Bit ratchets are useful tools, but they can be pricy. Not this one.
Amazon has this WorkPro bit ratchet set, with 72-tooth mini driver and 20 piece screwdriver bit set for pretty cheap – under $15 after coupon.
This set requires a much smaller investment that Wera and even Harbor Freight Icon bit ratchet tool sets.
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WorkPro, if you’re not familiar with the name, offers low to mid price point hand tools. They also manufacture tools for a lot of brands, and so you might have WorkPro tools in your kit without realizing it.
The WorkPro bit ratchet works with 1/4″ hex shank screwdriver bits – such as the ones included in this set – and it also a 12pt 8mm box wrench at the opposite end of the tool.
I think this could work as a low cost starter set, if even as a “do I really need a bit ratchet?” proof of concept before you sink a lot more money into a premium brand.
WorkPro tends to change their prices a lot, and it was adjusted while I was writing up this post. At the time of this posting there’s a coupon that knocks $2 coupon off the price. Amazon says the coupon offer ends on July 8, 2025.
Price: $11-$12 after coupon
Here are a couple of other options if you want something different and a little more premium, such as with an included storage or carrying case:
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- Sunex 38pc Set
- Wiha 32pc Set – GoBox set
- Bahco 26pc Set – includes double-ended tool with ratcheting and box ends
- Wera Bit-Check Set – I own one and love it!
- Wera Tool-Check Set – ratchet, screwdriver handle, bits, and also imperial or metric sockets
I also like this Tone set, which I bought from Amazon a few months ago.
Katie
Thanks. Something I never thought I needed, but for ten bucks, I realized i did 😉
Stuart
That’s what I was thinking. My first bit ratchet was either a cheap Craftsman from Sears that wasn’t at all like this one, or a Gearwrench set that seems to have been discontinued.
There’s no way I could have justified spending a lot more without being sure it was something I’d use.
fred
You also link to a Tone (Maeda Metal Industries Ltd.) set. They are a Japanese brand with limited presence in the US – but probably should be better known (IMO)
They have some socket wrench designs that are somewhat different than what most others make:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GS4GLBD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D2JEN7C
John
I checked out all the sets you linked, — thank you.
Only the WorkPro set includes square-drive bits, so I’m going with this.
Will have to come up with my own carrying case.
James
The Klein bit ratchet is the best. The big finger hole encourages a slick and comfortable movement.
Grokew
It is great if you do HVAC. The 5/16 side is really useful when tightening unistrut fittings.
NoahG
The Klein one rules. All my installers and fabricators have one.
frobo
I have the Gearwrench 85035, which as you say, appears to be discontinued. It’s a nice tool and I do use it occasionally. I might think about getting the Workpro to supplement it because there have been times when the angled heads on the Gearwrench made things a little awkward in tight spaces.
MattT
All the internet jokes and memes about lost 10 mm sockets and the wrench end is 8 mm?
Looks worth checking out for the price, though.
avi
My first thought as well soon as I saw 8mm
Steve
Can’t lose it if it’s a 8mm?
fred
Having an 11mm ratcheting end would comport with using some brands of external drive sockets. Astro Pneumatic offers this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Tools-78301-Ratcheting-Sockets/dp/B01JBNFS6C
I have a few alternative design bit ratchets from Wera that I like – but also sometimes grab a diminutive one from Vim:
https://www.amazon.com/Products-Ratchet-Double-Offset-Handle/dp/B07V9JQRT8
fred
A couple of other concepts:
https://www.amazon.com/Titan-11317-4-Inch-90-Tooth-Ratcheting/dp/B08VC63SRJ
https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-DR-55-Profile-Ratchet-Screwdriver/dp/B00B4TECTQ
fred
711L also make several styles – some to work with multi-tools. They also make a style to work with 4mm hex micro bits:
https://www.amazon.com/711L-Mini-Ratchet-Wrench-Double-ended/dp/B09T9KY2LG
https://www.amazon.com/711L-Micro-Ratchet-Wrench-Screwdriver/dp/B09T9RRYSS
eddiesky
That is a TINY ratchet! And thanks for the TONE links… some unique ratchet ends there! Also, expensive tool sets/boxes but … Japanese quality!
Stuart
The product category has greatly expanded in recent years.
I purchased a Vega – https://www.amazon.com/Vega-Professional-Grade-Magnetic-Ratchet/dp/B0DJV36WS9/?tag=toolguyd-20 recently for testing.
I also have the Engineer that Fred linked to – https://www.amazon.com/Engineer-DR-55-Profile-Ratchet-Screwdriver/dp/B00B4TECTQ/?tag=toolguyd-20 – although I spent close to $20. Right now it’s $14. I don’t like that open design as much, but it’s useful for low profile work.
fred
More choices are always better.
You can also buy fingertip turners from Vim or Cal-Van
https://www.amazon.com/Cal-Van-Tools-908-03-Finger-Driver/dp/B0066PI4GA
L-shaped ones like the one you linked to from Victorinox – or this one from Engieer:
https://www.amazon.com/ENGINEER-DR-07-Engineer-Wrench-Screwdriver/dp/B001YHA56M
Stuart
@Fred, I have the Engineer one too, but sometimes like bare metal rather than plastic-coated. Victorinox also has a set, but it seemed pricey for what you get. https://www.amazon.com/Swiss-SwissTool-Wrench-Nylon-Pouch/dp/B0015RJ3C8/?tag=toolguyd-20
fred
Combination (square and hex drive) ratchets are also a thing:
https://www.amazon.com/Red-4S04-Quarter-Stubby-Ratchet/dp/B009PJPEAS
And – like you (Stuart) – I often prefer bare metal handles – but soft grip can have its place
https://www.amazon.com/VIM-Tools-HBR4-Ratchet-Bit/dp/B003TSW0DA
fred
Prestacycle (bike tool folks) just sent an email about a sale. One item is bit-driver set that stores the bits in its handle:
https://prestacycle.com/products/prestacycle-pocketratchet-pocket-multi-tool-w-bits-stored-in-handle
Stuart
Bike companies have always had neat compact tool kits, but there are so many more these days, and with general purpose utility.
https://www.amazon.com/Prestacycle-Ratchet-T-Handle-Wallet-Case/dp/B082H5TSPN/?tag=toolguyd-20
https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Ratchet-Stick-Tools/dp/B08197LBJR/?tag=toolguyd-20
I bought a Victorinix L-wrench to replace a Craftsman that lost is magnet when still very new. https://www.amazon.com/Victorinox-Swisstool-Replacement-Wrench-Multi-Tool/dp/B000MF45KO/?tag=toolguyd-20
fred
If you buy that Prestacycle kit right now – from them directly it is $29 instead of $39 (a bit better than25% off) – with free shipping
https://prestacycle.com/products/prestacycle-t-handle-ratchet-wallet-3-way-ratchet-and-t-handle-tool-kit
Andrew
That WorkPro reminded me of the Craftsman set I bought on a Christmas sale a couple years ago. The box wrench end is a matching 1/4″, so you can drive bits with either end. While not including the bit selection of the WorkPro, it does include a couple oversized (5/16, 3/8) straight screwdriver bits that may come in handy.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-10-Piece-Steel-Handle-Ratcheting-Multi-Bit-Screwdriver-Set/1000596669
John Blair
Rather than the $47 Wiha 35-piece set, the Wiha Go Box has been under 30 for a while and has dropped down to the 23 range.
https://www.amazon.com/Wiha-74984-Piece-Standard-Ratchet/dp/B0C5FXSBHL
I give those away and everyone seems to love them.
Stuart
Thanks, swapped it in!
Dave
Seems like a great price! I have the Gearwrench version I purchased on sale when highlighted by Toolguyd a few years ago. Great set but I cannot find it any longer.
This wrench has an 8mm closed end on it but why? Seems like a waste but maybe I am missing something?
Mark M.
That looks pretty slick for $10. I’ve got a bunch of those zippered knife cases that come with Civivi and CJRB pocket knives, hoping it fits b/c that would be an awesome storage solution.
ElectroAtletico
I took the Icon set ratchet and T-handle, picked some parts out, got some Pittsburgh Pro sockets, raided spare bits from Spyder, Milwaukee, and DeWalt, and 3D printed my own set to my own specs. Superior to anything in the market.
fred
Working on bikes I often grab a T-handle tool. They seem to reach in better and provide the torque needed to free up stuck parts, My usual go to is a Motion Pro:
https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0556-Spinner-T-Handle/dp/B00K25N514
But I have shorter ones from Felo (#338 125 80) and 2 from Wera
s
one i haven’t seen mentioned is the eastwood ratcheting bit kit.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-29-piece-ratchet-and-bit-set.html
personally, i’ve ended up with one in every vehicle and tool kit i have. it’s nice and compact, and the plastic case is extremely rugged.
i appreciate the slightly angled ratchet, as well as the fact that bits can be installed backwards for the odd extreme situations. not all bit ratchets can do that.