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A flat-lay of essential DIY hand and power tools on a workbench

5 tested4 min

Essential DIY Tools: The Complete Starter Kit for 2026

The five tools every DIYer should own first — and exactly which one to buy in each category. Your no-overwhelm guide to building a tool kit that lasts.

Cheryl ThompsonJune 20, 2026

An affordable starter DIY tool kit laid out on a workbench

Buying Guides

5 tested3 min

The Best DIY Tool Kit for Beginners on a Budget (2026)

You don't need to spend a fortune to cover the basics. Here's a complete five-tool starter kit built from the best value picks in every category.

Cheryl ThompsonJune 20, 2026

A multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver and an assortment of driver bits on a workbench

Hand Tools

8 tested8 min

The Best Ratchet Screwdrivers for Your DIY Projects (2026)

A ratcheting screwdriver drives screws faster, stores its bits in the handle, and replaces a whole drawer of single-purpose drivers. Here are the eight we rate best — from a premium Wera to a budget Amazon Basics set — and how to pick the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonSeptember 20, 2022

Hand Tools

5 tested7 min

Why You Need a Good Pair of Pliers: The 5 Best Sets for 2026

One pair of pliers is never enough. A good set covers slip-joint, long-nose, groove-joint and cutting pliers in one buy — here are the five we recommend, and how to pick the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonAugust 17, 2022

A multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver with bits laid out on a workbench

Hand Tools

6 tested7 min

This One Screwdriver Can Replace a Whole Drawer (2026)

One good multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver — bits stored in the handle, a ratchet for speed — can replace an entire drawer of single screwdrivers. Here's the hero pick plus five more, and how to choose.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 27, 2022

A claw hammer resting on a wooden workbench

Hand Tools

5 tested5 min

Hammers Are an Essential DIY Tool: The 5 Best for 2026

A good claw hammer is the first tool every DIYer should own. Here are the five we reach for most — from a do-everything 16 oz pick to a heavy framing hammer — plus how to choose the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 12, 2022

A retractable steel tape measure extended across a wooden board

Measuring & Layout

5 tested8 min

How to Use a Tape Measure Like a Pro (2026)

Read the markings, master the loose hook, and burn an inch like a carpenter — then see the five tape measures we'd actually buy, led by the Stanley FatMax 25 ft.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 5, 2022

A cordless drill/driver resting on a workbench next to a set of bits

Power Tools

5 tested8 min

The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Cordless Drill: Best Picks for 2026

A cordless drill is the one power tool that changes how you do everything around the house. Here are the five drill/driver kits we recommend for 2026 — plus a plain-English guide to voltage, brushed vs brushless, chuck size and clutch.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 3, 2022

A tile cutter and ceramic tiles laid out on a workbench

Power Tools

5 tested7 min

The 5 Best DIY Tile Cutters for Your Home (2026)

A wet saw or a manual score-and-snap cutter? Here are the five tile-cutting tools we recommend for DIY tile jobs — two electric wet saws for porcelain and notches, three manual rail cutters for fast, cheap straight cuts — plus how to pick the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonFebruary 27, 2022

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