Garage & tools: what your first home actually needs
Buying guides covering drills, saws and the car kit a garage inevitably collects, from a small socket set to a detailing polisher.
Start here
The three that matter first
Nothing gets assembled, hung or fixed until you own a drill, and the Stanley FATMAX V20 kit's hammer action handles Australian brick as well as pine.
Hang the TV into a stud rather than into bare plasterboard; the Franklin ProSensor M70 lights up the full width of the stud with no calibration.
The SEDY 12 piece set gives you 10mm sockets in deep and shallow sizes, extension bars and a magnetic storage rail, in both quarter inch and three eighths drive.
Flat pack day exposes the truth of a first home: you own furniture in 2D and no tools to make it 3D. One decent kit fixes the afternoon, but the category really starts with a torque wrench, a KAIWEETS multimeter, and the AstroAI tyre inflator that lives in the boot.
From there it's the slow accumulation that makes a garage useful instead of merely full: ratchet straps for the trailer run, a COREBOX battery charger for the car that sat through your house hunting year, and a dual action polisher for when you care about the duco again. Where a tool's natural home is a trade supplier rather than Amazon, the guide says so.
Assembly and hanging
Day one tools for flat packs, shelves and wall mounts, from the SKIL 4V screwdriver to the Huepar cross line laser that squares up a gallery wall.
Drill Bit Sets
Door HandlesEight door handle sets compared for Australian homes, sorted by the job rather than the finish: a six-door matte black privacy kit for doing the whole house, single privacy and passage levers from Kwikset and Schlage, a solid brass Georgian pair for period interiors, and keyed entry options for sheds and garage doors. Prices, ratings and fit specs come from the Australian listings rather than a US parent listing.
Staple GunsSeven staple guns for Australian homes, ranked by staple family first so you are not stuck ordering refills online for the life of the tool.
Rivet GunsThe best rivet gun in Australia depends on the job: hand riveters and kits suit most homes, while the Brushess Blind Pop Rivet Gun for Makita 18V Battery is our top pick for owners of that battery, which its description says is not included. Only a handful of ratings so far.
Pocket Hole JigsA first-home-buyer guide to the best pocket hole jigs in Australia, comparing Kreg, Milescraft, Trend, wolfcraft and Massca on ratings, price and the projects each one suits.
Tool BeltsA first-home-buyer guide to the best wearable tool belts and rigs on Amazon Australia for 2026, comparing fabric and leather options across seven picks by pockets, comfort, sizing and price.
Hot Glue Guns
Storage BoxesThe best overall storage box here is the ZICOTO Decorative Storage Boxes with Lids (Set of 2), a PU leather pair listed for photos, documents and keepsakes. For bigger jobs, the guide compares fabric cubes, a collapsible chest, a wheeled tub set and clear latch boxes by size, lid and seller.
The best car ramps
Garage ShelvingThe garage shelving worth buying on Amazon Australia in 2026, with boltless steel, wire and wall-mounted formats compared on load rating, price and real owner reviews.
Bench Grinders
Grease Guns
Drill Press
Trolley JacksNo trolley jack on this page could be bought on 20 October 2026: the AV Steel, Dunlop and SIXTOL listings were all unavailable, so there is no crown. You can still buy two HORUSDY bottle jacks, 4 and 8 tonne, and the E-HEELP 12V electric scissor jack, which are different tools to a wheeled trolley jack.
Paint SprayersThe best paint sprayer in Australia in this guide is the VEVOR Stand Airless Paint Sprayer, a wheeled airless model whose listing describes medium to large painting tasks and adjustable speed. We compare it with Wagner and HYCHIKA models on nozzles, paint restrictions and cleaning, and flag a mains plug check before ordering.
Cordless Drills
Tape MeasureA good tape measure is the first tool most new homeowners reach for. We rate the Bosch 5m auto lock as the best all rounder, the Stanley PowerLock 5m as the value buy with the most reviews, and the Crescent Lufkin Multi-Read 8m as the cheapest of our headline three.
Chisel SetsDeWalt's 4-piece wood chisel set is our top pick for most first home buyers: hardened carbon steel, a strike cap for the mallet, and the highest star rating of our three headline picks. Irwin Marples is the value choice with the most reviews, and the Duramax 4-piece is the cheapest way to get sharp out of the box.
Plier Set
Pry Bars
Caulking Gun
Sanding Blocks
Paint RollersThe best paint roller for most Australian walls is a microfibre cover with a 10mm to 12mm nap. Our top pick is the ROLLINGDOG 6-piece 18-inch kit for fast, even coverage on big walls and ceilings, with the Amazon Basics microfibre 6-pack as the value buy and a ROLLINGDOG 2-inch mini set for trims and corners.
Wheel ChocksSolid rubber holds better than plastic on a slope, and the MaxxHaul 70472 is our top pick on grip and weight. The Aussie-made TRED GT is the cheapest pick, and the Camco rope chock is the easiest caravan choice for re hitching.
Hand Saws
Allen Key Sets
Clamps
PegboardThe best pegboard in Australia we can recommend is the Costway Pegboard Wall Organizer 9 Bin Parts Rack, three metal pegboards with 9 bins, racks and 12 hooks, though it has very few ratings so far. The Wall Control metal packs, and the Keepo and Daanxw kits, suit other walls and loads.
Work Gloves
Bench ViceA heavy duty Stanley MaxSteel 150mm is our top all rounder, the WORKPRO 4.5 inch is the value pick, and the VEVOR 4.5 inch is the cheapest way to get a solid vice on your bench. We compared jaw width, clamping force, swivel base and real Amazon AU ratings.
Utility Knives
Spirit LevelsA magnetic 25cm Bosch Professional is the most versatile spirit level for a first home toolkit, the 60cm Bosch with marking sliders is the best value all rounder, and the Stanley Classic 800mm box level is the budget pick. We compared eight levels on Amazon Australia.
Workbench for anFor most Australian garages the WORKPRO 48-inch adjustable rubberwood bench is the one to buy, with a 2000lb rated frame and 1,500-plus reviews. The Firstsky mobile pegboard bench is the value pick, and the SoonTools folding workstand is the cheapest way to get a stable surface.
Hand Truck Trolley
Wet Dry Vacuums
Screwdriver Sets
Tool Bags
Bike Racks for Cars
Wheelbarrows
Extension Cords
Car Covers
Step Ladders
Car Seat Organisers
Electric ScrewdriversThe best electric screwdriver in Australia is the Xiaomi 4019 Cordless Screwdriver, a USB-C driver with a 2,000 mAh battery and a three shift dial. We compare ten electric screwdrivers you can buy, from cordless DIY drivers to precision kits, on voltage, torque, bits, battery and speed control.
Impact DriverAn impact driver drives long screws, bolts and fasteners fast by adding rotational hammer blows, and it takes bits in a 1/4in hex chuck, so it does a different job from a drill. The real decision is which battery platform you are on: Makita LXT, DeWalt 18V XR or Bosch Professional 12V. All three picks here are bare tools, sold as a skin only, so the battery and charger are sold separately.
Stud Finder
Laser LevelThe best laser level in Australia for most home jobs is the Bosch Home & Garden Atino Line Laser, a compact line laser with a built in tape measure for hanging pictures, shelves and cabinet handles. For whole room layout, step up to a 360 degree model such as the Firecore 3x360.
Socket SetThe real choice here is drive size and whether the sockets are impact-rated or chrome hand tools. A 1/4 inch drive suits small, precise work, 3/8 inch is the all-rounder, and 1/2 inch handles heavy and impact jobs. These six run from the SEDY starter set to the DEWALT 168-piece mechanics kit, so you can match the set to the job rather than overspend.
Tool ChestCutting, sanding and the messier jobs
Once the furniture's built you'll want to cut, smooth and strip things; the Bosch PST 650 jigsaw and the Dremel 3000 are the corded stalwarts here.
Sawhorses
Wood RoutersSeven woodworking routers for Australian home workshops, ranked around the two things overseas guides never check: which collet is actually in the box, and whether the plug will work here. Plunge, trim, dual base and router table options from Bosch, Ryobi, DEWALT and Trend.
Welding HelmetsA first-home-buyer guide to seven welding helmets you can buy on Amazon Australia right now, from panoramic auto-darkening hoods to a cheap flip-front mask, with shade ranges, viewing area and honest flaws for each.
Belt Sanders
Table Saws
Reciprocating Saw
Safety GlassesEight safety glasses on Amazon Australia, with the compliance standard each listing actually states reported in full. Covers all round picks, spares, anti fog designs, over glasses shells for spectacle wearers, bifocal readers and polarised lenses for glare.
Log SplitterA research backed guide to log splitters researched on Amazon Australia in 2026, leading with genuinely reviewed manual kindling splitters and being upfront about where to go for powered hydraulic units.
Drop Saws
ChainsawsThree cordless chainsaws compared for Australian homes: the Metabo MS 36-18 LTX BL 40 for firewood and storm cleanup, the Bosch EasyChain 18V-15-7 that comes with its battery and charger, and the TOPEX 20V TX221 kit.
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Orbital SanderThe honest split here is corded versus cordless. A corded random orbital like the Black and Decker gives you unlimited runtime for next to nothing; a cordless skin only makes sense if you already own an 18V or 20V battery platform. Random-orbital is what most people want, because it sands swirl-free. These six run from that Black and Decker to the DeWalt.
Angle Grinder
Nail Gun
Rotary ToolsThe real choice here is a corded mains tool versus a cordless mini. Corded Dremels deliver the speed and stamina for grinding, cutting and sanding harder materials, while compact cordless minis like the Hardell are light, cable-free and ideal for engraving and craft work. Our best overall is the Hardell Mini Cordless Rotary Tool 3.7V, and the Dremel 3000 and 4250 cover the corded side.
Heat GunThe car bay
Half of an Australian garage is car space, and this is the kit that earns it; the ANCEL AD310 code reader tells you what the engine light means before you book the mechanic.
Steering Wheel Locks
Car Wax
Car Air FreshenersA first-home-buyer's guide to the best car air fresheners in Australia, comparing vent clips, hanging diffusers and spill-proof tins on scent longevity, format and allergy honesty.
Car Wash Kits
Bike Locks
LED Light Bars
Electric ScootersThe best electric scooter in Australia on this page is the iScooter i8m 350W Electric Scooter, put first for its pneumatic 8.5 inch tyres, Tuya app control and low listed weight. The guide reads five Amazon Australia listings plus one with a dated note, and shows where each listing gives the same fact two ways.
Jump StarterThe real decision here is peak amps for your engine. A small four-cylinder petrol needs a fraction of what a big diesel ute does, so matching the boost pack to your car matters more than chasing the biggest number. These six run from a compact TREKURE that doubles as a power bank up to the NOCO GB70 flagship for large petrol and diesel engines.
Car Battery Charger
Tyre InflatorA portable tyre inflator is the cheapest piece of car kit that pays for itself the first time you find a soft tyre in the driveway. These seven run from a corded AstroAI that plugs into your 12V socket to a cordless Bosch EasyPump you can take anywhere, and almost every one reaches well past what any car or SUV tyre needs.
Air CompressorA portable tyre inflator is the cheapest car gear that pays for itself in fuel and tyre life. We compare six picks for car, caravan, camping and 4WD use.
OBD2 ScannerThe real choice here is a standalone code reader with its own screen versus a Bluetooth adapter that pairs with a phone app. Standalone readers like the Autel MS309 just plug in and show engine codes, with no phone and almost nothing to learn. Bluetooth adapters add live data and deeper systems through an app, if your car and app cooperate. These six run from the Autel up to the OBDLink MX+.
Car VacuumThe best car vacuum in Australia is the Car Vacuum Cleaner, Cordless 22000Pa with Charging Base, which lists 22000Pa suction and two washable HEPA filters. We compared the handheld and corded car vacuums on Amazon AU by suction, runtime, filters and attachments. The corded ThisWorx is the alternative for unlimited runtime.
Car PolishersA car polisher drives a foam pad to cut swirls and bring gloss back to tired paint. The big decision is dual action versus rotary: a dual action oscillates as it spins, which makes it hard to burn the paint. Our pick is the SPTA 780W, a corded dual action with a long 15mm orbit, sold on Amazon Australia.
Car Phone MountsA good car phone mount disappears into your dashboard until the moment you need directions, then holds your phone rock-steady at a glance. We compared six of the most-reviewed mounts in Australia (MagSafe magnetic, air-vent and suction-cup styles) on grip strength, one-handed mounting and whether they charge while you drive.
Torque WrenchesA 1/2in drive click wrench is the car staple for wheel nuts, a 3/8in suits engine bays, a low range wrench suits bicycles, and a digital one gives a live readout. We compared seven on drive size, torque range, accuracy and calibration paperwork. Our pick is the GEARWRENCH 85063M, a 1/2in micrometer click wrench.
Ratchet StrapsTesting gear and odd jobs
For dark roof cavities, suspect power points, soft bike tyres and whatever's buried under the lawn; the OTYTY work light and the AstroAI True RMS multimeter handle the first two.
Laser Measures
Tap and Die SetsA first-home-buyer guide to the best tap and die sets on Amazon Australia, covering metric and imperial thread cutting and repair for the garage.
Wire Strippers
Torches
Portable GeneratorsThe best petrol inverter generators on Amazon Australia for 2026, from an 8.5kg camping unit to 4.2kW home backup.
Work Light
Multimeter
Bike PumpThe real choice is a floor pump for home, with a big gauge that hits high pressure fast, versus a mini pump for the saddlebag and roadside fixes, versus an electric pump for hands-free inflation. These six include the Tiakia mini pump and the Bosch cordless EasyPump, and every one handles both Presta and Schrader valves.
Metal DetectorsSet up every room in the right order.
The room-by-room checklist we’d hand a mate on settlement day, with our pick for each job. One email, then we leave you alone.
Garage & Tools questions, answered straight
What tools should I buy first for a new house?
Three tools cover most of year one: a drill, a stud finder and a basic socket set. Start with the Stanley FATMAX V20 hammer drill kit, or the Bosch EasyDrill 18V-40 if you'll never drill into brick. Add a small socket set and the Franklin ProSensor M70 stud finder and the first year of jobs is mostly handled. Skip the big mechanics kits for now; the DEWALT 168 piece set earns its place once you're working on cars.
Do I really need a stud finder for plasterboard walls?
Yes. The knock test is unreliable. The Franklin Sensors ProSensor M70 lights up the full width of the stud with no calibration step. If you also want to know where the wiring runs before you drill near a power point, the Zircon MultiScanner i520 adds metal and live AC scanning.
What car gear should live in the garage?
A jump starter and a tyre inflator cover the two most common failures. The NOCO Boost GB40 is the safe default, with spark proof and reverse polarity protection built into the clamps, or the TREKURE 4500A does the job for less. Pair either with the AstroAI tyre inflator, which inflates to a preset pressure and shuts off by itself. If the car sits for weeks between drives, the NOCO GENIUS1 maintainer stops the battery going flat in the first place.
Keep the tyre inflator in the boot rather than on the garage shelf. The AstroAI tyre inflator stops automatically at the preset pressure.
Anish Puri, NestPath
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