20 Practical Gifts Homeowners Will Actually Thank You For

Homeownership comes with its fair share of excitement, to-do lists, and maintenance tasks. Gifts that help new homeowners tackle future projects are always appreciated, especially if it’s their first house. Instead of another throw pillow or candle, give gifts that actually help new homeowners tackle their endless to-do lists. We’ve tested hundreds of tools, smart home devices, and home essentials to find the 20 gifts they’ll use for years, whether it’s their first home or fifth.

To start, new homeowners who don’t have a tool collection will appreciate the Stanley 94-248 65-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit for their homeowners’ survival kit. Those who already have the basics might appreciate an upgrade of a home essential, like the Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum to replace their current vacuum. The list doesn’t end there: keep reading for more of the best gifts for new homeowners.

Our Favorite Gifts for Homeowners

Below is a list of our top gifts, ranging from budget-friendly options starting at $9.99, with premium picks up to $675.

1. Homeowner’s Tool Kit

First-time homeowners can really benefit from a general tool kit. The Stanley 94-248 65-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit impressed our testers in our search for the best home tool kit. It has 65 pieces, including a full-size hammer, pliers, and screwdrivers, plus a variety of screwdriver bits, hex keys, and ratchet attachments, all stored in a molded carrying case. Great for gifting, your recipient is sure to use the tools for those odd jobs that come with home ownership. 

What our tester says: “Stanley’s 65-piece hand tool kit includes a thoughtful mix of reasonably priced, well-made tools. While the set is by no means comprehensive, it sets itself apart from other tool kits by including tools that can handle bigger jobs.”—Tony Carrick, Product Reviews tester and writer

Read our full review: Stanley 94-248 65-Piece Homeowner’s Tool Kit

2. Hammer Drill/Driver

No manual screwdriver can replace the convenience of a cordless drill. The Bosch GSB18V-65B12 18V ½-Inch Hammer Drill/Driver has the power to make quick work of almost any residential task. It’s our top pick for the best cordless drill, lightweight and compact enough for extended daily use, and sturdy enough for the occasional bigger job: it’s an excellent addition to any tool kit. 

What our tester says: “I really liked how the new Bosch hammer drill/driver felt—light, comfortable, and capable. In terms of comfort, as well as speed and torque, I preferred it over all of the other drills that I tested.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

3. Smart Wi-Fi Plug

Give your recipient the convenience of a smarter home with the best smart plug. The TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug is the perfect gift for new homeowners to dip their toe into home automation. It’s affordable, easy to set up, widely compatible, and has a compact design to fit almost anywhere. Connect it to a voice assistant or smartphone using a 2.4 GHz WiFi network, and it will make it possible to remotely turn items on and off, as well as set schedules and timers.

What our tester says: “We put this one in our daughter’s room because she loves to have her fan on while she falls asleep, but not all night. Now she just tells Alexa to turn on her fan for bedtime, and it shuts off automatically after a couple of hours.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer

4. Step Folding Ladder

The HBTower 2-Step Folding Ladder isn’t a glamorous gift, but it’s one that your recipient is guaranteed to use someday. Approved as our choice for the best step stool, this two-step folding step stool is durable and stable underfoot. It holds up to 500 pounds and has non-slip feet, handgrips, and steps, and a mechanism that locks it in place to ensure it’s safe. 

What our tester says: “The step stool held firm during testing with no signs of flex or instability, even under stress. The hinges and connectors appear well-made and should enhance the product’s longevity. In testing, this step stool opened and closed smoothly with repeated folding and unfolding without compromising its structural integrity.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Read our full review: HBTower 2-Step Folding Ladder

5. Cordless Stick Vacuum

The Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum is a big-ticket item, but it really is one of the best vacuums on the market. It is a pleasure to use and the powerful suction is very effective—some might even say it makes vacuuming fun. If you have the budget and want to give something extra nice, a Dyson vacuum is pretty much guaranteed to be well-received. 

What our tester says: “The V15 is all about cleaning and convenience. It automatically charges when hung on its docking station, and it offers several attachments that made it easy for me to clean virtually all the spots in my home.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Read our full review: Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Vacuum

6. Long Arm and Imperial Hex Keys

Whether for assembling new furniture or updating fixtures, pretty much every homeowner will need a hexkey at some point. Make sure your giftee has the right one for the job with the Wera Long Arm and Imperial Multicolor Hex Key Sets. After testing, we chose it as our top pick for the best Allen wrench set. It’s comprehensive, with metric and SAE wrenches. It comes with 18 wrenches total, each with an extended arm that provides extra reach. 

What our tester says: “Both ends of the wrenches seated perfectly into screws of all sizes. This set does require a greater investment than many competitor products, but the precision and durability are outstanding.”—Mark Wolfe, Product Reviews tester and writer

7. Multi Scanner Stud Finder

One exciting part of home ownership is being able to hang stuff on the walls. One of the best stud finders is a must-have for this task. Our top pick, the Zircon MultiScanner A200 Stud Finder, is versatile, precise, and easy to use. It performed very well in our testing, finding the exact center of a stud and detecting live wires. It can detect metal studs too, and it’s easy to tell what you’re looking at on the large LCD screen. 

8. Wireless Security Camera

New homeowners will appreciate the extra peace of mind of one of the best outdoor security cameras. Our top pick, the Arlo Essential XL Wireless Security Camera, is far from an eye-sore and performs fabulously. Excellent picture quality, smart connectivity, a sleek design, and easy installation (it’s wireless) make this camera a user-friendly pick for any house. 

What our tester says: “The Arlo XL stands out with its sturdy build and sleek, modern design that sets it apart from other security cameras on the market. The 2K camera quality is already impressive, capturing sharp and clear footage, but the option to upgrade to 4K with a subscription takes it to another level, offering exceptional detail for those who want the best in security visuals.” –Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.

9. Tactical Flashlight

The Streamlight 88040 ProTac HL Tactical Flashlight is a practical gift that’s sure to come in handy for new homeowners, whether that’s during their first power outage or for making repairs. This flashlight is Bob Vila-approved and is our top choice, tested for our best flashlight guide. It feels solid in hand and has a high-quality feel. It has an adjustable beam intensity and is made of impact-resistant aluminum, both features we appreciate in a top-performing flashlight. 

10. Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt 

The Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt is one of the best smart locks for gifting due to its simplicity: it’s easy to install, doesn’t require an additional hub to connect to Wi-Fi, and operation is straightforward. It offers the must-have features of a smart lock, like remote locking and unlocking and keyless entry, but is a device that even the not-so-tech-savvy can figure out. If your recipient is a big smart home fan, consider these other smart home devices worth gifting. 

More Gifts for New Homeowners We Love

• Brightown G40 LED Outdoor String Light Set: Our top pick for the best string lights, this waterproof string light casts a warm and inviting glow to make any outdoor space more charming. 
• Rowenta Steam Force Iron: Similar to a tool box or step ladder, a solid iron is a welcome gift that most homeowners will get good use out of.
• Google Nest Doorbell: The Google Nest Doorbell doesn’t disappoint as the best video doorbell: it looks great, is simple to install, and has a near-instant video response time. 
• Frontgate Resort Collection Bath Towels: Made of premium Turkish cotton and luxurious to the touch, this towel set is a classic gift. 
• Westinghouse Electric Heated Flannel Throw Blanket: Our pick for the best electric blanket makes cold nights toasty and cozy. 
• Personalized Cutting Board: Celebrate the new chapter of home ownership with this cutting board, personalized with a name and date. 
• Zero-G ⅝-Inch by 50-Foot Black Aluminum Garden Hose: The best garden hose makes outdoor maintenance easier, and this one is flexible, durable, and doesn’t kink. 
• Fenix PD36R V2.0 Rechargeable Flashlight: A good flashlight is a must-have, and your recipient will be well set-up with our pick for the best flashlight.
• CobraHead Original Weeder & Cultivator Garden Tool: Weeding is one of the duller parts of home ownership, but the best weeding tool makes the job a lot easier.
• KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven: Excellent performance, a fairly compact size, and versatile functions are why we consider this model the best air fryer toaster oven. 
• First Alert Rechargeable HOME1 Fire Extinguisher: This is a gift you hope they’ll never need, but that every homeowner should have.

 

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