Best Tool Set: Our Top 5 Revealed
Having a good basic tool set around your home or office is nearly as essential as a well-stocked first aid kit. A small repair can come up at any time and if you have the right tools on hand to tackle the job, you can save yourself a lot of time and frustration.
When it comes to car repairs, a mechanic tool set is indispensable. The best tool set is made up of a strategic range of tools that come in handy for a wide variety of tasks and projects.
A tool set doesn’t necessarily have to be professional grade in order to be functional. Some of the top sets we review here meet basic requirements for getting the job done.
Another piece of good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to stock up on a straightforward kit that can cover most simple repairs. Durable tools in pre-configured sets are available from many top brands at reasonable prices.
Here, you will find our ratings for the five best tool set we found as we examined the wide range of options currently popular among homeowners and do-it-yourselfers.
We took a variety of factors into consideration in preparing our ratings to help you navigate the vast world of tool sets with confidence and ease.
Contents
Comparison Table
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Crescent CTK170CMP2 Mechanics Tool Set, 170-Piece |  |
How We Choose Our Ratings
In preparing our ratings for best tool set, we looked at several different criteria. The rating system we use is made up of stars from one to five. Our top sets got the five-star reviews, with the others following from there.
In order to come up with the rating for best tool set, we searched out what real people are saying about the sets. We looked not only at what users liked about a particular set, but also took into consideration any drawbacks or complaints.
This helped us provide you with a more balanced rating.
When it comes to tools, the brand name is also important. Different brands can be geared towards different types of users, so we include brand history and company approach in formulating our ratings.
This allowed us to give you a fuller picture of the overall quality and appeal of a particular tool set and who it might best be suited to.
Our ratings are designed to give you a comprehensive overall picture of the strengths and real or potential weaknesses of each individual mechanic tool set.
Since we know that you want to spend your money wisely on a set that will last you for many repairs through the years, our ratings aim to give a complete picture of each product to help you evaluate it as you try to decide which set is best for you.
Top 5 Best Tool Set
Without further ado, here are the five best tool set that we think rise head and shoulders above the rest. With so many to choose from in today’s vast marketplace, these five are the ones that stood out.
Each set is briefly described to highlight its various characteristics, and its individual rating follows the description.
Stanley STMT71653
- Chrome Vanadium forged body for torque, strength and durability
- Stanley - Black & Decker
- Quick release switch and reversible mechanism for easy operation
The Stanley name routinely appears at the top of many “best of” tool lists, and for good reason. This iconic hand-tool company was founded in the mid-1800s in Connecticut and is now part of the Stanley Black & Decker company following a merger.
Despite the fact that it is a mass-marketed brand, it produces top quality tools for both the home and industrial user.The STMT71653 mechanics tool set is one in a broad range of tool sets in the STMT line produced by Stanley.
This particular set falls in the middle of the range in terms of pricing and number of pieces, making it a perfect choice for a basic, entry-level mechanics tool set to keep around the home and garage.
The tools in this set are made of chrome vanadium, which is common grade steel. Although it isn’t tough industrial grade, it is suitable for everyday tool use. The tools have a shiny, chrome-polished finish for a clean and professional look.
The set comes with a lifetime warranty. Users said they liked its basic functionality, especially as a starter tool kit.
Pros
Cons
QUALITY | PRICE | RATINGS |
|---|---|---|
$$ |
DEWALT DWMT73802
- ACCESS: The 72 tooth ratchet allows for a 5 degree arc swing allowing for greater access in tight spaces.
- DURABILITY: The set comes in a durable blow mold case, keeping your tools safe in your house or garage.
- COMFORT: The anti-slip screwdriver provides maximum comfort during use.
- DESIGN: Sockets and box end wrenches incorporate DEWALT DirectTorque Technology, allowing for greater contact with fasteners and greater torque to make tightening and loosening easy.
- VARIETY: This set comes with an array of sockets, wrenches, accessories and specialty bits, great for a variety of uses
Like the Stanley kit above, this 142-piece DeWalt kit comes loaded. DeWalt is another of the most easily recognizable tool brands. The company was started in the early 1920s and nowadays is well known throughout the construction industry.
It’s a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker, so consumers know they can trust this brand’s quality and durability.The DeWalt kit costs more than the Stanley kit, so in terms of value for money, the home user may choose to opt for the Stanley kit.
However, DeWalt is known for its industrial use, so the tools are truly top-notch even in this straightforward kit. Like the Stanley kit, this tool set also has a lifetime warranty.
Users liked how the case was sturdy and held all the tools in place, unlike cheaper and flimsier sets.
They also mentioned that the tools look and feel solid when you’re working with them, which isn’t surprising given how industry professionals trust the DeWalt name.
Pros
Cons
QUALITY | PRICE | RATINGS |
|---|---|---|
$$$ |
Craftsman # 36165
- Chrome plated, tough cast alloy steel construction Includes 79 6-point sockets in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sizes; 61...
Craftsman tools have long been known as a trusted workhorse brand for home repairs and maintenance. The brand offers good value for the money and its products are built to stand the test of time and wear.
Since its founding in the 1920s as an addition to the famed Sears catalog, the brand has come up with many innovations over the decades.
This set has more tools than the previous set, but the price point is more or less the same, as the Craftsman brand is geared more towards the home user rather than the industrial user.
The set has 92 sockets in three drive sizes, so it can cover virtually any task you’ll run up against that needs a socket wrench.Users liked the Craftsman brand and solid construction.
As is typical with tool sets in this price range, some customers complained that the case doesn’t hold the tools securely enough and they fall out when the case is opened.
Pros
Cons
QUALITY | PRICE | RATINGS |
|---|---|---|
$$ |
GreatNeck GN205
- Set contains 205-pieces for home and garage use
- Includes high value hand tools for both the professional and do-it-yourself worker
- Heat treated for strength and durability
The GreatNeck brand name is not as well known as the others on this list, but it deserves to take its place here for this particular home best tool set.
It stands apart from the others in that it is actually a tool chest, which eliminates the issue with tools sliding around in poorly designed cases.
The tools are made of forged carbon steel and heat treated to make them extra durable. All 205 pieces fit compactly into the molded three-drawer carrying case.
In terms of pricing, it is on the lower end of the spectrum compared to the more well-known names. This makes it a good choice for basic home use, especially as a starter kit for a workbench.
Pros
Cons
QUALITY | PRICE | RATINGS |
|---|---|---|
$$ |
Crescent CTK170CMP2
- Updated version of the best selling CTK170CMP, this new set has a new & sturdier blow mold case as well as new &...
- Contains a carefully selected assortment of hand tools needed for most industrial, mechanical, and consumer applications
- Set includes 1/4 inches, 3/8 inches & 1/2 inches drive tools (SAE & Metric). Drive Type 6 and 12 Point.Drive Tang Size...
Crescent is another brand that isn’t as widely known as some of the largest commercial brands, but it holds its own on this list. With 170 pieces, this tool set easily covers virtually every basic tool need.
This brand has a history of innovation in the tool sector, including being the first company to manufacture an adjustable wrench in the U.S.A.
The case on this set is particularly well organized and sturdy, which is uncommon for this price range.
Users commented on how much they liked the fact that their tools stayed in place securely inside the molded carrying case. The tools are made from chrome vanadium steel alloy and heat treated.
Users said they liked the finish on the tools as well as the variety of tools in this particular set. Although the tools aren’t necessarily at the same level as some of the top name brands, they definitely get the job done.
Pros
Cons
QUALITY | PRICE | RATINGS |
|---|---|---|
$$$ |
Buyer’s Guide
Before you purchase a mechanic tool set, you should compare various qualities of the sets based on certain important factors.
Every basic tool set has elements in common with other sets, so what makes one stand out as superior is often found in one of the following categories.
If you take these specifications into consideration as you do your tool shopping, you’ll be better equipped to select the set that’s best for you and the way you work.
Intended Use
When selecting your tool set, think about the way you intend to use it. For example, a home mechanic who needs a general set of tools for everyday household repairs likely doesn’t need to have the most extensive selection of tools or the most expensive brand on the market.
Likewise, if you intend to use your tool set for more in-depth work on your car and you plan to get very frequent use out of the set, you’ll need a more heavy-duty set that provides extra durability. In addition, you’ll likely need much more specific tools than a general user.
Image via Pixabay
Case
Although it might seem like a negligible detail, when it comes to everyday functionality, the case that houses your best tool set is actually an important thing to consider.
If you have to reorganize hundreds of tools every time you open the case because they continually fall out of their molds and get mixed up, you’ll be defeating the purpose of having a simple go-to kit.
Some of the lower-priced sets have cheap plastic cases that don’t hold the tools securely. Another common complaint is regarding cases whose clasps easily break off, preventing proper closure after a bit of normal wear and tear.
Check the fit of the tools and the structure of the case you want to work with.
Tool Finish and Grip
The tools’ finish and grip are two elements to pay attention to as you compare tool sets. A comfortable grip will pay off in the long run as you use your tools over time.
The finish of the tools counts both from an aesthetic standpoint as well as a practical one. Heat-treated tools tend to last longer and resist abrasion.
Brand
People who work with tools as part of their profession often have very passionate opinions about which brands are the best, and this is no different in terms of a best tool set.
Price
Tool sets can run into the hundreds and thousands of dollars depending on how specialized and professional you intend to go. In these ratings, we included a range of best tool set that hover in the area of about $$$.
If you need a tool set for industrial use, you will likely have to spend significantly more than that.
But if you’re looking for a set that you can use to do work on your car in your home garage and small repairs around the house, this is likely a satisfactory price range for you to search within.
Weight
Although the weight of best tool set in this piece range doesn’t generally exceed about 20 pounds, this may be a consideration for you. As you increase the number of tools in your set, the weight inevitably goes up and the set can become more cumbersome.
Conclusion
With so many different options on the market today and such a wide variety of high-quality brands to choose from, finding the best tool set isn’t always easy.
If you have your priorities in mind before you start looking, such as how many pieces you need and what type of use you plan to make of the set, you’ll already be at a good jumping-off point for narrowing down your choices.
Image via Pixabay
