Don't let what should be a quick fix become an expensive, all-day ordeal.
When performing mechanical work on a vehicle, it’s crucial to know torque specifications. They refer to the unit of measurement for rotational force, or twisting, needed to properly fasten nuts and bolts. Go too far with the twisting and your quick fix could instantly become an expensive or all-day ordeal when righty-tighty suddenly becomes righty-loosey from stripped threads.
Torque wrenches prevent over-torquing nuts and bolts while also guaranteeing the correct amount of force is applied for proper security. They are a must-have item in every professional and hobbyist mechanics’ toolkit and are depended upon equally by both. But not all torque wrenches are the same.
- Best Click Torque Wrench Tekton Click Torque Wrench Tekton $44 AT AMAZON Read More $44 AT AMAZON
- Best Digital Torque Wrench ACDelco Digital Torque Wrench ACDelco $100 AT AMAZON Read More $100 AT AMAZON
- Best Split Beam Torque Wrench Precision Instruments Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench with Flex Head Precision Instruments $171 AT AMAZON Read More $171 AT AMAZON
- Best Dial Torque Wrench CDI Dial Indicating Torque Wrench CDI $210 AT AMAZON Read More $210 AT AMAZON
- Best Slip Torque Wrench IceToolz Ocarina Torque Wrench Tool IceToolz $33 AT AMAZON Read More $33 AT AMAZON
- Best Beam Type Torque Wrench Tooluxe Dual Drive Beam Style Torque Wrench | 3/8” & ½” Drives | 17” Length | 0-150 Ft-Lbs | SAE | Premium Steel Alloy Tooluxe $23 AT AMAZON Read More $23 AT AMAZON
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What are the different kinds of torque wrenches?
The four most common types of torque wrenches in the automotive space are click and split-beam, digital, beam, and dial or gauge. If you’ve ever been at the tire shop and watched your technician secure your lug nuts or bolts with a large wrench that “clicks” every time they tighten one down, that’s your classic type and split-beam torque wrench at work in the field. The digital type just turns that “click” into a beep and digital readout, and the dial type has a classic analog lever and gauge readout with no audible indicators.
Other types include slip torque, hydraulic and pneumatic, and no-hub. The latter three — hydraulic and pneumatic and no-hub — are found in more professional auto and non-automotive settings while split beam torque wrenches are often found in professional garages because of their quality grade and greater accuracy, which means they’re often more expensive.
Slip torque wrenches are reserved for extreme low-torque situations and aren’t as common. But dial and gauge-type torque wrenches are often the crème of the crop for their utmost accuracy and long service life, which is reflected in their price premiums.
We’ve rounded up a list of the best and most popular torque wrenches on sale today. But do note there are plenty of options out there and a torque wrench from any reputable brand will certainly get the job done.
Know Your Specs
Torque specifications are measured in either metric Newton meters or “Nm” or pound-feet for those utilizing the Imperial system. Sometimes, pound-inches can be found on low-torque wrenches and applications. Calculating conversion for either is as easy as a quick Google search away.
Additionally, the size and rating of torque wrenches vary based on the size of the drive on the sockets. The three typical drive sizes are the same as standard socket wrenches: ¼-inch, 3/8-inch, and ½-inch. That said, it’s important to be cognizant of the job you’re performing and the range of torque specifications—if any—of any of the nuts and bolts that you’ll be unfastening and refastening.
As with any mechanical job, the bigger and tougher ones require larger and more robust tools. The same principle applies to torque wrenches. Typically, low-torque situations involve the smallest ¼-inch drive wrench, while the larger drive wrenches typically handle the more torque-demanding tasks. That’s because the majority if not all 3/8- and ½-inch-drive torque wrenches are incapable of torquing anything below 15-25 Nm due to physical constraints.
But if you need to torque something down to 80 Nm or higher, chances are you’ll need the big-boy ½-inch-drive torque wrench. The 3/8-inch-drive torque wrench is for the range medium in between. Thankfully, the majority of torque wrenches are available in all the typical ranges and socket drive size combinations.
It’s also important to consider torque specification adjustments, particularly when using anti-seize lubricant (if specified) or if using extensions. Thus, having quick links to such calculators is handy to have at your fingertips.
Best Click Torque Wrench Tekton Tekton Click Torque Wrench
- Strong build quality
- Great accuracy
- Can lose accuracy and need to be recalibrated if not stored properly
Click-type torque wrenches are one of the most common types and thus, can be had from a wide variety of reputable brands, none of which you can go wrong with. Our choice, however, especially since they’ve landed several times in the toolbox of yours truly, is Tekton’s click torque wrenches. With incredible build quality and accuracy, you cannot go wrong with this brand. The only downside to these types of torque wrenches is that they sometimes need to be “recalibrated” and can lose their accuracy, especially if they’re not stored properly. Always consult the owner’s manual!
Best Digital Torque Wrench ACDelco ACDelco Digital Torque Wrench
Now 23% off
$100 AT AMAZON
- Digital read out that is programmable
- Beep indicator when torque is achieved
- Has an adjustable length rod
- Pricier than other options
From the same parts supplier for many American auto manufacturers comes a great digital torque wrench. Its digital readout can be programmed to read all units of torque measurement, and when torque is achieved, it simply sounds a beep and indicates the value achieved on the display. And one of the best parts: it has an adjustable length rod. However, its fancy high-tech nature is reflected in its considerably higher asking price. Naturally, if you need its tougher sibling with the ½-inch drive, the price goes even higher, though not by much. But if you can swing it, it’s one of the best digital torque wrenches money can buy.
Best Split Beam Torque Wrench Precision Instruments Precision Instruments Drive Split Beam Torque Wrench with Flex Head
Now 19% off
$171 AT AMAZON
- Quick and easy adjustment mechanism
- Can handle a wide range of torque
- Much pricier than other options
Near the top of the pack in terms of the best type of standard and large-sized torque wrenches that money can buy is the split-beam kind and the one by Precision Instruments is one of the best. While it’s similar to a click-type torque wrench, wherein it emits a mechanical “click” when the desired torque spec is achieved, its adjustment mechanism is what makes these so pricey. Because of this mechanism, split-beam torque wrenches can be adjusted much quicker than traditional click types and can handle a broader range of torque. So if you have a job that’s time sensitive and requires you to adjust wrenches quicker or with greater accuracy, split beams are the way to go.
Best Dial Torque Wrench CDI CDI Dial Indicating Torque Wrench
- Excellent accuracy
- Easy-to-read analog gauge read out
- Long service life without the need for recalibration
- Much pricier than other options
While split-beam types are the Omegas for standard and large torque wrenches, dial and gauge types are the Rolexes. Featuring an analog gauge readout and unrivaled accuracy from torsion beam-based designs, these are for the utmost precision and are appreciated by professionals and serious hobbyists alike. That’s due to their torsion beam design, which offers long service life without the need for any recalibration and unrivaled accuracy. But all that’s reflected in their steep asking prices.
Best Slip Torque Wrench IceToolz IceToolz Ocarina Torque Wrench Tool
- Compact and easy to store on your bike
- Analog gauge that is easy to read
- Comes with a small hex bit and set for use beyond bicycles
- Not fit to handle larger applications
If you’re working on much smaller applications, such as a bicycle, and don’t need a fancy torque wrench, the IceToolz Ocarina is the perfect choice for the job. Its compact size makes it easy to store and handy to have when pedaling about and its analog gauge is easy to read. But its use isn’t limited to just bicycles as it’s rated for three to 10 Nm and comes with a small hex bit and set, meaning it could be used for any application within that torque range.
Best Beam Type Torque Wrench Tooluxe Tooluxe Dual Drive Beam Style Torque Wrench | 3/8” & ½” Drives | 17” Length | 0-150 Ft-Lbs | SAE | Premium Steel Alloy
- More affordable than other options
- Double-headed design for use with 3/8 inch or 1/2 inch drives
- Lacks features found in more expensive options
Beam-type torque wrenches are the OG from their simple analog design, making them the torque wrench for the masses. So if you’re on a budget crunch, Tooluxe makes a great dual-drive beam wrench. That means it features a double-headed design for use with either 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drives and it’s rated up to 150 lb-ft, or about 203 Nm. But if you need something for low-torque applications, NEIKO’s ¼-drive 0-9 Nm micro-beam torque wrench deserves honorable mention.
Keyword: The Best Torque Wrenches You Can Buy