8 Best Allen Wrench Sets (for Professional or DIY Home Use)

Hex keys, commonly referred to as Allen wrenches, are an essential part of any tool kit, and the best Allen wrench or hex key set will closely match the application you use it for.

Whether you’re working on a car, bicycle, appliance, or computer, putting together an Ikea bookcase, or using a hex key on another tool, you’ll want to select a set that has the most commonly used sizes you require, whether metric, standard, or both.

Comfort, strength and utility are the keys to getting excellent hex keys and at least one of the top rated picks offered here will be exactly what you’re looking for in both performance and design.

Related: Allen Wrench Sizes Chart

Our 8 Favorite Hex Key Sets

	Product	Type	Pieces	Metric?	SAE?	Made In
	PB Swiss ?212LH-10RB	L-Key	9	Yes	Available	Switzerland
	Wera 05073593001	L-Key	9	Yes	Available	Czech Republic
	Wiha 66992	L-Key	22	Yes	Yes	Germany
	Bondhus 20399	L-Key	22	Yes	Yes	USA
	Klein Tools 70552	Folding	21	Yes	Yes	China
	Eklind 10222	L-Key	22	Yes	Yes	USA
	Wera Hex-Plus	L-Key	9	Yes	Available	Czech Republic
	Stanley STHT71839	Folding	17	Yes	Yes	Taiwan

Hex Key Set Reviews

#2 – Wera 05073593001 Hex Key Set

Much like the PB Swiss set, this 9-piece L-key set is color-coded and comes with a plastic sleeve. The keys have a Black Laser surface to prevent corrosion and include laser-engraved markings. They’re designed for a snug fit on both the flat and ball ends. The overall shape is designed to be more ergonomic and easier to grip in cold weather.

The biggest draw of this Czech made tool is its non-slip grip. It’s highly resistant to slips or stripping. It has plenty of leverage to get at tough screws.

Unfortunately, the finish doesn’t do a very good job of protecting these tools from rust if not kept dry after use. The metric and its SAE equivalent (05022639001) aren’t covered by any warranty due to Wera classifying them as “consumables”.

While still a top notch set, considering the price and the fact that no warranty is offered, the PB Swiss set is a slightly better option.

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#3 – Wiha 66992 MagicRing Hex Key Set

Made in Germany, this impressive 22-piece set covers both metric and SAE sizes, with the larger pieces using a MagicRing feature. The ring provides increased grip on both the flat and ball ends. This feature proves to be very helpful when installing fasteners in a hard to reach area like on a motorcycle or car engine.

There’s some pretty decent retention on the heads, but not as much as one might expect. This is especially true of the MagicRing feature, which some users love and others see no benefit from.

Overall, this is an excellent quality set (which can be said about almost all Wiha tools). Comes with a lifetime warranty.

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#4 – Bondhus 20399 Ball End Hex Key Set

One of the best hex key sets available at any price, the made in the USA Bondhus BriteGuard and GoldGuard Finish 22-piece kit offers a number of innovations that make them easier and more dependable.

The tempered steel is a big plus, allowing you to use more torque without twisting or breaking your wrenches, and forged to resist rounding and stripping.

The patented ball drive means you reach into small spaces that are impossible for traditional L-shaped wrenches and having individual colors for the metric and SAE sizes makes it easy to find the tool you need — even smaller wrenches that don’t have a size printed on the shaft.

There is very little to complain about with a set of Bondhus hex keys. If you were hard pressed to find something, the plastic case could be spruced up a little to provide a better fit for the wrenches and longer use life.

But the tools themselves are manufactured using processes that exceed standards so you won’t find any problems when the work begins.

This set is hard to beat for the money and will make you want to simply throw away the cheap Allen wrenches that came with your first mechanics tool set.

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#5 – Klein Tools 70552 Pro Folding Hex Key Set

This convenient two-pack includes matching SAE and metric folding hex keys that the Swiss Army would be proud of. The 21 keys range from 3.5 to 4.5 inches long for superior reach and feature square-curt ends. The SAE set contains 11 keys while the metric has 10 keys, which may be tightened or loosened by adjusting the #2 Phillips fastener.

Each blade can open up to 270 degrees and is made from heat-treated alloy steel. Both comfortable reinforced nylon grips include openings to provide access to the outer keys.

Due to the number of keys, the grips are fairly large. The nylon also gives a bit of flex that some might not appreciate. However, the overall quality is still really good and well worth these minor inconveniences as you won’t have to hunt for missing keys. Also, while the keys can work loose under higher torque, the fastener is easy to adjust to your desired tightness.

It’s worth noting that while many Klein products are made in the US, this particular set is made in China (likely due to the plastic casing).

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#6 – Eklind 10222

Looking for a good, inexpensive hex key set that’s made in the USA? Eklind hex keys fit the bill even though few have probably heard of this brand.

Made with heat-treated alloy steel, this 22-piece collection features a full set of tools in both metric and SAE sizes. The tools are fully tempered for maximum durability. Each set has a blue, size-marked holder for metric keys and a red one for SAE so you can quickly grab the right size.

This is a great choice for DIYers, cyclists, and home mechanics. The price is low but the quality isn’t. The color-coding works well, but only if you keep the tools in their original holders. While the quality is not quite up to par with PB Swiss or Wera standards, this Eklind set is a great choice if you want a full set on a budget.

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#7 – Wera Hex-Plus

Like the other Wera set above, the quality of these tools is immediately apparent in use. While we prefer the longer length of the other set for general use, the unique Hex-Plus design works really well.

You really do get exceptional positive contact with fasteners. The larger contact points make it less prone to stripping. There’s no springiness, just direct torque transfer thanks to the Hex-Plus design.

The shorter length makes their close-quarter usability hard to beat. Their distinctive color-coded sleeves make size identification a breeze. The set comes in a folding holder, though some may find it a bit tight and fussy to use, especially when trying different sizes quickly. This might be one of those hex sets where you want to keep the keys loose in your tool cabinet drawer.

While the price point is higher than standard hex keys, most users feel the quality and superior grip and performance compared to standard hex keys justifies the cost.

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#8 – Stanley STHT71839 Folding Hex Key Sets

For occasional use, the Stanley folding 17-piece hex key set gives you the convenience of easy storage and inclusion of both SAE and Metric sizes which meets ANSI tools specifications.

These wrenches will not take the kind of abuse you can get from some other top ranked Allen wrenches, but they make up for it by offering a lower cost alternative for people who only use Allen wrench sets occasionally, like a typical home user.

The binding mechanism has a tendency to work loose, but you can tighten it with easily using an Allen wrench from the opposing set (SAE tightens the metric set and vice versa). Folding sets are great that you’ll never be hunting for a missing hex key but they are also more cumbersome to use, especially in tight spots.

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Choosing the Right Hex Key Set

Hex keys follow a simple but precise function. However, you might be a bit confused about the different shapes and design features out there. Read on to learn more about hex keys so you can pick the one that best suits your needs.

Allen Wrench vs Hex Key (What’s the Difference?)

One of the most common sources of confusion for people when they’re first introduced to hex keys is whether or not they should buy a hex key or Allen wrench. In reality, the two are virtually identical and many companies use the terms interchangeably.

The name “Allen” simply refers to a specific brand, which was the very first hex key marketed. It’s similar to how a Shop-Vac is a popular brand of wet/dry vacuum.

Allen Wrench vs Torx (What’s the Difference?)

While they may seem similar at first, hex keys are very different from Torx (a name brand of star key).

Hex keys have hexagonal tips, while the star key has a star-shaped end with a pointed central tip. This makes the latter better for security applications, but less desirable for everyday use.

Types of Hex Keys

There are numerous shapes and types of hex keys, each with their own pros and cons:

L-Shaped

Chances are, this is the shape you think of when someone mentions hex keys. The longer end creates better reach while the shorter end has a better turning arc.

T-Handle

The fulcrum of these hex keys have been modified into a T-shape which has a hex bit on one or both sides. As a general rule, the longer end is longer than a standard L-shape. They’re perfect for automotive work and provide great balance when spinning, although the thicker handle can sometimes get in the way when dealing with tight spaces.

P-Handle

At first glance, this tool could be confused with a T-handle design. However, P-handled keys have a thicker grip and one end of the T-bar has a hole for hanging the tool.

Folding

Imagine a Swiss army knife, but with hex bits instead of other tools and that’s a folding hex set. These are real space savers and you won’t lose individual sizes, but they can also be more awkward to work with.

Ratcheting

These are hex-shaped bits and sockets designed to fit into a socketed screwdriver or onto a socket wrench. As a result, fasteners can be adjusted quicker, but it can be a lot easier to mix up or lose these smaller bits than with a regular hex key.

Hex Screwdriver

Simply put, this is a screwdriver with a hex tip. They’re best reserved for low-torque applications and have superior reach in tight spaces.

Three-Way

These tools have three different key sizes attached to a central, triangular grip. They’re great for when you switch between sizes a lot and are most commonly found as a 4.0–5.0-6.0mm combo. Unfortunately, the usage can be a little limited due to the shape being incompatible with tight spaces.

What is a Ball End Hex Key?

A lot of hex sets feature ball ends on the longer side. These balls may be centered or offset and allow you to slot the key into a screw at multiple angles, while a flat end must be inserted straight into the hole. It’s a great feature to have but likely comes at a higher price.