10 Affordable Tools That Will Change How You DIY Forever

Are you looking to tackle those countless DIY projects around your home? In this post, we’re sharing 10 game-changing tools that have transformed our projects, making them easier, safer, and far more enjoyable. These are tools we wish we’d discovered sooner!

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Since we bought our home in 2017, we have been relentlessly improving every inch of it. From retiling a floor to installing solar panels, we have tackled dozens, if not hundreds, of projects at this point. Today, we’d like to share with you our favorite, game-changing tools that we wish we’d bought sooner. These are tools that so greatly improved the DIY process, we think everyone should own them. So without further ado, let’s get into it!

1. Headlamp

One of the best purchases we’ve made is this LED headlamp. There are plenty of DIY projects where it can be hard to see what you are working on, such as changing the oil on your car or replacing a sink faucet. Sometimes, there isn’t any light available, like when doing electrical work or working in the attic.

We got by for years using the flashlight on our phone, but you often need both hands, and you can’t always position your flashlight where you need it. We picked up an inexpensive headlamp from Harbor Freight one year but the incandescent bulb was too dim to be much help. Then we finally bought this LED headlamp from Amazon, and it has made a huge difference! We use it for everything:

Cleaning my dog’s ears.
Cleaning my other dog’s ears.
Cleaning my ears.

Alright, so a lot of ears. We love it. We highly recommend picking up an LED headlamp, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.

2. Super Bright Garage Lighting

Speaking of better lighting, let’s talk about garage lighting. Many garages and workshops have dim lighting that makes it hard to see what you’re doing. It’s frustrating and inefficient.

One of the simplest upgrades we made was replacing our old garage bulbs with super-bright LED lights. The improvement was night and day (literally). Better lighting has made a huge difference when working on DIY projects, and we should have done this as soon as we moved in. If you’re tired of squinting in the dim lighting, this is a quick and impactful fix.

3. Tool Belt

The next game-changing tool on our list is a tool belt. This is especially helpful when working on a ladder or roof, really anytime you need your tools close by. We’ve got this massive one that holds all your tools and hardware because making two trips sucks.

Our tool belt was super helpful when we were installing solar panels and our retaining wall. It held a drill, an impact driver, and dozens of lag bolts with room to spare.

4. Full Face Respirator

Do you like breathing? Would you like to keep doing that for as long as possible? If so, then this next tool is for you.

A full-face respirator is a must-have for certain DIY projects. Anytime we’re going to be working in the attic or anywhere with insulation, we always wear at least a mask. A respirator is even better, and by changing the cartridges, it can protect you from nasty fumes and VOCs as well.

We particularly like this style because it also protects your eyes from fumes or dust. I don’t know about you, but I find it really hard to do DIY projects while crying. And if you have a garage shop like us, this thing is extra awesome because you can just open up the garage and blow all that sawdust out.

Pro Tip: You can also use it while chopping onions. Though you might freak out your dog a bit.

5. Gel Knee Pads

Alright, I am embarrassed to admit how long we went without buying these. We’d made it through a lot of projects by just kneeling on a sheet of cardboard:

Retiling our entryway (twice—long story, don’t ask).
Installing flooring in our basement bathroom.
Installing flooring in our parent’s bathroom.
Installing flooring in our parents’ other bathroom.

Finally, we decided to install vinyl plank flooring in our screened-in deck, too. After looking at how much area we had to cover, we realized cardboard wasn’t going to cut it. We decided to invest in good knee pads. And dang it, we were going to get good knee pads. Something that would support our knees, cushion them, and stay soft forever.

Enter: Gel Knee Pads. These things are amazing, and our knees were so thankful to have them. Get yourself a pair. Future you will thank you!

6. Oscillating Multitool

I first got one of these multitools back in college, and it was great, but the expensive proprietary bits drove me nuts. The oscillating multitool we use now works with nearly every bit style on the market and uses a threaded lever for secure holding. It’s incredibly versatile and has been a lifesaver for a variety of tasks:

Cutting drywall for gang boxes.
Cutting wood.
Cutting copper pipe when you can’t get a better cutting tool around the pipe.

Another great feature is that it can also be used to sand tight spaces. This tool is our go-to for tile work since it can cut grout and tiles and scrape up dried mortar. It’s definitely a must-have for any serious DIYer.

7. Bluetooth Headphones

The biggest downside to the oscillating multitool? Its noise. Hearing loss is permanent, so it’s important to protect your hearing. That’s where Bluetooth headphones come in.

Not only do they protect your ears, but they also make DIY projects more enjoyable. You can listen to your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook while working. They’ve made even the most monotonous projects more bearable for us. It’s a small investment that pays off big time.

8. Crowbars

Your claw-foot hammer will work well enough for a lot of projects, but there come times when you just need a proper crowbar. Here’s how we’ve used ours:

Prying up decking: Big crowbar.
Prying up shingles: Flat crowbar.
Prying off trim: Use a Small crowbar.

Unlock the power of leverage and show physics who’s boss. Trust us, it’s worth having a variety of crowbars in your toolkit.

9. Post Level

If you’ve ever installed posts or framing, you know how important it is to ensure everything is plumb. You can check both sides with a level, make your adjustments, then check again, but that’s cumbersome and slow.

Enter the post level. This handy tool attaches to a corner with a rubber band and makes the whole job a lot faster and easier. It was a huge time-saver when we were setting posts for our retaining wall garden.

10. Ratchet Straps

Ratchet straps are something every DIYer needs. No matter how big your car, SUV, or truck is, you will eventually buy something that doesn’t fit.

When you’ve got your expensive front door hanging out the back of your car, you don’t want to trust the store and their twine to hold it tight. Get yourself a set of ratchet straps and keep them in your car.

As a bonus, they can also be used as a variable-length clamp. For example, they’re great for holding boards together while glue dries or while you screw them in place. We’ve used ours on planter boxes to glue the corners together, and they’ve been a game-changer.

More DIY Projects

These tools have truly changed how we approach DIY projects. From better lighting to protecting our knees and lungs, these items have made our home improvement journey easier, safer, and more enjoyable. If you’re a homeowner or DIY enthusiast, we highly recommend adding these to your arsenal. Happy DIYing!

Check out more of our DIY projects articles for inspiration!

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Hope this roundup of game-changing tools for homeowners helps you get those projects done! Let us know if there are any tools you’ve found to be critical for every homeowner in the comments below!

Disclaimer: This post includes affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies I trust. There is no additional cost to you.