We may earn a commission from links on this page.
It can be hard to choose the perfect gift for that DIY enthusiast on your list who seems to already have every tool imaginable. If you’re looking for just the right thing for someone just starting out on their DIY adventure, or a seasoned weekend warrior, all of the options can be intimidating. As an experienced DIY home maintenance aficionado as well as an experienced carpenter and furniture builder, here are some of my favorite tools to give this year.
My favorite drill and driver set, the new Makita 18-volt LXT drill and driver set, is the best tool for anyone who likes DIY. These tools use an efficient battery system that gives you more work time per charge. The drill in this set can deliver about 70% more torque than its predecessors, and the impact driver has a speed control, allowing you to use more force on tougher materials and less on more delicate jobs. This set is a great gift because it comes ready to use, with an 18-volt hammer drill, an 18-volt impact driver, a 2-amp-hour battery, a 5-amp-hour battery, and a charger.
Makita is known for producing the best batteries on the market, with its first battery-powered drill launching in 1969. These drills are still coveted by pros even today because they were so well-balanced and easy on the wrists. This set builds on that reputation, with light batteries that give you more control over your tools.
The new 20-volt DeWalt oscillating multitool is a great gift for a DIYer of almost any persuasion because it’s so versatile. You can use an oscillating multitool for anything from DIY sink installation to DIY drywall repair. The big improvement for this tool over its previous model is that it has been re-engineered to vibrate less, making it more comfortable and safer to use. It also has a wider cutting radius and a brighter LED.
This set is a great gift because it comes with everything you need to use it right out of the box, including a 20-volt DeWalt oscillating multitool, a 20-volt MAX compact battery, a charger, a tool-connect chip adapter, a fast cut wood blade, a wood with nails blade, a sanding attachment, some sandpaper, and a depth guide.
DeWalt makes some of the best woodworking tools and is known for durable and precise cutting tools.
A Kreg Rebel 20-volt pocket hole joiner is a great gift to give a DIY woodworker because it allows you to make precise joints in half the time. Kreg is known for making quality jigs for making joints and cutting straight lines, but this tool integrates a power tool into the jig, allowing you to line up and drill a pocket hole much more quickly. It comes with the joint-making tool, a 4-amp-hour battery, a charger, an easy-set drill bit, and dust collection attachments.
I use Kreg jigs for cabinet-making, for quick hidden joints on frames, and for putting together shelving, and this tool is a game changer for all of those projects.
The new 20-volt sealed head DeWalt powered ratchet set is a good choice to give a DIY mechanic because of its unique adapter system. The interchangeable coupling allows you to use this powered ratchet set with both ⅜-inch and ½-inch sockets. The gear mechanism that drives the socket head is protected from metal dust and debris, so it’s more durable than its predecessors.
The set has what you need to use it right out of the box. It comes with a 20-volt cordless-powered ratchet, a 20-volt, 2-amp-hour battery, and a charger. This ratchet is compact enough to use for oil changes and vehicle maintenance but powerful enough for turning stubborn bolts like the ones on the outside of your HV/AC filter access panel.
The best place to begin a DIY tool set is with a cordless drill. The Ryobi 18-volt cordless drill set is a good gift for a beginner because it’s a decent-quality tool that comes with everything you need to get started, including a battery and bits. For everything from hanging pictures to changing air filters, a drill is an essential tool.
The set comes with an 18-volt drill, an 18-volt, 1.5-amp-hour battery, a charger, a 40-piece bit set, and a tool bag.
The DeWalt 20-volt cordless/corded wet-dry vac is a good gift for someone with a home shop because keeping your shop clean and organized is always its own project. Sawdust buildup can be a hazard because it can be combustible, so a shop vac is also a good gift for safety. This shop vac can tackle both wet and dry messes, so it’s good for cleaning your car or around the garage, as well as in the shop.
This is a tool-only deal, but it can be plugged into a power outlet and work without a battery. The shop vac comes with a hose, a crevice tool, and a HEPA filter.
Best DIY gift under $100
The Klein digital laser level and angle finder can be used for everything from leveling a mounted TV to making precise cuts when doing woodworking. It’s a good gift for a DIYer at any skill level, and it can be a useful addition even to a well-appointed shop.
This tool uses an internal electric accelerometer instead of a spirit bubble to gauge angles and judge level. This allows you to measure angles based on numbers instead of a visual bubble, but also allows the level to find angles from any starting point you choose.
