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Looking for the best tool set for your 2022 DIY needs? We researched nearly 40 before buying and stress-testing the top 13 options for weeks. Our home improvement test team ran each set through an obstacle course of nuts, bolts, nails, screws, boards, and wires to test each tool’s intended purpose around the house and garage. We drilled holes, tightened screws, pried rusty old bolts free, measured boards, cut dowels down to size, and hammered countless nails while assessing each kit’s usefulness, portability, and quality. From streamlined, basic sets to extensive tool selections meant for various tasks, we’ve got you.
Crescent 180-Piece Professional Tool Set – Best Overall
The Crescent 180-Piece Professional Tool Set is a solid professional socket set for working on cars, tractors, lawnmowers, and other motorized equipment with a few additions for household use. These sockets and ratchets are some of the highest-quality performers in the test, and there are a lot of them. You get two ratchets with three extenders for hard-to-reach places and over 80 sockets in metric and SAE, including a super handy 5/8″ spark plug socket. The 12 combination wrenches (with one open and one box end) are among the best in the test. We like the screwdrivers and the magnetic bit driver, which come with 48 bits. The needle-nose pliers are high quality with nice action, but there are no ordinary pliers or tongue and groove pliers. The metric and SAE hex keys are fine and come in sturdy holders.
This isn’t a first-timer’s toolkit unless you’re jumping straight into auto-care. However, the expansive selection of tools will help you accomplish many household tasks. Adding a hammer would extend the range of this kit’s home repair and project capabilities. The sockets, ratchets, and wrenches shine, but the rest of the kit is just okay. The screwdrivers are comfortable in hand when dry, but their edgeless handles are difficult to hold when oily. The case is fairly good at holding tools but lacks durability. When ours arrived, there was a gouge in the bottom of the case, and one of the socket holders was slightly distorted and barely held the socket in place. All things considered, this is an excellent option for those who want a starter kit for auto care or want to add a great set of sockets and wrenches to their tool bench. If you’re rough on your tools, consider a more durable case and set like the DeWalt 108-Piece Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set.
DeWalt 108-Piece Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set – Best Simple, High-Quality Socket Set
The DeWalt 108-Piece Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set scores very high in our four metrics. The tool quality and functionality were immediately apparent as soon as we assembled sockets to the ratchet. Easy-to-assemble and securely fastened are the themes of this kit. We effortlessly wrenched on ski bindings and worked on bicycles. The carrying case is lightweight, easy to carry, and has two metal latches that snap solidly into place. And as a carpenter who has used DeWalt products for over 20 years, one of our testers can assure you that durability is second to none.
On the other hand, we can’t recommend this high-quality toolset for general use only because it lacks diversity in its available tools. There are no hammers, pliers, or tape measures. However, if you either already own or don’t mind acquiring those other tools separately, this might be the right toolset for you. For those in need of a more versatile general use set, we recommend checking out the Amazon Basics 173-Piece Hand Tool Kit.
Amazon Basics 173-Piece Hand Tool Kit – Best Bang for Your Buck
The Amazon Basics 173-Piece Hand Tool Kit set offers a killer value and a solid selection of household tools. It comes outfitted with a small hammer, a saw, various pliers, a tape measurer, a small selection of nails and screws, and even a Torpedo level. The small socket set is handy, the snap-off blade is adequate, and the level is convenient when hanging art. The screwdrivers and magnetic bit driver have comfortable handles with rounded edges that help maintain your grip. The driver’s 20 extra Torx, Phillips, flathead, hex, and squarehead bits expand the toolkit’s capabilities. We always appreciate having SAE and metric hex keys around the house, especially if you own bikes.
The construction of the pliers leaves something to be desired, as their small, slick grips make them hard to hold and the joints are not tight enough. Unfortunately, the action on the slip joint pliers is the worst in the roundup. As for the ratchet, the gears are too far apart, so it takes more time and repetition to tighten and loosen the bolts. We also think that the carrying case could be much more precise in its design to hold tools in place. After opening and closing the case multiple times, one pair of pliers fell right out. Drawbacks aside, this tool set has impressive value and utility. We recommend Amazon Basics to anyone who needs a starter kit on a budget. For those who simply need quality pliers, the Channellock 5-Piece Pliers Set is the set to get.
Channellock 5-Piece Pliers Set – Highest Quality Pliers Set
The Channellock 5-Piece Pliers Set gives every indication of maintaining the quality we have come to expect from this brand. The large tongue and groove pliers, which a lot of us call channellocks, are the best of their kind in the test. They also have the widest size range, making them a must for gripping pipes during plumbing projects. The slip joint pliers and diagonal cutters also top the list, with the latter cutting through plastic and wire quietly and efficiently without sending shrapnel across the room. The needle nose pliers have the narrowest tip in the lineup, making them great for tight spots and precision work. All offer smooth action with little to no play. Long handles with a vinyl sheath provide ample leverage.
This plier set is superb, but that’s about all you’ll get — and you’re paying for it. The extra money will buy tools that work better, make your life easier, and last longer. They may save you money over time. They will save you grief. You will have to round out the rest of your tool kit — hammer, screwdrivers, sockets, hexes, etc. — on your own. If you need pliers, look no further. It’s hard to imagine these failing, as each tool is top-quality. This plier set is ideal for anyone looking to build a kit to last a lifetime. But if your projects require a multitude of various tools, the Crescent 180-Piece Professional Tool Set offers more of what you need.
Craftsman 57-Piece Home Kit – Best Minimalist Set
The Craftsman 57-Piece Home Kit is a solid little tool set. If your projects aren’t elaborate, this kit offers the best mix of basic tools. Its fiberglass and rubber-handled hammer is one of the better options in the test, as are its slip joint pliers. They have an easy action and comfortable grip. The screwdrivers are pleasant to wield and work well. Instead of the magnetic bit driver that many other kits include, this one gives you a ratcheting screwdriver with a bit adapter so you can use it for bolts or slap on a Torx, Phillips, or flathead to tackle an array of screws. We like it. The little socket set is a handy size. It’s not top-of-the-line but it works well enough. The two hex key sets are standard, offering metric and SAE sizing. We like that the measuring tape is self-locking and marked with ¼ and ⅛ measurements, which are nice for taking measurements at a glance.
The sockets are only okay. The Crescent set is of higher quality. The snap-off knife isn’t the most comfortable cutting device to hold. It works, though, and snapping off a dull end to reveal a fresh edge is easy enough with the included pliers. Just bend the blade end away from the scoring mark for a clean snap. The plastic carrying case is alright, though the sockets fall out easily. You have to remember to leave that side of the briefcase down. All told, this tool kit offers an impressive quality-to-value ratio and is a great starter tool set for less ambitious projects or those looking for quality on a budget. If you plan on using sockets frequently, the ones included in the DeWalt 108-Piece Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set are high-quality and the case holds the tools well, too.
Black and Decker 20V Max 68-Piece – Good Value with an Included Drill
The Black and Decker 20V Max 68-Piece kit is an easy favorite. If you’ve tackled any home repair projects involving screws, you know how many hours a cordless electric drill can save, so it’s great to see one in a pared-down tool set along with all the essentials. The drill comes with 10 bits, which drills pilot holes for a reasonable range of screw sizes. We also appreciate the spade and hole saw bits. You may not need to cut a big hole through solid wood often, but if you do find yourself wanting to run some wires through the back of a desk or cut a finger pull in a cabinet, they are fantastic to have around. The drill gives you 11 torque settings to amp up the power for those higher friction tasks. We also like the pliers, the needle nose, and the slip joint. Their handles are a little short but offer a pleasant grip and feel more solid than some.
While the drill is fairly good, it’s not powerful enough for heavy jobs. The battery holds out for about 25 minutes of continuous use, which is enough time to blast through a couple hundred pilot holes or a few full-hole cuts. An extra battery is necessary for longer projects, meaning you’ll need to make an additional purchase. The included battery takes more than three and a half hours to charge. Additionally, the carrying case is just a bag with no organizational pockets, leaving your tools in a pile. Drill bits aren’t very durable in those circumstances. The rest of the tools are on the fair side. Hammers with necks that narrow are easy to break, especially when prying out nails. The screwdrivers have oddly large bits, 5/16″ for the flathead and a #14 wood screw for the Phillips. Although, the bit driver gives you smaller options. We aren’t crazy about the grips or ergonomics of the pliers or snap-off blades, and the adjustable wrench wobbles. Still, this is a decent kit to get you going if you want to speed through your chore list with a cordless drill. If you require a better hammer and tool quality in general, the Craftsman 57-Piece Home Kit is another option to consider that’s also affordable.