Top 5 compared
The best socket sets
Oil changes, battery swaps and a wobbly lawn mower handle, done yourself with the right size socket.
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The top 5 at a glance
A socket set is a ratchet handle and a row of sockets that click onto it, one for each nut or bolt size. It turns fasteners faster than a wrench and reaches the ones a wrench has no room to swing at. Sets come in drive sizes, the square that joins socket to ratchet: 1/4in for small fasteners, 3/8in for most car and home jobs, 1/2in for lug nuts and big suspension bolts.
Every set here has both SAE (inch) and metric sockets, which matters in the US: older American cars and machinery use inch sizes, while most newer cars, bikes and imports are metric. Ordinary chrome sockets are for hand ratchets; impact-rated sockets are the ones to put on an impact wrench.
What matters
- Six-point sockets, which are less likely to round off a nut.
- Deep sockets as well as shallow, for nuts on long bolts.
- A case that holds every socket firmly in its slot.
#1DEWALT 108-Piece Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4 and 3/8in Drive (DWMT73801)
$75–$100
A 1/4in drive for small fasteners and a 3/8in drive for bigger ones, in a case that fits on a closet shelf: six-point sockets in SAE and metric, deep and shallow, two 72-tooth pear-head ratchets, 28 hex keys and a multi-bit driver.
What owners say: Owners like the sturdy hard case with its metal latches and how easily it travels, and the tools feel solidly made. The sockets’ clips divide them: secure for some, hard to pull out for others.
A closer look: With no 1/2in drive it isn’t the set for lug nuts, but it covers battery terminals, trim panels, mowers, bikes and furniture. The deep sockets reach nuts on long studs, and the reducing adapter lets the bigger 3/8in ratchet turn the small sockets when a bolt needs more leverage.
- Two 72-tooth pear-head ratchets
- Deep and shallow 6-point sockets
- Reducing adapter included
- Case fits a closet shelf
Best for: Home and light car jobs
- Pieces
- 108
- Drive
- 1/4 and 3/8in
- Socket sizes
- 4–17mm, 5/32–3/4in
- Also in the set
- 28 hex keys, 22 bits, nut drivers
- Impact-rated
- No
#2DEWALT 204-Piece Mechanics Tool Set (DWMT72165)
$200–$300
Three 72-tooth quick-release ratchets and deep and shallow sockets in all three drive sizes, from 4mm to 24mm and 5/32 to 1 inch, plus 12 combination wrenches and 28 hex keys: enough for brakes, suspension and wheels as well as the small jobs around the house.
What owners say: The sockets hold up to heavy work and stay free of rust, owners report, and the range is wide enough that they rarely need to reach for anything else.
A closer look: Pair the 1/2in ratchet with one of its extensions for lug nuts and suspension bolts; the three spark plug sockets and the Torx bits handle tune-ups. Sizes are stamped into every socket and wrench, so they stay readable under grease, and the metal latches keep the case shut when it rides in the trunk.
- Three 72-tooth quick-release ratchets
- Three spark plug sockets
- Sizes stamped into every piece
- Molded case, metal latches
- Full lifetime warranty
Best for: Full car maintenance
- Pieces
- 204
- Drive
- 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in
- Socket sizes
- 4–24mm, 5/32–1in
- Also in the set
- 12 wrenches, 28 hex keys, bits
- Impact-rated
- No
#3Amazon Basics 201-Piece Socket Set
$100–$150
A whole mechanic’s toolbox in one case: sockets in all three drive sizes in both SAE and metric, plus hex keys and screwdriver bits, all in polished chrome vanadium steel.
What owners say: Owners find the ratchets work well and the set solidly made and fairly priced, a sound start to a toolbox. The case divides them: some find every piece clicks firmly in place, others that sockets keep dropping out.
A closer look: At 16.5 lb it’s a set for the garage or the back of a truck rather than a backpack. With SAE and metric side by side, it handles an older American pickup and a newer import alike; push each socket back into its slot before closing the lid.
- Polished chrome vanadium steel
- Weighs 16.5 lb
Best for: Stocking a first garage
- Pieces
- 201
- Drive
- 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in
- Socket sizes
- SAE and metric
- Also in the set
- Hex keys, screwdriver bits
- Impact-rated
- No
#4VEVOR 65-Piece 1/2in Drive Impact Socket Set
$50–$75
Impact-grade sockets that can go on an impact wrench as well as the 72-tooth ratchet in the box: 58 deep and standard sockets from 10 to 24mm and 3/8 to 1-1/4 inch, three extensions and a universal joint, in a metal case.
What owners say: The sockets and ratchet feel solid and take serious hammering, owners say, and nearly every size is there. The case divides them: it holds the sockets snugly for some and lets them slip for others.
Heads up: With its metal case it weighs about 32 lb, so it’s happiest on a garage shelf or in the truck rather than carried around.
A closer look: Impact sockets have thicker walls than chrome ones, so they take an impact wrench’s hammering without cracking. The 1/2in drive suits lug nuts, suspension and hitch bolts, and the 3/8in-to-1/2in adapter lets a smaller 3/8in wrench drive them too.
- 72-tooth ratchet
- 29 deep, 29 standard sockets
- 3, 5 and 10in extensions
- Metal carry case
Best for: Lug nuts and impact wrenches
- Pieces
- 65
- Drive
- 1/2in
- Socket sizes
- 10–24mm, 3/8–1-1/4in
- Also in the set
- 3 extensions, 3 adapters
- Impact-rated
- Yes
#5WORKPRO 39-Piece Socket Set (1/4in and 3/8in)
$20–$30
SAE and metric sockets in two drive sizes, a quick-release 3/8in ratchet and a spinner handle, in a blow-molded case about 7.6 inches long: small enough to live in the glove box or under a seat.
What owners say: Owners use it for car repairs and odd jobs around the house and like how compact it is, with every size clearly marked. How long it lasts is the mixed point.
A closer look: The spinner handle runs small nuts on and off quickly before the ratchet takes over for the last tight turn, and the quick-release button drops the socket off so it doesn’t stay stuck. Its small case suits a car, a kitchen drawer or a first apartment.
- Case about 7.6 in long
- Spinner runs nuts on quickly
- Quick-release reversible ratchet
- Chrome vanadium steel
Best for: Glove boxes and first apartments
- Pieces
- 39
- Drive
- 1/4 and 3/8in
- Socket sizes
- 4–13mm, 5/32–9/16in
- Also in the set
- Spinner, extension, adapter
- Impact-rated
- No
How they compare
Swipe sideways or rotate device to see all 5.
| Feature | #1DEWALT 108-piece | #2DEWALT 204-piece | #3Amazon Basics 201 | #4VEVOR 65-piece impact | #5WORKPRO 39-piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best premium | Best impact set | Best budget | ||
| Picked Rating | 9.6 | 9.5 | 9.3 | 9.2 | 9.1 |
| Price | $75–$100 | $200–$300 | $100–$150 | $50–$75 | $20–$30 |
| Pieces | 108 | 204 | 201 | 65 | 39 |
| Drive | 1/4 and 3/8in | 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in | 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2in | 1/2in | 1/4 and 3/8in |
| Socket sizes | 4–17mm, 5/32–3/4in | 4–24mm, 5/32–1in | SAE and metric | 10–24mm, 3/8–1-1/4in | 4–13mm, 5/32–9/16in |
| Also in the set | 28 hex keys, 22 bits, nut drivers | 12 wrenches, 28 hex keys, bits | Hex keys, screwdriver bits | 3 extensions, 3 adapters | Spinner, extension, adapter |
| Impact-rated | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Best for | Home and light car jobs | Full car maintenance | Stocking a first garage | Lug nuts and impact wrenches | Glove boxes and first apartments |
| Buy now | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
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