If you've ever put together a piece of disassembled, store-bought furniture, you've had experience with the Allen wrench. Since its invention over 100 years ago, the Allen wrench has become a necessary tool for driving screws with flat heads into a flush position. These days, your tool chest simply isn't complete without a good set of Allen wrenches. The last thing we want is for you to stress out about finding the right set for you, so we've done the research and put together a list of our favorite Allen wrench sets available today. Tekton Hex Key Wrench Set We're All-In on These Allen WrenchesAs a complete set in both standard and metric sizes, this set may be the only one you need.Best OverallFind on Amazon Tekton offers a simple, durable Allen wrench set that features every size you need for everyday home use. Each wrench is precisely sized with chamfered, straight ends that create a snug fit and insert smoothly into screw heads. The black oxide finish protects the wrench against corrosion without adding additional plating that could chip off under high-stress contact. Tekton designs their Allen wrenches with the classic, long arm/short arm design, which offers extended reach on one end and extra leverage on the other. Pros: Hinged storage case opens flat, making it easier to remove and replace wrenches Easy-to-read sizes marked on case 15 wrenches each in metric and standard sizes Cons: Does not include square bit or star bit No ball ends TEKTON Long Arm Hex Key Wrench Set They Put a Hex on UsA color-coded housing to know where each wrench belongs is just one of the features that makes this set simple to use.Easiest to UseFind on Amazon At 13 pieces, the Tekton Long Arm Hex Key Wrench Set is like two Allen wrench sets in one. The first set features large-size wrenches ranging from 3/8″ to 3/16″, while the second set consists of smaller wrenches ranging from 5/32″ to 3/64″. Each of these two sets is individually marked in a color-coded housing, making it easy to keep your wrenches organized. The Tekton long arm/short arm design offers extended reach on one end and extra leverage on the other, making these Allen wrenches easy on the hand when tightening. Pros: Chamfered tips Hinged housing opens flat Also available in metric sizes Cons: More brittle than other sets Size markers wear off over time Texas Best Folding Hex Keys Don't Mess With TexasIf you're looking for convenience and portability, try this set of folding hex keys.Most CompactFind on Amazon If you like to keep your tool chest small and uncluttered, or if you need a simple Allen wrench set to throw in the saddlebags of your motorcycle, you’ll like the Texas Best Folding Hex Keys. Featuring two sets of hex keys, standard and metric, that fold out like a Swiss Army Knife, these sets are designed so that you’ll never lose an Allen wrench again. The wrenches are made from a high-grade alloy steel for maximum durability that meets ANSI specification. We especially like how you can angle these Allen wrenches from the tool in a way that makes them versatile for a variety of applications. Pros: 17 pieces total Convenient folding design Color-coded for metric and standard Cons: Not made In Texas Sizes can be hard to read Bosch Professional 9-Piece Angled Wrench Have a BallFor blind spots and tight spots as well, this nine-piece set hits the mark.Best Ball EndFind on Amazon If it’s hard to see the top of the hex nut you need to tighten, you need Allen wrenches with ball ends like those in Bosch’s Professional Angled Wrench set. The ball end makes it easier to slide the wrench into the nut, allowing you to reach it at an offset, 30-degree angle so that you can “feel” your way to the needed position. This is great for blind spots or to reach a screw that’s obstructed on one side. Pros: Bosch is a quality name brand Comes in hex or Torx ends Stainless steel construction Cons: Only available in metric size Nothing smaller than 1.5 mm Eklind Cushion Grip Hex Key Allen Wrenches Get a GripIf you suffer from the dreaded "Allen Wrench Hand Syndrome," these Allen wrenches feature an ergonomic handle on top.Best GripFind on Amazon Ask anyone who has put together an entire entertainment console with a single Allen wrench, and they’ll tell you: “Wrench Hand” is no laughing matter. Thankfully, Eklind answered the prayers of flat-box furniture builders worldwide with their Cushion Grip Hex Key Allen Wrench set. Each piece in this 10-wrench set features a soft, wide-grip, T-handle on top for extra comfort and added leverage. Made from a heat-treated steel alloy that is quenched and tempered for optimum strength then coated with a rust-resistant finish, these wrenches are perfect for stuck and rusted screws that require extra torque to release. Pros: Ten pieces in popular sizes Available in up to 5 packs Made in the USA Cons: Not available in metric Not for small tool kits Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between an Allen wrench and a hex key? There’s no difference at all. A hex key is the same thing as an Allen key or Allen wrench. The terms “Allen wrench” and “Allen key” are also interchangeable and are derived from the “Allen” brand name. W.G. Allen filed the first related patent over a century ago for its recessed, hex-driven screws, a safety improvement over fasteners that protruded from machinery. How do you measure the size of an Allen wrench? Allen wrenches come in various sizes measured by across-flats (or AF, allowing you to say things like, “this Allen wrench is 3 inches AF” in a completely serious manner). The across-flats measurement is essentially the distance between the two opposite ends of the flat side. Can I use my Torx key instead of an Allen wrench? They look the same. It’s an understandable judgment to make, but no. We know you can go blind looking at the tiny ends of an Allen wrench, but though they share the same body design as a Torx key, the chamfered end of an Allen wrench is fundamentally different. Torx keys have a six-point, star-like shape instead of flat sides like a hex key. If you stick this in a nut, you could easily strip both the Torx key and the nut itself.