Best Overall Set
Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set
- This extensive set includes an assortment of just about everything you’ll need on a regular basis, making it a great choice for a first-time buyer.
This extensive set includes an assortment of just about everything you’ll need on a regular basis, making it a great choice for a first-time buyer.
- If you need specialty sockets, such as those for Torx (star) or square fasteners, you’ll need to buy them separately.
If you need specialty sockets, such as those for Torx (star) or square fasteners, you’ll need to buy them separately.
If you plan to buy just one socket set for all your household and vehicle maintenance and repair, this 135-piece set from Craftsman might be just the ticket. It includes an impressive sampling of just about everything you’ll commonly need: three ratcheting tools in ¼-, 3/8-, and ½-inch drives; three extenders; standard and metric sockets; shallow and deep sockets; and even a combination wrench set for good measure.
Wostarek recommends keeping a set of shallow (or standard) sockets as well as deep sockets on hand; the two types will handle just about any task. The set also includes a spark plug socket, perhaps the most oft-used socket for car repair and maintenance.
These are all nestled in a handled plastic case where the sockets, wrenches, and ratchets have their own specific spots so they’re easy to find, grab, and replace. But we should note that if you need Torx or square sockets, you’ll have to buy a different (or another) set; this one includes only hex sockets.
Product Details: Material: Alloy steel | Number of Pieces: 135 | Drive Size: ¼-, 3/8-, and ½-inch | Socket Types: 6-point hex and 12-point bi-hex
Key Terms to Know
- Turning tool: A type of tool that can twist nuts and bolts, such as a socket wrench, ratchet, or torque wrench.
Best Budget
Napa SAE and Metric Socket Set
- For the price, you get an impressive number of sockets plus extras like hex keys, bits, and a plastic case with a handle.
For the price, you get an impressive number of sockets plus extras like hex keys, bits, and a plastic case with a handle.
- The metal type was unlisted, so it’s unclear how well they will hold up with use.
The metal type was unlisted, so it’s unclear how well they will hold up with use.
If you’re looking for a very inexpensive starter set, you can’t beat this under-$20 offering from Napa. It includes both metric and standard sizes. Most sockets are 6-point, which means they’re designed to turn hexagonal fasteners (the most common kind you’ll encounter). A few are 8-point, which are handy on stubborn or damaged fasteners.
The two reversible ratchets come in 3/8 and ½-inch drives, and there’s an adapter for use with ¼-inch drive sockets. Even at this low price you’ll get extras like a set of hex keys, a set of bits, and a handled plastic case for storing and carrying everything.
It’s a lot of bang for just a few bucks—which may translate into poorer-quality metal and less-precise sizing. The metal type is unlisted on the Napa website, so it’s difficult to assess how well they will stand up to regular use. But for a beginner on a budget, you can’t beat this price.
Product Details: Material: Unknown metal | Number of Pieces: 74 | Drive Size: ¼-, 3/8-, and ½-inch | Socket Types: 6-point hex and 8-point
Best Portable
Pittsburgh SAE and Metric Socket Set
- This compact set contains a variety of standard and metric sizes, all tucked snugly into a blow mold case with a handle for easy transport.
This compact set contains a variety of standard and metric sizes, all tucked snugly into a blow mold case with a handle for easy transport.
- This set isn’t extensive so it might serve as a secondary option (one to keep in the car, for example).
This set isn’t extensive so it might serve as a secondary option (one to keep in the car, for example).
For as many sockets and accessories as this Pittsburgh set includes, they all fit compactly into a carrying case where each socket, extension bar, and ratchet has its own recessed resting place. It weighs just 8 pounds, so it can go from the basement to the garage to the truck with ease.
Both standard and metric sockets are included, as are three ratchets (one each of ¼-, 3/8-, and ½-inch drives), plus two extension bars, and a spark plug socket.
Not all sizes are included, though, so this probably shouldn’t be your only socket set. But as a spare set for the car or lake house, it’s a great buy for just $40.
Product Details: Material: Chrome vanadium | Number of Pieces: 64 | Drive Size: ¼, 3/8, and ½ inch | Socket Types: Hex
Best Professional Grade
SK Tools Socket Set
- This socket set is made in the USA of high-quality alloy steel and rivals the tools available only to professionals.
This socket set is made in the USA of high-quality alloy steel and rivals the tools available only to professionals.
- This set comes with only one drive option (3/8-inch) so if you need another one, you’ll need an adapter or a separate turning tool.
This set comes with only one drive option (3/8-inch) so if you need another one, you’ll need an adapter or a separate turning tool.
For the professional mechanic or contractor—or the DIYer who appreciates pro-quality tools—this set from SK Tools “is consumer-level professional,” Wostarek says. He’s used SK Tools since he started out in the 1970s and still owns his first SK wrench set, so he can vouch for their durability and performance.
These sockets feature a high-polish proprietary finish, called SuperKrome, for corrosion resistance, and a hex design (again, specific to SK Tools) that drives the side of the fastener, not the corner, to prevent edge breakage and corner rounding.
The set includes a ratchet, two extensions, 11 standard and nine deep sockets in SAE sizes, and 14 standard and 10 deep sockets in metric sizes—just about everything you need for most tasks. The only drawback is that it comes with a single drive option—3/8 inch—but you’ll still use it plenty, and you can buy an adapter if you need a different size.
Product Details: Material: Alloy steel | Number of Pieces: 48 | Drive Size: 3/8-inch | Socket Types: 6-point hex
Best Small Set
Wera Zyklop Ratchet Set
- This 12-piece set also includes a reversible ratchet and two extenders, plus a few super-handy features you’ll love.
This 12-piece set also includes a reversible ratchet and two extenders, plus a few super-handy features you’ll love.
- This set is fairly limited, so if you need SAE sockets or a different size drive, you’ll need to buy another (or a different) product.
This set is fairly limited, so if you need SAE sockets or a different size drive, you’ll need to buy another (or a different) product.
If you’re in the market for a small set of the most commonly used sockets, you can’t go wrong with this little number from Wera. It consists of nine metric hex sockets, and each is clearly marked with a large number to denote the size. They’re also color-coded so you can see which one you need, even from far away.
The ratchet is slimmer than most with a smaller head and longer handle for more leverage; the handle is also sculpted to feel great in the hand. A switch lets you reverse the direction with a quick flip. Everything fits snugly in a fabric case that closes tightly and carries easily.
The only drawback is that the socket sizes and drive size are limited—but we did opt for a set with the most common sizes in both categories for a solid buy.
Product Details: Material: Chrome molybdenum | Number of Pieces: 12 | Drive Size: 3/8-inch | Socket Types: Hex
Best for Home Mechanics
Gearwrench Pass-Thru Mechanics Tool Set
- Designed specifically for those who maintain and repair their own vehicles, this set includes two pass-through ratchets, which can loosen and tighten nuts on bolts of any length.
Designed specifically for those who maintain and repair their own vehicles, this set includes two pass-through ratchets, which can loosen and tighten nuts on bolts of any length.
- The extensions are only 3 inches long.
The extensions are only 3 inches long.
If you’re often under the hood or under your vehicle for regular maintenance or repair, you will appreciate this set, which includes the most common metric sockets but also 16 SAE ones, plus two drive adapters and two 3-inch drive extensions. (You may end up needing longer extenders.)
But perhaps most useful and exciting are the two pass-through ratchets (one ¼-inch and one 3/8-inch drive). They’re half the thickness of standard ratchets so they can slip into smaller spaces. They also let long bolts “pass through” them (hence the name), potentially replacing or supplementing deep sockets, to loosen and fasten nuts on bolts of any length.
They also have a 5-degree ratcheting arc to ensure movement even in the tightest spot. The whole set fits neatly into a case for storage and organization.
Product Details: Material: Chrome molybdenum | Number of Pieces: 46 | Drive Size: ¼- and 3/8-inch | Socket Types: 6-point hex
Best for Motorcycles
Gearwrench Master Hex and Torx Bit Socket Set
- With its extensive range of Torx sockets, this set is a must for motorcyclists who do their own maintenance.
With its extensive range of Torx sockets, this set is a must for motorcyclists who do their own maintenance.
- This is a pretty specialized set that many people won’t need.
This is a pretty specialized set that many people won’t need.
Auto mechanics and motorcyclists will find the selection of sockets in this Gearwrench set ultra-useful. It includes an assortment of hex sockets in both standard and metric sizes; ball end hex sockets, which are handy substitutes for Allen wrenches—the rounded end allows access at an angle; and several Torx sockets (Torx, External Torx [E-Torx], and Tamper Proof Torx), which are common in vehicles and motorcycles. There are even 10 long Torx sockets for accessing tight spaces under the hood or elsewhere.
All sockets are stamped for easy identification, and the bases are heat-treated for durability. The E-Torx sockets have a black oxide finish for corrosion resistance, while the others are shiny, polished chrome. The blow molded plastic case holds all the sockets securely, and the handle makes the whole set portable.
Our only caveat is that the average homeowner probably won’t need most of the sockets in this set. But for car or motorcycle enthusiasts, it is likely a must.
Product Details: Material: Alloy steel | Number of Pieces: 84 | Drive Size: ½ inch | Socket Types: Hex, ball end hex, Torx, E-Torx, and tamper proof Torx
Best Impact
Milwaukee Shockwave Impact Socket Set
- Made for professional mechanics and the most hardcore DIYers, these impact sockets can do double duty, working with hand-turning tools and with powered impact wrenches or drivers.
Made for professional mechanics and the most hardcore DIYers, these impact sockets can do double duty, working with hand-turning tools and with powered impact wrenches or drivers.
- Unless you’re using pneumatic or powered drivers during vehicle work, you probably don’t need impact sockets.
Unless you’re using pneumatic or powered drivers during vehicle work, you probably don’t need impact sockets.
For the heavy-duty mechanic and gearhead, you can’t really beat an impact socket set. They’re designed to be paired with a corded, cordless, or pneumatic impact wrench or ratchet, which will make quick work of tightening or loosening a nut or bolt. “Talk about making your life a whole lot easier!” Wostarek says. “A task that would’ve taken you a couple of minutes with a regular socket takes just a second with an impact socket.”
This set from Milwaukee includes eight SAE and 12 metric sockets in standard depth, eight SAE and 12 metric deep sockets, an extension, a universal joint, and a hex adapter, all in a handled carrying case. The sockets themselves are designed for high-torque applications and ease of use. They’re crafted of high-strength, forged steel; a dual-hole design and ring groove allow for easy attachment and removal. The size markings are stamped and filled with ink for clarity. Inside each socket, the hex geometry is nonslip to prevent rounding the corners of both the socket and the fastener.
You can definitely use impact sockets as you would an ordinary socket, but they’re really made for powered applications, so not everyone will need an impact set.
Product Details: Material: Forged impact steel | Number of Pieces: 43 | Drive Size: 3/8-inch | Socket Types: impact 6-point hex
Best Spark Plug Set
Carbyne Tools Spark Plug Socket Set
- This set of five ensures you have the right size socket for car maintenance needs.
This set of five ensures you have the right size socket for car maintenance needs.
- Many socket sets already contain a spark plug socket.
Many socket sets already contain a spark plug socket.
This five-piece set of three SAE and two metric spark plug sockets contains the most popular sizes for most four-stroke and two-stroke engines (so it probably has the right one for your lawnmower too!).
The sockets are crafted of chrome vanadium steel for strength and durability and are clearly marked with their sizes. Interior rubber retaining rings securely hold the spark plug while you’re installing or removing it. They’re made in the USA, too.
You may already have a spark plug socket that fits your vehicle—in that case, you won’t need this set. But if you don’t already have one, or you perform more complicated car maintenance on your own, this is a great buy.
Product Details: Material: Chrome vanadium steel | Number of Pieces: 5 | Drive Size: 3/8-inch | Socket Types: 6-point hex for spark plugs
Best Deep Socket Set
DeWalt Deep Socket Set
- This set of 20 deep sockets includes both standard and metric sizes in a locking case that stacks with other DeWalt tool sets.
This set of 20 deep sockets includes both standard and metric sizes in a locking case that stacks with other DeWalt tool sets.
- This set might be missing certain sizes you need.
This set might be missing certain sizes you need.
Wostarek advises keeping a set of standard-depth sockets and a set of deep sockets on hand to cover most household and vehicle needs. If you already have a standard set, this deep set from DeWalt is a smart addition. It will exponentially increase your tools’ versatility.
It is a good mix of common SAE and metric sizes, all for a 3/8-inch drive. We especially like that each socket has knurled (textured) “beauty rings” at the base to grip for hand-tightening, a removable internal tray, and a lockable case for easy transport. They even stack and lock with other DeWalt tool sets.
There may be a few sizes of socket this set doesn’t include (the metric ones range from 10-19 mm), which is our only caveat.
Product Details: Material: Chrome vanadium steel | Number of Pieces: 20 | Drive Size: 3/8 inch | Socket Types: 6-point hex