The best wrench sets

If you want a versatile wrench set that will cover almost any task, you'll really appreciate the GearWrench Drake Combination Wrench Set, which is available in a 32- or 20-piece set with a carrying rack.

The 32-piece set includes 20 full-size wrenches and a dozen stubby wrenches, which operate well in tight spaces. These combination wrenches feature a ratchet on the ring end, which is extremely handy, as well as a standard open-end on the other end.

The combination wrenches vary in SAE sizes from 1/4 to 13/16 inches and in metric size from 8 mm to 17 mm. The stubby wrenches also are available in inches and millimeters. Though the ratchet rings are handy, some users have noted that they can slip a bit.

Pros: Versatile collection of wrenches in both metric and SAE measurements, ratchet capability on one end, 32-piece set includes a dozen stubby wrenches for working in tight spaces

Cons: Set doesn't contain large wrenches, the ratcheting end slips a little bit

One of the toughest things about maintaining a good set of wrenches is keeping them organized as you take them from job to job. The TEKTON Combination Wrench Set fixes that problem by putting the wrenches on two storage racks that are easy to carry and don't take up a lot of room.

This travel wrench set is available with either 22 or 30 pieces. The 30-piece wrench set has 15 SAE wrenches between 1/4 inches and 1 inch and 15 metric wrenches between 8 mm and 22 mm. The TEKTON wrenches have a durable build quality, thanks to a premium chrome vanadium steel construction.

The wrench racks are color-coded to keep SAE and metric wrenches separate, too, which is a great feature. These wrenches can't stack up to some more expensive sets from other manufacturers, but they are more than durable enough considering the price you'll pay.

These TEKTON wrenches do not have a ratcheting end, so keep that in mind.

Pros: Nice collection of different wrench sizes in both SAE and metric measurements, good build quality for the price, store and go racks make carrying the wrenches wherever they're needed an easy process

Cons: Build quality doesn't stack up to some more expensive sets, no ratcheting feature

Working in tight spaces can be a challenge with many wrenches. You want a long wrench to give you more torque most of the time, but some jobs just call for a short wrench.

When you must work in tight spaces, the TEKTON Stubby Combination Wrench Set will give you the performance you need. The open-end side on these short combination wrenches has a 15-degree angle to further simplify working in tight spaces.

This TEKTON combination wrench set is available in two configurations. The SAE wrench set contains eight pieces with sizes between 5/16 inches and 3/4 inches. The metric wrench set has 12 pieces, ranging in size from 8 mm to 19 mm.

Pros: Short wrenches that will work great in small spaces, ships with a carrying rack that's perfect for keeping the set organized, available in either an SAE or a metric set, nice finish on the wrenches

Cons: Small wrenches don't offer as much torque as longer wrenches, questionable quality control

It's tough to beat the price of the SYM Tools Combo SAE and Metric Wrench Set. It comes with 22 combination wrenches and a storage rack. Certainly, these wrenches aren't going to give you the highest quality performance, but they will give you a versatile set of combination wrenches to use for occasional projects around the house.

Because of the handy storage rack that comes with this SYM Tools wrench set, you'll be able to store these wrenches easily and stay organized.

You'll appreciate having both SAE and metric wrench sizes in a single set that has such a low price. These wrenches are made of drop forged steel, so they should be relatively durable for household tasks. However, these SYM Tools wrenches are not as thick and heavy as some other wrenches, which may cause some problems with longevity.

Pros: Extremely low price point, good storage rack that will keep these combination wrenches organized, both SAE and metric wrenches included in the set, great option to carry in a vehicle for emergencies

Cons: Overall quality can't match up to more expensive wrench sets, doesn't offer large size wrenches

Although most wrench sets consist of a collection of combination wrenches, you may find any of the following types of wrenches in a wrench set.

• Combination: This is the most common design for a wrench set piece. It features a crescent or open-end wrench on one end and a box-end or ring on the other end. Sometimes, the box-end will have a ratcheting feature built into it. Both ends of the wrench will be the same size, but because they each provide a different function, it's a two-in-one tool.
• Crescent or Open-End: This style of wrench has crescent or open-end styles on both ends of the wrench. Each end will have a different size, giving you two sizes in one tool.
• Ratcheting: If the wrench has a ratcheting feature, it means you can move the wrench back and forth while continuing to tighten or loosen the nut. This means you don't have to lift the wrench off of the nut each time you want to turn the nut, allowing you to work much faster.
• Stubby: According to ToolVersed, a stubby wrench works well for tight spaces, because the stubby wrench has a much shorter handle than a typical wrench. The stubby wrench doesn't offer as much torque as a regular sized wrench, though.

The key to picking the correct wrench for a particular job involves understanding what each size means. Each wrench in the set will be stamped with either a measurement in inches or in millimeters (mm). These measurements indicate the type of bolt or nut the particular wrench will fit.

• SAE or Standard: A standard or SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) wrench is measured in fractions of inches. Small wrenches will be around 1/4 inches, while large wrenches will be 1 inch or larger.
• Metric: A metric wrench will work with nuts and bolts that have a metric measurement. A small metric wrench would measure about 8 mm, while a large one would be about 20 mm.

If you need to try to make a metric wrench fit an SAE bolt or vice versa, Do It Yourself has a very handy conversion chart. However, because many metric wrench sizes don't translate easily to SAE wrench sizes – a 12 mm wrench translates to the rare 15/32 inch wrench – you still might not have the right wrench on hand.

If you're concerned with this, look for a wrench set that offers both SAE and metric wrenches.

With a good set of tools, you can repair a crooked cabinet, hang a shelf or picture frame, tune up your bicycle, or fix a leaky pipe under the sink. These are the best tool kits to ensure you'll have everything you need for basic home repairs.

No toolkit is complete without a great measuring tape. From the professional contractor's work to the DIY home repair, countless projects call for precise measurements. These are our top choices.

From painting the nursery to changing a light bulb or hanging holiday lights, everyday life often calls for a ladder. Our picks include top options for all needs, including step ladders and heavy-duty ones for outdoor use.

A hammer looks like a simple tool, and, at its core, it is. But different designs work well for different jobs. That's why we rounded up the best hammers to suit every need. These are our top picks for the best hammers.