These simple tools are a compulsory addition to any toolbox that wishes to be both complete and respected. Used to perform the same tasks as a standard spanner or socket wrench, adjustable spanners (also called adjustable wrenches) are more adaptable than both, because of their adjustable jaws that can be narrowed or widened to fit the required nut or bolt.
The strictly functional adjustable spanner isn’t known for having much of a sense of humour, but the funny thing about the adjustable spanner is that several people claim to have invented it. English engineer Richard Clyburn invented such a tool in 1842; so too did another English engineer Edwin Beard Budding (who also invented the lawnmower) shortly after; and Swede Johan Petter Johansson received a patent for his design in 1892.
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Strengths and limitations of adjustable spanners
As you would expect, because adjustable spanners can fit a large range of fasteners of many sizes, they have the advantage of versatility on their side. It also means you don’t necessarily have to keep a whole set of spanners, but just a couple of adjustable spanners.
Where adjustable spanners tend to fall down is sometimes in awkward or tight working spaces. Because they have larger, heavier heads than regular spanners, confined spaces aren’t always their forte. However, in an attempt to address this, some adjustable spanners have angled jaws so a smaller degree of turning is needed. Some adjustable spanners also have slim, tapered jaws.
One of the other issues with some lower quality adjustable spanners is that they often struggle to stay in the set position and their jaws loosen like a misbehaving ventriloquist doll.
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In order to help you find the correct adjustable spanner for your DIY jobs, consult our range below.
The best adjustable spanners for DIY:
Best DIY All-rounder
An excellent choice to keep in the toolbox or DIY drawer. There are a few sizes to choose from, but we suggest the 200mm spanner with the extra-wide jaw. Itu2019s compact and able to expand its jaws up to 36mm.
In an effort to make it a bit easier to use in tight spaces, the head is slim and the tips are pointed. It has a soft grip and has a metric measurement scale on the jaw. In classic OX habit, this adjustable spanner is extremely well made.
Best Set
If you want an adjustable set to cover most bases but without paying a fortune, this Draper set is for you. Made up of 150mm, 200mm, and 250mm adjustable spanners, this trio is made from carbon steel with comfortable soft grips. They have metric measurement scales on the jaws (up to 20mm for the 150; up to 25mm for the 200; and up to 30mm for the 250).
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The locking mechanism addresses the issue of wandering jaws. In having the locking feature, this Stanley adjustable spanner also becomes a gripping plier when the need arises. Total length is 250mm, jaw capacity is up to 30mm.
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If you're willing to spend a little extra for higher-end tools, consider this Bahco piece. You wonu2019t suffer loosening jaws here and while the jaws on the OX spanner are better for narrower places, the thicker ones on the Bahco are more heavy-duty. That said, these are tapered to help make them okay in tighter scenarios.
The handle is thermoplastic and the price you see is for the 150mm spanner with a jaw capacity up to 20mm. But 200mm, 250mm, and 300mm sizes can also be had.
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Teng adjustable spanners are similar to the Bahco in terms of quality, but we have included these for those of you who need larger sizes. These adjustable spanners are made of hardy and corrosion-resistant chrome vanadium. There is a range of sizes, from 150mm up to 600mm.
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This looks even more hardcore than the others, and youu2019d be right to think that. Designed as a demolition wrench, this FatMax tool is made from hardened steel and strong enough to be used with a hammer. Itu2019s 250mm long and has a jaw capacity of up to 37mm. At the bottom of the handle, you will find a nail puller. You can also use this wrench as a pry bar.
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Tips on adjustable spanners
Jaw size
Consider what jobs you normally require an adjustable spanner for before buying one. If it’s round the house stuff dealing with small and medium-sized nuts and bolts, then you will seldom (if ever) need to go beyond about 30mm. The jaw size given refers to the external diameter of a fastener.
Handle length
This is important because longer handles allow for more torque than shorter ones. But equally, longer handles mean more heft and less dexterity. Like jaw size, it’s important to know what you’ll be using an adjustable spanner for before you buy one. The sizes we've recommended above are generally ideal for lighter and DIY use.
Don’t be a spanner
Avoid placing excess or extreme force/weight/torque on a spanner when using one. Most of us know how incredibly painful an accident involving a slipped spanner or wrench under force can be. If you don’t, it’s not something you want to experience. Also, don’t use a hammer or mallet on an adjustable spanner unless it’s rated for it. Most aren’t, the only one on our list that can take hammer strikes is the Stanley FatMax demolition wrench.
Keep your tools clean
If left covered in muck and grime or kept in dampness, the tools can deteriorate. They are made tough, but they aren’t impervious to everything. Unclean tools don’t usually perform as well as they should, either.