Sockets can get hectic to find or easily lost when they are kept loosely together in a plastic tray, drawer, or toolbox. A socket organizer fixes that problem by keeping the sockets neatly organized and together in one place.
If you already have a socket organizer, but it is not doing the job well, or you are in search of a quality one, take a look at the best socket organizers on the market.
COMPARISON CHART
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1. Olsa Tools Aluminum Socket Organizer
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2. Hansen Global 92000 SAE & Metric Socket Trays
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3. Ernst Manufacturing 18-Inch Socket Boss, Premium 3-Rail Multi-Drive Socket Organizer
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4. MLTOOLS Twist Lock Socket Rail
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1. Olsa Tools Aluminum Socket Organizer
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 17 x 1 x 3 inches |
| Size | 1/2-Inch, 3/8-Inch & 1/4-Inch Drive |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Number of Pieces | 18 |
Features
- Variety of inch-drive options
- 58 sockets
- Ball-bearing clips with springs
- Storable for regular and impact sockets
- Can fit in a toolbox
This Olsa Tools socket organizer is able to hold up to 58 sockets which are more than some of the other competitors with the rail system design. It is easily able to fit into a toolbox and can store regular sockets and impact sockets. Its design uses ball-bearing clips with springs that help to fasten each socket into its holding position.
WHAT WE LIKE
This socket holder is made mostly of aluminum which means it is sturdy and can withstand the wear and tear of the toolbox. It is also easy to slide the clips on and off of the rail or spread them out. While these rails fit well in a toolbox, they can also easily be mounted to a wall.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
Although the overall design is aluminum, the socket holder itself with the ball bearings is not aluminum which means that the sockets will get stuck on the organizer since the bearings would get rusty in humidity. It is also only sold in packs of three or six rails which means if you need only one rail, you must buy the three-pack and have the other two socket organizers laying around.
PROS
- Mountable for a wall
- Made from aluminum (mostly)
- Clips can slide
CONS
- Must be stored in a humidity-free place
- Comes in a pack of three or six – not individually
2. Hansen Global 92000 SAE & Metric Socket Trays
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 20.5 x 8 x 4.25 inches |
| Size | Metric Socket Storage Trays |
| Material | Plastic |
| Number Of Pieces | 6 |
Features
- ABS plastic
- 2-row tray
- Durable and resistant
This Hansen Global 92000 SAE & METRIC is a great way to store your sockets with its thick bases, secure holding pockets for each socket, and edge tangs for easy handling. It is a fantastic socket for people who do not have many sockets (not a mechanic, for example) but want to keep their sockets secure and in one place.
WHAT WE LIKE
These sockets can hold METRIC and SAE socket sets. Considering the sockets are around garages and messy areas, this socket organizer is gas-resistant and oil-resistant. The sockets are stored facing down making them easy to find and easy to grab.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The quality of the plastic is not great considering the durability that a socket organizer should have. Instead, it is fragile and breakable. Plus, there are only basic-sized sockets. If you have a lot of sockets – especially sockets that are unpopular or uncommon in size – then this socket organizer would not have a place for the different-sized sockets.
PROS
- Holds SAE and METRIC socket sets
- Gas-resistant and oil-resistant
- Sockets are stored facing down
CONS
- The plastic is not durable
- There are only basic-sized sockets
3. Ernst Manufacturing 18-Inch Socket Boss, Premium 3-Rail Multi-Drive Socket Organizer
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 18 x 5.3 x 1.35 inches |
| Item Weight | 1.2 Pounds |
| Material | Plastic |
| Head Style | Hex |
Features
- Comes with 57 clips for 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch drive sockets
- Twist lock clips
- Includes I.D. stickers for socket identification
- Measures 19.75 by 5.3 by 1.35 inches
- Made in the USA
If you are looking for a socket organizer that fits perfectly in any drawer, bench, or you need to have it in the car on the go, this is a great option. It has unlimited configuration options, I.D. stickers, and can hold up to 57 sockets.
WHAT WE LIKE
For added security, the socket rails are locked into the tray but are easily able to unlock at the push of a button. They come in three colors – blue for metric, bright yellow for high visibility, and red for standard.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
In theory, the twist-lock clips keep sockets secured for transport and prevent tool loss – even when turned upside down. Sadly, that is not the case making this socket organizer not great for transportation purposes. The twist clips do not actually keep the sockets in place and instead, they easily fall off. Another downside is that although it comes in three beautiful colors, the paint flakes off and easily shows the wear and tear of the socket organizer.
PROS
- Comes in three different colors
- Locked-in-tray design for socket security
CONS
- Paint flakes off
- Twist-lock clips do not work properly
4. MLTOOLS Twist Lock Socket Rail
Specification
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 20 x 5 x 1.2 inches |
| Item Weight | 2.3 pounds |
| Color | Blue & Red |
Features
- 90 sockets – 45 in each tray
- Each tray has three rails of 15 clips each
- Suitable for 3/8-, 1/4-, and 1/2-inch sockets
- Each tray measures 20 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 1 inch tall.
- Comes in red and blue
This socket rail carries 90 sockets in total – 45 in each tray in which there are three rails of 15 clips each. Just in case there is not an abundance of room in the garage or where the socket organizer would be, the company provides a free tray to ensure the socket rail is set down together on one solid, flat surface.
WHAT WE LIKE
It is so important to know which socket you will be using and if they are messy in a drawer, it is even harder to identify. Luckily, this socket organizer has a labeling system to facilitate identifying each socket size and storing it with the correct label. In case anything goes wrong, MLTOOLS guarantees a lifetime warranty which, considering that it is made from incredibly durable aluminum, is hopefully not necessary.
WHAT WE DONT LIKE
The accompanying tray, while it is a great idea, is a bit brittle and can easily break – not great for heavy-duty work. Plus, the twist-and-lock clip design is a great idea, but it does not prevent sockets from slipping off. Although this socket organizer does hold 90 sockets, it is impossible to add on additional clips without buying another rail altogether.
PROS
- Labeling system
- Durable aluminum material
- Lifetime warranty
CONS
- The accompanying tray is fragile
- There is no way in which to add more slots onto the socket rail organizer
- The twist and lock feature does not always work well
Types of Socket Organizers
Pouch Organizer
A pouch socket organizer is not actually very organized in how it is designed normally, but it is very portable. It has a pouch with different pockets for different tools.
Magnetic Holder
Magnetic socket holders organize and secure with a plastic frame and built-in magnet in the backing to attract and hold the sockets in place. Another design of magnetic holders is to have the plastic frame but have drilled holes that are made from magnets, instead.
Rail System
The rail system socket organizer uses metal or plastic clips to keep the sockets held in place. They are normally completely customizable and clips can be added or taken off depending on the user’s needs. Since they are sold in three to six pieces, they are one of the more expensive types of socket organizers.
Drawer Insert
Drawer inserts are very bulky and heavy socket organizers, but they can fit a lot of sockets. Although they are not very portable, they are common for mechanics who have a lot of sockets that simply don’t fit into other socket organizers.
Tray Container
A tray container socket organizer is often made from metal, wood, or plastic prongs that the sockets slide into. These containers are easily one of the more effective organization systems for sockets as the sockets are arranged according to their size. They are also portable since the average tray fits in a standard toolbox for use on the go or in a garage.
Final Verdict
Although each of these socket organizers is fantastic in its own way, the best socket organizer overall is the Olsa Tools Aluminum Socket Organizer. It has a great carrying capacity of 58 sockets, is made from heavy-duty aluminum construction (aside from the ball-bearings), and is versatile in that it fits just as easily in a toolbox as it would be mounted on a wall.
