So, you want to build the ultimate hand tool collection, you better start with a ratchet wrench. The core of a mechanic’s toolbox, this humble hand tool is versatile and the key to unlocking pretty much any part of a car’s internals.
Unlike wrenches or standard spanners, ratchet wrenches have a ratcheting pawl mechanism inside, allowing the tool to reassume its original position without moving the nut or bolt it is tightening. Ratchet wrenches are especially useful if you’re tightening or loosening a subject without much room to manoeuvre, say in the deepest bowel of an engine bay.
Instead of removing the tool completely and resetting it again, the ratchet can be pulled back with a few clicks and the wrench is back in position – greatly expediting the tightening process. Ratchet wrenches are also commonly known as socket wrenches, as many examples use attachable sockets to rotate the nut or bolt. These sockets are interchangeable, with most ratchet wrenches including a starter set of several different sizes as standard.
However, most standard ratchet wrenches do not feature a torque gauge to precisely and accurately measure the torque delivered onto a subject. Some car manufacturers recommend certain bolts be tightened to a set level, but to carry this out accurately will require a more expensive torque wrench.
The best ratchet wrenches
Best ratchet wrench set
The body of the wrench features a low-profile teardrop head and a recessed switch lever, granting better access to the tightest crevasse of an engine bay. The tool is constructed from chrome vanadium steel for strength under strain and features two extension bars for extra leverage and a universal joint for even better adjustability.
Pros
- Quality set with a great range of sizes
- Low profile for reaching tough areas
Cons
- Slightly bulky ratchet wrench handle
| Contents: | One ratchet wrench, two extension bars, one drive adapter, 13 sockets, six deep sockets, one storage case |
| Sizes covered: | 8-20mm |
| Ratchet size: | 3/8" |
| Tool material: | Chrome steel |
Best premium ratchet wrench
What we like so much about this particular tool is the rotating head for reaching awkward locations and the inclusion of a flywheel for quicker working. Partner this with Wera's ergonomic and extremely comfortable Kraftform handle and this ratchet wrench really prices why it commands such a price premium. If all of that wasn't enough, it can even work as a screwdriver.
Pros
- Exceptionally well-designed and built
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Expensive
| Contents: | One ratchet wrench |
| Sizes covered: | N/A |
| Ratchet size: | 3/8" |
| Tool material: | Chromium-vanadium steel |
Best ratcheting spanners
Rrp: $116.93
Rrp: $116.93
This set comes in a velcro-sealed bag, but the spanners could also be hung from their ratchet rings for an authentic workshop aesthetic.
Pros
- Look great and work even better
Cons
- Torque won’t be as high as other alternatives
| Contents: | 10 spanners, one storage bag |
| Sizes covered: | 8-19mm |
| Ratchet size: | N/A |
| Tool material: | Chromium-vanadium steel |
Best mini ratchet wrench set
That ratchet itself is only a few inches in length – not great for heavier jobs but perfect for the tightest areas. For organisation purposes, we like the colour-coded bits and the transparent lid toolbox they come in.
Pros
- Great tool for the most remote areas
- Small but high-build quality
Cons
- Not suited to big nuts
| Contents: | One ratchet wrench, two holders (universal and socket), 19 screwdriver bits, five sockets, one storage case |
| Sizes covered: | 6-13mm (6,7,6,10,13) |
| Ratchet size: | N/A |
| Tool material: | Chromium-vanadium steel |
Best budget ratchet wrench
The tool is light but strong, built from chrome vanadium steel that has been heat-treated and finished for corrosion resistance.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money
Cons
- T-handle may impede use in some of the tighter areas
| Contents: | One ratchet wrench, one extension bar, 10 screwdriver bits, 14 sockets, one storage case |
| Sizes covered: | 4-12mm |
| Ratchet size: | 1/4" |
| Tool material: | Chromium-vanadium steel |
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. A veteran car cleaner; if it details, waxes or washes he’ll be on hand to make sure it’s worth your money.
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