Photo: Ono Kosuki

What is the one tool every man needs?

Measuring Tape This is a classic, yet essential tool that everyone should have in their toolbox. Whether you're trying to identify whether or not your furniture will fit into your space or you're doing custom carpentry work in your home, you can't get the job done without proper measurements and calculations.

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Essential Toolbox List: Must-Have Tools Every Man Needs

These Are the Tools Every Guy Should Own

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. No matter your living situation or your field of interest, every man and woman should have a set of basic tools at home. Yes, there’s always TaskRabbit or contractors-for-hire, but at some point you’re going to have to hammer a nail, tighten a screw or put together a piece of IKEA furniture on your own – whether due to an emergency situation or just general time and budget constraints.

RELATED: Best Multi-Tools

That being said, if you are unfamiliar with the best tools for everyday tasks, heading into a Big Box hardware store, with the hopes of narrowing down aisles of options into a handful of essential tools, might be overwhelming. And it’s easy to leave with a bunch of widgets you don’t need. Luckily, we are here to help. We checked in with some handy-kind-of-guys and gals to create the ultimate list of tools that every man should own. From measuring tapes to power tools, the gang’s all here.

Mark A. Sullivan, AIA, Partner at JZA+D

Tool Box (Including Crescent Wrench, Vice Grip and Screwdrivers)

Staying organized, and keeping all your items in a toolbox, will save you a lot of time and frustration when you need to find something specific. As a dad, I believe that when your kids reach a certain age you should give them a basic tool kit with a toolbox as a gift — a good one with a crescent wrench, vice grip, a set of screwdrivers with magnetic tips (Phillips, Flat Head, Square Head, Star Head, etc.) and other essentials.

$34.99 at Amazon.com

J. Pickens, Host of HGTV’s 'The Work Around'

Cordless Power Drill

Arguably the most useful and versatile tool ever. Aside from screwing things together and apart, it’s also useful for drilling holes through a multitude of materials, mixing paint and stains and sanding inside tiny spaces. When you buy the drill, buy a case of varied screw tips along with it and you should be all set for most of your home projects.

$79 at Amazon.com

Headlamp or Durable Flashlight

In the house or apartment, a HUGE percentage of repairs and projects take place in a tiny, dark space. Whether it’s under the sink or in a crawl space or closet; being able to see is a MUST. (This will also come in handy when you’re trying to sort out a mess of cords behind your TV!)

$12.97 at Amazon.com

Utility Knife

This is self-explanatory, but aside from opening packages and cutting off tags, you’ll find a utility knife useful for trimming and cutting wires and scraping metal and rust. Plus, the old removable blades are great for scraping paint and spills off glass and flooring.

$7.97 at Amazon.com

Set of Pliers

Pliers with a needle nose, straight handle tongue and groove. I recommend a small and large of each, and with them, the possibilities are endless. But don’t skimp; you get what you pay for with pliers. Longer handles and harder steel means better grip, more strength and longer use – I’ve literally had the same pair of channel lock pliers since I was 16 (nearly 20 years). I've used them at least 1,000 times and counting.

$37.99 at Amazon.com

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Two-Foot Level

I don’t think I even need to explain the reasoning here, but everyone should have a level. Apart from leveling things, it also serves as a great straight edge for cutting and drawing lines.

$21.97 at Amazon.com

Safety Glasses and a Dust Mask

Duh. [Don’t be the guy who thinks he’s too tough for safety. Invest in good safety glasses and pick up some dust masks if you’re planning to do any bigger repairs around your pad.]

$7.15 at Amazon.com

A Collection of Little Supplies

There are a number of smaller items you should add to your toolbox. Duct Tape, #8 pan head screws, a box of 5/8” drywall screws (or wood screws), a box of 2 1/2” drywall screws, painters tape, cotton rags, mineral spirits, a black marker, and if you are a real go-getter, a few wire nuts and chip brushes.

RELATED: How to Make Your Apartment Look Bigger

Kayla Hein, Interior Architect and Creative Director at Modern Castle

Compound Miter Saw

A compound miter saw is a very handy tool to have on-deck for most construction projects. You can make quick straight cuts, like those you might make with a simple circular saw, or you can make compound angled cuts. These cuts are necessary for clean mitered edges or for getting perfect inside corners for molding applications.

$349 at Amazon.com

Hammer

While it may sound basic, a good hammer is one of the most critical tools you can have in your arsenal. When shopping for a good hammer, skip over the lightweights. Select a hammer that has a good weight to it. A heavier hammer, although heavier to lift, will offer more driving force with each swing and result in less labor on your part.

$12.97 at Amazon.com

Electrical Pliers

A good pair of electrical pliers is another tool that is incredibly handy. It is not uncommon for a drywall job to quickly lead to an electrical job or have some kind of overlap where you'll need to access the inner-workings of an electrical outlet. Electrical pliers make it easy to do quick repairs on electrical items and keep moving forward.

$24.97 at HomeDepot.com

Marc Luongo, Electrical Contractor

Screwdriver

High-quality screwdriver set or multi-tip screwdriver is essential. A solid screwdriver set can be used almost every day from adjusting cabinet doors and building IKEA furniture to replacing batteries in toys and electronics.

$14.97 at HomeDepot.com

Joe Murphy, Interior Design Specialist

Laser Tape Measure

A laser tape measure makes the job of measuring super easy, especially if you don't have someone to hold the other end of the tape. It also holds measurement information to eliminate the 'measure, take note, measure again...' monotony that can take place when using a standard tape. From hanging a picture to measuring for a new addition, it’s a great resource for projects big and small.

$59.97 at HomeDepot.com

Joshua Zinder, AIA, Managing Partner at JZA+D

Stud Finder

I recommend keeping an electronic stud finder handy, even when you’re just hanging a picture frame or a painting. Electronic stud finders are good for any kind of wall because they detect density and objects in the wall, instead of using a magnet to find a nail in the stud.

$6.75 at Amazon.com

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Robert Fish, LGC, SBCCI, LBI and CASF

Voltage Tester

When it comes to electrical work in the home, you should always proceed with caution. The voltage tester is a small, easy-to-use tool that you can use to see if an outlet, light switch box or ceiling lightbox has power running towards it or through it.

$21.77 at HomeDepot.com

Kershan Bulsara, Manager at Roofmaster

Measuring Tape

This is a classic, yet essential tool that everyone should have in their toolbox. Whether you're trying to identify whether or not your furniture will fit into your space or you're doing custom carpentry work in your home, you can't get the job done without proper measurements and calculations. A mismeasured material will lead to errors in the project, which could end up costing you even more to correct in the long run.

$13 at Amazon.com

Jeff Neal, Industrial Painting Contractor

Paint Brush

I can think of hundreds of must-have tools, but I'll keep this focused on painting. A good, proper brush is important for home maintenance. A good brush has a thick head of bristles. This allows it to carry more paint, and provide a more even application. But it's also important to have the right brush for the type of paint. Oil-based paints need a synthetic or natural brush, while acrylic or latex paints require a synthetic brush only.

$15.47 at HomeDepot.com

Jerry Banks, Project Manager at Judd Builders

Wrenches

You want to invest in tools that will last. If you decide to go with a budget buy because you don't think you'll use them very much, you might be surprised. Quality tools should last you a long time and help you get the job done with ease. Whether tightening, loosening or getting a good grip, you can’t go wrong with adding wrenches to your list of tool essentials.

$116.08 at Amazon.com

You don't need to be a skilled carpenter to take care of things around your pad. Stock on these tools and you'll be ready to tackle everyday repairs and fix-it tasks effortlessly. And if you're unsure on the process, how-to articles and YouTube videos are a great resource. According to HGTV, 69 percent of Americans agree that they use/have used DIY online video tutorials to fix things in the home; 70 percent of which are men – so clearly, it's proving to be an effective option.

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askmen.com - Essential Toolbox List: Must-Have Tools Every Man Needs - AskMen

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