Best Torque Wrenches in 2022

Last update: December 9, 2022

Are torque wrenches worth it?

There are a lot of different tools that you can use to work on your car, and one of them is a torque wrench. But are torque wrenches worth it? The answer is yes! Torque wrenches are a great tool to have because they help you tighten bolts and nuts to the correct level of torque. This is important because if you don't tighten them enough, they can come loose and if you tighten them too much, you can strip the threads. So, if you're working on your car, make sure you have a torque wrench handy. It

Can you over tighten with a torque wrench?

You can over tighten with a torque wrench if you're not careful. If you're not familiar with how to use a torque wrench, it's best to ask someone who is for help. Torque wrenches are designed to help you apply the right amount of force to a nut or bolt, but if you're not careful, it's easy to apply too much force and damage the threads.

Can you over torque lug nuts by hand?

Yes, it is possible to over torque lug nuts by hand. This can happen if the lug nuts are not properly lubricated, or if the person torquing the lug nuts is not using a torque wrench. If the lug nuts are over torqued, it can cause the wheel to come off while the vehicle is being driven.

How can I tell if my torque wrench is accurate?

If you want to check whether your torque wrench is accurate, you can use a calibration checker. This is a tool that you can use to check the accuracy of your torque wrench.


Neiko 00206A 1/2 Inch Drive Premium Breaker Bar, 24" Length | Cr-V Steel Review:


I've always wanted a breaker bar, but up until now, I've relied on a long pipe attached to my wrench to provide the necessary leverage. In order to fit in small locations, I made the decision to eventually purchase a breaker bar. My Honda Accord's starter needed to be replaced lately, and boy, was this lengthy breaker bar helpful. First of all, this is on Amazon Prime, and the cost is far lower than that of the alternatives. I had some doubts about the construction quality, but boy, was I surprised by how beautifully made this breaker bar is. As the name implies, you only want to use it as a breaker bar because extended use will tire your hand out because it is solid metal and feels fairly heavy to work on.The 1/2 in drive was extremely good, easily accommodated all of my Craftsman sockets, and was quite snug. Overall, it took very little effort to release the bolts with this breaker bar. The handle has a good grip and is quite respectable. It would have been great if the handle had some form of rubber on it, but as I already mentioned, you only need this to loosen the bolt, so it's not a major deal.Whether you are concerned about any product damage, you can rest assured knowing that Amazon and/or the seller received this in a sizable box. In fact, sometimes I wonder if the packing is more expensive than the goods.I want to use it to replace the timing belt on my truck, but I need to check to make sure it can resist the crankshaft bolt.Overall, I am very happy with this breaker bar and will unquestionably suggest it to anyone looking for a 1/2 drive breaker bar. This is the greatest I've ever purchased for the price. Even at HarbourFreight, a comparable breaker bar costs more than this one. While I have nothing against HF, the HF breaker bar did not seem to be as well made or durable as this one.The ones from high-end manufacturers certainly look nice if you have a lot of money, but trust me when I say you will only use this sometimes to release stubborn bolts, for which it is more than adequate.



Wheeler Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench and Tipton Best Gun Vise Review:


To torque down certain connectors intended to combine copper and aluminum cabling, I ordered this torque driver. I needed a driver that could handle 10 or 15 inch pounds depending on the wire gauge, and this one should work just fine, according to the item's description. I've just had it for a few hours, yet I'm already packing it up to return it. At the 10-inch-pound setting, it simply clicks and is incapable of driving any screws. I simply can't turn it fast enough to activate the torque mechanism at the 15 inch pound level; it just keeps driving.The absence of any form of instruction manual inside the package, despite the fact that the packaging was still sealed, makes me worry if mine is fake; yet, I have seen pictures of legitimate manuals in other reviews. I requested an exchange from Amazon, so we'll see how much better the second one is.ORIGINAL STAR RATING:RELEASED ON 10/12/2018 - After sending in my return, Amazon promptly sent me a replacement. The replacement has so far been utilized for four separate projects and has functioned as I would have anticipated. Both a handbook and a calibration certificate were there in the package of my second unit, but neither was in the box of my first. In order to represent my total happiness, I raised the rating to 4 stars.



TEKTON 24335 1/2" Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-150'.-Lb./13.6-203.5 Nm) Review:


I purchased this wrench so that I could properly OEM-torque my tire lug nuts. With its length of just over 18 inches, this wrench has more than enough length to easily torque tire lug nuts. For this application on average-sized automobiles, it has a fantastic range. It is a righty-tighty torque wrench and serves the purpose for which I purchased it admirably. As others have noted, some bike parts have threading that is contrary to regular threading, thus if you want it to function right out of the box, a different torque wrench may be needed for that.On the other hand, if necessary, the internal torque head insert can be turned to make it lefty-tight. Therefore, even if it won't work for bikes or other lathes right out of the box, it can be made to operate.The torque wrench comes with a decent, straightforward case that does its job of protecting the tool. Additionally helpful were the wrench's instructions. Even better, the wrench box included a QR code that connects to a YouTube video that demonstrates how to use the tool. The amount of "extra" helpful information that Tekton offers is extremely impressive. I have observed Tekton putting in this kind of extra effort across a number of product lines. I want to use this wrench for a very long time!Pros: * Simple yet effective case * Easy to use for tire lug nuts * Excellent instructions on how to set the torque and use the wrenchCons: *So far, noneTake into account the torque range that the wrench offers as well! You'll need a different wrench if you need between 0 and 150 pounds of force.Overall: 5/5 (>=.5 rounds up,.5 rounds down) stars, which equals 5 stars.Please leave a comment below if you have any additional queries about the product I reviewed, and I will respond to you as soon as I can.



TACKLIFE 3/8" Drive Click Torque Wrench Set,With 1/2" & 1/4" Adapters And An Extension Bar (10-80 ft.- lb./13.6-108.5 Nm) - HTW1A Review:


My mower's blade needed to be changed, thus I needed a torque wrench. Although I needed a tool that I was confident would function as intended, I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it. I appreciated the calibration certification that came with this wrench. Many reviewers point out that when you tighten your bolt to the right position, you won't hear the click. The click must have been loud enough to scare me and my dog, who was dozing off 10 feet away as I was working outside on a windy day with the neighbors' kids yelling. That must be if you have hearing issues. The torque wrench was simple to set and performed flawlessly.



EPAuto 1/4-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (20-200 in.-lb. / 2.26~22.6 Nm) Review:


July 18, 2018 Update: I received an unsolicited free replacement wrench from EPAuto, which I tested out yesterday using the same tools as before. I tested the replacement wrench at seven torque settings spaced 30 in-lb apart, covering the complete 20-200 in-lb range. I'm pleased to report that all measured points met the /-4% accuracy requirement, with more than half measuring /- 2.3% or better. I'm thrilled with this decision!Original Review: The lack of accuracy disappoints me.I got this wrench and tested its accuracy immediately using an electronic torque adapter. Using a breaker bar and hanging weights at a predetermined distance from the fitting with the breaker bar horizontal and level, I first tested the accuracy of the torque adaptor. Along with the hanging weights, the weight of the breaker bar handle at the measured distance is added in, and the torque at the adapter is determined. At 30 and 141 in-lbs, the computed torque was within 0.6% or less of the torque that the torque adaptor reported. The Epauto wrench and a comparable 20-200 in-lb model from the OEM company offered by Auto Zone were then measured using the certified torque adaptor. I recorded the torque of both wrenches at four distinct places, ranging from 23.5 to 120 in-lb. The Epauto wrench has faults ranging from 7.0% to 32.8%. Three of the four points were over 11% off, and none of the four points met the 4% spec. Errors in the OEM model varied from 1.2% to 4.7%, with 3 of the 4 locations having an inaccuracy of under 2%. The Epauto wrench was returned because the mistakes were much higher than the allowed limit. It was simple and convenient to return.



EPAuto 1/2-inch Drive Click Torque Wrench, 10~150 ft./lb, 13.6~203.5 N/m Review:


Although I'm very certain that many of these less expensive torque wrenches are simply rebranded Chinese mass-produced products, they are still quite good and slightly superior to Harbor Freight models.Make sure to oil the ratcheting mechanism, which requires a t15 size torx, before using it because it came unlubricated. Although it probably isn't necessary, it will safeguard the instrument and significantly extend its life.Came accurately, and these click-type scales are simple to calibrate on your own. A cheap baggage scale works nicely to test accuracy as well.Although it was just used once to tighten lugs to 110, it appears to be able to withstand a beating. Despite having only 24 teeth, the ratchet has very large gears, and despite having only one point of contact, it seems sturdy. I don't anticipate it to slip teeth or do anything else.If you don't already have one, you might want to add a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter to the cart because it might be useful for smaller gear.



24340 1/2-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (25-250 ft.-lb./33.9-338.9 Nm) Review:


It has a respectable appearance and is nicely long so you can easily meet some of the higher torque requirements. I tried turning the dial up to the higher torque settings, but it wouldn't work; it was tough to turn. I'll have to try that out more and revise this evaluation. Additionally, the ratcheting component in the head of the wrench seemed to be locking up when tightening bolts after the third or fourth use. In reality, it was clearly locking up. The lever appeared to be in the proper position when I checked it. It has increased in frequency as I've advanced. If I keep the wrench level and don't apply any angular pressure to the ratcheting section or head, the issue goes away. There will be many more opportunities to utilize the wrench since I still have a ways to go. I'm sure I'll change the stars for this item, either up or down.Recently, I became aware that I am beginning to amass a number of Tekton products; they appear to be respectable in terms of both quality and performance. I'm a little concerned, though, about this torque wrench. The reviews were decent, but the fact that Tekton employees participated in them and the gadget had a lifetime warranty convinced me to buy it. I'm hoping I won't need to use it.New information:I hadn't responded to a Tekton representative who had contacted me on my problems yet. Today, after perhaps its third use, the wrench is entirely jammed and won't ratchet either way. As I get in touch with Tekton and learn about my alternatives, I'll keep updating my review.New information:Yes, I already revised this review. I apologize to the Tekton community. If you experience an issue with your Tekton product, the support staff and warranty are excellent. They were absolutely no BS and a pleasure to work with. This was my first problem with a Tekton device, and while I have many of their goods, they have always been fantastic. My concerns about continuing to buy Tekton items have been allayed by this experience, which was my first time using their customer care.



EPAuto 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-80 ft.-lb. / 13.6-108.5 Nm) Review:


When ordering this specific model torque wrench, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea because many reviews claimed that it was difficult to adjust the rotation numbers dial, but it wasn't that bad. The force to adjust the dial was about the same as on "Pittsburgh Pro" torque wrench which was purchased earlier. "Pittsburgh Pro" wrench had to be replaced because it fell from a 5ft shelf and stopped working. The only problem I see with this torque wrench is that the numbers on the handle (10 to 80 foot pounds markings) are a bit small (much smaller than those on "Harbor Freight/Pittsburgh Pro" wrench), so they can be difficult to read. The accuracy of the EPauto 3/8 wrench is fairly good, and the click itself is nice and loud.



TEKTON 1/4" Drive Dual-Direction Click Torque Wrench (10-150 In.-Lb.) TRQ21101 Review:


I was quite satisfied with the feel, markings, handling of the micrometer adjustment, and smoothness of the ratchet mechanism as soon as I opened up the zipped hard-side case. I'm not a big fan of ratchet quick release buttons because they call for hollow drive wheels, which weaken the drive plug. It wouldn't have mattered if that had been left out of the design. By giving the ball bearing regular maintenance with a drop of penetrating oil, socket removal is avoided. With a torque wrench, which isn't intended to be able to break jammed fasteners loose, it's not really a problem. Both reading the marks and changing the torque setting are simple processes. This wrench has a more modern slip ring collar, which you can pull down to free the handle and turn in one-pound steps. I've never come across half-inch-pound specifications that demand a wrench with a range of 10-150 inch-pounds. If I did, I would just round up or down and finish the calculation. Even at the minimum of 10 inch-pounds, 0.5 inch-pound is 5%, which is almost within the wrench specifications and sufficiently close for practical use. Those developing 1% or greater accurate stealth planes, spaceships, and nuclear weapons wouldn't be employing a Tekton in the first place. used an 8-point 1/4" socket and a 1/4" drive breaker bar to test its functionality (for square head nuts, bolts and screws). Even at the 10 inch-pound level, you can still feel and hear the "click" throughout the whole range of the device. I couldn't tell the difference between forward and backward. Contrary to common belief, the "click" is not meant to be heard. It is intended to be felt by the hand turning the wrench as one roller bearing on a beam rolls over the top of a fixed roller bearing on a heavy spring, causing a "break" of approximately 10 degrees in the turning of the wrench. This sound may be audible depending on the ambient noise level (some shops are noisy with machine tools and ventilation fans). The handle snaps back when you release pressure on it.In contrast to the typical blow-molded covers most wrenches come with nowadays, the fabric covered zipped semi-hard case is a new design. It won't stand up to the beating and banging that being bounced around in a box with other steel instruments would cause. In any case, I don't carry or store torque wrenches in that way. They should be appropriately protected since they are (semi-)precision measuring devices rather than breaker bars or sliding T-handles. Some people could object to the casing's durability when compared to a blow-molded case. I don't.Over the past 45 years, I've handled, used, and owned a variety of tool brands, including premium Snap-On, S-K, and Proto brands that I still own and use today. Considering its budget, this torque wrench is impressive. With a bi-directional 1/4" drive micrometer click wrench, one may easily spend two to three times as much or more and not receive very much, if anything useful at all.Final remarks:The proper use of a torque wrench is turning slowly and firmly as the fastener tightens until the wrench "breaks" about 10 degrees or so indicating the torque setting has been reached.



TEKTON 24330 3/8-Inch Drive Click Torque Wrench (10-80 ft.-lb./13.6-108.5 Nm) Review:


I made the choice to try this Tekton brand torque wrench because their goods all seem to have excellent customer care.This wrench comes with a manual that you SHOULD read inside of a red hard plastic casing. I believe that many people who leave nasty reviews probably skip over this.Once you get how it functions and remember to keep it at the lowest setting whether storing or using the wrench in other ways, you should be good to go.It appears to be well constructed and is a good weight. I had to use a variety of torque ranges when I used it to replace shocks and springs. The click made perfect sense.In the upcoming weeks, I'll be working more, so I'll update if anything changes.Overall, this tool seems fantastic; I give it a 5 out of 5.


How do I know if my lug nuts are tight enough?

If your lug nuts are tight enough, your wheel shouldn't be able to move. You can test this by trying to push or pull your wheel in and out. If it budges, your lug nuts aren't tight enough.

How long can you leave a torque wrench set?

A torque wrench is a precision instrument and should be treated as such. With proper care, a torque wrench will provide years of reliable service. That being said, there are three primary factors that will affect the longevity of a torque wrench: storage, usage, and calibration. Storage is important because it helps to protect the torque wrench from the elements. Torque wrenches should be stored in a clean, dry, and temperature-controlled environment. Additionally, it is important to keep the torque wrench away from any magnetic fields, as this can throw off the calibration. Usage is

How long do torque wrenches last?

How long do torque wrenches last? This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on a number of factors, such as how often the torque wrench is used, how well it is maintained, and the quality of the torque wrench itself. Generally speaking, however, most torque wrenches will last for many years if they are properly cared for.

How many times should you click a torque wrench?

Most torque wrenches will have a click that sounds when the preset torque is reached. This is an indication that the fastener has been properly tightened. Depending on the application, it may be necessary to click the torque wrench more than once.

How often should lug nuts be Retorqued?

Lug nuts should be retorqued any time the vehicle is driven after a wheel has been removed and replaced.

Is it OK to loosen bolts with a torque wrench?

It's perfectly fine to loosen bolts with a torque wrench. In fact, it's often necessary to do so in order to avoid damaging the threads.