Rotating Head Ratchet: We Tested with a Complete Buying Guide

Why should you buy a swivel head ratchet over a standard ratchet? Although most allow friction adjustment, it is a versatile tool that can be used as a flex head ratchet or at least a non-locking flex head ratchet.

Moreover, you can use this tool at intermediate angles, allowing them to reach fasteners in hard places or obstacles.

So, it is necessary to have the best swivel head ratchet in a tradesman’s toolbox. With a wrong head ratchet, a fastening or removing project can take away your peace.

For this, you have to choose the swivel head ratchet set carefully. Fortunately, we crafted this guide for you that includes in-depth product reviews to assist you in buying your trusty sidekick.

5 Most Significant Advantages of Swivel Head Ratchet

Do you need to install or uninstall rusted bolts and nuts? In this case, you will rarely find a tool that will give you the best result like a swivel head ratchet wrench. This is a must-have tool in the engineering, agricultural, automotive shop, and industrial sector.

1. The ratchet screwdriver helps to improve productivity. At the same time, the required period of accomplishing a project gets reduced with the help of this tool. It means valuable money and time are saved.
2. Generally, swivel head ratchet spanners are made of durable and robust materials like Cr-V steel. As a result, they can resist high torque and pressure. Also, moving parts are fewer in the swivel ratchet. Handles are long so that a user can work with them easily.
3. The 1/2 inch long swivel head ratchet is an ideal choice for working in confined spaces. They demand less space when operating compared to regular wrenches.
4. You will find different sizes of swivel ratchets in the market, such as 1/2, 1/4, and 3/8 inches. They come with multiple lengths as well. The great thing about swivel head ratchet spanners is, that they are reversible. It is an important feature that provides extra versatility when fastening or removing nuts and bolts.
5. Additionally, their handles are ergonomically designed to control the tool conveniently. Moreover, their handles are chrome-finished for the durability of the tool.

Quick Comparison of Top 5 Best Rotating Head Ratchet
Top Pick TEKTON 91804 3-Piece Set	Swing Arc: 5-degree Tooth: 72-teeth Rotation: 270-degree Weight: 2.47 lbs. Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel	Price
2 ARES 42038 Quick-Release	Swing Arc: 3.6-degree Tooth: 100-teeth Rotation: 180-degree Weight: 3.61 lbs. Material: Aluminum	Price
3 Olsa Tools 1247 Round Swivel	Swing Arc: 4-degree Tooth: 90-teeth Rotation: 270-degree Weight: 3 lbs. Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel	Price
4 GEARWRENCH 81223	Swing Arc: 5-degree Tooth: 72-teeth Rotation: 360-degree Weight: 1.6 oz. Material: Alloy Steel	Price
5 Crescent CRW17	Swing Arc: 5-degree Tooth: 72-teeth Rotation: 180-degree Weight: 1.2 lbs. Material: Alloy Steel	Price

Top Rated 5 Swivel Head Ratchet Reviews

Here’s a little sneak peek over the top choice of 2022 and most probably coming years as well – the five best swivel head ratchets for the money! So, to find out which are the best, keep reading and we’ll help you to make the best buying decision:

1TEKTON 91804 Quick-Release 3-Piece Swivel Head Ratchet Review

• Swing Arc: 5-degree
• Tooth: 72-teeth
• Rotation: 270-degree.

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Highlight Features:

• Corrosion-resistant with an entirely polished chrome-plated finish
• Non-slip grips for comfortable use
• No drop sockets for its quick-release drive tangs
• The handles are molded and soft
• Fits in a tighter space quite conveniently.

The TEKTON 91804 3-Piece Swivel Head Ratchet Set is made of heat-treated and forged Chrome Vanadium Steel, making it highly resistant to excessive pressure. It is a 3-piece set of 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, and 1/2-inch and comes at an affordable price range.

You can access nuts or bolts from any angle as it has 270-Degree swivel heads. Also, working in compact areas will be much more effortless due to the 72-tooth oval head ratchets since they require only a 5° swing arc. It functions like a regular ratchet and a screwdriver.

A detent ball and the locking pin are used in the sockets, which helps the sockets be locked onto the ratchet tang. As a result, the sockets can’t be pulled off or fall. Additionally, the offset handle generates additional working clearance for the finger and ensures non-slip control.

2ARES 42038 5-Piece Flat Head & Quick-Release Swivel Head

• Swing Arc: 3.6-degree
• Tooth: 100-teeth
• Rotation: 180-degree

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Highlight Features:

• Ergonomically designed handles
• Constructed of premium aluminum
• Thumb switch for easy direction change
• Quick change button
• Swivel ratchet heads feature a 180° range of motion.

The ARES 42038 is a nice set of 3-piece flat and 2-piece swivel ratchets. These ratchets’ handles are longer than regular head ratchets, allowing you to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces. Also, the aluminum handle seems to be machined and has just enough contour to give you a grip when your hands are sweaty or have a little grease on them.

Its flat head ratchets feature a reversible 90-tooth ratcheting mechanism that lets you operate with only a 4-degree swing arc. On the back of the ratchet head, you will find the thumb switch. You can change the drive direction easily by simply flicking the switch.

Moreover, the swivel head ratchets come with a 180-degree range of motion in addition to their 100-tooth ratcheting mechanism. Operating these ratchets is so comfortable with a 3.5° swing arc. For easy changing of the sockets, all you need to do is, use the quick-release button.

3Olsa Tools 1247 3pc Round Head Swivel Ratcheting Wrench

• Swing Arc: 4-degree
• Tooth: 90-teeth
• Rotation: 270-degree

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Highlight Features:

• Maintains high-quality standards of ASME specification B107.10
• Simple to use with the long handles
• Cr-V construction makes it much more durable than its rivals
• It can withstand high-torque efficiently
• Suitable for heavy-duty tasks.

These Olsa Tools 3-piece Swivel Head Ratchets are constructed with the user in mind using the highest quality materials to withstand real-world conditions. They have 90 teeth with a 4° swivel arc that allows you to make tighter turns on your fasteners.

Additionally, each ratchet has a head that can rotate up to 270° which helps you to access hard-to-reach areas without hassle. These ratchets are carefully engineered using Cr-V, guaranteeing the longevity of the tools. It also features a corrosion-resistant finish.

It comes with the innovative design of fork split. High flexing is allowed in this ratchet during an event of high torque applications. So, you can use it for heavy-duty fastening projects without thinking twice. Undoubtedly, it will be your best companion in the toughest jobs.

4GEARWRENCH 81223 2-Pc. Round Rotating Head Ratchet Set

• Swing Arc: 5-degree
• Tooth: 72-teeth
• Rotation: 360-degree

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Highlight Features:

• Full polish chrome finish
• Non-slip, comfortable grip
• 360° rotating head
• The head is round-shaped for performing well against obstacles
• Made of high-quality materials.

The Gearwrench 81223 2-Pieces ratchet set is a great tool to add to your toolbox because of its 72 tooth ratchets turn fasteners with a 5-degree ratcheting arc. These ratchets are pretty convenient to use and help users to operate them efficiently.

You will not face fatigue or strain from the dual material comfort grip handle in your hands or arms. More importantly, it never slips from your hand; even if your hand is greasy, you will be able to grip it comfortably. Above all, it meets ASME specifications.

The head is round-shaped, which helps the ratchet work around obstacles and tight spaces. Besides, it resists rust and corrosion effectively as Cr-V steel is used to manufacture it. In addition, if it falls accidentally, no damage will happen.

5Crescent CRW17 Swivel Head Roto Ratchet Set, 2 Piece

• Swing Arc: 5-degree
• Tooth: 72-teeth
• Rotation: 180-degree

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Highlight Features:

• Round shaped head for easy access to tight spots
• Dual material cushion grip for utmost comfort
• Convenient to hold, even in the greasy hands
• Highly polished chrome finish
• It feels sturdy and substantial.

The Crescent CRW17 2-Piece Ratchet Set is specially engineered for tight spots. This tool is more than adequate for the DIY or garage mechanic. This will have been a good purchase if the internals is anywhere near the external appearance’s quality.

Its handles are great for having to break or torque down. It doesn’t hurt your hand to put some weight behind it like those square-shaped handles. This is a very well-made ratchet. It is heavy in construction and has good weight.

The 180-degree rotating heads confirm greater access to the tight spots. In fact, with this ratchet set, accomplishing a fastening or loosening project becomes a breeze. Besides, due to its high-quality construction, it is promised to deliver several years of service.

What to Consider When Buying the Best Swivel Ratchet?

As many variables of swivel head ratchet are available from different manufacturers, finding the best ratchet for the money is quite challenging. Ratchet wrenches are available with a wide range of different features and specifications. Some are designed for certain applications while others are made to be used on a variety of fasteners.

If you’re looking for the best swivel head ratchet wrench, then you’ve come to the right place. There are a few things you need to consider before making your purchase. The following factors will help you to pick the best tools from the oceans of tools.

Material

The first thing you need to think about is what kind of material the ratchet wrench is made of. Some may suggest that metal is the best, as it won’t rust or wear out. However, aluminum, brass, and stainless steel are also great options, especially if you want a longer lifespan.

Tooth Count

The next thing to consider is the number of teeth of the ratchet wrench. The number of teeth will let you determine how faster you can fasten or remove nuts and bolts. While spinning a swivel head ratchet, the tool clicks whenever the ratchet’s teeth get connected with the bolt.

If your selected model has fewer teeth, the ratchet will rotate at a shorter distance.

Since ratchet teeth will let you accomplish nuts and bolts installing and removing projects faster or slower, it should be determined carefully.

For instance, a ratchet swivel head of 40 teeth will perform slower than a swivel ratchet of 80 teeth.

Rotation

The rotation of a ratchet wrench is an important factor to consider when purchasing a ratchet wrench. Is it a reversible or one-way ratchet? If you want to be able to use it in both directions, then a reversible is the best choice. On the other hand, if you just want to tighten bolts and remove stubborn nuts, then a one-way ratchet is the way to go.

There are several types of head ratchets that are designed to be rotated in different directions. This is important to ensure the head ratchet’s angle is comfortable, as it will often need to rotate to maintain a level position on the face.

The best thing to do is to keep the tool in one hand and use the other to apply pressure on the top of the handle. This will prevent the tool from sliding off.

Swing Arc

Another thing to look at is the swing arc of the ratchet. Most ratchet wrenches have a wide arc, which means they can reach most bolts, nuts, and screws. However, a ratchet with a narrower arc will only reach bolts or screws on the top and bottom of the wrench, making it a more limited tool.

The swing arc is the angle of the head ratchet’s arc. This refers to the arc of the tool’s swing. Ideally, the swing should be a full 360 degrees. A more narrow arc means that the tool is more likely to miss its mark when used with a hammer, for example.

A swing arc of 4 degrees is often preferred because it gives a head ratchet more room to swing.

Handle Length

Ratchets come with different-sized handles. The usability and maneuverability of a fastening project depend on the swivel ratchets handle.

Long handles are suitable for tight corners. The greater the handle is, the easier it will be to reach a compact area.

Some ratchet’s handles are small, which makes them compact. These are beneficial during an emergency; working with them is challenging if you can’t grip them properly.

When selecting a swivel head ratchet, look for additional features like soft cushioning, non-slip grip, molding, etc.

Construction

All the reviewed swivel ratchets in this article are made of Chrome Vanadium Steel. Characteristically, it is a heavy-duty and robust material. For this, most manufacturers use this component in this tool.

This material adds robustness, toughness, and durability, allowing the tool to be used in different chores where high torque is involved.

Also, some models are made to be rust and corrosion resistant, allowing its user to use the tool regardless of the conditions. This way, you can store the tool in your toolbox without thinking about its damage.

Durability

The durability of a product is the ability of a material to withstand the wear and tear of normal use. This is especially important if you plan on using your tool on a daily basis.

Materials like steel, aluminum, and titanium tend to be more durable than other materials, and this is reflected in their price. On the other hand, materials like wood and plastic can be cheaper but are prone to cracking over time.

FAQs

Are swivel head ratchets good?

Swivel head ratchets perform faster than regular ratchets. They offer long-lasting, efficient performance. Most models come with a reversible head which helps them to reach the tight corners. The truth is, in terms of functionality, they are better than traditional ratchets.

Are more teeth on a ratchet better?

The higher the tooth number, the lower the handle and the next tooth to be attached. This way, completing nuts and bolts installing and uninstalling projects will be faster.

What is a ratchet used for?

The prime responsibility of a ratchet is to fasten or loosen rusted nuts and bolts. The uses of the ratchet are as follows:

• The ability to be used in tight places
• Provides high torque to loosen bolts
• Re-tighten nuts and bolts to the same torque

The most important thing is; that you don’t need to reposition the device on the fastener when turning nuts or bolts.

What is the best brand of ratchets?

There are so many brands manufacturing high-end and premium-quality ratchets. TEKTON, Gearwrench, Crescent, Olsa Tools, and many more that manufacture good swivel ratchets. You will never regret buying a swivel head ratchet from a brand.

Final Words

In simple words, buying the best swivel head ratchet is essential to get fastening and loosening jobs done efficiently.

One important thing is, to choose a model that meets the specification and standards of manufacturing such tools. Remember, standards vary from region to region.

In this guide, we reviewed 5 different models, and you can consider giving them a try.

In our blog, we also reviewed two different types of flex head ratchet. Read our reviews intently to learn how the 3/8 flex head ratchet and locking flex head ratchet can benefit you for fastening or removing projects.