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Tool sets come in all shapes and sizes, with some including standard hand tools and others including tools specific to certain projects like woodworking and gardening. To help you find the right kit for your home improvement projects, we took a deep dive into the best tool sets on the market today.
Here are our top recommendations.
Top 11 Tool Sets
*Links open to product retail page.
- DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set
- DEWALT Combo Kit
- CRAFTSMAN Mechanics Tool Set
- DEWALT Cordless Drill Combo Kit
- CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill Combo Kit
- Apollo Tools 39-Piece Hand Tool Set
- Cartman 148-Piece Tool Set
- WORKPRO 408-Piece Mechanics Tool Set
- beyond by BLACK+DECKER Home Tool Kit
- Amazon Basics 65-Piece Home Repair Tool Kit
- JUMPHIGH Garden Tools Set
Compare Top Tool Sets
| Product | Number of Tools | Weight | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set | 192 | 37 lbs | Mechanics |
| DEWALT Combo Kit | 4 | 1.2 lbs | Power Tools |
| Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set | 135 | 20.5 lbs | Mechanics |
| DEWALT Cordless Drill Combo Kit | 10 | 37 lbs | Power Tools |
| Craftsman V20 Cordless Drill Combo Kit | 2 | 8.7 lbs | Power Tools |
| Apollo Tools 39-Piece Hand Tool Set | 39 | 4 lbs | Hand Tools |
| Cartman 148-Piece Tool Set | 148 | 5 lbs | Hand Tools |
| WORKPRO 408-Piece Mechanics Tool Set | 408 | 27 lbs | Mechanics |
| beyond by BLACK+DECKER Home Tool Kit | 83 | 7.9 lbs | Power Tools |
| Amazon Basics 65-Piece Repair Tool Kit | 65 | 5.8 lbs | Hand Tools |
| JUMPHIGH Garden Tools Set | 10 | 2.2 lbs | Garden Tools |
| Product | Number of Tools | Weight | Type |
DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set
DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set
- $205.11
- $277.99
- 26% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
We found that this tool set for mechanics received overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers who said that the tools were well-made, well-priced, and held up to demanding tasks in the garage and around their homes. They also liked the variety of tools included in the set. Customers’ primary critical feedback about the tool set was in its flimsy plastic blow mold case, which made some of the sockets difficult to remove.
DEWALT Combo Power Tool Kit
DEWALT Combo Power Tool Kit
- $310.78
- $469
- 34% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
The majority of customers we found who reviewed this combination power tool kit from DEWALT gave the product a four or five-star review, highlighting the set’s versatility, power, battery life, and overall utility in and around the home. Reviews with three stars or less criticized the quality of the circular saw, which bogged down for certain users during otherwise routine cuts.
CRAFTSMAN Mechanics Tool Set
CRAFTSMAN Mechanics Tool Set
- $155.76
- $174
- 10% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Though this tool set is designed for mechanics, our team noted that homeowners and customers of all kinds found use in each of the 135 included pieces. Positively, they liked the solid feel of the tools and CRAFTSMAN’s lifetime warranty. Negatively, customers were missing various pieces of the 135-piece set, and the socket extension tool broke during the first use for one customer.
DEWALT Cordless Drill Combo Kit
DEWALT Cordless Drill Combo Kit
- $831.34
- $155.76
- 434% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Despite the high price tag of this comprehensive power tool set, we noted that satisfied customers said that the do-it-all value of the toolset justified its cost. They also highlighted the tool set’s 20-volt lithium-ion battery system, which made charging and powering each tool fast and easy. Alternatively, select customers thought that the included tools in the set were outdated compared to current models from DEWALT, detracting from the set’s overall value.
CRAFTSMAN Cordless Drill Combo Kit
CRAFTSMAN Cordless Drill Combo Kit
- $129
- $149
- 13% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
We learned that happy customers often remarked on the convenience of having an impact driver and power drill in one kit. Highlighted in numerous 4- and 5-star reviews were the combo kit’s carrying bag, rapid charging system, and overall quality of the power tools. Conversely, some customers felt that the tools weren’t fit for heavy-duty use and felt too flimsy.
Apollo Tools 39-Piece Hand Tool Set
Apollo Tools 39-Piece Hand Tool Set
- $23.07
- $29.99
- 23% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Overall, satisfied customers said that this simple but reasonably priced hand tool set came with durable tools that stood up to everyday use over several months or years. They included that the tool set was the perfect starter kit for small jobs or new homeowners who wanted to tackle basic repairs around the home. Critically, we did see some customers said that the tools felt cheap, and others said that the size of the tools was smaller than they expected.
Cartman 148-Piece Tool Set
Cartman 148-Piece Tool Set
- $34.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Our research showed that satisfied users of this 148-piece tool kit stated that the set was borderline overkill for general household repairs but that the variety of tools lent itself to being prepared for nearly any fix around the home. Complaints about the tool set centered around its case, which customers said was cheap, flimsy, and wouldn’t snap closed easily.
WORKPRO 408-Piece Mechanics Tool Set
WORKPRO 408-Piece Mechanics Tool Set
- $209.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers we noted who purchased and used this comprehensive mechanics tool set were primarily pleased with the durability and overall quality of the tools, leading to many four and five-star reviews. Those who weren’t totally satisfied with the set said that the dividers inside the toolbox felt like a waste of space and that the quality of the tools themselves was sub-par.
beyond by BLACK+DECKER Home Tool Kit
beyond by BLACK+DECKER Home Tool Kit
- $90
- $100
- 10% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
According to our research, customers who left positive feedback for this tool set were impressed with its versatility and high number of tools included. Others were happy that came with a heavy-duty canvas bag for easy storage. However, there were others who found that this set’s drill lacked the power level for anything other than small household tasks, while some said that the included attachments were not durable and made with cheap materials.
Amazon Basics 65-Piece Repair Tool Kit
Amazon Basics Repair Tool Kit
- $35
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who purchased and reviewed this set liked that it had a convenient carrying bag and featured all of the basic tools you would need for around-the-house projects. Others were impressed with its excellent value, noting its low price for the number of tools it includes. On the other hand, others felt this set didn’t feature high-quality tools, and others found it difficult to keep all of the tools organized.
JUMPHIGH Garden Tools Set
JUMPHIGH Garden Tools Set
- $36.99
- $43.99
- 16% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Compared to other garden tool sets online, our team saw that happy customers said these tools were more decorative and added a fun visual flair to their gardening experience. Some customers who had issues with the set followed up and reported that the manufacturer offered great customer service. Critically, some users wished that the tools were slightly higher quality, given the price of the tool set.
Types of Tool Sets
Most people think of hand tools when they think of a tool kit, but you can also purchase sets designed for specific tasks, like gardening, woodworking, or mechanical work.
Hand Tools
Hand tool sets come with essential tools like hammers and screwdrivers that you’ll need for projects around the home. Every homeowner should have at least one of these sets so that they don’t have to run to the store the next time they need to do a simple home repair.
Mechanic Tools
Mechanic tool kits usually consist of socket wrenches and regular wrenches of different sizes. Occasionally, you’ll find a mechanics tool set that also includes standard hand tools for a comprehensive two-in-one kit.
Power Tools
A set of power tools is useful for people who use drills, saws, and drivers frequently. The tools in these kits tend to be cordless, which limits their power, but it makes them more portable so that you can use them anywhere around the home.
Gardening Tools
This type of tool set doesn’t overlap with any of the projects you would complete with the previous sets, but it gives you various tools to help you tend to your garden.
Factors To Consider Before Buying a Tool Set
Our team put together this guide to help you decide on a tool set based on your experience level, the tool’s intended use, and the amount of storage space you have.
Experience Level
If you’re new to DIY projects, you may only need a tool kit with standard hand tools, like hammers and screwdrivers. If you’re more experienced and perform routine home improvement tasks, you may want a more comprehensive tool kit to supplement your basic tools at home.
Intended Use
If you plan on using your tool kit for specific home improvement projects, make sure that the kit has the right tools to help you accomplish those projects. For example, if you’re hanging a picture frame, you’ll probably want a tape measure to find the wall’s center point, a hammer to nail a fastener into the wall, and a leveler to ensure the picture is straight.
Storage Space
Tool kits don’t usually take up a lot of space, but if you have limited storage space in your garage or closet, look for a kit that’s smaller in size. Keep in mind that a smaller tool kit will limit the selection of tools that come with it.
Tool Set FAQs
What tools are found in every basic hand tool kit?
Most basic tool kits will include the following items:
- Adjustable wrenches
- Allen wrenches
- Combination wrenches
- Hammer
- Pliers
- Ratchet wrenches
- Scissors
- Screwdrivers
- Socket adapters and extensions
- Socket set
- Tape measure
Should I buy a tool kit from a well-known company?
Tool kits from well-known manufacturers, such as DEWALT or CRAFTSMAN, usually offer high-quality tools that last a long time. We included a mix of tool manufacturers in this review, but we made sure that the more complex woodworking tool sets and tools for mechanical work were from well-known companies like DEWALT and CRAFTSMAN.
How We Selected the Best Tool Sets
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of options with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued sets. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published numerous tool reviews, from cordless drills and impact drivers to tape measures and laser levels.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.