Buying guides for new homeowners

The things our checklists tell you to buy, and which ones are worth it. Each guide covers what to look for, how many you need, and two to four picks with honest trade-offs.

Safety and emergency

Smoke alarmsBest for most homes without wiring: Kidde Smoke Alarm, 10-Year Battery Powered (DETECT series)2 checklist tasksSmoke + CO combo alarmsBest for most homes without wiring: First Alert 10-Year Battery 2-in-1 Smoke and CO Alarm with Slim Profile Design3 checklist tasksCarbon monoxide alarmsBest for most homes: First Alert Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Battery Backup and Digital Display2 checklist tasksFire extinguishersBest for most homes: Amerex B402 5-lb ABC Dry Chemical Extinguisher1 checklist taskFire escape laddersBest for most two-story homes: Kidde 2-Story Fire Escape Ladder (13 ft)1 checklist taskFurniture and TV anti-tip kitsBest for wood studs, if you can find it: Hangman Anti-Tip Kit (400 lb steel cable)1 checklist taskWater leak sensorsBest for most homes: Basement Watchdog Water Alarm1 checklist taskSmart water shutoff valvesBest for most homes that need one: Moen Flo by Moen Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff (1 in)1 checklist taskFirst-aid kitsFine for a kitchen drawer: Johnson & Johnson All-Purpose Portable First Aid Kit (140 pieces)2 checklist tasksEmergency weather radiosBest for most homes: Midland WR120B / WR120EZ NOAA Weather Alert Radio2 checklist tasksFlashlights and lanternsRight first buy for most homes: ThruNite Archer 2A V33 checklist tasksFireproof document safesRight choice for most homes: SentrySafe Fire/Water File Folder Chest (Document Box)1 checklist task

Locks and security

Lock rekey kitsBest if your locks have the SmartKey slot: Kwikset SmartKey Security Re-Key Lock Kit1 checklist taskDeadboltsBest for most front doors: Schlage B60N Single Cylinder Deadbolt1 checklist taskSmart locksBest for most homeowners: Schlage Encode Smart Wi-Fi Deadbolt1 checklist taskVideo doorbellsBest for Google homes with wiring: Google Nest Doorbell (Wired, 3rd Gen)1 checklist taskPatio door security barsBest for inside-track doors: Ideal Security Patio Door Security Bar with Anti-Lift Lock1 checklist task

Testing kits

Radon test kitsBest first test for most homes: Kansas State University short-term radon test kit2 checklist tasksHome water test kitsBest first test for most city homes: Safe Home Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit, 2 Test (In-Lab)3 checklist tasksLead test kitsBest quick warning: LeadCheck Lead Test Swabs (8-pack)2 checklist tasksNon-contact voltage testersBest for most homes: Klein Tools NCVT-3P Dual-Range Non-Contact Voltage Tester with Flashlight1 checklist task

Tools

Home tool kitsBest for most homes: Stanley 65-Piece Homeowner's Tool Kit1 checklist taskCordless drillsBest for most homes: DeWalt ATOMIC 20V MAX Brushless 1/2-in Drill/Driver Kit2 checklist tasksStud findersBest for most drywall homes: Zircon MultiScanner A2002 checklist tasksStep laddersBest for most homes: Louisville Ladder 6-Foot Fiberglass Cross Step Ladder2 checklist tasksExtension laddersReasonable two-story choice if you can manage 60 pounds: Werner 28-ft Fiberglass Extension Ladder with GlideSafe3 checklist tasksLabel makersBest for most homes: Brother P-touch PT-D220 Home/Office Label Maker1 checklist taskWet/dry shop vacuumsBest for most homes with a basement: Ridgid 12-Gallon 5.0 Peak HP NXT Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum2 checklist tasksBox cutters for moving dayBest for one careful user: Milwaukee FASTBACK Compact Folding Utility Knife1 checklist task

Maintenance supplies

Caulk gunsBest for most homes: Newborn Octogun 930-GTD Hex Rod Cradle Caulking Gun1 checklist taskBathroom and kitchen caulkBest for most wet joints: GE Supreme Silicone Kitchen & Bath Sealant, White, 10.1 oz1 checklist taskToilet plungersBest for most homes: Korky BeehiveMAX Universal Toilet Plunger1 checklist taskDrain snakes and toilet augersSensible first snake for sinks and tubs: Ridgid Power Spin+ Drain Cleaner1 checklist taskDryer vent cleaning kitsBest for most short metal vents: Gardus LintEater Rotary Dryer Vent Cleaning System2 checklist tasksOutdoor faucet coversA backup layer, not protection on its own: Frost King Foam Faucet Cover1 checklist taskGutter cleaning toolsTry this first on a low house: Orbit Telescoping Gutter Cleaning Wand3 checklist tasksSnow shovelsBest for most walks and small driveways: Snow Joe Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel1 checklist taskPet-safe ice meltBest for dogs in mild winters: Safe Paw Pet-Safe Salt-Free Ice Melt1 checklist taskHVAC air filtersBest for most 1-inch slots: Filtrete Healthy Living Elite Allergen Reduction, MPR 2200 (MERV 13), 1-inch2 checklist tasks

Home tech and energy

Surge protectorsBest for most homes: Tripp Lite Protect It! 12-Outlet Surge Protector, 8 ft cord, 2880 joules1 checklist taskLED light bulbsBest for most sockets: Feit Electric 8.8W (60W-equivalent) Dimmable LED A19, 2700K soft white, 90+ CRI1 checklist taskSmart thermostatsBest for most homes with a C wire: ecobee Smart Thermostat Essential1 checklist taskMesh Wi-Fi systemsBest for most homes: ASUS ZenWiFi BT81 checklist task

Cleaning

Cordless stick vacuumsBest for most homes: Shark PowerDetect Cordless (incl. Clean & Empty version)1 checklist task

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    59 tasks only matter for some homes: well testing, septic pumping, lead paint, a pool fence. Answer what you know and they disappear when they don’t apply. Skip anything you’re not sure about.

    Step 1 of 4: The house

    When was it built?
    How many floors?
    Is there a basement?
    Is there an attic you can get into?
    Is there an attached garage?
    A fireplace or wood stove?