A ratchet wrench kit is a must have if you need to do mechanical work as a professional or as a DIYer. Selecting the perfect wrench kit isn’t easy because there are several options to choose from. A ratchet wrench kit would help you in fastening and opening any bolt/nut. Here you will find a buying guide to help get you started as well as a number of high-quality suggestions as well.
Buying Guide
If you are not familiar with the terminologies and things to keep in mind while shopping for a wrench kit then it can be quite tough for you to select the one that is appropriate for you. So before you jump to the list, take a minute to familiarize yourself with some important things to consider while shopping.
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Deep sockets
Deep sockets are longer than normal-sized sockets. They can easily reach deeply recessed parts and fasteners. A socket is used on the head of the ratchet wrench to loosen or tighten a specific type of nut or bolt. Typical applications of deep sockets would be removing or attaching diesel fuel injectors and cylinder head bolts that cannot be easily accessed using normal sockets. If you are going to work on things that are not easily accessible then you should consider choosing deep sockets. They come in all drive sizes and measurement standards.
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Cr-V or CR-V
Most sockets are engraved with these two sets of letters. The manufacturers engrave it to let the users know about the socket quality. It refers to the additional materials added to the base metal to enhance the durability and strength of the product. ‘Cr’ or ‘CR’ means the addition of chromium to the base metal to protect it against corrosion, and ‘V’ refers to the presence of Vanadium that helps add more strength to the overall product.
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Weight
If you will be working for more time and the ratchet you are choosing is heavy then you won’t be able to perform efficiently for even a couple of hours. You will experience fatigue and may hurt your hands too. So, if you are a professional or a weekend DIYer, it is recommended that you choose a lightweight ratchet wrench to make your work easy.
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Battery life and power
You will find two types of battery-powered ratchets– one with a rechargeable battery and one with a regular changeable battery. It is recommended that you opt for the one with rechargeable batteries because they last longer and are cost-saving in long run. You should also consider the battery power because the more power it has the more battery life it will have. Otherwise, if you get a tool with an underpowered battery then your tool might stop in the middle of work.
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Grip
It is really important for a ratchet to have a good grip so you can use it more efficiently. A large force is required to work with stubborn fasteners and if the grip is not good enough then you might hurt your hand. A polished and shiny grip might look good in pictures but you should go for ergonomic design because it will help you maintain excellent grip even while wearing gloves.
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Flexibility
Look for a design that can fit both narrow and wide space areas easily without any problem. An ideal ratchet is not limited to any space and it can unlock both slight and tight fitted nuts/bolts without requiring much of your effort.
Types of power ratchets
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Air impact ratchet
An air impact ratchet is the choice of many professionals because of its heavy duty work. They operate faster and have exceptional performance. You can use this ratchet in your DIY work too because they are less tiring and come in standard size with an adequate grip. A quality air ratchet can produce about 500-600 LBS of torque. If you want a ratchet wrench for daily DIY projects then you can get a smaller one with less torque. Remember, the more heavy duty your work is, the more torque you would require.
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Electric ratchet
Electric ratchets are a bit heavier and larger in size compared to the air compact ratchets. They are mostly cordless with either rechargeable batteries or changeable ones; whatever you select totally depends on your requirements. You get a battery pack and a charger with the electric ratchet. They can produce high torque at up to 250 RPM of speed. If you are going for an electric ratchet then you have to consider the battery power/capacity, torque, speed, and weight.
Here is the list of top 5 power ratchet wrench kits (both air impact and electric ratchets)
1. Ingersoll Rand 2317G Edge Series Air Impactool and Ratchet Kit, Black
The Ingersoll Rand 2317G is a perfect combo of a 170G ratchet, 231G impact tool and a socket set that can provide great help in DIY projects and other professional tasks. It is an air-powered tool which means you will get high weight-to-ratio power and torque up to 55ft-lbs at a good speed of 170 RPM. The tools that come in this kit are ergonomically designed that will enable you to get a good grip while working and not to mention the storage case that helps move the kit anywhere without facing any problem.
The ratchet’s head is heat-treated to provide you a powerful long-life experience. It also comes with a twin hammer effect that makes sure you get comfort and durability while working. It is a 7.3 inches cordless ratchet with a handle exhaust, reverse/forward power control and a variable speed trigger that allow you to set variable speeds according to the job nature.
Pros:
- Easy to control and use
- Excellent ergonomic design
- The heat-treated ratchet head makes sure that the tool has a long time span
- Comes with a storage case
- Lightweight
- Adjustable speed
Cons:
- You need to purchase an air compressor separately
2. Goplus 12V 3/8″ Cordless Ratchet Wrench Kit Ratcheting Wrench Set with 1500mAh Lithium-Ion Battery & Charger
The Goplus cordless ratchet wrench is an electric-powered tool with an amazing lightweight body and awesome looks. It is able to deliver up to 59ft-lbs of maximum torque with the help of its powerful 12v motor that also has an adjustable variable speed (max 280RPM) setting. The LED light embedded on the ratchet helps you see the work-area even in dim lighting.
The 1500mAh lithium-ion battery works great in delivering a sufficient battery life on a single charge. It can be detached and charged easily using the standalone charger that comes with the kit. The ratchet only needs 60 minutes to get fully charged. Not to mention the anti-slip grip that is designed with a unique combination of classic style and modern looks.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Powerful motor
- Comes with a carrying case
- Easy to use
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Variable speed setting
- Only need an hour to fully charge
- Led lighting
- Non-slip grip
Cons:
- Large and thick handle
3. Bressanon 3/8in Cordless Electric Ratchet Kit with 2000mAh Lithium-Ion battery and charger
It is a 3/8 inch cordless ratchet with a powerful 12-volt battery that is able to deliver 35ft-lbs of torque. The ratchet is 10.2 inches long and the toolkit includes a 2000mAh lithium-ion battery, a 3/8 inch to ¼ inch drive adapter, charger and 5 different sizes of wrench sockets. It also has a forward/reverse lever that makes easy for you to switch between tightening and loosening nuts. Like the go plus power ratchet, the bressanon also charges the battery to full in an hour. The carrying case that comes with it is made of durable hard plastic which makes the kit portable.
Pros:
- Comes with a durable storage case
- Easily adjustable forward/reverse direction lever
- Includes 5 different sizes of spanner sockets
- Has an anti-slip grip
- Only need an hour to fully charge
Cons:
- Not heavy-duty
4. ACDelco Cordless 12V Heavy Duty 3/8 Ratchet Wrench Tool Set with 2 Li-ion Batteries and Charger Kit
The ACDelco ARW1201 is the most powerful toolkit in its class that includes a 12-volt quick charger, two lithium-ion battery packs, a 3/8 inch ratchet wrench, and a hand-carry case. Its 12-volt motor is capable of delivering 57ft-lbs of max torque and up to 168RPM speed to tackle tough jobs. If you are looking to work for long durations then its anti-slip grip will reduce fatigue and help you work much longer. It has a variable speed setting with an electric brake switch for the professionals to assist in performing complex tasks. The combination of soft and strong ergonomic grip and secure push/pull locking makes this ratchet easy to use and prevent accidental adjustments.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Has a powerful battery that is capable of delivering more torque
- Can also be used as a manual ratchet
- Comes with 2 battery packs
- The storage case is made of durable material
- Ergonomically designed grip for stable hand motion
- Lightweight body
Cons:
- Does not have an LED light on the ratchet
- Can’t fit well in tight spaces
- Complaints about the motor being underpowered
5. Milwaukee 2457-21 3/8-in Cordless M12 Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit
Milwaukee is one of the best brands for power tools especially cordless ratchets. It is leading the market because of what it provides. You will get an excellent performance from its M12 RedLithium battery that supplies great power and speed to the ratchet. The motor is able to deliver up to 32ft-lbs of torque at 250 RPM.
No matter if you are a professional auto mechanic or DIYer you will find this ratchet to be one of the best tools that can provide adequate performance for accomplishing tough jobs. The tool is 10 ¾-inches long and weighs 4.2 pounds only, that makes it easy to be carried around in the carrying case (comes with the kit) or on the tool belt. The ratchet has a ¾ inch head that makes it easier to reach tight spaces and the built-in LED also assists you in case there is no sufficient lighting around the work area. The company also provides a 5-year limited warranty on the ratchet and a 2-year limited warranty on the battery.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Fits well in tight spaces
- Built-in LED light
- Long lasting battery
- Tool and the battery is backed up by warranty
Cons:
- The ratchet feels bulky
- Delivers less torque
Final verdict
Before buying a power ratchet wrench kit for yourself, focus on your requirements and needs first. It is highly recommended that you go through the buying guide thoroughly to eliminate any confusion. However, If you want a best-overall power ratchet wrench kit then go for Milwaukee 2457-21 3/8-in Cordless M12 Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit or ACDelco Cordless 12V Heavy Duty 3/8 Ratchet Wrench Tool Set with 2 Li-ion Batteries and Charger Kit. If you want a budget-friendly ratchet that can handle a wide range of projects then you can opt for Goplus 12V 3/8″ Cordless Ratchet Wrench Kit Ratcheting Wrench Set with 1500mAh Lithium-Ion Battery & Charger.