Best Tool Sets of 2024 (Our Top Picks)

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

• DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set
• DEWALT Combo Kit
• CRAFTSMAN Mechanics Tool Set
• DEWALT Cordless Drill Combo Kit
• CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless Drill Combo Kit
• Apollo Tools DT9706 Original 39-Piece General Repair 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 Basic Repair Tool Kit
• JUMPHIGH Garden Tools Set

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set

Courtesy Amazon

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set

• $205.11
• $277.99
• 26% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

We like that this tool set comes with 192 pieces, including hex keys and socket wrenches, to help you perform all types of projects. The tools are made of steel with a polished chrome vanadium finish, and they come in a hard plastic case with cutouts to precisely fit each piece.

• $205.11 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

DEWALT Combo Power Tool Kit

• $310.78
• $469
• 34% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This tool set comes with four power tools—a drill/driver, a circular saw, a reciprocating saw, and a work light. We were impressed that all the tools are cordless and operate on a 20-volt battery. The kit also comes with two 20-volt batteries, a charger, and a bag that holds the tools.

• $310.78 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

CRAFTSMAN Mechanics Tool Set

• $155.76
• $174
• 10% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

At 135 pieces, this mechanics tool set from CRAFTSMAN is slightly smaller than some of the other options in this roundup, but we like that it includes a wider variety of tools. In addition to the socket and Allen wrenches, the kit has standard wrenches and a screwdriver base with different head attachments.

• $155.76 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

DEWALT Cordless Drill Combo Kit

• $831.34
• $155.76
• 434% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This power tool set builds off of the previous one and contains 10 tools in total. It includes a drill/driver, reciprocating saw, oscillating tool, grinder, work light, Bluetooth speaker, and more. Our team liked that 20-volt lithium-ion batteries power all of these tools.

• $831.34 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

CRAFTSMAN Cordless Drill Combo Kit

• $129
• $149
• 13% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This power tool set has only two tools—a drill and an impact driver. Each tool has a 20-volt battery for high power, built-in LED lights for better visibility, and a compact design for comfort. We also noted that customers also receive a battery charger and a carrying case to hold the tools.

• $129 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

Apollo Tools 39-Piece Hand Tool Set

• $23.07
• $29.99
• 23% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

We like that this kit has all of the hand tools you need to perform the occasional project around your home, like hanging a picture frame or putting together a piece of furniture. The set includes scissors, a measuring tape, a utility knife, screwdrivers, pliers, Allen wrenches, and more.

• $23.07 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

Cartman 148-Piece Tool Set

• $34.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This tool set includes tape, fasteners, wrenches, and various screwdrivers. One feature our team liked was that the base of these tools has anti-slip gripping, and the tips are made of metal that has been heat-treated and chrome-plated to make the tools more durable and resistant to corrosion.

• $34.99 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

WORKPRO 408-Piece Mechanics Tool Set

• $209.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This is the most extensive tool kit in this review, containing 408 pieces. While it’s labeled as a mechanics set because of the included wrenches, we were impressed that it also comes with other hand tools, including pliers, screwdrivers, a knife, a tape measure, a hammer, and a wire stripper.

• $209.99 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

beyond by BLACK+DECKER Home Tool Kit

• $90
• $100
• 10% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This is an excellent set for those just starting out with using power tools. It features 83 tools in total and comes with a drill with a variety of drill bits for household DIY projects. Additionally, the drill comes with 11 adjustable clutch settings, a battery, and a charger.

• $90 at Amazon

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 Home Basic Repair Tool Kit

Courtesy Amazon

Amazon Basics 65 Piece Home Basic Repair Tool Kit

• $35

Prices taken at time of publishing.

We like that this 65-piece set has all of the essential tools for small DIY projects, making it the perfect choice for apartment owners or renters. Some of the top tools it includes are a 13-ounce fiberglass hammer, a nine-inch torpedo level, and a retractable knife. It also comes in a handy carrying case.

• $35 at Amazon

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

Courtesy Amazon

JUMPHIGH Garden Tools Set

• $36.99
• $43.99
• 16% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This gardening tool kit has a three-tine rake, two round shovels, two sharp shovels, a weeding knife, a rake, pruning shears, a spray bottle, and hedge shears. We also like that the set has a floral pattern on the handles of each tool and comes with a hard plastic carrying case.

• $36.99 at Amazon

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 FAQ

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 Reviews Team at [email protected].