Top 10 Best Spark Plug Sockets

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu
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You don't have to pay a mechanic to change your spark plugs.

Giving your engine fresh spark plugs should be part of your car’s regularly scheduled maintenance. But you don’t necessarily have to go to the dealership or pay a mechanic to swap in a new set of plugs. Instead, get yourself an affordable spark plug socket and do it yourself in your garage or driveway.

Like shopping for other tools, choosing the right spark plug socket might come down to personal preference on brand, or just simply cost. Before choosing a specific product however, you will have to determine the correct size spark plug socket you need for your specific engine. From there, most spark plug sockets will look similar, although there is one major feature to choose between: rubber grommets or magnets. More affordable spark plug sockets use rubber grommets on the inside to hold the spark plug in place, while more expensive sockets are magnetic. This too, can come down to personal preference, although generally magnetic spark plug sockets are more reliable and last a lot longer than rubber counterparts.

Below you’ll find a list of the top 10 best spark plug sockets you can get on Amazon. Some of these are extremely affordable, while others are more expensive and come with a variety of socket sizes. Again, make sure you’re getting the correct socket for your vehicle!

For more information on the best spark plug sockets, refer to our table of contents.

1. Editor's Pick: GEARWRENCH Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket

Designed to make changing your spark plugs as easy as possible is GEARWRENCH's magnetic swivel spark plug socket. This is a 5/8" spark plug socket measuring 6" with a 3/8" drive and features an all-in-one extension and universal joint to provide 360-degree swivel action. Helping provide a non-slip surface for low torque applications is a knurled grip on the shaft of the tool.

Like other spark plug sockets on our list, GEARWRENCH's popular tool features a magnet inside the socket, which assists in retaining and protecting the spark plug for easier installation. In addition, it doesn't wear out over time like a traditional rubber gasket found in other spark plug sockets.

Product features:

  • 5/8" spark plug socket
  • 3/8" drive
  • All-in-one extension and swivel joint
  • Interior magnet
  • Knurled grip

2. Powerbuilt Spark Plug Socket Set

Work on a variety of engines and need a set of spark plug sockets of varying sizes? Powerbuilt has an affordable 5-piece set that includes 5/8", 3/4", 13/16", 14mm, and 18mm spark plug sockets. These 6-point deep spark plug sockets are thin wall and manufactured from chrome vanadium with a mirror polished finish and dual grease rings. Inside each socket is a rubber retaining ring to securely hold the spark plug.

Powerbuilt's spark plug sockets meet or exceed ANSI standards and come with a lifetime warranty.

Product features:

  • 5-piece set - 5/8", 3/4", 13/16", 14mm, and 18mm
  • 6-point deep, thin wall sockets with dual grease rings
  • Chrome vandium construction with mirror polished finish
  • Rubber retaining ring (not magnetic)
  • Each socket meets or exceeds ANSI standards
  • Lifetime warranty

3. ARES Magnetic Swivel Spark Plug Socket

ARES offers quite a few spark plug sockets, depending on the size you need. This particular one is a 5/8" magnetic socket with a 10" swivel extension and 3/8" drive, constructed from heat treated chrome vanadium steel with a chrome plating finish. It features 360-degree swivel action for maximum flexibility, along with an interior magnet to retain and protect the spark plug. A knurled grip on the shaft helps give you a tight grip when needed.

ARES backs its spark plug sockets with a limited lifetime warranty. Make sure to check out the rest of the company's spark plug sockets if you need a size other than 5/8".

Product features:

  • 5/8" magnetic socket
  • 10" swivel extension
  • 3/8" drive
  • Constructed from heat treated chrome vanadium steel
  • Chrome plating finish
  • Knurled grip
  • 360-degree swivel
  • Limited lifetime warranty

4. LEXIVON Swivel Magnetic Spark Plug Socket

Available as a 5/8" or 9/16" socket is LEXIVON's swivel magnetic spark plug socket. It's one of the more affordable magnetic sockets on our list, featuring a smooth 360-degree ball swivel with a thin wall design. It measures 6" in total length with a 3/8" drive and is constructed from hardened and heat treated chrome vanadium steel with a fully polished, chrome plated mirror finish. A knurled shaft helps prevent slipping, while you can easily identify the size with its laser-etched markings.

LEXIVON's spark plug sockets meet and exceed ANSI standards and are backed by a lifetime limited warranty.

Product features:

  • Available in 5/8" or 9/16"
  • 3/8" drive
  • Smooth 360-degree ball swivel
  • Magnetic
  • Thin wall design
  • Measures 6" in total length
  • Constructed from hardened and heat treated chrome vanadium steel
  • Chrome plated mirror finish
  • Knurled shaft
  • Laser-etched markings
  • Meets and exceeds ANSI standards
  • Lifetime limited warranty

5. Apex Tool Group GearWrench Tools Magnetic Spark Plug Service Kit

If you work on a variety of different engines but know you need a 5/8" spark plug socket, take a look at this spark plug service kit from Apex Tool Group. This long reach swivel spark plug set includes 4", 6", and 11" lengths with magnetic cores on each size. All three lengths are 5/8" spark plug sockets, allowing you to take on different situations with ease. The 6" and 11" tools feature knurled shafts to provide better grip if necessary.

This kit comes with a handy blow mold case for storage and Apex Tool Group provides a lifetime warranty.

Product features:

  • 5/8" spark plug swivel sockets in 3 lengths (4", 6", and 11")
  • Magnetic core
  • Knurled shafts on 6" and 11" tools
  • Includes blow mold case
  • Lifetime warranty

6. Neiko Magnetic Spark Plug Socket

Another 5/8" magnetic spark plug socket comes from Neiko, with an 11" extension, 360-degree swivel, and 3/8" drive. Constructed from chrome vanadium steel for excellent life and durability, this spark plug socket is similar to many other ones on our list, but its 11" extension is a bit longer than others. A contoured knurled grip on the shaft provides ergonomic comfort and a non-slip surface. Inside is a magnetic head design to retain the spark plug. The entire tool has a fully polished, chrome plated mirror finish to fight against rust and corrosion.

Product features:

  • 5/8" spark plug socket
  • 11" extension
  • 3/8" drive
  • 360-degree swivel
  • Constructed from chrome vanadium steel
  • Contoured knurled grip
  • Magnetic head design
  • Fully polished, chrome plated finish

7. Craftsman Spark Plug Socket Set

If you prefer a quality, reputable brand name you recognize, Craftsman offers a 4-piece spark plug set at a competitive price. This kit includes 5/8", 13/16", 3/4", and 18mm spark plug sockets with 6 contact points on each spark plug. Like all of Craftsman's tools, its spark plug sockets feature easy-to-read markings and they're backed by Craftman's Lifetime Guarantee.

Keep in mind although these do come from Craftsman, they aren't magnetic. Some users have reported issues with the rubber inside these spark plug sockets coming loose over time.

Product features:

  • 4-piece spark plug set (5/8", 3/16", 3/4", and 18mm)
  • 6 contact points on each spark plug
  • Easy-to-read markings
  • Craftsman Lifetime Guarantee
  • They are not magnetic!

8. Sunex Thin Wall Spark Plug Socket

Want something extremely affordable and need a 16mm spark plug socket? This thin wall offering from Sunex costs less than a combo meal at your favorite fast food restaurant. It's a fairly basic spark plug socket with a rubber grommet, which is expected for its price. Measuring just 1.86mm thick, this is a popular spark plug socket among vehicle owners who need a very thin wall 16mm socket.

Sunex's spark plug socket is manufactured from chrome vanadium steel and is a great affordable option if you need a 16mm socket.

Product features:

  • 16mm spark plug socket
  • Extremely affordable
  • Rubber grommet (not magnetic!)
  • Just 1.86mm thick, great for those who need a very thin wall socket
  • Manufactured from chrome vanadium steel

9. OEMTOOLS Magnetic Spark Plug Socket Set

Another company that offers a set of spark plug sockets at an affordable price is OEMTOOLS. This 3-piece kit includes 5/8", 9/16", and 13/16" sockets with deep markings for easy identification. Each of these spark plug sockets is magnetic, constructed from heat-treated alloy steel with a hard chrome finish to keep away rust. Helping make fastener engagement quick and smooth are chamfered ends on the sockets.

These sockets are 3/8" drive with knurling for better finger gripping.

Product features:

  • 3-piece kit (5/8", 9/16", and 13/16")
  • 3/8" drive
  • Chamfered ends
  • Constructed from heat-treated alloy steel
  • Hard chrome finish
  • Magnetic sockets
  • Knurling position optimized for best finger gripping

10. Pomeat Thin Wall Spark Plug Socket

If you can get past the really strange brand name and look just at its price, you'll see an extremely affordable spark plug socket from Pomeat. This 12-point, thin wall spark plug socket measures 14mm with 3/8" drive. It's constructed from chromium plated material and is a popular choice among car owners who need a 14mm thin wall socket. It's not magnetic, which is expected from its price.

Product features:

  • 14mm, 12-point thin wall socket
  • 3/8" drive
  • Extremely affordable
  • Not magnetic

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Photo credit: Diego ShootMe / Shutterstock.com

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

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