Socket & Ratchet Reviews & Buying Guides
Whether working as an automotive technician or simply tooling around in the garage, you need a good set of both sockets and ratchets. We test and review everything from impact sockets and deep well sockets to socket kits and full mechanics tool sets. With so many options, we focus on durability, usability, features and value. Can you easily identify the sockets without having to put on your reading glasses? Does the manufacturer provide both 6-point and 12-point designs? We try to answer all those questions so you know you have the right tools for the job.
On the ratchet side, we really appreciate advances made in high TPI (teeth count) ratchets. These let you work in tight spaces when you don’t have much clearance to move. We favor quick-release heads as they make it so much easier to remove and affix sockets. We also like having handle length options to give us more leverage or access when needed. Even the feel of the handle matters—since no one likes hard edges.
Our reviews gave our first-hand experience in using these tools so that you get a sense of the way the tool should perform if and when you buy it. From the type of steel used to the ergonomics and performance, we try to cover all the bases.
