An adjustable spanner is an essential in every tool kit. Are you just starting out in the trade and looking to get yourself equipped with all of the best tools? or are you simply just looking to replace the adjustable spanner that’s been in your tool kit for some time now?
Whatever the reason, you will want one that is going to be sturdy and last you well over a number of years, without you having to go out and replace it after a few uses.
We’ve chosen the best adjustable spanners on the market and created a buyers guide with some useful tips for choosing the best tool.
If you’re in a hurry, then look no further as we have selected our top pick for you below.
In a hurry? This is our winner!
- Narrow head design for limited space
- Alloy-steel body increases strength
- Extra-wide jaw capacity
Best Adjustable Spanners – Comparison Table
Best Adjustable Spanners – Reviews
STANLEY MAXSTEEL Adjustable Wrench 30 x 200 mm Protective Phosphate Finish and Ergonomic Bi Material Handle 0-90-948
Our top pick is the Stanley MaxSteel Adjustable Wrench. This tool is designed with a narrow head which makes it ideal for working in smaller limited spaces. It is made with an alloy steel body giving you strength and durability.
It has a wide jaw capacity which is ideal for the bigger nuts and bolts. However, you will find that it has a slim body which makes it more compact and easier to navigate in a confined area.
The handle of this Stanley adjustable wrench is made from a BI material which gives it a nice comfortable grip, something that is really important if this tool is going to be used a lot.
- It is an affordable price.
- It is good at firmly gripping anything up to 30mm.
- Customer reviews show that it is a good quality product with a sturdy design.
- It is lightweight and it’s padded handle makes it comfortableand gives you control whislt you use it.
- Reviews show that some customers found that it was a smooth tool but sometimes tended to loosen easily.
Bahco 8073 Black Adjustable Wrench 12IN
The Bahco Black Adjustable wrench is a great addition to any tool box. It comes in a vareity of different sizes so that you can choose the one best suited to your needs.
This adjustable spanner comes with a mm scale so that you can pre adjust your tool but also get accurate measurements of the sizes of nuts and screws etc.
This tool has special heat treated jaws for great control and it also makes them last longer too.
This 12 inch wrench is also made from high performance alloy steel and has a left turning screw. The jaws open to a maximum of 34mm.
The ergo designed handle provides you with comfort and control whilst you work
- It is lightweight so comfortable to hold and thin so it is good for using in tighter spaces.
- It has a phosphate finish which prevents corrosion and rusting so this tool is bound to last you a good amount of time.
- This tool is easy to adjust and works smoothly.
- It is non slip so you can adjust what is needed whilst being assured that you are going to get a good tight grip.
- Reviews show that customers have been very impressed with the quality of the product that they have received and it has catered to their needs.
- It is slightly more expensive, however it is good quality.
- Some customers experienced issues with the jaws getting damaged after a few uses.
MAXPOWER Adjustable Wrench 250mm, 3-in-1 Multifunctional Adjustable Spanner with Pipe Wrench Function and Hammer Function, 10"/250mm
Next we have chosen the MAXPOWER 3 in 1 adjustable wrench and pipe wrench. This tool comes with an a 30 mm jaw capacity. The hardened jaws make it ideal for getting a tight grip.
This is a must have in any tool box as it serves three purposes, it can either be used as an adjustable spanner to work with bolts and nuts etc, it can be used as a pipe wrench, as the reversible serated edged jaws, make it suitable for using on round screws and piping, or use it as Hammer with its head weighing 0.5 pounds (227g).
It has a sturdy design and is made from chrome vanadium which not only makes it durable but dust resistant too.
A nice feature of this tool is the ergonomic non slip handles. This gives you comfort whilst you use this spanner and the BI material gives you a good grip and prevents it from slipping out of your hands.
- As a 3-in-1 tool it is a must have for any tool box as it saves you having to buy two separate tools.
- This one can do both.
- It is a really good affordable price for a multi function tool.
- As it is slim built it is ideal for reaching those areas where you have restricted space.
- It is ideal for large fittings thanks to its wide jaws.
- It is easy to switch between both of the functions.
- The material around the handle may start to loosen after a few uses so may need to be glued into place.
OX Pro Series Adjustable Wrench Extra Wide Jaw 6” (150mm)
The OX PRO series adjustable wrench is a multifunctioning tool with jaws that can expand up to 60mm. It has been designed with a thin head and pointed tips which make it ideal for using it comfortably even in those awkward narrow spaces. Along the jaws you will find a measurement scale for added precision.
This tool is made with hardened materials to make it tough but also extra durable, after all you want to invest in a tool that is good to be worthy of your purchase and see you through many uses.
It has a soft duragrip handle which makes it more comfortable to hold but also gives you more control and prevents it from slipping out of your hands.
- It is available in a few different sizes so you can choose the one that caters to your needs.
- Customers who have already purchased this product liked that it had a vibrant coloured handle as it made it easier for them to pinpoint it in their tool boxes, amongst all of their other tools.
- It has a good sturdy and robust design.
- It’s design makes it ideal for working in those tighter spaces where you have limited amounts of room to work.
- It is a little more expensive than some others we have mentioned but still a good price for a sturdy tool.
- Customers found that the handle was sometimes prone to becoming loose.
Silverline WR10 Adjustable Wrench Length 150 mm - Jaw 17 mm
Our next choice is the Silverline adjustable wrench which is available in multiple different sizes however this one is the 150mm wrench with a 17mm adjustable jaw.
It is drop forged chrome plated with a polished jaw face which makes the jaw easy and smooth to adjust. This makes it ideal for those occasions where you have to adjust to different sizes quickly. The materials also make it a lot more durable and it is more than likely to see you through many uses before wearing.
It has a thin body which makes it nice and lightweight and thanks to its ergonomic design it is easy to hold giving you comfort and control.
- It is made out of good quality materials which makes it a durable and long lasting option.
- It is really good value for money.
- It is smooth to adjust, but it also stays firm once you have altered it to your desired length for the job that you are doing.
- As it is available in different sizes you are bound to find the size that caters to your requirements.
- It is nice and easy to change to different lengths.
- Some found the jaws to be too smooth as they sometimes became a little too loose.
Multi-Function Magic Wrench Universal Adjustable auto-ratcheting Works as Reversible Ratchet pop Socket Combination & Pipe Monkey Spanner SAE Crescent nut Gear-Wrench Set for Craftsman & Plumbers
For our next choice we have selected the multifunction magic wrench. As a double headed tool it gives you the benefit of having everything you need in one without having to go out and buy different tools. One head opens from 9-24mm and the other opens from 24-45mm.
It is a durable product as it is made from high carbon steel so it is going to resist corrosion.
The wrench has teeth layered on the jaw and a three point mechanical design, so that you can get a good grip of any nuts and bolts and tighten or loosen them easily.
You will find that this spanner has an internal spring which gives it an auto ratchet effect and makes it quick and easy to work with.
- As a multi-function tool you have everything that you need in one and it has a wide jaw opening range.
- It is really good value for money when considering what you get in this product.
- Due to its versatility it is ideal for when you do not have a lot of room to work, as it is thinner and more compact.
- It is easy to use.
- It is sturdy and has a good grip.
- It is bigger in size and slightly heavier than other spanners which some customers may not like.
Draper Redline 67589 150 mm Soft Grip Adjustable Wrench
Finally, we have selected the Draper Redline Adjustable wrench as our next pick for you. This is a crescent type wrench that is made from hardened carbon steel. This is definitely going to be a long lasting addition in any tool box. It is particulalry handy when it comes to dealing with rusted bolts etc due to its sturdy and strong design.
It is tempered and chrome plated which gives it a nice finish and a modern look. The red handle ensures that it stands out in your tool box so that you can identify it easily when you’re in a hurry.
It is designed with a soft grip handle which makes it nice and comfortable to hold but also gives you more control in those tougher jobs without feeling as though you are putting a lot of pressure on your hands.
- It is really good value for money, great for those who do not intend on spending a lot on this tool.
- It is available in a variety of different sizes which make it great for finding the perfect one for you.
- It is durable and long lasting thanks to its hardened steel design.
- The thin body allows you to access tighter spaces more conveniently. Despite being smaller in size it is still sturdy and of good quality.
- It is slightly heavy which may make it a little more inconvenient when doing larger jobs as it may make your hands feel tired quicker.
- The adjustable nut may get loose after some uses and require regular tightening up.
Best Adjustable Spanners – Buyer’s Guide
As with anything that you buy, there are certain factors that make a product more worthy of your purchase than others and this is the exact same when it comes to purchasing your tools.
An adjustable spanner is something that you are likely to get lots of use out of so you will want one that is going to be good quality and durable.
We have listed some tips below that we would recommend you considering before making your purchase.
Using an adjustable spanner
There are many uses of an adjustable spanner, but predominantly they are used to tighten or loosen your grip on objects such as bolts and nuts for example. Using an adjustable spanner for these jobs has multiple benefits, some being that you can simply adjust the spanner to fit different sizes. However, with a traditional spanner you would need to have this tool in different sizes to fit onto different sized nuts and bolts.
The length of an adjustable spanner
Adjustable spanners are available in different sizes. Some will be thinner and more compact; ideal for any smaller jobs. Others will be bulkier and heavier, so it is necessary to bear this in mind before you make any purchases. However, most do tend to come with long handles so that you can hold them comfortably in your hands whilst you work.
Material
Adjustable spanners typically tend to be made from a type of steel. Most commonly this will be chromium-vanadium alloy. This gives you a sturdy and strong tool that isn’t too heavy for you to be able to hand comfortably. It also tends to be a lot more durable.
Jaws
The jaw of an adjustable spanner tends to be tapered with hardened serrated teeth. This allows you to get a good grip. You can get these tools in different sizes and some will have larger jaw capacities than others. Those with thinner jaws tend to be easier to use in tighter spaces.
Adjustable nut
The adjustable nut is the part in the middle that allows you to loosen or tighten the jaws depending on the job that needs doing. Ideally if an adjustable spanner is a tool that you are going to be used regularly, you will want one with a good quality adjustable nut that works smoothly and doesn’t wear easily after a few uses. Ideally it will be strong and durable too.
The handles of adjustable spanners
A tool with a sturdy handle is important in allowing you to get a good grip. Some handles may be thinner and ideal for working in confined areas. Others may come with a soft coated handle so that it is more comfortable for you to hold. You will also find ones that are ergonomically designed with the comfort of your hands in mind.
A metal handled adjustable spanner however, is likely to be the most durable in how long it is going to last you.
Frequently asked questions
What is an adjustable spanner used for?
An adjustable spanner is used to loosen or tighten nuts or bolts. The jaws are what grips onto the nut or the bolt, whilst the adjustable nut affects the looseness or tightness of the grip depending on the outcome that you are trying to achieve. Unlike a traditional spanner and adjustable one allows you to choose between different sizes on one tool.
Is an adjustable spanner the same as a wrench?
Yes they refer to the same tool however you typically hear spanner being referred to as simply just a standard spanner and a wrench tends to be used more commonly when referring to an adjustable spanner.
What is the best sized adjustable spanner to buy?
As mentioned previously, adjustable spanners can come in different sizes and the size that you chose to buy may be dependent on what you are going to be using it for. In terms of getting a good grip it is generally better to opt for a bigger spanner, particularly if you only carry one in your tool box as this gives you more room to play with and as well as gripping bigger bolts and nuts it will still be as effective with the smaller ones too.