Testing & Meters
Cable testers, multimeters, tone generators, and PoE testing equipment. These are the tools that tell you what's going on in the wire.
KLEIN TOOLS VDV501-851 Cable Tester Kit with Scout Pro 3 for Ethernet / Data, Coax / Video and Phone Cables, 5 Locator Remotes
Klein Tools VDV526-200 Cable Tester, LAN Scout Jr. 2 Ethernet Cable Tester for CAT 5e, CAT 6/6A Cables with RJ45 Connections
“I've made six figures off a screwdriver, plastic punch down tool and a LAN Scout Jr I found in a drop ceiling.”
— Dayton Shaw
Klein Tools MM325 Multimeter, Digital Manual-Ranging 600V AC/DC Voltage Tester, Tests Batteries, Current, Resistance, Diodes, and Continuity
“Learn to use it. Brand isn't as important, but buy a nicer one and take care of it.”
— LVN FB Group
Klein Tools MM700 Multimeter, Electrical Tester is Auto Ranging, for AC/DC, LOZ, Temp, Capacitance, Resistance, Frequency, and More, 1000V
Fluke 117 Digital Multimeter, Non-Contact AC Voltage Detection, Measures Resistance/Continuity/Frequency/Capacitance/Min Max Average, Automatic AC/DC Voltage Selection, Low Impedance Mode
Fluke 15B+ Digital Multimeter, for Electrical Applications, Measures AC/DC Voltage and Current Measurements up to 1000V and 10A, Along with Resistance, Continuity, Diode, and Capacitance Capabilities
“Had 2 Klein meters crap out after just a few months. One wouldn't read correctly and got bit because of it.”
— Jason Babin
Fluke Networks MT-8200-60-KIT IntelliTone Pro 200 Probe and Toner, Multicolor
Fluke Networks 26000900 Pro3000 Tone Generator and Probe Kit with SmartTone Technology
“The toner can make finding wires EASY, learn to use it.”
— LVN FB Group
Fluke Networks TS19 Telephone Test Set with Banana Jacks to Alligator Clips 19800003
“Moving towards the past, and not used as frequent. But when you need it, it's good to have.”
— LVN FB Group
60W PoE++ Injector, BV-Tech Gigabit Power Over Ethernet Adapter | 802.3af/at/bt Compliant | Plug & Play, Up to 325ft | Ideal for IP Cameras, Access Points, VoIP Phones
“This is for the ability to program and test network equipment. Cameras come to mind.”
— LVN FB Group
Fluke Networks - 5018508 MS-POE MicroScanner Copper Cable Verifier and PoE tester for RJ-45 Category 5-6A Ethernet Cables, Identifies Supplied Class 0-8 Power from Ethernet PSE Devices
Fluke Networks DSX2-5000 CableAnalyzer Copper Cable Certifier for Category 5, 5e, 6, & 6A Twisted-Pair Cabling, 1 GHz Range, Touchscreen, LinkWare Reporting, includes Permanent Link & Channel Adapters
Cable Installation
Fish tapes, glow rods, wire pullers, and everything you need to get cable from A to B without losing your mind.
Klein Tools 56333 Electrical Fish Tape, Steel Wire Puller with Double Loop Tip, Optimized Housing and Handle, 1/8-Inch x 120-Foot
Klein Tools 56335 Flat Steel Electrical Fish Tape, 25-Foot 1/4-Inch Wide Spring Steel Tape, Slim Plastic Tip, Laser Etched 1-Foot Markings
Klein Tools SRS56981 Mega Fish Rod Kit, 52.5-Foot, 34-Piece
“If you don't already have them, get them.”
— LVN FB Group
LABOR SAVING DEVICES 81-230 wire running rod kit, Green
“I have seen these grossly misused and they act like normal. Best rods I've ever used or seen.”
— Cody Moss
Fnvarak Fish Tape 16.4ft Wire Puller Running Electrical Wire Cable Pulley Head Spring, Heavy Duty, Through Wall Wire Guide Device,Applicable Multiple Scenario
“This has saved me on so many projects.”
— Eric Robertson
Magnepull XP1000-LC Magnetic Wire Puller for Electrical Tools W/Flexible Steel Leader & Durable Case, Does not work on Foam Insulation also not rcomended for steel studs without XP1000-8 Drop Magnet
Pulling Pal - Low Voltage & Network Cable Installation Pulley. The Best Cat5e & 6, Coax, Fire Alarm, Access Control & Audio Cable Pulley for Low Voltage Wire Pulling & Safe Working – Assembled in USA
Ceoighe Low Voltage Mounting Bracket Template, Horizontal or Vertical Mounting Template for Single Gang and Double Gang Low Voltage Brackets, Easily Mark Out Cutouts(Orange)
Termination & Crimping
Crimpers, punch downs, strippers, and cable combs. The tools that make your terminations clean and your cable management Instagram-worthy.
Klein Tools VDV226-110 Ratcheting Modular Data Cable Crimper / Wire Stripper / Wire Cutter for RJ11/RJ12 Standard, RJ45 Pass-Thru Connectors
Klein Tools VDV212-008-SEN Compact Compression Crimper, F-Connector
Klein Tools VDV427-300 Impact Punchdown Tool with 66/110 Blade, Reliable CAT Cable Connections, Adjustable Force, Includes Pick and Spudger
V-Max 1-Punch Down Termination tool - For Vertical Cable Keystones Only
Panduit CBOT24K Cable Organizing Kit, Tool Kit Includes: Jacket Cover, Hook and Loop Fastener, Green Cable Organizing Insert, Yellow Cable Organizing Insert
Klein Tools VDV110-061 Radial Cable Stripper, Coaxial Cable Stripper
uxcell RG6 RG11 Coaxial Cable Stripper, Double Ended Coax Stripping Wire Cutter for RG7/11 and RG59/6 or RG6
Hand Tools
Pliers, screwdrivers, snips, and the daily drivers that live on your belt. Quality matters here — buy once, cry once.
Klein Tools 21010-6-SEN Free-Fall Snip, Scraper, File, Serrated Blades, Made in USA
Klein Tools D2000-28 Pliers, Made in USA, Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Angled Head are Heavy-Duty to Cut ACSR, Screws, Nails, Most Hardened Wire, 8-Inch
Channellock Tongue and Groove Plier 420-1.5-Inch Jaw Capacity, Straight Jaw - 9.5-Inch
Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver / Nut Driver Set, 8 Bits (Phillips, Slotted, Torx, Square), 3 Nut Driver Sizes, Cushion Grip Handle
Klein Tools 603-6 #3 Phillips Screwdriver, Made in USA, with 6-Inch Round Shank and Cushion Grip Handle
“If you're working with locks/hinges/some rack screws.”
— LVN FB Group
Rindion 10PCS Pick Set Mechanic, Hook and Pick Tool Set with Non-Slip Grip, Long & Mini Automotive Pick Set for O-Ring, Seal & Gasket Removal, Car Repair, Mechanical and DIY Use
“A cheap game changer. Straight pick to mark recessed anchor points in drywall.”
— LVN FB Group
GEARWRENCH 30 Piece 12 Point Ratcheting Combination SAE/Metric (1/4-1 in., 8-24 mm) Wrench Set with Wrench Racks - 86702
Klein Tools 9225 Tape Measure, Heavy-Duty Measuring Tape with 25-Foot Double-Hook Double-Sided Nylon Reinforced Blade, with Metal Belt Clip
Klein Tools 935RB Torpedo Level, 8-Inch Billet Magnetic Level, 0/30/45/90 Degree Vials, V-Groove, Tapered Nose, High-Visibility Vial and Body
Milwaukee 48-22-0305 6 Inch Folding Jab Saw Compatible with Sawzall Reciprocating Saw Blades (Multi Purpose Blade Included)
Power Tools
Impact drivers, hammer drills, SDS rotary hammers, and the bits that go with them. When hand tools aren't cutting it.
Milwaukee 2551-20 M12 FUEL SURGE Compact Lithium-Ion 1/4 in. Cordless Hex Hydraulic Driver (Tool Only)
Milwaukee 2912-20 M18 Fuel 18V 1" Sds Plus Brushless Rotary Hammer
DEWALT 20V MAX SDS Rotary Hammer Drill, Cordless, 3 Application Modes, Bare Tool Only (DCH273B)
“Will make drilling masonry/block/concrete so much faster and easier.”
— LVN FB Group
DEWALT ATOMIC 20V MAX* 1/2 in. Cordless Impact Wrench with Hog Ring Anvil (Tool Only) (DCF921B)
DEWALT DWMT74737 Tough Box 7PC mm 1/2 Deep Drive Impact Socket Set
“Makes installing some equipment and hardware much faster.”
— LVN FB Group
Milwaukee Electric Tools 48-89-2332 29Pc Cobalt Helix Drill Bit Set, Red
“Great for drilling thicker steel. Expensive.”
— LVN FB Group
Labeling
Label everything. Seriously. Your future self (and every tech who comes after you) will thank you.
Brady M210 Portable Label Printer with Rubber Bumpers, Multi-Line Print, 6 to 40 Point Font (Replaces BMP21-PLUS Printer), Yellow/Black, 9.5 in H x 4.5 in W x 2.5 in D
“I have the rechargeable battery pack and magnet. Game changer. Label everything.”
— LVN FB Group
Brother PT-E560BTVP P-Touch Edge Handheld Industrial Label Printer with Bluetooth and Dual auto-Cutter (up to 24mm Labels)
DYMO Industrial Label Maker | Rhino 4200 Label Maker Time-saving Hot Keys Prints Fast Durable For Job Sites and Heavy-Duty Labeling Jobs
Brother PTE110 Entry Level Industrial Handheld Labeling Tool Kit - Up to 12mm Labels, Orange
Organization & Transport
Tool bags, rolling boxes, carts, and organizers. A disorganized tech is a slow tech.
Klein Tools 55421BP-14 Tool Backpack, Heavy Duty Tradesman Pro Tool Bag Organizer with 39 Pockets, Molded Bottom
Milwaukee 48-22-8426 Packout, 22", Rolling Tool Box
“These pieces are fantastic, you can store all consumables and transport with ease.”
— LVN FB Group
48-22-8430 For Milwaukee10-Bin Impact Resistant Polymer Packout Organizer Length 19.76 in. Width 15 in. Height 4.61 in.
MaxWorks Heavy Duty 2‑Shelf Service Cart 500 lb Capacity Polypropylene Utility Cart with 5" Non‑Marring Casters Deep Trays and Built‑In Tool Storage for Garage Warehouse Workshop (80855)
“This is a game changer for job sites you'll be on more than a day or 2.”
— LVN FB Group
Oiiwak Endoscope Camera with Light, 3.9mm Industrial Borescope Inspection Camera, 4.3" IPS Screen 1080P HD IP68 Waterproof 6 LED Lights for Drain Pipe Wall Automotive, 5FT Semi-Rigid Cable
Not Tools, But Game Changers
These aren't traditional tools, but the LVN community swears by them. Headphones for hands-free tech support calls, a laptop for programming equipment, and yes — a bucket and a broom. Don't sleep on the basics.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 Wireless Earbuds, Active Noise Cancellation, Live Translation, Heart Rate Sensing, Hearing Aid Feature, Bluetooth Headphones, Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, USB-C Charging
“The ability to not have to hold your phone greatly improves productivity.” — LVN FB Group
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) - Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds with Mic, Immersive Audio, USB-C Charging, Up to 6 Hours Battery, IPX4 Rating, Black
“Throw away those AirPods & get some Bose QuietComfort Ultras.” — Brandon Donovan
SHOKZ OpenRun Pro-Bone Conduction Headphones, Open-Ear Bluetooth Wireless Sport Headphones for Running and Workout, Sweat Resistant, Long Battery Life, Premium Deep Bass, Mic，with Hair Band, Black
“You can still be aware of your surroundings. Also helps if you're using earplugs.” — Emmanuel Santiago
Raycon Everyday Classic Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds + Microphone with Active Noise Canceling, Sweat & Water-Resistant Earphones, Ear Buds Wireless Bluetooth Up to 32 Hours Playtime (Black)
“Half the price and better for noise protection.” — Jay JJ Burks Jr.
Lenovo IdeaPad Business Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Display, Intel 13th 10-Core i5 CPU (Up to 4.6 GHz), 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Copilot AI Ready, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Pro with Microsoft Office, WOWPC USB
“You should be learning, or confident, in programming some equipment.” — LVN FB Group
5-Gallon White Bucket Pail Container with Lid Food Grade Heavy-Duty Extra Durable Metal Handles with Plastic Grip for Easy Carrying Multi-Use Easy Stack and Store BPA Free
“It acts as a seat. It acts as a trash can. It acts as a bucket.” — LVN FB Group
Bucket Boss - Bucket Seat Small Parts Organizer, Bucket Organization (10010) , Red
Amazon Basics Heavy-Duty Floor Cleaning Broom with Stiff Bristles, Sturdy 3-Piece Handle, Easy to Assemble, Indoor Outdoor Use for Driveways and Sidewalks, Blue and White
“Will be the best $10 you spend.” — LVN FB Group
WYZE Cam v3, 1080P HD WiFi Wired Indoor/Outdoor Home Security Camera, Pet/Baby Monitor, Color Night Vision, 2-Way Audio, MicroSD Card Slot, Compatible with Alexa & Google - White
“Sometimes ya need eyeballs on the other end.” — Carl Kristoffersen
Want to Add Your Pick?
This guide is built by the community, for the community. Drop your recommendation in the LVN Facebook Group and it might end up here.