$19 Ratchet Proves Premium Ratchets are a Waste of Money!
½ Inch Drive GearWrench, Snap On, SK, Neiko, ICON, DeWalt, Wera, ARES, Stahlwille, Klein Tools, Craftsman, SATA, Williams, Mac Tools, Duratech, Pittsburgh, and Workpro. It’s always a great day when affordable products outperform the more expensive brands and that was the case in this review. Working arc swing, back drag, failure load, and build quality are all compared in this review.
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➡ Products Tested In This Video (in no particular order):
Neiko: https://amzn.to/4eWh8AL
GearWrench: https://amzn.to/3ZOd7Ki
SK (USA made): https://amzn.to/3XUbfgo
DeWalt: https://amzn.to/3BCNwdd
Wera: https://amzn.to/3Ni7VXq
ARES: https://amzn.to/3YgUGM3
Stahlwille: https://amzn.to/3XO4zQY
Klein Tools: https://amzn.to/3Ndx8Cq
SK (made in China): https://amzn.to/3ZOBnfj
Craftsman: https://amzn.to/3YdaLmP
SATA: https://amzn.to/4eO2ECE
Williams: https://amzn.to/4ey4CHQ
Duratech: https://amzn.to/3BsDXxh
WorkPro: https://amzn.to/47VJYic
Mac Tools, Snap On, Pittsburgh, and ICON are available online at their respective retailers.
Videography Equipment:
Canon EOS R6 Mark II: https://amzn.to/4aErF18
Canon 70D Camera: https://amzn.to/31b5Gy0
Azden Microphone: https://amzn.to/34d3DLE
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This video is only for entertainment purposes. If you rely on the information portrayed in this video, you assume the responsibility for the results.
If you made a car review, I would imagine you giving brownie points for every car that has four wheels – a ratchet of any value worth mentioning will have a quick release.
I went with Carlyle (Napa) for all my tools because I like their stuff and not many people around me have that brand so harder to get tools mixed up.
I putt lithium greas (because i can and it makes it quet) not sure if its bad or good but still
Problem is who needs low backdrag with a high torque ratchet?????
Ones without a quick release button are not even worth considering. You might as well put those aside and test the others.
Good video 👍
If we just look at performance/price and not subjective…kinda come up with same results…I’m buying GW and Icon for everything other than heavy duty…Heavy duty I’m going Williams all day every day. And that means I’m pretty much spending ~$60 per wrench for a given task. That’s pretty much where I reside anyways for my needs, mid to upper-mid tier quality/cost. Great vid
Hey Todd, another great video. Love how you test stuff. I think when it comes to a ratchet, how it fits in the hand, the smoothness, back drag, and how easy is the warranty to use are the most important aspects. While I like watching the torque tests and what it takes to break a ratchet, I remember my 10th grade auto shop teacher telling me in 1970 (yeah I am an old geezer), that ratchets are not used for for breaking loose stuck bolts and that is why breaker bars were created. So, it would be great to see a video on breaker bars and which one is the strongest. If folks weren’t misusing their ratchets, I bet the mid-priced near tool truck ratchets would last just as long as Snap On and all the other professional grade ratchets. Just saying….
Just a point of view I guess, but Snap-On warranties are like none other. The amount of tools I’ve completely smashed in so many different ways that got completely replaced or fixed years later without question is why I pay for Snap-On prices. There expensive yes, but if you abuse your tools you will find yourself getting your moneys worth and then some. Trust me, blowing out the internals on a ratchet you put a 5 foot pipe on to home make a breaker bar isn’t recommended BUT when your ratchet is broken you can simply go back on the truck and get a new one free of charge.
I’ve had a set of Gearwrench 120 teeth ratchets for many years. They get used to service my tractor. Never had an issue with them.
Where is tekton?
I purchased the Neiko 3 piece set based on its performance in your comparison. They have been great, but they all have 1 major flaw you should check for in future ratchet comparisons. The forward reverse lever is backward of the industry standard. Thanks
I use a 3/8 way more frequently in that size of a ratchet. I live in Florida where rust isn’t as much of an issue. Bolts typically don’t require a ton of torque to break loose.
I bought the 20 dollar pittsburgh flex head just last month and I love it. I tested the on and off switch first then I pushed the head back in forth and found the one that felt right after looking past two others that did not seem perfect to me on their shelf so I made sure I felt it before I bought it making my purchase a happier and safer one. Took it home, used it, and loved it. Bought the icon 3/8 flex head the same day short handle comfort grip just incase but still have it in the box. I have not used it because i like the pittsburgh soft grip handle.
Go Gearwrench 💯
For my applications, failure load is all that really matters, back drag is irrelevant … Great information!
Snap on fan boys are quiet
Is there a reason you never test Stanley tools?
Still wont buy SK because it is now Chinese owned. MAC and Snapon are Still American owned
i love my Neiko ratchets
I ordered the Neiko set of ratchets thanks to you.
May I suggest a crows foot test as a video Idea.
Great reviews. I would suggest maybe not using so much "and the blank," at the beginning of every statement. It starts to sound like listening to pages of a run-on sentence and is mildly grating to listen to.
Do you get Koken brand in the US ?
Here in NZ Stahlwille , SK and Snap on , used to be the best but Koken is the top now .
The snap – on logo is the most expensive letter in a tool . You only buy the brand not a super quality
Who makes the best sockets? MAC ?
No Stanley tools?
I really enjoy all your comparisons videos. You really get down to important tests and research .Could you do this same test for the reigning champ Gearwrench vs Milwaukee, Tekton and Sunex since they are all same tier quality tools. Assuming they all have 90 tooth maybe do them with the same amount of teeth.
Thanks a BUNCH!!!! I need new ratchets for work. I ordered Neiko 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" for $35
Why doesn’t anyone test Wright Products? And if I do see them on a test video, it’s 20 year old wright products…
Thank you
Gearwrench wins again.
I already bought a gearwrench based on the review you did for wrenches with an adjustable head. It works like a charm.
This is why I buy Gearwrench. They make great ratchets. why spend $200 when you can spend 50 and get a better ratchet.
Seriously, you are one of the best things on this platform. And your integrity has never wavered over the years.
This guy is awesome, always great reviews with no nonsense
Could you test 25 inch 1/2 drive flex head ratchets
I love that you mention where they are made 👍
EVERYTHING SNAP-ON SELLS IS OVERPRICED’!!!!!!
Snap on is just a name with low quality.
I wish you’d tested the 120 tooth version from SATA, it’s a little more expensive but seems next level quality. I can’t help but think it would have been GearWrench a run for its money. Like chalk and cheese in comparison to the cheapo one you used here.
you should review the CAT wrenches and rachets
Always great content.
Can we get a STUBBY ratchet comparison? There are some really fun and different ones.
Neiko has been my best kept secret for tools. Cheap and gets the job done.
I always enjoy your reviews. They demonstrate many areas of performance and utility. Proving the more pay doesn’t mean the best quality and allows people to chose what is best for them.
I got a mini 3/8" Gear Wrench ratchet that I’ve had for nearly 17 years now and its my absolute favorite ratchet I’ve ever used/owned.
I’d love to see Koken ratchet in the next test!
Here’s the list of ratchets in the review! Sorry its taken me so long to finally test the 1/2 inch ratchets. Looking forward to reading your comments and your future video ideas! Best regards, Todd
Neiko: https://amzn.to/4eWh8AL
GearWrench: https://amzn.to/3ZOd7Ki
SK (USA made): https://amzn.to/3XUbfgo
DeWalt: https://amzn.to/3BCNwdd
Wera: https://amzn.to/3Ni7VXq
ARES: https://amzn.to/3YgUGM3
Stahlwille: https://amzn.to/3XO4zQY
Klein Tools: https://amzn.to/3Ndx8Cq
SK (made in China): https://amzn.to/3ZOBnfj
Craftsman: https://amzn.to/3YdaLmP
SATA: https://amzn.to/4eO2ECE
Williams: https://amzn.to/4ey4CHQ
Duratech: https://amzn.to/3BsDXxh
WorkPro: https://amzn.to/47VJYic
Mac Tools, Snap On, Pittsburgh, and ICON are available online at their respective retailers.
And this confirms that me investing in gear wrench tools won’t be something ill regret in a long time 😎 love shopping Home Depot, Harbor Freight, and kinda overrated (but secretly underrated 👀) is Walmart 🤣 thanks bud 🙏🏻💯🔥 !
Watching a $246 snapon ratchet breaking was worth a like Just on its own , ouch expensive day 😅 man youre the best.
Love you project farm, though i’m on team “ tight switch.”
👍