While impact sockets of poor quality can split, the top impact socket sets will give you well-crafted sockets that grip to any fastener, without sustain any damage during any period of operation in the foreseeable future. A good set of impact sockets lasts.
Here are our recommendations for the 4 best impact socket sets on the market:
DEWALT DW22812 1/2-Inch 10-Piece IMPACT READY Socket Set
The Dewalt DW22812 1/2-Inch 10-Piece IMPACT READY Socket Set is a precision engineered set of sockets that contains every size that you could need. These sockets from Dewalt are designed to resist the high levels of torque produced from today’s powerful impact drills. Torque is distributed across the flats of each socket by means of recessed corners, affording the highest durability. The markings on each socket are laser-etched, allowing for quick and easy size identification. These sockets from Dewalt are thinner than conventional pneumatic wrench sockets, giving you the ability to access tough areas.
The eight most common sizes of socket are provided, as well as two 1/4-inch hex to 1/2-inch square adaptors. When looking at the individual sockets, one of each of the following are supplied: 7/16-inch; 9/16-inch; 11/16-inch; 13/16-inch; 1/2inch; 5/8-inch; 3/4-inch and 7/8-inch. The carry case is extremely sturdy and houses the ten piece set in a manner that makes each socket easy to find, each carrying a small footprint. The DEWALT DW22812 1/2-Inch 10-Piece IMPACT READY Socket Set is a carbide, steel set that is durable and well-designed enough to give years of reliable operation. Their superior quality is even backed by a three-year warranty. Bar none, these are among the best impact socket sets for the money.
Stanley 97-126 11 Piece 1/2-Inch Drive Metric Deep Impact Socket Set
The Stanley 97-126 11 Piece 1/2-Inch Drive Metric Deep Impact Socket Set boasts chrome vanadium steel manufacturing, with a black-powder coated finish. One of the most outstanding characteristics of this top class impact socket set is its limited lifetime warranty. It is an eleven piece partial socket set, carrying the sizes that are most frequently needed. The measures are metric and the Stanley 97-126 comes with 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 21, 22 and 24mm sockets. The equivalent sizes are 3/8-inch, 7/16-inch, 15/32-inch, 1/2-inch, 9/16-inch, 5/8-inch, 13/16-inch, 7/8-inch and 15/16-inch. All are housed within a convenient carry case with a handle, it is rugged and sturdy enough to withstand a busy work area.
Stanley are a well-trusted manufacturer of tools pertaining to all industries and these impact sockets are a testament to their superior quality and engineering. The composition of each socket is slightly softer than some would anticipate, this helping to sustain pressure and torque at a much better level than is possible with harder materials. The Stanley 97-126 11 Piece 1/2-Inch Drive Metric Deep Impact Socket Set may not include all the sockets need for a fully comprehensive set; however, it is an affordable set that easily tops most competitors in both price and quality.
TEKTON 4888 3/8-Inch and 1/2-Inch Drive Impact Socket Set, 3/8-Inch – 1-1/4-Inch , 8-32mm, Inch/Metric, Cr-V, 37 Sockets
Tekton give customers a comprehensive set of impact sockets, comprised of thirty seven drop forged sockets, heat treated and forged from chrome vanadium steel. The finish carries a black veneer, which is electroplated and thus corrosion-resistant. The thirty seven 6-point impact sockets, each have a beveled nose and can loosen even the toughest nuts and bolts with ease. These sockets scream quality, the laser-etched size markings are even easy to read in a low-light environment. The entire set is backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee so the quality is clear.
The follow impact sockets make up the thirty seven piece set: six 3/8-inch; seven 3/8-inch; eleven 1/2-inch; ten 1/2-inch deep impact sockets; one 1/2-inch female by 3/8-inch male adapter; one 3/8-inch, 3-inch long extension bar; one 1/2-inch, 3-inch long extension bar. The recess of the sockets is deeper than normal, allowing you to access the full length of your fastener. The high-torque design ensures that you cannot strip the fastener with which you are working. If you want a set of impact sockets that are set to last a lifetime, giving you practically every size that you could need in an organized case, then look no further than the TEKTON 4888 3/8-Inch and 1/2-Inch Drive Impact Socket Set. This should be on anyone’s list of the best impact socket sets.
SK Hand Tools 4090 40-Piece 3/8-Inch Drive 6 Point Fractional/Metric High Visibility Impact Socket SuperSet
For an impact socket set backed by manufacturing and warranty situated in the U.S.A. look no further than the SK Hand Tools 4090 40-Piece 3/8-Inch Drive 6 Point Fractional/Metric High Visibility Impact Socket SuperSet. These sockets from SK make use of SK’s exclusive high visibility technology, each having a coating of rust preventative material, engraved every 120 degrees with enlarged markings making each socket easy to identify. SK’s SureGrip hex design breaks the conventional means of driving the hex from the corner, and instead transfers torque from the side of the hex. In this way, these forty impact sockets avoid rounding older or damaged fasteners.
When using any socket from this set, one gains the advantage of maximum extension due to the nose-down design allowing for the taper to extend further than normal. SK Handtools have supplied an impact socket set that excels in all areas, utilizing many unique engineering developments to construct these innovative sockets. They are sure to last, holding both their performance and exterior aesthetics for many years to come.
Always Use the Right Size
Choose to purchase the best impact socket set that you could afford. Remember the old but wise saying: the cheap man buys twice. High-quality sets of impact sockets, with a bit of care, will surely last you a lifetime. Lost impact sockets are often replaceable, especially when purchasing a set from a reputable manufacturer. Having a wide range of socket sizes at your disposal ensures that you will never cause any damage to the impact sockets themselves, always try to use the most precise measurement of socket possible. Good luck!
