Hand Tools

Wrenches, pliers, ratchets, sockets, and screwdrivers measured on grip, torque, and durability.

Category leaderboard

Brands that won the most head-to-head tests in this category.

1GearWrench4 wins
2Snap-on4 wins
3Knipex3 wins
4SK2 wins
5Craftsman2 wins
6Kobalt2 wins

What actually won in hand tools

Products named as the winner by the independent tests indexed on this page. We have not tested anything ourselves.

SK
Won: Which Diagonal Cutters Brand Wins?
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GearWrench 243-piece set
Won: Which Mechanics Tool Sets Brand Wins?
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Snap-on electronic torque wrench
Won: Torque Wrench 2025 Test: Which Brand Wins?
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Lang Tools
Won: Which Thread Chaser Brand Wins?
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Malco Eagle Grips
Won: Which Locking Pliers (vice Grips) Brand Wins?
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Starrett
Won: Which Calipers Brand Wins?
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All hand tools tests

Snap-on (electronic)

Malco Eagle Grips

20 products tested

13 products tested

17 products tested

Vintage Vise-Grip (USA-made, circa 1980-1982)

8 products tested

Benchmade Griptilian

Knipex (manual/regular)

Irwin Hanson

SOG Twitch II

Wiha and Wera Hex+ (tied as the narrator's named top performing picks)

Craftsman (USA-made, vintage/discontinued)

Leatherman Charge Plus

Malco Eagle Grip

Doyle or GearWrench (presenter names both as tied affordable picks)

15 products tested

Irwin (5 piece Hanson spiral flute set, EX1 through EX5, $10.34)

7 products tested

Other categories

Category leaderboard

What actually won in hand tools

All hand tools tests

Which Diagonal Cutters Brand Wins?

Which Mechanics Tool Sets Brand Wins?

Torque Wrench 2025 Test: Which Brand Wins?

Which Thread Chaser Brand Wins?

Which Locking Pliers (vice Grips) Brand Wins?

Which Calipers Brand Wins?

Which Bolt And Screw Extractor Brand Wins?

Which Hand Tools Brand Wins?

Screwdriver 2025 Test: Which Brand Wins?

Which Adjustable Wrenches Brand Wins?

Which Universal Joints (impact-rated Socket Adapters) Brand Wins?

Which Pocket/folding Knives Brand Wins?

Which Half Inch Drive Ratchet Brand Wins?

Which Home Tool Kit Brand Wins?

Which End Cutting Pliers Brand Wins?

Which Flare Nut Wrench Brand Wins?

Which Mechanics Tool Set Brand Wins?

Which 3/8 Inch Flex Head Ratchets Brand Wins?

Which Center Punches Brand Wins?

Which Ratcheting Stubby Screwdrivers Brand Wins?

Which Telescopic Magnet Brand Wins?

Which 1/4 Inch Ratchets Brand Wins?

Which C-clamp Brand Wins?

Which Ratchet (3/8 In Drive) Brand Wins?

Which Extractor Wrenches Brand Wins?

Which Folding Hand Saws Brand Wins?

Which Utility Knife Brand Wins?

Which Bench Vise Brand Wins?

Which Ratcheting Combination Wrenches Brand Wins?

Which 3/8 Inch Drive Ratchets Brand Wins?

Which Hose Clamp Brand Wins?

Locking Pliers 2022 Test: Which Brand Wins?

Which Combination Wrenches Brand Wins?

Which Thread Repair Kit Brand Wins?

Which Hex Bit Socket Brand Wins?

Which Folding Pocket Knife (EDC) Brand Wins?

Which Wire Stripper Brand Wins?

Which Needle Nose Pliers Brand Wins?

Which Laser Tape Measure Brand Wins?

Which Tap And Die Set Brand Wins?

Which Pocket Knife Brand Wins?

Torque Wrench 2021 Test: Which Brand Wins?

Which Allen Keys Brand Wins?

Which Adjustable Wrench Brand Wins?

Which Pliers Brand Wins?

Which Multitool Brand Wins?

Screwdriver 2021 Test: Which Brand Wins?

Which Slip Joint Pliers Brand Wins?

Locking Pliers 2021 Test: Which Brand Wins?

Which Lineman Pliers Brand Wins?

Which Diagonal Cutting Pliers (wire Cutters) Brand Wins?

Which Ratchet Strap Brand Wins?

Which Tape Measure Brand Wins?

Which Impact Socket Adapter Brand Wins?

Which Rounded Nut/bolt Extractors And Stud Removers Brand Wins?

Which Screw Extractor Brand Wins?

Which Fasteners Brand Wins?

Which Nail And Screw Holding Strength Brand Wins?

Other categories