Sockets & Socket Sets Price Comparison
Compare 1,783 sockets & socket sets from Draper Tools, Wera, KS Tools and more — find the best price across top UK retailers today.
Sockets & Socket Sets price comparison UK
Socket sets are one of those purchases where getting it wrong costs you twice — once when you buy the cheap set that rounds off on the third use, and again when you replace it. Our catalogue of 1,783 products spans everything from individual shallow sockets under 4 £ to professional-grade sets pushing well beyond 16 £, and the spread tells a clear story about this market.
Draper Tools dominates the listings by a considerable margin, accounting for the lion's share of the catalogue. That's not purely a coincidence — the brand has built a strong reputation in the UK for accessible, reliable hand tools, and their sockets are widely stocked by Screwfix, Toolstation, and Amazon.co.uk alike. For most DIYers and home mechanics, a Draper set in the mid-range will do the job without complaint. Where things get more interesting is at the professional end: Wera and STAHLWILLE command a noticeably higher average price for good reason — their chrome vanadium steel tolerances and surface finishes are genuinely tighter, which matters when you're working under a car with a torque wrench every day.
One thing worth flagging: the gap between individual sockets and full sets is enormous in this category. A single 1/2" drive deep socket might sit below 8 £, whilst a comprehensive 100-piece metric and imperial set with a blow-moulded case can push into the upper quartile. Neither is a bad buy — it depends entirely on whether you need versatility or just want to fill a gap in your existing kit. If you're building from scratch, a set almost always wins on value. If you already own a decent ratchet system, buying individual sockets to complement it makes more sense than duplicating sizes you'll never use. For the ratchet side of things, our socket wrenches and torque wrenches categories are worth browsing alongside.
Drive size is the detail that catches people out most often. A 3/8" drive socket won't fit a 1/2" ratchet — obvious in theory, easy to overlook when ordering online. The majority of general-purpose sets use 3/8" or 1/2" drive, with 1/4" reserved for smaller fasteners and precision work. Impact-rated sockets are a separate consideration entirely: if you're pairing with a pneumatic or cordless impact wrench, standard chrome sockets can and do shatter under shock loads. It's not a marketing upsell — it's a genuine safety distinction. Brands like Yato offer budget-friendly impact sets that hold up well for occasional use, whilst HAZET and Gedore sit at the premium end for workshop professionals. You can also explore mechanics tool sets if you want a broader kit that bundles sockets with other essentials.
How to Choose the Right Socket or Socket Set
With prices ranging from 3 £ for a single socket to well over 16 £ for a professional set, the choice isn't simply about budget — it's about matching drive size, socket profile, and material to how you actually work. Here's what genuinely matters.
Drive size: get this right first
This is the single most common buying mistake. Sockets come in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4" square drive — and they are not interchangeable without an adaptor. Most home mechanics and DIYers are best served by a 3/8" drive set, which covers the majority of automotive and household fasteners. Go up to 1/2" drive if you're working on wheel nuts, suspension components, or anything requiring high torque. The 1/4" drive is excellent for electronics, interior trim, and tight spaces where a larger socket simply won't fit. Buy a set that matches your existing ratchet, or buy the ratchet and sockets together.
Impact-rated vs standard: not just a label
Standard chrome-vanadium sockets are designed for hand tools and torque wrenches. Use them with an impact wrench and you risk cracking — not just damaging the socket, but sending fragments towards your face. Impact-rated sockets are made from chrome-molybdenum steel with a black oxide finish, specifically hardened to absorb shock loads. If you own a cordless impact driver or pneumatic wrench, this isn't optional. Budget impact sets from Yato are a reasonable starting point; for daily professional use, step up to Wera or STAHLWILLE.
Metric, imperial, or mixed — know your fasteners
Modern European vehicles, power tools, and most flat-pack furniture use metric sizes (typically 8mm to 32mm for common work). Older British vehicles, American-made equipment, and some agricultural machinery use imperial (AF) sizes. If you're not sure, a mixed set sounds appealing — but beware that many mixed sets sacrifice depth in both systems. For most UK buyers in 2026, a metric-only set covers 90% of jobs. Only buy imperial or mixed if you have a specific, known need.
Shallow vs deep sockets: more important than it sounds
Shallow (standard) sockets are compact and suit most accessible fasteners. Deep sockets are essential when a bolt protrudes significantly — spark plugs being the classic example. Many sets include both, but cheaper sets often skimp on deep variants. Check the product listing carefully: a "32-piece set" that's all shallow sockets is far less versatile than a 20-piece set with a mix of depths. Extension bars also help reach recessed fasteners, so look for sets that include at least one.
Set size vs. quality: the redundancy trap
A 200-piece set sounds impressive until you realise half the sockets duplicate sizes you already own, or cover fastener sizes you'll never encounter. For a home garage, a well-chosen 40–60 piece set covering 1/4" and 3/8" drive in metric is genuinely more useful than a bloated 150-piece kit with three adaptor sizes and a spark plug socket for a car you don't own. Prioritise quality of steel and finish over sheer piece count. Draper Tools hits a sensible balance at the mid-range; KS Tools offers good coverage at a similar price point.
Storage system: underrated until you lose a socket
Loose sockets disappear. A set with a blow-moulded case with labelled cutouts means you'll notice immediately when a size is missing — and you won't spend ten minutes hunting for the 13mm before every job. Rail systems are popular in professional workshops for quick access, but less practical for transport. If you're buying for a toolbox that moves around, a rigid case with a secure latch is worth paying a little extra for. Magnetic trays are a useful addition but rarely included at the budget end.
- Individual sockets & basic starters (From 3 £ to 4 £) : Single sockets and very small sets — useful for filling gaps in an existing kit. Draper Tools and Yato dominate here. Quality is adequate for occasional use, but don't expect precision tolerances or long-term durability under heavy loads. Fine if you just need a specific size once in a while.
- The practical sweet spot (From 4 £ to 8 £) : Where most sensible buyers land for home use. You'll find small socket sets, individual deep sockets, and entry-level metric sets from Draper Tools and Vigor. Perfectly capable for DIY, car maintenance, and general repairs. Not the right choice if you're using impact tools regularly.
- Solid mid-range sets (From 8 £ to 16 £) : This is where complete, versatile sets start appearing — multi-drive, metric and imperial, with proper cases. KS Tools and Draper's better lines sit here. A good choice for the serious home mechanic or tradesperson who wants reliability without paying professional prices. Impact-rated options become available at this level.
- Professional & premium (Over 16 £) : Wera, STAHLWILLE, HAZET, and Gedore territory. These sets are built to workshop standards — tighter tolerances, superior chrome-vanadium or chrome-molybdenum steel, lifetime warranties, and storage systems that actually last. The price premium is justified for daily professional use; for occasional DIY, it's hard to argue the case.
Top products
- Draper Tools 16551 socket/socket set (Draper Tools) : The most widely available Draper socket in this catalogue — competitively priced and stocked across multiple UK retailers. A solid individual socket for filling a gap in your kit, though not the choice if you need impact-rated performance.
- Draper Tools 30870 socket/socket set (Draper Tools) : Good mid-range option with strong retailer coverage. Sits comfortably in the practical sweet spot for home mechanics. Worth comparing across the 8 listed merchants before buying — price variation can be meaningful.
- Draper Tools 16374 socket/socket set (Draper Tools) : The priciest of the top Draper listings and the one most likely to represent a proper set rather than an individual socket. If you're looking for a complete starter kit from a trusted UK brand, this is the one to compare first.
- Draper Tools 83271 socket/socket set (Draper Tools) : The highest-priced product in the top 15 — likely a larger set or specialist socket. Good value relative to premium brands at a similar price, but verify the piece count and drive size before committing.
- Draper Tools 16369 socket/socket set (Draper Tools) : A reliable mid-range pick with 7 competing offers — exactly the kind of product where using a price comparison pays off. Decent everyday socket for 3/8" or 1/2" drive work; check the size listing matches your ratchet before ordering.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What drive size socket set should I buy for general car maintenance?
A 3/8" drive set is the right choice for the vast majority of car maintenance tasks — it covers engine bay work, brake components, and most body fasteners. Add a 1/2" drive set or a few individual 1/2" sockets if you need to tackle wheel nuts or suspension bolts, which require higher torque. A 1/4" drive is a useful complement for trim and interior work but shouldn't be your primary set.
Can I use standard chrome sockets with an impact wrench?
No — and this is a genuine safety risk, not just a performance issue. Standard chrome-vanadium sockets are not designed to absorb the shock loads produced by pneumatic or cordless impact wrenches, and they can fracture under stress. Always use impact-rated sockets (typically black oxide finish, made from chrome-molybdenum steel) with any impact tool. The price difference between standard and impact-rated sets is modest; the risk of using the wrong type is not.
Are cheap socket sets from brands like Yato actually worth buying?
For light DIY and occasional use, yes — Yato offers reasonable quality at a low price point, and their sockets will handle most home tasks without issue. Where budget sets fall short is under sustained professional use or high-torque applications: the steel tolerances are looser, and the finish tends to deteriorate faster in damp workshop conditions. If you're a tradesperson or serious home mechanic, spending more on Draper Tools, KS Tools, or Wera is a better long-term investment.
What's the difference between a 6-point and 12-point socket?
A 6-point socket grips the flat faces of a hex fastener, distributing torque more evenly and reducing the risk of rounding off the nut or bolt head. A 12-point socket offers more engagement positions, making it easier to fit onto a fastener in a tight space — but it applies force to the corners, which can round worn or corroded fasteners. For general use, 6-point is the safer choice. 12-point sockets are useful when access is severely restricted and the fasteners are in good condition.
How many pieces do I actually need in a socket set?
For most home mechanics, a 40–60 piece set covering 3/8" drive in metric (8mm–24mm) with a mix of shallow and deep sockets is genuinely sufficient. Sets marketed as 100+ pieces often pad the count with adaptors, extension bars, and duplicate sizes. Focus on the range of actual socket sizes included rather than the headline piece count — a well-specified 32-piece set will outperform a poorly chosen 80-piece one for real-world use.
What should I look for in a socket set storage case?
A blow-moulded case with individual labelled cutouts is the gold standard — you can see at a glance if a socket is missing, and the sockets are protected from knocking against each other (which causes chrome damage over time). Avoid sets where sockets are simply loose in a tray or held on a flimsy rail inside a thin plastic box. If you're buying for a van or site work, check that the case latches securely and can withstand being stacked under other tools.
Is it worth paying for a Wera or STAHLWILLE socket set over a Draper set?
For professional daily use, yes — the gap in steel quality, dimensional accuracy, and long-term durability is real and measurable. Wera and STAHLWILLE sockets hold their tolerances longer under repeated high-torque use, and their finishes resist workshop grime and corrosion noticeably better. For a home DIYer who uses their socket set a few times a year, the premium is harder to justify. Draper Tools at the mid-range delivers excellent value for that use case, and their warranty support in the UK is solid.