All guides — page 4 | The DIY Tool Review

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Page 4

Lithium-ion cordless power tool battery packs of different amp-hour sizes beside a charger on a workbench

Technique11 min

Cordless Power Tool Batteries Explained: Voltage, Amp-Hours & Platforms (2026)

Voltage, amp-hours, brushless motors and battery platforms — the confusing specs behind every cordless tool, explained in plain English so you can pick the right pack and the right brand to commit to.

Cheryl ThompsonJuly 24, 2026

Power Tools

4 tested17 min

The Best Cordless Power Tools for DIY (2026 Buyer's Guide)

The complete beginner's map to cordless power tools — which two to buy first, how batteries and voltage really work, brushless vs brushed, and the platform to grow into.

Cheryl ThompsonJuly 24, 2026

Several cordless power tool combo kits with drills, saws and batteries laid out on a workbench

Power Tools

6 tested10 min

The 6 Best Cordless Power Tool Combo Kits for Beginners (2026)

A combo kit is the smart way for a beginner to buy their first cordless tools — bundled, cheaper, and all on one battery. Here are the six kits we'd recommend, from a six-tool Ryobi to a two-tool DeWalt starter.

Cheryl ThompsonJuly 24, 2026

A flat-lay of essential DIY hand and power tools on a workbench

Buying Guides

5 tested4 min

Essential DIY Tools: The Complete Starter Kit for 2026

The five tools every DIYer should own first — and exactly which one to buy in each category. Your no-overwhelm guide to building a tool kit that lasts.

Cheryl ThompsonJune 20, 2026

An affordable starter DIY tool kit laid out on a workbench

Buying Guides

5 tested3 min

The Best DIY Tool Kit for Beginners on a Budget (2026)

You don't need to spend a fortune to cover the basics. Here's a complete five-tool starter kit built from the best value picks in every category.

Cheryl ThompsonJune 20, 2026

A multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver and an assortment of driver bits on a workbench

Hand Tools

8 tested8 min

The Best Ratchet Screwdrivers for Your DIY Projects (2026)

A ratcheting screwdriver drives screws faster, stores its bits in the handle, and replaces a whole drawer of single-purpose drivers. Here are the eight we rate best — from a premium Wera to a budget Amazon Basics set — and how to pick the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonSeptember 20, 2022

Hand Tools

5 tested7 min

Why You Need a Good Pair of Pliers: The 5 Best Sets for 2026

One pair of pliers is never enough. A good set covers slip-joint, long-nose, groove-joint and cutting pliers in one buy — here are the five we recommend, and how to pick the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonAugust 17, 2022

A multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver with bits laid out on a workbench

Hand Tools

6 tested7 min

This One Screwdriver Can Replace a Whole Drawer (2026)

One good multi-bit ratcheting screwdriver — bits stored in the handle, a ratchet for speed — can replace an entire drawer of single screwdrivers. Here's the hero pick plus five more, and how to choose.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 27, 2022

A claw hammer resting on a wooden workbench

Hand Tools

5 tested5 min

Hammers Are an Essential DIY Tool: The 5 Best for 2026

A good claw hammer is the first tool every DIYer should own. Here are the five we reach for most — from a do-everything 16 oz pick to a heavy framing hammer — plus how to choose the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 12, 2022

A retractable steel tape measure extended across a wooden board

Measuring & Layout

5 tested8 min

How to Use a Tape Measure Like a Pro (2026)

Read the markings, master the loose hook, and burn an inch like a carpenter — then see the five tape measures we'd actually buy, led by the Stanley FatMax 25 ft.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 5, 2022

A cordless drill/driver resting on a workbench next to a set of bits

Power Tools

5 tested8 min

The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Cordless Drill: Best Picks for 2026

A cordless drill is the one power tool that changes how you do everything around the house. Here are the five drill/driver kits we recommend for 2026 — plus a plain-English guide to voltage, brushed vs brushless, chuck size and clutch.

Cheryl ThompsonMarch 3, 2022

A tile cutter and ceramic tiles laid out on a workbench

Power Tools

5 tested7 min

The 5 Best DIY Tile Cutters for Your Home (2026)

A wet saw or a manual score-and-snap cutter? Here are the five tile-cutting tools we recommend for DIY tile jobs — two electric wet saws for porcelain and notches, three manual rail cutters for fast, cheap straight cuts — plus how to pick the right one.

Cheryl ThompsonFebruary 27, 2022

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