Best Drive Sockets of 2026
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Drive sockets are an essential tool for any mechanic or DIY enthusiast. These small, cylindrical tools are designed to fit snugly onto a ratchet or breaker bar, allowing you to tighten or loosen nuts and bolts with ease. Available in a range of sizes and styles, from metric to imperial and deep to shallow, drive sockets are a versatile addition to any toolkit. With their durable construction and precise design, they are ideal for everything from automotive repairs to DIY projects around the home.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Drive Sockets
Draper 3 Piece Impact Socket Set with Adapters
The Draper Impact Socket Set is a versatile tool kit featuring three essential adaptors: 1/4" hexagon x 1/4" square, 1/4" hexagon x 3/8" square, and 1/4" hex x 1/2" square. Manufactured from durable chrome vanadium steel, these sockets are not only hardened and tempered but also chrome plated for added longevity. You will appreciate the secure fit provided by the spring-loaded retaining ball in each square driver end, ensuring that your sockets stay firmly in place while you work. This set is perfect for impact drivers, wrenches, ratchets, and screwdrivers, making it an essential addition to your toolkit.
Draper Expert 17mm Square Drive Socket
The Draper 17mm Socket is a highly durable tool, crafted from chrome vanadium steel, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications. Its exceptional strength allows you to tackle mechanical tasks with ease. Additionally, the socket is tempered and chemically blacked to provide enhanced corrosion protection. This means you can rely on it for longevity, even in tough conditions. Furthermore, it is versatile, compatible with air, electric, or manual impact wrenches, offering you flexibility and convenience for various applications.
Makita E-15768 6 Piece Nutsetter Set
The Makita Nutsetter Set includes six pieces, offering socket sizes of 6mm to 13mm. Each socket has a length of 50mm, making them ideal for various fastening tasks. The ¼” hex shank E form design allows for easy attachment to your tools, providing convenience during use. With a highly durable construction and anti-rust coating, these nutsetters are built to withstand wear and tear, ensuring longevity and reliability in your toolkit.
US PRO 13pc Deep Impact Socket Set
The US PRO Impact Socket Set is an essential tool for anyone who works with machinery or automotive repairs. Featuring deep impact sockets, this set allows you to reach fasteners in tight spaces with ease. The 1/2" drive means compatibility with a range of tools, making it versatile for various tasks. With sizes ranging from 13mm to 32mm, you can tackle a wide variety of jobs, ensuring you have the right socket on hand. The six-point design provides increased grip and reduces the risk of rounding off fasteners.
ColumPRO 17mm Unistrut Channel Socket Set with Adapter
The ColumPRO 17mm Socket Set is designed to fit both 41 mm and 21 mm shallow Unistrut channels, making installation straightforward and hassle-free. It includes a superior socket adapter, allowing you to use the socket with an impact driver or power drill, offering great flexibility and convenience. Made from durable 42Cr-Mo steel, this tool is built to withstand tough jobs and last over time. The phosphate black finish further protects the socket from rust, ensuring it remains reliable for long-term use.
Sealey AK2742B 13pc 1/2" Drive Black Chrome Socket Set
The Sealey AK2742B Socket Set is crafted from high-grade Chrome Vanadium steel, making it both hardened and tempered for excellent strength and durability. Its fully polished black chrome finish protects against corrosion, so you can trust it to last longer even in damp or oily environments. The set includes specially machined flutes inside the sockets, allowing you to work on fasteners that are up to 85% rounded, which helps prevent further damage to worn or rusted fixings. This means you can tackle tricky bolts and nuts with greater ease and confidence.
Draper 16487 1/4-Inch Square Drive Sockets Set
The Draper 16487 Sockets are a versatile set of 13 metric square drive sockets, designed to meet your various fastening needs. Originating from Taiwan, this collection comes in a convenient blue colour and is packaged with quality in mind. The 1/4-inch square drive size allows for compatibility with a wide range of tools, making it easy for you to tackle different tasks. With this set, you can enjoy improved efficiency and convenience in your projects, ensuring that you always have the right socket at hand.
VEVOR 1/2" Drive Impact Socket Set
The VEVOR Socket Set is crafted from Cr-V industrial-grade alloy steel, providing exceptional impact resistance and durability. This means you can rely on it in various operational environments without worrying about wear. The high torque design reduces pressure on fasteners, helping to prevent rounding and stripping, which can save you time and effort. Additionally, the easy-to-read laser-etched size markings ensure you can quickly identify the right socket, even in low light. With a convenient metal toolbox included, you can keep everything organised and portable.
Draper 16285 Hexagonal Socket Bit Set 48mm
The Draper Hexagonal Socket Set offers a range of sizes from 3mm to 12mm, making it versatile for various tasks. Crafted from hardened chrome vanadium steel, these sockets ensure durability and strength, giving you confidence in their performance. The sand blasted bits made from S2 silicon steel enhance grip and reduce slippage, allowing you to work efficiently. Each socket features a knurled ring, providing you with an easy grip, which is particularly useful when handling stubborn screws or bolts.
US PRO 5 Piece Triple Square Socket Set
The US PRO Triple Square Sockets set includes five pieces, each designed with a 1/2" drive for versatile use. Made from durable Chrome Vanadium Steel, the sockets promise long-lasting performance, ensuring you can tackle various jobs without worry. The included S2 Steel bits enhance strength and resilience, making them ideal for high-torque applications. With a length of 55mm, these sockets provide ample reach for tight spots, helping you work efficiently and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a drive socket?
The drive socket is the square hole which is used to attach the socket to a turning tool such as a ratchet or wrench. Drive sockets can come in one of five sizes: 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″. Unlike the socket head, drive sockets are always listed in imperial sizes.
2. What are the different drives for sockets?
There are 5 different sizes of 'drive socket' that are commonly used: 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, 3/4″ and 1″. The smaller the drive is, the smaller the head is likely to be as well.
During our drive socket research, we found 306 drive socket products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 12,516 customer reviews through our big data system to write the drive sockets list. We found that most customers choose drive sockets with an average price of £13.27.
The drive sockets are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of drive sockets, including Draper, Makita, US PRO, ColumPRO, Sealey.
Jennifer Fraser is a licensed contractor specializing in sales, maintenance, and kitchen, bathroom, and home appliances, tools, and utilities. She owns a store in Leeds where you can get any home and tool appliance. Jenny has a degree in literature, but she combines her knowledge and experience with her degree to publish DIY articles on solving home appliances issues to keep up the family enterprise.