The average homeowner needs a well-rounded collection of tools to tackle various home improvement projects. These essential items can be purchased in bulk for an even more affordable price.
Whether you’re hanging drapery, painting trim, building a bookcase, or redoing a space—these expert-recommended utensils will make it much easier to complete any project.
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Drill Brush Set
This drill brush set transforms any regular household drill into a cleaning tool that can clean any surface squeaky. Ideal for scrubbing bathtubs, showers, floors, grout, and upholstery, the brushes have medium-stiffness nylon bristles that will effectively wipe away discoloration or grime without scratching surfaces. The scrub sponges also have a rugged texture that can remove rust, grime, and other stubborn dirt on outdoor furniture, grills, statues, and other objects.
The kit comes with a total of 22 different brushes, scrubbers, and pads in various shapes, sizes, and textures to tackle a wide variety of cleaning tasks. For example, tough spots like bathroom tile or porcelain don’t stand a chance when confronted by one of the more aggressive brushes. In contrast, delicate materials like upholstery or glass differ from softer ones. The attachments fit into almost all drills and come with a 1/4-inch shaft to make them easy to use. Moreover, they can be easily removed when not in use. This makes them easy to store and carry around.
Stainless Steel Shower Head
Stylish and functional, this stainless steel showerhead gives your bathroom a high-end look at an affordable price. It’s got a sleek matte black finish and a dual-function rainfall showerhead and handheld sprayer with five highly effective spray settings (everyone needs to experience “power rain”). This shower head also has rub-clean jets for easy cleaning. It’s backed by over 10,000 Amazon reviewers and a 4.4-star rating.
Brass and stainless steel are better for shower heads than plastic because they have higher durability and can withstand abrasion and hard water build-up. This large square stainless steel ceiling mount showerhead has LED lights that change colors based on the temperature of the water, and you can adjust its brightness.
Another bonus is that it’s water-saving and EPA-certified, which can help you save money on your monthly water bills. Its chrome-plated brass body has a solid ball joint swivel and soft rubber nozzles for easy cleaning. Unlike some showerheads that can feel heavy, this one is lightweight and easy to maneuver. A lifetime warranty also backs it.
Power Drill
Whether hanging a shelf or building a shed, a good power drill is your best friend when tackling your home’s DIY projects. Although it can seem intimidating to use at first, you’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily a simple task can go when you have the right tool.
Click here to choose from basic corded and cordless models to find a power drill that fits your needs. For example, an inexpensive, lightweight 8- to 10-volt cordless model should suffice if you want light work like hanging shelves. However, if you plan to do more advanced work with hole saws or auger bits, an 18-volt model is worth the investment.
You should also consider the length of battery life and look for a drill with an easy-to-grip handle. We recommend taking a few exercises for a spin in our stores so you can get a feel for how comfortable they are to hold and maneuver. Our trained associates are also happy to help you find a drill that suits your home improvement and maintenance goals.
Hammer Drill
A hammer drill is a must if you plan on doing heavy-duty work around the house. These power tools use a combination of rotary action plus fast and hard impacts to punch through materials like brick, concrete, and other masonry. They’re more expensive than fundamental drills/drivers. Still, a hammer drill is worth the added cost if you need to drill multiple sizable holes in these rigid materials regularly.
We looked at several hammer drills, looking for rotary speed, maximum impacts per minute in hammer mode, and ease of operation. We also looked at comfort features, such as a 360-degree auxiliary handle for better gripping in tight or enclosed spaces, a built-in flashlight to illuminate your workspace, and a depth gauge to help you determine how deep you’ve drilled. We also considered whether or not the hammer drill comes with additional battery packs or accessories, and we evaluated its value for money. This cordless DeWalt 20 V MAX compact hammer drill was the best choice.
Power Screwdriver
An electric screwdriver makes light work of assembling flat-pack furniture and getting into hard-to-reach corners, and it can save your wrists from the pressure of using a standard manual screwdriver. However, they’re unsuitable for more significant tasks like erecting a shed and should be used with a corded drill driver instead. Prices vary wildly depending on brand cache and build quality, but for around PS30, you can pick up a decent battery-powered model that offers enough power to tackle most jobs.
Look for a model with an LED charge indicator and a built-in battery meter, and if you’re planning to use it regularly, opt for a lithium-ion battery with a larger capacity. Otherwise, a standard disposable or rechargeable AA battery should be fine.
The Black Decker 4V Screwdriver is a budget-friendly choice with good speed, torque, and a handy carry case with a holster for bits. Just expect it to have a different level of performance than higher-priced models, which feature a variable-speed motor, a clutch, and a carrying case.