Beyond furniture and furnishings, every home should be equipped with a quality tool kit for those emergency fixes and DIY projects that will inevitably crop up. Whether you’re putting up shelves, curtain rods, picture frames, or building flat-pack furniture, you’ll need a set of tools that can get the job done quickly and efficiently.
We asked Jason Kazakos, Managing Director of Zebra Home Improvement Limited, about what factors to consider when shopping for tool kits. “The best tool kit will be robust, ideally waterproof, and the right size for your needs,” Kazakos says.
“Too big and it could get unnecessarily overloaded and become too heavy to carry around, and, if it’s too small, it might not fit the most essential items.” He also recommended looking for tool kits with durable cases that can protect the tools inside. “If you go for a box-style tool case, make sure it has strong closing locks so that they don’t fall open easily,” says Kazakos.
What We Researched
While searching for the best toolkits, we considered the type and amount of tools included, the case type, and warranties.
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If you’re looking for the best tool kit for home use, you can’t really get better than the WorkPro Home Repair Hand Tool Set. It has 322 items, which can come in handy for any bits and bobs you’ll need fixing around the house. All the tools are made from chrome vanadium steel—one of the hardiest materials you can find—and they’re polished for extra corrosion resistance. They also have rubberized handles for superior grip.
All the tools are blue and red so you can tell which ones are yours (in case any handypeople are working around the house and ask to borrow one). The set contains everything you’ll ever need, including a hammer, sockets, screwdrivers, pliers, tape measure, and an adjustable wrench. The tool kit comes with a convenient and highly durable carry case that features a shoulder strap, too, for easily carrying it around if need be. There’s also a limited lifetime warranty.
Product Details: Case Size: 19 x 9.5 x 9 inches | Number of Tools: 322 pieces | Case Type: Bag with pockets, handle, and shoulder strap | Use: Household
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This budget-friendly tool set provides plenty of value for its fair price. The Amazon Basics 173-Piece Tool Set includes all of the most common hand tools you’ll need for household projects, making it an excellent option for beginners or for experienced DIYers looking for a set to use for simple repairs at home. With 173 pieces, you’ll find a variety of tools, including wrenches, ratchets, and more.
Designed for long-lasting durability, each tool in the kit is made from heat-treated steel that’s chrome-plated for rust resistance. Everything fits securely in the molded case, which is convenient to store at just under 17 inches long (so you won’t have a problem finding a place to keep your tools when they’re not in use).
The full set includes eight combination wrenches in both standard and metric sizes, one ⅜-inch (10mm) ratchet wrench, 22 hex keys, 6-inch slip-joint pliers, 6-inch long-nose pliers, 8-inch water pump pliers, wire strippers, a claw hammer, two screwdrivers, measuring tape, a utility cutter, a level, clamps, and a hand saw in addition to a set of drill bits and sockets with multiple types of adapters.
We love this tool kit for a budget pick, and at less than $70, it offers a wide assortment of tools to complete many different types of projects around the house. Keep an eye out for Amazon’s frequent sales to get it at an even lower price.
Product Details: Case Size: 16.89 x 12.68 x 3.35 inches | Number of Tools: 173 | Case Type: Blow-molded hard case | Use: Household
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The Dewalt 20V Max Power Tool Combo Kit has everything you could ever need for renovations, home maintenance, and any other DIY projects you want to take on, making it the best toolkit to invest in.
The kit comes with nine tools, including a handy and user-friendly drill-driver, an impact driver, a reciprocating saw, a circular saw, an oscillating multi-tool, a right angle drill, and a grinder. While you may not need to use some of the tools, like a circular saw often, we think it’s still great to have it handy.
In addition to these excellent power tools, the kit comes with an LED work light that delivers 110 lumens of light output for clearer visibility when working in low light conditions. There’s even a Bluetooth jobsite speaker for wireless music streaming from your smartphone or tablet.
Two interchangeable lithium-ion batteries and a charger are also included, as is a universal accessory adapter. The kit also comes with two large tool bags to keep all the tools neat when not in use, and to transport them from place to place safely if need be.
Product Details: Case Size: 20 x 10 x 23 inches | Number of Tools: Nine | Case Type: Two fabric bags with handles | Use: Professional
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Many prefer to leave the large (or even medium-sized) tasks to the professionals, but if you ever get an “I’ll just do it myself” moment, this little toolkit from DNA Motoring will serve you well. Though there are only 10 tools in the kit, plus a set of hex keys, they’re the main items you’ll reach for when you need to stabilize a loose cabinet, fix a piece of flatpack furniture, or perform any general lightweight home maintenance.
The small zip-around nylon fabric carries case is only 9.5 inches long. So, you can store it practically anywhere, even in a kitchen drawer or the car’s glove box. Most of the tools, including the edges of the tool case, are bright orange, so they’re easily noticeable in busy storage space. This handy kit is also a great starter set for anyone who has just moved into a place of their own (perhaps kids who are just going off to college).
Product Details: Case Size: 9.49 x 5.12 x 1.93 inches | Number of Tools: 18 pieces | Case Type: Soft zip-up case | Use: Household
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If you feel that a good tool set is not complete without a power drill/driver, the Black+Decker Drill & Home Tool Kit might be for you. Not only does it have a bunch of necessary hand tools for any home maintenance task you may need to complete, but it also comes with the Black+Decker LDX120PK 20V lithium-ion drill featuring an 11-position clutch. The kit comes with 10 bits for drilling, 32 bits for driving, and a charger.
Though the battery can impressively hold a charge for up to 18 months (depending on use), the battery and charger are also compatible with any other Black+Decker tools you may have. So, if you have spare batteries from your other tools, you can always swap them out for zero downtime if a tool’s battery dies. The tool set comes with a durable fabric bag with handles with slots for keeping all tools in neatly (although the slots are not tight enough to keep the tools in place if the bag gets thrown around in a trunk).
Product Details: Case Size: Not stated | Number of Tools: 68 | Case Type: Soft case with handle | Use: Household
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For anyone ready to take their DIY-skills up a notch, the RYOBI Combo Kit comes with six power tools to help you successfully take on any project thrown your way.
This is a great power tool set even if you’re a beginner as all the basics are included, and the price is impressively reasonable. In addition to a drill/driver, this kit also comes with an impact driver, a reciprocating saw, a circular saw, an oscillating multi-tool, and a powerful LED work light to brightly illuminate your workspace.
Two interchangeable batteries and a charger come with the set, so while you’re using one tool, an extra battery can be on charge in preparation for the next power tool you’ll need. This is one of the top tool kits with power tools for anyone who likes to dabble in a bit of woodworking or home renovation. Plus, it comes with a large, bright green bag that makes it easy to store all the tools when you’re done using them.
Product Details: Case Size: 35.95 x 10.8 x 24.9 inches |Number of Tools: Six | Case Type: Fabric bag with handles | Use: Household and professional
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A standard home tool kit won’t typically have the necessary tools for anyone who’d like to do a bit of car repair or maintenance. If you need tools for automotive work, you’ll need a toolset that has at least the basics, i.e., sockets, ratchets, and adapters. This Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set is just the thing if you prefer to do auto fixes at home and save yourself a trip down to the garage.
The blow-molded hard case is super convenient and designed so that the tools snap into place and stay there. The kit also comes with screwdrivers, slip joint pliers, a spinner handle, a bit adapter, a tape measure, and a standard-sized fiberglass hammer that is designed for easy handling, superior grip, and less user fatigue. There’s also a snap-off utility knife which allows you to change the blunt blade on a whim.
Product Details: Case Size: 16 x 10.3 x 4.4 inches | Number of Tools: 57 | Case Type: Molded hard case | Use: Car repair
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Cyclists know that there’s nothing worse than a punctured tire or a loose chain in the middle of a ride. They’re also well aware that going on a bike ride without a good bike toolkit in tow is a big no-no. This kit from XCH Robots is one of the best for cyclists and can help you out in the event of a riding bind. It includes a 16-in-1 multi-tool with screwdrivers, hex keys, a wrench and sockets, glueless tire patches for any punctures, a tire lever, a thread crank, and a mini bike pump.
The hand pump is small, so it isn’t convenient for your main bicycle pump. Though, it’s great in times when there is an emergency. The fabric zip-around tool pouch is water resistant and comes with two velcro straps so you can securely affix it onto the bike’s frame, but it’s small and lightweight enough to keep in a backpack or fanny pack. If you’re looking for a value-for-money bicycle tool kit that is beginner-friendly and designed for emergency or basic fixes, this is a great option.
Product Details: Case Size: 10.2 x 4.57 x 2.83 inches | Number of Tools: 24 | Case Type: Soft zip carry case | Use: Bike repair
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The set includes protective eyewear, a durable and roomy tool backpack, as well as some professional-use tools.
The Klein Tools Hand Tools Kit might be a little pricier than some of the other options on our list, but the tools included are of the highest quality, and are sure to last a lifetime. The 28-piece set even includes protective eyewear, which is not common for most toolkits.
In the kit you’ll find pliers, screwdrivers, nut drivers, hex keys, a utility knife, a 25-foot tape measure, levels, and cutters. There are also other items in this toolset for more professional use, like a non-contact voltage tester with a flashlight, a ground fault circuit interrupter tester, and a voltage and continuity tester.
One of the best things about this set is the tool bag that all the bits come in. It’s made from a durable material, and has 39 pockets. Though there are only 28 items in the set, the backpack toolbag offers plenty of room if you want to add some of your own tools, and there’s also a compact canvas zipper bag that fits inside it for any smaller tools and DIY essentials like screws, nails, nuts, and zip ties. What’s more, there’s a hard molded front pocket for keeping the safety glasses in.
Product Details: Case Size: 11.4 x 14.6 x 20.5 inches | Number of Tools: 21 | Case Type: Backpack | Use: Professional
The Bottom Line
Our top pick for the best tool kit for home use is the WorkPro W009037A Home Repair Hand Tool Set. With 322 tools included in the set, it has everything you’ll likely ever need for home maintenance, repairs, and fixes, and featured in a durable tool bag that is easy to carry thanks to its two handles and shoulder strap. It also has 39 pockets to help you organize your tools and locate them easier whenever you need them.
What to Know About Tool Kits Before Shopping
Experience Level
Tool kits are usually sold and marketed for a specific industry and need. For instance, mechanic’s tool kits or woodworking kits are relevant to each sector, and they’re not sold in beginner or professional kits. “The tool kit depends on the industry and uses, not level of experience,” Kazakos says.
Some tool kits come with power tools, while other heavy-duty tools, such as saws and grinders. If you’ve never used these types of tools before, there will likely be a bit of a learning curve. A tool kit for the home, however, will usually have all the necessary basics like hammers, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, levels, and tape measures, which are suitable for users at all experience levels.
Use
As mentioned, many tool kits are designed for use in specific industries. While a general homeowner’s tool kit will have the most common tools needed for general home repairs and DIY, a woodworking tool kit could include saws and screwdriver bits specifically for wood. Compared to a plumbing toolkit could feature adjustable pipe wrenches and tube cutters.
In addition to specific tool kits for mechanics, plumbers, and woodworkers, there are other tool kits available. These include electrician’s toolkits, masonry toolkits, mini toolkits for crafting (some of these come with mini drills, too), and tool kits for bicycle repair and maintenance.
Number of Pieces
Although tool kits are available with up to 400 (or more!) pieces, a tool kit with the basic and most needed items for home usecould have around 20 pieces. The number of tools in some of the more plethoric toolkits could rack up because one drill, for instance, might have 100 different bits.
Your Questions, Answered
How many pieces do you need in a tool kit?
“This is something that is dependent on the industry,” Kazakos says. “A carpenter will have between 30 and 45 hand tools wedged in a medium-sized open toolbox for easy access. A closed toolbox for general use will likely be smaller and have between 20 and 30 pieces.”
The most important items that should be in every toolkit include a hammer, a set of screwdrivers in different sizes (both Phillips and flathead screwdrivers or an electric screwdriver with various bits), pliers, utility blades, a straightedge, a level, measuring tape, hex keys, and a pair of wire cutters.
To stack tool kits with everything you’ll need in any DIY situation, you should add other items. These items include a set of spatulas, spackle, adhesive tape (including painter’s tape), super glue, and pencils. A laser level also comes in handy for home improvement projects. Plus, if the toolkit doesn’t already include it, a power drill with various bits, plus an assortment of nails, screws, and bolts.
How do you clean tools?
You won’t really need to clean your tools often, if at all. If a tool gets covered in drywall dust, a simple wipe-down after use and before putting it back in the box is necessary. If a tool gets a bit grimy—for instance, after working on a car—the best way to clean it would be to “clean the metal section with an oil and wipe it with a damp cloth,” Kazakos says.
For particularly grimy tools, you can use a small amount of detergent (dish soap will do) and hot water. A dish sponge with a scouring side can be used to rub the tool down and release any stuck-on dirt, and then you’ll need to dry it with a clean cloth. In any event, it’s best to dry off any tool that has come into contact with liquid with a clean and dry cloth to avoid rust or corrosion.
Where should you store a tool kit?
The great thing about closed tool kits is that you can store them practically anywhere, even in a garage, outdoor shed, or basement. If it’s a waterproof case, you can even leave it outside if need be. However, any open-top tool kit should be kept somewhere dry and dust-free to keep the tools inside it in their best condition.
Who We Are
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of experience writing about shopping topics, including home improvement. Kat is also the editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, Kat reviewed and tested multiple tool kits, researching factors such as each tool kit’s case size and style, the number of tools included, and value for money. She also spoke to Jason Kazakos, managing director of Zebra Home Improvement Limited.