The 10 Best Cordless Ratchets
Editor's Notes
November 06, 2020:
Power ratchets are designed to take the effort out of removing nuts and bolts. These cordless versions give the same flexibility as a regular ratchet in that they are not tied in location to a power or air supply, and due to their high RPM are able to quickly remove stubborn or rusted on fasteners. It should be noted that they don't usually have enough torque to break the bolt (that is the first turn of a fully tightened bolt), and a suitable wrench or bolt breaker should be used for this.
In this update, we removed some lesser quality items and replaced others with the latest models, but overall we kept the list compatible with occasional home to everyday professional requirements. We removed the Bressanon Electric Kit for performance and durability concerns, and replaced it with the Enertwist ET-RW-12B, which is in a similar price range, but comes with two fast-charging batteries and a carrying case. It should be noted that this option along with the Prostormer Ratchet Wrench and the Aoben 3/8-Inch Kit are not heavy-duty tools, and will damage if too much strain is placed upon them, this, however, is reflected in their relatively low cost. The ACDelco ARW1218T was added due to its long shaft, which allows it to be used in tight places where others may not reach. It features the same build quality as the ACDelco G12 Series, but, unfortunately, doesn't come with a battery or charger. As a mid-range option, we included the popular Kimo Electric Wrench set, as it includes many of the features found on more expensive models and comes with seven metric sockets and a 1/4-inch drive adapter.
At the more professional end of the scale, we removed the underpowered VonHaus Electric Wrench and in its place added the Makita Max CXT. As you would expect from this well-known power tool manufacturer, this is a very durable option that boasts up to 800 RPM and a high torque output, it also comes with interchangeable 3/8 and 1/4-inch anvils and a carrying bag. Finally, the Milwaukee M12 was replaced with the upgraded Milwaukee M12 Fuel, which features an improved lithium-ion battery system and delivers an impressive 55 foot-pounds of torque.
February 21, 2019:
We looked at the offerings from some of the most popular tool companies, including Milwaukee, ACDelco, and Ingersoll Rand. The Milwaukee M12 is a top choice for several reasons, such as the fact that it fits right into the prevalent M12 system and that it's got plenty of little touches that make it a snap to use, such as an on-board fuel gauge. The Ingersoll Rand 1/2-Inch also has this usability, but it doesn't come cheap, so it's just not for everyone. For casual users, the ones who don't necessarily need to rely on their tools to make a living, the Aoben 3/8-Inch Kit and Prostormer Ratchet Wrench may be perfectly acceptable, but it's worth noting that they don't offer all of the beefy features found on more expensive, heavy-duty models. Users have to decide whether the extra usability is worth more of an investment.