ½-Inch compact drill driver, 20V MAX ¼-Inch impact driver, 20V MAX compact jobsite blower, 20V MAX circular saw, 20V MAX reciprocating saw, 20V MAX 4-1/2-inch grinder, LED work light, wet/dry vacuum, and a jobsite Bluetooth speaker. That’s a whole lot of tools ready and able to tackle just about any DIY project you throw at them.
The set also includes two 20-volt lithium-ion batteries, a charger, and two handy contractor’s bags to keep everything portable and together.
Price at time of publish: $999
Number of Pieces: 15 | Best Use: Advanced DIY, general purpose | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 37 pounds
Best for Gardening
Jardineer 8-Piece Heavy-Duty Garden Tool Set
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Amazon
Handy tote bag
Rust-resistant
Perfect for container gardens or small garden beds
Few complaints about tools breaking
Anyone with a green thumb will love the Jardineer Garden Tool Set, which is ideal for both novice and experienced gardeners. It includes eight essential pieces for container garden, houseplant, or small garden bed maintenance, including pruning shears, a garden trowel, transplanter, weeder, cultivator, hand rake, unisex garden gloves, and tool bag.
These gardening tools are made from polished aluminum to resist rust, and they feature ergonomic handles to reduce fatigue and discomfort during long gardening sessions. The tote bag has five external pockets surrounding the spacious inner compartment, and it has a board in the bottom so it can stand up on its own.
Price at time of publish: $30
Number of Pieces: 8 | Best Use: Gardening or houseplant care | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 4.2 pounds
Best for Bicycles
Cyclists 23-in-1 Bike Tool Kit
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Amazon
Comprehensive set of tools
Reasonable price for this type of tool set
Few complaints about crank puller
Avid bike riders know the importance of having a comprehensive tool kit for maintenance, repairs, and adjustments, and with the Cyclists 23-in-1 Bike Tool Kit, you'll get just about everything you need to help you maintain, clean, adjust, and repair your bicycle for everyday use. Plus, it includes a sturdy plastic case to keep everything neatly organized and ready for use.
What will you find in this kit? Tools include a chain rivet extractor, chain ring nut wrench, and metal tire lever, as well as screwdrivers, chain tools, a pedal wrench, a spoke wrench, pre-glued patch kits, and more. With these tools and some knowledge, there aren't too many bicycle repairs you won't be able to manage on your own, as well as tuning up your bike and performing regular maintenance.
Price at time of publish: $79
Number of Pieces: 23 | Best Use: Bicycle repair and maintenance | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 6.5 pounds
Best for Cars
Husky Mechanics Tool Set 194-Piece H194MTS
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Amazon
Everything needed for basic auto work
Chrome-vanadium steel
Stamped size markings
Somewhat expensive
If you plan to work on your car, you’ll need a quality mechanics tool set, such as this 194-piece kit from Husky. Designed for both professionals and DIYers, this kit is extremely comprehensive with quick-release ratchets in three sizes, 125 sockets, 14 combination wrenches, numerous drive sockets, and so much more.
The tools in this kit are forged from chromium-vanadium for unbeatable strength, and they have a polished chrome finish that you can easily wipe clean. They have large, hard-stamped size markings to help you quickly find the tool you need, and the plastic storage case has size markings, as well.
Price at time of publish: $185
Number of Pieces: 194 | Best Use: Auto repair and maintenance | Includes Case: Yes | Total Weight: 24.7 pounds
We love the BLACK+DECKER 12V Max Drill 60-Piece Home Tool Kit for its comprehensive collection of basic hand tools plus a compact cordless drill and accompanying bits. There’s not much you can’t accomplish around the house with this handy and high quality set of tools. But if you’re looking for a tool kit that’s all about power, we recommend the RYOBI 18-Volt ONE+ Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit instead.
What to Look for in a Home Tool Kit
Experience Level
Some tool kits are better suited for more experienced users. If you’re a beginner, you’re probably better off with a basic kit of the must-have tools, including a hammer, set of screwdrivers, pliers, level, tape measure, and an adjustable wrench. However, if you have more experience working around the house, you might be looking for more advanced tools to supplement your existing arsenal, such as specialized screwdrivers, a small handsaw, putty and utility knives, laser level, and a socket set. And any DIYer can benefit from a cordless drill, which is easy to use and handy for a multitude of projects around the home.
Intended Projects
Is there a particular task you need to complete with your tool kit? For example, if you’re hanging a painting, you’ll probably need a measuring tape, level, screwdriver or hammer, and maybe even a stud finder. If you like working on your car, you'll need a socket set. If it's gardening that you love, you'll want hand tools, pruners, and a watering can. Think about what you’ll be using your tools for as you hunt for the perfect home kit.
Storage Space
Even though it's not the most important factor to consider when buying a tool kit, you should think about how much space it will take up in your home. If you’re living in a small apartment, a kit with several hundred pieces will take up a solid chunk of your storage space and rarely come in useful. On the other hand, if you have a whole garage to dedicate to your tools, and enjoy tackling repairs around the house, assembling furniture, maintaining your own car or motorcycle, or just want to be prepared for anything, it's worth buying a comprehensive kit with all the tools you are likely to need.
Tool Kit Basics
You don’t need a huge collection of tools if you only occasionally do odd jobs around the house, but you should have at least the basics. Here are the must-haves for your home tool kit.
- Screwdriver set with both Phillips and slotted screwdrivers in a range of sizes
- Claw hammer
- Tape measure
- Level
- Needle-nose pliers
- Slip-joint pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Set of nails and screws in various sizes
- Utility knife
- Duct tape
- Flashlight
- Tool box or bag for storage
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What should be in a home repair tool kit?
A basic home repair tool kit should include a tape measure, screwdrivers, pliers, a level, a hammer, nails, screws, wire cutters, pencils, painter’s tape, a cordless drill, utility blades (and a holder), a straightedge, and more as needed. Put any tool that you use regularly around the house in your home repair tool kit.
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How can you put together a home repair tool kit?
A basic tool kit that you keep inside should include basic DIY items, like a tape measure, screwdrivers, pliers, a level, and more. Get all the tools you need on a regular basis and organize them, arranging them in a heavy-duty toolbox or bag.
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How do you organize a home repair tool kit?
Most comprehensive home tool kits come in a carrying case with slots and compartments specifically designed for holding the included tools. If you are organizing individually purchased tools in a tool box, however, try to keep like tools together, and put the ones you reach for most often near the front or top of the box where they will be easy to find when needed.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article is edited and updated by Michelle Ullman, the tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs.
For this roundup, she considered dozens of home tool kits, evaluating each for basic features, extras, and feedback from customers, and also sought advice from Glenn Wiseman; RASDT, RHDT, and sales manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services. Additional reporting was done by Lauren Murphy, a freelance writer whose work has also appeared on Hunker and the Huffington Post.