Yes, Edmunds.com offers a mobile app that allows users to research and compare cars, view pricing information, and connect with dealerships on the go.

4. Finalize the Sale: If you accept an offer, choose a participating dealership for the sale. Decide between dropping your car off or having it picked up. Complete the paperwork online to streamline the finalization process.

While Edmunds offers a convenient platform and tools, it’s crucial to do your research. Edmunds’ car prices tend to be higher than Kelley Blue Book (KBB) values, especially for certain models. Similarly, their selling offers may not always be the highest in the market.

Doug Mahoney is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering home improvement. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. He lives in a very demanding 250-year-old farmhouse and spent four years gutting and rebuilding his previous home. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning.

Hex wrenchhome depot

The company’s online performance metrics paint a comprehensive picture of its digital presence. According to Similarweb data as of December 2023, Edmunds ranked #752 globally with an estimated 48.76 million visits and held the #2 position in the Vehicles – Other category. Interestingly, they experienced an 18.81% surge in desktop traffic from November to December. Conversely, organic search traffic witnessed a slight decline of 1.53%, while paid search traffic plummeted by 33.51%.

Edmunds.com has revolutionized the way people buy cars by providing comprehensive resources, unbiased advice, and transparent pricing information. From its humble beginnings as a paperback publication to its status as a digital powerhouse, Edmunds.com continues to set the standard for automotive excellence.

The good news is that you don’t need to invest a lot to get a decent set. After testing 18 models, we think the inexpensive Amazon Basics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End is the best for around-the-house jobs, like installing towel bars, tightening door handles, or assembling knock-down furniture.

Can’t decide between two similar models? Edmunds.com’s car comparison tools allow you to compare features, specs, and pricing side by side, helping you make a confident decision.

For portability, it’s nice to have a folding set of hex wrenches. You can’t lose an individual wrench, and it’s great for tossing into a tool bag. Our favorites are the Bondhus 12522 GorillaGrip. We’ve been using these wrenches for years, and they have a level of fit and finish that far exceeds the reasonable price tag. These wrenches are comfortable to hold and use, and they unfold with a nice, even resistance. It’s also notable that when each wrench unfolds, only that wrench moves. On other kits, no matter how much we fiddled with the tightening screw, the wrenches to either side of the intended wrench would also unfold. We also like how the GorillaGrip wrenches can be stopped at 90 degrees from the handle, which helps with quickly loosening or tightening a screw. These wrenches are also covered by a lifetime guarantee.

The folding kits from Husky and Gearwrench did not fare any better. Out of the packaging, the wrenches were either too loose or too tight. Even after we adjusted the holding screw, the wrenches opened with uneven resistance, something we’ve never encountered on the GorillaGrip folding sets, even after years of use. The two kits displayed other marks of poor quality, such as rough edges and wrenches that sit crooked in the case. The GorillaGrip wrenches offer a far, far better experience for only a few dollars more.

Hex wrenchmetric

A high point of the GorillaGrip wrenches is the simplicity of the handle. There’s nothing fancy about the smooth rounded-over plastic, but there’s also nothing edgy or unpleasant. The streamlined and simple design of the GorillaGrip wrenches made them the most comfortable folding wrenches to hold and use. None of the other sets came close. Because they’re so smooth that they easily slide in and out of a back pocket, unlike many other kits with rubber padding, rough edges, or odd angles.

The ball-end kits we tested from Husky and Gearwrench were nearly identical to each other and equally difficult to use. Both metric and SAE sizes come in a single case that is bulky and opens like a book. The wrenches are clipped in rather than pressure-fit, resulting in a clunkier process to get an individual wrench. For long-term storage, the two sides are folded inward and held together by a small clip. But in the case of the Husky, the clip didn’t work, and on the Gearwrench, the clip immediately fell off and we couldn’t get it back on.

Carvana was founded in 2012 and has since become a major player in the automotive industry. Customers can browse through an extensive inventory of used and certified pre-owned vehicles, all available for purchase online. The company provides detailed vehicle descriptions, 360-degree photos, and a virtual tour of each car to help customers make informed decisions. One of the standout features...

Whether you’re looking for a new ride or ready to sell your current car online, Here’s a breakdown of how Edmunds simplifies both buying and selling experiences:

While Edmunds doesn’t directly buy cars, it facilitates selling to partnering dealerships. We awarded Edmunds a 4.4 out of 5 for car selling, highlighting its strengths:

These hex keys have a great case, a long reach, and a ball end for getting into tight spots. This was also the most inexpensive set we tested.

Edmunds.com, Inc. was founded in 1966 to publish new and used automotive pricing guides to assist automobile buyers. In 1994, it posted its new car pricing data on the Internet through a “gopher site,” and in 1995, it became the first automotive information website. The company has a long history of providing automotive information services and has been a pioneer in the online automotive industry, launching various initiatives such as automotive message boards and delivering content to outer space. Edmunds.com is a trusted guide in car shopping, offering expert car reviews, consumer ratings, road tests, buying guides, and other valuable resources for both new and used vehicles.

The price is right. As of this writing, the Amazon Basics hex wrenches cost about $10. Even if the price went up to $15, they would still be a value compared with most of what is out there. We couldn’t find any other kits for less that offered long-arm ball-end wrenches in such excellent cases.

Similarly, Semrush data for December 2023 reveals that Edmunds received 61.05 million visits, marking a substantial 22.74% increase in traffic compared to the previous month. This aligns with Similarweb’s findings regarding the surge in overall visits. However, both platforms note a decrease in organic search traffic by 1.53% and a significant drop of 33.51% in paid search traffic, highlighting consistent trends across different analytical tools.

HexKey Set

4. Additional Resources: Explore Edmunds’ valuable resources like trade-in value calculators, electric vehicle rebate searches, financial calculators, lease deals, and car comparison tools to make informed decisions throughout your car buying journey.

Don’t get the wrenches mixed up. This isn’t something specific to the Amazon Basics set but to most L-shaped hex wrenches. It’s often not clear which size is needed for a specific task, so multiple wrenches might have to be tested out from both the SAE and metric case. Our recommendation is to always immediately put each wrench back when you’re done testing it. The smallest nine wrenches are not marked with the size, so the five SAE and four metric items in this set are very easy to confuse for one another.

It’s totally possible to get by with a single kit of long-arm, ball-end wrenches, like the Amazon Basics set. But some people, including Lyman and myself, also like to have a folding kit on hand. We’ve tested six sets, and the best ones come in the 12522 Bondhus GorillaGrip Hex Fold-up Double Pack. These wrenches were the easiest to use and the most comfortable in the hand. They’re also backed by a full lifetime guarantee. As with other kits of this type, the tools are fixed to the handle, which limits maneuverability but eliminates the chance of losing a single loose wrench.

We’ve been testing hex wrenches since 2013, and the best we’ve found are also the least expensive. The AmazonBasics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End hit all of the high points in simple, yet effective cases that overwhelmingly beat the competition.

The Eklind combo pack has a standard holder, like the Bondhus set, But this set is more expensive than the Amazon Basics set.

2. Choose New or Used: Edmunds offers a wide selection of both new and certified pre-owned vehicles. Browse through top-rated new models and insightful reviews to aid your decision.

One flaw found on any folding set is that it can loosen over time. In the years we’ve been using the GorillaGrip wrenches as our primary hex wrenches, we’ve had to retighten them maybe four times. This is a quick and easy process. What’s nice, though, is that the SAE set can tighten the bolt on the metric set and vice versa, so it’s a quick fix when it happens.

Beyond its informational resources, Edmunds.com boasts a vibrant online community where car enthusiasts can connect, share experiences, and seek advice. Whether you’re a seasoned gearhead or a first-time buyer, you’ll find a welcoming community eager to help.

These are larger, heavier, and more expensive than the GorillaGrip set. But with this set, it’s easier to unfold the wrenches, especially if you have larger fingers or dexterity issues.

If the only hex wrenches you have are the five or six random ones kicking around the bottom of your kitchen drawer—leftovers from IKEA builds, light fixtures, and towel bars—it might be time for an upgrade.

These hex keys have a great case, a long reach, and a ball end for getting into tight spots. This was also the most inexpensive set we tested.

Besthex wrench

I’ve been using hex wrenches for years, including during a 10-year stint in the trades, when I was building high-end homes in the Boston area as a carpenter, foreman, and job supervisor. I’ve also been reviewing tools since 2007.

As for folding kits, we tested the Stanley STHT71839, which was priced about the same as the GorillaGrip set, but with a bulkier, slightly awkward case. The heavy duty DeWalt sets (SAE, metric) are expensive and are loaded with unnecessary and awkward features, such as multiple stops and a locking button. The DeWalts are also huge compared with the rest, and they struggled to fit in a back pocket.

3. Get Dealer Offers: Once you’ve identified your ideal car, Edmunds will connect you with local dealerships for purchase options and offer requests. Compare offers from multiple dealerships to ensure you get the best deal.

These are larger, heavier, and more expensive than the GorillaGrip set. But with this set, it’s easier to unfold the wrenches, especially if you have larger fingers or dexterity issues.

These wrenches are more durable (and expensive) than our main pick, and the case isn’t as good, but the wrenches are color-coded, so it’s impossible to get the two sizes confused.

2. Provide Vehicle Details: Enter your car’s VIN or license plate number, select the trim style, and specify your ZIP code. Detail the vehicle’s condition, mileage, and any relevant information like accidents, repairs, or modifications.

We didn’t look at any of the T-handle hex wrenches, like the TEKTON 2546. These are bulky, difficult to store, and impossible to use in tight spots.

The GorillaGrip sets have a high level of finish, and the wrenches unfold with nice, even resistance. Poor-quality folding sets open with uneven resistance, or the wrenches sit crooked in the handle. On other folding sets we tested, multiple wrenches would unfold alongside the desired one, as if they’re all linked together. In these areas, the GorillaGrip wrenches excel. They’re much nicer than more expensive models.

Forget about haggling with pushy salespeople. Edmunds.com’s True Market Value (TMV) pricing provides transparent and fair pricing information based on real-world data, empowering consumers to get the best deal possible.

Finding vehicles online can be a long and time-consuming process as there are many options to choose from. Sifting through online used car websites is not only time-consuming but managing to keep track of the cars you have viewed and where you have seen them is difficult. Fortunately, AutoTempest simplifies everything. Overall, AutoTempest is a great resource for anyone in...

As a seasoned veteran in the auto transport industry for over 17+ years, we’ve been diligently delivering cars both domestically and internationally daily across the U.S. Drawing from our extensive experience, we’re crafting this review to shed light on Edmunds.com, a pivotal player in the automotive landscape. Join us as we explore how Edmunds.com has revolutionized the car-buying experience, leveraging our expertise to provide valuable insights for consumers navigating the market.

A folding set can be useful—it’s easy to carry and hard to lose the pieces. And this one beat out the rest with its comfortable handle and lifetime guarantee.

A folding set can be useful—it’s easy to carry and hard to lose the pieces. And this one beat out the rest with its comfortable handle and lifetime guarantee.

Hex wrench1 2

Absolutely. Edmunds.com’s True Market Value pricing is based on extensive market data and is considered highly accurate and reliable.

The GorillaGrip folding sets are fantastic, but there are reasons to consider the similar, more expensive Milwaukee 48-22-2183 17-Key Folding Hex Key Sets. These sets have cutouts along the side of the tools, making it possible to unfold a wrench from the side and not directly from the front. This would be a benefit to anyone with larger fingers or dexterity issues, or even if you’d be wearing gloves a lot while using the wrenches.

The wrenches in the Bondhus 20199 Ball-End L-Wrench Set are the same as our recommended Bondhus wrenches, except that they are not color-coded. Otherwise they have the same case and the same durability.

Looking ahead, the future looks bright for Edmunds.com as it continues to innovate and expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of car shoppers. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a first-time buyer, you can trust Edmunds.com to provide the information and support you need to make a confident decision. And if you’re ready to take the next step and get your dream car delivered right to your doorstep hassle-free, consider our reliable car shipping and auto transport services.

The GorillaGrip wrenches don’t have any hard stops, so you can’t lock the wrenches in at a specific angle. This is most useful to position a wrench in line with the handle (like a screwdriver). We found that as long as the pivot is kept snug, the wrenches can be positioned how you like them; it just takes a little more care not to shift them while they’re turning. Also, having that kind of locking mechanism takes up space and results in a larger, more expensive tool.

Hex wrenchvs Allen key

Folding sets are really useful too, however. Folding hex kits offer easy portability, and because the body becomes a handle, you can put more oomph behind a turn. Lyman told us that “individual L wrenches work in more places, but the folding kits give more leverage and are more ergonomic to use than having a tiny wrench dig into your fingers as you attempt to loosen a stubborn bolt.” If you own only one kit, the L wrenches are better, but folding kits are great for tossing in the toolbox too. We narrowed the field by looking only at folding kits with composite handles from reputable manufacturers. The metal ones, like these from Eklind, are inexpensive but terrible on hands.

They’re consistent (so far). In our latest round of research, we found a number of other generic Amazon brands—Lexivon, Rexbeti, Horusdy—offering wrenches in an identical-looking case. These may be the same product, but we can’t vouch for them, and we wouldn’t be surprised if these brands disappeared and others popped up offering the same items. We have slightly more faith in the consistency of the Amazon Basics brand, but we will keep an eye on the customer feedback on the wrenches, looking for anything indicating a change in manufacturing.

The company’s reputation across various platforms varies significantly. Glassdoor.com presents a solid rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. We awarded Edmunds a 4.6 out of 5 for car buying, Here’s why:

These wrenches are more durable (and expensive) than our main pick, and the case isn’t as good, but the wrenches are color-coded, so it’s impossible to get the two sizes confused.

If you want to hang your flat-panel TV on the wall, we recommend the Sanus VMPL50A-B1 or Sanus VLF728-B2, depending on how much motion you need in your mount.

The wrenches are generic, but the cases stand out. Like many other cases, these cases are made of a rubbery material, with the wrench sizes clearly printed on it. Yet the Amazon Basics cases fold open like a book, with the small wrenches on one side and the larger ones on the other. This makes it very easy to remove a specific wrench. The cases also hold each wrench with just the right amount of pressure, so they stay in place while stowed, but they can be removed without excruciating effort. There is also a small loop for hooking the set on a pegboard. These cases are identical to the one found on our previous pick, the now-discontinued Tekton Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set.

In addition to its website, Edmunds.com offers a user-friendly mobile app that puts the power of car shopping in the palm of your hand. With features like vehicle search, price alerts, and dealership reviews, the app makes it easy to research and compare cars on the go.

These hex keys have a great case, a long reach, and a ball end for getting into tight spots. This was also the most inexpensive set we tested.

One of the cornerstones of Edmunds.com is its extensive library of car reviews and ratings. Whether you’re interested in a compact sedan or a rugged SUV, you can find detailed evaluations and expert opinions to guide your purchase.

These wrenches are more durable (and expensive) than our main pick, and the case isn’t as good, but the wrenches are color-coded, so it’s impossible to get the two sizes confused.

If the Amazon Basics set isn’t available, or if you’ll be using the wrenches a lot and you need more durability, we also like the Bondhus 20399 Ball End L-Wrench Double Pack. These wrenches have a lifetime warranty, and they’re made of a proprietary substance called Protanium Steel, which, according to Bondhus, is 20% stronger than Chrome Vanadium (which the Amazon Basics wrenches are made of). After testing, we don’t think this additional durability will make a difference during standard around-the-house tasks, but it might under more-sustained use. We like that the SAE and metric wrenches are different colors, so it’s nearly impossible to get them mixed up. The cases hold the wrenches in place securely, but they don’t fold open, so the smaller wrenches are more difficult to get out.

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Hex wrenchsizes

The wrenches are decent. If you’re in the under-$25 range, we’ve found that most hex wrenches are basically the same, and they’re going to work for around-the-house use, tasks like installing towel bars and assembling knock-down furniture. On the occasion when we’ve had to really crank on the Amazon Basics’ wrenches, they’ve held up fine. Someone using hex wrenches on a daily basis might eventually find these to be inferior. But we’ve found them to be excellent under regular intermittent use. The ball end works as advertised, and the edges of the wrenches have a slight chamfer on them, to easily slip into the fastener.

But what really makes or breaks a set of wrenches is the storage system. We’ve found that if you’re looking to spend under $25 for a set of wrenches, the wrenches themselves are all pretty generic and strong enough for light-duty around-the-house tasks. What’s not the same from set to set are the cases. And this is where things can go dreadfully wrong. With a nice case, each size is clearly marked. And it holds the wrenches firmly enough so that they don’t fall out—but not so tightly that it’s impossible to get them out. Not-so-nice cases—those that lock the wrenches in a vise-like grip or, conversely, hold them with the strength of a weak handshake—are frustrating, and they can lead to lost, mixed-up, or damaged wrenches.

The wrenches can be positioned 90 degrees from the handle. They don’t actually lock in place—the handle prohibits them from moving any farther. This does a couple of things. First, if wrenches from the opposite side of the case are opened and set, the second one acts as a handle. Secondly, it increases the efficiency of the “turn and flip” method of using a folding hex wrench. This last point is useful if the wrench is prohibited from turning in one direction.

Navigating the car-buying process can be daunting, but with Edmunds.com’s comprehensive buying guides, you’ll have all the information you need at your fingertips. From budgeting tips to negotiating strategies, Edmunds has you covered.

From maintenance tips to road trip recommendations, the Edmunds.com forums are a treasure trove of practical advice and real-world insights. Whether you’re troubleshooting a mechanical issue or planning your next automotive adventure, you’ll find support and camaraderie within the Edmunds community.

After testing 15 wrenches over the past three years, we’ve determined that the Channellock 8WCB WideAzz 8-Inch Adjustable Wrench, with its comfortable handle and wide jaws, is still the best for all-around home use.

Sleek design, intuitive navigation, and robust features make the Edmunds.com app a must-have for any car shopper. Whether you’re browsing inventory or scheduling a test drive, the app streamlines the car-buying process, putting you in control every step of the way.

Edmunds.com compares the design of different car models through its in-depth video reviews, which provide a comprehensive visual comparison of the interior and exterior design features of various vehicles. Additionally, the website offers new and used listings, allowing users to directly compare the design elements of different car models. This enables car shoppers to make informed decisions based on their preferences and needs.

The Bondhus wrenches have an added level of durability. These are made of a proprietary substance called Protanium Steel, and, according to Bondhus, they are 20% stronger than Chrome Vanadium wrenches (like those in the Amazon Basics set). It’s certainly comforting to know how strong these wrenches are, but we didn’t think the added strength made a difference for standard around-the-house use. Still, if you use hex wrenches often, or if you’re working with hardware tough enough to deform the facets of typical hex wrenches, this upgrade might be worth it.

1. Search and Compare: Browse new and used vehicles by make, model, type, or price directly from the Edmunds homepage. Utilize tools like the price checker to compare dealer prices against market value, and the cost calculator to estimate ongoing ownership expenses.

Edmunds.com uses a comprehensive evaluation process to review cars. The editorial team conducts thousands of hours of testing on more than 300 new vehicles each year, driving over 1/2 million miles to provide comprehensive and unbiased reviews. The team evaluates vehicles based on eight rating categories that cover all aspects of today’s vehicles, from driving and comfort to tech and value. These categories include driving, comfort, interior, utility, technology, audio and navigation, value, and build quality. Once the team evaluates the vehicle and scores it in each category, they record its Edmunds Rating, which determines where the vehicle sits within its rankings segment.

Decent sets don’t cost a fortune. Over the years, we’ve found plenty of nice sets—containing both metric and SAE with long arms and ball ends—in the $15 to $25 range. More-regular users might find their way up to the $50 range, paying that extra for added convenience features and durability. Some sets, like those from PB Swiss and Wiha, cost considerably more, but they offer durability and precision that is likely to be lost during light-duty home use. We aim to recommend quality tools, but it just doesn’t make sense to shell out over $80 for two sets of hex keys just so you can hang a few towel bars.

Edmunds.com evaluates the interior and exterior design of cars through its comprehensive review process. The company’s editorial team conducts extensive testing and evaluation, considering various factors to provide a well-rounded assessment. The evaluation process covers eight rating categories, including driving, comfort, interior, utility, technology, audio and navigation, value, and build quality. These categories encompass all aspects of today’s vehicles, allowing for a thorough assessment of the interior and exterior design.

Our new top pick is the Amazon Basics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End; we’re also adding recommendations for wrenches from Bondhus and Milwaukee.

The metric and SAE sets are color-coded. The stand-out feature of this Bondhus set is that the metric and SAE wrenches are different colors—SAE sizes are silver and metric are gold. This eliminates the issue of getting them confused in the middle of a project. We’ve used this set for years, and it’s also nice to use such polished-looking wrenches, as opposed to the traditional black ones.

A folding set can be useful—it’s easy to carry and hard to lose the pieces. And this one beat out the rest with its comfortable handle and lifetime guarantee.

For specific testing, we enlisted the aid of two veteran carpenters: Aaron Goff, with 12 years of experience in high-end remodeling, and Mark Piersma, with 14 years of experience. Together, we analyzed the selected kits and used them in a shop setting. When we decided on the ones we liked the best, we used them around the house for about eight months while wrapping up a full gut-and-remodel of a 100-year-old farmhouse. We hung towel bars and toilet-paper holders, adjusted door hardware, and put together ready-to-assemble furniture. We also used the wrenches to adjust the kids’ bikes, fix their toys, and a hundred other little things that hex wrenches are used for. Since our original testing, we’ve kept our picks in the tool bag, and we have continued to use them for tasks when needed and, most recently, for RC car rebuilds.

These are larger, heavier, and more expensive than the GorillaGrip set. But with this set, it’s easier to unfold the wrenches, especially if you have larger fingers or dexterity issues.

Hex wrenchnearby

The company has over 50 years of experience and is known for its in-depth video reviews, new and used listings, free appraisals, and calculators that verify a good price. It has a strong focus on providing honest reviews, rankings, and video test drives to help consumers make informed decisions when buying or selling a vehicle.

Edmunds.com is a website that provides expert car reviews, consumer ratings and reviews, road tests, buying guides, videos, and dealer reviews. It also offers information on new and used cars, including pricing and true market value. The site features the most researched vehicles, popular vehicles, and long-term road tests. Additionally, it presents the “Top Rated Awards” and an “Electric Vehicle Buying Guide.” While the site offers a wealth of information, it’s important to consider that it has a rating of 2.27 stars from 33 reviews on Sitejabber, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases.

To get involved in the Edmunds.com online community, simply create an account on the website and start participating in forum discussions and other community activities.

3. Review and Compare: Edmunds generates an appraisal report comparing your car to similar models, analyzing pricing history, and providing an estimated value. You may also receive a conditional offer from CarMax. Compare this offer with the estimated value and your desired selling price.

Aside from this stand-out feature, there are clear sizing markings for each wrench, and the tool bodies have a nice, solid heft to them. The wrenches don’t deploy as smoothly as the GorillaGrip wrenches, they’re a little larger, and they don’t slide as easily in and out of a pocket or tool pouch.

The Milwaukee Ball End SAE/Metric L-Key Set is a nice option in which the wrenches are clipped into an innovative case. To get one out, it needs to be rotated out of the clip and then pulled out. But in order to get at the smaller sizes, the lower half of the case is rotated first to expose the ends. Milwaukee manufactures tools for tradespeople, and the design makes sense for someone who is going to constantly have their wrench sets in and out of a toolbox and just generally banging around a jobsite. But for our purposes, the case became tedious to use when the pressure fit systems on our picks work so well.

For this guide I also consulted with Marc Lyman, editor of HomeFixated.com, a website devoted to tools and home improvement. Lyman has been writing about and reviewing tools for over 10 years.

The Amazon Basics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End really sets itself apart from the rest, due to the excellent cases. These cases provide the right amount of “hold” on each wrench, making them easy to take out and put back. The cases also fold open, allowing simple access to the smaller wrenches—the most difficult to get out. All of the wrenches in this set (and in other long-arm, ball-end wrench sets) have a longer reach than wrenches in basic sets. The ball end lets the wrench rotate a fastener at an angle—a great feature to have when you’re dealing with tricky little set screws on toile-paper holders and towel bars. This set includes a full selection of metric and SAE sizes (13 each). And it was also the most inexpensive one we looked at.

L-shaped, long-arm, ball-end wrenches are the most useful type of hex wrenches to have around. The long-arm models have a better reach than what’s typically found on a hex wrench—in some cases, 30% to 40% more. As for the ball end, the tip of the long arm ends in a sphere shape that maintains the angles of the hexagonal head at askew angles—the wrench can be inserted into (and turn) a fastener at an angle of up to 25 degrees. “These are great when clearance for the tool is minimal,” Lyman told us. These features make the wrenches ideal for hard-to-reach spots, like tightening the set screw under a toilet-paper holder.

Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).

There are more durable wrenches out there, but these should do fine. The Amazon Basics wrenches are made of Chrome Vanadium steel. But there are others, like our Bondhus runner-up set, that are made of a more-durable material (at least according to the manufacturer). We used moderate force to try to break the Amazon Basics wrenches and couldn’t. The added durability of the pricier sets may possibly make a difference in a setting where the tools are being used daily, often in high-torque situations. For someone working on their house, though—even an aggressive DIYer—the difference won’t be felt.

1. Instant Offers: Unlike directly buying cars, Edmunds facilitates selling by connecting you with partnering dealerships. Receive instant offers on your used car in various conditions, from rough to outstanding.

We think that most people will be happy with the GorillaGrip folding wrenches. But if you have larger fingers, work with gloves a lot, or have dexterity issues, the Milwaukee 48-22-2183 17-Key Folding Hex Key Sets’ design makes it easier to deploy the wrenches. Each wrench set has cutouts on both sides, so the wrenches can be approached from the sides and not just from the front. In all other ways, these are great wrench sets. They have a solid feel, clearly marked wrench sizes, and the same 90-degree stop as the GorillaGrip wrenches. They’re typically almost twice as expensive as the GorillaGrip wrenches, so unless you really need the easier access, we recommend sticking with the GorillaGrip wrenches.

If you’re a regular hex wrench user looking for a more-durable product or one that also looks a lot nicer, we like the Bondhus 20399 Ball End L-Wrench Double Pack. These are made of a stronger material, and they’re backed by a lifetime guarantee. But the cases don’t fold open, and it’s not as easy to remove the smallest wrenches. That said, the Bondhus wrenches never bound up in the case or fell out. Instead of the typical black, these wrenches are two different colors—the SAE wrenches are silver and the metric ones are gold—so it’s easier to keep them sorted if you have a couple out at once.

When you own a full set, with both metric and SAE sizes, you’ll always have the right wrench on hand. And other features, like a long arm and a ball end, make them far nicer to use.