Hercules 12-Volt Cordless Ratchet Hands-On Review

Nov 08, 2024

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The Hercules 12-volt cordless ratchet is a prime example of how saving money on power tools doesn’t always mean you’re taking a hit in terms of quality and performance. While you can expect some pitfalls in comparison to pro-level models, it’s still a very well-rounded tool. In fact, it even has distinct advantages that put it ahead of the pack in some instances.

Harbor Freight sent one my way for review a while back. I’ve finally put it to use in the latter half of an engine project that greatly benefited from the compact head and ample power output. And despite being a budget-friendly option, quality feels on par with some high-dollar models. If you’re in the market for a cordless ratchet but need to stick within a budget, this Hercules 12-volt is serious contender to consider. Heck, I’d consider buying it anyway.

On paper, the Hercules 12-volt cordless ratchet is a heavy-hitter. It’s rated to deliver 40 foot-pounds of torque through the 3/8-inch drive with operational speeds of up to 275 RPM. A variable speed trigger offers total control of the power output.

It works with Hercules’ 12-volt batteries. Which can share a charger with 20-volt batteries, adding serious value to the whole package. It also has a rubberized handle for a comfortable grip, metal internal gearing for prolonged service life, and built-in LEDs to help you see while you wrench. As of right now, it retails for $89.99, with the extended reach version retailing for $99.99.

Despite the affordable price tag, this thing does have a major advantage over conventional cordless ratchets. Its head is seriously compact, even smaller than most of the regular 3/8-inch drive ratchets I have lying around. We’ll get into the advantages of that design in a moment. But, it is a spec you really can’t overlook while shopping around for cordless ratchets, as it’s usually reserved for specialty designs.

I used the Hercules 12-volt cordless ratchet for the final stages of a top-end job on the 4.7-liter V8 in my 2003 Ram 1500. More specifically, I used it to bolt the intake manifold, valve covers, air box, radiator, and fan shroud. Needless to say, I spent a good amount of time with it.

This is a seriously great tool for the money. The quality and performance feel on par with the Milwaukee M12 cordless ratchets I’ve been using, and it’s only a fraction of the cost. It’s not quite as powerful as the regular M12 cordless ratchet or the M12 Insider. Still, it’s more than up to the task. 40-foot pounds is enough oomph for the fasteners I use these ratchets for, and 275 rpm gets things done in a hurry. I’m sure the differences would be glaringly obvious on long days in professional shops, but it’s great for the DIYer.

The compact head is the real attraction here, though. Again, it’s smaller than a lot of regular 3/8-inch ratchets, which is great for space-limited situations like this truck presents. This, stacked with the power behind it, makes for a really handy tool that’ll see you through many projects other cordless ratchets simply can’t.

That’s not to say it’s perfect, though. The LEDs only run when the trigger is pulled, rendering the feature useless for a lot of situations. I’m not crazy about the battery orientation, either. It’s bulky and kind of awkward, and can be an issue in some space-limited situations. Though, it’s definitely not as bad as models running with larger batteries, like some DeWalts. The bulk also comes with the benefit of impressively long battery life.

Overall, the Hercules 12-volt cordless ratchet is a seriously good tool for the money. It might not be as fast or as powerful as some others, but it’s got more than enough grunt for the work it’s intended for. You’ll never feel limited by the performance it has to offer, which is all you can ask of a tool anyway.

Not only that, the compact head gives it a practical advantage over a lot of the other models on the market. For the money, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a cordless ratchet that can get as much work done as this will. It’s simply a no-brainer for the DIYer looking to add a cordless ratchet to their collection.