Best Apple repair toolkit essentials: Bits, screwdrivers, tweezers, opening tools, more

In April, Apple announced the launch of its self-repair program. For the first time, you can buy parts from Apple and get detailed instructions on how to fix your iPhone.

Apple extended this program to select Macs in August, with more to come at a later date. The self repair program then launched in eight European countries in December.

But if you're going to go that route, you need to make sure you have the right tools for the job — and Apple's tools aren't inexpensive, nor complete for every task. When dealing with phones, smaller tech, laptops, or even desktop PCs, you'll want to make sure all your bases are covered by building your own custom repair kit tool box.

It can be difficult to ascertain which products you need to round out your makeshift repair kit, so we've rounded out some of the best kits and tools that we've used to save you some time and money. With this equipment, you'll be able to make both small-scale and larger repairs on whatever electronic device comes your way.

Here are our top picks to begin building your own repair toolkit.

iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit

Whether you want to perform a little maintenance on your phone or your Nintendo Switch, the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit has everything you need to get started, from opening tools and picks to tweezers, bits of various shapes and sizes, an anti-static wrist wrap, and much more. It includes a large selection of items designed to help you repair devices like your iPhone, MacBook, iPad, camera, tablet, and even the gaming console of your choice, all in one attractive set.

Plus, the set is covered by iFixit's Lifetime Warranty, should your tools fail or break.

iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit

The iFixit Essential Electronics Toolkit offers a variety of larger items in addition to opening tools and precision bits to help you replace a broken screen, insert a new smartphone battery, or perform numerous additional repairs. It comes with a precision screwdriver with a magnetic bit socket, knurled grip, and swivel top. Plus, it all comes in a handy, ultra-portable case you can store with the rest of your multitude of bits and must-have items to get down to business.

17-in-1 Opening Pry Tool Kit

Never struggle with finding the perfect tweezers, spudgers, or pry tools again with this extensive 17-in-1 set. It includes 6 dual-ended metal spudgers, 5 black plastic spudgers, and 5 black tweezers, all varying form factors to ensure you have everything you need to complete the repairs on your radar. Plus, you can carry it all in the handy bag that everything comes shipped in.

For less than a dollar a tool, you're getting your money's worth here, so buy a couple if smaller repair kit essentials are something you need help finding often.

ORIA Precision Screwdriver Set

A good screwdriver is the hallmark of any toolbox, and the ORIA Precision Screwdriver Set ensures you have every kind you need for intensive tech repairs. This is an 86-piece set with 57 precision bits, a triangle plectrum, cleaning brush and cloth, utility knife, wrist strap, tweezers, LCD suction cup, plastic spudgers, metal spudger, stainless steel ruler, and SIM card remover.

It's all safely stored in a nylon bag so you never have to go looking for the right screwdriver for the job again. Plus, spudgers galore!

Kaisi iPhone Screen Opening Toolkit

Opening up a phone screen can be a tricky proposition. This kit gives you everything you need to make it as painless as possible. It comes with an LCD separator with powerful suction, 40 mm in diameter. It also comes with additional suction cups, should you need to swap things around a bit. Plus, you get pliers, a cleaning cloth, and additional tools to help accomplishing this task (or at the very least starting it) feel like a breeze.

The kit also comes with a 2-year worry-free warranty with a 90-day refund and replacement option if it doesn't end up fitting your tech repair toolkit needs.

Heavy Duty Screen Suction Cups

For when you really, really need to pry off an LCD screen (such as with a MacBook or something similar),you'll want to add these heavy duty suction cups to your arsenal. You get two suction cups as well as 2 plastic triangle tools, a 150 mm nylon crowbar, and 1 microfiber cloth to take care of all the cleaning before you get started in earnest.

These suction cups attach strongly and help you turn your phone's screen (or whatever you use them for) in a way that makes it extremely simple to get the LCD screen off of what you're repairing so you can move past this step.

Magnetic Large Silicone Repair Mat

If you're going to be dealing with tiny materials like bits, screws, and other can't-lose items, a repair mat is a must-have. This large magnetic silicone repair mat helps keep your work station clean while collecting all of those tiny pieces of equipment that somehow always manage to escape our grasp.

This mat is heat resistant up to 932 degrees, and it includes a variety of notches and magnetic areas to help you keep things tidy and organized. Don't set everything out on a table that you plan to work from. Invest in a repair mat first, especially one that helps protect surfaces from heat tools and your carpet from screws burying themselves within it after one false move.

Revlon Compact Hair Dryer

It might seem bizarre to include a hair dryer on a list of tools, but there's a reason you'll find it here. You may need to dry out a phone that's been submerged in water, let materials stand and harden, or loosen the adhesive on any one of a number of parts.

A hair dryer is cheap enough to add to a multi-piece kit, and this one is reliable enough that it's one of Amazon's best-selling hair dryers. It's a multipurpose device as it is, and if anything happens to it, it costs less than fancy coffee a few times a week to replace.