Best Lug Wrenches

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 26, 2023
Trying to change a flat tire without any tools can be a daunting task. Although most car toolsets come equipped with some kind of ...Read more
PROS

Both handles of the tool feature special compartments designed for storing lug nuts and bolt sockets. The double-ended universal sockets with a 3-inch extension bar fit nicely into the compartment area, which also simplifies the storage of the wrench.

CONS

The finish wears off over time.

OUR VERDICT

Powerbuilt Billy Club universal lug wrench features a patented L-shape driver design that provides the user with up to 60% more torque when compared to standard cross-like tool models. As a result, you are getting an outstanding tool that takes 100% less space.

detailed parameters
Compatibility

1/2" drive socket adapter

SAE lug nuts: 11/16", 3/4", 13/16", 7/8"

Metric lug nuts: 17 mm, 19 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm

Material

Cr-V steel

Extras

Patented design (L-type lug wrench action), Sliding socket drive head, Storage compartments for sockets and extensions, Non-slip grips

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The 4-way sliding socket drive head allows any of the bars to be moved fully to the end, giving you a much longer lever to remove some of the more stubborn lug nuts. Furthermore, you can collapse it so the bars line up and lock together for easy storage.

CONS

Some parts of the wrench are vulnerable to corrosion.

OUR VERDICT

This tire changing tool is equipped with a universal 1/2-inch drive socket adapter that allows using it with pretty much any lug socket out there. Highly compatible and easy to use, it is an essential tool for every car owner.

detailed parameters
Compatibility

1/2" drive socket adapter

SAE lug nuts: 11/16", 3/4", 13/16"

Metric lug nuts: 17 mm, 19 mm and 21 mm


Material

Cr-V steel

Extras

4-way sliding socket drive head, Collapsible design

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

The wrench is made of high-quality Cr steel with vanadium additives which makes it strong and reliable. On top of that, the steel is additionally covered in a chrome-plated finish which not only looks great but also gives the tool additional anti-corrosive qualities.

CONS

The welding feels a bit flimsy.

OUR VERDICT

If you need to unscrew a stubborn lug nut or a bolt with damaged sides - this simple yet effective wrench will come in handy. Equipped with a full set of lug sockets, it can deal with 3/4, 13/16, and 7/8-inch lug nuts without breaking a sweat.

detailed parameters
Compatibility

SAE lug nuts: 3/4", 13/16", 7/8"

Metric lug nuts: 19 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm

Material

Drop-forged heat-treated steel with rust-resistant chrome-plated finish

Extras

Classic welded-cross design

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

Each socket size is directly stamped into the wrench, which simplifies the storage and usability of the tool. For added convenience, each socket features a laser engraved label.

CONS

A bit rough around the edges.

OUR VERDICT

If your standard lug wrench or tire iron leaves something more to be desired when it comes to effectively unscrewing the lug bolts - consider this tool. It is simple in build, durable, and features a standard set of lug sockets, which is, pretty much, everything you need to switch the rubber on your car or to change a flat tire.

detailed parameters
Compatibility

SAE lug nuts: 3/4", 13/16", 7/8"

Metric lug nuts: 19 mm, 21 mm, 22 mm

Material

Cr-V steel

Extras

Classic welded-cross design

Warranty

Limited lifetime

PROS

All lug sockets feature standard 6-point opening that negates the risk of accidentally dropping the tool while unfastening or fastening lug nuts and bolts. What is more, the wrench meets and even exceeds ANSI specifications, which is a big plus in terms of safety.

CONS

The folding mechanism takes time to get used to.

OUR VERDICT

This collapsible lug wrench is designed to make tire changing fast and almost effortless. And it really shows - the great portability of the tool, combined with its light weight and overall toughness of the steel, makes changing a flat tire or swapping rubber on your car much less of a chore.

detailed parameters
Compatibility

SAE lug nuts: 11/16", 3/4", 13/16", 7/8"

Metric lug nuts: 17 mm,19 mm, 21 mm, 23 mm

Material

Drop-forged heat-treated steel with rust-resistant chrome-plated finish

Extras

Foldable design

Warranty

Limited lifetime

An Essential Tool for Changing Tires

This model from Powerbuilt comes equipped with 4 sockets of different sizes designed to match the lugs of various tire types. What makes it distinct, however, is the L-shape design of the lug socket. While not being the most straightforward design, the L-shape pulling mechanism provides more torque to the lug nuts compared to standard cross-like four-way tools.

As for the materials, the tool is made of Cr-V steel, which can withstand even the toughest jobs out there without too much of an issue. The L-type wrench construction combined with a sliding extension socket drive head, on the other hand, enables adjusting the head according to the size of the lug nut.

Unlike other models on our list, this wrench features plastic handles that enable a better grip with the tire iron and make changing car tires a little bit more tolerable. Likewise, the special adjustable design provides enough torque even for the larger lugs. Aside from the wrench itself, the kit is equipped with 11/16-, 3/4 13/16, and 7/8-inch lugs (17mm, 19mm, 21mm, and 22mm respectively). In addition, the package includes a 1/2-inch drive socket adapter that easily fits each lug nut that comes together with the main unit.

All in all, if you are in the market for a reliable tool that won’t let you down while you’re changing tires, then this Powerbuilt lug wrench will be right up your alley. Tough, durable, and extremely easy to use, it is, perhaps, one of the best lug wrenches available on the market.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $33.49
Stock In stock
ASIN B00YHNAVTQ

Extension Drive Socket that Does Wonders

The foldable design of the ARES 70092 four-way sliding lug tool makes it an ideal portable option for charging the tires. Due to its modest (by tire iron standards) dimensions, it will fit virtually any car trunk or a vehicle toolbox, assuming you own one.

The thing that we didn’t really appreciate is the fact that the Cr-V steel that the tool is made of is certainly durable and quite strong, however, this particular grade tends to get rusty over time. With that in mind, it is not recommended to store the wrench in poorly ventilated or otherwise damp environments to prevent potential corrosion from appearing on the chromed finish.

On the bright side, if stored properly, you won’t have any issues with it and, considering that a four-way wrench design is fairly fool-proof, even if it gets a bit corroded, it won’t affect the overall performance one bit. For added convenience, the package is additionally equipped with a 1/2-inch extension drive socket adapter and a set of lug nuts that cover 11/16, 3/4, and 13/16-inch sizes (17mm, 19mm and 21mm respectively).

Wrapping things up, the ARES 70092 will be a good addition to your car care tool arsenal especially if you are looking for an affordable and reliable tire iron that simply gets the job done.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B075XV249R

Better Torque Provided by Four Arms

W1 from Performance Tool features a standard cross-like welded construction that makes it highly durable, however, that’s not all there is to it. On top of the durable build, the wrench is also corrosion-resistant, which makes it a feasible option as a portable tool. Conversely, the 20-inch length of the arms enables storing it inside your car’s trunk or underneath one of the seats owing to its relatively low profile and light weight.

Specifications-wise, Performance Tool W1 can deal with virtually any standard tire thanks to its long 20-inch arms. Once fastened on the lug nut, the wrench provides just enough torque to change the tire on your vehicle quick and without putting too much elbow grease into it.

For added convenience, the wrench comes equipped with a set of lug sockets that include 3/4, 13/16, and 7/8-inch models (19mm, 21mm, and a 22mm, respectively). With these at your disposal, you will be able to change all standard-sized wheels fast and with relative ease.

The only noticeable drawback of this model is that its welding quality feels a bit flimsy. That said, it’s almost unnoticeable during operation, so it won’t be that huge of an issue in the long run. Moving on, the arms, as well as the sockets of the lug tool, are coated with a black finish that makes the wrench stand out from similar products.

In the end, if a classic-style tire iron is what you are looking for, then Performance Tool W1 will be a great pick for that role. The simple welded design leaves little room for error and, at the end of the day, you don’t really need a Formula-1 impact driver to put a new set of wheels onto your car.

Last updated price $21.02
Stock In stock
ASIN B0002KNYK6

A Classic Model With an Affordable Price Tag

Although four-way wrenches are great for smaller lugs that don’t require a lot of leverage, they usually struggle with bigger tires. That said, this is not the case with the Tekton 5975.

Thanks to its extra-long, 20-inch arms, you will be able to change any tire with ease to match while providing enough room for users to put their hands and feel comfortable unfastening and fastening the lug nuts.

Furthermore, the welded lug sockets enable an extra-tight grip with the lug nuts which further simplifies the process of changing the tires on your car by providing enough torque. What's more, each arm has a lug socket, which makes the tool compatible with 3/4, 13/16, as well as 7/8-inch lug nuts (or simply 19mm, 21mm, and 22mm for metric lug nuts). When it comes to durability, though, the wrench is made of high-quality Cr-V steel that makes the tool almost indestructible. That said, if you ever manage to damage it somehow, the manufacturer covered it with a limited lifetime warranty.

All things considered, this lug wrench from Tekton is definitely among the best budget-friendly tools that you can find. A classic simple design of the tire iron makes it an essential tool to have if your car maintenance toolbox doesn’t feature an item to deal with lug nuts.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B000NPXIGA

Small but Tough

This particular wrench model from WORKPRO is yet another folding lug tool that looks just like any other four-way tire iron. Nevertheless, it still has some aces up its sleeve, so let’s take a closer look at those.

First of all, the arms of the wrench are noticeably smaller when compared with other tools on our list. Even though one could assume that it makes the overall usability worse, it is not exactly true. By being more nimble and providing just enough pull force to the lug nut, the 14-inch arms of the lug wrench provide as much clearance as needed to change the wheels, and to fasten or unfasten the lug nuts on them. Secondly, the wrench is made of drop-forged steel that has been additionally reinforced with heat treatment. Owing to this, it is exceptionally durable and corrosion-resistant, which obviously makes it a worthy investment.

Last but not least, despite its compact profile, the tool actually has a folding mechanism, which makes it easier to store and carry around when needed. The only thing you should be aware of, though, is that the folding mechanism is not so straightforward compared to other products. Hence, it will take a few tries to figure out how it actually works and get used to the action.

Finally, the WORKPRO 14-inch universal lug wrench proved to be an excellent piece of car maintenance equipment. Despite its seeming tiny size and flimsy construction, it is fairly durable and provides just enough torque to the lug nuts to be convenient to use.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $17.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01M1JQVB0

What Is a Lug Wrench?

A lug wrench (or simply tire iron) is one of the simplest yet most used car tools ever made, and that’s no wonder since people change tires of their cars all the time. Most stock car toolboxes come without this essential tool, which makes changing your wheels quite problematic.

A classic tire iron is a four-way cross wrench welded together that has a lug nut on each end of the cross. Thanks to its simple yet convenient design, the tool enables picking the right nut, fastening it on the lug, and using the other hand of the wrench to fasten or unfasten the lugs.

Some models use more innovative types of fastening such as an L-shape pull mechanism that provides the users with better torque while being noticeably smaller than cross-like tire irons. Usually made of steel with some vanadium additives, lug wrenches are generally corrosion-resistant and quite durable when it comes to rough treatment.

If you are looking for more car care tools and appliances, we recommend giving our car battery charger review a look. Likewise, it is never a bad idea to get a fresh set of tires and for this purpose, we have covered the best all-terrain and mud-terrain tires available on the market today.

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