The Seven Best Combo Tools for Your DIY Projects

There are two universal truths about tools: they are expensive and take up a lot of space. If you’re trying to maintain a home or do DIY jobs in a small space or on a budget, stacking up all the tools you might need to get the job done can put a strain on your wallet and at the same time pose a storage challenge.

The solution is actually quite simple: buy tools that combine several functions into a single element. While having the specific tool you need for each job will always be your best bet, if you’re short on space and/or money, combo tools like these give you all the capabilities you need without taking up all your storage space or draining your bank account.

Having a wide range of wrenches on hand means you can tackle any job, but it also means you need to know how to store those wrenches so they don’t take over your life. Enter the universal wrench, which can be all the wrenches and ratchets you need. It fits spline bolts, six and 12 point bolts, Torx and square bolts. It also handles damaged bolts and all standard sizes.

You may already own a multitool, but it’s nothing compared to this useful combo tool. This combines 17 standard tools in a hand-sized unit, including a screwdriver, tape measure, level, flashlight and hammer. You’re not going to do any big remodeling projects with this, but if you need a complete toolbox for everyday DIY and don’t have space or budget for real tools, this will handle just about any job.

This five-in-one drill packs a lot of power into a small unit

This five-in-one drill from Dewalt is a great combination tool for two reasons: it’s multifunctional, and it combines small size with lots of power so it can be used in almost any situation. It comes with four accessories: an offset adapter, a quick-release bit holder, a right angle adapter, and a ratchet chuck. You can drill holes and drive fasteners while easily changing the angle and position of your drill bit. The right angle and offset accessories plus its small size mean you don’t need any other drill to get your job done.

This hammer is also a lever (and more)

Two of the most useful items in a toolbox are a hammer and a pry bar. If you’re looking to save space, combining the two is a great solution. The Vaughan Rage model also functions as a sledgehammer/demolition tool and offers a nail puller as well as pry function, making it incredibly useful for such a small and affordable tool.

This eight-in-one handsaw features replaceable blades

Having the right saw for the job is essential: trying to use a wood saw when a hacksaw would be a better choice will never work. This eight-in-one handsaw offers replaceable blades for wood, drywall, metal, and plastic, allowing you to cut a wide range of materials without having to collect and swap multiple saws. It also has a quick-change mechanism, so if you’re working with multiple materials, you can quickly switch between them.

This adjustable wrench is much more

If you want to repair things, you’ll need a wrench, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver. This tool combines them all, plus a wire cutter and a knife. The adjustable wrench fits most standard bolts and also provides multiple screwdriver bits so you’re not stuck with just the standard Phillips head. Instead of four or five tools taking up space, this little piece will do it all for you.

You don’t have to be a professional painter to use this nifty 10-in-one tool to make your painting projects easier and your toolbox a little lighter. This thing is a paint, caulk and adhesive scraper, can (and bottle) opener, roller cleaner, point hammer – it can even drive in a deck screw in a snap if you need it. In other words, instead of carrying around a bunch of tools to deal with the usual irritations and challenges of painting a wall, you can slip them into your back pocket and get to work.