Hand Tools Everyone Should Own

The MegaPro is the most well-rounded screwdriver we found. It has an ergonomic handle and a smooth ratcheting action, and it comes with all the right bits, storing them conveniently in the handle.

In side-by-side tests, the Channellock and MegaPro performed identically. Other than the color, they’re exactly the same tools. Get whichever costs less.

The 48-22-1502 Fastback can be quickly opened and closed with one hand, and it provides a secure grip and a spot to store five extra blades.

This less expensive version of our pick has the same one-handed action, but it lacks the blade storage.

Any steel Estwing hammer is a well-balanced striking and demolition tool that redefines what “durable” can mean, and this particular size is easy for most people to swing, with a classic curved claw for easy nail prying.

A smaller version of our main pick, this hammer is perfect if you're mainly hanging photos or putting furniture together.

The PowerLock is easy to use, durable, affordable, accurate, and capable of doing its job without additional features that aren’t necessary for around-the-house work.

With a wider tape, a longer standout, and tougher parts than our pick, the FatMax balances rugged performance with a body that’s (just barely) not too big to be manageable.

The Channellock 8WCB has the jaw capacity of a much larger wrench, plus smooth jaw adjustment and a comfortable, padded gripping area.

The Milwaukee 48-22-7508 has a wide jaw but lacks a padded handle, and the jaws are a hair thicker and a hair shorter, so it’s not as good in the tightest of spots.

This toolbox stores tools vertically, keeping them well organized and easy to grab. While you're carrying it around, the weight doesn’t shift. And with the lid on, it can serve as a seat.

This Stanley model doesn’t have the durability or the organized tool storage of our main pick, but it does offer a lot of options for storing smaller items like screws, glue, and picture hangers. It's a nice pick for apartment dwellers.

Equipped with two magnets, the C.H. Hanson is a basic, durable stud finder that scans twice as fast as the rest without requiring batteries or calibration.

The most accurate electronic stud finder we tested scans the wall in 13 places to display the entire width of a stud, and unlike the competition, does not require a fussy calibration process.

Of all the under-$20 torpedo levels we’ve tested, the PH 22 is the easiest to read, even in the dark. It’s durable, rigid, and the only one with a square edge that helps you mark cuts or lay out projects.

The Sola MM 5 25 costs a lot more than the rest, but its aluminum body, removable magnet, and shaded vials for increased visibility make it the best torpedo level for the serious DIY-er.

Three carpenters were blown away by how fast the Shark handsaw cut. Its pull-stroke cutting style is very accurate and easier to use than a traditional push-stroke saw.

Although the Irwin is not as fast at cutting as the Shark, it’s a very nice saw with a comfortable handle.

This is the only painter’s multitool we found that cleans two sizes of roller covers, and it can also open paint cans, scrape old plaster, and crack a beer, among many other tasks.

The Hyde 6-in-1 doesn’t have the best features of our main pick, but it’s cheap, and you can still use it to open a can of paint, scrape, apply putty, and clean a large roller.

The build quality and mechanics of the Grip-On far exceed those of the other models we looked at. All of our testers were surprised that a pair of locking pliers could be so smooth.

The Blackhawk has a design similar to the Grip-On plus a comfortable padded handle, but the build quality isn’t as good.

The thick jaws of the Klein pliers make them the perfect tool for grabbing, twisting, and snipping wires (or reaching for a toy behind the couch). They’re pricey, but we think they’re worth it.

The jaws aren’t as precise, the pivot isn’t as smooth, and the grip isn’t as secure—but if the Klein pair is beyond your budget, these pliers, at about half the price, will get the job done.

The 10-inch Irwin GrooveLock pair has a lifetime warranty, an impressively easy push-button locking system, and comfortable handles.

Exceeding the competition by every measure—with a higher price to match—the Knipex Cobra's self-locking feature is flawless, and its jaws adjust to 25 different positions.

These hex keys (also known as Allen wrenches) are ideal for tight spots, and their easy-to-use case makes it simple to remove and replace even the tiniest wrenches. Backed by a lifetime guarantee.

These are better-quality wrenches, but they’re more expensive than our main pick. The case doesn’t fold open, so access can be a little awkward.

The Maxcraft precision screwdriver is inexpensive and basic, but its onboard bit storage, knurled grip, and good bit selection can meet most people’s needs for working with electronics, toys, and other small hardware.

The iFixit 64-bit kit has every bit you could ever need for computer and appliance repair, plus many convenient features like a spinning rear cap and a flexible stem. Most people don’t need this much, but this screwdriver has it all.