The best basic tool kits for DIY home projects

The WorkPro Kitchen Drawer 100-Piece Tool Kit costs less than $30 but comes with dozens of useful tools and hardware in a lightweight soft-shelled carrying case.

For those of you paying close attention, yes, you're correct — this is not actually the lowest priced tool kit on our list, it's the second-lowest priced. But considering it comes with more than twice as many items as the most inexpensive set, the WorkPro Kitchen Drawer 100-Piece Tool Kit represents the lowest cost in relative terms.

This kit has all the basics you'd rightly expect to find here, such as a claw hammer, needle-nose and standard pliers, a wrench, and multiple screwdriver bits. It also has four precision screwdrivers, great for working with electronics (even if that just means removing the battery casing) or for repairing eyeglasses. The 9-inch magnetic level features three vials, allowing for accurate positioning and easy reading.

All of the many components of the kit tuck away into a lightweight but durable soft-sided storage pouch that, as the name suggests, can fit into a drawer with ease. As for those 40 cable ties (AKA zip ties), you'll be amazed at just how often they prove useful, from cord management to a stopgap plumbing repair to helping support plants in the garden.

In a comprehensive review, the team from The Wirecutter called this kit a high-quality choice, noting its "soft case with straps that hold the tools securely in place" and the singling out the well made adjustable wrench.

Pros: Great price point, lightweight well made case, includes precision screwdrivers

Cons: Short tape measure, hammer too light for some uses

The Cartman General Household 39-Piece Tool Kit is small enough to fit in a drawer, but it has most of the basic hand tools needed for minor repairs and hobbies.

The Cartman kit is far and away the least expensive tool kit on our list, but I'm not calling it the best value kit for one reason: It's missing a couple of items that you will almost surely have to purchase separately and that will essentially negate its low cost. These are a level and a pair of needle-nose pliers, which I certainly wish the brand had included instead of those scissors. You probably have a few pairs of scissors already, but may not have pliers, right?

That said, the tools that are included in this little kit are decent considering its minuscule price, and the small size of the kit is a definite advantage. The Cartman General Household 39-Piece Tool Kit is small enough to slip into a kitchen drawer or to hang out in your car's trunk, under the seats, or even in a large glovebox, ready to assist with roadside repairs.

The tool kit has multiple screwdriver bits that fit in a driver handle but note that the driver does not ratchet. It comes with four precision screwdrivers, a pair of basic pliers, a rather small hammer, and a few other useful tools. With the addition of needle-nose pliers and a level, I would call this a great tool kit for the price. As is, one can still appreciate its small size and small cost.

The product reviewers at Wiki.Ezvid.com called this set the best inexpensive tool kit around, noting that the tools are "heat-treated to resist corrosion" and that all the included items meet or exceed ANSI standards.

Pros: Great low price, compact size, heat-treated chrome-plated tools

Cons: Missing level and needle-nose pliers

Whether you're headed to a friend's house to help them get settled in after a move or you need to make some repairs around the shop or the office, the AmazonBasics 65-Piece Home Repair Tool Set is always ready to go.

The AmazonBasics 65-Piece Home Repair Tool Set has, well, all the basics. Each "basic" item is of above-average quality, too. It comes with a solid 13-ounce hammer, standard and needle-nose pliers, a 16-foot tape measure, a trim little set of mechanic's tools, screwdrivers, and a level. And I'm even leaving out a thing or two.

As you expect from the AmazonBasics brand, these tools are of decent quality considering the price. This set is also notable for its carrying case. The soft-sided bag-style carrier features both a handle and a shoulder strap, making it remarkably easy to move around with your tools.

If you need to spend time on the road and want tools close at hand, or if you often move around your property (or your office, shop, or friend's house) while working, this ease of portability will be a major plus.

Pros: Easy portability, thoughtful curation, solid hammer

Cons: Weak ratchet mechanism

The best tape measures

No toolkit is complete without a great measuring tape. From the professional contractor's work to the DIY home repair, countless projects call for precise measurements. The QuickDraw DIY Self Marking Measuring Tape is our top choice because its innovative built-in pencil ensures you mark the same spot you measured.

• The best tape measure overall: QuickDraw DIY Self Marking Tape Measure
• The best low-cost tape measure: Stanley PowerLock 25-Foot Tape Measure
• The best extra-long measuring tape: WorkPro 100-Foot Fiberglass Measuring Tape
• The best professional-grade tape measure: General Tools LTM1 2-In-1 Laser Tape Measure
• The best precision measuring tape: eTape16 Digital Measuring

The best ladders for working around the house

From painting the nursery to changing a light bulb or hanging holiday lights, everyday life often calls for a ladder. The Little Giant 22-Foot Multi-Use Ladder is our top choice because it allows for safe use up high, in stepladder configuration, and even on the stairs. We've also included step ladders and heavy-duty ones for outdoor use.

• Best ladder overall: Little Giant 22-Foot Velocity Multi-Use Ladder
• Best ladder for painting: Louisville Ladder FS1508 Fiberglass Ladder
• Best affordable stepladder: Rubbermaid RM-3W Folding 3-Step Stepladder
• Best portable ladder: Ohuhu EN131 Telescopic Extension Ladder

The best hammers

A hammer looks like a simple tool, and, at its core, it is. But different designs work well for different jobs. Think of it this way: You wouldn't use a tiny artist's paintbrush to paint your ceiling, even though you could. You'd use a more efficient tool, such as a paint roller. That's why we rounded up the best hammers to suit every need. Here are our top picks:

• Best hammer overall: Stanley 20-Ounce FatMax Xtreme Claw Hammer
• Best soft-face hammer: Vaughan & Bushnell 12-Ounce Soft-Face Hammer
• Best titanium hammer: Stiletto TiBone 15-Ounce Titanium Milled-Face Hammer
• Best framing hammer: Estwing 25-Ounce Big Blue Framing Hammer
• Best ball pein hammer: Tekton Jacketed Fiberglass Ball Pein Hammer