8 Best Combination Wrench Sets (for Every Budget)
The best combination wrench set will include a large selection of wrench sizes and be well-crafted and balanced for comfortable use. Different types of sets are best suited for specific applications, such as extended lengths for better torque and reach, stubby wrenches for tight spots, and regular size wrenches for all-around use.
Many of the better combination wrench sets will also come with a convenient case or pouch that can be easily organized and yet safely stored under a seat or in the corner of your vehicle trunk for portability. Here are six sets to consider adding to your wrench arsenal.
Our 8 Favorite Wrench Sets
| Product | Pieces | Measurement | Offset | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | GearWrench 81916 | 22 | Metric | 15° |
 | Wright Tool 958 | 18 | Metric | 8° |
 | Tekton 90191 | 30 | Metric/SAE | 15° |
 | Sunex 9917MPRA | 25 | Metric | 15° |
 | Milwaukee 48-22-9515 | 15 | Metric | 15° |
 | Tekton WRN01190 | 12 | Metric | 15° |
 | Husky HCW24PCSM-05 | 24 | Metric/SAE | 15° |
 | Craftsman CMMT12080 | 32 | Metric/SAE | 15° |
Combination Wrench Set Reviews
#1 – GearWrench 22-Piece Metric Combination Wrench Set (81916)
Our favorite wrench set is actually a set of two products from GearWrench. Model 81916 is a 22 piece metric set, and model 81917 is an 18 piece set of SAE wrenches.
Both use GearWrench’s patented Surface Drive technology to grip fasteners more securely and reduce the inconvenience of rounding on hard-to-turn nuts or bolts.
They have a traditional chrome finish and have the wrench size stamped stamped on both side of the wrench as well as the head, allowing for easy identification.
The chrome alloy these sets are made from is designed for heavy duty usage without being heavy or cumbersome to handle with one hand.
The long pattern sizes are designed to give a high amount of torque in relation to the head size of the fastener, with the closed end being offset a standard 15 degrees to reduce “knuckle-banging” each time the wrench is reset to a new location on the fastener.
Like on other sets, the closed end has a 12-point configuration which on some sets, has a tendency for rounding off rusted or over-torqued fasteners. Fortunately, the tolerances on GearWrench products are quite tight so it’s less of a problem here, especially the first couple years of use.
The included foldable storage pouch is good for easy storage, but it not made with the same quality standards as the wrenches themselves, and needs to be handled carefully to avoid damage.
Also note that these wrenches are a bit thinner than other brands. This can be a good (fits into tight spots) or bad (slightly less comfortable) thing depending on how you look at it.
The biggest advantage of this set is that it provides a complete range of wrenches without skipping over any critical sizes. The larger sizes are especially hard to find in most wrench sets.
Also, these really are professional quality and stack up fairly well against Snap-Ons and Matcos which cost hundreds more. Many mechanics will tell you that once you’ve tried GearWrench, you’ll never want anything else.
Metric Sizes: 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, 24mm, 27mm, 30mm, and 32mm.
SAE Sizes (matching set): 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1″, 1-1/16″, 1-1/8″, and 1-1/4″.
>> Check current price <<
#2 – Wright Tool 18-Piece Metric Combination Wrench Set (958)
Made in the USA, Wright Tool wrenches are some of the best quality wrenches you’ll find. While not cheap, a full set is still hundreds less than a comparable Snap-On or Proto set.
The quality, from the top-notch blemish-free chrome to the perfectly centered lettering, is immediately noticeable. The newest WrightGrip 2.0 open ends are a game changer for increased torque and reduced slippage.
Unlike other wrenches, it’ll grip the fastener without marring it (unless under extreme torque).
The thick beams are very comfortable to hold and feel indestructible. The heavy duty ends are incredible durable and would likely withstand hits from a hammer. The thickness may be an issue when working in very tight quarters but that’s the tradeoff.
It’s worth noting that while almost every other brand’s box end uses a 15 degree offset, Wright Tool goes with an 8 degree offset on their wrenches.
The convenient denim tool roll is well made (which is a luxury these days) but unless you’re regularly taking these on the go, they’ll probably sit in a tool cabinet drawer.
Finding fault with this set is about as easy as tightening a slotted screw with a Torx drive. The only thing keeping the Wright Tool set from holding our top rank is the price. While they might not make sense for the average homeowner to own, Wright wrenches should be at the top of every professional mechanics’ list.
Metric Sizes: 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, and 24mm.
SAE Sizes (matching set): 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1″, 1-1/16″, 1-1/8″, and 1-1/4″.
>> Check current price <<
#3 – Tekton 30-Piece Metric/SAE Combination Wrench Set (90191)
Tekton’s 30-piece set (15 metric and 15 SAE) is great value in combination wrench sets, because it features the most commonly used sizes of both SAE and metric wrenches in one package.
Many view Tekton as one of the best tool brands when it comes to high quality at an affordable price.
Forged from chrome vanadium steel with a mirror chrome finish, the Tekton kit is engineered to meet or exceed ANSI specifications and heat-treated for extra strength. The open ends are angled 15 degrees while the box ends are offset by 15 degrees for less knuckle scraping.
A nice bonus are the two “Store and Go Keepers” which keep your wrenches organized and easily portable. They keep all the wrenches in place pretty well (except the smaller sizes) but many opt to simply store them loosely on top of a good drawer liner in their tool cabinet drawer.
No, it can’t compete with high end sets like Snap-On and Matco but that’s not a fair comparison. Versus brands like Craftsman, Kobalt, Husky, and others at the mid-grade level, you’ll find Tekton usually the preferred wrench brand.
A few owners have reported the chrome starting to flake off after years of use and others don’t like the plastic holders and prefer roll-up type storage, but there aren’t too many other negatives at this price point.
Tekton has on their hands one of the best combination wrench sets for the money making it the perfect set for home use or backup (or primary) wrench set for professionals.
Metric Sizes: 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, and 22mm.
SAE Sizes: 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, and 1″.
>> Check current price <<
#4 – Sunex Tools 25-Piece Metric Combination Wrench Set (9917MPRA)
Sunex has a good reputation for tools that can withstand the abuse in a commercial job setting. It’s one of only a handful of sets that doesn’t skip any wrench sizes. The size is marked on each end of both sides so you don’t have to fiddle around to find out which wrench you have.
The powdered finish is polished to not only add shine but to also make it harder for oil or grease to build up. Grip is another special consideration, with the open end having radius indentations to improve grip for corners. Meanwhile, the angled closed end had radius edges to grip the sides of fasteners, preventing the risk of rounding corners. A canvas roll pouch helps keep the set organized.
Quality control with the casting process can be a little hit-or-miss with this set, with a few reports of brittle metal. However, when measuring the difference between wrench size and actual clearance, this set is one of the most accurate out there. This means less risk of slipping during tough jobs.
Outside of the odd complaint about brittle metal, the only real issue people have had with this set is the canvas pouch. It holds fairly well, but a few wrenches will invariably work themselves loose when the pouch is laying flat during transport.
Metric Sizes: 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, 22mm, 23mm, 24mm, 25mm, 26mm, 27mm, 28mm, 29mm, 30mm, 31mm, and 32mm.
SAE Sizes (matching set): 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, 1″, 1 1/16”, 1 ⅛”, and 1 ¼”.
>> Check current price <<
#5 – Milwaukee 15-Piece Metric Combination Wrench Set (48-22-9515)
Known more for their excellent power tools, Milwaukee has been gaining in popularity with their hand tools and this wrench set is a great example.
Beginning with the comfortable I-beam handles to the patented Max Bite open-end grips, this set is meant for serious mechanics. Each wrench has ink-filled size labels on both sides for easy identification.
With the unique Max Bite design, the open ends of these wrenches have enough bite to out-perform many competitors in terms of grip and anti-slip when tested.
The durable finish holds its shine even when exposed to oil and brake fluid. Users will find the large ink-filled numbering easier to spot when reaching for the desired size.
Even better, metric sizes are in black ink while SAE are in red. We wish more brands used this method.
Due to a slightly thicker size, this set might not be the best for frequent use in tight spaces. It can also take some getting used to holding them if you have a lot of experience with more conventional designs.
While the lifetime guarantee doesn’t compare to something like Husky’s warranty, Milwaukee will repair or replace any wrench due to a factory defect for the lifetime of the product.
Metric Sizes: 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, and 22mm.
SAE Sizes (matching set): 1/4″, 9/32″, 5/16″, 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, 15/16″, and 1″.
>> Check current price <<
#6 – Tekton 12-Piece Stubby Combination Wrench Set (WRN01190)
This 12-piece metric set offers a shorter, slimmer body to help get into those tighter spaces. Both box and open ends are offset 15 degrees to aid in gripping and reduce the working swing arc.
Stubby wrenches such as these may seem impractical until you actually need them. Then the short length feels like a lifesaver when you encounter a faster that simply doesn’t allow for the swing arc of normal wrenches.
The set can be purchased with either a red roll-up pouch with fabric hanging loops or hard plastic wrench keeper. We personally recommend the roll-up pouch which has a unique design that works really well for transport.
Perfect for beginner and intermediate mechanics, this set is far more affordable than its professional-grade competitors, while still providing high quality service for years to come.
Owners report good grips on these and excellent construction for the price. They find these wrenches invaluable for getting into tight spaces without having to disassemble everything around the target fastener.
As with many wrench sets, a few buyers have reported a missing or doubled wrench in their set upon arrival. There have also been a few isolated complaints of bending, although this is not the norm.
Metric Sizes: 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, and 19mm.
SAE Sizes (matching set): 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, and 3/4″.
>> Check current price <<
#7 – Husky 24-piece Metric/SAE Combination Wrenches (HCW24PCSM-05)
No hand tool list could be considered complete without at least one Husky entry. This set continues their long tradition of quality hand tools with 24 chrome alloy steel wrenches in both metric and SAE sizes. The polished chrome finish makes cleanup super easy, while large, hand-stamped markings allow you to spot the size from both sides and ends.
The angled box end is 12-point for superior grip with less risk of rounding. On the other end, the open heads have chamfered lead-ins to make placement quick and easy. The package doubles as a storage rack and is designed to fit in your toolbox drawers or hang on the wall.
This set is a great value for the money and is backed by Husky’s lifetime warranty. The quality is superb overall, with many fans comparing their sturdiness to that of impact wrenches. Even the finish is surprisingly durable compared to other wrenches in this set’s price range.
Perhaps the only complaints for this set are the limited number of sizes and the fact that the case could be a little better organized. But for such a low cost, these are little more than nitpicks.
Metric Sizes: 8mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, and 21mm.
SAE Sizes: 1/4″, 5/16″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 13/16″, 7/8″, and 15/16″.
>> Check current price <<
#8 – Craftsman 32-Piece Metric/SAE Wrench Set (CMMT12080)
Rounding out our list is a Craftsman set designed to accommodate a wide range of jobs. The alloy steel wrenches have a full polish chrome finish for an attractive and easy way to prevent oil or dirt from sticking. Large markings make identification easier.
The angled box ends are 12-point to provide superior grip with a focus on the flat sides, reducing the risk of rounding out corners. They’re strong enough to tackle high-torque tasks and are backed by Craftsman’s lifetime warranty.
It’s really difficult to find anything to complain about with this set, except perhaps that it lacks a few intermediate sizes you might need. Beyond that, the quality is excellent for the price point, making them an affordable set that can be passed down to the next generation.
Metric Sizes: 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm, 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 17mm, 18mm, 19mm, 20mm, 21mm, and 22mm.
SAE Sizes: 1/4″, 5/16″, 7/32”, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 11/16″, 3/4″, 7/8″, 15/16″ AND 1 ⅛”.
