Which Ratchet Spanner Set Would You Buy? BOSCH - WERA - HALFORDS - MILWAUKEE? 

You mixed up the wera 17mm jaw gap with the cheapie set! Wera was 17.09, that plate is also helpful as you can put a nut in without holding it in your hand, the spanner hold its

I'm with the Wera spanners. Expensive, but worth it.

About 15 years ago I purchased a Halfords set of ratchet spanner’s after trying to remove a pump which was located right up against a wall, one nut took me over 45minutes to get off. After finding out the pump failed regularly I though sod that and bought my first set of ratchets. The next time I had to remove that pump it took only a few minutes, the spanner’s were superb. The pumps I worked on contained some really nasty acids, so, I’d made my mind up if they failed I wouldn’t make any sort of claim because I didn’t think any spanner set should be exposed to what I was working on, I was prepared to take it on the chin personally. They lasted me several years ( about 10 ) before they were lost/presumed stolen one day, I was amazed, the quality of the chrome, the quality of the bearings they were still going strong, Halfords make great tools. Today I use almost exclusively use Klein, my ratchet sets are 3x Bahco ones after losing another ratchet spanner set. I may buy a Wera set of non ratcheting spanner’s in 8/10/13/17/19 which are my most used size’s now for £50, I don’t use 30mm + sizes these days………………….

I own the wera set and they are really nice. They are a super fit and they have a really nice quality click from the ratcheting mechanism. It just oozes quality when you pick them up.. Good comparison 👏 I vote WERA.

ive only experienced the halfords set and they are brilliant. i had the 200pc socket set which has ratchets 6mm - 19mm and ive had them for a few months and i cant knock them. they grip amazingly and the ratchets have a nice feel with a durable spanner holding it securely in place. and i work in a garage using them every day so they take alot of abuse lol

For the money I would go with the Halfords Advanced Never let me down Although the Snap Off stuff is also awesome 👍

I love my Wera, and I've abused the 19mm horrendously while getting at a poor access brake mounting bolt. Hammer and extension and it just came back for more.

I have the Milwaukee flex head set up to 22mm. I really needed the flex head for one specific routine job at work. Love them, but I also don't abuse them. Looking for a set of non flex head ratchet wrenches now, biggest pain is getting all the sizes I want from one brand.

I would never have considered Bosch but those black ones look sexy😁 Halfords will be a lot cheaper if you have a trade card. I’d probably go Wera, I have a Wera 1/4 inch socket set and it is very good. I do like the idea of being able to change the jaws. Does the angle of movement make a huge difference? Not sure I’d feel a difference when I was using them.

100% Wera! You can’t beat them! They’re well worth the price, and to be fair the 4 piece set with the 10, 13, 17 and 19 will do most people

I have those Halfords ones and have been using them daily at work for 3-4 years now. Never had an issue apart from the 13mm going missing

I've got the Bosch set, beautiful. Also bought them on an Amazon Prime deal for £60.

I've actually had a great time with Icons flex head wrenches, which are the same as the Matcos because of rebranding, smooth, decent fit and don't worry about breaking them because replacements are free

Get the Milwaukee 15 piece set.

The Bosch set are just too cool not to have on James' wall

Would have to be the Bosch for me, but thats only because I don't like flexi head spanners and always found Wera tools can feel a little thin in the hand and dig in on very tight fasteners.

All those are very nice. But honestly, once you've used a Wera....it's hard to use anything else. They're so nice.

I have had the Bosch. Most of my powertools are from Bosch, but I don't like the ratchet spanners. Look nice, feel nice, but break relatively easy. And to me, they are chunky. I own the Wera. They are great. But the open end ist straight, not angled. More often than not that does more harm than good. The Milwaukee are nice. Especially the flexible head is helpful. The Halfords look nice for the price. But if money doesn't really count in this case, I wouldn`t chose them. So: I like the Wera the most, but in terms of usage I would say, take the Milwaukee. Sorry for my english!

I own Gearwrenches and i haven't got any problems with them but if i had to buy a new set i do like the Wera or Bosch set.

Teng make the best rachet spanners imo similar price to Wera but with an offset more useful. Halfords one break/slip after about two years of use i went through two 17mm Halfords before i bought the teng with i have used on site regularly for the last 12 years with no problems.

Havent tried the others in the video, but the Wera are my favourite set of what I have tried.

Nice Spanners Wera they look good 😎 I've got a few cheep sets did treat me self a few years back to a some better WHUTH zebra ? have spelt that wrong 8 sizes in 2 spanners Thanks again James & Ryan

All my spanners are Halfords advanced. Can’t fault them. Great vid you two 👍

I own a Wera, Bosch and a flexhead set. (Powerchoice). Wera is my favorite. I know the colors of the most frequently used spanners by head. 10, 13, 19 and 19. I bought the Bosch set as a test but i am not a big fan. I miss the clicks. It’s less satisfying. And u do use the clicks to check if the tool is facing the right way. And it also takes quite a bit of force to turn it. But maybe that gets easier when i use them more often.

I think ratchet spanners with an offset (bend) in the ring end are much more useful than straight spanners like the wera and bosch in the vid. Facom ratchet spanners are very nice.

I’d be interested to go for the Bosch because of the silent ratchet. Cheers, John

You forgot to tell the wera features... the head angle is smaller on wera, it works better in tight spacer where you can not turn so many degrees, that plate holds nuts ans bolts, also it can limit pushing the wrench head past the nut head. Also it has 12 points to hold... its so advanced compeared to others. Yet so slim

Having treated myself to the wera a few years ago and having used them 0 times, I would try something else. I'd like to try the Bosch, but practically I'd probably go with Halfords, no point paying Milwaukee tax and whilst the instant engagement of the Bosch sounds awesome I wonder if the lack of feedback would make them hard to use. I'd probably rather have a set of double ended ratchet spanners along with some nice slimline open ended ones.

Many thanks for the video, but I think there are a couple of errors in your comparison graphs: First, the graph at 10:00 shows the cheap 17mm spanner with a gap of 17.09mm, while the Wera is 17.33mm. This would make the Wera the most inaccurate, however the figures should be swapped round, as you found the Wera was 17.09mm and the cheap one was 17.33mm. This makes the Wera tie for 2nd place, and the cheap one comes in 5th place. Secondly, the thickness graph at 10:25 shows the Wera in first place with 8.96mm, however you measured it at 8.69mm, which is even thinner. A few months ago I was looking for a flexi-head ratchet spanner set, and checked out the reviews of quite a few. Much as I love Wera tools, they simply don't do that type of spanner, and I eventually went for the Halfords 12-piece set in the modular foam tool tray that you show here. I’m afraid I wasn't too impressed. The "feel" of the ratchets varied enormously - a couple were quiet and light to the touch, while others were louder with a coarser action. One of the larger sizes had an uneven action, and varied from a medium weight to downright stiff. I could have returned the set, but it struck me as a bit nit-picking, and was too much hassle. The spanner with the uneven ratchet is now better, after spinning it with a cordless drill! If a spanner actually breaks, be assured that I’ll take it in for a refund using their lifetime guarantee! As regards the serrated edge of the Halfords spanners, if you have that edge next to your palm, then you are tightening the fastener, and it’s a useful feature if you are working blind. Note that there is another Halfords Advanced set that is very much worth looking at too - a 16-piece flexi-head set that adds 20mm, 21mm, 22mm and 24mm sizes to the ones shown here, with part number 457686. Instead of a tray, the set is housed in a plastic "hanger", a bit like the Milwaukee set you showed. In Spring 2022 the 16-piece set was priced at a bargain £74 (compared to £70 for the 12 piece set) but practically impossible to obtain online or from branches. Around July-August it came into stock again at £74, but when I checked tonight on 2 Sep, I see the price has shot up to £89.99, whilst the 12-piece set is still £70. If I was buying again, I'm not sure what I'd go for. I would really prefer a locking flexi-head, but they are hard to find.

Has the Milwaukee set got a 12mm, quite important for working on Toyota etc?

For me, the most important thing in at ratcheting box end is the diameter of the head. Nuts/bolts in tight places often have something right next to them, which makes it hard to get a chunky box end on. Wish you guys had measured this.

Owned halfords stuff for years, but I'm slowly getting drawn towards the Wera joker spanners! I just love the look of them compared to anything else on the market

Wera’s are nice but if I had to pick one it would be Milwaukee because of the flex head. I have the set and it comes in handy.

Used to buy craftsman but I currently own Milwaukee

Which ones did you get? Can we have a follow up video about what it's been like using them for the past year?

My choice, given this video... Milwaukee

Here in south america we have bahco. the old model that says in it ¨Industria argentina¨ or ¨sweden¨. i have never try other Brand than bahco since that, they are perfect in all ways. you should try it

Go for Milwaukee you know the quality 👍

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but the serrated edge on the Halfords set is so you know which way it will ratchet. One feature I like on Bahco flex head spanners is a mechanism to fix the head angle

You missed the Proto ratcheting spline wrenches, although I do admit they are rather pricey I wouldn't give em up for anything shown here. Good video guys!

Stahlwille is the #1 option. Then we have Gedore, Wera, Facom,, Snapon and all the good brands. Then we have the Taiwanese and lastly the chinese tools.

You should try SK x frame wrench. I have one set, that's another level.

The set that has no skips is the best

Facom/Toptul/usag for me, all the same stuff, just different labelling. Toptul appears to be the cheapest out of the 3.. Strap on stuff not worth the money.

Personally i would purchase the Hafords Advanced spanner set, ive used Halfords tools for many years and never had any problems, you will also receive a substantial discount on the trade card, and you have a lifetime guarantee. Also check spanners by Laser and US pro tools....good luck and thanks for posting this video.

I had them bosch spanners and knackered the not ratchet first time. They replaced the set and the second set ratchet popped out they are jank

Gotta be Bosch with those smooth ratchets!

On the side of the Halfords spanner’s the notches is so you know what way the ratchet is turning

I have found the flex-head wrenches/spanners are much more useful than fixed spanners. After trying out several brands I purchased the Milwaukee 15-piece set which goes from 8mm to 22mm. Milwaukee feel really good in your hand and have a nice weight to them. The ratcheting end works quite well and the chrome finish looks stunning.

Been using my wera set for years now and I wouldn't want to go back to what I had before. You can abuse them again and again and you will not damage them.

Cannot fault Halfords Advanced at all. Bought their 200 piece set which included 6-19mm ratchet spanners, 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” ratchets, with sockets ranging from 4-36mm, with loads of bits and breaker bars. Got the set for £194 after 10% discount in the sale.. With a lifetime warranty this was an amazing deal and definitely quality bit of kit.

Halfords advance do a one-way bearing set similar to the bosch btw :)

I had a skinny wrench onetime ,I'll never forget her❤😢

Could be lucky enough to be in the states and have SnapOn available. And have to get Metric and SAE sizes😂

The Halford Advanced set is the best bang for the buck...no doubt in my mind those are made by Apex tool 4:00... sometimes open and wrenches with the teeth can Mar a Fastener with the Wera set you have the option of taking them out to avoid that or leaving them in... you have some Milwaukee where you don't have a choice so if you're going to go with them you have to accept that the potential for marring Fasteners is there or except that it doesn't matter if you're in an industrial setting they don't need to be totally scratch free... 6:00.. Like Gearwrench... I have identical set of GEARWRENCH wrenches like these... I have a ratchet with a one-way bearing in it there is no ratcheting sound you can move it backwards a teeny tiny bit and it will move a faster forward

Halford are really nice. Don't buy fixed heads unless you already have flex heads. I hardly ever reach for any other spanner since getting the Halfords flex heads.

Gedore, if you can afford it. 😀

I Don't spend much on spanners, because i lose that many throwing them around, but i would go the bosh

probably too late. However in the second to last graph when you are talking about accuracy. You put the Wera 17mm at 17.33, however in the video you say its 17.09. Which would give Wera the highest consistency in accuracy. That being said thank you for the video, i have been trying to decide on a new set of socket spanners myself.

Needs to have a 19 so that counts out the Milwaukee. I think I'd like the Wera best but the Halfords would be the ones I'd spend the money on. Halfords likely easier to clean too, but I'm not all that keen on flex head ratchets (unless I really need one). I think James should use and hopefully abuse the Bosch because they the most interesting.

Hard to beat a wera!

Halfords for the warranty and tough as anything. But the Milwaukee are great. But imho I have us pro and Bergen (same company) and they get daily abuse and have stood up to the test as good as my Halfords blue point and snap on !! But out of your choice Halfords all the way

I would keep Wera and Bosch both. You can't have to many tools. My wife will always say. Do you really need another cordless drill or hand tool. Well i guess that I don't need them but I want them. I would like to say. Do you need another pair of shoes. But i'm way smarter then that.

I have both the Wera and Bosch sets. Unless the nut holding feature on the open end is important to you, I’d get the Bosch. They’re silky smooth, feel great in the hand, and have less Velcro on the case. I love all my other Wera tools, including the Zyklop ratchet sets, but the Jokers aren’t quite right imho

Iam surprised no one has said bluepoint by far the best looking set and the best to use with lifetime warranty I don’t like the wera at all and I use the Halfords ones pretty good but they lack the feel

I’d Go Halfords, good quality and a great price. You could get both the standard ratchet and flex head advanced spanners for less than the Wera and £5 more than the Milwaukee. Even cheaper with a trade card 👍🏻

Facom, Beta, Snap On MAC can you look at quality why not Gearwrench?

Are the cheap ones that you replaced Draper?

Halfords all day. They’re very good value for money and there’s stores all round the uk if you need to get one replaced. There’s probably a Halfords within half hour of most towns. They’re £56 with trade card.

Proxxon microspeeder!

Wera tools 🛠️ hands down

If your on a budget buy the Halfords, if you can afford it buy the Wera. I still have my Halfords Socket set from 1982. Bang for Buck, nothing beats Halfords, however if you can afford it, Wera is in a class of its own.

Set of 16 Halfords advanced, fixed head, 69.99. You have got to got for the Halfords, unless you have a very small..........

can i please have your old set?

Bosch- reasonable priced, no necessary features, plus I have great satisfaction from their other products

check the GEDORE one. Its the only one made in Germany

Halfords do a bearing ratchet aswell btw

Keep the wera or the milwaukee

My experience of Bosch hand tools is they are not very good, generally poor quality rebranded. The new halfords ones look very much like the the Signet/gearwench spanner. Having not got any flex heads (except one 12mm signet/gearwrench) but I would be tempted if I was looking for a new set now to get a flex head. But I would get Facom ones I think 🙊

Facom nebo Milwaukee velká sada kloubových klíčů je moje volba 😁

Wera!!!!

Wera is a pretty decent brand ! Check out Project Farm this guy test them all !!! Ryan please keep James away from the ratchets dear Lord 🤨

Halfords Advanced Tekton Olsa Capri Gearwrench

The only decent brand of ratcheting spanners I have had is Bahco and I have no complaints, but my only point of comparison is cheap garbage, so I probably should like them.

Halfords would be perfect if you could buy individual spanners

Wera all day

Facom will out live all of these

The Wera ratchet end is great, the open end is absolute sh*te, it takes very little pressure for the open end to slip on the nut and round it. I wish they'd do a set with an offset ratchet end and a better open end. The ratchet is really very good though so sort of makes up for the open end.

SNAP ON

Milwaukee

Gedore as they are Made In Germany 👍

The heads on the halfords advanced ratchets spanners are too fat. That really reduces the amount of siutations where you can use them. I have halfords pro or halfords advanced for most of my tools, but I swerved the flexheads for this reason. Had some, returned them. Went with gearwrench instead. Also, I don't see the point of non-flexhead ratchet spanners. The amount of situations where you can get a fixed head ratchet spanner on a nut is again, small. The flex head design opens up alot more use options. Same as a flexhead ratchet does. A set of normal combi spanners and a set of flexhead ratchet spanners, with a small head, is what you want.

Wera Joker... MasyaAllah... is Best Inovation

The open ended ends on the Wera spanners slip too easily 🥴

Halfords,the best

Wera tools are leading aircraft tools and more precise engineering than snap on.

Halford is no warranty on moving parts

Halfords advanced

Halfords all the way

I won't tell u how much my snap on ratchet spanners cost misses wasn't happy