The 8 Best Wrench Sets of 2024 - Wrench Sets Reviews

Nov 09, 2024

Get the versatility and torque needed to twist those stubborn fasteners into submission.

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Wrenches are among the most ubiquitous and invaluable hand tools. They fit firmly around nuts and bolts, and their long handles generate a ton of leverage when you need to loosen or tighten fasteners. The (mostly) fixed design that maximizes a wrench’s effectiveness also limits its versatility, so a full set of individual wrenches (as opposed to just one or two sizes) covers a range of fasteners and help you complete almost any common job. With a comprehensive wrench set, you’re just as capable of assembling basic furniture pieces as you are to loosen large bolts under the hood of your car.

Considering how important it is to have the right set in your workshop, we looked at offerings from trusted tool brands including DeWalt, Irwin, and Gearwrench to recommend the best wrench sets worthy of your attention.

Not all wrenches look alike or perform the same types of tasks, and the best wrench sets either completely cover one specific wrench type or provide impressive variety across wrench types. Although there are dozens of classifications, these are the most common wrenches you should know about and look for in a good wrench set.

These wrenches have an open, U-shaped end and a closed “box” end, both of which share a fixed size compatible with a hexagonal fastener. The open end slips conveniently around fastener heads for use where clearance is limited, while the box end—which grips all six sides of the fastener—applies more force when needed. The combination wrench is built for strength and leverage, but the fixed design also means you need a separate wrench for each size of fastener.

Unlike fixed wrenches that only fit one size of fastener, the jaws of adjustable wrenches increase and decrease for different measurements. Crescent wrenches are the most common adjustable wrenches—they have a worm screw which lengthens or shortens their “bite,” ( the distance between their jaws). This versatile design packs the functionality of an entire set of fixed wrenches into one or two tools, but their moving parts result in less gripping strength.

A socket wrench, or “ratchet,” consists of three parts. On one end is a square fitting that accepts different sizes of cylindrical sockets. These sockets fit around the fastener head, and on the other end, the handle pivots back and forth thanks to the tool’s ratcheting mechanism. This means you don’t have to lift and reposition the wrench on the fastener with each turn. Since they require very minimal space to operate, socket wrenches help tremendously in cramped areas, like when you work under the hood of an automobile. Combination wrenches sometimes feature a ratcheting box end, which serves the same purpose.

Hex wrenches, also called “Allen keys,” are straight hexagonal bars bent into an L-shape. Each wrench size fits into the female receptacle of a bolt or screw, which you then tighten or loosen by spinning the free end of the wrench. Hex wrenches almost always come in sets, and, although not as common as the other wrench types, they are invaluable when you need them. Many furniture sets shipped in pieces for assembly come with a basic Allen key.

Most wrenches use some kind of steel alloy to give them the durability, hardness, and structural strength necessary to work effectively. While the highest-end brands use chromium-vanadium steel (drop-forged for maximum strength), other alloys like chromium-molybdenum are still fine options. We never recommend compromising on quality to save a buck, but unless you’re using your wrenches for frequent, heavy-duty applications, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on high-end materials.

Different finishes on wrenches add durability and corrosion resistance. Polished chrome looks great and cleans easily, while textured or satin chrome provides a superior grip when wet or greasy. Wrenches with a black oxide finish tend to cost less, and their rough texture has a bit more grip. But they’re naturally harder to find in low-light conditions, like at the bottom of a crowded toolbox.

All wrench sets include a range of sizes, but you also need to take their measurement system into account. Apart from adjustable types, almost all wrenches use either Society of Auto Engineers (SAE) or Metric measurements. SAE, also called “standard” or “imperial” wrenches, are sized in inches—or fractions of an inch—while Metric wrenches use millimeters. Both SAE and Metric fasteners are common, so we recommend purchasing a wrench set with both measurement types.

While more wrenches in a set means more functionality and versatility, there are a few specific sizes you’ll use more frequently than others. These “essential” sizes vary depending on your task or equipment, but overall, ¼-, 5/16-, ⅜-, and ½-inch wrenches are must-haves for any SAE set. For Metric sizes, ten millimeters is by far the most used (and commonly lost or “borrowed” by co-workers) and, in my opinion, mandatory for a metric wrench set.

When choosing the best wrench sets for this guide, I first called upon my own personal experience using wrenches, particularly as a full-time furniture assembler. I used countless hex and combination wrenches when working with materials too delicate for power drills and bits, which instilled an appreciation for the accuracy, usability, and durability of a well-made wrench.

After including the brands and specific models that I have come to trust over the years, and researching well-regarded review sites and online customer reviews, I landed on a pool of almost two dozen options. After sourcing several samples for hands-on testing, I spent two weeks using them for tasks around my home and under the hood of my car. After these tests, I landed on the eight wrench sets listed here.

Featuring a wide range of both SAE and Metric sizes, this combination wrench set from Tekton handles practically any basic fastening task. Made of chrome vanadium steel, each piece—even the tiny sizes—feels hefty and well-balanced in your hand, giving you the confidence to really crank away without fear of snapping anything.

The offset box ends also angle your knuckles out of the way during use, and the wrenches’ 12-point design applies force to the sides of the fastener instead of the corners, reducing the chances of rounding off a fastener head while loosening. I also appreciated the 15-degree angle of the open end, which works much faster in tight spaces that require frequent repositioning.

This comprehensive kit includes all the wrenches, including ratchet, combination, and Hex sets, needed to tackle basic automotive maintenance tasks. When testing these wrenches, the first thing I noticed was how well-made and sturdy each of the components felt. The full-polished chrome finish doesn’t just look great, it cleans easily, and the size labels really pop out for quick identification.

A set with as many pieces (168) as this one is typically challenging to keep organized and secure, but the hard-sided storage box does an admirable job. Snug individual slots keep each tiny component in place without making removal and replacement of the pieces laborious. The amount of extensions, universal joints, and adapters are my favorite features of this kit, as they set you up for success when encountering fasteners located in awkward or tight areas.

This four-piece, chrome-vanadium set not only covers a wide range of fastener sizes, but with four handle lengths to choose from, it also provides both maximum leverage and accessibility into tight areas.

The heavy-duty rubber grips ensure a sturdy, comfortable grip, whether you’re using the small six-inch option (max one-inch opening), or the beefier 12-incher (max 1 ½-inch opening). These handles also include a hole at the end for hanging on a pegboard or attaching to a safety tether. I’ve been using Irwin tools for years—specifically their clamps—and I find their products to be a great value for the price.

These “stubby” Workpro combination wrenches come with shortened handles and flexible ratcheting box ends—perfect for use in ultra-tight spaces where typical, long-handled wrenches couldn’t fit. Their flexible heads pivot the handle 180 degrees for maximum accessibility when reaching deep-set bolts.

All eight pieces fit snugly inside the included rolling pouch that includes clear size markings for each tool slot. The 72-tooth ratchets only need five degrees of space to operate, and their anti-slip shape offers a more secure grip than standard box ends. I’ve found flex-head wrenches like these to be slightly less durable than fixed versions, so they’re not your best choice for everyday use.

If you just want to prepare yourself for the occasional loosening or tightening task, and don’t have the need or budget for a higher-end option, consider this Horusdy wrench set. Its 26 pieces are split into equal parts SAE and Metric sizes, and their textured finish provides a secure grip while working.

I’m also a big fan of the multi-functional storage roll, which has separate pouches for each piece, clear size labels, and three grommets for mounting it on a wall. These wrenches aren’t as indestructible as more expensive sets, like the Tekton, but if you’re only using them occasionally, they’re durable enough to last.

With 72 ratcheting teeth inside each wrench, this set from Gearwrench tightens a wide range of nuts and bolts quickly and without trouble. Each box end needs just five degrees of rotation to grip and turn a fastener, and the pass-through design accommodates extra-long bolts and threaded rods.

Their thin beams also conveniently access tight workspaces, like under the hood of the vehicle or behind an appliance that’s hard to reposition. The set includes 20 of the most common sizes across both SAE and Metric measurement scales, and each wrench’s chrome-plated finish resists corrosion and rust, giving this set exceptional longevity.

Instead of struggling with the undersized and poorly-fitted hex wrench that came with your furniture, keep this Bondhus set on hand for frustration-free assembly projects.

These L-shaped tools twist comfortably thanks to their long handles, and a ball end easily slides into fastener slots—even at angles up to 25 degrees. Two storage cases keep the SAE and Metric wrenches separate, and their folding design conserves space.

Unlike poor quality hex wrenches that lose their edges over time, these are built to last with a protective, rust-resistant finish. If any issues do arise, Bondhus includes a lifetime warranty and replaces wrenches free of charge.

Wera wrenches are famous for their high quality and precision, and this ratchet set packs those features into a small, easy-to-use package. With a pivoting head (able to lock into five angled positions), this short, six-inches-long handle takes up minimal room while you use it.

The storage case keeps all nine metric sockets in their own space and is color-coded for very fast size identification. It also comes with 19 additional accessories, such as extension rods and screwdriver bits, making this kit much more versatile than a typical wrench set. Weighing less than two pounds, this kit packs and travels conveniently to help you complete tasks from anywhere.

Alex Rennie is a freelance writer who specializes in the Home Improvement, DIY, and Tool space. As a former residential and commercial carpenter, Alex uses his hands-on experience to write practical buying guides, how-to articles, and product reviews. His work has also appeared in Business Insider's Insider Picks, and before his writing career, he was a full-time carpenter living in New York City. There, he worked as part of a team designing, building, and installing large furniture pieces, as well as performing a variety of home repair and maintenance projects. Alex currently lives in Los Angeles, CA, and spends his free time exploring the beaches and mountains with his fiancé and their dog Louie.

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