Worried about choosing and using a tool set? Don’t be! The earliest stone toolmaking happened more than 2 million years ago by cavemen—so you have literally evolved to use tools. It’s what sets us apart from the lower primates who don’t even know the difference between a 72-tooth ratchet and a 90-tooth one. (Hint: it’s the number of teeth in the mechanism.) You’ve got this. And we can help.
When looking for a toolset, consider both “The Indispensables” and “The Time Savers.” The Indispensables are tools for which there’s no legitimate substitute; for instance, if you need to turn some Phillips-head screws, it’s important to have the proper size Phillips screwdriver.
The Time Savers, on the other hand, just make your life much better and easier. These allow you to replace your ancient, wobbly ratchet with a new 90-tooth design that will loosen that bolt in fewer turns. A good tool kit will have some of each.
We’ve chosen some of our favorite toolkits in various categories below, with an eye towards both capability and value. One of them will probably be a natural selection for whatever work you have planned.
Best Mechanic Tool Sets
- Best All Around: DeWalt 168-Piece Mechanics Set
- Best For The Organized Garage: Kobalt 243-Piece Standard and Metric With Drawers
- Best Home-Focused: Kobalt 267-Piece Set
- Best Value Comprehensive: Craftsman 262-Piece Set
- Best Socket Set On A Budget: EPAuto Small Drive Set
The Expert: I’m embarrassed to say that I won a couple of bike races during the Eighties with nothing in my “toolbox” but a crescent wrench and a pair of Vise-Grips. As soon as I could afford it, I got a proper Craftsman toolbox and everything I needed to make my bicycle work correctly. Thirty-five years later, I have a dealership-spec Rotary car lift in my home race shop where I work on my Radical sports racers and daily drivers. And yes, I’m still fixing bikes, after working at a few bike shops and even owning one… but nowadays I use the right tool for the job! My favorite daily use items: the SK ratcheting box wrenches, a Nepros socket set, and Wiha ball-end Allen keys.
What To Consider in a Mechanic Tool Set
Home, auto, or both?
More than almost any other item you could buy, a tool set is a response to a specific set of envisioned issues. So if you don’t own a car, or if you have a superintendent who handles all your home maintenance, it’s worth taking that into account when you shop for tools, because you won’t need tools for that particular purpose.
Get Even More Gear: Best Car Tools for Vehicle Maintenance • Best Bike Tool Kits for Repairs on the Go
Here’s an example: The 10mm socket is such a basic component of auto maintenance that some enterprising outlets sell them in bulk, largely because if you lose track of your 10mm you won’t be able to keep working. A modern bicycle, however, has nothing that requires it. Similarly, a 5mm Allen-head wrench is essential for bikes, but largely irrelevant for home maintenance.
So, should you maintain separate tool sets for different tasks? Only if you’re using them on a daily basis—otherwise, the hassle of remembering which tools are in which set will outweigh the convenience of a smaller kit. There’s also plenty of crossover between tasks: a No. 4 Phillips screwdriver can hang a painting, adjust a bicycle brake, re-attach an automotive body panel, and build a workbench.
Smaller is better, within reason
While it might seem risky to buy a minimal tool set rather than a whole bells-and-whistles setup, a smaller version can pay big dividends when you need to fix something in a hurry. A lunchbox-sized toolkit that is close at hand is a better idea than a massive multi-purpose chest that’s down in the basement behind (or under) a bunch of storage items. When choosing a tool set, try to focus on your most commonly required tasks, and then get whatever you need to accomplish those tasks efficiently.
A budget of around $100 should suffice for a tool set that can handle most tasks; above that, you’re getting higher-quality pieces that will survive more frequent use and/or additional tools such as a level or tape measure for specialty purposes.
SAE, metric, or both?
There are two measurement systems for tools: SAE, which stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, or metric. Metric sockets are measured in millimeters, while SAE sockets are measured in inches. The vast majority of modern cars and bicycles use metric bolts and will therefore require a set where the tools are measured in metric increments (e.g. 10mm, 19mm). Many home appliances, older American cars, and plumbing fixtures may need SAE, or conventional, tools (e.g. 3/8 in., 1 ½ in.).
How We Evaluated Mechanic Tool Sets
We bought, borrowed, and evaluated a wide variety of tools and tool kits for these recommendations, focusing primarily on the areas of home repair, bicycle maintenance, and automotive tasks. We also tried using a variety of tools the wrong way—could these Knipex pliers really do the job for attaching a dryer hose?—to evaluate the possibilities of using a cycling kit for home repair, and so on.
1
Best All-Around Basic Tool Set
DeWalt 168-Piece Mechanics Set
Pros
Good value- Comprehensive
- Organized
Cons
- Relatively large and heavy
- No pliers or screwdrivers included
This set, plus a few good screwdrivers, should handle a wide variety of automotive, cycling, and home maintenance tasks. The selection of sockets is extensive. Included are 12 open-end wrenches that are useful for tight spots and other places you can’t get to with a ratcheting wrench.
The supplied Allen keys should handle most cycling needs. I like the robust case, which makes it easy to keep things organized and available when you need them.
Key Specs
| Measurement system | SAE and metric |
|---|---|
| Pieces in set | 168 |
| Includes case | Yes |
2
Best Option For The Organized Garage
Kobalt 243-Piece Standard and Metric With Drawers
Pros
- Very comprehensive for automotive needs
- Well-organized
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Lacks many home-maintenance tools
If you can make some room in your garage for this well-organized tool set, you’ll find that it has the majority of everyday automotive-repairs tools close at hand. With a broad selection of sockets and drivers, offset wrenches for hard-to-reach spots, and two spark plug sockets, this should get most jobs done.
Like the other Kobalt tool sets, this one uses a color stripe to identify metric and SAE sockets. The multiple-drawer chest keeps things organized and accessible.
Key Specs
| Measurement system | SAE and metric |
|---|---|
| Pieces in set | 243 |
| Includes case | Yes |
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Pros
- Includes tools other kits tend to miss
- Great for homeowner tasks
Cons
- Soft case doesn’t organize tools
- No heavy-duty sockets for automotive work
Most mechanic’s tool sets don’t include typical home-improvement items like tape measures, pliers, cutting knives, or scissors. This Kobalt set has all of these essentials and more, including perks like color-coded stripes on tools to identify metric and SAE.
It’s remarkably comprehensive, and it all fits in a soft case with a padded handle. If you’re more likely to be working in the home than in the garage, this is the one for you.
Key Specs
| Measurement system | SAE and metric |
|---|---|
| Pieces in set | 267 |
| Includes case | Yes |
4
Best Value Comprehensive Tool Set
Craftsman 262-Piece Set
Now 17% Off
Pros
- Almost everything you could need, short of pliers and clippers
Cons
- A little heavy to carry around
This is a good modern successor to the all-purpose Sears sets that were the first line of defense for so many garage mechanics back in the day. Quality in these Craftsman offerings has definitely rebounded in the past few years, and there’s a lot of value on offer here.
Even the case shows a lot of original thinking. Do you need all these tools? Well, in most cases it won’t hurt to have them. You might want to think about choosing your most-used items from this set and put them in a tool roll or smaller box for more frequent use because the complete set is a bit weighty to carry around.
KEY SPECS
| Measurement System | SAE and metric |
|---|---|
| Pieces in set | 262 |
| Includes case | Yes |
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5
Best Socket Set on a Tight Budget
EPAuto EPAuto Small Drive Set
Now 10% Off
Pros
- Compact
Cons
- Doesn’t offer any options beyond the basics
Believe it or not, a pretty significant percentage of automotive and appliance tasks can be handled with a very small socket set—and that’s what we have here, at an even smaller cost.
It covers a wide range of metric and SAE sizes. Don’t look for any frills like narrow-angle ratchet heads or magnetic pickup sockets here. This is basic by design, but it can handle a lot of jobs.
6
Best Boutique Tool Set for Metric and SAE Use
CRAFTSMAN Craftsman 88-piece USA Standard and Metric
Pros
- Modern ratchets, USA-made
- Good selection of sizes in the base kit
Cons
- Not as comprehensive as other kits for the same money
If you truly love working on mechanical items, but your budget doesn’t extend to the American-made options from Snap-On or SK, Craftsman has a remarkable option. Its made-in-the-USA ratchet sets have gotten a lot of positive attention lately.
The price is right and so are the tools. I’m particularly fond of the 90-tooth ratchets, which are very high quality and have survived some abuse in my testing.
KEY SPECS
| Measurement system | Metric and SAE |
|---|---|
| Pieces in set | 88 |
| Includes case | Yes |
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Pros
- Great value and performance
- Covers a wide variety of sizes
Cons
- Missing a few odd-number metrics on the low end
GearWrench was one of the first companies to bring affordable ratcheting wrenches to the general public, and the brand's tool are still among the best.
This kit is a remarkable value for the money without shorting the user on performance. The thin open-end heads make it easy to get into tight spots, and the ratchet ends are durable. Feeling flush? Buy a couple of extra GearWrenches individually to cover the sizes that aren’t part of this set.
KEY SPECS
| Measurement system | SAE and metric |
|---|---|
| Pieces in set | 20 |
| Includes case | No |
8
Best “Just-In-Case” Kitchen Set
WORKPRO Workpro 100-piece Household Tool Set
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Great value
- Small case
- Comprehensive for home improvement
Cons
- No ratcheting wrench included
This is the definition of a “just-in-case” set, with a little bit of everything that you might need for basic kitchen or home maintenance.
Workpro does something interesting here: there are several sockets included, but you’ll turn them with a screw handle, not a traditional ratchet. If you find yourself using those sockets more than a few times, consider it a sign that you should supplant this basic kit with a proper ratchet-and-socket set.
KEY SPECS
| Measurement system | SAE and metric |
|---|---|
| Pieces in set | 100 |
| Includes case | Yes |
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Our Expert Jack Baruth Hits the Nail on the Head With These Tips on How to Buy Your Next Set of Mechanic Tools.
What are the biggest differences between a home tool kit and an auto tool kit?
Unless you own a Morgan sports car with an ash frame, you won't be doing any woodworking when you fix your car, but homeowners may need specific tools for cutting, drilling, and joining wood. Home tool kits are also more likely to substitute a single adjustable wrench for a full range for proper open-end wrenches— and that's fine.
How can I prolong the life of my tool kit—and how long can I expect one to last?
A good tool kit should outlast the owner. Keep it clean, dry, and spray it down lightly (LIGHTLY!) with WD-40. That's not to lubricate the tools. It's to prevent rust.
Should I be looking for tools with a lifetime warranty or that meet ASME or other standards?
Most homeowners won't use or break their tools often enough to worry about that. If you're working on cars or homes every day, you should be shopping a different set of vendors, such as Snap-On. If I splurge on a really expensive tool set, will it have all the tools I need?
There’s only one way to know for sure: measure everything you’re going to ever have to fix, then check those measurements against the tool set. In practice, however, the larger the tool set is, the less likely that you’ll be out of luck in this area. The most common error: not having pliers or pipe wrenches in your “household” set.
Is there an advantage to buying a multi-tool set versus getting tools one at a time as I need them?
Absolutely. Having a tool you don’t use just means you’re wasting storage space, but needing a tool you don’t have means you have some inconvenience ahead of you. It’s also almost always cheaper to buy tools in a larger set.
Anything to avoid when buying one of these sets?
Always consider “Combination” or “Adjustable” wrenches to be an absolute last resort because they tend to round off bolts and nuts. It’s always better to choose a set with specifically sized wrenches and sockets. If you’re short on space, try buying a larger tool set, figuring out what specific items you need, and donating the rest to someone who needs tools.
Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth is a writer and competitor who has earned podiums in more than fifteen different classes and sanctions of automotive and cycling competition, in both amateur and professional capacities, as well as an enthusiastic hobbyist musician and audiophile who owns hundreds of musical instruments and audio systems. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Cycle World, Road & Track, WIRED, Wheels Weekly, EVO Malaysia, Esquire, and many other publications. His original design for a guitar, the Melody Burner, has been played by Billy Gibbons, Sheryl Crow, and others.
