Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 12 Tools Every Man Should Have in his Toolbox

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, or just a guy who likes to tinker to figure out how stuff works, every man needs a well-stocked toolbox.

Filling a toolbox with the right tools isn’t an easy task because every job requires a specific device, but guys should stick to the essentials when filling a toolbox. If space is limited around the house and your home doesn’t have a garage or designated work area, a guy’s toolbox needs to be jam-packed with all of the items that will come in handy again and again.

Recommended Videos

Even if your handyman skills are a notch above a beginner’s level, a man still needs the proper devices and gadgets to get the job quickly and efficiently. The tools included on this list will help a man work smarter and not harder, and each item will assist in tackling a multitude of jobs.

From assorted hammers to cordless drills, without these practical tools, a man’s toolbox is incomplete.

Safety Goggles

A pair of safety goggles for home improvement projects
Amazon.com

The first few items on this list of tools every man needs in his toolbox keep safety in mind, starting with protecting a valuable part of the body.

A good pair of safety goggles tops our list of must-have tools. Ideal for woodworking, carpentry, or just cutting the lawn, these safety glasses from NoCry will keep the eyes safe from direct and peripheral threats thanks to a solid and durable polycarbonate wraparound construction. The side and nose pieces adjust for a perfect fit without slipping, and the double-coated, untinted lenses prevent fogging during work.

Rechargeable Head Lamp

A headlamp for working on home improvement projects or being outside at night.
Amazon.com

Stuff around the house doesn’t always break in the middle of the day or well-lit areas. Perfect for jobs under sinks, under a car hood, or deep inside crawl spaces, this rechargeable headlamp from Tupwaid boasts eight incredibly bright LEDs to shine stronger, brighter, and longer. This headlamp is made of aluminum alloy, making it durable and sturdy, and the top strap prevents the headlamp from slipping down in the middle of demanding home improvement tasks.

Heavy-Duty Utility Knife

A utlity knife with a gray handle and extra blades.
Amazon.com

A sturdy and tough utility knife is crucial for an infinite number of repair projects, including breaking down all the boxes to put out for recycling every single week. The Kompakt Gear retractable razor blade knife has an anti-slip grip, and the retractable razors are constructed from carbon steel, so they stay sharp and pointy even with continual use. The aluminum body makes this knife lightweight and durable, and it’s ideal for any cutting chore around the house.

Electronic Stud Finder

An electronic stud finder for hanging photos and DIY projects.
Amazon.com

There’s nothing more frustrating than putting numerous holes in a wall while trying to hang a simple photo or shelf. Don’t trust instinct or tapping against the wall to find the stud. Grab this Homder electronic stud finder out of the toolbox to reduce the mistakes and limit the holes. This stud finder features five located modes, and the AC scan detects live unshielded AC wires up to 2 inches deep.

The Homder stud finder comes equipped with an intelligent micro-sensor chip with high sensitivity for quick and accurate stud detection. WARNING – waving this stud finder over your body and saying “found him” will result in immediate confiscation of your entire toolbox.

25-Foot Tape Measure

A photo of a 25-foot tape measure.
Amazon.com

Every man has heard the expression, “Measure twice, cut once.” Well, this 25-foot tape measure will help tackle any size measuring job, from hanging things in the home office to figuring out if the new couch will fit through the front door.

This 25-foot chrome tape measure from Craftsman features a 1-inch tape measure with a large, easy-to-read font, a rubber overmold for added grip, and a multi-catch hook that will grab onto surfaces on either side of the blade.

Bionic Adjustable Wrench

An adjustable wrench tool for assorted sized bolts.
Amazon.com

Don’t waste your time with a suitcase full of random wrenches that never get used. Every guy should ditch the wrench collection and drop one of these handy adjustable wrenches to his arsenal of home improvement weapons.

The 8-inch bionic wrench from Logger is unlike any wrench in a handyman’s arsenal. This cleverly designed tool has a pair of spring-loaded handles and a circular head with six hardened steel jaws. Just squeeze the handles, and all six jaws lock onto the head of any nut or bolt. This unique locking mechanism allows the Bionic Wrench to grip hexagonal, square, and even rounded fasteners.

Plier Set

A collection of assorted pliers for different jobs.li
Amazon.com

Next on our list of the tools every man needs in his toolbox is a set of sturdy pliers with various heads. This assorted set of pliers from Workpro comes with a 6-inch long nose, 6-inch diagonal, 8-inch groove joint, 6-inch slip joint, 7-inch linesman pliers, and a handy pouch to keep the group in order. Workpro pliers are made of heat-treated steel to ensure better clamping force and durability.

Screwdriver Set

A screwdriver kit with holder and assorted bits.
Amazon.com

Stop trying to get away with just a few random screwdrivers in your toolbox and upgrade to this 60-in-1 precision screwdriver set. Perfect for big jobs in the garage and small tasks like repairing laptops, phones, and electronics, this screwdriver set from Oria boasts bits made of chrome-vanadium steel that won’t break or wear down after extended use. No screw will be too difficult, thanks to a ball-bearing mounted swivel top and non-slip aluminum handle.

30-Piece Hex Key Set

A photo of a 30-piece allen wrench set with orange holder.
Amazon.com

The next item on our list of the tools every man needs in his toolbox is a set of hex keys from Horusdy. Hex Keys, also known as Allen wrenches, are a must-have for around the house, especially for dads. Kid’s beds, desks, bikes, and more are in constant need of tightening from daily wear and tear, and each one comes with its own Hex key that gets lost not long after assembly.

The Horusdy 30-piece hex key set is made from heat-treated steel and contains 15 long reach keys and 15 high leverage short keys. This Allen key set works on all hexagon socket screws and includes both inch and metric measurements.

3-Piece Hammer Set

Three various hammers with different heads for various home improvement jobs.
Amazon.com

A good hammer is an absolute necessity for every guy’s toolbox. This 3-piece hammer set from Benchmark includes a rip claw hammer, double-sided rubber mallet, and tack and chipping hammer. Each Benchmark hammer has durable fiberglass handles and polished steel heads, and the set comes with a 1-year guarantee.

Multi-Purpose Laser Level

A black laser level used to measure distance and hang pictures.
Amazon.com

Stop trusting your eyeballs when hanging pictures, Christmas decorations, or anything around the house. Designed for any situation where accurate measurement is necessary, this multi-purpose level from Qooltek combines a fine-tuned tape measure, a triple-positioned leveling bubble, and a laser level to provide results with pinpoint accuracy.

Cordless Drill

An orange cordless drill for home improvement projects.
Amazon.com / .

Stop tightening tough screws with a handheld screwdriver and reduce the time it takes to finish routine building jobs around the house with a cordless drill from Black & Decker.

With an 11-position clutch and integrated bit holder under the handle, this Black & Decker cordless drill provides precise control for drilling into metal, plastic, wood, and all screw driving tasks. Lithium-ion technology means a longer battery life that will last for the entire job.

Chris Illuminati
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chris Illuminati is the author of five books and his writing has been featured on websites such as Rolling Stone, Men’s…
‘SNL’ is bringing back a slew of famous cast members for its 50th anniversary
The special will be three hours, and will actually air on Sunday night.
Eddie Murphy hosting SNL

Saturday Night Live is calling in all of the big guns for its 50th anniversary bash. The anniversary episode, which is scheduled to air on Feb. 16, will feature Adam Sandler, Chevy Chase, Eddie Murphy, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell, among other famous former cast members.

We don't yet know what each of these performers will be doing during the anniversary, but Variety is reporting that they will join Amy Poehler, Andy Samberg, Chris Rock, Fred Armisen, Garrett Morris, Jane Curtin, Jason Sudeikis, Jimmy Fallon, Kate McKinnon, Kenan Thompson, Laraine Newman, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Pete Davidson, Seth Meyers, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, and Will Forte as part of the festivities.

Read more
The Duffer brothers offer an update on the release ‘Stranger Things’ season 5
The show's last season debuted all the way back in 2022.
The logo for Stranger Things season 5.

It's been a small eternity since the last season of Stranger Things, and there was a long wait between seasons 3 and 4 as well. Some of that was outside of the control of the Duffer brothers, the show's co-creators, but now, they're assuring fans that the final season will be available soon.

“We’re focused on visual effects sequences right now, which started back in January,” Ross Duffer told the audience at the SCAD TVfest, according to Variety. “It’s going well. We’re actually ahead of schedule, which is rare for us.”

Read more
We now know when Wes Anderson’s next movie will hit theaters
The movie is about a European family, although we don't know much more than that.
Wes Anderson (right) stands on the set of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

Few directors have created a distinct brand with its own fanbase quite the way that Wes Anderson has managed to do over the past 20 years. While his style is not for everyone, movie lovers tend to love him, and his last movie Asteroid City was one of his most critically acclaimed to date.

Now, Variety is reporting that Anderson's next movie, The Phonecian Scheme, will hit theaters on May 30. The film, which Anderson directed and also co-wrote with Roman Coppola, stars Benicio Del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, one of the richest men in Europe while Mia Threapleton plays his daughter and Michael Cera portrays her tutor.

Read more