The act of buying your first wrench set, or any wrench sets for that matter, is almost like arite-of-passage – it’s the bread and butter of any true DIYer.
The majority of people will just buy the cheapest set of combination wrenches at their local hardware shop. But before you rush to make a purchase, here are some things you should consider when investing in these essential tools.
Wrenches are durable and should last a lifetime. The only reason you need to purchase more wrenches is if they become damaged, need to be replaced, or you need something very special or unique (like an offset brake bleeding wrench).
Quick Look At Top Wrenches
Summary Of Product: Top4 Picks For The Best Wrenches And Best Combination Wrench Sets
Our #1 choice for the best entry-level wrench set overall is the 20-piece GearWrench Combination set.
The set includes all the most common SAE and metric sizes. This should be enough to cover any job around your house or car. This set is the best choice if you are looking for a single wrench set that will cover all your needs.
The GRIP SAE/Metric Combination Set is a great value for money if you’re a penny-pincher looking for the best wrench set.
The set includes more wrenches that the GearWrench set and a few of the odder sizes you may need.
The Williams Supercombo MWS-18 line by Snap-On is the best quality wrenches and has been awarded our #1 USA-made performance wrenches.
These are the right choice if you’re the type of person who will accept only the best quality and/or money.
The 22-piece SYM Tools SAE/Metric Combo set is our choice for the best portable/emergency wrench/gift set.
We recommend this set if you are looking for the right tool to start your DIY collection.
This 20-piece set is a popular purchase for many years. It consistently gets great reviews and fantastic consumer feedback. It wouldn’t surprise us to see a few of these in a professional mechanics shop.
You want to look out for a combination wrench that is balanced and comfortable. Craftsman’s entry-level set is praised by tons of people because of its performance and ease of use.
The slim head shank makes it easy to reach difficult-to-reach areas, making it a blessing for even the most basic automotive tasks.
Things we loved:
- The best overall value for the amount you get
- Lifetime warranty
- The slim shanks are comfortable to use and make it easy to reach tight places.
- The wrenches’ 12-point box ends are ratcheting. This is a much better feature than non-ratcheting wrenches.
Things we didn’t like:
- Although the set includes 99% of the standard SAE and metric sizes you will need, we did not like the fact it skipped the 11mm size.
- Made in China (but then again what is not made today in China)
It is a great value for money. It is a great value for the price.
The wrenches are precision-machined from drop-forged, heat-treated steel alloy steel.
You’ll only notice a difference: instead of last a lifetime, like the GearWrench sets, they might only last about ten years (or less) depending on how often you use them and what kind of climate/environment you keep them in.
Things we enjoyed
- They are very affordable!
- These wrenches are more powerful than the GearWrench sets and come with all the standard SAE sizes and metric sizes that you will need (including the 11mm that is not available in the GearWrench sets).
- Includes a roll-up/hangable storage bag
Things we didn’t like
- They’re not the most beautiful wrenches in all the world. You’ll see some nicks and rough edges there.
- The wrenches’ box ends are not ratcheting unlike the GearWrench set.
Williams wrenches, as we mentioned earlier, are made by Snap-On Industrial Group. This is the most prestigious manufacturer of high-quality mechanic/automotive tool.
Snap-On tools are more common than you might think when you see a pit crew working on a NASCAR or Indy race car.
What makes them more expensive than the other top picks?
It all comes down to materials and fit. These are 100% high-polish chrome with rounded edges. They provide the most comfortable grip, even when you’re trying to push down hard.
The Supercombo and Supertorque design elements include specially designed grooves at the box and open ends of the wrenches that direct torque loads away from fastener corners.
Things we enjoyed
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Unrivaled USA-made quality
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There are many sets available, from the cheapest 8-piece set up to the most expensive 27 piece set.
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Lifetime Snap-On/Williams Warranty
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The most comfortable, durable, and powerful wrenches available
Things we didn’t like
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These will make a big dent in your pocketbook if you don’t have a money tree in your yard.
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It is not possible to get a combination set of metric/SAE wrenches, which is a huge disappointment. You will need to purchase the standard and metric wrenches separately if you want to have a complete set.
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Only Williams Supercombo wrenches can be made in France. They also make lower-quality satin Chrome sets in Taiwan.
It’s a smart idea to have a spare set in your car, truck or boat. Most people don’t want to spend the same amount on an emergency/portable set that they would on their permanent garage set.
The 22-piece SYM Tools SAE/metric combination set is an affordable option for emergency situations.
This set is popular because it fits snugly in a durable plastic case. It’s perfect for organizing them in your truck’s bed or trunk.
The 22-piece set should also include all standard metric and standard sizes you will need in an emergency situation.
Things we enjoyed
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A complete set of wrenches is available at a very affordable price
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Protective and practical storage box that will keep your 22 wrenches organized and safe.
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People are amazed at the quality of chrome-plated steel, which is a top-quality drop-forged steel.
Things we didn’t like
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We did not see any warranty information.
There Are Other Things To Consider When Purchasing The Best Wrench Set
Two main features should be checked off a quality wrench set:
1) It should be strong and well-built. You should never worry about breaking a wrench.
2) It should contain all standard (SAE), and metric sizes. You don’t want to find out in the middle of work that you don’t have the right size.
You should avoid buying poor-quality wrench sets that you will need to replace every couple of years.
A combination wrench set of standard size is an affordable investment, compared to something like a tablesaw. So make sure you get it right the first time. You’ll have something that will last for the rest your life and hopefully beyond.
Keep in mind, however, that this article is only about combination wrenches. Socket wrenches are another ballgame (you absolutely need both), that we will discuss in a separate article.
Combination wrenches are simply open wrenches with a box end and a closed wrench on one side.
You should also know that combination wrench sets can be purchased in 6- or 12-point box end configurations. For general use, 12-point wrenches will suffice. However, for more difficult tasks (like disassembling an exhaust system or transmission), 6-point wrenches are better.
6-point wrenches work better with higher torque loads due to their thicker walls, which are less likely flex under extreme pressure. They contact and distribute torque on the flat sides and corners of the fastener heads, which dramatically reduces the chances of stripping or rounding.
Conclusion/The Bottom Line
We recommend the 20-piece GearWrench Combination set as our top pick for DIY tools.
These wrenches are high quality and affordable. They also come with a lifetime warranty. The set also includes all standard metric and SAE sizes, which will take care of any fastener, even the most complex.
This set of wrenches is a great investment that will last a lifetime.
