Adjustable wrenches tested
An adjustable wrench is the jack of all trades in your tool box. But which is the most versatile and best to use? We pick from 10
You can’t always carry a spanner for every nut and bolt on your car, so an adjustable wrench is a tool box essential. The most popular size is six-inch (150mm) – these can tackle fasteners nearly 30mm across, and their compact size makes them ideal for slipping in the boot for emergency roadside repairs. But with plenty on sale, which is best? We tested 10.
How we tested them
We put a bolt into a bench vice and compared the force necessary to spin off a 19mm nut tightened to 20Nm, 25Nm and 30Nm with each adjustable wrench. These tools should make it easy to unscrew tight nuts, so our main priority was a comfortable handle.
We measured the jaw opening – the wider the opening, the more fasteners you’ll be able to tackle. Plus, we looked for size markings on both sides of the jaw; those with measurements in millimetres and inches scored points. Build quality was also rated: we looked for any play in the jaw and whether the head got scratched after we’d tackled a few nuts. Our final factor was price, excluding delivery.
Verdict
Our champion in Issue 1,087 remains on top – the AmPro T39841 is competitively priced and very comfortable to use, even when you need to unscrew the tightest nuts. The Stanley Max Steel isn’t quite so easy on the hands, but it’s even cheaper than our winner and opens to the same width, so is a worthy runner-up. Rounding out the podium is the JCB 5262762.
1. AmPro T39841
2. Stanley Max Steel 0-90-947
3. JCB Adjustable Wrench 5262762
