Home and modern-car jobs
You need metric sizes that include 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm, and you want the size list printed. The BGS 1197 names DIN 3113-A and includes those four sizes. It skips 15, 16, 18, 20 and 21 mm, and it has no ratchet.
Combination spanner comparison 2026
The best combination spanners, compared.
Top pick: Draper Expert 03895 7-piece ratchet set Best value: Hilka 17161102 11-piece metric set – Next-highest score, a printed size list, and the lowest multi-piece price in the file, at £8.68. Updated 22.10.2026.
A combination spanner is one tool with an open jaw and a closed ring, both sized for the same nut or bolt. On a modern car in the UK that size is metric. You buy one when a single spanner has to undo a fitting you can reach. A suitable combination spanner is the one whose sizes are printed, rather than only a range in the title. A stated span can skip millimetres. AF and Whitworth or BSF are for older British machinery, and a near size rounds the flats. The ring takes the load. The open jaw is the weaker end. The Health and Safety Executive says to scrap a spanner with splayed jaws and not to slip a pipe over the handle. Choose a plain ring when you want no pawl in the head. Choose a ratchet ring only once the nut already turns, because a short swing does not make the tool stronger. Those checks, in order, are set out in the [combination spanner buying guide](/hub/hand-tools/combination-spanner/sub/combination-spanner-buying-guide).
A combination spanner is one tool with an open jaw and a closed ring, both sized for the same nut or bolt. On a modern car in the UK that size is metric.
38 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +22,100 readers
11 of 11: Best combination spanners compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 11Best overall
Best value
5.2/10
6.9/10
6.6/10
8.1/10
7.0/10
6.8/10
5.8/10
7.6/10
6.3/10
5.9/10
4.6/10
∼ £58
∼ £5
∼ £36
∼ £13
∼ £14
∼ £30
∼ £25
∼ £9
∼ £10
∼ £31
∼ £13
5.0(9)
4.7(3,952)
4.7(1,588)
4.6(3,072)
4.6(1,924)
4.6(990)
4.6(9)
4.5(3,955)
4.4(268)
4.2(188)
–
Personal buying guide
Which combination spanner fits the job?
Question 1 of 2
Which sizes do you need printed?
The best combination spanners in detail
Our view
Draper Expert 03895 is a seven-piece ratchet combination set at £57.60, the highest price in this folder. The bullets claim 100 teeth, a 3.6-degree swing, a 15-degree open end, a 12-point HI-TORQ ring, hardened and tempered chrome vanadium, a storage rack and a lifetime warranty. The file does not list the seven sizes. The star line is 5.0 from nine reviews. The only UK text calls the quality very good, then says the buyer expected an angled ring with a direction switch and received fixed straight heads. The bullets say black electroplating and the finish field says powder coated. More teeth is a shorter swing on the listing, not a strength test, and nine reviews plus that head mismatch is a thin basis at this price.
Pros
- 100-tooth claim and a 3.6-degree swing
- 12-point HI-TORQ ring and a 15-degree open end
- Hardened and tempered chrome vanadium
- Lifetime warranty stated in the bullets
Cons
- Seven sizes are not listed
- 5.0 from only nine reviews
- UK text reports fixed straight heads
- Finish field says powder coated while the bullets say black electroplating
Best for: You already know the seven sizes and you can return the set if the heads are not the ratchet described.
Less suitable: You are choosing on the 5.0 line, or you need a printed size list before you pay.
Specifications
- Model
- Draper Expert 03895 7-piece ratchet set
- Brand
- Draper
- Price
- ∼£58
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(9)
- Type
- Ratchet set
- Sizes
- 7 pieces, not listed
- Pieces
- 7
- Ratchet
- 100-tooth, 3.6°
- Ring
- 12-point HI-TORQ
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Storage
- Storage rack
- Finish
- Black / powder coat
- Weight
- 970 g
Common questions
Which sizes are in the seven-piece set?
The file does not list them.
What ratchet does Draper claim?
100 teeth, 3.6 degrees of movement, a 15-degree open end and a 12-point HI-TORQ ring.
What does the only UK review text say?
Quality is called very good. The buyer expected an angled ring with a direction switch and says the heads received were fixed and straight.
Our view
This EGOFINE listing is a single 10 mm ratchet combination spanner at £4.99, with 72 teeth, a 5-degree swing and a 12-point ring described as off-corner. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.7 from 3,952 reviews. Many of those review texts describe sets rather than this one spanner, so the star line is a weak guide to the tool in the title. Item length is given as 10 mm, the same figure as the jaw, which is not a usable overall length. There is no case in the bullets. It suits a 10 mm nut that already turns in a short gap, and it does not cover any other size.
Pros
- 72-tooth ratchet and a 5-degree swing on 10 mm
- 12-point ring described as off-corner
- £4.99
- Large review count on the listing line
Cons
- Only 10 mm
- Many review texts describe sets
- Length field of 10 mm is unusable
- No case listed
Best for: You already know the fastener is 10 mm and the nut turns in a short swing.
Less suitable: You need a size run, or you are reading the stars as proof of this single spanner.
Specifications
- Model
- EGOFINE 10 mm ratchet combination spanner
- Brand
- EGOFINE
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(3,952)
- Type
- Single ratchet
- Sizes
- 10 mm only
- Pieces
- 1
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth, 5°
- Ring
- 12-point
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Storage
- No case
- Finish
- Chrome plated
- Weight
- 60 g
Common questions
What size is this spanner?
The title and jaw capacity are 10 mm. It is a single ratchet combination spanner, not a set.
How fine is the ratchet?
The listing says 72 teeth and a 5-degree swing, with a 12-point ring described as off-corner.
Does the length field look usable?
Item length is given as 10 mm, the same figure as the jaw. Treat that length as unusable.
Our view
The DISEN 11-piece ratchet set is £35.99 and lists 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 mm, skipping 7 mm and 11 mm. The bullets specify a 72-tooth box end and say not to use it on heavily rusted or seized fasteners, because the pawls can be damaged. The star line is 4.7 from 1,588 reviews. The first 50 texts in the file are not reviewed in the United Kingdom, and several describe a five-piece set. Finish is a black electrophoretic coating with a gold-tone ratchet head, stored in a hanging pouch. The stars are a listing line, not UK opinion on this eleven-piece set, and 19 mm is not included.
Pros
- 72-tooth box end and a hanging pouch
- Includes 15 mm and 16 mm
- Seller states the seized-fastener limit
- Chrome vanadium named
Cons
- Skips 7 mm and 11 mm, and stops at 18 mm
- Review texts in the file are not UK reviews
- Several texts describe a five-piece set
- No named standard
Best for: You need the printed sizes, including 16 mm, on nuts that already turn.
Less suitable: You need 11 mm or 19 mm, a seized nut, or UK review texts for this exact set.
Specifications
- Model
- DISEN 11-piece ratchet combination set
- Brand
- DISEN
- Price
- ∼£36
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(1,588)
- Type
- Ratchet set
- Sizes
- 6-18 mm, skips 7 and 11
- Pieces
- 11
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Storage
- Hanging pouch
- Finish
- Black coat, gold head
- Weight
- 1000 g
Common questions
Which sizes are skipped?
The list is 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 mm. It does not include 7 mm or 11 mm.
Can the listing be used on a seized nut?
The bullets say not to use it on heavily rusted, seized fasteners, because the ratchet pawls can be damaged.
Are the 1,588 reviews UK texts?
The star line is 4.7 from 1,588. The first 50 texts in the file are not Reviewed in the United Kingdom, and several describe a five-piece set.
Our view
The BGS 1197 is twelve plain combination spanners in a tetron wallet at the file price of £12.80, and it is the only listing here that names DIN 3113-A. The printed sizes are 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19 and 22 mm, so 15, 16, 18, 20 and 21 mm are not in the set. Across 3,072 amazon.co.uk reviews the line is 4.6, and buyers describe light DIY, taps and washer bolts. One text says the pouch arrived with poor stitching, and high-torque life is left untested in those reviews. The ring is a 12-point at 15 degrees, with no ratchet, so a seized nut still needs a straight pull. The length field is printed as 22 mm, which matches the largest size rather than an overall length. A later public snippet showed £17.44, so £12.80 is the price in this file, not a promise of the next shelf price.
Pros
- Printed list includes 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm
- Only listing here that names DIN 3113-A
- 12-point ring at 15 degrees
- 4.6 from 3,072 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Tetron wallet rather than a plastic rack
Cons
- Skips 15, 16, 18, 20 and 21 mm
- No ratchet
- One review reports poor pouch stitching
- Length field of 22 mm is not an overall length
Best for: You want a plain metric set that names DIN 3113-A and already includes 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm.
Less suitable: You need 15 mm or 16 mm, a ratchet in a short gap, or a tool you will load hard on a seized nut.
Specifications
- Model
- BGS 1197 12-piece combination set
- Brand
- BGS
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(3,072)
- Type
- Plain set
- Sizes
- 6-22 mm except 15-16, 18, 20-21
- Pieces
- 12
- Ratchet
- No
- Ring
- 12-point, 15°
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Storage
- Tetron wallet
- Standard
- DIN 3113-A
- Finish
- Chrome plated
- Weight
- 990 g
Common questions
Which sizes are missing between 6 mm and 22 mm?
The bullets list 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 19 and 22 mm. They do not list 15, 16, 18, 20 or 21 mm.
What standard does the listing name?
DIN 3113-A, with a 12-point ring end angled at 15 degrees.
What do the reviews say about the wallet?
Buyers use the set for light DIY, taps and washer bolts. One text says the pouch arrived with poor stitching. High-torque life is left untested.
Our view
Hilka 17161602 states a metric range of 6-22 mm on a hanging rack at £13.69, with 4.6 from 1,924 amazon.co.uk reviews. The file does not print each size, and the number of items is recorded as 1, so 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm cannot be confirmed from the page alone. Some reviewers call the set strong for the price. Others say the smaller ring ends are poorly cast and do not grip, and that the set is for light jobs rather than seized bolts. One UK text says the cover arrived broken. The material line is drop forged, nickel chrome plated and heat treated, with no standard named.
Pros
- Stated range reaches 22 mm
- 4.6 from 1,924 reviews
- Drop-forged and heat-treated description
- Hanging rack included
Cons
- Individual sizes are not printed
- Number of items is recorded as 1
- Smaller ring ends criticised for grip
- Cover reported broken on arrival
Best for: You will count the sizes on the rack yourself and the jobs are light.
Less suitable: Seized bolts, or any job where a missing mid size would stop you.
Specifications
- Model
- Hilka 17161602 6-22 mm set
- Brand
- Hilka
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,924)
- Type
- Plain set
- Sizes
- 6-22 mm, not itemised
- Pieces
- 1 on file
- Ratchet
- No
- Material
- Drop-forged nickel chrome
- Storage
- Hanging rack
- Finish
- Chrome plated
- Weight
- 1400 g
Common questions
Does the file list every size from 6 mm to 22 mm?
No. It says sizes 6-22 mm and does not print each size. Number of items is 1.
What do reviewers say about the small ring ends?
Some call the set strong for the price. Others say the smaller ring ends are poorly cast and do not grip, and that the set is for light jobs, not seized bolts.
What happened to the cover?
One UK text says the cover arrived broken.
Our view
The Qnkaa 12-piece ratchet set lists every millimetre from 8 mm to 19 mm at £29.95, with a claimed 72-tooth, 5-degree swing and a bi-hex ring. HRC 48 is the seller's hardness figure, not a measurement made for this comparison. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.6 from 990 reviews. UK texts include chrome that chipped to a soft copper-coloured metal, one ratchet that fell apart on first use, and a comment that the set deteriorates quickly. Other buyers use the spanners daily and praise the uninterrupted size run. At 1.8 kg in a roll-up pouch it is the size-complete ratchet option in this folder, with those failure reports still in the UK sample.
Pros
- Every millimetre from 8 mm to 19 mm
- 72-tooth ratchet and a 5-degree swing
- Bi-hexagonal box end
- 4.6 from 990 reviews
Cons
- UK texts describe chrome chipping to a soft metal
- One ratchet reported falling apart on first use
- HRC 48 is a seller claim
- No named standard
Best for: You want every step from 8 mm to 19 mm and the nuts already turn.
Less suitable: Seized fasteners, or you want a plain ring that cannot shed a pawl.
Specifications
- Model
- Qnkaa 12-piece ratchet combination set
- Brand
- Qnkaa
- Price
- ∼£30
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(990)
- Type
- Ratchet set
- Sizes
- 8-19 mm, every step
- Pieces
- 12
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth, 5°
- Ring
- Bi-hex
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Storage
- Roll-up pouch
- Finish
- Mirror chrome
- Weight
- 1800 g
Common questions
Are any sizes missing from 8 mm to 19 mm?
No. The bullets list every millimetre from 8 to 19.
What hardness does the listing claim?
HRC 48. That is the seller's figure, not a measurement made for this comparison.
What failures show up in the UK reviews?
Chrome described as chipping to a soft copper-coloured metal, one ratchet falling apart on first use, and a comment that the set deteriorates quickly. Other buyers use them daily and praise the size run.
Our view
DURATECH DTAS4IN102MR is two reversible ratchet spanners covering 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 mm at £24.99. Each box end has a 72-tooth ratchet, a 5-degree swing and a reversing lever, with a 12-point ring, in a roll-up pouch at 470 g. The listing line is 4.6 from nine reviews, and three of the texts are from the United Kingdom. A German text says the heads are bulky. The bullets claim up to 30 percent greater grip and a bite on nuts worn up to 85 percent, which are the seller's words rather than a measurement in this comparison. Odd sizes 9, 11 and 16 mm are absent, so this is a compact eight-size kit on a thin review sample.
Pros
- Eight sizes on two tools, including 15 mm and 19 mm
- Reversing lever on each box end
- 72-tooth, 5-degree swing
- Roll-up pouch at 470 g
Cons
- Only nine reviews
- Heads described as bulky in a non-UK text
- Grip percentages are seller claims
- No 9, 11 or 16 mm
Best for: You want those eight sizes in a small kit and the nuts already turn.
Less suitable: A full millimetre run, or a choice based on a large UK review sample.
Specifications
- Model
- DURATECH 4-in-1 ratchet pair
- Brand
- DURATECH
- Price
- ∼£25
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(9)
- Type
- 4-in-1 pair
- Sizes
- 8, 10, 12-15, 17, 19 mm
- Pieces
- 2
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth, 5°, lever
- Ring
- 12-point
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Storage
- Roll-up pouch
- Finish
- Nickel plated
- Weight
- 470 g
Common questions
Which sizes do the two spanners cover?
8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17 and 19 mm, four sizes on each tool.
How many UK reviews are in the file?
The listing line is 4.6 from 9. Three of the texts are from the United Kingdom. A German text says the heads are bulky.
Is the 30 percent grip claim measured here?
No. The bullets say up to 30 percent greater grip and a bite on nuts worn up to 85 percent. Those figures are the seller's words.
Our view
Hilka 17161102 is eleven plain combination spanners on a plastic rack at £8.68. The printed sizes are 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 mm, which leaves out 7, 9 and 16 mm. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.5 from 3,955 reviews, and buyers use the set for home and car jobs. The same reviews say the spanners are shorter than expected, and that the plastic holder or hook does not hold, including hooks smashed in transit. Weight is printed as 100 g and length as 19 mm, which cannot describe eleven spanners. The bullets say steel, chrome plated, while the material field says chrome vanadium, and no standard is named. It is a low-cost first metric rack when those gaps and the holder are acceptable.
Pros
- Printed sizes include 10, 13, 15, 17 and 19 mm
- 4.5 from 3,955 amazon.co.uk reviews
- £8.68
- Plain ring, so there is no pawl to damage
Cons
- Skips 7, 9 and 16 mm
- Plastic rack or hook does not hold, including damage in transit
- Spanners shorter than some buyers expected
- Weight of 100 g and length of 19 mm are not credible
Best for: You want a cheap spare rack for common home and car sizes and you can live without 16 mm.
Less suitable: You need 16 mm, a case that survives the post, or a named standard.
Specifications
- Model
- Hilka 17161102 11-piece metric set
- Brand
- Hilka
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(3,955)
- Type
- Plain set
- Sizes
- 6-19 mm, skips 7, 9, 16
- Pieces
- 11
- Ratchet
- No
- Material
- Steel / chrome vanadium
- Storage
- Plastic rack
- Finish
- Matt / polished
Common questions
Which sizes are in the 11-piece list?
6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 mm. The list does not include 7, 9 or 16 mm.
Is there a ratchet?
No. The listing is a plain combination set on a plastic rack.
What do UK reviews repeat about the rack?
Buyers praise the sizes for home and car jobs. They also say the spanners are shorter than expected and that the plastic holder or hook does not hold, including hooks smashed in transit.
Our view
Amtech K0425 is an 11-piece plain set stated as 6 mm to 19 mm at £9.99, with a storage rack and 4.4 from 268 reviews. The sizes are not itemised, so a gap inside that range is not visible on the page. The title is metric while the measurement-standard field says SAE. The bullets say chrome steel and the material field says carbon steel. Buyers call the holder impractical, and one says delivery crushed the case. One UK review text mentions a ratchet the bullets do not include, while the 660 g weight and 23 cm length look more like a real set than the other cheap rack figures.
Pros
- Stated span 6 mm to 19 mm at £9.99
- Storage rack included
- Weight 660 g and length 23 cm
- One-year manufacturer warranty stated
Cons
- Sizes are not itemised
- Measurement field says SAE
- Chrome steel and carbon steel both appear
- Holder called impractical, and one case crushed in transit
Best for: You will confirm the spanners are metric and count them when the rack arrives.
Less suitable: You would trust the SAE field, or you need a ratchet.
Specifications
- Model
- Amtech K0425 11-piece set
- Brand
- Amtech
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(268)
- Type
- Plain set
- Sizes
- 6-19 mm, not itemised
- Pieces
- 11
- Ratchet
- No
- Material
- Chrome / carbon steel
- Storage
- Storage rack
- Finish
- Polished chrome
- Weight
- 660 g
Common questions
Is this set metric or SAE?
The title and bullets say 6 mm to 19 mm. The measurement-standard field says SAE. Those lines disagree.
Does the listing include a ratchet?
No. One UK review text mentions a ratchet. The bullets do not.
What is wrong with the rack in the reviews?
Buyers call the holder impractical, and one says delivery crushed the case.
Our view
Neilsen CT0985 is 25 plain combination spanners stated from 6 mm to 32 mm, in carbon steel with green dipped handles, at £30.97 and 5.5 kg. The amazon.co.uk line is 4.2 from 188 reviews. Individual sizes are not listed, so 25 pieces does not mean every step from 6 mm to 32 mm. UK reviews report a missing 30 mm, later replaced by the seller, a missing 11 mm, and spanners that were poorly machined and would not fit. There is no ratchet and no named standard. The stated reach toward 32 mm is the reason to open the roll, and the fit and missing-piece reports are the reason to count it before you need it.
Pros
- Stated range up to 32 mm
- 25 pieces in a storage roll
- Green dipped handles
- File weight 5.5 kg
Cons
- Carbon steel and no named standard
- Sizes are not itemised
- Missing 30 mm and 11 mm reported
- 4.2 from 188 reviews, with a poor-fit text
Best for: You sometimes need a large metric fastener toward 32 mm and you will count the roll.
Less suitable: A daily car set where 11 mm or another mid size might be missing.
Specifications
- Model
- Neilsen CT0985 25-piece set
- Brand
- Neilsen
- Price
- ∼£31
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(188)
- Type
- Plain set
- Sizes
- 6-32 mm, 25, not itemised
- Pieces
- 25
- Ratchet
- No
- Material
- Carbon steel
- Storage
- Storage roll
- Finish
- Green dipped handles
- Weight
- 5500 g
Common questions
Does 25 pieces mean every size from 6 mm to 32 mm?
No. The listing says 25 pieces from 6 mm to 32 mm and does not name the missing steps.
What material is named?
The material field says carbon steel. The bullets say high-quality steel and green dipped handles.
What do the UK reviews report missing?
Buyers report a missing 30 mm, later replaced by the seller, and a missing 11 mm. One text says the spanners were poorly machined and would not fit.
Our view
The DBABPUXJ LC44-01 is a single fixed-head ratchet combination at £13.09 with no amazon.co.uk review line in the file. The title says 21 mm, 72 teeth and a 5-degree swing. The jaw-capacity field says 32 mm, so the size is not settled on the page. Finish is black nickel plated in one place and polished in another, and the included-components field says NO. Item torque is printed as 330 Nm, which is a listing field rather than a test, while the 25 cm length and 327 g weight at least look like one spanner. With no reviews and a conflicting jaw, this is a spare only if you can measure the ring on a known nut before you rely on it.
Pros
- 72-tooth, 5-degree swing claimed
- 25 cm length and 327 g look like one spanner
- Chrome vanadium named
- £13.09 if the ring is actually 21 mm
Cons
- Title says 21 mm and the jaw field says 32 mm
- No review line in the file
- Included-components field says NO
- 330 Nm is an untested listing field
Best for: You have a 21 mm gap and you can check the ring on a known nut first.
Less suitable: Any purchase that treats the title and the 32 mm jaw field as the same size.
Specifications
- Model
- DBABPUXJ LC44-01 21 mm ratchet spanner
- Brand
- DBABPUXJ
- Price
- ∼£13
- Type
- Single ratchet
- Sizes
- 21 mm title, jaw 32 mm
- Pieces
- 1
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth, 5°
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Finish
- Black nickel / polished
- Weight
- 327 g
Common questions
Is this 21 mm or 32 mm?
The title says 21 mm. The jaw-capacity field says 32 millimetres. Both figures are in the file and they conflict.
Are there amazon.co.uk reviews?
The saved listing has no customer-review line and no review texts.
What does the torque field say?
Item torque is printed as 330 newton metres. That is a listing field, not a test in this comparison.
How we compared
Eleven combination spanner listings on amazon.co.uk were scored from the prices, star lines, review counts and conflicts already printed in the listing files. There was no lab test and no torque bench. A conflicting length, a missing size list, a non-UK review sample, or a review count under ten holds a score down. A large sample and a printed size list hold it up. The score is not a claim of ISO 1711-1 compliance. The top pick is the highest score, once. Best value is the plain set with the next-highest score, a printed size list, and the lowest multi-piece price in the file.
1
Star line and review sample
35%The amazon.co.uk star line and the size of the sample. A review count under ten holds the score down. A large sample holds it up. The average is a listing figure, not a lab score.
2
Printed size list
25%A printed size list holds the score up. A title range, or a piece count with no itemised sizes, holds it down. Gaps in a printed list stay visible in the notes.
3
Listing conflicts
25%A conflicting length, a jaw that disagrees with the title, a non-UK review sample, or a weight that cannot describe the set holds the score down.
4
Value in this set
15%Best value is the plain set with the next-highest score, a printed size list, and the lowest multi-piece price in the file. A cheaper single size does not take that place.
Independent review
Last updated: 22.10.2026
8 sources checked
Combination spanner buying guide
Choose the fastener system first, then the printed sizes, then a plain ring or a ratchet, then the steel and any standard the seller names. The notes below are those checks. The table is the eleven combination spanner listings on amazon.co.uk. In the files, plain sets are £8.68 to £13.69, single ratchets are £4.99 and £13.09, and ratchet sets run from £24.99 to £57.60. A home set with 8, 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm starts under £15. More money buys a ratchet or a longer stated run.
What is a combination spanner?
A combination spanner puts an open jaw and a ring on one handle, both for one fastener size. Seat the ring when it will pass over the nut, because the ring surrounds the flats. Use the open jaw when the ring will not reach, for example against a surface. On a modern UK car the sizes are metric. AF, and Whitworth or BSF, are for older machinery once you know the heads. Hagerty UK notes that metric became usual in the 1970s, and that 13 mm is not 1/2 inch AF.
Best for
- Home and modern-car jobs that need 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm
- A spare rack for light jobs when you will count the sizes
Not ideal for
- Classic cars on AF or Whitworth heads
- Brakes, steering, wheels, or a seized nut extended with a pipe
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Treating the title range as a full list
A span such as 6 mm to 22 mm, or a piece count over that span, can skip sizes. Count the spanners against 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm before you treat the rack as complete. An SAE field on a metric title is a conflict, not a second set.
- 2
A ratchet or a pipe on a seized nut
Use a ratchet once the nut is free. A seller warning against seized fasteners is there because the pawls can be damaged. HSE INDG229 says not to use a pipe as an extension, and to scrap splayed jaws. More teeth do not add strength.
- 3
Using 13 mm on 1/2 inch AF or Whitworth
13 mm is not 1/2 inch AF. A Whitworth mark is not the size across the flats. A near size rounds the nut. Metric is the system for a modern UK car. Older British threads need the system those heads were cut for.
What to weigh up
Fastener system and size list
HighStart with the fastener system. A modern UK car uses metric sizes. AF and Whitworth or BSF are for older machinery, and only after you know the heads. Hagerty UK notes that metric became usual in the 1970s, and that 13 mm is not 1/2 inch AF. Wheels Alive notes that 1/2 Whitworth is about 0.919 inches across the flats, not 1/2 inch AF. A near size rounds the nut. Then read the printed sizes, including the gaps. A title range is not a full list.
Plain ring, ratchet and stated steel
HighA plain ring has no pawl to damage. A ratchet is for a nut that already turns. Listings that state 72 teeth also state a 5-degree swing. One set states 100 teeth and 3.6 degrees. More teeth are a shorter swing, not a stronger spanner. One seller says not to use the ratchet on heavily rusted or seized fasteners, because the pawls can be damaged. The Health and Safety Executive mentions ratchet spanners as a way to cut repeated hand movements, and INDG229 says not to use a pipe as an extension.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
A spare rack for light jobs
You want a low multi-piece price and you can live without 16 mm. The Hilka 17161102 prints 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18 and 19 mm. Buyers say the plastic rack or hook does not hold.
Every step from 8 mm to 19 mm
You want a ratchet and a size list with no gap from 8 mm to 19 mm, on nuts that already turn. The Qnkaa 12-piece set is that list. UK reviews include chrome that chipped and one ratchet that fell apart on first use.
Common questions about combination spanners
What is a combination spanner?
A combination spanner has an open jaw and a ring for one fastener size. Use the ring when it will pass over the nut, and the open jaw when the ring will not reach. On a modern UK car the size is metric. AF and Whitworth or BSF are for older machinery, and a near size rounds the flats. The open jaw is the weaker end. Scrap a spanner with splayed jaws, and do not slip a pipe over the handle.
Is 13 mm the same as 1/2 inch AF?
No. Metric is the system on a modern UK car. AF and Whitworth or BSF are for older British threads, and only once you know the heads. Hagerty UK notes that metric became usual in the 1970s and that 13 mm is not 1/2 inch AF. Wheels Alive notes that 1/2 Whitworth is about 0.919 inches across the flats, not 1/2 inch AF. The spanner comparison is the wider page when the head is not a modern metric size.
Does a title range mean every size is included?
No. A line such as 6 mm to 22 mm, or a piece count over that span, is not a printed list of every step. In these files some sets skip 7 mm, 9 mm, 15 mm or 16 mm, and some do not print each size at all. Count the spanners against the sizes you need, including 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm for home and modern-car jobs. A missing mid size stops the job even when the title looks complete.
When should I choose a ratchet combination spanner?
Choose a ratchet once the nut already turns and the swing is short. Listings here that state 72 teeth also state a 5-degree swing. One listing states 100 teeth and 3.6 degrees. More teeth are a shorter arc on the listing, not a stronger spanner. One seller says not to use the ratchet on seized fasteners, because the pawls can be damaged. When the pawl helps is set out in ratchet or plain ring.
What does a combination spanner set cost?
In these amazon.co.uk files, plain sets run from £8.68 to £13.69 and ratchet sets from £24.99 to £57.60. Single ratchet spanners are £4.99 and £13.09. A home set that includes 8, 10, 13, 17 and 19 mm starts under £15. More money buys a ratchet or a longer stated run, not automatic strength. One file price also appeared later as a higher public snippet, so the figure in the file is not a promise of the next shelf price.
Does a named standard mean the set was tested?
No. ISO 1711-1:2019 sets hardness and proof torque for these assembly tools. The ring is the harder series and the open jaw is the weaker one. DIN 3113 is a shape standard trade pages cite, often with ISO 3318 and ISO 7738. One listing in this comparison cites DIN 3113-A. None cites ISO 1711-1. A DIN line is not a UK lab result, and chrome vanadium or carbon steel is only the material the seller states.
When should I stop and get help?
Stop if you cannot support the car, if the next step is heat or cutting, or if you would be underneath without rated stands. Brakes, steering, suspension and wheels are that point. At work, PUWER 1998 requires equipment to be suitable and maintained. At home, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives 30 days to reject goods that are not as described, including in Northern Ireland. These spanners do not replace a torque wrench.
Our verdict
The highest score is the BGS 1197, the top pick: 4.6 from 3,072 amazon.co.uk reviews, a printed size list, and the only DIN 3113-A citation in this comparison. It skips 15, 16, 18, 20 and 21 mm, it has no ratchet, and the length field of 22 mm is not an overall length. Best value is the Hilka 17161102 at £8.68, with 4.5 from 3,955 reviews and a printed list. It sits behind on score because of rack complaints and unusable 100 g and 19 mm fields. The single 10 mm spanner is cheaper, and many of its review texts describe sets, so it does not take best value.
Best value
View offer
Hilka 17161102 11-piece metric set
Next-highest score, a printed size list, and the lowest multi-piece price in the file, at £8.68.
Editorial
DIY and tools editor
DIY and toolsHand toolsWorkshop kit
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: 22.10.2026
8 sources checked
Guides to combination spanners
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Buying guideFastener system, printed sizes, plain ring or ratchet, and any named standard.Best setsWhich file fits which job, with gaps and thin review samples stated.How to useRing first, open end only when the ring will not pass, and no pipe on the handle.Ratchet or plain ringWhen a 5-degree pawl helps, and when the seized-nut warning applies.Car repairMetric sizes on a modern car, and the classic AF or Whitworth exception.
Related comparisons
Sources
Sources from the research digest, last checked on 22 October 2026.
- HSE, PUWER overview (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- HSE, INDG229 Using work equipment safely (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- HSE, repetition and upper-limb disorders (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- ISO 1711-1:2019 (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 22 (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- nidirect, buying goods and services (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- Hagerty UK, choosing spanners for DIY (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- Wheels Alive, threads, spanners and things (retrieved 22.10.2026)
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The notes come from amazon.co.uk listings, review text and public UK sources, not from a lab test.