20 Essential Tools You Should Have at Home

Next time you receive a repair bill, check out the breakdown of the invoice. Most of the time, the bulk of the cost doesn’t come from parts. It comes from labor. Paying people to fix things is expensive. You can save a ton of money—and a ton of waiting—if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and tackle household jobs yourself. Instructions on how to construct things can be found in manuals and YouTube videos, but there are certain tools you inevitably need, whether you live in an apartment or a single-family home. We’ve rounded up all the best tools you should have to handle all but the biggest DIY jobs.

Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including our favorite cold-weather gear under $100, all the gear you need to start climbing, and emergency gear to keep at home.

Updated February 2022: We added the Allway 3-in-1 Caulk Tool and Westcott Metal Ruler, and adjusted links and prices.