The Best Tools for Your Home Tool Kit (2025 Review)

When you’re starting out as a homeowner, making a small investment in a home tool kit can pay huge dividends. The right tool kit will let you handle small tasks immediately, and you can continue to grow your collection over time as new projects arise and your skill level improves.

Keep reading to learn more about the best tools for your home tool kit that start with basic options and end with advanced ones. You can fix almost anything with these 11 basic hand tools.

1. Screwdriver Set

Courtesy Amazon

Amartisan 10-Piece Magnetic Screwdrivers Set

Screwdrivers can be used for anything from tightening cabinet hardware to installing light switches to opening paint cans. This 10-piece set includes five Phillips and five slotted screwdrivers in common sizes.

• $9.99 at Amazon

2. Tape Measure

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CRAFTSMAN Tape Measure

• $11.98

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Keep a tape measure on hand to measure anything from the wall area for a paint project to the lumber thickness at a home improvement store. At 25 feet long, this Craftsman tape measure can measure both long and short distances.

• $11.98 at Amazon

3. Toolbox

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DEWALT Tool Tote

• $41.45

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Store your collection of bolts, screwdrivers, and more in an easy-to-haul toolbox. This large-capacity box has a convenient carrying handle and a removable inner tray.

• $41.45 at Amazon

4. Hammer

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CRAFTSMAN Hammer

• $11.98
• $14
• 14% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Smooth-faced claw hammers provide a nice mix of heft and versatility for driving nails into wood. This durable model features a comfortable, smooth grip and overstrike protection.

• $11.98 at Amazon

5. Duct Tape

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Gorilla Tough & Wide Duct Tape

• $16.98

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This sticky tape adheres to just about anything for quick fixes around the house. Its woven backing is thicker than most rolls but easy to rip to your desired length. Use it to repair torn tarps, broken buckets, and more.

• $16.98 at Amazon

6. Flashlight

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Anker LED Flashlight

With this rechargeable flashlight, you won’t have to go looking for fresh batteries the next time the power goes out. This bright light gives off 900 lumens and offers five modes to adapt to all levels of darkness.

• $33.99 at Amazon

7. Set of Pliers

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CHANNELLOCK 4-Piece Pliers Set 

• $56.89

Prices taken at time of publishing.

You can use these pliers to straighten bent power cord plugs, replace old shower heads, slice wiring, or get a good grip on just about anything. This well-made kit from Channellock includes tongue-and-groove, diagonal-cutting, long-nose, and slip-joint pliers.

• $56.89 at Amazon

8. Utility Knife

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Home Planet Gear Box Cutter

You’ll be reaching for this tool again and again to open boxes, sharpen pencils, mark mortises, and shave wood. Spend a little more upfront for one with a comfortable ergonomic handle and a sturdy locking blade. This one even comes with four replacement blades to pop in when the first one starts to get dull.

• $13.95 at Amazon

9. Putty Knife

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Amazon Basics Nylon Handle Putty Knife

• $6.58
• $7.29
• 10% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This is the tool you need to spread spackling compound, reglaze a window, or scrape off paint or wallpaper. This model features a nylon handle and a flexible two-inch blade with reinforced strength.

• $6.58 at Amazon

Pro Tip: This Old House reader Ben Biddle, who owns a putty knife passed down from his great-grandfather—a Canadian carpenter—over 100 years ago, shares his care advice: “I never use water to clean my putty knife. Mostly, I just wipe it clean and put it away, but if there’s any crud that won’t wipe off, I’ll use mineral spirits.” Proper cleaning helps a good putty knife last generations.

10. Handsaw

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HAUTMEC Universal Hand Saw

• $14.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Less intimidating and faster to set up than a power saw, this handsaw is good for trimming lumber or molding stock. It has a thick blade and a wide, ergonomic handle that makes fine and precise cuts on all types of timber.

• $14.99 at Amazon

11. Adjustable Wrench

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WORKPRO 4-piece Adjustable Wrench Set

• $24.99
• $29.99
• 17% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

You’ll need an adjustable wrench to tighten plumbing fixtures, assemble swing sets, and more. This four-piece set includes wrenches with six-, eight-, 10, and 12-inch handles. Opt for the longer handle when you need extra leverage to free a stuck nut; go for the shorter handle when space is tight.

• $24.99 at Amazon

Pro Tip: Richard Trethewey, This Old House plumbing and heating expert, recommends reaching for an adjustable wrench over pliers when working on seized nuts: “With [an adjustable open end wrench], I can set it and tighten it down on the nut. And now all of my effort, all of my force is to tighten that nut and none of it is trying to hold those handles together.”

9 More Tools To Add to Your Tool Kit Over Time

You’ve done some repairs over the years, but now you’re ready for more ambitious projects.

1. Multibit Screwdriver

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Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver

• $14.97
• $24.78
• 40% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

A multi-bit screwdriver keeps you prepared for all sorts of fixes and home improvement projects. This one comes with eight bits and three bonus nut drivers. It also has an interchangeable blade for easy switchout and a comfortable grip handle.

• $14.97 at Amazon

2. 35-Foot Tape Measure

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STANLEY FATMAX Tape Measure

• $28.16
• $47.98
• 41% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

A longer tape helps mark off bigger projects. This particular product has a beefier end hook that grips corners better than smaller tapes. It features a heat-treated spring that provides a smoother blade recoil and a longer shelf life, and it also has durable blade-armor coating.

• $28.16 at Amazon

3. Bucket-Liner Tool Organizer

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Rugged Tools Bucket Tool Organizer

• $29.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Keep your growing collection of tools organized around an inexpensive five-gallon bucket where everything is in view. This model from Rugged Tools offers a total of 64 fabric pockets.

• $29.99 at Amazon

4. Drill/Driver and Circular Saw

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BLACK+DECKER Cordless Drill/Driver

• $87.54
• $124.99
• 30% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

You’ll need these tools to drill lots of pilot holes, drive lots of screws, and cut lots of lumber for your projects. Because they’re cordless, you can take them anywhere. This combo kit offers two popular tools at a rock-bottom price.

• $87.54 at Amazon

5. Level

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CRAFTSMAN Level

• $29.98
• $33
• 9% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

A level is a must-have tool for hanging pictures, installing cabinets, or laying a patio. This model features a continuous edge and shock-resistant end caps and comes in three different size options to best fit your home.

• $29.98 at Amazon

6. Wheelbarrow

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MARASTAR Green Thumb Wheelbarrow

• $149.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Come fall or spring when you need to clean your yard, you’ll appreciate its help hauling debris, and there’s no better tool to use than a wheelbarrow. The five-cubic-foot poly tub on this heavy-duty wheelbarrow can carry compost, soil, mulch, and more with ease.

• $149.99 at Amazon

7. Stud Finder

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Jurgen K Stud Finder Wall Scanner

• $27.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Until you’re seasoned enough to knock on the wall to determine the location of a stud, use this device. This stud finder can scan at different depths for different materials, including metal, pipes, and live wire.

• $27.99 at Amazon

8. Socket Set

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Performance Tool SAE/Metric 40-Piece Socket Set

• $12.74
• $17.99
• 29% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

A good socket set with a ratcheting handle speeds up the assembly process for anything held together with nuts and bolts. This kit includes 40 sockets of different sizes and bonuses, such as an extension bar, spark plug socket, adapter, and carrying case.

• $12.74 at Amazon

9. Multitool

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LEATHERMAN Rev Pocket Size Multitool

• $69
• $73
• 5% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Strapped to your hip or tossed into your glove box, a good multitool keeps knives, pliers, screwdrivers, and other tools close at hand. This pocket-sized model includes 14 tools and comes with a nylon carrying pouch.

• $69 at Amazon

9 Advanced Tools for the Experienced DIYer

From drywall repair to window trim, you’re ready to tackle almost any project, big or small.

1. Brad Nailer

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BOSTITCH Brad Nailer Kit

• $120.59
• $149
• 19% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Installing crown molding is much easier when you can shoot nails rather than hammer them. This reliable pneumatic brad nailer is a cinch to stash on your tool belt while you’re on a ladder. It even doubles as a pencil sharpener in a pinch.

• $120.59 at Amazon

2. Miter Saw

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DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw

• $249
• $359
• 31% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

From deck-building to finish carpentry, the key to neat finish work is the accurate cut that a miter saw delivers. This 12-inch, single-bevel miter saw has 14 positive stops and a tall sliding fence.

• $249 at Amazon

3. Laser Level

Courtesy Amazon

BOSCH GLL30 Cross-Line Laser Level

Leave behind the chalk-line dust. When installing kitchen cabinets and bookcases, you can set plumb and level lines instantly with the push of a button on this laser level. This laser level also features a cross-line mode that can project two different lines at once.

• $68.49 at Amazon

4. Table Saw

Courtesy Amazon

DEWALT 10-Inch Table Saw

• $639.12

Prices taken at time of publishing.

The workhorse of any garage workshop is an accurate table saw that can handle lengthwise rip cuts. This 10-inch table saw comes with a rolling stand for easy setup and breakdown as well as a 15-amp high-torque motor.

• $639.12 at Amazon

5. Worm-Drive Saw

Courtesy Amazon

SKILSAW Worm Drive Circular Saw

• $199

Prices taken at time of publishing.

If you’re going to have one corded tool, make it a circular saw with the power to cut through stone, concrete, and wood. Worm drives weigh a bit more than sidewinder saws, but they can handle heavy-duty jobs. This 7.25-inch saw has a magnesium housing to keep its weight under 15 pounds.

• $199 at Amazon

6. Radio

Courtesy Amazon

Makita Cordless Compact Job Site Radio

• $64

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Whether you’re painting a room or laying some sod, the job goes easier with tunes playing in the background. This radio from Makita features rich sound from front-facing speakers and up to 30 hours of continuous use. Additionally, it has 10 preset AM/FM buttons.

• $64 at Amazon

7. Rolling Tool Storage

Courtesy Amazon

Stalwart Rolling Tool Box with Wheels

• $68.57

Prices taken at time of publishing.

With all of the tools in your collection, you’ll need a rolling tool chest to haul them around. This model features an ergonomic handle for easy movement as well as compartments for small parts and hooks for cables.

• $68.57 at Amazon

8. Multifunction Oscillating Tool

Courtesy Amazon

Rockwell Sonicrafter Oscillating Multi-Tool 

• $141.68
• $159.99
• 11% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Depending on the attachment, this tool can sand, cut, slice, and grind with easy-to-control, back-and-forth oscillations. This oscillating tool comes with multiple blades and sanding pads, as well as a sturdy carrying bag.

• $141.68 at Amazon

9. Random-Orbit Sander

Courtesy Amazon

BLACK+DECKER Orbital Sander

There’s no better tool for smoothing surfaces than a random-orbital sander. This model from BLACK + DECKER fits in tight spaces and features a built-in dust collection system. Additionally, it can deliver up to 12,000 orbits per minute and has a comfortable grip handle that reduces fatigue.

• $37.8 at Amazon

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