Torque wrenches are a fantastic tool to have whether you are working on car repairs, maintenance, or a weekend DIY project. The goal of a torque wrench is to tighten fasteners to a specific torque value which can change depending on the project you are working on. There are a few different styles of torque wrenches including a beam-style, a clicker, and digital. Each comes with a variety of styles and sizes, too. We have compiled the best digital torque wrenches on the market to give you the best wrenches for the job.
COMPARISON CHART
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1. Gearwrench 1/2-Inch Drive Electronic Torque Wrench
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2. CRAFTSMAN CMMT99436 Digital Torque Wrench
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3. ACDelco Tools ARM317-4A Digital Torque Wrench
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4. ACDelco 1/2-Inch Digital Torque Adapter
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1. Gearwrench 1/2-Inch Drive Electronic Torque Wrench
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 25.65 x 2.86 x 3.26 inches |
| Material | Alloy Steel |
| Finish Type | Chrome |
| Head Style | Fixed Square |
Features
- Available in the following measurements: Nm, ft-lb, in-lbs, Kgf-m, & Kgf-cm
- Is made from alloy steel with a chrome finish
- Is accurate 3% counterclockwise and 2% clockwise
- Has a range of 25.1 feet/lb to 250.8 feet/lb
If you are looking for an entry-level, starter digital torque, this is a great product to go with. It’s perfect for beginner mechanics and people who do DIY on the weekend. It is reliable enough and inexpensive compared to other digital torques with the same features.
WHAT WE LIKE
This wrench is made for heavy-duty use around garages with grease and oil. It is resistant to solvents typically found/spilled in garages and has a rubberized handle for extra gripping. It is a perfect digital torque wrench for beginners since it is not too expensive. It also has more methods than the normal digital torque wrench to warn you as the target torque comes up with the usual LED light and buzzer, but also a vibrating handle.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
While the majority of the competition is accurate from 2.5 % counterclockwise and 1.5% clockwise, this Gearwrench torque wrench is accurate 3% counterclockwise and 2% clockwise. Therefore, while it is a great wrench overall, the slight lack of accuracy makes it less suitable for very critical applications.
PROS
- Great for beginners
- Has multiple methods to alert about the target torque
- Great rubber grip
- Oil, grease, and other solvent-resistant
CONS
- Less accuracy compared to the competition
- Not suitable for critical applications
2. CRAFTSMAN CMMT99436 Digital Torque Wrench
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 29.64 x 3.67 x 2.57 inches |
| Head Style | Fixed Square |
| Operation Mode | Electric |
| Item Weight | 5.29 lb |
Features
- Available in the following measurements: ft-lbs, in-lbs, and Nm
- Is made from alloy steel with a polished chrome finish
- Has a range of 50 feet/lb to 250 feet/lb
Unlike the Gearwrench, this is not made for beginners. It is perfect for professional mechanics or serious DIYers due to its heavy-duty material, reliability, and complete accuracy.
WHAT WE LIKE
With a backlit LED screen, it comes with a built-in indicator and convenience-enhancing features like a high-grip handle and multi-layered alerts. It comes with a durable clear case for quick tool identification and protection. In case anything goes wrong, this product is also backed by a lifetime warranty guarantee.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
While the product is generally rather easy to use and to figure out on your own, it does come with a manual. Unfortunately, that manual is incredibly difficult to understand with weird language and unclear instructions.
PROS
- Backlit LED screen is great for low-lit places
- Lifetime warranty guarantee
- High-grip handle
- Multi-layered alert system
- Comes with clear, protective casing
CONS
- The manual is difficult to understand
3. ACDelco Tools ARM317-4A Digital Torque Wrench
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 29.64 x 3.67 x 2.57 inches |
| Head Style | Fixed Square |
| Operation Mode | Electric |
| Item Weight | 5.29 lb |
Features
- Available in the following measurements: ft-lbs, Kg-cm, Nm, and in-lbs
- Is made from alloy steel with a chrome finish
- Is accurate 2.5% counterclockwise and 1.5% clockwise
- Has a range of 5 feet/lb to 99.5 feet/lb
This digital torque is best for automotive purposes – but is also great for general purposes. The company, ACDelco, is known for its quality and this wrench is great for its accuracy, speed, and easy-to-use design. It is also easy-to-read with an LCD screen that beeps and buzzes when there is enough force. It should last for over ten years with proper care, even if it is used often.
WHAT WE LIKE
One of the worst things about battery-powered devices is when they run out of batteries and you have to go on a search for new ones around the house. To avoid that search, this torque wrench shuts off automatically after two minutes if it is left unused to save power. It has an industrial-grade no-slip grip so it can easily be used in oil and grease-filled garages. There is also no need to purchase a separate angle indicator since this wrench comes with an angle indicator capable of measuring up to 720º. The LCD screen is backlit so you are always able to see the value in real-time – regardless of the outside light.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Unlike some of the competition that has a range of 25 feet/lb to 250 feet/lb, this torque wrench only has a range from
PROS
- Automatic shut off
- Comes with a 720º angle indicator
- No-slip grip handle
- Backlit LCD screen
CONS
- The required batteries are not included
- It has a more limited torque range compared to the competition
4. ACDelco 1/2-Inch Digital Torque Adapter
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 1.75 x 1.75 x 3 inches |
| Material | Plastic |
| Item Torque | 147 Foot Pounds |
| Item Weight | 0.44 Pounds |
Features
- Available in the following measurements: Nm, ft-lb, in-lbs, & Kg-cm
- Has a digital torque wrench adaptor to use with regular wrenches
- Is accurate 2.5% counterclockwise and 1.5% clockwise
- Has a range of 25 feet/lb to 250 feet/lb
If you need a torque wrench on occasion but don’t want to invest in a high-quality digital torque wrench, this is a great alternative. This adapter simply attaches to a regular (non-digital) ratchet’s drive and then the socket goes in the adapter. The adaptor will display the torque readings via the LCD screen in real-time.
WHAT WE LIKE
This adaptor is so accurate that it can be used to calibrate other torque wrenches. It comes in two sizes – ½ inch and ⅜ inch. It works just like a digital torque wrench in that when the pre-set limit is hit, the LED lights flash, and the buzzer sound goes off to notify you. It also has a one-year warranty to ensure you are happy with your purchase.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The LCD display can be difficult to read when in an engine bay. Another downside is that the ratchet head becomes bulkier when the adaptor is attached which makes it difficult to fit into tight spaces and therefore not always a good alternative to a digital torque wrench.
PROS
- Very accurate readings
- Can be used with any ½ inch or ⅜ inch ratchet wrench
- Has the LED and buzzer warning – like a regular digital wrench
- Easy to mount and dismount
- One-year warranty
- Cheaper alternative to most digital torque wrenches
CONS
- The ratchet head is bulkier when it is attached
- Is difficult to fit into tight places since it is so bulky
- The LCD display can be difficult to read
Are Digital Torque Wrenches Better / More Accurate?
A digital torque wrench is more accurate overall, but also considerably more expensive than its counterparts – beam-style and clicker. Although they are more accurate, they are also more fragile and need more care while handled. They also require batteries to work. Although they are more expensive, they also are four-in-one considering their values can be set for different scales: ft/lbs, in/lbs, Nm, and kg./cm.
Instead of the traditional clicker or bending bar that appears when force is applied, digital torque wrenches have sensors and circuits to let you know when enough force is applied. Before use, set the desired torque level using the wrench’s buttons. When the force is applied, a buzzer will sound and an LED light from the digital screen lights up. With digital torques, it is impossible to go too far with force unlike with clicker or beam-style wrenches.
A really neat aspect about digital torque wrenches is that they provide the option to download the information from them onto a computer via Bluetooth or a wire (depending on the model).
Final Verdict
The best digital torque wrench is the ACDelco Tools ARM317-4A Digital Torque Wrench. This digital torque wrench is great for general and automotive purposes. It has an automatic shut-off feature if not used after two minutes to ensure the batteries don’t die out. It also has a top-notch no-slip grip handle and is resistant to most grease and oil. Its backlit LED screen makes it perfect to use in low-lit places. This wrench also comes with a 720º angle indicator making it a two-in-one.
Although, if you are looking for something to use so you don’t have to eye-ball your occasional weekend DIY project, the ACDelco 1/2-inch digital torque adapter is a great option to go with since it has essentially all of the amenities that a digital torque has without the higher cost.
