The Best Tools

The best tools are those essential tools to have around the house no matter if you've never picked up a hammer in your life or if you're a famous carpenter. These essential household tools can make jobs, big and small, much easier and safer. If you're just starting out or looking to round out your tool collection, start with these basic tools.

If you only ever buy a handful of tools, having a tape measure, hammer, screwdrivers and safety glasses are easy favorites. The tape measure is perhaps the most underrated tool of all whether you're using it to measure an object, determine the size of a room or wall, or find the center point of a space to hang a picture. Speaking of hanging pictures, you'll need a hammer for that, if not a screwdriver and electric drill, to place a nail, screw or anchor into the wall. Above all, safety is the most important thing when using any tool making having a pair of safety glasses essential to any project.

Expanding from those essential tools, a good tool collection would also include a saw or two, both in the handsaw and electric saw, like a circular saw, varieties, a utility knife, a pry bar, wrenches, pliers, clamps and paint brushes. Of course you'll also need a place to store all these tools and that's where having a solid tool box comes in.

So whether you're the handyman of the house or just someone starting off on their own, be sure to add these handiest household tools to your collection. Which tool do you find the handiest? Which tools can you not live without? Add or vote for your favorites, re-rank this list or leave us a comment on these picks, all below!