If you’re planning to do any substantial work on a car or anything big and mechanical, nuts and bolts will more than likely be used to hold everything together and you won’t be getting very far without a quality socket sets to remove these fasteners. A good hand tool set and wrench are essential for loosening or tightening these fasteners. Socket sets also include different socket sizes, integral for dealing with different-sized fasteners.
If you’re willing to spend a fair amount of cash on a socket set, we’d recommend Bahco. Founded in Sweden in 1886, Bahco is renowned for producing top-quality tools used both domestically and by professionals. Its range of socket sets aren’t world-shatteringly expensive but are of exceptional quality.
Wera or Focum socket sets are at the pricier end of the market and will have the same quality construction as presented in each brand’s screwdriver sets. Wera’s Zyklop wrench is a particularly clever innovation combining five ratchets in a single tool, but again commands a pretty steep price.
The best socket sets at a glance:
Editor’s pick: Bacho S330 1/4 and 3/8 inch 34-piece set – buy from Amazon.
Best for serious home mechanics: RS Pro 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch mechanical tool kit – buy from RS Online.
Best for classic cars: Sealey AK691 3/8 inch 35-piece Socket Set – buy from Demontweeks.
More affordable options we’d recommend include Draper or one of the entry-level Bahco sets. Draper is known for hex sets regularly used in professional situations but doesn’t have the same price tag attached. Don’t expect the same level of innovation, ergonomics or finish though. Most socket sets will come with a ratchet wrench included too, good news for beginners.
The best socket sets
Editor's pick
Residing within the chunky plastic case are 3/8-inch sockets, including spark plug sockets, plus a collection of 1/4-inch slotted, Phillips, and hex bits.
Pros
- Excellent build quality
- Dynamic-Drive doesn’t damage fasteners
Cons
- 10mm the smallest socket size included
| <strong>Dimensions</strong> | 33 x 30 x 23.5 cm |
| <strong>Drive system</strong> | Square |
| <strong>Material</strong> | Chrome Vanadium Steel, Polypropylene, Alloy Steel |
| <strong>Number of pieces</strong> | 34 |
Best socket set for beginners
Consisting of the most common metric and imperial socket sizes, plus two spark plug sockets, most scenarios are covered with this set. It’s not as high a quality as the Bahco set above but using chrome vanadium steel alloy, it’s still corrosion-resistant and durable enough for DIYers.
Pros
- Metric and SAE sizes
- Hard case included
Cons
- Bahco set is better quality
| <strong>Dimensions</strong> | 19.51 x 7.01 x 15.01 cm |
| <strong>Drive system</strong> | Fixed Square |
| <strong>Material</strong> | Chrome Vanadium Steel |
| <strong>Number of pieces</strong> | 24 |
Best for the serious home mechanic
In addition to the large collection of 1/4- and 1/2-inch drive sockets, there are also screwdriver bits, precision screwdrivers, and combination spanners. People who frequent the home workshop will benefit from this set more than casual DIYers.
Pros
- Accurately comprehensive
- Very high quality
Cons
- Overkill for casual users
| <strong>Dimensions</strong> | 19.51 x 7.01 x 15.01 cm |
| <strong>Drive system</strong> | Fixed Square |
| <strong>Material</strong> | Chrome Vanadium Steel |
| <strong>Number of pieces</strong> | 24 |
Best socket set for classic cars
Sealey has an established reputation for quality with its hand tools in particular, and you should enjoy a lifetime of use with this set.
Pros
- Metric and imperial socket sizes
- Metal hard case
Cons
- No deep sockets
Best spark plug socket set
Addressing this issue are specific spark plug socket sets. This one from Sealey is our pick of the bunch because it’s well made, great value, and bears all the sizes you’ll need.
Pros
- Excellent quality
- Completes a socket set
Cons
- None, but you may not need it
| <strong>Dimensions</strong> | not given |
| <strong>Drive system</strong> | Fixed Square |
| <strong>Material</strong> | Chrome Vanadium steel |
| <strong>Number of pieces</strong> | 4 |
Best wheel nut impact sockets
While removing and fitting car wheels is quite simple, it’s crucial to be done properly. Therefore, we only recommend this job and these impact sockets to highly competent home mechanics.
Pros
- It can be used on locking wheel nuts
- Use with an impact wrench
Cons
- Only suitable for highly competent users
| <strong>Dimensions</strong> | not given |
| <strong>Drive system</strong> | One end is hexagon 6pt and the other a reverse conical gripper thread |
| <strong>Material</strong> | Not given |
| <strong>Number of pieces</strong> | 4 |
On sale
Extension bars and reinforced ratchets are also included, and the regular sockets range from 4-32mm in size.
Pros
- Incredibly comprehensive tool set
- Great build quality
Cons
- The socket sizes could be more varied
Things to consider with socket sets
Which sockets are used for what?
Concerning the sockets themselves, there are a few different types of sockets. Americans, insisting on being different, still use imperial socket sizes along with classic cars. If you see SAE attached to a socket set, it means it’s imperial. SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, which is US-based. The rest of the world uses metric units. It’s a similar story with spanner sets.
The most common type of socket, whether it’s metric or imperial, is the six-point or hex socket, designed to fit over a hexagonal bolt head or fastener. These are the most versatile and fit the majority of fasteners. There are more specific types of sockets, such as spark plug sockets. Carrying an apt name, these are for removing and fitting spark plugs. If you have a diesel and need to remove the glow plugs, check out our guide on the best glow plug removal tools.
Regarding drive sizes, these still use imperial measurements even with Draper’s metric socket set. The smallest quarter-inch drive is best for accessibility in confined spaces. Three eight-inch drive sits in the middle and is the best for DIYers because of its versatility. This drive offers better accessibility than half-inch but more torque than quarter-inch. Half-inch drive in automotive applications is for high-torque jobs, like fastening or loosening wheel nuts.
Chris Williams is a Senior Product Writer for CAR, also working for Live For The Outdoors. An expert in camping and muscle cars, he spends most of his time up a mountain or laying rubber.
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