Best Torque Wrenches 2022

Sep 10, 2023

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Whether you’re working on your car or completing a DIY repair, keep these expert-approved torque wrenches at the ready.

A torque wrench is an essential tool when you need to tighten nuts and bolts using a very specific amount of twisting force, known as torque. This is often necessary when performing automotive repairs, where you might need to torque certain bolts to the setting specified by the vehicle’s manufacturer. But their applications aren’t limited there, as the plumbing, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), and construction industries regularly employ torque wrenches as well. As a result of this diverse range of uses, there are several different types, sizes, and characteristics that can impact the functionality of a particular torque wrench. To help you determine which wrench is best for your needs, read on to learn what factors you should consider when shopping, along with my top eight torque wrench recommendations.

▶ Click: A click torque wrench is the most common variety due to its ease of use and relative affordability. It gets its name from the audible “click” that’s sounds when you tighten a nut or bolt to the desired setting. To set the torque value, twist the rotating dial on the handle’s base—clockwise to increase the torque and counterclockwise to decrease it—until the indicator aligns with the torque value markings on the handle.

▶ Beam: A beam torque wrench has a long arm (the “beam”) that runs from the head of the wrench to a scale, near the base, that measures torque. Consequently, there’s no need to set the torque to the specification you’re after; just tighten the fastener until the intended torque value registers on the scale. This is typically the most inexpensive variety of torque wrench and among the most accurate, making it desirable for pros and DIYers alike. A beam torque wrench can also be quicker and easier to use than a click model if you are tightening several nuts and bolts to different torque specifications, because you don’t need to reset the torque value for each fastener.

▶ Split beam: A split beam torque wrench is essentially a click-style torque wrench with a different mechanism for setting the torque value. As opposed to twisting the handle, you twist a small dial located midway up the handle. Then, you tighten down the fastener until you hear the wrench “click.” The primary advantage a split beam wrench has over a standard click wrench is that setting the torque value with the dial is considerably faster than twisting a knob up the length of the handle. This time-saver is particularly valuable if you are tightening multiple fasteners with different torque values. The main disadvantage is that split beam models often more expensive than most click wrenches.

▶ Digital: A digital torque wrench has an LCD screen that lets you set the torque value and registers the torque you’re applying to the fastener as you tighten. The wrench then notifies you when you reach your desired torque value in one or more ways: a beep, a vibration in the handle, a flashing light on the screen, or some combination thereof. A digital torque wrench is the most accurate and easiest to use but also usually the most expensive.

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Torque can either be measured using the imperial scale in foot-pounds or inch-pounds or the metric scale in newton meters. Most mechanical torque wrenches (the click, beam, and split beam types) have a dual-range scale with foot- or inch-pounds on one side and the corresponding newton meter scale on the other. Digital torque wrenches usually include all three that you can toggle through on their LCD screens.

Depending on the wrench, the torque range can be anywhere from 0 to 300 foot-pounds, 0 to 1,000 inch-pounds, or 0 to 400 newton meters. To perform most automotive work, you’ll need a wrench with a range of 10 to 150 foot-pounds or 10 to 200 inch-pounds (and the corresponding newton meter). A smaller range of around 10 to 80 foot-pounds is typically sufficient for plumbing or HVAC jobs.

A torque wrench’s “drive” is the square piece that protrudes from the wrench’s head and is where the socket drive connects. As such, the drive size on the torque wrench must match the socket size. Additionally, the maximum amount of torque a wrench is capable of withstanding and exerting is heavily influenced by the drive size. Larger drives generally correspond to higher torque values. Handle length also plays a role in the amount of torque a wrench can produce, so a larger drive also corresponds to a longer handle. Smaller drive sizes and shorter handle lengths have the lowest torque ranges but can also be more easily maneuvered in cramped and confined spaces (such as nuts and bolts deep inside your car’s engine bay). Larger drive sizes produce the most torque but are best for tasks where you have plenty of room to operate the longer handle (such as tightening lug nuts).

Torque wrenches are most commonly available with ¼-, ⅜-, and ½-inch drives; the latter two sizes are the most popular and versatile for automotive applications. A ¼-inch drive is commonly found on power tools and works well on small engines (like landscape equipment) and plumbing and HVAC components.

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Because the whole purpose of using a torque wrench is to ensure that the nuts and bolts you’re tightening are within a very specific and narrow range of torque, a wrench’s ability to accurately measure the torque you apply is key to avoiding under- or over-tightening. Torque wrench manufacturers perform calibration tests to measure a wrench’s accuracy. Accuracy ratings average around ±4 percent of the torque value indicated by a wrench’s scale, though higher-end wrenches can be calibrated as precisely as ±2 percent. Many of the high-end models also come with a certificate of calibration to prove that the wrench you purchased was calibrated prior to packaging.

When making my recommendations, I included a wide variety of wrench types so that you could find the best torque wrench for your needs. So whether you want a click, beam, split beam, or digital torque wrench, I’ve got you covered. I also included a three-piece set with the most common and useful drive sizes to tackle as many different applications as possible. I personally own, and have thoroughly tested, two of the products below. For the remainder, I took into account customer reviews on sites like Amazon and Home Depot; researched other articles, published by credible sites, that reviewed torque wrenches; and drew from my experiences using different types and brands of torque wrenches while on the job.

As the proud owner of this wrench, I can personally attest to the accuracy, ease of use, and versatility of Tekton’s ½-inch drive torque wrench. The torque range from 10 to 150 foot-pounds was everything I needed when I put it to the ultimate test: replacing the engine in my truck. And its all-steel construction made me confident that it would be able to withstand the rigors of the entire job. The torque values are clearly marked with black numbers contrasting the steel handle, which makes it easy to read even in poor lighting. Then when you’re done using the wrench, Tekton provides a durable storage case to keep it protected.

EPAuto’s ½-inch torque wrench offers an exceptional value at a very reasonable price. It’s constructed out of chrome-vanadium steel to make it incredibly durable and features an easy-to-read torque range scale on the handle. The handle itself is made out of ergonomic and slip-resistant knurled rubber, so you can maintain a solid grip even when your hands are greasy or dirty. To sweeten the deal even further, EPAuto throws in a ½-to-⅜-inch socket adapter for enhanced versatility and a socket extension for accessing hard to reach places.

When the utmost accuracy is paramount, this ½-inch digital torque wrench from GearWrench offers a top-of-the-line solution. Right off the bat, it’s capable of delivering an impressive torque range between 25 to 250 foot-pounds, where it boasts an accuracy rate of ±2 percent in the clockwise direction and ±3 percent for counterclockwise torquing. Not only does it measure in foot-pounds with an incredible degree of accuracy, but it also displays torque in newton meters and inch-pounds on the highly legible LCD screen. The wrench features a target torque alert that warns you when you’re approaching your desired torque setting, then vibrates, beeps, and flashes when it’s reached the specification.

This ½-inch torque wrench from CDI—owned by Snap-On, which is famous for quality and precision—is about as powerful as they come with an impressive torque range of 30 to 250 foot-pounds. Not only is that more than enough torque for automotive repairs, but it also works for heavy equipment and construction applications. In addition to torquing in the standard clockwise direction, this wrench can run counterclockwise, which is useful for securing bolts with reverse threads, such as some lug nuts and some pieces of landscaping equipment. A quick release button makes it easy to remove the sockets after you’re done tightening, which might otherwise be challenging after applying such a heavy amount of torque.

With Tooluxe’s beam torque wrench, you get versatility and precision at an affordable price. As the owner of this wrench myself, it has proved invaluable in situations that required a very small torque value and high level of precision. I also love that Tooluxe includes a ½-inch drive adapter so I can use a wider range of sockets. It features a comfortable rubber grip and easy-to-read torque makings, making it simple to set your desired torque precisely.

Olsa’s ½-inch split beam torque wrench provides easy adjustments and excellent accuracy in a sleek and durable package. It’s made out of industrial-grade chrome-vanadium steel that’s durable enough to withstand the toughest work conditions. While the long handle provides the leverage you need to generate the maximum 250 foot-pounds of torque, the flexible head makes it easy to access hard to reach places.

One part digital torque wrench, one part adjustable crescent wrench, the Yellow Jacket Digital Adjustable Torque Wrench is capable of accurately tightening down bolts without a socket set. All you do is set your desired torque value, slip the jaws over the nut or bolt, twist the screw mechanism until the jaws are gripping the fastener, and tighten it down until the wrench beeps. But if you want to use sockets instead, Yellow Jacket sells a ratchet head attachment that clicks into the ⅜-inch drive on the handle after disconnecting the adjustable wrench head. Although its low maximum torque value of 62.7 foot-pounds might not be high enough for many automotive uses, it’s an excellent choice for making fine-tuned adjustments on heating and air conditioning equipment.

Different jobs call for different sizes of torque wrenches. If you want a general-purpose solution for tackling the widest range of torquing needs as possible, this three-piece set from Pittsburgh Pro is as versatile as they come. It includes a ¼-inch wrench with a torque range of 20 to 200 inch-pounds, a ⅜-inch wrench with a range of 50 to 80 foot-pounds, a ½-inch wrench with a range between 20 and 150 foot-pounds, and a carrying case for each. The best part? The whole set can be had for well under $100.

PM: Do torque wrenches require special sockets?J.F.: Torque wrenches don’t require special sockets and can use the same sockets compatible with a standard ratchet wrench. That being said, the drive size on the wrench needs to match the drive size on the socket. For example, a torque wrench with a ½-inch drive can only be used with a socket with the same ½-inch drive, unless you attach a drive-head adapter (⅜- to ½-inch for example) onto the wrench.

PM: Do torque wrenches require maintenance?J.F.: Torque wrenches don’t require a lot of maintenance, but they do require proper care. Although torque wrenches are fairly durable tools, you should do your best to avoid dropping them and carefully store them when they’re not being used. Click-type torque wrenches should also have the torque setting turned all the way down after you use it to prevent wearing out the internal spring.

PM: What’s the difference between a torque wrench and an impact wrench?J.F.: Impact wrenches are power tools—powered by either compressed air or electricity—that apply short, powerful bursts of twisting force to loosen or tighten bolts. Their most common uses include removing rusted, frozen, or heavily torqued bolts that can’t be loosened manually and tightening down a large quantity of bolts much quicker than a manual wrench could. Besides the difference of being a manually operated tool instead of a power tool, torque wrenches are capable of tightening bolts to exact torque specifications while impact wrenches can’t.

James Fitzgerald is a home improvement freelance writer with over a decade of experience in a variety of trades—he has worked as a ranch hand, construction carpenter, tree climber, maintenance technician, and handyman. His freelance work focuses on DIY, landscaping, gardening, and home improvement. James’s writing has appeared in Bob Villa, The Family Handyman, The Spruce, HomeServe USA, Forbes Home, and This Old House.

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