13 essential tools everyone should have in their toolkit for home improvement projects and repairs

Cordless drill

Bosch 12V Cordless Drill, $122.55, available at Lowe’s

The power and functionality you get from a cordless drill makes it useful for a wide variety of tasks. This compact little Bosch 12V model is one of my favorite tools, and a great option for anyone. It’s powerful enough to handle most drilling or screwing tasks, without the added weight and bulk of larger power drills. Its small size comes in especially handy when assembling lightweight or particle board furniture, material that larger drills can easily damage.

Multi-bit screwdriver

Channellock 131CB 13-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver, $29.95, available at The Home Depot

With the wide variety of screw shapes and sizes being used today, you’ll need more than one or two screwdrivers on hand if you want to be prepared. A complete set of individual screwdrivers is great, but a multi-bit model is sufficient for most small tasks. Instead of a fixed tip like a standard screwdriver, a multi-bit has an interchangeable head that allows removable bits to be swapped in and out. These bits are all self-contained in its handle, so you can customize the driver to fit any type of screw you come across. This Channellock 131CB 13-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver is nice and durable, and even though I own dozens of other screwdrivers, I never go anywhere without this one.

Read our guide on the best screwdrivers

25-foot tape measure

25 ft. Stanley PowerLock Tape Measure, $13.17, available at The Home Depot

Whether you’re framing out a tool shed, making sure that couch will fit before ordering it online, or locating the center point of a wall for hanging a picture, you need a tape measure. Even if you think you can “eyeball it,” confirming with a tape measure can save you a lot of time and money. There are many options to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Stanley PowerLock. It’s simple to use, affordable, and practically indestructible.

Claw hammer

Irwin 16 oz. Hammer, $9.99, available on Amazon

Hammers are invaluable when it comes to generating force and leverage, and this 16 ounce Irwin Hammer is a good mid-sized model for general housework. In addition to heavy-duty tasks like driving nails or performing small-scale demolition, you can also modify the striking area to make it even more versatile. When working on projects that require a gentler touch, you can place a wooden block between it and the hammer while striking. The softer wood will absorb any dents or damage from the hammer head, while still transferring energy. This technique is great for tapping stubborn Ikea tabletops into place.

Read our guide on the best hammers

Locking pliers

Irwin Vise-Grip Original Locking Pliers Set, $22.28, available at Walmart

These vise grips might see a little less action than some of your other tools, but when you need them, you’re going to be glad you have them. Their adjustable jaws can lock in place, instead of having to maintain pressure like regular pliers, allowing you tackle the really hard stuff, like loosening stripped nuts, or grabbing and pulling out a key snapped in a lock. Having a full-size model, as well as a needle nose option — like the Irwin Vise-Grip Original Locking Pliers Set — will provide the versatility to cover heavy-duty jobs as well as more precision work.

Retractable utility knife

Stanley Utility Knife, $4.48, available at The Home Depot

The reason I like retractable knives over folding models is because they’re so much more versatile. You can fully extend the blade for heavy-duty projects, or retract it to a tiny point, perfect for opening delivery packages without damaging their contents. I’ve had a classic Stanley Utility Knife in my toolbag for as long as I can remember, and would recommend it to anyone. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of newer models, but it’s built like a tank and as reliable as they come.

Step ladder

Rubbermaid 3-Step Steel Step Stool, $48.28, available on Amazon

Even though you’ve probably done it in the past, using a dining room chair, barstool, or countertop to reach elevated items is extremely dangerous. A dedicated step stool like this one is not only much safer, but provides the sturdy foundation you need to get your work done faster. This Rubbermaid 3-Step Steel Step Stool can handle up to 250 pounds, and the rubber handle on top makes it easier to keep your balance when working. 

Drywall anchor kit

Toggler 44-Piece Combo Anchor Kit, $12.98, available at Lowe’s

When studs are unavailable, drywall anchors are the next best option for mounting things to your wall. Since drywall itself is too brittle to screw directly into, anchors are inserted first, providing a secure foundation for your screw to bite into. This Toggler 44-Piece Combo Anchor Kit has a variety of options for use in drywall, as well as concrete, brick, and tile. It even includes 4 heavy-duty snap-toggles — one of my absolute favorite products — capable of supporting 265 pounds each.

Magnetic stud finder

CH Hanson 03040 Magnetic Stud Finder, $7.49, available at The Home Depot

If you plan on mounting heavy items like mirrors, shelves, or coat hooks, you’ll want to secure them to one of the wooden studs set behind your wall. Magnetic stud finders work by sensing the metal nails or screws in these studs, letting you know where to drill. I’m a big fan of this CH Hanson Magnetic Stud Finder. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, doesn’t require any batteries, and the bubble level is a nice little feature.

Laser level

Tacklife SC-L01 50 Feet Laser Level, $27.99, available at Walmart

Even a tiny leveling discrepancy can throw an entire project out of whack, so accuracy is essential. Self-leveling lasers like the Tacklife SC-L01 ensure that you’re always working with a perfectly straight line, saving you time and frustration down the line. They’re simple to set up, and instead of manual levels that require you to smudge up your wall with messy pencil marks, the laser is projected where you want it all day. They’re great for small projects like hanging picture frames or mounting a floating shelf, as well as larger projects like lining up patio pavers or installing kitchen cabinets.

Work light

Bosch 12-Volt Max LED Cordless Work Light FL12, $59.00, available at Amazon

When working in areas of low light, even simple projects can become frustrating and time consuming. Instead of propping up your cell phone or juggling a flashlight, adjustable work lights are designed to sit on their own, and allow you to angle their beam exactly where you want it. This Bosch 12-Volt Max LED Cordless Work Light is compact enough to fit anywhere, has an impressive range of motion, and is bright enough to attach to a tripod for wider illumination. Its integrated magnets are really useful when working in cramped areas, allowing you to anchor it pipes or the side of large appliances. 

Work gloves

CLC Custom Leathercraft 125L Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves, $17.26, available at Walmart

Work gloves not only protect your hands from wood splinters and sharp edges during home improvement projects, they also provide a solid grip on tools and material. I appreciate the snug fit of the CLC Custom Leathercraft 125L Handyman Flex Grip Work Gloves, which makes it much easier to control intricate hand tools and pick up screws and nails from my toolbox. Their touch-screen friendly fingertips allow you to keep them on when answering phone calls, which really comes in handy when working outside in cold weather.

Knee pads

NoCry Professional Knee Pads, $23.99, available at Amazon

Proper knee protection isn’t just for professional tilers or roofers. Even if you only find yourself kneeling for short periods of time, the cumulative effect on your kneecap can cause serious joint problems down the road, like bursitis and osteoarthritis. Not only that, they also protect against sudden injuries, like accidentally kneeling on a stray screw or nut. I’ve been a big fan of these NoCry Professional Knee Pads for several years. They’re super-comfortable and not too bulky, making them great for indoor jobs like replacing lower cabinet doors, or installing baseboards.