10 Must-Buy Power Tools For First-Time Homeowners

Embarking on your home ownership journey is an exciting time, but it's going to come with its fair share of repairs and upgrades. That's where the right power tools can make a huge difference. Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or a newbie learning how to handle home maintenance tasks for the first time, there are some tools that are well worth investing in. 

Along with these power tools, you should also consider the general tools every homeowner should have. There's a variety of affordable manual options that you should keep around as well. But an arsenal of powered options can make many jobs easier, which is advantageous if you're planning to fix up or renovate your new home. Before you go running to the hardware store, keep in mind that some homes might not need every power tool on this list. That will depend on your property's specific needs and your goals for it. Once you've figured that out, narrow down the best power tool brands to decide which ones are worth placing your faith in. Then, consider this selection of power tools we think will be useful for most homeowners to tackle future projects, maintenance, and repairs.

A cordless drill is a truly indispensable power tool for any homeowner (and many renters too). It's useful for everything from assembling IKEA furniture to bringing major DIY projects to life. New homeowners will love its convenience when it comes to installing shelves, hanging curtains and blinds, installing TV mounts, building furniture, and mounting wall decor. A motorized drill bit makes putting things together (and taking them apart) much easier and faster than a manual screwdriver. Besides these basic uses, with the right attachment, a cordless drill can also come in handy for mixing paint or grout, polishing metal, or even deep-cleaning the bathroom. Nowadays you can get scrub brush, polishing, and other cleaning attachments for cordless drills that can help bust stubborn residue buildup — ideal for that slightly dingy master bath that you're not quite ready to renovate yet.

When shopping for a cordless drill, consider if there's a brand you prefer. Sometimes, batteries may be interchangeable between power tools in the same line. For example, we've tried the Ryobi ONE+ PCL206, which is one of the cheapest cordless power drills at The Home Depot. It wasn't perfect, but it performed well (especially for its affordable price point). It comes with a couple of Ryobi ONE+ 18V batteries that you can use across a ton of ONE+ products, which is super helpful if you amass more tools from this line.

With this in mind, it's important to look at what comes with a cordless drill product: some only include the drill tool itself. This can be a cost-effective option if you already have the right battery, charger, and drill bits on hand. Alternatively, an option like the Dewalt 20V Max Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Bundle comes with a tool bag and 13-piece bit set as well as two batteries and a charger.

A circular saw will help new homeowners make straight cuts in a range of materials using only a fraction of the effort of a manual saw. They'll slice through pieces of lumber, plywood, melamine, vinyl, plastic, and more (with the right type of blade) in one go, rather than the tedious back-and-forth motion you need with a handheld saw. If you're doing more than just a few small one-off cuts, a circular saw can be well worth the investment. 

They're useful for pretty much any DIY or renovation project that uses wood, from repairing a fence to building your own furniture and shelving. Having a circular saw on hand opens up much more customizability since you can easily cut pieces to size. If you're taking on your own flooring or decking renovation, a circular saw is indispensable for cutting planks and trim. Having one also allows you to make quick work of clean-up tasks, like breaking down scrap wood or old furniture for disposal.

A smaller model like the Dewalt ATOMIC 20V MAX* Circular Saw might feel less intimidating to new homeowners who haven't used this tool before. The smaller size is convenient and great for cutting small planks and plywood, but it's also less versatile (it has a smaller cut depth). A tool like the Dewalt 20V MAX 7-¼-inch Cordless Circular Saw is a more traditional, large circular saw model with a deeper cut depth and the ability to cut on an angle, a great feature for projects that require bevel cuts. Many circular saws (including these two products) are sold as tool-only, so you'll need to buy a suitable blade separately.

An oscillating tool is one of the most useful gadgets you can add to your power tool collection, and its versatility is something that can really appeal to new homeowners. Some of TikTok's top tips for using an oscillating tool around the house show just how convenient this handheld product is. It can tackle jobs like cutting, sanding, scraping, and prying. Compared to manual tools, one oscillating tool can replace the job of many, and also make each task easier too. Just keep in mind that this is a compact power tool that will only handle shallow cuts and generally smaller jobs, so you might need another power tool (like a circular saw or orbital sander) for bigger projects.

The small size works to your advantage in some ways, letting you make more precise cuts and work in cramped spaces. New homeowners might reach for an oscillating tool to trim already-installed molding to install new cabinets or to cut through protruding nails or screws in hard-to-reach spaces. This tool is also great for cutting square holes (like electrical receptacle holes in drywall), removing grout, removing rust, and scraping up tough residue — all tasks you might face when renovating a starter home. Also, if you want to refurbish furniture for your new home, an oscillating tool is very useful for sanding around details in preparation for your new finish.

Oscillating tools don't usually have an exorbitant price tag, so it's not a bad choice for a first-time homeowner power tool, especially considering how flexible they are. A product like the Bosch GOP18V-28N 18V EC Brushless StarlockPlus Oscillating Multi-Tool is highly-rated. It only includes the base tool, so you can individually buy the snap-in accessories you need for each job.

There are a few mistakes people make that slowly (or sometimes quickly) harm their vacuum cleaners. A wet/dry shop vacuum is a more robust and heavy-duty version of this tool that can handle jobs that your regular vacuum can't like sucking up sharp debris, fine particles, and wet messes. The ability to clean up liquids is a major draw as this is a dangerous job for a normal vacuum. As a new homeowner, you'll want to protect your new asset, so it's worthwhile to have a shop vacuum on hand for emergencies like a big spill or standing water.

A shop vac is also indispensable for cleaning up after various renovation tasks that a new homeowner may undergo. It's the tool of choice for tidying construction debris like drywall dust and sawdust. When you first move in (and during yearly maintenance), you can use it for the dirty jobs you don't want to subject your regular vacuum to, like cleaning leaves, dirt, and cobwebs out of a basement or garage. 

Many brands also sell attachment kits that can help you with gutter cleaning. Other models are even more versatile, like the Vacmaster VBV1210 Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum. This shop vacuum can convert to a leaf blower. Part of the unit detaches to create a handheld device for clearing leaves from yards and pathways, one of the many joyous tasks you'll take on as a new homeowner.

When you own your first piece of property, you might feel a whole new sense of pride in making your home sparkle, especially the exterior. A home with a spotless facade has a lot of curb appeal, and a pressure washer is a fabulous tool for the job. It cleans much faster and more thoroughly than manual scrubbing. You can clear years of debris with just a few passes in a couple of hours, completely transforming a dingy home exterior — with an absolute minimum of elbow grease. If you're a new homeowner on a budget, a good pressure wash can be particularly appealing. A deep clean can brighten up the outside of your home for a significantly cheaper price than new paint or finishes. When you are ready to repaint your home's exterior, a pressure washer is the go-to tool for prepping the surface to be clean enough for painting. 

As you care for your home, you might use a pressure washer to clean exteriors, patios, pathways, decking, and decorative side walls. It can remove grime, dirt, mold, mildew, and spider webs, so you feel like you have a fresh start. This power tool is also useful for cleaning garbage cans, outdoor furniture, and fences. A product like the Ryobi Wheeled Corded Electric Pressure Washer is available in several models with different maximum PSI limits to tackle light- to heavy-duty jobs. However, before using one, just learn the mistakes that everyone makes when pressure washing. 

If you have a lawn on your new property, you'll likely need a tool to cut it. Consider if you want a push versus a self-propelled lawn mower. A self-propelled lawn mower is the way to go if you have a large or hilly yard, or if you just want to expend less effort. You'll have to choose between a corded, battery-powered, or gas mower, but any option will make the job less physically demanding than a push mower. Consider buying a mulching lawn mower, which chops up grass and thin layers of fallen leaves into small particles. You leave it there to decompose back into your lawn and provide it with vital nutrients.

Lawn mowers are fairly expensive, so it's worth doing some research before you buy. The Ego Power+ Electric Lawn Mower is one model with excellent ratings. It's cordless, has six cutting height positions, and includes two batteries for up to 65 minutes of run time, long enough to handle many residential lawns.

If you're a new homeowner mowing your own lawn for the first time, you'll notice there are quite a few spots that a lawn mower can't reach. A string trimmer, also known as a weed whacker, is the power tool of choice to get into these tight spots. These tools have a smaller head than a mower and are more maneuverable too. You can use them to trim grass in hard-to-reach areas, tidy up the edges along driveways or sidewalks, and trim around trees, fences, garden beds, rocks, and yard decorations. Use your trimmer after mowing to clean up spots the mower missed and make your lawn look like it's professionally done. Of course, this is a job you can do with hand clippers, but a string trimmer only takes a fraction of the effort and time. You also don't have to bend over as much, saving your back from aches and pains.

Similar to a self-propelled lawn mower, you'll have to choose between battery-powered, gas, and electric. A convenient and highly-rated string trimmer is the Ego ST1511T Cordless String Trimmer, which offers 45 minutes of run time on a single charge. The line loads itself at the press of a button, which is welcome news for new homeowners unfamiliar with this tool.

If you have a lot of deciduous trees around your house, it will probably only take one fall season for you to get sick of raking leaves. A leaf blower requires less effort and less time to get the job done, and you can use it for other tasks too. It's a helpful power tool for any new homeowner who foresees lots of yard cleanup jobs. 

As the name suggests, it helps you quickly clear leaves, but you can also use it for grass clippings and other yard debris. You can even use it for blowing dirt and dust from pathways and out of garages or sheds. And come winter, a leaf blower can help you clear away light layers of snow. With the right attachments, you can utilize them for gutter cleaning too. In short, there are a lot of outdoor cleaning tasks you can do with this single power tool, making it an appealing investment for first-time homeowners.

Leaf blowers can be pretty affordable too, with models like the corded Black + Decker Electric Axial Leaf Blower coming in at under $100. A cordless model like the Ego Power+ Leaf Blower can be a bit more expensive (but also more convenient for larger yards). If you think you'll use your leaf blower for gutter cleaning, buy one that is compatible with a gutter cleaning kit. For example, the Ego Power+ AGC1000 Gutter Cleaning Attachment Kit works with the previously mentioned Ego leaf blower, ensuring a perfect fit.

When switching from renting to home ownership, one of the most exciting parts of the transition is the freedom. You can finally put holes in your walls! However, you'll want to get your placement right the first time (it's not as easy to get rid of holes as it is to peel off Command strips). That's where a laser level can help. This tool projects a line across the surface you're installing onto. It's more accurate than a manual level, especially over longer distances and for larger areas, like if you're trying to plan out a large gallery wall. Other new homeowner tasks they're useful for include hanging wall art, installing curtain rods, and installing new trim.

A product like the Bosch GLL50-20 50 Ft Cross-Line Laser is self-leveling, so it's never out of alignment, and is accurate to 5/16th of an inch at 30 feet (that's hard to beat with a manual bubble level). When you're hanging wall decor, paintings, pictures, and shelves to make your new house a home, a laser level takes care of the pesky alignment task. They're especially convenient for installing larger items you need to get straight, like if you're putting in new cabinets.

Electric staplers and nail guns are useful for a range of tasks. If you're a new homeowner planning some DIY renovations, you'll likely come across a job that would be made easier with one of these tools. They're faster and more powerful than manually inserting nails. And it turns out, you can get multi-tools that do both! An example is the DeWalt DWHT75021 5-in-1 Multi-Tacker, which is suitable for a range of staples and brad nails. This affordable tool lets you handle many projects, and there's sure to be more on your plate as a homeowner.

Some examples of new homeowner projects that this tool can help with include installing staples and nails for DIY crafts (like making your own wooden photo frames or stapling fabric onto a canvas to repurpose old wall art). They're great for repairing or reupholstering furniture, and pretty much a necessity for installing new trim or molding. A heavy-duty nail gun will also help you with outdoor building jobs at your new home, like installing new fencing or decking.