By Deirdre Mundorf | Published Jun 28, 2022 4:06 PM

Ace Hardware’s history traces back nearly 100 years to 1924 when four Chicago hardware store owners decided to work together and rebranded themselves as Ace Stores. In the years that followed, Ace Hardware consistently increased its sales and has grown to be one of the leading hardware stores in the country with over 4,000 locations across the country.

Ace offers a wide selection of tools, hardware, heating and cooling supplies, paint, light fixtures, building supplies, home decor, gardening tools, and more. Based on our experts’ testing and knowledge and customer reviews, these are the 15 best tools at Ace Hardware for almost any homeowner or DIYer .

This drill from DeWalt was selected as our top pick in our guide to the best cordless drills. With 300 unit watts of power, the two-speed drill is suitable for almost all of your home improvement needs. Our experts were impressed with its comfortable handle and added palm support along with its ability to easily drill through a tree stump during testing.

Every toolbox needs a quality tape measure like this 25-foot Stanley PowerLock tape measure. The PowerLock’s heavy-duty stainless steel case, durable metal blade, easy-to-read measurement in inches and feet, and convenient carrying clip were just a few of the features our experts highlighted after testing the best tape measures.

Sand, cut, drill, grind, and more with this rotary tool kit from Dremel, available at Ace Hardware. Our experts dubbed it the best rotary tool thanks to its powder 1.8-amp motor with variable speed options, multiple accessory tools and hard storage case, and detachable work light.

STIHL is one of the best chainsaw brands, and the powerful MS 250 chainsaw is one of the models most highly recommended by our experts. This gas chainsaw is lightweight enough for home use, while still being capable of cutting down small or medium trees. Some of the best features of the chainsaw include the automatic chain lubrication, easily-accessible chain tensioner, and vibration-dampening technology.

Get a grip—and keep it—with the Knipex Cobra water pump pliers, which boast a high-quality chrome vanadium steel construction and comfortable handle. Rated the best pliers by our experts, they have a 10-inch length with a groove-joint design, making them ideal for gripping many different materials.

The Craftsman 26-piece multi-bit driver—one of the best magnetic screwdrivers, according to our experts—has a ratcheting feature to reduce muscle strain and fatigue. The screwdriver’s ergonomic handle allows for three varied twisting forces to match the precision or speed necessary for each job. This kit includes the ratcheting screwdriver handle, a magnetic telescoping pick-up tool, and 24 bit attachments.

A circular saw can come in handy for both small and large DIY and professional projects. Our experts chose this 15-amp model from DeWalt as the best corded circular saw. We liked that it’s among the lightest circular saws in its class and that the 18-tooth blade works quickly to cut through lumber.

Our experts chose this orbital sander from DeWalt as their pick for the best corded model. You can adjust the speed between 8,000 and 12,000 orbits per minute to meet the demands of each sanding task. This model’s motor helps keep vibrations to a minimum while the rubberized palm grip keeps you more comfortable as you work and the detachable dust bag keeps saw dust contained and allows for easier cleanups.

This Channellock WideAzz adjustable wrench is a must-have for every homeowner’s or professional’s toolbox. Selected as the upgrade pick in our guide to the best adjustable wrenches, this model features a wide 1.5-inch capacity along with long jaws to help it grip various fasteners with ease. Our experts also found the four-thread knurled adjustment screw to be quite effective at ensuring a secure grip when tightening or loosening a bolt.

A utility knife is a very useful tool to have in your arsenal. This set from Milwaukee includes two utility knives—one standard-size and one compact—with the brand’s unique folding design. You can easily open the knives with one hand using the lock release button, a feature that impressed our experts when we tested the best utility knives. We also liked the ergonomic handle grip and wire clip features.

There are plenty of times that call for a good hand saw, and our experts highly recommend this FatMax Carbon Steel model from Stanley. Because of its triple cut razor blade, the saw is able to cut through materials 50 percent more quickly than standard Stanley saws—a feature that helped it earn the upgrade pick award in our roundup of the best hand saws. The saw’s teeth are also induction-hardened, which allows them to stay sharper longer.

If you don’t have regular use or space for a sawhorse, this folding sawhorse from Stanley may be the ideal addition to your DIY space. The durable rubberized plastic sawhorse is lightweight yet able to support up to 1,000 pounds. Our team gave this pair the best bang for the buck award when we reviewed the best sawhorses.

If you have any woodworking projects planned, you’ll want to have a good combination square to help you check angles and measure accurately. This Irwin combination square offers a rust-proof stainless steel blade with precisely etched scales for 90- and 45-degree angles.

From one of the best tool brands out there, this cordless D-handle jig saw features a brushless motor, allowing it to deliver high blade speeds along. With variable speed options between 0 and 3,500 strokes per minute, you can achieve clean and controlled cuts every time.

To keep all your favorite tools organized, you’ll need the right tool box like this rolling tool box from Milwaukee. Not only will everything stay organized, but you’ll also be able to easily bring your tools to each job site. It offers an industrial-grade extension handle, all-terrain wheels, and a spacious interior with a 250-pound capacity that can be further organized with other components from Milwaukee’s Packout line.

The prices listed here are accurate as of publication on 6/28/22.

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