A good cordless drill, a reliable level and a stud finder handle most jobs around the house. Most people own too many cheap tools and not enough good ones. Here's where we'd put the money.
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The combo most people should buy first. The drill handles holes and mixing; the impact driver sinks long screws and lag bolts without stripping. Two batteries means one is always charged.
Noticeably smaller and lighter than 18/20V tools, which matters inside cabinets and above your head. Plenty of power for furniture, shelving and fixtures.
The widest, cheapest battery platform to grow into. One battery runs hundreds of tools, from sanders to leaf blowers to glue guns.
Throws a level horizontal and vertical line across the room in seconds. Gallery walls, shelving, tile layouts and TV mounts all go faster and straighter.
Uses a row of sensors to show the full width of the stud at once. No more sliding back and forth guessing at edges.
Cuts flush through trim, drywall and nails, and scrapes old caulk. The tool that gets you out of jams on almost every renovation.
Hammer, screwdrivers, pliers, hex keys and a tape in one case. Every apartment should have one, and it's the best housewarming gift going.
Wide blade that stays straight a long way out, so you can measure alone. Tough enough to survive being dropped off a ladder.
You're really choosing a battery, not a drill. Batteries only work within one brand's system, so pick the platform you'd be happy to grow into.
| Platform | Best for | Strength | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeWalt 20V MAX | Homeowners doing regular projects | Broad pro-grade lineup, widely stocked in Canada | Costs more than Ryobi |
| Milwaukee M12 | Apartments, tight spaces, fixtures | Small, light, lots of specialty tools | Not built for heavy framing or big saws |
| Ryobi ONE+ 18V | Budget DIY, garden and hobby tools | Huge range of tools at low prices | Tools feel less refined under heavy use |
Brushless motors run cooler, last longer and get more work out of each battery charge. On a drill you'll keep for a decade, it's worth the extra cost.
Kits include batteries and a charger. After that, buy "tool-only" versions, which are much cheaper because you already own the batteries.
A drill makes holes and an impact driver drives screws. Trying to drive 3-inch deck screws with a drill wears you out, and it wears out the drill too.
Not for light work. If you're building decks, fences or furniture with long screws, an impact driver does the job faster and with less wrist strain.
Yes. Self-levelling cross-line lasers from the major brands are far more accurate than you need for shelving, tile or artwork. Just let the laser settle before you mark.
For home DIY, absolutely. Pros prefer DeWalt or Milwaukee for daily jobsite abuse, but a homeowner will rarely push a Ryobi to its limit.
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