If you require a quick answer, the best torque wrench is the Sealey AK624, which is a 1/2 inch square drive wrench that comes with it’s own calibration certificate for peace of mind. However, if you require a more affordable alternative, the Silverline 633567 is the best budget option for working with cars and it also comes with its very own case.
To rate the torque wrenches within this article, we based our recommendations upon testing, plenty of research and a number of factors. Some of the factors that we considered included the drive sizes available, quality of the construction, whether or not a test certificate is supplied, accuracy, measurement scales, additional accessories, warranty and value.
Best Torque Wrench Overview
- Best Overall: Sealey AK624
- Best All-Rounder: Silverline 633567
- Best Professional: Teng 1292AGEP
- Best Ratcheting: Draper 34570
- Best Budget: AmazonBasics Click
- Best Budget Set: Haskyy 1/2
Every nut and bolt on your car will have a specific torque value and without a torque wrench, you are relying on guesswork to achieve that value. Failing to meet the required torque value can cause expensive damage and it’s for that reason alone a torque wrench is a great investment for anyone working with cars.
Below is a list of the best torque wrenches that are available with 1/2, 1/4 or 3/8 inch square drives.
The Best Torque Wrench
1. Best Overall: Sealey AK624 Torque Wrench
The Sealey AK624 is one of many torque wrenches that the brand offer and it’s perfect for working with cars. It has a torque range of 20-150 lb-ft or 27-204Nm and has been calibrated in accordance with BS EN ISO 6789:2003.
In terms of the accuracy of this torque wrench, the brand state that every wrench is tested and supplied with an individually numbered test certificate for complete peace of mind.
- 1/2 inch square drive
- Fully hardened and tempered
- Heat treated steel ratchet head
- Chrome plated for corrosion resistance
- Measurements in both lb ft and Nm
- Flip reverse ratchet mechanism
- Fully calibrated and comes with a certificate
- Supplied with a durable storage case
- Relatively expensive when compared to the alternatives
Although expensive, the Sealey AK624 is the ultimate torque wrench that’s supplied with a calibration certificate for maximum accuracy. Whether you are tightening wheel nuts or other automotive bolts, it’s more than capable.
2. Best All-Rounder: Silverline 633567 Torque Wrench
By far the most popular torque wrench in the UK is the Silverline 633567 and it’s available in a 3/8 or 1/2 inch square drive configuration. Depending upon the drive size you choose, the brand supply a converter that allows you to convert from 1/2 to 3/8 inch or 3/8 inch to 1/4 inch.
- Chrome vanadium steel construction
- Reversible ratchet head
- Available as a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive
- Torque rated at 8 – 105 Nm or 28 – 210 Nm
- Accuracy rated at +/- 4%
- Knurled adjustment handle
- Stored within a rugged storage box
- Supplied with a converter to adjust drive size
- Not supplied with a calibration certificate
The Silverline 633567 is by far the best torque wrench for the money and its built to last even in the toughest of environments. The only drawback is that it doesn’t come with a calibration certificate like the Sealey AK624 above. However, the brand guarantee a +/- 4% accuracy for complete peace of mind.
3. Best Professional: Teng 1292AGEP 1/2 Torque Wrench
One of the most expensive torque wrenches within this article is the Teng 1292AGEP. It’s designed with quality in mind and is ideal for tightening and final checking of torque due to the ratchet head.
- Supplied with a calibration certificate
- 40 to 200 Nm torque range
- Rated at +/- 4% accuracy
- Comfort non-slip rubber handle
- Nm and ft-lb scale
- Most expensive within this article
Apart from the drawback of an expensive price tag, the Teng 1292AGEP is a well-made torque wrench that’s ideal for enthusiasts or professionals.
4. Best Ratcheting: Draper 34570 Ratchet Drive
Draper are a brand that are well-known for their high quality tools and the 34570 torque wrench is a great example. It has a 3/8 inch square drive with a reversible ratchet head and it comes with its very own calibration certificate too
- Pre-set torque value
- Supplied with calibration certificate
- Nm and inch-pound scales
- Torque range of 10-80 Nm
- Comes with a plastic storage case
- Small size makes its use limited to smaller jobs
Overall, the Draper 34570 is an excellent all-round torque wrench that ticks all the boxes and is backed by a reputable brand. It also comes with the desirable calibration certificate, which is impressive considering its affordable price tag.
5. Best Budget: AmazonBasics Click Torque Wrench
The AmazonBasics torque wrench is available in the largest variety of configurations and is also one of the cheapest on the market. The configurations that are available include 3/8, 1/4 and 1/2 inch square drives but the 3/8 torque wrench is the best of the bunch as its ideal for working with cars.
- Available with 3/8, 1/4 and 1/2 inch drives
- 15-80 ft lb, 20-150 ft lb or 25-250 ft lb
- Pre-calibrated to +/- 4%
- High contract dual range scale
- Supplied with a durable plastic storage case
- Constructed hardened chrome vanadium steel alloy
- Not supplied with a calibration certificate
Overall, the AmazonBasics torque wrench is one of the cheapest in the UK that’s actually worth buying. It has a heavy duty construction and also provides the desirable click sound once the pre-set torque is reached.
6. Best Budget Set: Haskyy 1/2 Torque Wrench Set
Another relatively affordable torque wrench is the Haskyy 1/2 inch square drive wrench and it comes as a complete kit. Supplied with the wrench are wheel bolt sockets and also an extension for reaching those hard to reach bolts.
- Torque adjustment from 28 to 210 Nm
- Ergonomic rubber handle
- Supplied with a case, wheel nut sockets and extension
- Constructed of Cr-V steel
- Scales aren't the easiest to read
Overall, the Haskyy Torque Wrench Set offers great value for the money and is ideal for working with wheel bolts or other automotive tasks. The inclusion of a rubberised grip is also very desirable for those that work with torque wrenches on a regular basis.
How We Tested & Rated The Torque Wrenches
Whenever we are working with anything that requires accurate torque settings such as wheel nuts, spark plugs, oil filters and so on, we will always use a torque wrench. Over the years, we have tried and tested a range of wrenches and gained plenty of experience using them. From premium to budget and even digital torque wrenches, we have tried lots of options by some of the most reputable brands in the UK.
As well as testing, we also based our recommendations upon hours of research and a number of factors. The factors that we considered included the drive sizes available, quality of the construction, whether or not a test certificate is supplied, accuracy, measurement scales, additional accessories, warranty and value.
Conclusion
Rather than using a standard wrench and guesswork, a torque wrench allows you to avoid under or over tightening nuts and bolts. All of our recommendations within this article are suited to a wide range of budgets and include those that come with calibration certificates. Due to the various sizes of nuts and bolts, it may be worth your while investing into each size of torque wrench to avoid disappointment. However, it’s worth noting that some manufacturers may offer an adapter to adjust the drive size if you don’t want to own multiple torque wrenches.
