House, bike, and tight access
You need a small metric 1/4 inch set for furniture, a bicycle, or an awkward engine bay, and you do not need wheel nuts. The Bahco SL25 is the compact top pick at about £21.59. Skip it for SAE or Whitworth fasteners.
Socket set comparison 2026
The best socket sets, compared.
Top pick: Bahco SL25 25-piece – 4.7 from 9,208 amazon.co.uk reviews, a compact metric 1/4 inch set, and a listing that names ISO 1174 and DIN 3120, for tight access rather than wheel nuts. Best value: EGOFINE 46-piece 1/4 inch – About £16.99 with sockets to 14 mm, bits, and a blow-moulded case, with stuck-ratchet reports kept in the score. Not a 1/2 inch or wheel-nut set. Updated October 2026.
A socket set is a square-drive ratchet plus sockets that fit hex nuts and bolts. UK shelves still sell 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch drives even when the fastener is metric. Most modern cars, bicycles, and furniture need metric sockets. Quality is the right drive and an unbroken run of sizes you will actually meet, plus a case that keeps them. The piece count on the lid is a weak guide. Chrome vanadium on a title is a material claim, not a test certificate. The polished sockets here are hand tools, not impact sockets. Drive, measurement, and the awkward sizes are set out in the [socket set buying guide](/hub/tool-accessories/socket-set/sub/socket-set-buying-guide). Its designation example is a 12.5 mm square, the size shelves call 1/2 inch.
A socket set is a square-drive ratchet plus sockets that fit hex nuts and bolts. UK shelves still sell 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch drives even when the fastener is metric.
36 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
10 of 10: Best socket sets compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 10Best overall
Best value
9.0/10
8.6/10
8.3/10
8.1/10
8.0/10
7.5/10
6.8/10
7.6/10
7.4/10
6.2/10
∼ £22
∼ £60
∼ £70
∼ £112
∼ £20
∼ £25
∼ £14
∼ £17
∼ £12
∼ £50
4.7(9,208)
4.7(3,425)
4.6(13,062)
4.6(10,712)
4.5(5,253)
4.5(335)
4.4(4,984)
4.4(1,277)
4.4(487)
4.3(735)
Personal buying guide
Which socket set fits?
Question 1 of 2
Which fasteners do you meet?
The best socket sets in detail
Our view
The Bahco SL25 puts a compact metric 1/4-inch socket and bit selection into a small HDPE case that reviewers like for drawers, bicycles and awkward engine-bay access. Its amazon.co.uk record of 4.7 stars from 9,208 reviews is the strongest combination in this group, and the listing explicitly cites ISO 1174 and DIN 3120. Reviewers repeatedly praise the portable format and useful selection. Minor complaints concern a lid that tends to close and a ratchet held too tightly by the foam, while one buyer questions whether newer examples match older Bahco quality. It is the top pick for compact hand work, but its drive size excludes wheel nuts and other 1/2-inch jobs.
Pros
- Called a favourite tool and high Bahco quality
- Portable, with a useful socket selection for awkward engine-bay spots
- Case preferred to flimsy-latch cases reviewers had owned before
- Screwdriver and Allen bits add versatility
Cons
- One reviewer says the fish-and-hook mark is missing and that quality has dropped since Snap-on ownership
- The lid wants to close on a table, so one reviewer holds it with a finger
- The ratchet can be tight in the foam and needs foam cut to remove it, in one review
Best for: A compact metric 1/4 inch set for the house, a bike, or tight access.
Less suitable: 1/2 inch work, wheel nuts, and SAE or Whitworth fasteners.
Specifications
- Model
- Bahco SL25 25-piece
- Brand
- Bahco
- Price
- ∼£22
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(9,208)
- Drive
- 1/4 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 25
- Ratchet
- Included
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- HDPE case
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Alloy steel
Common questions
Is it easy to carry?
Reviewers praise the small case for a drawer or an engine bay. The case bullet is 35 × 165 × 85 mm HDPE.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A compact HDPE case.
Is this socket set durable?
The listing claims durable construction and cites ISO 1174 and DIN 3120. Stored reviews are mostly favourable. One review says newer Bahco lacks the old fish mark and is worse than older tools.
Our view
The WORKPRO 108-piece set brings 1/4 and 1/2-inch 72-tooth ratchets, sockets, bits and adaptors together in one organised case. Reviewers like the broad DIY and car-oriented selection, smooth ratchet action and polished finish. The larger drive makes it more versatile than a compact household kit, although the listing does not clearly confirm common wheel-nut sizes such as 17, 19 or 21 mm. At a listed 7 kg it is heavy, and one reviewer reports a broken case clip while another wanted additional compatible adaptor bits. It suits a home garage where range matters more than portability, but none of its sockets is stated to be impact rated.
Pros
- Wide 1/4 and 1/2 inch selection for DIY and cars
- Chrome finish described as resistant to rust
- 72-tooth quick-release ratchet called smooth
- Case keeps tools organised
Cons
- The case clip broke for one reviewer, who dropped a star for the case
- Described as very heavy
- One reviewer felt compatible adapter bits were missing
Best for: Home garage work that needs both 1/4 and 1/2 inch ratchets in one case.
Less suitable: A lightweight kit. Listed weight is 7 kg. Impact use is not stated.
Specifications
- Model
- WORKPRO 108-piece
- Brand
- WORKPRO
- Price
- ∼£60
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(3,425)
- Drive
- 1/4 and 1/2 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 108
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- 37 × 8 × 28 cm
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
What materials is it made of?
Chrome vanadium steel, with a polished finish, and a plastic case.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A plastic carry case, 37 × 8 × 28 cm.
Can it be used for car repairs?
The listing says car, motorcycle, bicycle and DIY. It includes a 1/2 inch ratchet. Wheel-nut sizes are not listed, so do not assume 17, 19 or 21 mm are present.
Our view
Amazon Basics supplies 201 pieces spanning metric and SAE tools, including sockets, spanners, hex keys and bits, so missing items are easy to spot after a job. Many reviewers regard the kit as good value, and its 4.6-star rating is supported by 13,062 reviews. The headline count does not guarantee every larger socket: one buyer needed 19 mm for a sump plug but reported that the sockets stopped at 17 mm. Another stored review describes a Torx bit snapping under low load, while the case and loose pieces on arrival also draw criticism. It is useful for broad mixed-system coverage, provided you verify the exact socket range before relying on it.
Pros
- Called good quality for the price and excellent value
- Metric and SAE coverage
- Some reviewers compare ratchet feel with dearer professional tools
- Easy to see if a piece is missing when the job is done
Cons
- One buyer needed 19 mm for a sump plug and the sockets stopped at 17 mm
- A Torx bit snapped under low load on a fuel-filter housing
- Two pieces were loose in the box on arrival
- Case criticised in a review title
Best for: A large metric and SAE kit when 17 mm is enough for the sockets you use.
Less suitable: A 19 mm sump plug if your copy matches the review that stopped at 17 mm.
Specifications
- Model
- Amazon Basics 201-piece
- Brand
- Amazon Basics
- Price
- ∼£70
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(13,062)
- Measurement
- Metric and SAE
- Pieces
- 201
- Ratchet
- Quick release
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- Plastic case
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
Does it come with a storage case?
Yes. The bullets say the case is for storage and portability.
Is the socket set durable?
The listing says chrome-vanadium forged bodies and a polished finish. A stored review says a Torx bit snapped under low load.
Does it include a ratchet?
Yes. A quick-release reversible ratchet.
Our view
The Mannesmann case combines three drive sizes, sockets stated up to 32 mm, spanners from 8 to 22 mm and a large bit selection. Reviewers often describe the core tools as solid and well weighted, and the lid-mounted spanners can help when a socket is absent. However, one reported 1/2-inch sequence skips 18 mm, while other buyers mention missing or duplicated pieces on arrival. Case latches and hinges are a recurring weakness, and stored reviews also report rusted Allen bits and Torx parts twisting or snapping. It offers wide metric coverage for a stationary workshop, but the £111.76 price and quality caveats make a careful contents check essential.
Pros
- Case with hinged holders praised when the clips hold
- Tools described as solid and well weighted
- Spanners in the lid are useful when a socket size is missing
- Called good value against dearer high-street sets
Cons
- Socket sizes jump; one reviewer had 15, 17, 19, 20 mm on the 1/2 inch drive and no 18 mm
- Missing pieces on arrival, including two 8 mm sockets and no 7 mm, and a missing 22 mm spanner
- Allen bits rusted and Torx fingers twisted or snapped in stored reviews
- Case latches and hinges break; clips snap if the lid is forced
Best for: A three-drive metric case with spanners, if you check the size steps first.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs every step from 15 to 22 mm, or impact sockets.
Specifications
- Model
- Mannesmann 215-piece
- Brand
- Mannesmann
- Price
- ∼£112
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(10,712)
- Drive
- 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 215
- Ratchet
- Reversible
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- Case with tray
- Largest size
- 32 mm
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
What material is it made of?
Chrome vanadium steel with a matt chrome finish. The bullets also say VPA/GS approved, which is a German mark, not a UK certificate.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A case with a tray. Reviews describe hinged holders and lid clips that can break.
Can it be used for DIY projects?
The bullets present it as a general socket set. Reviews use it on DIY and car jobs and also report size gaps, so check the socket you need is actually in the tray.
Our view
The WORKPRO 39-piece set is useful when one case must cover both metric and SAE fasteners on 1/4 and 3/8-inch drives. Reviewers report using it on a classic car and vintage tractor, while the moulded case is praised as tough enough for a car boot. The 72-tooth 3/8-inch ratchet should also need less swing in restricted spaces. Its limitation is scale: only six 3/8-inch sockets are stated, and reviewers position the set as light-use rather than heavy-duty equipment. It is a flexible £19.99 option for mixed home and older-vehicle jobs, but not for impact tools or demanding suspension work.
Pros
- Metric and imperial together, used on a classic car and a vintage tractor
- Blow-moulded case described as tough and suitable for a boot
- Tools feel solid; one reviewer notes no missing or duplicate sockets
- Held rusted bolts on a 20-year-old car in one review
Cons
- A reviewer would not use it for anything heavy-duty
- One title says it feels heavy
- Described as a light-use set if cleaned after use
Best for: Mixed metric and inch fasteners on light car and home jobs.
Less suitable: Heavy suspension or impact tools. The 3/8 inch socket count is only six pieces.
Specifications
- Model
- WORKPRO 39-piece 1/4 and 3/8
- Brand
- WORKPRO
- Price
- ∼£20
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(5,253)
- Drive
- 1/4 and 3/8 inch
- Measurement
- Metric and SAE
- Pieces
- 39
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth
- Case
- 24 × 13 × 5 cm
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
What materials is it made of?
Chrome vanadium steel with heat treatment and a polished chrome finish, according to the bullets.
Does it come with a storage case?
Yes. A plastic case measuring 24 × 13 × 5 cm.
Can it be used for home repairs?
The listing says car maintenance, bicycles, furniture and home DIY. A reviewer says it is not for heavy-duty use.
Our view
This WORKPRO mini set pairs eight metric sockets with 23 S2 bits and a stubby double-head ratchet for jobs where a normal handle will not swing. One reviewer used it successfully on a restricted sliding-door handle, and other English-language reviews call it small but useful for minor projects. The listing states 72 teeth, a 5-degree movement and 52 N·m, though those figures do not make it a wheel tool. Its compactness is also its main restriction, and the available UK defect evidence is relatively thin. Choose it for close-access screws and small fasteners, not high-torque work or a full socket cabinet.
Pros
- English-language reviews call it small but useful and fine for small projects
- Called great value
- Works in restricted spaces, including a sliding-door handle in one account
- Reviewers say it is working and they are pleased
Cons
- Size is the limit: reviewers describe it as small
- Many stored reviews are not in English, so a UK defect pattern is thin
- Not presented by reviewers as a full socket cabinet
Best for: Tight spaces that need a stubby ratchet, a few sockets and screwdriver bits.
Less suitable: High torque. The listing torque figure is 52 N·m on a stubby handle.
Specifications
- Model
- WORKPRO 34-piece mini ratchet
- Brand
- WORKPRO
- Price
- ∼£25
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(335)
- Drive
- 1/4 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 34
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- Hanging case
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
What materials is it made of?
Sockets are Cr-V steel and bits are S2 steel, according to the bullets.
Does it come with a storage case?
Yes. A black case with a hanging hole.
Can it be used for DIY projects?
The listing says home repairs, automotive maintenance, bicycles and DIY. It is a stubby 1/4 inch set, not a wheel-nut set.
Our view
The EGOFINE 12-piece set provides ten metric sockets from 4 to 13 mm, a quick-release ratchet and a 100 mm extension on a simple storage rail. Reviewers find it handy for bicycles and light jobs, and its low weight makes it easy to keep in a drawer. The direction change is also described as quick. Reliability is the concern: stored reviews report a ratchet failing after very little use, a grub screw falling out and an extension arriving without its retaining parts. It suits occasional small fasteners, but not buyers expecting a robust closed-case toolkit.
Pros
- Called handy for bikes and light jobs
- Light weight is praised
- Direction change described as quick
- Several reviews call it good value
Cons
- Called poor quality and more of a toy than a serious set
- Ratchet stopped working after one or two uses
- Grub screw fell out of the ratchet
- Extension bar arrived with ball bearing and spring missing
Best for: A bicycle or a drawer if you only need 4–13 mm and can accept a basic ratchet.
Less suitable: Anything beyond 13 mm, and anyone who wants a closed case.
Specifications
- Model
- EGOFINE 12-piece 1/4 inch
- Brand
- EGOFINE
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(4,984)
- Drive
- 1/4 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 12
- Ratchet
- Quick release
- Case
- Open rail
- Largest size
- 13 mm
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
Is it made of chrome vanadium steel?
Yes. The bullets say chrome vanadium steel with a mirror chrome plated finish.
Does it come with an extension bar?
Yes. A 100 mm extension.
Can the ratchet handle be released quickly?
The listing says the handle can be quickly released. Stored reviews also describe a ratchet that jammed and a grub screw that fell out.
Our view
This 46-piece EGOFINE combines metric sockets up to 14 mm with 21 bits, extensions, a universal joint and a compact blow-moulded case. Reviewers have used it on chainsaws, mowers, motorbikes and light car jobs, and several consider it good value beside dearer brands. The range makes more sense as a boot or small-engine kit than as a wheel-nut set. Stored reviews also describe a socket becoming stuck on the ratchet, one mechanism failing to drive in one direction and a gritty feel. It is the best-value pick here when breadth at £16.99 matters, provided you accept the ratchet-quality caveat.
Pros
- Compact enough for a car boot
- Used on chainsaws, mowers, motorbikes and cars in reviews
- Value at the price, including comparisons with dearer brands
- Some reviewers say it has not rounded fasteners
Cons
- After two uses the end stuck and the socket would not come off
- After about six months one ratchet stopped driving one way and felt flimsy
- One review calls the steel pot metal, says it rounds fasteners, and calls the ratchet gritty
- Not a Snap-on or Draper, which some reviewers note while still recommending the price
Best for: A boot or small-engine kit on a 1/4 inch drive up to 14 mm.
Less suitable: Wheel nuts and any job that needs a 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive.
Specifications
- Model
- EGOFINE 46-piece 1/4 inch
- Brand
- EGOFINE
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(1,277)
- Drive
- 1/4 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 46
- Ratchet
- Quick release
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- Blow-moulded
- Largest size
- 14 mm
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
What materials is it made from?
The listing says chrome vanadium steel with a mirror chrome plated finish.
Does it come with a storage case?
Yes. A blow-moulded toolbox.
Can it be used for car repairs?
The listing names auto repair among DIY uses. Sockets stop at 14 mm on a 1/4 inch drive, so wheel nuts are outside this set.
Our view
This compact WORKPRO set covers metric fasteners from 4 to 12 mm and adds 20 bits, making it practical for furniture and light household repairs. Reviewers like the arranged box, clear size markings and easy portability. The 72-tooth ratchet should help where handle movement is restricted. However, the case catch is described as flimsy, and the small handle may be awkward for arthritic hands. Its 1/4-inch drive and 12 mm ceiling keep it firmly in the light-duty category rather than the garage.
Pros
- Reviewers call it a good little set and praise the arranged box and easy carrying
- Size markers are called clear
- Described as good quality for light jobs
- Convenient for the price
Cons
- The box catch is called a bit flimsy
- One reviewer says it is very small and no good for arthritic hands
- Scope is a short 1/4 inch set, not a full garage kit
Best for: Light DIY and furniture where 4–12 mm and a few bits are enough.
Less suitable: Wheel nuts, 13 mm and above, or anyone who needs a long handle.
Specifications
- Model
- WORKPRO 34-piece 1/4 inch
- Brand
- WORKPRO
- Price
- ∼£12
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(487)
- Drive
- 1/4 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 34
- Ratchet
- 72-tooth
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- Clear box
- Largest size
- 12 mm
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
What is it made of?
The listing says chromium-vanadium alloy steel, heat-treated, with a matte finish. The material attribute says alloy steel.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A transparent plastic case, 169 × 118 × 40 mm.
Can it be used for car repairs?
The listing says it is suitable for auto repair as well as woodworking and home use. The sockets stop at 12 mm, so it does not cover typical wheel nuts.
Our view
Ginour offers 138 pieces across 1/4 and 1/2-inch drives, giving occasional users a broad-looking metric case for £49.99. Some reviewers describe the tools as decent value and the box as robust on arrival. The uncertainty begins when the set is loaded: stored reports include sockets rounding on first use, a broken knuckle joint, a ratchet that would not retain sockets and case catches failing immediately. The listing also does not provide the individual millimetre steps, so the total cannot confirm that your required size is present. It may suit checked, light use, but it is difficult to recommend for a first stubborn or safety-critical job.
Pros
- Called good value and decent looking
- Some reviewers say the box seems robust
- Fine so far for people who are not frequent users
- Described as solid on arrival by reviewers who had not yet loaded it hard
Cons
- Sockets rounding on first use
- Knuckle joint broke and the ratchet would not hold sockets, so they slid off
- Box catches broke the first time the case was opened
- One buyer says a gifted set did not work
Best for: Someone who wants both 1/4 and 1/2 inch in one case and will check the sockets before a hard job.
Less suitable: A first hard job if you need a proven size list. Steps are not in the attributes.
Specifications
- Model
- Ginour 138-piece
- Brand
- Ginour
- Price
- ∼£50
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(735)
- Drive
- 1/4 and 1/2 inch
- Measurement
- Metric
- Pieces
- 138
- Ratchet
- Quick release
- Bits
- Yes
- Case
- Plastic case
- Hand or impact
- Hand only
- Material
- Chrome vanadium
Common questions
What materials is it made from?
Sockets are chrome vanadium. Screwdriver and star bits are S2 steel.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. A plastic carrying case.
Can it be used for bicycle repairs?
The listing names bicycle, motorcycle, car and household repairs. Stored reviews include first-use rounding, so light bicycle work is the kinder reading of those comments.
How we compared
Shelf prices, stars, and review counts are the amazon.co.uk figures stored for these ten listings. The editorial score is a 0–100 figure from those stars, damped by faults in the stored reviews. It is not a laboratory test, and price does not set the score. We did not run a workshop trial. Only the Bahco listing names ISO 1174 and DIN 3120. A chrome vanadium line is not treated as a certificate.
1
Drive size
25%1/4 inch for furniture, bikes, and small covers, about 4–14 mm. 3/8 inch for general light car work. 1/2 inch for wheel nuts and high torque. ISO 1174-1 names the hand-tool driving squares shelves still sell in inches.
2
Measurement and size steps
25%Metric for current UK cars and household fixings. AF only when you meet inch fasteners. A missing 17 mm or 19 mm fails ordinary older hexagon jobs. Near sizes such as 19 mm and 3/4 inch are not the same socket.
3
Review evidence
20%Amazon stars and review counts from the amazon.co.uk listing, damped where stored reviews describe jammed ratchets, rounded sockets, snapped bits, or broken case clips. A high star line is not a torque test.
4
Case and accessories
15%A straight extension, a universal joint for angles only, and a bit holder if the case is also your screwdriver. Clips and hinges that fail in stored reviews cost points. A missing socket should be replaceable later.
5
Hand or impact
15%Polished chrome sockets in this set are hand tools. They are not scored as impact sockets. A glossy hand socket does not go on an impact wrench.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Socket set buying guide
Start with drive size, then metric or AF, then whether 17 mm and 19 mm are actually in the tray. Piece count on the lid does not answer those three. The ten listings below are amazon.co.uk pages, with the prices and review counts stored for this comparison. Polished chrome sockets here are hand tools. A chrome vanadium line is not a certificate, and a GS mark on the Mannesmann bullets is not a UK rule. If a socket cracks, stop and speak to the seller.
What is a socket set?
A socket set is a square-drive ratchet plus sockets that fit hex nuts and bolts. On UK shelves the drive is still named in inches: 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, and 1/2 inch, even when the nut is metric. ISO 1174-1 names hand-tool driving squares. Its designation example is a 12.5 mm square, the size shelves call 1/2 inch. Most modern UK cars, bicycles, and furniture need metric sockets. AF, also sold as SAE, still matters on older British and American vehicles.
Best for
- A flat or a bicycle that needs a small metric 1/4 inch set and a few bits
- Light car work that needs 3/8 or 1/2 inch and at least 17 mm and 19 mm
Not ideal for
- Impact wrenches, wheel nuts on a 1/4 inch drive, and torque through a cocked universal joint
- Brakes, steering, or suspension when you cannot torque the fasteners afterwards
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying the piece count
The number on the lid is a weak guide. A 12-piece set that includes 13 mm can beat a 200-piece case that stops before the sump plug you actually meet. Check 17 mm and 19 mm on older hexagon hardware, and do not assume 17, 19, or 21 mm are in the WORKPRO 108-piece, because the listing does not name them.
- 2
Mixing metric and AF because they almost fit
19 mm and 3/4 inch are not the same socket. Whitworth is a separate older British system, not a near-size metric substitute. Halfords' imperial-versus-metric note is the same warning. A cocked universal joint is also the wrong place to finish a torque-critical fastener.
- 3
Using a hand socket on an impact wrench
Glossy chrome hand sockets do not go on an impact wrench. None of these listings is an impact socket. Do not lengthen a ratchet with a pipe. If the case clips snap when you force the lid, that is a fault in the case, not a way to make the set fit.
What to weigh up
Drive size
HighMatch the square to the torque, not to the piece count. 1/4 inch covers furniture, bikes, and small engine covers, about 4–14 mm. In this set that is the Bahco SL25, both EGOFINE sets, the WORKPRO 34-piece, and the WORKPRO mini. 3/8 inch is the general light-car step: the WORKPRO 39-piece includes a 3/8 inch 72-tooth ratchet, with only six 3/8 inch sockets stated. 1/2 inch is for wheel nuts and high torque. The WORKPRO 108-piece and the Ginour include a 1/2 inch ratchet.
Metric, AF, and the missing step
HighBuy metric unless you know you meet inch fasteners. Current UK cars, bicycles, and furniture are metric. Older British and American vehicles still need AF, and Whitworth if the heads are that older standard. The [metric and imperial sockets](/hub/tool-accessories/socket-set/sub/socket-set-metric-or-imperial) page is the versus guide. In this comparison, metric and SAE together are the WORKPRO 39-piece at about £19.99 and the Amazon Basics 201-piece at about £70.07.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Home garage, both drives
You want 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch ratchets in one case for DIY and car jobs. The WORKPRO 108-piece is the broader garage set at about £59.99. Wheel-nut sizes are not listed, and the case is heavy.
Boot kit on a budget
You want sockets to 14 mm, bits, and a blow-moulded case without paying mid-range money. The EGOFINE 46-piece is the best value at about £16.99. Stored reviews include a stuck socket and a ratchet that stopped driving one way.
Common questions about socket sets
Which socket set is the top pick in this comparison?
The top pick is the Bahco SL25, a 25-piece metric 1/4 inch set in a small HDPE case, at about £21.59. The amazon.co.uk listing shows 4.7 from 9,208 reviews and names ISO 1174 and DIN 3120. Reviewers use it for drawers, bicycles, and tight access. The lid can want to close, and the ratchet can sit tight in the foam. It is the wrong set for wheel nuts and for SAE or Whitworth fasteners. The score is not a laboratory test.
Which socket set is the best value?
The best value is the EGOFINE 46-piece at about £16.99. It is a 1/4 inch metric set with sockets to 14 mm, 21 bits, extensions, a universal joint, and a blow-moulded case. The listing shows 4.4 from 1,277 reviews, and reviewers mention chainsaws, mowers, motorbikes, and light car jobs. Stored reviews also describe a socket stuck on the ratchet and a mechanism that stopped driving one way. It does not cover wheel nuts.
What drive size should you buy?
Use 1/4 inch for furniture, bikes, and small engine covers, about 4–14 mm. Use 3/8 inch for general light car work. Use 1/2 inch for wheel nuts and high torque. ISO 1174-1 names hand-tool driving squares; the size shelves call 1/2 inch is a 12.5 mm square in that standard’s example. A 1/4 inch set will not do wheel nuts. None of these ten listings is an impact socket.
Should you buy metric or imperial sockets?
Most modern UK cars, bicycles, and furniture need metric sockets. Add AF, also called SAE, only if you meet inch fasteners on an older British or American vehicle. Whitworth is a separate older British system, not a near-size metric substitute. Do not treat 19 mm and 3/4 inch as the same socket. A set that jumps 17 mm or 19 mm fails ordinary older hexagon hardware. In this comparison, metric and SAE together appear on the WORKPRO 39-piece and the Amazon Basics 201-piece.
Can these socket sets go on an impact wrench?
No. The polished sockets in these sets are hand tools. Chicago Pneumatic’s UK guidance says glossy chrome hand sockets do not go on an impact wrench. None of the ten listings is described as an impact socket. A universal joint at an angle is also the wrong place to finish a torque-critical fastener. Do not pipe a ratchet for extra leverage. If a socket cracks, stop and treat it as a safety complaint.
How much does a socket set cost on amazon.co.uk?
In this comparison, small 1/4 inch sets run about £11.99 to £16.99. Mid-range listings run about £19.99 to £59.99, including the Bahco SL25 and the WORKPRO 108-piece. The Amazon Basics 201-piece is about £70.07 and the Mannesmann 215-piece is about £111.76. Those are the stored amazon.co.uk prices for these ten listings, not a promise of the cheapest UK price. Toolden’s separate rule of thumb is about £20–£35 for a serious 1/4 inch starter.
What should you do if a socket or a case clip fails?
Stop using a cracked socket and speak to the seller. Consumer Rights Act 2015 section 9 includes safety and durability in satisfactory quality. Stored reviews here include snapped case clips on WORKPRO and Mannesmann, a Ginour joint that failed, and an Amazon Basics Torx bit that snapped. Forcing the lid shut is how clips break. A socket case is not a garage cabinet. If the tools will live in a chest, see the tool chest with tools comparison. Report an unsafe product through GOV.UK.
Does chrome vanadium or a GS mark mean the set is certified?
No. Chrome vanadium on a title is a material claim, not a torque certificate. BS ISO 3315:2018 covers hardness and a torque test for hand-socket driving parts, and you should not treat any listing here as having passed it unless the listing says so. Only the Bahco SL25 names ISO 1174 and DIN 3120. Mannesmann’s VPA / GS line is a German mark, not a UK rule. Stars on this page are amazon.co.uk ratings, not a lab result.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Bahco SL25, a compact metric 1/4 inch set at about £21.59, with 4.7 from 9,208 amazon.co.uk reviews, for the house, a bike, or tight access. The listing names ISO 1174 and DIN 3120. The lid can want to close, and one review questions newer Bahco quality. The best value is the EGOFINE 46-piece at about £16.99, with sockets to 14 mm and bits, if you accept stuck-ratchet reports. It will not do wheel nuts. A home garage that needs a 1/2 inch ratchet is looking at the WORKPRO 108-piece, with wheel-nut sizes unlisted. None of these chrome sets is an impact socket.
Best overallView offer
Bahco SL25 25-piece
4.7 from 9,208 amazon.co.uk reviews, a compact metric 1/4 inch set, and a listing that names ISO 1174 and DIN 3120, for tight access rather than wheel nuts.
Best value
View offer
EGOFINE 46-piece 1/4 inch
About £16.99 with sockets to 14 mm, bits, and a blow-moulded case, with stuck-ratchet reports kept in the score. Not a 1/2 inch or wheel-nut set.
Editorial
Editor
DIY & toolsHand toolsamazon.co.uk listings
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: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to socket sets
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Socket set buying guideDrive, metric or AF, and the accessories you will actually use.Best socket setsWho the top pick and the best value are for, and who should skip them.How to use a socket setSeat the socket, set the direction, and when to stop.Metric or imperial socketsMetric, AF, and Whitworth, and why near sizes are not the same socket.Socket set for car repairsWheels, sump plugs, and why a chrome hand socket is not an impact socket.
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK and standards sources named for drive size, metric and AF, impact sockets, and satisfactory quality. amazon.co.uk prices, stars, and review counts are the figures stored for these ten listings. Prices move.
- RS, socket sets guide (retrieved October 2026)
- Toolden, choosing a socket set (retrieved October 2026)
- Auto Express, socket set sizes for a workshop (retrieved October 2026)
- ISO 1174-1:2011, assembly tools for screws and nuts, driving squares (retrieved October 2026)
- ISO 3315:2018, assembly tools, driving parts for hand-operated square-drive socket wrenches (retrieved October 2026)
- Chicago Pneumatic UK, which socket to use on an impact wrench (retrieved October 2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 9 (retrieved October 2026)
- Halfords, imperial vs metric tools (retrieved October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars, and review counts come from those listings. We did not run a workshop trial, and we do not promise the cheapest UK price. The scores rank a listing inside this set only.