Put the Final Touches on Your Projects With These Hex Wrenches

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Hex wrenches, also known as Allen keys, are the tools you use to screw and unscrew fasteners that have a hexagonal recess (as opposed to a Phillips or flathead recess). Hex screws are commonly used on furniture, bicycles, machinery, and door handles—all items that you may disassemble and reassemble multiple times. The six-sided design and precise wrench sizes reduce stripping, even after multiple uses.

Many woodworkers use them because of how much more you can tighten a hex screw, especially when you use additional torque from an electric hex wrench. A full hex wrench set comes with several sizes. This means no more rifling through your drawers for a solo Allen wrench and praying that it fits.

If you’re working on your own woodwork project or just looking to build your Ikea couch with something better than the cheap tool that’s stuffed in the box, check out these picks for the best hex wrench sets.

The Best Hex Wrench Sets

• Best Overall: Tekton Hex Key Set

• Best Value: Bondhus GorillaGrip Hex Key Fold-up Double Pack

• Best T-Handle Set: Craftsman T-Handle Hex Key Set

• Best Ratcheting Option: Dewalt Hex Key Wrench Set

• Best Extra-Long Blades: Klein Tools T-Handle Hex Key Set

What to Consider

What Comes in a Hex Wrench Set?

Most hex wrench sets come with a carrying case that organizes each wrench by size. These are often labeled and molded to fit each individual wrench specifically.

The larger your set of hex wrenches, the more size options you have to choose from. Large hex wrench sets also usually include keys in both the standard (imperial) and metric measurement systems.

Hex wrench sets that use standard measurement for size include wrenches labeled with fractions of an inch, such as 3/16. Metric hex wrench sets use millimeters—and while they often overlap, many do not line up exactly with the closest size from the other measurement system.

If your wrench set comes with wrenches in both measurements, it may come with a separate carrying case. If the set comes with one carrying case, the metric and standard keys are often separated through color-coded handles or distinct design differences in the wrenches.

If you are looking for a more compact set, consider a folding hex wrench with multiple sizes of Allen keys all connected to the same handle. This choice is incredibly convenient, but folding wrenches typically lack the durability and leverage of L-shaped or T-handle hex wrenches. Folding wrenches are only as strong as the handle that keeps them together, so the twisting power of your wrench may be limited if the handle is made of plastic or flimsy materials.

Types of Hex Wrenches

Hex wrenches come in T-handle designs and L-shaped designs. T-handle hex wrenches are shaped like a T, with the Allen key on the long stem. That means they have a comfortable, flat handle at the top, giving your hand a larger grip than L-shaped hex wrenches. Gripping the T-handle with your full hand increases your leverage on the long end of the wrench.

Most T-handle hex wrenches also come with a short key built into the side of the handle. While these hex wrenches are great for a solid grip, the handle style prevents you from tightening screws next to walls or nudged in a corner where the T-handle can’t make a full rotation.

Some T-handle wrench sets come with just one handle that fits each size of Allen wrench provided, while other sets have a full handle for each wrench.

L-shaped hex wrenches are shaped like an L with Allen keys on both ends, giving you a short handle on one end and a long handle on the other. This slim frame makes them well-suited to tight spaces—even when a screw is pressed up next to a wall or board, you can use the longer key to give it a half-turn, at least. The shorter key, by construction, has a long handle that provides superior leverage and gives you space to exert more force. This is great for dislodging screws that are stuck in place or tightening the last bit of a screw in a tight corner.

L-shaped hex wrenches are slightly more convenient than a T-handle but lack leverage for the long end. With only half of a handle, it’s harder to get a grip, forcing it between your fingers instead of with the strength of your full hand.

Material

Nearly all hex wrenches are made of steel. While the durability and strength of that steel varies from tool to tool, most are strong enough to tighten or unscrew anything with a six-sided indent. Some hex wrenches come with unique coatings or finishes that offer greater water and rust resistance.

Black oxide and manganese phosphate are common hex key coatings. Black oxide adds mild protection against corrosion and changes the color of the metal to a dark grey or black. Manganese phosphate increases the hardness of the metal and improves corrosion resistance. If you tend to work outdoors or store your tools in a moist area, consider buying a coated wrench set.

How We Selected

The original writer of this guide, Alex Rennie, used his experience as a residential and commercial carpenter to recommend the best hex wrench sets. Often using different hex wrenches on the job, Rennie chose options that had qualities he found beneficial in practical use.

In our update, we combined Rennie’s hand-on experience and with research of trusted publications and hundreds of customer reviews. We considered key features such as price point, handle style, available sizes, and material quality when comparing options. Following this, we made informed decisions on which hex key sets we found to be the best.

Hex Key Set

This is the last hex wrench set you’ll ever need. With 15 Allen wrenches in standard measurement and 15 Allen wrenches in metric measurement, there won’t be a hex screw you won’t be able to twist.

All 30 of the hex wrenches are stored in a hard shell plastic case that snaps each wrench into place in a designated spot. Each spot is labeled with the size of the wrench, so you’ll never mix them up.

While the volume of sizes is the hook, the line and sinker are the black oxide finish applied to each wrench, preventing rust, corrosion, and weather damage.

GorillaGrip Hex Key Fold-up Double Pack

For a full wrench set that you can slip into your back pocket, this folding double pack set from Bondhus gets the job done. For less than 20 bucks, the pack comes with a set of keys with standard sizes and a set with metric sizes for a total of 16 wrenches.

A major drawback of many foldable Allen wrenches is the strength of the handle. If made of something less durable than the hex wrenches, that becomes the absolute limit of the force you can apply. The handles on these key sets are reported to be up to 40 percent stronger than a regular steel handle.

Each hex key is also coated with a rust-preventing coating and is backed by a lifetime warranty. So, the tool is both created to prevent damage and help you out if it ever is damaged.

T-Handle Hex Key Set

These T-handle wrenches aren’t as compact as some of the other models on this list, but with a handy storage case, they’re still convenient to store when not in use. The two sides of the case are color-coded, making it easy to keep standard and metric options separated and organized.

The thick, rubber-coated handles provide a nice sturdy grip while you twist, and they’re also labeled with large, easy to read sizes, so you’ll grab the right one every time.

While the hex wrench handles may be too bulky to use for tight fits, the added grip and t-handle design give you the extra power you need for tightening up the peskiest of screws.

Hex Key Wrench Set

This wrench set from Dewalt takes the pressure off. Instead of constantly twisting your wrist around, the kit comes with a ratcheting handle that cuts your motion in half. This design is especially useful in tight spaces where you don’t have the full range of motion to fasten in a screw.

Alongside Allen wrenches, this set comes with multiple flathead and Philips head attachments as well. The interchangeable attachments also cut down on the size of the kit. Less handles, just as much torque.

It doesn’t have the best range of hex sizes like our other sets do, but if you don’t plan on working with many small fasteners, it could still be a great choice.

T-Handle Hex Key Set

While we’re already big fans of Klein Tools, the company’s hex wrench set is impressive with or without the name attached. What impresses us the most with this set is the extra long, nine-inch blades. This gives you the reach to tighten or loosen hex screws under heavy couches, bed frames, or dressers without straining your body.

The T-handles have a wrench on the side of it, similar to L-shaped wrenches. They also have the size printed clearly on the top of each handle, which is a minor but appreciated feature.

Cushion Grip T-Handle Hex Key Set

The simple design of these hex wrenches allow them to take up minimal space in your toolbox or bag. Unlike other T-handles which come with bulky handles, these Allen wrenches from Eklind have a slimmer profile, making them easy to stack and store.

The wrenches are made from a single piece of alloy steel, ensuring their durability, and preventing weak spots like plastic handles from reducing how much force you can use as you turn. A rust-resistant finish makes them even more durable, and should hold up well even in rugged work environments.

The wrenches are available in standard sizes as well, though you’ll have to buy them seperately

Folding Hex Key Set (3-Pack)

This set is probably not the best choice for frequent, heavy-duty use, but if you’re just looking to be prepared to deal with a wide range of fastener sizes and types, these folding hex key sets are a good option. The set includes three separate folding wrenches for metric, standard, and also Torx-style bolts and screws.

The black oxide finish prevents rust and corrosion, and the folded design means these fit comfortably in a top drawer or back pocket.

Each wrench set is just 4.2 inches long, which could be a liability if you’re facing screws in awkward locations. While they won’t take on every challenge, they have the sizes and versatility to handle any screw.

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