Best Socket Organizers – Top 5 Reviews and Buyers Guide
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We had a team of experts pick the very best socket organizers on the market today. We compared features, read through reviews, and even asked experts — Here are what they think:
There’s nothing more annoying than opening up your socket set to see missing pieces, rummaging through old drawers to locate the right size, and that feeling of frustration as you ‘just want to get the job done!‘. This is where decent socket organizers can be an excellent investment, and the great news is there’s a load of affordable options to choose from.
This can be a problem too. With so much choice, it’s hard to know which one is right for you, and so we have tested and reviewed 5 of the best currently on the market.
We have written a detailed report on each one, assorted them into an easy-to-read comparison table, and compiled some factors to consider in a buyer’s guide. We hope the information we provide will be informative and give you a head start when buying socket organizers.
Here’s a rundown of what we discuss in our best socket organizers article:
- First, we showcase our top 5 socket organizers side-by-side for easy comparison
- Next, we tell you about the features and benefits we think you should know about
- Then, we point out their drawbacks
- And finally, we give you a better insight into the range with our detailed buyer guide
Sound great? Let’s get to it!
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Comparison of Our Favorite Socket Organizers:
| SiteStripe Image | Custom | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | MLTOOLS Socket Organizer | Check Price | 4.9 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | OEMTOOLS 6 Piece Socket Tray Organizer Set | Check Price | 4.6 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | Thorbuyys 6PCS Socket Organizer Tray Set | Check Price | 4.4 / 5 |
  | Olsa Tools Socket Organizer Trays | Check Price | 4.3 / 5 |
  | CRAFTSMAN Socket Organizer Organizer | Check Price | 4 / 5 |
Best Socket Organizers Reviews:
1. MLTOOLS Socket Organizer (Best Overall)
- The MLTOOLS socket organizer allows you to securely store up to 90 sockets across the 2 trays. Included in the price are 2 socket organizer trays, 6 socket rails, 45 clips for ¼, and ⅜, and ½ inch drive sockets.
- The trays are completely configurable and this high level of versatility means you can organize them exactly how you want. Simply add or remove socket clips, swap drive sizes, add extension, and ratchet holders.
- MLTOOLS recommends the red tray for SAE and blue for metric, but again it’s up to you.
- Each tray measures 20 x 5 x 1.2 inches making this large enough to store all your sockets, but not so big it won’t fit in your toolbox or be portable.
- Speaking of portable, the sockets are securely held in place by a twist-lock clip so you don’t need to worry about them falling out if on the move. They will even stay in place upside down!
- Your purchase is covered by MLTOOLS lifetime warranty, so as long as you don’t deliberately damage, alter, or deface them you’re covered.
- Our main gripe is the ¼ -inch sockets tend to be a bit loose and we would want a snugger fit to be 100% confident they won’t fall out in transit.
- However, that’s being picky as this set is well-made, has decent storage capacity, and great customer service.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. Thorbuyys 6PCS Socket Organizer Tray Set
- This is a great solution for people who only use sockets in one place, a shop, garage, workshop, etc. The 6pcs set has the complete SAE and metric range and they are color-coded (red or black) so you can easily recognize what you need.
- Each post is clearly marked with the socket size, and each holder comes with either a short or a long holder making it versatile for both deep socket and regular socket storage.
- Each holder is made from durable plastic, they are lightweight so you won’t have a problem storing them in a drawer or carrying them around your garage.
- We liked these and for the money they are good value. But, they are not for everyone. There’s no locking mechanism and so keeping the sockets securely in place is difficult if you’re driving.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. Olsa Tools Socket Organizer Trays
- Next up is the Olsa Tools 58 socket capacity set. These allow you to easily arrange and store ½, ⅜, and ¼-inch drive sockets.
- Made from lightweight aluminum each rail is 17” long and 1” high so it can easily be stored on a wall. The spring-loaded clips hold each socket securely in position and the rubber end caps mean you can adjust the amount of sockets on each rail.
- Olsa Tools has a range of color options ranging from black, orange, blue, red, yellow, and green so you can fully customize exactly how you want to.
- An issue we found was the rubber end cap will come loose over time and so this is an issue if you are storing them vertically! Olsa Tools recognizes this and they do offer a plastic alternative, but you have to buy them separately. (https://amzn.to/3fkKIQW)
- Whilst we do like this product, we can’t grade it Best Overall or Best Value of the obvious defect and the solution is an added, paid, extra.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. CRAFTSMAN Socket Organizer Organizer
- CRAFTSMAN takes a different approach with their socket organizer design, which is really an add-on for their toolbox.
- One thing for sure though, you will be able to store all of your sockets as the 195 SAE and metric storage capacity is about as big as it gets!
- Included are two ½-inch trays, two 3/8 -inch trays, two ¼-inch trays, and 36 riser pins that allow deep well socket storage.
- A nice design feature is that CRAFTSMAN has allocated extra storage areas for ratchets and long extensions.
- Although the sheets interlock, the sockets themselves aren’t secured in position and so there’s a real possibility they'll jump out if on the move.
- Whilst you will be able to store all your sockets, sadly, some of the holes aren’t the right size - either too large or small. Neither is any good for a dedicated organizer!
- Although this isn’t expensive, it’s limited in its use to a toolbox drawer and that won’t suit everybody.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. OEMTOOLS 6 Piece Socket Tray Organizer Set (Best Value)
- Lastly, we tested the OEMTOOLS socket organizer set which is a similar design to Thorbuyys. This set allows you to store both SAE and metric sockets with each post being labeled for quick and easy identification.
- You have a choice of colors too, with black and green or black and red available. Each of the trays has an extended base to prevent them from flipping or tipping over, and this helps keep the sockets in position.
- Total capacity is 80 SAE and 90 metric sockets with a mix of deep well and shallow. Made from durable plastic they are lightweight and portable, with the largest tray measuring 18”.
- OEMTOOLS will guarantee the quality of this set for a lifetime so you’re covered for any defects.
- As with other similar designs, there is no locking mechanism for the sockets and so you’ll need to be careful if using these on the road. Apart from that, they’re fantastic value for money, versatile, with high storage capacity, and a great guarantee.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Further reading: 12 Types of Wrenches and Their Uses – A Useful Guide
Video: Socket Organizers Explained
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Socket Organizers Buyers Guide
When we purchased and tested the five products, we noticed there aren’t many features to consider. They all stored SAE and metric sockets and had good capacity. That being said, there was a noticeable difference in their designs, and this is something you will have to consider.
Storage capacity
Most socket sets have a vast array of sizes, and if, like us, you have bought more than one set over the years, then you’ll have loads kicking about! The idea of a socket organizer is to bring order to an otherwise mismatched collection of sockets, so you will need one large enough to house the number you have and need to use.
You’ll also need to establish what size sockets you have. For example, if you have a ton of ¼-inch but not many other sizes, you’ll need to invest in an organizer that allows you to be versatile. Buying individual holders will be better.
To lock or not?
Our Best Overall pick offered a high-quality locking system that prevented sockets from falling out and being mislaid. Not all of them provide that option, certainly not the cheaper sets.
But, you may not need that feature. For instance, if you are a mechanic and only work in one place, why be concerned about it? We would argue you don’t need it. Being lightweight and easily stored (wall or drawer) are features you’d need to consider.
But, if you are a mechanic who’s on the road, it’ll be worth investing in one that locks the sockets in place. It’ll become a hassle having to constantly pick them up from the floor and try and rearrange them each time. The extra initial outlay will pay you back throughout your life.
There are two locking mechanisms – twist lock and ball bearings.
The twist-lock keeps the socket tightly in place. Twist ½ a turn one way to lock and ½ turn the other way when you need it. An issue is their ease of use with oily fingers!
The second option uses ball bearings that click into place, similar to how wrenches keep the sockets attached to the head. These tend to be more consistent over time.
If you want to wall mount your socket organizer, then you will need a locking mechanism.
Durability
As with any tools purchase, durability is a significant factor to consider. Most socket organizers are made from plastic, and this will degrade over time. It may even arrive broken – that happened to one that we sent back.
The good news is these are simply storage facilities. You won’t use them in heavy-duty work themselves, so their shelf life is promising. Some come with a lifetime warranty, so if you are concerned about defects, look for that guarantee.
Most of the designs we tested had plastic prongs for the sockets to slip over. These may snap if the socket is forced on, or they could degrade over time, especially if left in sunlight.
Wall, drawer, desk?
Mounting socket organizers is a personal choice. Some people will want to mount them on a wall, while others store them in a tool drawer. Whatever needs you have, just ensured the product could do it.
There’s some variation between manufacturers, so even though they look similar in design, they may not be able to be wall-mounted. You will need to check.
Some can be mounted horizontally and vertically. It depends on how many mounting holes they have. Try to avoid keyhole slots as they are not secure enough, and overtime work lose. You want to be able to grab a socket one-handed and not be concerned about the entire thing falling.
Conclusion
In our testing, the MLTOOLS Socket Organizer came top and was awarded our Best Overall prize. It has enough SAE and metric sockets, but the twist-lock feature made it stand out from the rest.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Our Best Value pick was OEMTOOLS 6 Piece Socket Tray Organizer Set. Although a similar design to some others, the lifetime warranty, choice of colors, and versatility edged this ahead.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We hope our detailed reviews, opinions, and buyers guide have helped you decide what socket organizer you need? As always, if there’s anything we can help you with, please get in touch, and we’ll gladly answer any questions you may have.
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- 10 Best Multimeters – Reviews and Buyers Guide
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When I’m not testing and reviewing tools, you’ll find me in front of a hot BBQ, cold drink in hand, cooking up something big, and spending quality time with my wife and two boys. I’m also often found in my workshop working on my next project!
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