The 25 tools worth owning — and the 15 to skip.

A claw hammer (16 oz is the sweet spot). A 25-foot tape measure. A small spirit level (torpedo style). An adjustable wrench. A pair of slip-joint pliers. A pair of needle-nose pliers. Side-cutting pliers. A 6-in-1 screwdriver. A set of hex keys (metric and SAE). A utility knife with replacement blades. A small pry bar. A stud finder. A flashlight or headlamp. A drill — cordless, with two batteries.

For the drill: a set of common drill bits (a basic 17-piece set covers everything most people need), a set of driver bits (Phillips, slotted, square, Torx), and an extender. A small assortment of screws and wall anchors. Painter's tape. A pencil. A safety-glasses pair.

That's 25-ish. Everything else is either project-specific or a once-a-decade purchase.

Two specs matter: voltage and brushless. Voltage is roughly proportional to torque — 12V is fine for furniture assembly and most hanging tasks, 18-20V is the standard for home use, anything more is overkill unless you're building a deck. Brushless motors are quieter, last longer, and run cooler than brushed motors; they cost a little more upfront and pay it back in the second year.

Two batteries is the right starting kit. One charging, one in the drill. Skip the kits that come with five different attachments you don't recognize.

If you want the all-in-one box: the DEKOPRO 126-piece kit includes a small 8V drill (USB-C rechargeable) and most of the 25 tools above. Good for furniture assembly and apartment-scale DIY.

If you want a serious cordless drill on its own: the PULITUO 20V cordless drill with two batteries handles drywall, wood, and light masonry without complaint.

For the hand-tool side: the CRAFTSMAN 230-piece mechanics set covers automotive plus most home repairs. The CRAFTSMAN 5-piece screwdriver set is the one you reach for daily; the 12-inch slotted is for stubborn fasteners that need leverage.

You probably don't need: a stud-finder with built-in laser level (the simple magnetic ones work fine), a 12-inch chef's pry bar (the small one is enough for 95% of jobs), a multi-tool with 30 functions (you'll use three), a 40-piece "specialty bit" set (you need maybe six bits), or a tool belt (a 5-gallon bucket with a tool insert is better).

Wipe metal tools dry after wet jobs. Store cordless drill batteries between 40% and 80% charge if they're going to sit for a month or more — neither dead-flat nor full-charged. Keep utility knives sharp by replacing blades, not by stropping. And the most important habit: put the tool back when you're done.