Best Torque Wrench - Top Picks, Reviews & Complete Buying Guide
by Scott Miller Updated on
Many people do not appreciate torque wrenches and all their applications as much as they deserve.
But, those more involved in this field know how important tool it is.
As you are reading this, I believe that you are the one of them.
Finding a good torque wrench can be troublesome, and requires a lot of time and energy.
You can spend hours looking at various models and still do not understand what makes them different.
That is why we created this short guide with all the necessary data which will help you identify the best torque wrench that suits both your application and budget.
In case you do not have time to explore more, we assure you that if you pick your product directly from the list you will not regret it.
The best of the best which rightfully deserves this position is the CDI 2503MFRPH.
The CDI has also created another model, the CDI 1503MFRPH.
These two models have equal price but have completely different torque ranges.
The 2503’s torque range is 30 to 250 ft*lb and the 1503’s torque range is 20 to 150 ft*lb.
Now you might wonder why the one with a greater torque range costs more than the one with a lesser torque range and we will give you the answer to this question.
In the majority of cases, the price of the products with high-quality design, astonishing accuracy, and robust construction is higher.
So, which one is better for you would depend on what it will be used for.
If you’re looking for the best torque wrench for more demanding tasks, you should buy the CDI 2503MFRPH.
While, the CDI 1503MFRPH is a general purpose torque wrench.
You do not need industrial grade torque wrenches if you would not use it for days.
For those people who do not need industrial grade torque wrenches such as the CDI 2503 and 1503, the less expensive one is the TEKTON 24335.
It is true that our top picks are more durable, accurate, and functional, but the TEKTON 24335 is budget friendly.
The model boasts with thoughtful design and quality so it is one of the most attractive torque wrenches for people who do not need it for industrial sector.
Now, let’s see some of its advantages.
The TEKTON 24335 has a torque range of 10 to 150 ft*lb which is equal to the CDI 1503’s torque range.
It is 1 percent less accurate than the CDI tools, but the drawback is that it can measure torque only in the clockwise direction.
The best fact about this model is that TEKTON offers outstanding warranties for life against material and craftsmanship defects.
The ACDelco ARM601-4 is the third one on our list and it is well worth consideration.
This is an electronic torque wrench, meaning that it uses a strain gauge to measure torque, while the mechanical products measure torque mechanically.
Some of the features of this model are the digital screen which displays the applied torque in real time and the possibility of alert you when you reach a pre-set torque.
If you have decided to buy an electronic torque wrench, then we suggest purchasing the ACDelco ARM601-4.
This model has an error margin of ± 2 percent clockwise and ± 3 percent counterclockwise.
This makes is the more accurate model than the first one on our list.
The ARM601-4 has torque range of 3 to 99 ft*lb.
Now, you should have in mind that electronic torque wrenches are more expensive than mechanical ones and the price of this unit is in line with its quality.
All the above mentioned torque wrenches have 1/2-inch drives.
Now, we are offering the Capri Tolls 31000 which has a 3/8-inch drive.
So, you are wondering what a difference is.
The first distinction is that the 31000 is more compact, which enables an easy access to hard to reach areas not being a characteristic of the other models.
Secondly, the 31000 has NIST calibration certification, ± 4 margin for error, precision-made parts, clever design, and durable construction which makes it quite attractive.
After all the advantages, there are reasons why it is not better positioned.
This is due to the fact that the 31000 has the narrowest torque range of 10 to 80 ft*lb and it can be used for small-sized fasteners.
This can be considered as a good feature is you plan to use smaller fasteners in areas that are difficult to access, as those big torque wrenches cannot reach these spots.
Last, but not the least, this model is not that expensive and it does a great job so we suggest buying it, especially if it is your first torque wrench.
Even though it is an amazing model with an outstanding torque range, the CDI 2503 has a pretty high price tag and it is not designed for people with limiting budget.
So, we decided to mention the Neiko Pro 03709B – a mechanical torque wrench which operates within a range of 50 to 250 ft*lb.
Additionally, this model has an accuracy of ± 4 percent.
What also makes it worth consideration is that it is made of durable material and has a robust design.
Being that it is not our top pick, there have to be some downsides.
There are two problems with the Neiko Pro 03709B – the torque wrench is 25 inches long and it weighs 6 pounds.
The tool’s dimensions and weight are important when it comes to accessibility issues.
This is a heavy-duty torque wrench and only those who need that kind of tool should go for the Neiko Pro 03709B.
Having a torque wrench is not important for many people as they do not understand its usage and applications.
But, those more involved in this field would know how useful this tool is and that there are different types of torque wrenches with both advantages and disadvantages.
In order to make a perfect choice you have to think about the performance parameters, such as build quality, accuracy, and reliability prior to buying a torque wrench.
Why do I need a torque wrench?
In order to better understand the usage of torque wrench, we are offering you an example of a bundle of sticks that have to be held together using a rubber band.
What you do to achieve this is stretch the rubber band around the bundle and release the rubber band to secure the bundle.
The result is that the rubber band holds the bundle together as the thickness of the bundle stretches the rubber band.
Being that you cannot manually stretch a steel bolt, that is when a torque wrench comes into play.
The other question frequently asked is why I need to use a torque wrench and not a regular one.
You have to think about the possibility of over torquing, which can lead to the damage of both the fastener and the components, while the under torquing can cause the parts to come undone.
That is why people created torque wrenches, which are tools that allow the users to adjust the torque on the fastener to its rated value.
Once this is done, the fastener provides adequate clamping force which would not cause any harm to itself or the components.
This cannot be achieved with a regular wrench.
What types of torque wrenches exist?
All the torque wrenches belong to two categories: mechanical and electronic torque wrenches.
However, there are sub categories of mechanical models – the beam type, the dial type, and the click type.
Beam Type: Being that it is the simplest and cheapest, you can expect it to be the least accurate and the most difficult to manage. According to many users, this is not a type worth consideration.
Dial Type: It boasts with a dial that displays the amount of torque the user is applying. Once the desired value is achieved, you can disengage the wrench. However, you will have to constantly watch the dial.
Click Type: As it is the most popular type of torque wrench, it boasts a graduated dial designed for users to be able to set the torque to a desired value. The torque wrench works like a ratchet wrench until the torque reaches the desired value and an audible click would signals you to stop tightening.
Electronic Type: The electronic types is a combination of the click type and the dial type, meaning that there is a display showing how much torque you are exerting and an audible beep which will alert you once the desired torque is reached. Have in mind that electronic torque wrenches are more expensive.
Our suggestion is to think about a click type torque wrench , but if you need more advanced features, you can buy an electronic torque wrench that records data.
What should I consider when purchasing a torque wrench?
The first thing that you should consider when purchasing a torque wrench is its torque range.
We offered in our descriptions the TEKTON 24335 which has a torque range of 10 to 150 ft*lb.
This is considered enough for the fasteners in automotive work.
But, in order to be sure whether this would be enough or not, you should check your vehicle’s manual.
If the torque range is satisfying, you should think about the accuracy.
It is usually expressed in percentage and some models have accuracy of ± 4 percent. As there are tools which allow both clockwise and counterclockwise operation, you should pay attention as the accuracies for different direction may differ.
The manufacturers should state whether the accuracy applies across the full torque range or part of the torque range.
So, if you cannot find that information, you can account that the torque wrench is most accurate at the middle third of the range.
Do not forget that torque wrenches can lose their accuracy over time, so you will need to recalibrate them.
The greater quality tools will not require frequent calibration.
Durability is also an important factor, so you should look for a wrench with greater build quality.
You should also have in mind the dimensions and weight of the torque wrench.
You will be holding it in your hand, and lighter and smaller units would be more comfortable and useful is hard to reach spaces.
Your hand fatigue will be lower.
The last thing to consider is the drive size and the most frequent ones are 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch.
You should know that 1/4-inch is too small and 3/4-inch is too big.
I think I got it, what are my options?
We have listed just the five most notable torque wrenches on the market and there are many more available which might be worth considering.
So, your option is to do your own research and find a product that suits your budget, torque range, accuracy, and build quality.
What we suggest is to look at products made by TEKTON, CDI, ACDelco, Neiko, and Craftsmen if you want a quality torque wrench.
Conclusion
Now, we can only say that there are three determining factors which play the crucial role when deciding which torque wrench is ideal for you and those are your budget, torque range and accuracy.
You have to have in mind that the greater the accuracy and torque range is the higher price should be expected.
If you are able to balance among these three factors, you will be able to make the ideal choice.
As we suggested, the best model for those who are buying the first torque wrench in their lives is the TEKTON 24335, while the CDI 2503 is more of a commercial grade torque wrench.
Being that more and more people get involved in DIY projects, once costly equipment has become affordable nowadays and many manufacturers are doing their best to develop products for this category of buyers.
Now, that you have gone through our reviews and possess the right knowledge and guidance, it’s not hard to determine which one is the most suitable for you.
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