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If you intend to work on cars, you owe it to yourself to buy at least a basic set of quality tools. That set should include both a socket set and combination wrenches. It’s tempting to think that one adjustable wrench can replace an entire set of fixed size wrenches, the reality is that it will end in a cloud of frustration and profanity. That’s not to say that adjustable wrenches don’t have their place. A good crescent wrench will always have its place around the house, but in weird situations where you’re working on a car and you need something adjustable, there are better choices.
Summary List
- Best Crescent Wrench: Channellock 8WCB Wideazz Adjustable Wrench
- Easiest To Use: Bionic Grip 8″ Adjustable Wrench
- Best Strap Wrench: Craftsman 2 Piece Rubber Strap Wrench Set
Our Methodology
Selecting the adjustable wrenches for this buyer’s guide started with a few decades of experience working with tools in every capacity from a young child taking apart things I shouldn’t have, through adulthood working as a fabricator and machinist. Still on occasion taking apart things I shouldn’t. Besides the hands-on experience, online research was performed to see how other users have faired using the product for their own projects. Usability, durability, and value are all weighed in selecting our recommended products. It’s worth noting, value isn’t just the cheapest product but the amount of utility you get for your money.
Best Adjustable Wrenches: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Crescent Wrench
Channellock 8WCB Wideazz Adjustable Wrench
Pros
- Narrow jaws allows for access to tight spots
- Precision made so they hold adjustment
- Comfort grip makes long jobs less painful
Cons
- Soft material avoids scratching but also easily damaged
- Reports of counterfeit products on the market
If you’re buying a crescent wrench, you may as well buy a nice one. This 8-inch adjustable wrench from Channellock will work on sizes from 0 to 1 ½ -inches. For automotive roadside emergencies, that will cover just about everything outside of a centerlock wheel nut.
The single most important attribute of a crescent wrench is its ability to hold adjustment. There is nothing worse than having to hold the worm screw while you’re also trying to turn the wrench. Channellock’s wrench is machined with a high degree of precision, meaning it stays where you put it, even under heavy torque.
The jaws of wrench are on the narrower side, allowing you to get them into narrow spots. They are also made from slightly softer metal than some tools to prevent scoring. This does mean that you will have to be more careful to not damage them. Some customers have also reported that they think they may have gotten counterfeit tools, so buy from a reputable source.
Easiest To Use
Bionic Grip 8" Adjustable Wrench
Pros
- Grabs the flats of nuts and bolts to prevent rounding
- Works on SAE and Metric
- Functions like pliers with the utility of a crescent wrench
Cons
- Not as big of size range as most crescent wrenches
- Must be completely perpendicular to fastener
This product may strike you as an “As Seen On TV” sort of product, but it works as well as the slap-nut-choppers and plug-any-hole-putty all claim to. These are technically pliers, which are a type of adjustable wrench, so we won’t get too pedantic. When you squeeze the grips, four hardened teeth grab onto the flat sides of the head of the fastener. Grabbing the sides lessons the odds of rounding the corners, making it unusable.
These work on ½ to ¾-inch SAE sizes and 13 – 20mm metric. It does require you to be able to grab the fastener at a completely perpendicular angle, but that isn’t different from most adjustable wrenches. They are about the size of comparable pliers, so you will be able to get them into tight spots.
Bionic Grip Wrenches are made in the USA. The body is steel while the jaws are brass to prevent marring of surfaces. The manufacturer claims these can be used to grab pipes, but that doesn’t seem like an ideal application if the finish on the pipe is a concern.
Best Strap Wrench
Craftsman 2 Piece Rubber Strap Wrench Set
Pros
- Easy solution for complex problems
- Allows for a large amount of torque on something a normal wrench won’t grip
- No pickle jar is safe when armed with these
Cons
- Plastic handle is comfortable but maybe not the most durable
- Doesn’t grip well if filter is already oily
A strap wrench is one of those tools you don’t realize how much you need one until you do. The most obvious use is for stuck oil filters. Yes, pounding your biggest screwdriver through the oil filter can be a satisfying experience after you’ve been struggling with it for an hour or more and it’s your chance to go full Van Helsing on that vile, cur-sed cylinder of evil. This is a slightly more civilized solution that results in less mess and probably fewer bloody knuckles.
A strap wrench is also great for grabbing onto the exhaust pipe that is stuck inside the muffler from corrosion and needs twisting to break it free. Or what about the silicone hose that’s stuck on the throttle body or the outlet of the intercooler and you figure grabbing it with channel locks will damage it? A strap wrench is your answer. You can even use them off-book to pull thing together, in a pinch – pun fully intended. These are also ideal for opening pickle jars, you’re welcome.
This set from craftsman comes with two strap wrenches, one for diameters up to 4-inches and the larger for diameters up to 6 ⅜-inches. The handles are cushioned plastic while the straps are reinforced rubber. They weigh less than a pound and take up very little space in your tool box. Once you have these, you’ll wonder how you lived without them for so long.
Our Verdict on the Best Adjustable Wrenches
Your tool box needs a wrench you can count on. We highly recommend the Channellock 8-Inch WideAzz Adjustable Wrench. However, some jobs require more than just grip on two flats and torque, so you might consider both the Bionic Grip 8″ Adjustable Wrench as a direct replacement or the Craftsman 2 Piece Rubber Strap Wrench Set if what you’re trying to grab doesn’t have flats surfaces.
Key Features
Type
One of the first things you need to sort out is the type of adjustable wrench you’re after. In many cases, a crescent wrench or traditional adjustable wrench is the ideal choice. This is the type that takes the place of a given range of open-ended wrenches thanks to its sliding jaw. Other styles, such as a band wrench, are great for dealing with oil filters and other twist-on components that don’t have a hex head. There are other variations on the market, but most used by mechanics are generally variations of these types.
Overall Dimensions
The next thing to sort out is the size of the wrench you need. Of course, the opening range is the chief concern, as this tells you what range of fasteners or object sizes it can grab onto. On top of that, you should consider the overall size of the tool and the given space you intend to use it in. It doesn’t matter if it’s the perfect size for the object you’re working on if you can’t fit it in the space you need to.
Comfort Grip
Last up is the inclusion of a comfort grip. Comfort grips are a nice addition as they can vastly improve the working experience by adding some cushion between your fingers and the rough edges of the tool. However, they can be a liability if they aren’t properly fastened to the tool or don’t offer enough grip when oil and other liquids contact the surface. It’s a good idea to read the reviews to ensure this feature is done right should any wrench you’re considering purchasing have it.
Pricing
A few factors influence the price you can expect to pay for an adjustable wrench. However, most do fall within the $20-$50 price range. The type, quality, and size are the largest determining factors in price, but it’s rare for anything the average DIY mechanic would need to go for any more than the high end of that window.
FAQs
You’ve got. The Drive has answers.
A: Most wrenches have a steel handle that is covered by natural or synthetic rubber. This rubber might start to wear off after a while. Simply remove it, and you’ll still be able to use your adjustable wrench. Although, it may be less comfortable to operate.
A: Most adjustable wrenches have flat jaws. As long as you place the jaws on a fastener, you should get a proper fit. Jaws with teeth are for grabbing smooth surfaces and are more likely to scratch what you’re working on.
A: The best adjustable wrench is one that can be used for various projects. You can also get a set to cater to both small and big projects. Factors such as grip and expandability are essential in determining which wrench you should get.
