The best household tool kits
Moving out, first flat, new house: the tool kit that makes every little job a five-minute one.
A decent tool kit is the classic present for anyone getting their own place: flat-pack, pictures, curtain poles and a dripping tap all need one, usually on the first weekend.
Bigger isn't always better. A hundred pieces sounds impressive, but most of them are screwdriver bits. What matters is a good hammer, pliers, tape measure, level and hex keys, in a case that keeps them together.
What matters
- The core tools: hammer, pliers, tape, level, screwdrivers.
- Hex keys for flat-pack furniture.
- A case with a place for everything.
- Wall plugs and hooks, for the first pictures.
#1 of 5
Best overall
VonHaus Ultimate 120-Piece Tool Kit
£44.99 RRP
Everything for a first home in one case, down to a voltage tester, a crimping tool, a torch and a bag of wall plugs and picture hooks: the one to give someone who's just got the keys.
What owners say: Owners find it good quality and value, with nearly everything needed for most jobs, in a sturdy case.
A closer look: Treat the voltage probe as a quick extra check only: always switch off at the fuse box before touching any wiring. The wall plugs and hooks cover the first round of picture hanging.
- Claw hammer, pliers, wrench and ratchet with sockets
- Screwdrivers, bits and hex keys
- Torch, spirit level and 3m tape
- Voltage probe and crimping tool
- Wall plugs, screws and picture hooks
Best for: A first home
- Pieces
- 120
- Highlights
- Torch, level, voltage probe, wall plugs
- Case
- Hard carry case
#2 of 5
Best budget
DEKO 62-Piece Home Tool Kit
£10–£20 Price range
A compact yellow case with the tools most people actually reach for: hammer, pliers, tape, hex keys and a screwdriver with 30 bits. Small enough for under the sink or the car boot.
What owners say: Owners find it high quality and well worth the price, with everything needed for basic jobs, and like how compact it is.
A closer look: Keep it where you'll actually use it: under the kitchen sink beats the loft. The precision drivers are the right size for glasses screws and toy battery covers.
- Claw hammer and slip-joint pliers
- Tape measure and mini spirit level
- Screwdriver with 30 bits
- 8 hex keys and sockets
- Precision screwdrivers
Best for: Under the sink
- Pieces
- 62
- Highlights
- Hammer, pliers, tape, 30 bits
- Case
- Compact case
#3 of 5
Best for her
Hi-Spec 56-Piece Home DIY Tool Kit (pink)
£20–£30 Price range
A proper tool kit in a pink case, with a hammer, adjustable wrench, spirit level, tape and sockets. Good for a daughter's first flat or student halls, where the tools won't go missing.
What owners say: Owners find it comprehensive, with everything for basic repairs, good value and neatly packed in a sturdy case.
A closer look: The hex keys cover most flat-pack furniture, and the spirit level makes shelves and pictures straight first time. A slot for every tool makes it obvious when something hasn't come back.
- Claw hammer and adjustable wrench
- 20 driver bits and 9 sockets
- 8 hex keys and pliers
- Tape measure and spirit level
- Case with a slot for every tool
Best for: First flats and students
- Pieces
- 56
- Highlights
- Hammer, wrench, level, sockets
- Case
- Case with a slot per tool
#4 of 5
Enventor 108-Piece Household Tool Set
£20–£30 Price range
Two kinds of pliers, a ratchet with nine sockets and a big spread of bits, all chrome-plated to resist rust, for someone who does a bit more than hang pictures.
What owners say: Owners find it good value, with nearly every tool needed around the house, in a sturdy, compact case.
A closer look: The water-pump pliers are the ones for plumbing jobs, like tightening a leaking tap connector under the sink. The ratchet and sockets handle bike and garden-furniture bolts.
- Combination and water-pump pliers
- Ratchet with 5–13mm sockets
- Claw hammer and adjustable wrench
- Bits, extension bar and holder
- Spirit level and tape measure
Best for: Bits of plumbing and bikes
- Pieces
- 108
- Highlights
- 2 pliers, ratchet and sockets
- Case
- Storage toolbox
#5 of 5
Simplest
Amazon Basics 32-Piece Household Tool Set
£10–£20 Price range
Just the household basics, including a hammer, in a small moulded case. Ideal for a caravan, a campervan or a student who won't need more.
What owners say: Owners find it great value with all the essentials for basic jobs, in a case that's easy to store.
A closer look: Small kits like this suit a caravan or car boot, where space matters more than having every size of spanner.
- 32 pieces
- Steel alloy tools
- Non-slip plastic handles
- Moulded carry case
Best for: Caravans and students
- Pieces
- 32
- Highlights
- Hammer and household basics
- Case
- Moulded carry case
How they compare
| Feature | #1VonHaus 120-piece | #2DEKO 62-piece | #3Hi-Spec pink 56-piece | #4Enventor 108-piece | #5Amazon Basics 32-piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best budget | Best for her | Simplest | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 |
| Price | £44.99 RRP | £10–£20 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £20–£30 Price range | £10–£20 Price range |
| Pieces | 120 | 62 | 56 | 108 | 32 |
| Highlights | Torch, level, voltage probe, wall plugs | Hammer, pliers, tape, 30 bits | Hammer, wrench, level, sockets | 2 pliers, ratchet and sockets | Hammer and household basics |
| Case | Hard carry case | Compact case | Case with a slot per tool | Storage toolbox | Moulded carry case |
| Best for | A first home | Under the sink | First flats and students | Bits of plumbing and bikes | Caravans and students |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Swipe sideways to see all 5.
Photos are illustrative. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.