Best Spark Plug Sockets: The Gappening

Top 8 Best Spark Plug Sockets

Continuing the recent trend of DIY tools, we’ve selected spark plug sockets as today’s list of choices. While not all of us set gaps and fiddle with old fashioned points systems, there’s a solid chance most of our readers have had cause to throw a new set of plugs in their beater at some point or another.

Digging through a pile of random tools for the correct spark plug socket can be a trial (rumors say this will actually become a 24 Hours of Lemons penalty soon). If you do spring for one of these things, make sure it lives in a good spot of your toolbox.

Speaking of, many socket sets include one or two of these tools but it never hurts to have an extra on hand. Some of these stand-alones are also more robustly constructed or include special extensions that may not appear in an all-encompassing socket set. Also, don’t forget that not all spark plugs are sized equally, so check your application before hitting the ‘buy’ button.

This socket is for 5/8-inch plugs and a 3/8-inch ratchet drive. An entry angle is said to guide it home more easily and has serrations the depth of the fastener. Large hard-stamped, not etched, sizing identification marks should be visible even to us old guys with failing eyesight.

A knurled grip on the extension shaft provides workers with a non-slip surface for low torque applications. The interior magnet inside of the socket retains and protects the spark plug for easier installation and is said to not wear out over time like a traditional rubber gasket.

This socket is for 5/8-inch plugs and a 3/8-inch ratchet drive. An entry angle is said to guide it home more easily and has serrations the depth of the fastener. Large hard-stamped, not etched, sizing identification marks should be visible even to us old guys with failing eyesight.

A knurled grip on the extension shaft provides workers with a non-slip surface for low torque applications. The interior magnet inside of the socket retains and protects the spark plug for easier installation and is said to not wear out over time like a traditional rubber gasket.

Unsure of your whip's spark plug sizing or simply work on a variety of different cars? Picking up a five-piece set might be a good idea. This unit has a couple of metric sockets along with three in Freedom units. The sizes are both etched and hammered into the socket walls.

This spark plug socket set includes 5/8-inch, 3/4-inch, 13/16-inch, 14mm, and 18mm sizes plus a handy storage rail. The rubber retaining ring ensures plugs stay on the socket and the tapered 6-point socket ends grip the flat sides of the fastener head, not corners, to prevent round-off.

Unsure of your whip's spark plug sizing or simply work on a variety of different cars? Picking up a five-piece set might be a good idea. This unit has a couple of metric sockets along with three in Freedom units. The sizes are both etched and hammered into the socket walls.

This spark plug socket set includes 5/8-inch, 3/4-inch, 13/16-inch, 14mm, and 18mm sizes plus a handy storage rail. The rubber retaining ring ensures plugs stay on the socket and the tapered 6-point socket ends grip the flat sides of the fastener head, not corners, to prevent round-off.

Here's a pro-grade tool whose unique design helps prevent breakage by locking the plug porcelain core to the plug hex. This permits it to turn as one complete unit rather than exerting torque on the plug itself and risking snapping the thing off.

This specific item is designed to help mechanics finding themselves working on Blue Oval products, particularly those equipped with a three-valve 4.6L or 5.4L V8 engine. It's also compatible with the jumbo 6.8L V10 found in mid-2000's Ford trucks.

Here's a pro-grade tool whose unique design helps prevent breakage by locking the plug porcelain core to the plug hex. This permits it to turn as one complete unit rather than exerting torque on the plug itself and risking snapping the thing off.

This specific item is designed to help mechanics finding themselves working on Blue Oval products, particularly those equipped with a three-valve 4.6L or 5.4L V8 engine. It's also compatible with the jumbo 6.8L V10 found in mid-2000's Ford trucks.

Building on the set listed two entries above, this five-piece set has a series of extensions to assist mechanics and DIYers intending to tackle multiple jobs on multiple cars. Note there are fewer socket sizes in this kit - three, not five - but the varying extension lengths are very handy.

Each spark plug socket has 360-degree swivel action for maximum flexibility, while the five sizes give you the extra reach you need for tight spots on a wide variety of applications. The sockets' interior magnets retain and protect the spark plug for easier installation.

Building on the set listed two entries above, this five-piece set has a series of extensions to assist mechanics and DIYers intending to tackle multiple jobs on multiple cars. Note there are fewer socket sizes in this kit - three, not five - but the varying extension lengths are very handy.

Each spark plug socket has 360-degree swivel action for maximum flexibility, while the five sizes give you the extra reach you need for tight spots on a wide variety of applications. The sockets' interior magnets retain and protect the spark plug for easier installation.

No extensions, no swivels, no problem. This is just a basic spark plug socket which is all a person needs in some instances. After all, most of us probably have enough extensions kicking around the garage already without adding more by way of an all-inclusive set.

We've waxed about the Craftsman brand before but, for those still wary thanks to the disappearance of Sears department stores, be assured the tool brand stands on its own without interference from a meddling bricks-and-mortar overlord.

No extensions, no swivels, no problem. This is just a basic spark plug socket which is all a person needs in some instances. After all, most of us probably have enough extensions kicking around the garage already without adding more by way of an all-inclusive set.

We've waxed about the Craftsman brand before but, for those still wary thanks to the disappearance of Sears department stores, be assured the tool brand stands on its own without interference from a meddling bricks-and-mortar overlord.

This is a 5/8-inch spark plug socket sitting on the end of an extension making for ten inches of total stretch. A smooth 360-degree ball swivel means one should be able to reach into wretchedly tight engine bays like that of a 1995 Aerostar.

A fully polished and chrome plated mirror finish is said to resist corrosion and is easy to clean (you do wipe your sockets off before firing them back in the toolbox, right?). A knurled shaft prevents slipping, though it doesn't run the length, and its size is laser etched into the socket.

This is a 5/8-inch spark plug socket sitting on the end of an extension making for ten inches of total stretch. A smooth 360-degree ball swivel means one should be able to reach into wretchedly tight engine bays like that of a 1995 Aerostar.

A fully polished and chrome plated mirror finish is said to resist corrosion and is easy to clean (you do wipe your sockets off before firing them back in the toolbox, right?). A knurled shaft prevents slipping, though it doesn't run the length, and its size is laser etched into the socket.

On occasion, an off-brand delivers a good surprise. Sunex is hardly a household name in the vein of Snap-On or Matco, but this item has earned a 4.8 out of 5-star rating from over 100 customers, with an impressive 96 percent giving these things 4 or 5 stars.

This seven-piece set includes a trio of impressively tall sockets, all of which are common spark plug measures. They are for use with 3/8-inch ratchets and include a blow-molded case that you'll likely bin immediately after opening the Amazon box.

On occasion, an off-brand delivers a good surprise. Sunex is hardly a household name in the vein of Snap-On or Matco, but this item has earned a 4.8 out of 5-star rating from over 100 customers, with an impressive 96 percent giving these things 4 or 5 stars.

This seven-piece set includes a trio of impressively tall sockets, all of which are common spark plug measures. They are for use with 3/8-inch ratchets and include a blow-molded case that you'll likely bin immediately after opening the Amazon box.

Twelve point sockets are usually looked upon with great suspicion but real-world customers of this item give it good reviews, praising its usefulness. A foot-long extension will help you reach pesky spark plugs and also confirm that Subway is giving you a correctly measured sub.

With the extension attached right to the socket, there's no worry about needing to fish a socket out of the well because it decided to divorce itself from the extension. Thin walls help ease access but, as with most things in life, go easy if you don't know what you're doing.

Twelve point sockets are usually looked upon with great suspicion but real-world customers of this item give it good reviews, praising its usefulness. A foot-long extension will help you reach pesky spark plugs and also confirm that Subway is giving you a correctly measured sub.

With the extension attached right to the socket, there's no worry about needing to fish a socket out of the well because it decided to divorce itself from the extension. Thin walls help ease access but, as with most things in life, go easy if you don't know what you're doing.

Are there special sockets for spark plugs?

A short answer would be, yes. To elaborate, the purpose of a spark plug socket is to make it easier for you to install or remove spark plugs from your vehicle.

If you are a DIY person and prefer maintaining your cars yourself, you would need merely one or two sockets, i.e., typically those that are compatible with the spark plugs that your vehicles have. Here, the size matters. If you choose a socket that is of a smaller or larger size than the spark plug, you might not be able to clean or replace it as the removal and installation process wouldn’t be easy.

On the other hand, if you are a professional technician who deals with several vehicles a day, you would want to get a complete spark plug socket set (typically the one recommended by the service station that you work with). Such a set comprises sockets of almost every size, and therefore, you wouldn’t have to look any further while dealing with the plugs of any car that is assigned to you.

Are magnetic spark plug sockets any good?

Before answering this question, it is imperative to understand that two types of spark plug sockets are available in the market, namely:

Rubber Boot Spark Plug Socket – These are not much in trend nowadays as they are considered less durable and eventually wear off with regular use

Magnetic Spark Plug Socket – These types of sockets are mostly used today as they offer a good grip over the plug, are long-lasting, and are easily available in any automobile spare parts store

Coming back to the main question, yes, they are good and are specifically designed for the purpose. The fact is, they are even better when compared to rubber boot spark plug sockets. In the latter case, while the socket may do the job, the rubber boot that it has is prone to wear and tear. Furthermore, some people have also complained about the rubber being fallen off and getting lost.

On the other hand, a magnetic spark plug socket, as the name suggests, is made of a magnet that snaps on the spark plug when placed upon it. In addition, even a magnetic socket has a rubber washer inside it. Because of this, while the magnet forms a firm grip over the spark plug while removing and installing, the rubber makes sure that the plug remains protected against damages that may be caused to its material otherwise.

Are all spark plug sockets the same?

No, they are different. Depending on the type of spark plug your vehicle has, its size may vary and so does the size of the socket. As mentioned earlier, if you have a socket that doesn’t fit well on the spark plug, removing and installing it would be cumbersome.

Therefore, it is recommended that you, being a professional, get a complete OEM set that comprises sockets of almost every size to deal with all types of plugs that you come across in your day-to-day work.

Additional Information

Although you can replace a spark plug without using a socket, the process would be tedious and time-consuming. With the help of a good quality socket, the process that could otherwise take several hours to complete can be done merely within a few minutes.

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[Main Photo Credit: sima/Shutterstock.com. Product images provided by the manufacturer.]