The Best Tool Kits For DIY Projects and Home Repairs

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If you’re going to take on a home project, be it upgrading your outlets to become smart or have USB ports, installing a TV stand, or fixing your plumbing, you’ll need the right tools. Instead of buying individual tools, make sure your home is stocked with an all-in-one tool kit.

A solid tool kit is essential whether you live in an apartment, dorm room, or home because you never want to be caught off-guard in case a problem comes up, or if you can’t find someone available to help fix it. Keep a tool kit in your car or bug-out bag too, in case of emergencies. To save you time, we’ve collected four of the best tool kits that can help you tackle any job no matter the size or type.

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Tool Kit

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right tool kit for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.

Size: Not everybody has the space or need for a giant toolkit, especially if you’re only interested in handling small issues. We made sure the options in our guide range between sets that give you just the essentials, to kits with a ton of extras. Either way, these tool kits all tuck away easily in a closet or locker, or in a shelf, say, in your garage.

Analog vs Power: To make sure we suit everyone’s needs, we’ve selected tool kits that are all analog along with ones that include one or more power tools.

Usage: These tool kits can help with everything from home installations (TV, hanging frames, shelving) to DIY projects, to emergencies too (think repairing cracks, leaks, etc.). They won’t replace a contractor or plumber for bigger issues, but when you’re on your own and need a quick fix, these tool kits come in handy.

1. CARTMAN Orange 39-Piece Tool Set

If you’re looking for a tool kit to handle small projects around your house, it’s hard to go wrong with this 39-piece option from CARTMAN. It contains essentials like a hammer, tape measure, box cutter, and pliers. There’s also a set of Allen keys, four mini screwdrivers, and a full-sized screwdriver with 20 bits.

A molded shape keeps every tool in place, so they won’t tumble out, even if you open the tool kit upside down. At 12.4 x 7 x 3.2 inches, this tool kit can fit neatly in a closet shelf, or under your bed for quick and easy access.

CARTMAN Orange 39-Piece Tool Set, $16.99, available at Amazon

2. SAVWAY Home Repair Tool Set with Toolbox Storage Case

For more extensive home repairs, you’ll want a larger tool kit like this 130-piece set from SAVWAY. It contains all the essentials in CARTMAN’s kit, along with a pair of needle-nose pliers, level, wrench, wire stripper, and an additional set of Allen keys.

The company says the handles for its tools were designed with ergonomics in mind to make them easier to use comfortably. At 13 x 9 x 3 inches it’s only a little larger than the basic tool kit we recommend, but you get quite a lot more.

SAVWAY Home Repair Tool Kit, $27.39, available at Amazon

3. AmazonBasics General Household Home Repair Kit

If you want to be prepared for most home repairs, but don’t need power tools, your best bet is this 178-piece toolkit from AmazonBasics. It includes tools you wouldn’t use on a daily basis, like three-inch clamps to hold wires or wooden boards in place, a six-inch handsaw for making quick cuts, and spark plugs for doing electrical work. It also includes eight wrenches (in various sizes), a socket wrench with 34 sockets, and three types of pliers (needle nose, water pump, and slip joint).

With this kit, you’ll be prepared for most small repairs, including light plumbing tasks like tightening or replacing piping under the sink, or electrical work like replacing a faulty light switch. Its sheer versatility makes it a great choice for people who want to get one tool kit and keep it for the rest of their life.

You’ll still need a set of power tools to do extensive work, but beyond that, you’ll likely be all set. This tool kit measures 16.7 x 13.4 x 3.5 inches, so it’s a little larger than the smaller toolkits on this list, but not by much.

AmazonBasics General Household Home Repair Kit, $59.99, available at Amazon

4. BLACK + DECKER 20V MAX Drill & Home Tool Kit

If you only keep one power tool around the house, it should be a good drill, which is why we recommend BLACK + DECKER’s Max Drill & Home Tool Kit.

The 68-piece kit includes a power drill (along with its necessary charger and storage bag), alongside a tape measure, wrench, needle nose pliers, utility knife, Phillips head and flat-head screwdrivers, and a magnetic bit holder with 32 bits. Despite including a power tool, this kit is only 19.5 x 13.6 x 3.6 inches when closed, which is larger than the rest, but not as big as you’d think.

I’ve used one of BLACK + DECKER’s drills for about a year now, and I’ve been really happy with it. The drill, which is similar to the one included with this tool kit, has been easy to use, and very powerful. It’s made tedious tasks like assembling furniture, or tightening the knobs on my drawers a lot easier. In addition to the drill, BLACK + DECKER’s kit includes 10 drilling bits, five spade bits, and four hole saws.

Spade bits and hole saws allow you to drill different-sized holes, which comes in handy more often than you think. I used a hole saw and hole grommets to make a subtle cable snaking system to clean up my work desk. Anyone looking to accomplish some more intensive power or labor intensive jobs around the house should seriously consider this toolkit.

BLACK + DECKER 20V MAX Drill & Home Tool Kit, $78.98, available at Amazon