Best Allen Wrenches
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Best Allen Wrenches
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Best Allen Wrenches

Tighten Up Your Tool Box With These Allen Wrench Sets

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

Whatever you want to call them — allen wrenches, allen keys, hex keys, etc. — you certainly know them as the handy little tools that come with just about every do-it-yourself furniture project. 

Too bad you can never find them again after the job is done. Seriously, where on Earth do these little things wind up? It's like the phenomenon of lost socks in the dryer.

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So instead of trying to finagle an impromptu Allen wrench out of a pair of tweezers, you might as well just buy a complete set to save yourself the trouble. Besides, no one wants to deal with a stripped screw so it's best to be prepared with a variety of these hexagonal keys to tighten (or loosen) screws and bolts of all sizes.

They're perfect for DIY projects, bicycles, guitars, automotive work and plenty more uses than you can even imagine. It really is the type of tool that you don't even realize you need until you find yourself without any in sight.

So whether you need a compact set to take with you on bike trips, a full range to work on your car or just a handful of standard sizes to complete minor home improvements, you're sure to find a set of high-quality Allen wrenches to fit your needs below.

Just in Case

TEKTON Hex Key Wrench Set, 30-Piece (.028-3/8 in, 7-10 mm)

TEKTON Hex Key Wrench Set, 30-Piece

This 30-piece set of hex key wrenches come neatly tucked in a bright red storage case so you'll always be able to find it in a flash. It opens flat so you can see all of the wrenches — and their sizes — at a glance, and remove them easily as needed. Each wrench boasts chamfered (or slightly-sloped) edges to provide a snug fit while preventing damage to your screws and fasteners. They all have a long arm/short arm design to give you options depending on the amount of space you have to work and how much leverage you need to get the job done. Each also features a black oxide finish that resists corrosion and will not chip, so you can depend on these in the long-term. 

Amazon rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars from 1,450 ratings

Amazon customer Jay says: “This is a complete set of Allen wrenches. It includes some very tiny ones that I don't know if I will ever get to use but just knowing that I have them makes me feel covered for any job.”

$16.97 at Amazon.com

Wrench of Steel

Bondhus 20399 Ball End L-Wrench DoublePK with BriteGuard & GoldGuard Finish

Bondhus 20399 Ball End L-Wrench DoublePK with BriteGuard & GoldGuard Finish

Made from protanium steel for super-high torque, these original Balldriver L-Wrenches feature a ball end on one side and a hex on the other to accomodate a multitude of jobs. The set is also subdivided into a group with inch measurements and a group with metric measurements to fit your needs no matter there your screws or fasteners originated. Plus, to help differentiate between the two, the wrenches with inch measurments are coated in BriteGuard finish, while the ones with metric measurements are coated in Gold Guard.

Amazon rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars from 642 ratings

Amazon customer dviper1712 says: “I have been using these on the job now for 5 years. They pretty much see daily use in an industrial environment. They have been dropped, over torqued, abused and soaked in hydraulic oil. They still perform like new. Even the letters and numbers on the holder are still visible!”

$26.94 at Amazon.com

Inch-by-Inch, Meter-by-Meter

TEKTON Long Arm Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set, Inch,13-Piece

TEKTON Long Arm Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set, Inch,13-Piece

Each wrench in this set features a long arm/short arm design that allows for extra reach or extra leverage as needed. On one side, there is a ball end to allow easier entry from tough angles; the other side has a sloping chamfered edge to create a snug fit in hexagonal fastener heads without causing wear. Each wrench is finished with black oxide to resist corrosion and eliminate chipping even when used under high stress, and they all fit neatly in the included storage case that opens flat for easy access.

Two separate sets are available — one with inch measurements and one with metric measurements — so be sure to pick the option that is best for your needs.

Amazon rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars from 713 ratings

Amazon customer Adrenaline Junkies Bikes says: “These tools are just one of my many breadwinner tools to my bicycle repair shop and I rely upon them all the time ... The ball end feature comes in handy for the tight hard to reach areas and makes what would be difficult tasks just that much easier to tackle. Well worth the money. They've paid for themselves within the first hour I used them.”

$11.64 at Amazon.com

On the Ball

AmazonBasics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End - Set of 26

AmazonBasics Hex Key Allen Wrench Set with Ball End - Set of 26

Sometimes Amazon just does it best. This set of 26 hex keys in inch and metric measurements is made from chrome-vanadium steel to provide a rugged tool for all of our toughest tightening jobs. Plus, its black oxide finish resists corrosion and has been sand-blasted for a smooth yet easy-to-grip surface. Its ball-end design and long arm/short arm combo offer options to get around tricky spots, and it all comes neatly packaged in a two-hinged case for easy storage.

Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 889 ratings

Amazon customer David T. says: “They get the job done, store in a compact form and the holders do a great job of keeping them all together so I don't lose the size I need. All the sizes I've needed have been included in this set. None have bent or broken in use, even the small ones. Excellent value.”

$12.98 at Amazon.com

All-in-One

Park Tool AWS-10 Fold-Up Hex Wrench Set

Park Tool AWS-10 Fold-Up Hex Wrench Set

This stand-out tool is perfect for taking your allen wrenches on-the-go. It's kind of like the Swiss army knife of hex keys in that it provides a variety of options but folds up neatly and compactly when no longer in use. With hex keys ranging from 1.5mm to 6mm, it's a particularly great option for bicycle upkeep. Just flip out the wrench you need and take grip of the lightweight, slip-resistant handle. The wrenches themselves are made from hardened industrial tool steel — 40 percent stronger than standard steel handles — and their chamfered tips ensure a perfect fit without stripping fasteners.

Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 212 ratings

Amazon customer L. Williams says: “I needed a compact wrench set to fit in my tiny bike bag, and this is the perfect size ... It does not flex or twist at all, so it provides excellent torque when tightening screws. This is a simple and indispensable tool that every bike rider should carry.”

$8.49 at Amazon.com

In the Red

ARES 70164-13-Piece SAE Long Arm Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set

ARES 70164-13-Piece SAE Long Arm Ball End Hex Key Wrench Set

This set of extra-long hex keys offers 13 different options that are perfectly sized for better reach and maximum torque. Their chrome finish helps prevent rusting and is also textured to enhance your grip as you're tightening or loosening screws and bolts. Plus, they're bright red so you can spot even the tiniest ones at a glance and they all fit neatly inside the included hinged case.

Amazon rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars from 183 ratings

Amazon customer Wonderli says: “The extra length provided that additional torque needed for the job and the color-coated anti-slip body makes the hex much easier to use. If you are looking for precision and high performance, this is the perfect example.”

$22.62 at Amazon.com

The Long and Short of It

30-Piece Tacklife Hex Key Allen Wrench Set

30-Piece Tacklife Hex Key Allen Wrench Set

This 30-piece set includes Allen wrenches in both metric and inch measurements to ensure that you always have the tool you need at your side. An advanced heat treatment process and a black oxide finish maximize the longevity of these hardy chrome vanadium steel wrenches, and their sturdiness makes easy work of jobs that require increased torque. Each wrench also boasts a precise chamfered edge for smooth fastening and reduced wear.

Amazon rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars from 161 ratings

Amazon customer YouMaybeRightIMaybeCrzy says: “What sets this set apart from similar items is that the SAE and Metric are different colors. No more mixing the two standards. Everything fits nicely back into the case, making it less likely to misplace. For the price they are awesome.”

$12.26 at Amazon.com

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