A first home set
You need the common pairs and you will not get 32 mm in a short set. The Silverline six-piece list runs from 6×7 mm to 16×17 mm, with a deep offset and no degree printed. One UK review bought a separate 18×19 for that reason.
Ring spanner comparison 2026
The best ring spanners, compared.
Top pick: Laser 21×23 mm ring spanner Best value: Silverline 6-piece deep offset set – Lowest shelf price whose UK texts describe the recessed job the bullets claim, at £5.95. Updated 22.10.2026.
A ring spanner is a fixed bar with a closed loop that has to pass over the nut or bolt. It bears around the hex, rather than on two flats only. In the UK you buy one when an open jaw would slip, and when the ring will actually fit. A ring-only tool is the one you add when both ends need to be closed, or when the head has to reach a recess. You tell a suitable ring spanner by the printed pairs, not by a range in the title. A full metric run goes from 6×7 mm through 30×32 mm. The head is offset for a recess, or flat when a crank would hit a panel. The ring may be hex, 12-point, external Torx, or a slotted flare for a pipe nut. ISO 10104:2018 covers outside dimensions and marking. It is not a certificate that a particular tool was checked. Seat the ring fully and pull towards you. Do not add a pipe. The checks are in the [ring spanner buying guide](/hub/hand-tools/ring-spanner/sub/ring-spanner-buying-guide).
A ring spanner is a fixed bar with a closed loop that has to pass over the nut or bolt. It bears around the hex, rather than on two flats only.
32 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +18,600 readers
9 of 9: Best ring spanners compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 9Best overall
Best value
5.9/10
7.4/10
7.9/10
6.9/10
7.3/10
6.7/10
6.1/10
6.4/10
6.4/10
∼ £10
∼ £14
∼ £30
∼ £12
∼ £6
∼ £13
∼ £13
∼ £23
∼ £28
4.8(48)
4.7(336)
4.6(2,552)
4.6(1,350)
4.6(307)
4.6(113)
4.6(35)
4.5(263)
4.5(145)
Personal buying guide
Which ring spanner fits the job?
Question 1 of 2
What is the largest pair you need?
The best ring spanners in detail
Our view
The Laser 5715 is a single 21×23 mm ring titled for shock-absorber top nuts, at £9.60, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.8 from 48 reviews. UK reviews mention Volkswagen suspension, a long shaft, an accurate size and useful leverage. One buyer describes an uneven finish and a ring wall that is not the same thickness all the way round. The head-style field says Open End while the title says ring spanner, and the length field says 22 inches, which conflicts with a 21×23 mm tool. The bullets do not print an angle, though reviews say swan neck. At 380 g it is one pair for those two nuts, not a metric set. Getting a top nut moving is not the same as tightening a strut to a service figure while the piston rod is held.
Pros
- 21×23 mm, titled for shock-absorber top nuts
- 4.8 from 48 reviews, the highest star line in this set
- UK texts mention Volkswagen suspension and a long shaft
- £9.60 and 380 g on the listing
Cons
- One size pair only
- Head-style field says Open End, and the length field says 22 inches
- One UK text faults uneven finish and wall thickness
- The angle is not printed in the bullets
Best for: A 21 mm or 23 mm shock top nut when the ring can reach and the rod is not spinning.
Less suitable: A full metric set, or a strut job that needs the piston held and a service torque.
Specifications
- Model
- Laser 21×23 mm ring spanner
- Brand
- Laser
- Price
- ∼£10
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(48)
- Type
- Single ring
- Sizes
- 21×23 mm
- Pieces
- 1
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Finish
- Matt
- Weight
- 380 g
Common questions
What job does the title name?
Releasing popular sizes of shock-absorber top nuts, at 21 mm and 23 mm. UK reviews mention Volkswagen suspension and a long shaft.
Why do the fields disagree?
The head-style field says Open End. The title says ring spanner. The length field says 22 inches. Quote the title sizes and keep the conflict visible.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Accurate size and leverage, from 4.8 across 48 reviews. One buyer describes uneven finish and a ring wall that is not the same thickness all round.
Our view
The US PRO 2984 is seven swan-neck rings from 6×7 mm to 18×19 mm, and the bullets print a length for each pair, from 160 mm on the smallest to 246 mm on 18×19. amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 336 reviews at £14.20, with a stated 35° offset and a double-hex profile rather than a 12-point line. UK buyers mention bleed screws, a snug fit and the price. One text describes putting about 150 ft lb through an extension, which is the reviewer’s misuse, not a listed capacity. The item-length field repeats only 160 mm, so it is not the length of the longer pairs. Storage is absent from the bullets, though reviews mention a wallet. The set stops at 18×19 mm, so 20×22 mm and the 30×32 pair are not in it.
Pros
- 35° printed in the title and the bullets
- A length for each pair, from 160 mm to 246 mm
- 4.7 from 336 reviews at £14.20
- UK texts mention bleed screws and a snug fit
Cons
- Stops at 18×19 mm
- One review describes a pipe extension the bullets do not offer
- Item-length field repeats 160 mm only
- Storage is not in the bullets
Best for: Recessed fasteners up to 19 mm when you want a stated 35° and a printed length for each pair.
Less suitable: Pairs above 19 mm, or anyone treating a pipe on the handle as a feature of the set.
Specifications
- Model
- US PRO 7-piece 35° swan neck
- Brand
- US PRO
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(336)
- Type
- Swan-neck set
- Sizes
- 6×7 to 18×19 mm
- Pieces
- 7
- Head angle
- 35°
- Profile
- Double hex
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Finish
- Mirror polish
- Weight
- 1000 g
Common questions
How long is each spanner?
The bullets print 160 mm for 6×7, 175 mm for 8×9, 190 mm for 10×11, 205 mm for 12×13, 228 mm for 14×15, 232 mm for 16×17 and 246 mm for 18×19. The item-length field repeats 160 mm.
What angle is printed?
35 degrees, in the title and the bullets. The profile line says double hex, not 12-point.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Buyers mention bleed screws, a snug fit and the price. One text describes putting about 150 ft lb through an extension. That is the reviewer’s misuse, not a listed capacity. The star line is 4.7 from 336 reviews.
Our view
Across 2,552 amazon.co.uk reviews at 4.6 stars, the BGS 1214 is the only set in this folder that prints twelve pairs from 6×7 mm through 30×32 mm, including 21×23, 24×27 and 25×28. The listing says hot-forged chrome vanadium, 12-point, DIN 838 and a deep offset, and it does not print that offset in degrees. At £30.46 and 3.24 kg it is the heaviest roll here, and UK texts praise the size run and the reach. They also mention a weak wallet and sharp machining marks. One buyer returned the set after comparing the finish with other brands. The country field says India, while one UK review says Germany, so that line stays a conflict. If the job needs 30 mm and 32 mm on a recessed fastener, this is the top pick in the folder.
Pros
- Twelve printed pairs from 6×7 mm to 30×32 mm, including 21×23, 24×27 and 25×28
- DIN 838, 12-point and hot-forged chrome vanadium on the listing
- 4.6 from 2,552 reviews, the largest count in this set
- Deep offset for recessed fasteners, though the degree is not printed
Cons
- UK reviews mention a weak wallet and sharp machining marks
- Offset angle is not printed in degrees
- Country field says India; one UK review says Germany
- 3.24 kg at £30.46, the heaviest roll in the folder
Best for: A metric roll that has to include the large pairs through 32 mm on a recessed fastener.
Less suitable: A short job that stops at 17 mm, or a buyer who wants the offset printed in degrees.
Specifications
- Model
- BGS 12-piece offset ring set
- Brand
- BGS
- Price
- ∼£30
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(2,552)
- Type
- Offset ring set
- Sizes
- 6×7 to 30×32 mm
- Pieces
- 12
- Head angle
- Deep offset
- Profile
- 12-point
- Material
- Chrome vanadium, hot forged
- Finish
- Chrome plated
- Storage
- Tetron wallet
- Weight
- 3240 g
Common questions
Which pairs does the listing print?
Twelve pairs from 6×7 mm to 30×32 mm, including 21×23 mm, 24×27 mm and 25×28 mm. The item-length field says 32 mm, which repeats the largest jaw.
Does this listing name a standard?
Yes. The bullets print DIN 838, 12-point, hot forged chrome vanadium, and a deep offset. They do not print the offset in degrees.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Buyers mention the size run and the reach. They also mention a weak wallet and sharp machining marks. One buyer returned the set after comparing the finish with other brands. The star line is 4.6 from 2,552 reviews.
Our view
The Hilka 16700802 is eight polished chrome-vanadium rings from 6×7 mm to 20×22 mm on a plastic hanging rack, at £11.95 with 4.6 from 1,350 amazon.co.uk reviews. The bullets do not say offset or swan neck, even though some UK reviews use that language. UK texts treat it as a starter set and also describe unspecified teeth, slip on a strut nut, a thick head, and a rack clip that broke. An item-torque field says 150 Nm, and the bullets do not describe a torque test, so that figure is not a capacity. The head-style field says Hex and does not say 6-point or 12-point. At 1.2 kg, with 30 cm on the length field, it covers more pairs than the six-piece Silverline and still has no stated bend.
Pros
- Eight pairs through 20×22 mm at £11.95
- 4.6 from 1,350 reviews
- Plastic hanging rack on the listing
- Polished chrome vanadium stated
Cons
- No offset or swan neck in the bullets
- UK texts include slip on a strut nut and a thick head
- A rack clip is reported broken
- The 150 Nm item-torque field is not a test in the bullets
Best for: A starter metric list through 22 mm when the nut is proud of the surface.
Less suitable: A recessed strut nut where you needed a stated offset, or anyone quoting 150 Nm as a safe load.
Specifications
- Model
- Hilka 8-piece metric ring set
- Brand
- Hilka
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,350)
- Type
- Double-ring set
- Sizes
- 6×7 to 20×22 mm
- Pieces
- 8
- Profile
- Hex
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Finish
- Polished
- Storage
- Plastic rack
- Weight
- 1200 g
Common questions
Is this an offset set?
The bullets do not say offset or swan neck. They say double-ended metric rings on a plastic rack. Some UK reviews use swan-neck language anyway.
What is the 150 Nm line?
An item-torque field on the listing. The bullets do not describe a torque test, so it is not a capacity quoted from this file.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Value for a starter set, and also unspecified teeth, slip on a strut nut, a thick head, and a rack clip that broke. The star line is 4.6 from 1,350 reviews.
Our view
At £5.95, the Silverline 673424 is six drop-forged chrome-vanadium rings from 6×7 mm to 16×17 mm in a ballistic nylon roll, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 307 reviews. UK texts name drop links, a belt tensioner, a tap under a sink and rear shocks, and they mention the depth of the head. The bullets say deep offset for recessed fasteners and do not print a degree. There is no 18 mm, 19 mm or 22 mm, and one UK review says a separate 18×19 was bought for that reason. One buyer says the quality is not the best but the set had not failed. A review mentions a lifetime guarantee that the bullets do not print. This is the best value in the folder when the fastener stays inside 17 mm.
Pros
- £5.95 with 4.6 from 307 reviews
- UK texts name drop links, a belt tensioner, a tap and rear shocks
- Ballistic nylon roll included
- Drop-forged chrome vanadium, with a deep offset on the bullets
Cons
- Stops at 16×17 mm
- Offset angle is not printed
- Profile is not stated on the listing
- A lifetime guarantee appears in a review, not in the bullets
Best for: A short recessed list that stops at 17 mm, such as a drop link or a belt tensioner.
Less suitable: 18 mm and larger, or a buyer who needs a printed degree or DIN 838 on the listing.
Specifications
- Model
- Silverline 6-piece deep offset set
- Brand
- Silverline
- Price
- ∼£6
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(307)
- Type
- Offset ring set
- Sizes
- 6×7 to 16×17 mm
- Pieces
- 6
- Head angle
- Deep offset
- Material
- Chrome vanadium, drop forged
- Finish
- Polished
- Storage
- Nylon roll
- Weight
- 780 g
Common questions
Where does this set stop?
Six pairs, the largest 16×17 mm. There is no 18 mm, 19 mm or 22 mm. One UK review says a separate 18×19 was bought for that reason.
Is the offset angle printed?
No. The bullets say deep offset ring ends for recessed fasteners. They do not print a degree.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Drop links, a belt tensioner, a tap under a sink and rear shocks. Buyers mention the depth of the head. One says the quality is not the best but it had not failed. The star line is 4.6 from 307 reviews.
Our view
The US PRO part 2290 is six double rings for external Torx, with a title range of E6 to E24, and amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 113 reviews at £12.62. The pairs themselves are not printed, so the exact six sizes are not in the listing text. UK reviews name BMW fasteners, a Vauxhall thermostat and splined bolts, including jobs a ratchet spanner could not reach. The same texts describe a niche tool used rarely, at a price those buyers accepted. It will not fit a hex nut. The item-length field says 1 cm, which is not a credible overall length, and the model-number field disagrees with the part-number field. At 520 g it sits beside a metric hex set, and it does not replace one.
Pros
- External Torx profile for E-screws a hex ring will not fit
- 4.6 from 113 reviews at £12.62
- UK texts name BMW fasteners, a Vauxhall thermostat and splined bolts
- Reviewers mention reach a ratchet spanner missed
Cons
- The six pairs are not printed, only the E6–E24 title range
- Will not fit a hex nut
- Item length of 1 cm is not a credible overall length
- Model-number and part-number fields disagree
Best for: External Torx fasteners when a hex ring spins on the lobes.
Less suitable: Ordinary metric hex nuts, or a buyer who needs the exact six E sizes printed before ordering.
Specifications
- Model
- US PRO E6–E24 ring set
- Brand
- US PRO
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(113)
- Type
- E-profile set
- Sizes
- E6 to E24
- Pieces
- 6
- Profile
- External Torx
- Material
- Tool steel
- Finish
- Polished
- Weight
- 520 g
Common questions
Will these fit a hex nut?
The title says E-profile for external Torx screws. That is not a millimetre hex ring. UK reviews name BMW fasteners, a Vauxhall thermostat and splined bolts.
Which E sizes are in the box?
The title says E6–E24 and six pieces. The saved listing does not print the pairs, so the exact six sizes are not in this listing text.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
A niche tool used rarely, at a price buyers accepted, including jobs a ratchet spanner could not reach. The star line is 4.6 from 113 reviews.
Our view
The US PRO 3528 is seven double-ended rings from 6×7 mm to 18×19 mm with a printed 75° offset and a pouch, at £13.39. amazon.co.uk shows 4.6 from 35 reviews, which is a small sample. Seven short UK texts call the set comfortable and say the pouch holds it, and they do not describe a repeated fault. A separate item-torque field says 75 Nm. The 75 in the title is the angle, so that newton-metre line is not a test. Point count is not printed, and neither is the length of each spanner. There is no 20×22 mm or larger. A larger printed angle is not, by itself, more reach than the 35° US PRO set, which prints lengths and has 336 reviews.
Pros
- 75° offset printed in the title and the bullets
- Seven pairs through 18×19 mm, with a pouch
- 4.6 from 35 reviews, with no repeated fault in the seven UK texts
- Mirror-polish chrome vanadium on the listing
Cons
- Only 35 reviews on amazon.co.uk
- No length printed for each pair
- Point count is not printed
- The 75 Nm item-torque field is not the offset angle
Best for: A recessed fastener up to 19 mm when you want a stated 75° and can accept a small review sample.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs a printed length, a pair above 19 mm, or a larger UK review sample.
Specifications
- Model
- US PRO 7-piece 75° offset set
- Brand
- US PRO
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(35)
- Type
- Offset ring set
- Sizes
- 6×7 to 18×19 mm
- Pieces
- 7
- Head angle
- 75°
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
- Finish
- Mirror polish
- Storage
- Pouch
- Weight
- 1000 g
Common questions
What does 75 on this listing mean?
The title and the bullets say a 75 degree offset. A separate item-torque field says 75 Nm. Treat the degree as the stated angle and do not quote 75 Nm as a test.
How many sizes are included?
Seven pairs from 6×7 mm to 18×19 mm, in a pouch. There is no 20×22 mm or larger.
What do the UK reviews repeat?
Seven short texts call the set comfortable and say the pouch holds it. They do not describe a repeated fault. The star line is 4.6 from 35 reviews, which is a small sample.
Our view
The BGS 1761-24x27 is one hot-forged open-type double ring, 24 mm and 27 mm, at 15° and 12-point, priced at £22.64 and listed at 240 g. amazon.co.uk shows 4.5 from 263 reviews, with only three UK texts in the file: it does the job, the fit is good, and it is quite large for small places. The title describes a slotted ring, not a pair of open jaws, while the head-style field still says Open End. The item-length field says 27 mm, which repeats the larger jaw rather than the bar. Most saved texts are not marked United Kingdom. It is a single pair for a fastener a closed ring cannot pass, such as a pipe nut, and it is not a metric set.
Pros
- Slotted 12-point ring at 24 mm and 27 mm, with 15° printed
- Hot-forged chrome vanadium, matt chrome, 240 g
- Three short UK texts say it does the job and the fit is good
- 4.5 from 263 reviews on amazon.co.uk
Cons
- One piece only, not a set
- Head-style field says Open End while the title says an open ring
- One UK text calls it quite large for small places
- Only three UK texts are in the file
Best for: A 24 mm or 27 mm fastener where a closed ring cannot pass a pipe.
Less suitable: Everyday closed hex nuts, or a buyer who wanted a full metric roll.
Specifications
- Model
- BGS open ring 24×27 mm
- Brand
- BGS
- Price
- ∼£23
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(263)
- Type
- Open ring
- Sizes
- 24×27 mm
- Pieces
- 1
- Head angle
- 15°
- Profile
- 12-point, open
- Material
- Chrome vanadium, hot forged
- Finish
- Matt chrome
- Weight
- 240 g
Common questions
Is this an open-jaw spanner?
The title says double ring spanner, open type, with an open ring end at 15°. That is a slotted ring, not a pair of open jaws. The head-style field still says Open End.
Which sizes are on it?
24 mm and 27 mm only, 12-point, hot forged, matt chrome, 240 g.
What do the UK reviews say?
Three short UK texts: it does the job, the fit is good, and it is quite large for small places. The star line is 4.5 from 263. Most saved texts are not marked United Kingdom.
Our view
The BGS 30300 is eight straight, extra-flat 12-point rings from 6×7 mm to 20×22 mm, cold forged in satin chrome, at £28.02. amazon.co.uk shows 4.5 from 145 reviews, and only three of the saved texts are marked United Kingdom, so the written sample is thin. A UK review says the flat ring fits where a cranked ring will not. One of those texts mentions a hammer on tight bolts, which is not a method on the listing. The bullets do not print DIN 838, and the list stops before 21×23, 24×27, 25×28 and 30×32 mm. The item-length field says 95 mm. At 600 g in a Tetron wallet it is the flat alternative to an offset roll, and most review texts in the file are not UK opinion.
Pros
- Straight extra-flat heads where a cranked ring hits a face
- 12-point, cold-forged chrome vanadium, satin chrome
- Eight pairs through 20×22 mm in a Tetron wallet
- 600 g on the listing
Cons
- £28.02 with only three UK review texts in the file
- DIN 838 is not on these bullets
- Stops at 20×22 mm
- One UK text mentions a hammer, which the listing does not offer
Best for: A fastener hard against a panel, where an offset head will not sit flat.
Less suitable: A recessed nut that needs a bend, or anyone treating non-UK reviews as UK opinion.
Specifications
- Model
- BGS 8-piece extra-flat set
- Brand
- BGS
- Price
- ∼£28
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(145)
- Type
- Extra-flat set
- Sizes
- 6×7 to 20×22 mm
- Pieces
- 8
- Head angle
- Straight
- Profile
- 12-point
- Material
- Chrome vanadium, cold forged
- Finish
- Satin chrome
- Storage
- Tetron wallet
- Weight
- 600 g
Common questions
How is this different from an offset set?
The bullets say extra flat and straight, 12-point, cold forged. They do not say offset. A UK review says the flat ring fits where a cranked ring will not.
Which pairs are missing versus a 12-piece roll?
The list stops at 20×22 mm. There is no 21×23, 24×27, 25×28 or 30×32 mm.
How many UK reviews are in the file?
The star line is 4.5 from 145. Only three of the saved texts are marked United Kingdom. One mentions a hammer on tight bolts. Do not treat other countries’ texts as UK opinion.
How we compared
Nine ring spanner listings on amazon.co.uk were scored from stars, review count, what the listing prints, and whether UK texts cluster on a fault. There was no lab test. Stars are about 7.2 points per star, so 4.5 is 32, 4.6 is 33, 4.7 is 34 and 4.8 is 35. A review count of 2,500 and above is 16. Pairs through 30×32 mm with DIN 838 printed are 14. UK texts add or remove a few points, and the method note does not publish a cap for that part. The top pick is the highest score with the only full pair list. Best value is the lowest shelf price whose UK texts describe the recessed job the bullets claim.
1
Stars
35%About 7.2 points per star. On the published scale, 4.5 is 32, 4.6 is 33, 4.7 is 34 and 4.8 is 35. The figure is the amazon.co.uk star line, not a lab score.
2
Review count
16%2,500 reviews and above score 16. About 1,000 scores 14, about 300 scores 12, about 250 scores 10, about 100 scores 8, and under 50 scores 4.
3
Coverage
14%Pairs through 30×32 mm with DIN 838 printed score 14. A stated angle through 19 mm scores 10. A flat set to 22 mm scores 10. A six-piece stop at 17 mm scores 8. A single pair scores 6 or 8.
Independent review
Last updated: 22.10.2026
8 sources checked
Ring spanner buying guide
Choose the printed pairs first, then offset or flat, then the ring profile, then any standard the seller names. The notes below are those checks. The table is the nine ring spanner listings on amazon.co.uk. In the files, a six-piece set is £5.95 and the twelve-piece roll through 30×32 mm is £30.46. Star lines are amazon.co.uk averages. There is no lab test.
What is a ring spanner?
A ring spanner is a fixed bar with a closed loop that must pass over the nut or bolt, so it can bear around the hex instead of on two flats only. Haynes Manuals United Kingdom says combination spanners are the usual first buy, and that you should use the ring rather than the open end when the ring will fit, because an open jaw slips and marks the fastener. A ring-only set is the extra tool when both ends are closed, or when the head has to sit in a recess.
Best for
- A first home set of common pairs that stops before 32 mm
- Offset rings for a recess when you already own combination spanners
Not ideal for
- A seized brake or fuel union
- A strut nut that needs the piston held and a service torque
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Trusting the title range
A span or a piece count is not the printed pairs. A full metric run is 6×7 through 30×32 mm, with uneven steps at the large end. A short set can stop at 16×17 mm or 18×19 mm and still look complete in the title.
- 2
A closed ring on a pipe nut
A pipe needs a slotted flare-nut ring. A closed ring will not start. Buying a combination set from a ring search, or treating E-Torx as hex, answers a different job.
- 3
Quoting item torque as a capacity
Ignore an item-torque or item-length field when the number copies a jaw or an angle. A 75 Nm field beside a 75° title is not a proof test. Do not add a pipe to the handle.
What to weigh up
Printed pairs
HighRead the pairs, not the title range. A full metric run is 6×7, 8×9, 10×11, 12×13, 14×15, 16×17, 18×19, 20×22, 21×23, 24×27, 25×28 and 30×32 mm. A six-piece stop at 16×17 mm has no 18 mm, 19 mm or 22 mm. A seven-piece list can stop at 18×19 mm. An eight-piece list can stop at 20×22 mm and still miss 21×23, 24×27, 25×28 and 30×32 mm. A single pair is one job, not a roll. An E-profile title that prints only E6 to E24 has not printed the six sizes inside that span.
Offset, profile and copied fields
HighOffset is for a recess. Extra-flat is for when a crank hits a panel. Printed angles include 75°, 35° and 15°. Some listings say deep offset and print no degree. A GOV.UK sheet uses deep offset for 0 to 5 degrees, and that sheet is not a certificate for these listings. A larger printed angle is not, by itself, more reach than a set that prints a length for each pair. A 12-point ring reseats every 15°. A field that only says Hex has not said 6-point or 12-point.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Offset rings beside combination spanners
You already own combination spanners and you want closed rings for a recess, including the large pairs. The BGS twelve-piece set prints 6×7 mm through 30×32 mm, 12-point and DIN 838. The offset is not given in degrees.
A stated angle up to 19 mm
You want the bend printed, and a length for each pair, and you can stop at 18×19 mm. The US PRO seven-piece swan neck states 35° and prints lengths from 160 mm to 246 mm. Pairs above 19 mm are not in it.
Common questions about ring spanners
What is a ring spanner?
A ring spanner is a fixed bar with a closed loop that has to pass over the nut or bolt, so it bears around the hex rather than on two flats only. Haynes Manuals United Kingdom says combination spanners are the usual first buy, and that you should use the ring rather than the open end when the ring will fit, because an open jaw slips and marks the fastener. Seat the ring fully and pull towards you. Do not add a pipe.
Does a title range mean every pair is included?
No. Read the pairs, not the range in the title. A full metric run is 6×7, 8×9, 10×11, 12×13, 14×15, 16×17, 18×19, 20×22, 21×23, 24×27, 25×28 and 30×32 mm. A six-piece list can stop at 16×17 mm, and a seven-piece list can stop at 18×19 mm. A piece count over a span is not those pairs printed. If a size you need is missing, the title can still look complete.
Should the head be offset or flat?
Offset is for a fastener in a recess. Extra-flat is for when a crank hits a panel. Listings of this type print 75°, 35° and 15°, and some say deep offset with no degree. A GOV.UK sheet uses deep offset for 0 to 5 degrees. That sheet is a specification example, not a certificate for a particular listing. A larger printed angle is not, by itself, more reach. Read the angle and the pairs together.
What is the difference between hex, 12-point and E-Torx?
A 12-point ring reseats every 15°. A field that only says Hex has not said 6-point or 12-point. E6 to E24 is external Torx, not a millimetre hex, and it will not fit an ordinary hex nut. UK texts for that profile name splined bolts and jobs a hex ring misses. If the pairs inside an E-profile title are not printed, the title range does not tell you the exact six sizes.
When do I need a flare-nut ring?
A pipe needs a slotted flare-nut ring, because a closed ring will not start on the tube. The slotted ring is still a ring, not a pair of open jaws, even if a head-style field says open end. Seized brake or fuel unions belong with a garage. Getting a nut to move is not the same as tightening a strut to a service figure while the piston rod is held.
Does DIN 838 or ISO 10104 mean the set was tested?
No. ISO 10104:2018 covers overall length, maximum head thickness and a size mark for deep-offset and modified-offset double box wrenches. Strength sits in ISO 1711-1. DIN 838 is the catalogue line for offset double rings. A listing that prints it is stating that line. It is not a lab check of that tool, and the short sets mostly do not print it. Do not treat the standard as verified on the spanner in your hand.
What should I ignore in the length and torque fields?
Ignore an item-torque or item-length field when the number copies a jaw or an angle. A length of 32 mm on a set whose largest jaw is 32 mm is the jaw repeated, not the bar. A 75 Nm field beside a 75° title is the angle copied into a torque box, not a proof test. A 150 Nm field with no test in the bullets is not a safe load. Quote the pairs and the stated angle, and keep the conflict visible.
Do I need ring spanners as well as combination spanners?
Haynes says combination spanners are the usual first buy, and that you use the ring rather than the open end when it will fit. A ring-only set earns space when you already own those and need offset rings for recesses, or a closed ring at both ends. The combination spanner comparison covers the open-jaw-and-ring tools. Brake unions, and a strut nut that needs the piston held, sit outside both. Call a professional for a seized brake or fuel union, or a fastener that must meet a service torque.
Our verdict
The highest score is the BGS 12-piece offset ring set, the top pick: 4.6 from 2,552 amazon.co.uk reviews, and the only listing here that prints twelve pairs from 6×7 mm through 30×32 mm with DIN 838. UK texts praise the reach and also mention a weak wallet and sharp machining marks. Best value is the Silverline six-piece set at £5.95, with 4.6 from 307 reviews, because it is the lowest shelf price whose UK texts describe the recessed job the bullets claim. It stops at 16×17 mm.
Best value
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Silverline 6-piece deep offset set
Lowest shelf price whose UK texts describe the recessed job the bullets claim, at £5.95.
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 ring spanners
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Buying guidePairs, offset, profile, and what the standards do not prove.Best setsWho each kept set is for, and who should skip it.How to useSeat the ring, pull towards you, and do not add a pipe.Ring or combinationWhen a ring-only set earns space beside combination spanners.Offset headsFlat versus bent heads, printed angles, and the strut-kit limit.
Related comparisons
Sources
Sources from the research digest, last checked on 22 October 2026.
- ISO 10104:2018 preview (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- HSE, PUWER overview (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- HSE, maintenance of work equipment (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- Haynes UK, car maintenance tools (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- BGS 1214 double ring spanner set (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- Wonkee Donkee, flare nut spanner (retrieved 22.10.2026)
- GOV.UK tool specification sheet (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.