The Best Cordless Ratchets for Your Projects

Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The Best Cordless Ratchets for Your Projects and hope the blog can help you.

Save your hands and wrists from the wear and tear of repeated motions with a cordless ratchet that does the work for you.

Cordless ratchets allow users to work on their vehicles or homes without putting in the effort to operate a manual ratchet and without the risk of tripping on an air hose. These tools use a battery to power the motor, which in turn rotates the head of the ratchet. More than just a time-saving tool, a cordless ratchet allows a DIYer to work in tight spaces without having to worry about a ratchet handle’s swing clearance.

The best cordless ratchet for a home tool kit will depend on its power output, size, weight, battery, and grip. Many offer safety features that can extend the life of the tool while keeping the user safe. To help shoppers pick out the best cordless ratchet, we performed hands-on testing with the following models. Keep reading to learn more about what we found.

1. BEST OVERALL: Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Ratchet Kit
2. RUNNER-UP: Milwaukee 2457-21 M12 Cordless ⅜-Inch Ratchet Kit
3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: S-Long Cordless Electric Ratchet Wrench Set
4. BEST KIT: Kimo 12V Cordless Electric Ratchet Wrench Set
5. MOST FLEXIBLE: Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless Extended Reach Ratchet Kit
6. BEST POWER: Ridgid 18V Brushless Cordless ⅜-Inch Ratchet
7. BEST GRIP: DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Brushless ⅜-Inch Ratchet Kit
8. BEST REACH: Milwaukee 2650-20 M12 ⅜-Inch Extended Reach Ratchet
9. BEST FOR AUTOMOTIVE WORK: ACDelco ARW1201 Li-ion 12V ⅜-Inch Ratchet Wrench Kit

How We Tested the Best Cordless Ratchets

Putting together a list of the best cordless ratchets wasn’t a walk in the park. We had to draw upon all of our experience with automotive repairs, power tools, and mechanical work to pick out the features we’d need in a cordless ratchet. Then, we ordered a bunch from top tool brands that we thought would meet our standards so we could perform hands-on testing.

Our test consisted of putting each ratchet through the wringer. We took to our project 4×4’s engine bay and tested the tools’ reach, illumination (for those that had built-in LED lights), and ease of use. Then, we removed a few bolts and tightened them back down. We compared speed and torque to ensure that we understood each model’s capabilities. Finally, we awarded each model a title based on its strengths, and this list was the result.

Our Top Picks

Below are several top products chosen through research and hands-on testing for their quality, features, and price to help select the best cordless ratchet for a variety of projects.

Note: It’s important to understand that none of these ratchets will replace an impact wrench. If there is a stubborn nut or bolt in a difficult-to-reach space, chances are these tools will not help break them loose. However, once they are loose, these cordless ratchets can take over and make the job much easier.

Best Overall

Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Ratchet Kit

See It

Product Specs

• Drive size: ⅜ inch and ¼ inch
• Voltage: 18V
• Speed: 800 rpm
• Torque: 35 ft-lbs

Pros

• Interchangeable drive sizes provides ample versatility on a job site
• Maximum speed of 800 rpm for multiple fastening applications
• LED light integrated for illuminating dark spaces and providing excellent visibility

Cons

• The direction switch is a bit clumsy; may be a learning curve for beginners

Folks looking for flexibility, quality, and speed should check out Makita’s 18V cordless ratchet. This ratchet receives its power from the brand’s 18-volt (V) battery lineup and features 35 ft-lbs of torque and up to a fast 800 rpm. It also has a compact design with an ergonomic rubber grip for comfortable use.

This ratchet comes with two anvils (⅜ inch and ¼ inch) that pop in and out of the ratchet head, so DIYers can swap between the two sizes when needed. Along with the anvils, it comes with the ratchet, the charger, and a 2Ah battery. This ratchet also features an electric brake and an onboard LED light for illuminating engine bays and other dark spaces.

This Makita cordless ratchet proved to be our favorite tool during testing. It was more or less on par with the others in terms of power, but its speed really set it apart. We also appreciated that this ratchet had a much lower-profile head than the other large ratchets, so it could sneak into spots the others simply couldn’t. We thought the directional switch was a little wonky, however. It’s a tiny lever that could potentially catch on wires or hoses.

Get the Makita cordless ratchet at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Runner-Up

Milwaukee 2457-21 M12 Cordless ⅜-Inch Ratchet Kit

See It

Product Specs

• Drive size: ⅜ inch
• Voltage: 12V
• Speed: 250 rpm
• Torque: 35 ft-lbs

Pros

• Slim and easy to fit in a tool belt, bag, or pocket; lightweight construction at 1.9 pounds
• Built-in LED light provides excellent visibility and accuracy while in use
• Includes a carrying case to keep all components organized

Cons

• Less speed than other options; may not provide necessary torque for heavy-duty applications

The Milwaukee M12 cordless ratchet has a cushioned grip that allows users to work comfortably with minimal hand fatigue. Its onboard battery gauge tells DIYers when they need to recharge the battery so they don’t jump into a project that they can’t finish. This set comes with a canvas carrying bag, a lithium-ion battery, a rapid charger, and the cordless ratchet. The rapid battery charger can power up the battery fully within 30 minutes, allowing users to get to work quickly.

The cordless ratchet has a reinforced metal housing and trigger to extend the life of the tool. It also has a maximum torque of 35 ft-lbs and a variable-speed trigger to decrease or increase the speed to a peak of 250 rpm. With the slim build of this ⅜-inch ratchet, it can be stored or travel in a tool box and, along with the built-in LED light, it can perform ratcheting tasks in tight, dimly lit spaces.

As far as the compact cordless ratchets go, Milwaukee’s M12 model was our favorite. It’s the most compact and has a very low-profile head, so we could maneuver it just about anywhere under the hood. The LED was spot-on (something these compact ratchets seem to get wrong over and over again), though the speed was a little underwhelming.

Get the Milwaukee 12V cordless ratchet at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Ace Hardware (tool only).

Best Bang for the Buck

S-Long Cordless Electric Ratchet Wrench Set

See It

Product Specs

• Drive size: ⅜ inch
• Voltage: 12V
• Speed: 400 rpm
• Torque: 33.3 ft-lbs

Pros

• Variable-speed trigger integrated for maximum control during use; also includes a manual ratchet wrench
• Comes with 10 sockets and a ¼-inch adapter for excellent versatility
• Includes a carrying case to keep all accessories and parts organized

Cons

• Larger than other compact models; may not fit into a tool belt easily

The S-Long cordless ratchet has a high maximum speed of 400 rpm and a top torque output of 33.3 ft-lbs. Users can control the power and speed of the ⅜-inch ratchet with its variable-speed trigger, but if the battery runs low, they can use the included

manual ratchet wrench

. This set also comes with a built-in LED light, eight standard sockets, a ⅜-inch-to-¼-inch adapter, and an extension bar.

The 12V cordless ratchet weighs just 1.8 pounds and it has a soft, rubber-coated grip designed to prevent it from slipping out of a user’s hands while working. The included battery charger will fully charge a battery in just 60 minutes, and users can keep track of the charge with the battery power indicator on the ratchet. This cordless ratchet has a forward-and-reverse switch to change the direction of the rotation and a lock switch to prevent accidentally pressing the trigger.

The S-Long ratchet was somewhat of a dark horse in this race of cordless ratchets. We didn’t want to like it at first, but it performed just as a cordless ratchet should. It felt as if it were delivering just as much power as the other models, and the speed was reasonable. It came with a set of sockets and a ratchet as well as two batteries, all for a good value. The head profile was slim, but it was the longest of the compact ratchets in the test, so it lost a few points there.

Get the S-Long cordless ratchet at Amazon or Walmart.

See It

Product Specs

• Drive size: ⅜ inch or ¼-inch
• Voltage: 12V
• Speed: 400 rpm
• Torque: 40 ft-lbs

Pros

• Full kit including 2 batteries, 8 sockets, and a ¼-inch adapter kit for a wide range of tasks
• Above-average speed and torque for a unit of this size; only weighs 2.2 pounds
• Variable-speed trigger, LED lights, and compact design provide excellent user-friendliness
• Excellent direction-switch design can loosen and tighten bolts

Cons

• Strange LED alignment may not provide the visibility some users require

Folks who’d prefer to spend less to get more should check out the Kimo Cordless Electric Ratchet Wrench kit. This kit comes with the 12V ratchet, two batteries, a charger, and a set of sockets to allow the user to get to work right away, all stored in a handy plastic carrying case. Plus, a ¼-inch drive adapter provides a broad range of applications.

This ratchet isn’t just about the accessories, though. It features an above-average 400-rpm top speed, and it produces 40 ft-lbs of torque. It has a variable-speed trigger and a compact design, both allowing for optimal control while under the hood or performing other tasks.

We ended up being big fans of the Kimo cordless ratchet, and it’s for several reasons. First, we appreciated the fact that it came with two batteries, a set of sockets, and a hard carrying case. We also enjoyed the design—the compact size and low-profile head, namely. But one of our favorite features was the pronounced direction switch. It was easy to find and grasp at nearly any angle. Our main complaint? The LED’s direction is way off course.

Get the Kimo cordless ratchet at Amazon or Walmart.

Most Flexible

Ryobi One+ 18V Brushless Extended Reach Ratchet Kit

See It

Product Specs

• Drive size: ⅜ inch
• Voltage: 18V
• Speed: 230 rpm
• Torque: 55 ft-lbs

Pros

• Extended design and 4-position rotating head reaches both simple and challenging spots
• Dual built-in LED lights on the front of the ratchet provide visibility in tight or dark spaces
• Comes with a battery, charger, and user manual; charger is compatible with all 18V ONE+ Ryobi tools

Cons

• May be too long for some under-the-hood applications

Sometimes that nut or bolt is just slightly out of reach and swinging a large breaker bar might not be feasible. For those situations, consider the Ryobi One+ Brushless Cordless Extended Reach Ratchet. This ratchet features an extended neck that can reach into awkward or distant spaces, and the neck rotates 360 degrees, snapping into one of four positions along the way.

This kit comes with a 2Ah battery and a charger, but it’s compatible with all of the Ryobi One+ batteries. Ryobi rates this cordless ratchet at 55 ft-lbs of torque and 230 rpm, putting it on par with other large ratchets.

The Ryobi certainly has its pros and cons. We felt like it was slightly underpowered, despite the 55 ft-lbs of torque. It’s also a bit long for work under the hood. However, for our lifted 4×4, it made reaching some distant bolts a bit easier than other models. Coupled with the fact that the head rotates, this somewhat cumbersome ratchet is surprisingly helpful—in some situations, of course.

Get the Ryobi cordless ratchet at The Home Depot or Amazon (tool only).

Best Power

Ridgid 18V Brushless Cordless ⅜-Inch Ratchet

See It

Product Specs

• Drive size: ⅜ inch
• Voltage: 18V
• Speed: 250 rpm
• Torque: 55 ft-lbs

Pros

• Powerful brushless motor provides long battery life and excellent durability
• Onboard LED light allows the user to see into dark spaces easily
• Ergonomic variable-speed 2-finger trigger provides ample control

Cons

• Head design is a bit large for tight spots; may not be suitable for automotive use
• Does not come with a battery or charger like some comparable models

Breaking loose tough nuts and bolts in truly awkward positions can be a chore, but Ridgid’s 18V Brushless Cordless ⅜-Inch Ratchet can get the job done. This ratchet relies on the brand’s 18V Max Output battery lineup to power the brushless motor to a top speed of 250 rpm. However, this particular ratchet kit doesn’t come with a battery.

This burly ratchet produces up to 55 ft-lbs of torque, which is more than most of the competition. This gives it the torque to break larger and more stubborn fasteners loose without switching to another tool. I