STANLEY Professional Grade Black Chrome New Mechanics Tool Set (Socket Set-229 Pieces)

Why it's worth it

A 229-piece socket set with 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch ratchets, both SAE and metric, in a black chrome finish. It's a budget option that still covers all three drive sizes, which is what This Old House says homeowners should own.

Getting all three drive sizes for this little is the whole pitch. The 1/4-inch drive handles small stuff you can strip by looking at it wrong, like appliance panel screws and furniture hardware. The 3/8-inch is the everyday size. The 1/2-inch is there when you need real leverage on lug nuts or lag bolts. Our top pick skips that last one entirely.

The markings are laser etched rather than printed, so they don't wear off the way ink does after a few years of rattling around. The black chrome finish adds corrosion protection, which is worth something if your tools live in a shed or an unheated garage. Both ratchets are reversible and have a quick-release button, so sockets come off without a fight.

From our review of 7 homeowner tool sets

What we like

• +Getting all three drive sizes for this little is the whole pitch
• +The markings are laser etched rather than printed, so they don't wear off the way ink does after a few years of rattling around
• +For a first-time homeowner, this covers the realistic workload

What to know

• –You're paying less and the tolerances likely reflect it
• –It weighs close to 23 pounds and it's a big flat case, which makes it a two-hand carry and an awkward closet resident
• –It's sockets and ratchets, full stop