Our Expert Recommends Tool Sets for Beginners and Master DIY-ers Alike

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Renters and homeowners alike need a well-rounded tool set on hand for basic repair and maintenance tasks. Instead of assembling this collection piece by piece as DIY projects and quick-fix repairs pop up, which can get expensive, those starting from scratch are better off with a pre-assembled tool set.

These sets provide the basic tools you need to handle a wide range of jobs, including screwdrivers, hammers, measuring tape, and more essentials. They often don’t have the quality or durability as high-end tools that are only sold individually, but these sets are still a great value, and a good foundation to build on as you continue your DIY or homeowner journey.

The Best Tool Sets

• Best Overall: Craftsman Home Tool Set CMMT99448

• Best Budget: Amazon Basics 65-Piece Home Basic Repair Tool Kit Set

• Best for Beginners: beyond by BLACK+DECKER Home Tool Kit with 20V MAX Drill/Driver

• Best for Mechanics: Dewalt Mechanics Tools Kit DWMT73803

• Most Comprehensive Set: Workpro Home Tool Kit

What to Consider

Contents

Tool sets vary in terms of contents, but a general-purpose option should at the very minimum include these fundamental tools: a hammer, a tape measure, a utility knife, a screwdriver, and adjustable pliers or a wrench.

The step up from these basic sets may include multiple screwdriver sizes and types, or a handle that works with different driver bits, and socket sets for working on automotive projects. If you have a specific task in mind, look for a set with applicable tools, like a torpedo level for picture hanging or drill bits for mounting wall anchors. Keep in mind that specialty options—like mechanics tool sets—usually lack basic tools.

Size

More doesn’t always mean better when it comes to tool sets. A set that boasts hundreds of pieces might sound like the most useful, but they’re often made up of expansive socket, wrench, or fastener sets. These sets are often good value if you plan on using the contents, but for folks who just need the basics covered, all these unnecessary pieces make it harder to find the tools you actually need. These larger sets are also bulkier and more expensive.

Carrying Case

All tool sets include some kind of case for transportation and organization, made of either hard plastic or durable fabric. Hard-sided plastic cases have dedicated slots for each tool, which is great for quickly finding frequently used tools. Tool boxes usually have a long, narrow footprint for convenient storage on a shelf. Some extra-large sets even have pull-out drawers for additional organization.

Soft cloth bags are bulkier and don’t have the strict organizational elements of plastic, but are more convenient to open and close quickly. I’ve used soft-sided bags for years, and love how easy they are to quickly access and zip back up when I’m finished. Some come with shoulder straps, which are more comfortable to carry than the briefcase-style handle of plastic units.

How We Selected

As a former residential and commercial carpenter, and frequent home DIY-er, I have a strong grasp on the tools required for basic home repairs. I used this hands-on experience to assemble a collection of tool sets that I consider most useful for the average homeowner or renter. I then researched online reviews to ensure I wasn’t excluding any popular, top-performing options. Keeping trusted brand names in mind, as well as useful contents, storage, and organizational options, I landed on the seven tool sets below.

Home Tool Set CMMT99448

Not too big, not too small, this Craftsman 102-piece tool set is just right. It provides everything you need to perform a wide range of basic household maintenance and repair projects, without becoming overwhelming or disorganized.

The hard-sided storage case mounts all the pieces in molded compartments, and at less than 5 inches thick, it’s easy to store. We’ve always found Craftsman tools to have a valuable balance of quality and affordability, making this set just as useful as a home tool set as a backup you can keep in your RV, boat, or cabin.

65-Piece Home Basic Repair Tool Kit Set

This Amazon Basics set includes all the fundamentals at a fraction of the price of similar options. The soft-sided storage bag features a large main compartment for bulkier items, as well as several exterior pockets for easy access. The 16-foot tape measure is also much longer than the 10-foot options you see on other budget-friendly tool sets, and the extra footage really comes in handy for measuring floor space in larger rooms.

You’re also getting both a needle-nose and slip-joint pliers, and a torpedo level with rubber end caps—essential for hanging picture frames or mounting shelves.

Home Tool Kit with 20V MAX Drill/Driver

If you’re starting completely from scratch, this Black+Decker set with a power drill is a great option. The 20-volt drill packs enough power to handle basic household drilling tasks like picture hanging and shelf mounting, and thanks to the set of 10 drill bits, you can get started right away.

I’m especially impressed with the quantity and variety of screwdriving bits in this set, which fit into the ratcheting screwdriver handle. All 83 pieces fit into the soft-sided storage bag, and at just 7.9 pounds, it’s comfortable for just about anyone to transport.

Mechanics Tools Kit DWMT73803

It doesn’t have some of the basics found in more comprehensive tool sets, but if you’re looking for an option to tackle automotive projects, look no further than this 168-piece DeWalt set. The 72-tooth ratchet wrenches only require 5 degrees of swing to operate, and with three different sizes and a selection of adapters, they can fit into even the most cramped and tight spaces.

I’ve been using this set for a few months now, and have been impressed with both the quality of the polished chrome pieces, and just how easy it is to find what I’m looking for.

322-Piece Home Tool Kit

Boasting a whopping 322 pieces, including both metric and SAE socket sizes (the standard sizes for automotive use), this Workpro set has you covered. The fixed handle screwdrivers deliver the strength and torque needed for serious jobs, and four different wrenches provide a ton of grabbing and gripping functionality.

There are slip-resistant grips on all the hand tools, including two hex key sets (one SAE and one metric). All these pieces fit inside of a heavy-duty storage bag made of 600-denier polyester, with multiple exterior pockets for easy access to your frequently used items.

Home Tool Kit

Despite the compact size of this Craftsman set, it provides an impressive number of quality tools. The smaller version of our best overall pick, this 57-piece kit includes two full-size screwdrivers—flat and Phillips-head—as well as 21 bit heads that fit into the compatible handle.

The 16-ounce hammer also has a fiberglass shaft and a textured handle, making for a comfortable, secure grip. It even includes a rachet and a set of 11 sockets for automotive maintenance. The hard-sided case measures less than 4.51 inches wide, so it’s perfect for those with limited storage space.

135-Piece Household Tool Set

If you’re primarily interested in tackling light-duty household projects, this Apollo Tools set is a great option. The 8-ounce hammer is smaller than those found in other kits, making it more comfortable for use on the smaller tacks and nails included in the 100-piece fastener set.

Also, instead of a full-size drill, this set features a compact 3.6-volt electric screwdriver—perfect for driving and removing small screws. Thanks to its dual-position design, this electric driver easily converts to a straight-line tool for accessing those hard-to-reach fasteners.

Despite the light-duty nature of the tools, this set still provides a robust hard-sided case to keep its contents safe and protected when not in use.

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