Unlock Peak Performance: 23 Game-Changing Tools on Amazon That Industry Insiders Swear By!

“I’ve had dozens of screwdrivers over the years and this is the one at the top of my toolbox,” says Smith-Clark. You’ll use a screwdriver for damn-near everything, and a ratcheting one lets you do more with fewer movements.

A good hammer will get a lot of use in your home, even if all you use it for is hanging up a piece of artwork. “I’ve used a sixteen-ounce Vaughan hammer for over a decade. It’s sturdy enough for framing walls and light enough for hanging picture frames,” says Smith-Clark. His second favorite option is a more decorative leather-handle Estwing hammer, which is about $15 more.

When on-the-go or in a pinch, this Leatherman multi-tool has a screwdriver bit, scissors, saws, pliers, and so much more.

If you’ve ever been annoyed at a painting that’s a little sloped, you know exactly why it’s so important to have a level in your house. This one is robust and magnetic, but you can also find a more affordable, slightly longer Empire model.

There are a ton of great cordless drills on the market to choose from, but DeWalt is the best you can get on Amazon. “Cordless drills have gotten so good that I think a compact drill is the way to go for anyone’s home,” says Smith-Clark. “Whether you choose DeWalt, Milwaukee or Makita, you’ll be in good hands.” (Editor’s note: He’s cleverly skipped past the power tool brand debate. A true professional.) DeWalt is the one brand that sells consistently on Amazon.

Now that you have a cordless drill, you’ll need a set of bits for drilling pilot holes.

This screwdriver bit set comes with 4o pieces that can tackle pretty much anything you’ve got. “A nice bit set will save you a lot of time hand-tightening if you have a lot of screws to drive,” says Smith-Clark. Feel like saving a couple bucks? This cheaper set is almost as good.

Whether you’re scoring drywall or just cutting up cardboard boxes, you’ll be surprised how often you reach for this utility knife. “This might be a hot take, but I swear by an OLFA snap-off knife instead of a traditional utility blade,” says Smith-Clark. When the blade gets dull, you can simply snap off a section to reveal a fresh edge.

You probably have a mini Allen wrench, also known as a hex key, kicking around your spare drawer, courtesy of the latest piece of furniture you had delivered. But trust us, these are so far superior. “One of the best things to use an Allen wrench for is adjusting set screws,” says Smith-Clark. “Nearly every door handle, faucet, and piece of decorative hardware in your home has a set screw holding it together. If you’ve ever had a doorknob fall off, this is the tool to help fix it.”

Measure twice, cut once is an age-old adage for a reason. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” says Smith-Clark. “This tape measure works just fine.”

Want to get your security deposit back? You’ll need to fix all those holes you put in your wall while hanging up artwork.

After you finish patching your walls with the aforementioned putty knife, you’ll need a paintbrush to blend in the colors. Amazon doesn’t sell “Landlord white,” paint that they paint over walls, sockets, and light switches, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find a swatch that matches at your local hardware store.

“A caulking gun doesn’t have to be fancy, and you don’t need any accessories. It’s great to have around to re-caulk your sink, bathtub, or to keep critters out from around your windows or any gaps near your baseboards.

“You’ll want wire strippers if you ever want to switch a light fixture, install a dimmer, or rewire a lamp,” says Smith-Clark. Electrical work is no joke, but it really opens up a world of changes once you figure out the basics. Still, if you’re not totally sure what you’re doing, call an electrician.

“Lineman pliers are another must-have for doing electrical work,” says Smith-Clark. “These linemans are great for cutting wire, pre-twisting connections, and this specific pair has crimpers that are great if you need to crimp on terminals.” In layman’s terms, these pliers are great to have if you need to connect two wires.

Voltage testers are used to determine whether or not wires are live. If you’re doing any of the home-electrical work I just, these are an essential safety tool. “I keep a voltage tester with me when I’m doing electrical. If you get into it, you might want to consider upgrading to a multi-meter.” You should never, ever handle live wires.

A great set of wrenches is handy for at-home plumbing work, or adjusting nuts and bolts.

If you’ve ever had a leak under your sink or your radiator and can’t seem to muster the strength to shut it by hand, Channellock pliers will come in handy. While the Channellock brand invented this style of pliers, you can also opt for the German-made Knipex version for a few extra bucks.

“Stop using Drano; a drain auger is much more effective,” says Smith-Clark. “I’ve had this exact drain snake in my kit for years and it’s unclogged dozens of rat-sized hairballs from shower drains.”

Even though your ego is soaring with your newfound ability to wield a hammer, it’s no time to get sloppy with your PPE.