The Best Digital Torque Wrenches of 2024, Tested
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Ensure precision and accuracy when you tighten up nuts and bolts under the hood of your vehicle with a new digital torque wrench.
A torque wrench is a specialized tool that is regularly used in automotive repair to ensure that the parts of the vehicle are not under- or overtightened. Mechanical tasks are easier and more precise with digital torque wrenches, which provide users with a digital display that shows the exact amount of torque in use. Some of these devices are equipped with warning signs—including flashing lights, sounds, or vibrations—that indicate when the user has reached the desired torque.
Digital torque wrenches are precalibrated. Some allow users to preset multiple torque levels so they can quickly shift from one everyday task to another with the push of a button. We loved the eTork EC3250 ½-Inch Drive Digital Torque Wrench thanks to its precision, sensitivity, and audible clicking notification that alerted us when the target torque was achieved. We performed 12 hours of hands-on testing with the following digital torque wrenches as well to find which is the model to have.
- BEST OVERALL: eTork EC3250 ½-Inch Drive Digital Torque Wrench
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: eTork ⅜-Inch Drive Digital Torque Wrench
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: Gearwrench ½-Inch Drive Electronic Torque Wrench
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ADJUSTABLE: Yellow Jacket ⅜-Inch Digital Adjustable Torque Wrench
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR ACCURACY: Summit Tools UltraPrecision Digital Torque Wrench
↓ Jump to Review - MOST VERSATILE: ACDelco ARM602-4A ½-Inch Digital Torque Adapter
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Digital Torque Wrenches
When we set out to assemble a list of the best digital torque wrenches, we knew we had our work cut out for us. A lot depends on a torque wrench, as things can easily go awry if a bolt is too tight or too loose. We called upon all of our experience as both mechanics and DIYers to determine which were the most important features to have in a digital torque wrench before performing hands-on testing with all the models in our lineup.
First, we did an inventory of every nut and bolt we had around the house, garage, and driveway and chose 12 different fasteners to test these torque wrenches on (some were the ½-inch drive models and some were for the ⅜-inch models). We adjusted each wrench over and over again, tightening lug nuts, snow blower parts, nuts on children’s bikes, lag bolts on railings, and a few fasteners under the hood of a project truck, among others.
We tested their adjustments, the way they alerted to torque settings, how their ratchets functioned, and what their grips felt like. The two wrenches that failed our tests were removed, while those that passed were given awards based on their strengths.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 8 |
| Hours spent testing | 8 |
| Tests performed | 2 to 3 |
| Price range | $100 to $200 |
Our Top Picks
These top-rated digital torque wrenches were chosen based on quality, price, and customer satisfaction. Whether users are looking for a model with top accuracy or one that won’t break the bank, this list is a good place to start.
Best Overall
eTork EC3250 ½-Inch Drive Digital Torque Wrench
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Build Quality 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Length: 23.25 inches
- Max torque: 250 foot-pounds
- Material: Alloy steel, plastic
What We Like
- Converts between a range of measurements so users can dial in the exact measurement they need
- Audible clicking notification alerts users when the target torque is reached
- Users can dial in the torque settings and then turn the dial off to save battery life
What We Don’t Like
- No light or other indicator to alert the user that they’ve reached the correct setting
This digital torque wrench has a ball-bearing release mechanism that gives it greater sensitivity, consistency, and precision. It has a locking knob that keeps the selected torque from being modified accidentally. Its display allows the user to convert instantly between four units of torque measurements: foot-pounds, inch-pounds, Newton meters, and kilogram-centimeters.
The eTork has a torque range of 25 to 250 foot-pounds and can operate at an accuracy rating of ±3 percent in the clockwise direction and ±6 percent in the counterclockwise direction. While this digital torque wrench doesn’t give users a visual alert when they approach the desired torque setting, it does make an audible clicking sound like a regular click-style torque wrench would make to keep from overtightening fasteners.
During our test, we found the EC3250 from eTork to be a nice combination of digital tech and analog adjustments. There is a dial on the end of the handle that is easy to adjust, even with a gloved hand. Also, we found that we could set the torque and then turn the dial off, as this wrench depends on mechanical settings and not electronic ones. The readout is simply digital, allowing the mechanical release to click or pop when it reaches the set torque.
Read our full review:eTork EC3250 ½-Inch Drive Digital Torque Wrench
Get the eTork EC3250 digital torque wrench at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Buck
eTork ⅜-Inch Drive Digital Torque Wrench
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5;Build Quality 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Length: 15.38 inches
- Max torque: 21 foot-pounds
- Material: Alloy steel, plastic
What We Like
- Short and compact size allows it to fit in tight places like engine bays while still ratcheting
- Once set to the correct torque setting, the wrench doesn’t have to be on to provide a mechanical click
- Works with lower torque settings, allowing users to dial in smaller fasteners to the right torque setting
What We Don’t Like
- No beep or light to alert the user when reaching the torque setting
With a low torque range of 2 to 21 foot-pounds, this wrench by eTork is great for working on bicycles, small recreational vehicles, and larger power tool motors. Its digital display can be adjusted to display torque in four units of measurement, including inch-pounds, Newton meters, foot-pounds, and kilogram-centimeters.
This tool’s hardened alloy-steel housing is strong and durable but also slim enough to fit into tight spaces. It can be used both clockwise and counterclockwise, with an accuracy rating of ±3 percent clockwise and ±6 percent counterclockwise. And it comes in a hard plastic carrying case.
We tested the eTork ⅜-inch drive digital torque wrench with a variety of fasteners around the house, garage, and driveway. We really liked that once we set the torque setting, the digital display didn’t even need to be powered on, as this model alerts with an audible mechanical click. We also liked that we could work in much lower torque settings than the larger torque wrenches. Our only complaint is that a light or beep alert could improve use, particularly when working with low settings as the click can be too soft in volume to notice.
Get the eTork ⅜-inch drive digital torque wrench at Amazon.
Upgrade Pick
Gearwrench ½-Inch Drive Electronic Torque Wrench
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5;Build Quality 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Length: 24.75 inches
- Max torque: 250 foot-pounds
- Material: Alloy steel, plastic, and rubber
What We Like
- Long handle length makes it easy to apply leverage to bolts and fasteners up to 250 pounds
- Clear, legible display makes checking on real-time torque readings in the track mode a breeze
- Vibration setting ensures users notice when they’ve hit their predetermined torque setting
What We Don’t Like
- Torque rating can be difficult to set quickly, making it inconvenient to change settings
Folks who don’t mind spending a little more for a quality tool should consider the Gearwrench 85077 ½-inch drive electronic torque wrench. This wrench measures 24.75 inches long, providing plenty of leverage for applying up to 250 foot-pounds of torque on the high end. On the low end, it can handle 25 foot-pounds, providing plenty of range for most mechanical tasks.
This model from Gearwrench offers three alert functions for when the user creeps up on the preset torque setting: It beeps, lights up, and even vibrates. The vibration is very easy to feel despite the rubber overmolded grip. The 85077 also provides multiple modes, including setting, peak, and tracking, as well as several units of measurement.
Overall, we felt this was a top-tier torque wrench worthy of the upgrade price tag. We liked how the buttons have a positive click when we pressed them, even when wearing gloves. We also liked how easy the large screen was to read and how the vibration ensured we didn’t miss our torque setting (it’s pretty impressive). Our biggest complaint is that adjusting the settings and scrolling through numbers is confusing: Users can hold down the adjustment buttons rather than clicking individual tenths of a pound, but the speed increases the longer the button is pressed, making it hard to land on the correct setting.
Get the Gearwrench digital torque wrench at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Gear Wrench.
Best Adjustable
Yellow Jacket ⅜-Inch Digital Adjustable Torque Wrench
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5;Build Quality 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Length: 13 inches
- Max torque: 62.7 foot-pounds
- Material: Alloy steel, plastic, and rubber
What We Like
- Comfortable grip with rubber overmold is contoured to better fit the user’s hand
- Easy-to-adjust jaws allow users to save time looking for sockets
- Users can purchase swappable heads and ratchets for the times when the wrench-style head won’t fit
What We Don’t Like
- Wrench-style head is often too large to fit into tight places
Users fed up with searching for the right socket may wish to consider Yellow Jacket’s ⅜-inch digital adjustable torque wrench. It features adjustable jaws that allow the users to increase or decrease their size for any fastener under 1.25 inches.
The wrench has a range between 3.1 and 62.7 foot-pounds, with other available units being inch-pounds, Newton meters, and kilogram-centimeters. It’s made of alloy steel, plastic, and a rubber overmold with a comfortable contour to fit nicely in the user’s hand.
This was the first time we used wrench-style jaws on a torque wrench, but we really liked how this tool performed. Rather than sorting through sockets, we were able to make quick adjustments for whichever fasteners we had on hand. Our only complaints are that the handle’s grip is a little small and the large wrench head isn’t going to fit everywhere. Luckily for the latter complaint, this head can swap off for a ratchet head (though that will be an extra purchase).
Get the Yellow Jacket digital torque wrench at Amazon or Grainger.
Best For Accuracy
Summit Tools UltraPrecision Digital Torque Wrench
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5;Build Quality 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Length: 20.4 inches
- Max torque: 147.5 foot-pounds
- Material: Stainless steel, plastic grip
What We Like
- Extremely accurate, allowing users working on engines and high-end bikes to avoid breaking anything on their machines
- Comfortable grip features ample rubber overmolding to prevent slipping under torque
- LED lights work as a scale, alerting users as they approach the desired setting
What We Don’t Like
- Batteries not included
Accuracy is a primary concern when working on a vehicle, so a tool with a high degree of precision is an asset. This digital torque wrench from Summit Tools boasts an impressive accuracy rating of ±1 percent. It allows users to set the target torque rating and then set the wrench in either peak or tracking mode. In peak mode, the digital display will track the maximum amount of torque used while tightening so that users can see how much force was applied. This mode is useful when the user cannot see the digital screen while using the wrench, or when determining how tight a bolt or nut was before loosening.
Tracking mode is a live update of the current torque being applied. Both modes alert the user via flashing LED and buzzer alert when approaching the desired torque. This digital torque wrench has a torque range of 7.4 to 147.5 foot-pounds and can display torque measurements in kilogram-centimeters, Newton meters, inch-pounds, and foot-pounds.
To be fair, we don’t have a way to test this wrench’s accuracy, so the calibration certificate had to be good enough for us. But beyond accuracy, this tool was a pleasure to use. We could adjust the settings with gloved hands, and the buzzer alert and lights were extremely noticeable (the LEDs work as a scale, gradually alerting the user as they approach the setting). The grip proved comfortable, and there are two small knobs that prevent the wrench from rolling off of a workbench—a real benefit for a precision tool. Our only real issue is that its hefty price ought to include the two AA batteries it requires.
Get the Summit Tools digital torque wrench at Amazon.
Most Versatile
ACDelco ARM602-4A ½-Inch Digital Torque Adapter
Photo: amazon.com
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 3/5;Build Quality 4.5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Length: Fits various wrench lengths
- Max torque: 250 foot-pounds
- Material: Plastic and metal
What We Like
- Converts a regular wrench into a digital torque wrench for maximum flexibility
- Wide torque range between 25 and 250 foot-pounds, similar to a full-size torque wrench
- Bright lights and audible alarm indicate when desired torque setting has been reached
What We Don’t Like
- Spins when tightening or loosening so it’s not always possible to see the display
This digital torque wrench adapter may well be one of the most versatile tools in a workshop or garage. The compact adapter allows DIYers and mechanics to use any regular ratchet wrench as a digital torque wrench by fitting onto the square drive of a ratchet wrench. It provides a digital readout of the applied torque on a backlit LCD screen.
This ACDelco adapter has a wide range from 25 to 250 foot-pounds, multidirectional functionality, a clockwise accuracy of ±1.5 percent, and a counterclockwise accuracy of ±2.5 percent. It also has both an audible buzzer and a flashing LED light to alert users before overtightening fasteners. It comes with a hard plastic mini case for storage.
Though truly the dark horse in the digital torque wrench race, this adapter proved to be a winner in testing. At first, we weren’t sure how we’d like that the unit rotates while tightening the fastener since we wouldn’t be able to see the display. However, the indicator lights are so bright that it was easy to tell when we hit the torque setting, even while wearing Bluetooth ear protection with music playing to simulate shop noise. Setting the unit wasn’t intuitive, but once we figured that out, this proved to be a very handy tool.
Get the ACDelco d