Everyone needs a good selection of tools in their lives, even if their DIY skills only stretch to changing a lightbulb. No matter your skill level, it’s important to get the best tools for car care possible at the right price. A well-designed, ergonomic tool will make work less strenuous and hopefully quicker, even if it costs more than the no-name brand from the supermarket. A quality tool should also last for an eternity, only breaking if subjected to gratuitous misuse.
There are a lot of tools out there, all with variations and little features that need to be broken down if you’re to get the best set possible. That’s why we’re cutting through the jargon to bring you the best tools that you’ll actually need. The average car owner won’t need a brake bleeding kit or grease gun, but a quality set of spanners and screwdrivers will be a must.
Join us in building our dream toolbox filled with the best hand tools for the majority of DIY tasks and basic car mechanics. We’ll be breaking down what each tool does, why you’ll need one in your life, a selection of brands to trust with your cash and our number one pick for each category. We’ll also include a more budget-friendly option that’s still worth considering.
The best tool shortlist:
• The best screwdriver set: Wera Kraftform Kompakt 60-Bit Set – Buy now on Amazon UK
• The best socket set: Bahco S380 Socket Set – Buy now on Amazon UK
• The best spanner set: Bosch Professional 10-piece Spanner Set – Buy now on Amazon UK
• The best tool kit: Siegen 2 Drawer Tool Chest + 90 Piece Tool Kit – Buy now on Tooled-Up
The best screwdriver sets
The best screwdriver set
Pros
- Exceptional quality
- Ergonomic handles
Cons
- There's only one screwdriver handle included
| Included tools | 11 screwdrivers |
| Screw heads Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, flat head | Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, flat head |
| Extras Fabric roll | Fabric roll |
The best budget screwdriver set
Pros
- Includes loads of screwdrivers
- Smart storage system
Cons
- Not as ergonomic as the Wera set
| Included tools | 17 screwdrivers |
| Screw heads | Phillips, Pozidriv, Torx, flat head |
| Extras | Storage stand, hex sets, bit driver with screw bits |
The best socket sets
The best socket set
Pros
- Loads of sockets included
- Top-quality construction
Cons
- Overkill for basic jobs
| Included sockets | 6-22mm, sparkplug sockets |
| Wrench supplied | Ratchet wrench |
| Extras | Three extension bars, universal joint, t-bar, storage case |
The best budget socket set
Read our full Draper 16359 Metric Socket Set, 3/8" Square Drive, Blue, 18 Pcs review.
Pros
- Loads of sockets included
- Top-quality construction
Cons
- No handle for the storage case
| Included sockets | 8-22mm |
| Wrench supplied | Ratchet wrench |
| Extras | Two extension bars, universal joint, storage case |
The best torque wrench
The best torque wrench
Beyond this, this toque wrench is designed to cope with the wear and tear of regular use. The lens for displaying the torque settings and ergonomic handles are designed to withstand spills and damage, while the ratcheting mechanism is easy to use.
Pros
- Accurate torque measurement
- Top-quality build
Cons
- Overkill for basic jobs
| Torque range | 60-300Nm/50-220lb-ft. |
| Length | 593mm |
| Weight | 1.43 kg |
The best budget torque wrench
Pros
- Affordable but still quality
- Accuracy is certified
Cons
- Not up to a professional standard
| Torque range | 27-204Nm/20-150lb-ft. |
| Length | 500mm |
| Weight | 1.63 kg |
The best spanners
The best spanner set
Rrp: $116.93
Rrp: $116.93
Pros
- Perfect for tight spaces
- Clever design
Cons
- Skips 9 and 11mm socket sizes
| Spanner sizes | 8-19mm |
| Tool material | Chromium-vanadium steel |
| Extras | Ratcheting mechanism, storage bag |
The best budget spanner set
Pros
- Cheap
- Durable
Cons
- Basic
| Spanner sizes | 6-22mm |
| Tool material | Drop forged carbon steel |
| Extras | Storage case |
The best pliers
The best pliers
Pros
- Covers loads of jobs
- Nearly indestructible
Cons
- You'll still need a few more sets to cover all bases
| Uses | Cutting, gripping |
| Weight | 254g |
The best budget pliers
Pros
- Affordable
- Solid design
Cons
- Handle isn't the most comfortable
| Uses | Cutting, gripping |
| Weight | 220g |
The best hex sets
The best hex set
Rrp: $55.67
Rrp: $55.67
Pros
- Clever design touches
- Ususal Wera quality
Cons
- Fiddly storage case
| Hex sizes | 1.5-10mm |
| Weight | 200g |
| Extras | Storage case, plastic coating |
The best budget hex set
Pros
- Affordable
- Dependable
Cons
- No creature comforts
The best tool kits
The best tool kit
Pros
- Packed with quality tools
- The toolbox isn't half bad either
Cons
- Not the most portable
| Included tools | Ratchet wrenches, sockets, hex keys, screwdrivers, bit sets, spanners, pliers |
| Case | Steel toolbox |
| Weight | N/A |
The best budget tool kit
Pros
- Good quality
- Portable
Cons
- Only basic tools included
| Included tools | Ratchet wrenches, sockets, hex keys, screwdrivers, bit sets, spanners, pliers |
| Case | Fabric tool roll |
| Weight | 1.72kg |
The best hand tools FAQs
The best hand tool brands
A first glance at any tool catalogue or a trip down the DIY aisle at a supermarket may have you thinking all tools are basically the same. There’s a reason a hammer looks the way it does, so it can be easy to conclude that all brands are the same when it comes to tools.
Like cars, coffee machines or clothes, though, there are trusted brands that offer small but important nuances to even generic hand tools. From ergonomics to material, there are reasons to spend more on a set of tools, and we’ve broken down the brands we’d trust with our hard-earned cash.
Premium: Wera, Facom, Sielsen, Knipex, Bahco
Mid-range: Bosch, Milwaukee, Sealey
Budget: Draper, Stanley, Black & Decker, Rolson
What to look for in a good hand tool?
Ergonomics – All DIY is in some way strenuous. A bad set of tools can leave your hands calloused and your wrists aching. This is why we place a particular emphasis on ergonomically designed handles for hand tools. Softer handles will cushion your hands while allowing for the maximum torque to be applied. In short, ergonomic tools will make you more efficient and save your hands from discomfort.
Dual uses – It’s always handy when a set of tools can safely and effectively do other tasks. Take screwdrivers as a prime example of this. Quite often, these tools will include hex bits which means they’ll work as Allen keys.
Storage – Not everyone has a double garage to keep their fully-stocked tool chest. In fact, the majority of the time, tool storage will be a pretty big factor to consider before purchasing anything. In these circumstances, looking for a streamlined tool set will be your best bet. Compact options (like those found in a tool roll) may not offer a wide selection of bits, but they’ll take up less room while still being useful.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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