Alright, the Lexivon Torque Wrench might not be the most affordable or the highest-quality torque wrench out there, but what it does offer is a great intermediate option. It’ll last longer than most of our budget choices, but it’s still not a lifetime quality tool like many of our premium options. Take a look at all the jobs you need a torque wrench for and all the recommended torque specs, and then match those numbers up with the torque wrench you’re looking at. If you need a wide range of torque specs, there’s a good chance a single torque wrench won’t be able to handle it all. Another perk this torque wrench offers is the outstanding torque range. At the low end of things, you can torque things down to as low as 25 ft/lbs, but for larger jobs, you can crank it up all the way to 250 ft/lbs.

A big factor in this cost is the size of the torque wrench. Torque wrenches with higher calibrations tend to cost a little bit more than smaller torque wrenches. Sometimes you need a torque wrench for a really big job. If that sounds like you, then you should consider this ¾” drive Neiko Pro torque wrench. With a ¾” drive and a minimum 100 ft/lb setting it’s not for smaller jobs, but you’re also not going to find another torque wrench on our list that can come anywhere near 700 ft/lbs. This will help protect your torque wrench, keep the calibration intact, and help it last year after year. Calibrating Your Torque Wrench

Distributors

Even better, since it’s a 3/8” torque wrench you don’t have to spend nearly as much compared to some of the other options on our list. But even for a typical 3/8” drive torque wrench this one by EPAuto is available for a great price, and that’s a big part of the reason it’s our top 3/8” drive option. It’s an important distinction, but it gives you far more precise results for jobs with lower torque values. This is common for jobs like head gaskets or even oil pans because they use smaller bolts with lower torque values. No single torque wrench has that kind of range, so if you have a wide range of jobs you need to complete and a limited budget, you’re not going to find a better choice than this. It’s not that we think the extension will affect the final torque spec, it’s just that all it takes is for you to get a little off-center to get an errant reading. If you use it properly there shouldn’t be a problem though. It also has a wider range of torque specs, starting as low as 14.8 ft/lbs. And with a maximum torque of 147.5 ft/lbs, it’s more than capable of handling most larger jobs you’ll come across in a DIY setting. It uses a digital display and a buzzer-activated system that’s easy to use.

The stakes are high with a torque wrench, which is why you don’t want to just trust any torque wrench and hope it’s doing the job correctly. That’s why we took the time to highlight ten of the best torque wrenches on the market today.

Adjustment Type

And as an intermediate option, it has a price to match. You don’t have to break the bank to get this Lexivon Torque Wrench, but you’re also not spending pennies for something you know you’ll have to replace at some point down the road. Now that you know a little more about what to look for in a torque wrench and how to care for one, now it’s time to learn a little bit about using them. While it’s not the lowest-priced torque wrench out there, it’s also extremely durable and high-quality. This means you won’t have to worry about replacing the torque wrench in a year or two and you know you’re getting reliable results every time you use it. Now that you know a little more about some of the best torque wrenches out there, it’s time to figure out which torque wrench is right for you. Not only that, but too many people get an excellent torque wrench only to ruin it because they don’t know how to care for it properly. This Capri Tools torque wrench is another ¼” drive torque wrench that you should consider for smaller jobs. It’s an outstanding mix of price and quality for a ¼” torque wrench. It’s not the most affordable option out there for a ¼” option, but since it’s a smaller torque wrench it’s still not all that expensive.

If you want an outstanding torque wrench for professional use and don’t mind spending a little more, then the CDI Dual Scale Micrometer Torque Wrench is the way to go. While it’s a little more expensive for a single torque wrench, it’s durable and reliable enough to last you a lifetime no matter how much you use it.

Scale Type, Dual Scale or Single Scale

When it comes to torque wrenches, few options make more sense than a sturdy ½” drive option. That’s because ½” drive torque wrenches come with tons of adjustability, making them outstanding choices for both low and high torque specs. Torque wrenches are extremely sensitive pieces of equipment, and as such you need to store them properly to keep the calibration intact. Most torque wrenches come with a case, and we highly recommend storing them in this case whenever you aren’t using them. The good news is that keeping this from happening is easy. After you use the torque wrench simply lower the torque wrench to the lowest setting. You shouldn’t “bottom out” the torque wrench, put it on the lowest setting it has. While some mechanics and technicians swear they can “feel” when it’s at the right torque spec, there’s only one way to know for sure. And all it takes is one mistake for something to fail. If you’re looking for the best deal on the market today for some torque wrenches, you won’t beat this deal. That’s because while it’s priced similarly to many of the other torque wrenches on our list, you’re not getting just one torque wrench.