Best Overall
SK Tools Combination Wrench Set
- Combination wrenches, which have one open end and one closed (ring) end, are the most versatile type of standard wrench. And this set is so well made, it rivals much pricier professional brands.
Combination wrenches, which have one open end and one closed (ring) end, are the most versatile type of standard wrench. And this set is so well made, it rivals much pricier professional brands.
- The set isn’t widely available at big box retailers.
The set isn’t widely available at big box retailers.
Wostarek speaks highly of SK Tools. “It is a consumer-level professional brand,” as he puts it. In fact, the first wrench set he bought back in the 1970s was from SK, and he still has it today. “I haven’t broken any of the wrenches.”
Some of the features you’ll appreciate: This set includes nine metric (10-18 mm) and nine standard (1/4-3/4 inch) combination wrenches, all in alloy steel and SK Tools’ signature durable chrome finish for longevity and corrosion resistance.
The box ends are designed to drive the fastener’s side, instead of the corner, which both increases torque and avoids rounding. The box end is also offset deeply so you can slip the tool into tight spaces. SK Tools are made in the United States and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. If you buy just a single set of wrenches, this one will set you up for a lifetime with professional-quality, durable, easy-to-handle tools.
Our only complaint is that this brand can be hard to find at major retail outlets, and you’ll probably need to order it directly from the brand or a specialty retailer to try it out.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Combination | Number of wrenches included: 18 | Case Included? No | Warranty or guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty
Best Budget
Craftsman Combination Wrench Set
- It’s a full set of 16 standard wrenches and 16 metric ones that rings in under $100—a veritable bargain.
It’s a full set of 16 standard wrenches and 16 metric ones that rings in under $100—a veritable bargain.
- The small wrenches might be harder to use if you have larger hands.
The small wrenches might be harder to use if you have larger hands.
For the first-time homeowner or the DIYer who’s new to household projects, this Craftsman wrench set won't break the bank. Craftsman is a good entry-level brand that offers value without being too cheap, which would be a red flag. “Cheaper brands are not made to a good standard,” Wostarek explains. “The wrenches will be loosey-goosey and won’t fit around fasteners tightly, and you’ll hate working with them.”
Not so with Craftsman wrenches, despite the under-$100 price tag. The set ranges from 5-22 millimeters and ¼ to 1-1/8 inches in size, so you have some small wrenches for automotive use and standard sizes for household projects. All the measurements are marked in large numbers on the handles so they’re easy to see.
The wrenches are made of steel with a polished chrome finish for corrosion resistance. The box ends have 12 interior points, plus a 15-degree offset to nudge easily into cramped spots. Craftsman tools have long had a full lifetime warranty, so if the product fails to perform for any reason, the manufacturer will replace it.
One drawback with this set is that the smaller wrenches (under 9 mm and 7/16-inch) are miniature wrenches, so the handles are shorter and narrower and might pose a difficulty to users with larger hands. There is also no 16-mm wrench in this set.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Combination | Number of wrenches included: 32 | Case Included? No | Warranty or guarantee: Full lifetime warranty
Best Splurge
Snap-On Flank Drive Plus Reversible Ratcheting Combination Wrench Set
- This set amps up the wrenches’ box ends with a reversible ratcheting feature for a smooth effect with more torque no matter the angle.
This set amps up the wrenches’ box ends with a reversible ratcheting feature for a smooth effect with more torque no matter the angle.
- A definite splurge—that does not include a carrying case.
A definite splurge—that does not include a carrying case.
For professionals looking for a new set of ratcheting wrenches, or for those who want to invest in a more expensive set, this Snap-On 10 Piece Flank Drive set exceeded our expectations. All Snap-On wrenches are manufactured from alloy steel, heat-treated, and coated with nickel chrome for long-term durability.
The box ends also have what the brand calls Flank Drive, which is meant to prevent slippage while also offering more torque. The handles are longer than average for additional leverage, and a 15-degree offset on the box end assists in reaching tough spots, providing more clearance.
The reversible feature means you can change the direction of the ratchet by flipping a switch—you don’t have to turn the wrench over. Such a handy feature, especially when you’re in a cramped attic or wedged under a car. As with many hand tools, this set is backed by a limited lifetime warranty so you can get a replacement if a wrench ever fails.
The downside to this set is that it does not come with a case, which isn’t unusual but would be nice for the price. It also includes only metric wrenches (though a standard set is available) so you’d need to buy a second set to have wrenches in both standard and metric sizes.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Reversible ratcheting combination wrenches | Number of wrenches included: 10 | Case Included? No | Warranty or guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty
Best Adjustable Wrench
Crescent Adjustable Wrench Set
- Perhaps the most versatile wrench in your toolbox, these adjustable wrenches have cushioned ergonomic handles.
Perhaps the most versatile wrench in your toolbox, these adjustable wrenches have cushioned ergonomic handles.
- There’s not a lot of size differentiation between the wrenches.
There’s not a lot of size differentiation between the wrenches.
More versatile than a single adjustable wrench, these three Crescent wrenches will work for many applications: the 6-inch tool in tight spaces and with smaller fasteners, the 8-inch for most jobs, and the 10-inch for larger nuts and bolts.
These wrenches have several handy features: a cushioned ergonomic handle that’s comfy to grip, a larger knurl (adjuster wheel) that moves easily for a tighter fit and less binding up, a jaw that cuts down on slippage, and a scale in both SAE and metric.
They are made of heat-treated alloy steel that’s both tough and durable, and they are coated with polished chrome to resist corrosion. In the event that one of them breaks, they are backed by a lifetime warranty against defects.
One drawback is that these wrenches are similar enough in size that there is some redundancy when it comes to usefulness for different projects (meaning, you could use either the 6- or 8-inch for many jobs). You might still need a smaller, 4-inch wrench and a larger, 12-inch one to complement the set.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Adjustable | Number of wrenches included: 3 | Case Included? No | Warranty or guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty
Best Stubby
Capri Tools WaveDrive Pro Stubby Combination Wrench Set
- This stubby wrench set is designed to remove rounded or stripped bolts and has an excellent grip.
This stubby wrench set is designed to remove rounded or stripped bolts and has an excellent grip.
- This is something of a specialty tool and isn’t necessary for everyone.
This is something of a specialty tool and isn’t necessary for everyone.
If you often need to use wrenches in compact spaces, such as when working on a vehicle, a stubby set full of shorter wrenches can be a good investment. “Most homeowners are not going to need a stubby wrench,” Wostarek notes, “but for tight spots, they do come in handy.”
This 12-piece set from Capri Tools exceeded our expectations. These span from 8 to 19 millimeters and are made of premium steel with chromed plating and size markings stamped on.
The mouth and box end each have a proprietary wave pattern for exceptional hold on a nut or bolt—it can even grip a rounded-off screw head. The wrenches roll up easily into a heavy-duty pouch, which snaps closed to ensure they all stay put. And these stubbies are warranted for a lifetime.
The average homeowner might not need such wrenches, but this is an excellent set for those who do a lot of automotive work.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Stubby combination | Number of wrenches included: 12 | Case Included? Yes | Warranty or guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty
Best Flexible-Head
Gearwrench Flex Head Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set
- If you maintain your own vehicle, you might want a set of flex-head wrenches.
If you maintain your own vehicle, you might want a set of flex-head wrenches.
- This won’t replace a quality set of standard wrenches.
This won’t replace a quality set of standard wrenches.
On flex-head wrenches, the head on the box end allows access to fasteners that are hard to reach with rigid tools—the head tilts 180 degrees! This makes them the best type of wrench for work on vehicles and other cramped areas.
These by Gearwrench have a 72-tooth box end with a 5-degree swing arc for tight turns (which is great for narrow spaces). Their pass-through design lets you work on longer bolts, and the ratcheting motion can be reversed by flipping a switch—without taking the wrench off the fastener to turn it over.
The wrenches are alloy steel for strength and longevity, and the polished chrome finish wipes clean to prevent wear and tear. Sizes range from 3/8 to ¾ inches and 10 to 19 millimeters, and they come with a plastic storage tray. A limited lifetime warranty protects against defects, too.
If you find yourself working in cramped spaces without a lot of clearance, a specialty set like this one might make life a lot easier, though we should note that their wider, thicker heads won’t fit everywhere. You’ll still need a set of standard combination wrenches for those tasks.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: flex-head ratcheting combination | Number of wrenches included: 14 | Case Included? Yes | Warranty or guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty
Best Offset
Stahwille Set of Double-Ended Ring Spanners
- This heavy-duty set of metric offset wrenches can be used in confined spaces inaccessible to a standard wrench.
This heavy-duty set of metric offset wrenches can be used in confined spaces inaccessible to a standard wrench.
- We could not find a similar set in standard (SAE) sizing.
We could not find a similar set in standard (SAE) sizing.
Sometimes called spanners, offset wrenches have angled ends that can reach fasteners in hard-to-get-to spots—it’s especially handy for vehicle repair and maintenance, as so many bolts and nuts under the hood are obstructed.
Stahwille is a German brand whose tools are made of chrome alloy steel and plated in chrome for durability and longevity. “I do not know of a cheaply made German tool,” Wostarek says.
The wrenches fit tightly around fasteners and do not wiggle, and they are comfortable to hold. Sizes go from 6 to 22 millimeters, and the numbers are clearly marked on both ends of each wrench. The set is protected by a limited lifetime warranty.
Such specialty tools aren’t for everybody—but for those who need a bunch of offset wrenches, this Stahwille set won’t disappoint. Please note that we could not find a similar Stahwille set in standard sizing.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Offset ring spanners | Number of wrenches included: 8 | Case Included? No | Warranty or guarantee: One year warranty
Best Ratcheting
Wera 6000 Joker Combination Ratcheting Wrench Set
- Wera hand tools are highly regarded for their excellent construction and ergonomic hand-feel.
Wera hand tools are highly regarded for their excellent construction and ergonomic hand-feel.
- The ends are larger than the box ends of standard wrenches.
The ends are larger than the box ends of standard wrenches.
There’s a lot to love about Wera’s Joker wrenches. The tools in this set of 11 have one open end and one ratcheting box end, and both have impressive, innovative features. The open end (the mouth) has a holding function so nuts and bolts can be held in the jaw and easily positioned where they are needed.
The box end boasts a fine-toothed mechanism with 80 teeth, providing greater flexibility even in cramped areas. It has a smaller return angle than most wrenches (30 degrees vs. 60), and the double-hex on the ratcheting end means it’s easier to grip a fastener. Keep in mind that the ratcheting ends are larger than the box ends of standard wrenches and might not fit around a fastener in a very tight space.
We also appreciate the handle: Finger grips are stamped in so it won’t slip out of your hand, the center is somewhat rounded for better grip, and the sizes are largely and prominently engraved on both ends. Each wrench is also color-coordinated so you know which one to grab, even from a distance.
The set comes in a handsome black pouch, which is made of canvas and mesh. A flap covers the wrenches so they don’t fall out, and the pouch rolls up and snaps closed so the whole set is portable. And they are covered by a limited lifetime warranty against defects. You’ll have to buy a separate set of standard wrenches if you want those, as these are metric only.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Combination | Number of wrenches included: 11 | Case Included? yes, a mesh-and-canvas roll-up pouch | Warranty or guarantee: Limited lifetime warranty
Best L-Shaped Hex
Craftsman Wrench Set
An L-shaped or Allen wrench, also known as a hex key, is a versatile little tool that's essential for a well-rounded tool kit. The Craftsman Universal L-to-T Allen Wrench Hex Key Set includes 20 hex keys made from steel with a black oxide coating for added durability.
The variety of sizes means you can easily find the hex key you need for a project. An included T-shaped handle fits both metric and SAE-style hex keys and allows you to easily trade out the appropriate size depending on what you're currently working on. As a bonus, the handle gives you more power when turning the wrench.
While a storage case is included, it's not the sleekest and takes up a fair bit of space in a toolbox. You may want to purchase a separate case depending on how you're planning to store the wrenches.
Product Details: Type of wrenches: Hex key | Number of wrenches included: 20 | Case Included? Yes | Warranty or guarantee: Lifetime warranty