Why are small socket sets useful? Sometimes, bigger isn’t better, especially when it comes to finding the right hand tools. When it comes to socket sets, we recommend keeping one in or around your car at all times for emergency alterations, but lugging cumbersome toolboxes around in your boot is impractical and can get in the way of the important stuff. Instead, opt for a smaller, lighter travel socket set to put your mind at ease and save space.
A socket set is a collection of attachable nut and bolt fasteners, usually accompanied by a socket wrench. Nuts and bolts come in all different shapes and sizes, so to accommodate the wide range of gauge widths, multiple different-sized sockets are sold together in one pack.
Given the requisite solid build of a socket to withstand high torque loads, a comprehensive set of every size in a socket set would be enormous and too heavy to carry around in the back of your car.
Best small socket sets at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Milwaukee 38-Piece Ratchet Socket and Bit Set – Buy from Amazon.
Best budget small socket set: Draper 18 Piece Metric Socket Set – Buy from Amazon.
Best small socket set for compactness: Dewalt Socket and Screwdriving Set – Buy from Amazon.
To save on weight and the size of the pack, socket and spanner sets are usually reduced to just the popular attachment sizes, thus improving portability, but some travel sets slenderize further to only a handful.
The best small socket sets
Editor's pick
It includes 11 sockets with a 90-tooth, 4° arc of swing to deal with tight spaces. The items are neatly clipped in place, which is very useful when carrying the kit around.
Pros
- Pretty comprehensive little kit
- Great build quality
Cons
- Not as many sockets as someone might desire
Best budget small socket set
Each socket is manufactured from Chrome Vanadium Steel for tough durability under strain. Included in the pack is a 72-tooth ratcheting wrench featuring a soft ergonomic grip – perfect for addressing subjects tucked away in the deepest chasms of an engine bay with little room to manoeuvre.
Read our full Draper Metric Socket Set review
Pros
- Reasonable value for a good amount of sockets
- Good enough quality
Cons
- Box needs a handle
Best small socket set for screws
This set includes a total of five sockets, ranging from 6mm to 13mm, and includes an switchable turning ratchet wrench with a connector piece for easy attachment.
Pros
- Colour-coded for organisation and convenience
- Compact case
Cons
- Size variety isn't great
Best small socket set for compactness
Included in the set are several screw bits, a small wrench and a 25mm adapter. The case itself is strong and robust, meaning it can be left in the boot or glovebox of your car and withstand the tests of daily life for years.
Pros
- One of the more affordable options on our list
- Very compact
Cons
- Limited socket sizes
Best comprehensive small socket set
This pack also comes with a 1/4" x 1/4" bit holder and a wide range of different drill bits to suit every need. Protected by a high-density polythene case, this is a quality product for a reasonable price.
Pros
- Plenty of different sockets and screws to cover most needs
- Compact case
Cons
- No handle on the case
Things to consider with small socket sets
The idea of a small socket set is that you can carry it around in your vehicle in the (hopefully) unlikely event of a breakdown. Unlike full-size toolboxes, they should provide just enough sizes to work around a number of different components throughout your vehicle, from the engine to the wheels.
The second is the quality of the tools. Some bolts can be stiff, so you should opt for a set of sockets which aren’t likely to round off their ridge. From hex sets to machines, the lower tier of quality brands is Draper and Bosch, whereas Dewalt and Milwaukee are amongst the upper tier manufacturers.
Lastly, you should consider what other main tools you’ll get – or already have – for those sockets and screws. A lot of small socket sets will come with ratchets or screwdrivers, but you may need to look separately for things like torque wrenches.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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