A young couple unrolling a striped rug on the floor of a new home, surrounded by moving boxes

Gifts · 4 compared

Best Christmas Gifts for New Homeowners of 2026: 4 Compared for First Repairs & Easy Setup

By Best Pick Guide Editorial Team · Updated

Photo: @silverkblack on Unsplash

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DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2)
Similar model shown
Our top pick DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2)
  • Drills holes and drives screws
  • No app or Wi-Fi needed
  • Everything it needs is in the box
See it on AmazonOpens Amazon.com in a new tab

Someone you love just bought their first home. This Christmas they're surrounded by boxes, blank walls and a list of little jobs that keeps getting longer. A gift that helps with that list is one they'll thank you for all year.

Most housewarming gifts are decor or candles. They're nice, but they don't hang a shelf. And smart home gadgets often need an app, Wi-Fi and a cable that isn't in the box before they do anything.

We compared four gifts for new homeowners: a cordless drill kit, a hand tool set, a video doorbell and smart plugs. One stood out because it drills holes and drives screws, needs no app, and comes with batteries, a charger and 100 bits in the box.

Not sure? Let us pick for you

What will they need most in the new place?

Which one is right for you?

How we compared the Christmas gifts for new homeowners

Christmas gifts for new homeowners compared at a glance

ProductDrills holes and drives screwsNo app or Wi-Fi neededEverything it needs is in the boxLink
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2)See it✓✓✓See it
CRAFTSMAN 102-Piece Home and Car Tool Kit (CMMT99449)See it✗✓✓See it
Ring Battery Doorbell 2K (newest model)See it✗✗✗See it
Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, 4 Pack (EP25P4)See it✗✗✓See it

Tick Compare on any two to see them side by side.

See the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2) in action

Video: DEWALT 20V Max Cordless Drill/Driver Kit Review | DCD771C2 by Charles reviews on YouTube. We didn't make this video.

Best Overall
#1
DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2)

Similar model shown. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2)

  • Drills holes and drives screws
  • No app or Wi-Fi needed
  • Everything it needs is in the box

DEWALT's compact DCD771C2 drill/driver kit with two 20V batteries, a charger and a bag, bundled with a 100-piece drill and screwdriver bit set. The drill has two speeds (0-450 and 1,500 rpm), a 1/2-inch ratcheting chuck and a 300 unit watts out motor. It's compact and light enough for tight spots.

  • Drills holes and drives screws, with two speed settings
  • Two 20V batteries, a charger and a bag in the kit
  • 100-piece drill and screwdriver bit set included
  • Compact and light enough to fit into tight areas
  • The batteries need a charge before first use, and the drill and bit set may ship separately
See it on Amazon
Best Starter Tool Kit
#2
CRAFTSMAN 102-Piece Home and Car Tool Kit (CMMT99449)

Illustrative photo. Photo: Pittigrilli, CC BY-SA 4.0

CRAFTSMAN 102-Piece Home and Car Tool Kit (CMMT99449)

  • No app or Wi-Fi needed
  • Everything it needs is in the box

A hand tool kit in a hard case with 39 sockets, 2 ratchets, 5 screwdrivers, 3 pliers, 16 hex keys, 31 bits, an adjustable wrench, a hammer, a tape measure and a utility knife. It has SAE and metric sockets with a low-profile 90-tooth ratchet. CRAFTSMAN gives a full lifetime warranty on the mechanics tools and a limited lifetime warranty on the hand tools.

  • 102 pieces, including a hammer, tape measure, pliers and screwdrivers
  • SAE and metric sockets with a 90-tooth ratchet
  • Lifetime warranty on mechanics tools, limited lifetime on hand tools
  • Hard case keeps everything together
  • Hand tools only, with no power drill for holes
  • Weighs 12.42 pounds
See it on Amazon
Best for Peace of Mind
#3
Ring Battery Doorbell 2K (newest model)

Similar model shown. Photo: CrabcakesCreator, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ring Battery Doorbell 2K (newest model)

A battery video doorbell with Retinal 2K video, a wide view and up to 6x enhanced zoom. It sends motion alerts to their phone and lets them see and talk to whoever's at the door. The built-in battery comes off the wall with an included tool and recharges over USB-C. It works with Alexa devices.

  • Retinal 2K video with up to 6x enhanced zoom
  • Live View and Two-Way Talk from a phone
  • Built-in battery, so no doorbell wiring needed
  • Works with Echo devices for alerts
  • Needs the Ring app and Wi-Fi, and video history needs a Ring Protect subscription
  • The USB-C charging cable isn't included
  • It's a doorbell camera, not a tool for repairs
See it on Amazon
Best Smart Home Starter
#4
Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, 4 Pack (EP25P4)

Similar model shown. Photo: digitalpush.net, CC BY 4.0

Kasa Smart Plug Mini 15A, 4 Pack (EP25P4)

  • Everything it needs is in the box

Four compact Wi-Fi smart plugs that turn lamps and other plug-in devices on and off from the Kasa app, by voice or on a schedule. They work with Siri through Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings, and they show energy use in the app. Each plug handles up to 15A and has a 2-year limited warranty.

  • 4 plugs in the pack, each small enough not to block the other outlet
  • Works with Apple HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings
  • Shows each device's energy use in the Kasa app
  • 2-year limited warranty
  • Needs Wi-Fi and the Kasa app to set up
  • Controls devices, but doesn't help with repairs
See it on Amazon

Deep dive: why DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2) is our #1 pick

By Best Pick Guide Editorial Team · Updated

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2)

Similar model shown. Photo: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0

1. Handles the first jobs

Shelves, curtain rods, TV mounts and loose cabinet doors all start with drilling a hole or driving a screw. This kit does both, with two speeds.

2. No app, no Wi-Fi

Charge the battery, put in a bit and start working. There's no account and no setup.

3. Complete in the box

It comes with two batteries, a charger, a bag and a 100-piece set of drill and screwdriver bits, so there's nothing else to run out and buy.

The honest trade-off

How it did on what we compared

See DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2) on AmazonOpens Amazon.com in a new tab

What to look for in Christmas gifts for new homeowners

Start with the to-do list

New homeowners spend the first months hanging things and fixing small problems. Tools for those jobs get used far more than decor.

Check what's in the box

Some drills are sold as "tool only" with no battery or charger. Some smart gadgets leave out a cable. Read the listing so the gift works on day one.

Ask about their tech

Smart doorbells and plugs need Wi-Fi and an app, and some features need a subscription. They're great for people who like smart home gear.

Think about a set

A drill plus a few hand tools covers almost every early job. If they already own one, the other makes a good pair.

Questions about Christmas gifts for new homeowners

What is a good Christmas gift for a new homeowner?

Something that helps with the first jobs, like a cordless drill kit or a hand tool set. Smart home gear is a good extra for people who like tech.

Does the DEWALT kit come with a battery?

Yes. The DCD771C2 kit includes two 20V batteries, a charger and a bag, and this bundle adds a 100-piece bit set.

Does the Ring Battery Doorbell need wiring?

No. It runs on a built-in battery that you recharge over USB-C. It needs Wi-Fi and the Ring app to work.

Do Kasa smart plugs need a hub?

The listing says they connect over Wi-Fi and are set up in the Kasa app, with no separate hub mentioned. Apple HomeKit remote control needs a home device like an Apple TV or HomePod.

Bottom line: the best Christmas gifts for new homeowners

For a new homeowner, the DEWALT 20V MAX drill kit is the most useful gift: it drills and drives screws, needs no app or Wi-Fi, and comes with batteries, a charger and 100 bits. Pick the CRAFTSMAN 102-piece kit for someone who needs the basic hand tools, the Ring Battery Doorbell for a tech-friendly owner, and Kasa smart plugs as an easy first step into a smart home.

Get DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill/Driver Kit with 100-Piece Bit Set (DCD771C2) on AmazonOpens Amazon.com in a new tab

Also consider

  • CRAFTSMAN 102-Piece Home and Car Tool Kit (CMMT99449) Best Starter Tool KitSee it
  • Ring Battery Doorbell 2K (newest model) Best for Peace of MindSee it

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