From replacing the oil filter of your car to loosen or tighten pipes and faucets, a strap wrench is a must-have tool.
There is a wide range of models available on the market. And, if you’re not well acquainted with the best strap wrenches, you may end up purchasing the wrong one.
In this article, I will review the top 7 strap wrenches (in other words: belt wrenches) available on the market.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Best Heavy Duty Strap Wrenches – [My Top Picks]
- Best Overall: RIDGID 31360 Model 5
- Best for Oil filter: RIDGID 42478
- Best Multi-purpose: OTC 7206
- Best for Plumbing: BOA BO13010
- Best for Small Diameter: Craftsman 2-Piece
Best Strap Wrenches for Faucet, Oil Filter & Plumbing – [High Torque]
Here are the top 7 strap wrenches you should know about.
1. RIDGID 31360 Model 5 Strap Wrench – Best Overall
Key Points:
- Great performance.
- Excellent quality.
- Large handle.
- Long and durable strap.
- Somewhat expensive.
The RIDGID 31360 Model 5 is our top pick, that’s an all-purpose strap wrench. If you’re having a tough time to loosen a stuck pipe, this all in one durable strap wrench will provide you with a firm grip to get the job done quickly.
The 29-1/4” polyurethane-coated woven nylon strap will last longer than other models in our list. You can use this belt wrench for loosing or tightening a 5-inch pipe, and you can extend it up to 7-inch diameter.
You will like the extra-long 18-inch handle, that can provide you with excellent torque to remove a large oil filter easily.
2. RIDGID 42478 Straplock – Best Oil Filter Strap Wrench
Key Points:
- Excellent value.
- Great performance.
- Easy to use.
- Durable strap.
- Doesn’t work well on the large object.
The second product on our list is 42478 straplock from Ridgid. It’s capable of handling 3” to 8” diameter pipes and oil filters. You can easily adjust the strap size to grip the object you want to open, loosen, or tighten.
The 31” specialized strap is durable. You can also use this strap wrench to remove the flywheel of your car more efficiently.
This model is the best oil filter strap wrench that can replace the oil filter quickly with less effort. It has an innovative locking feature that allows you to work faster.
The rubber strap will enable you to grip the flywheel more efficiently, that will help you to remove the flywheel easily. This strap wrench has a 7” handle, which will provide you with the versatility to work in complex situations.
3. OTC 7206 Multi-Purpose Strap Wrench
Key Points:
- Aluminum handle.
- Large strap.
- Excellent performance.
- May slip on the smooth surface.
Next up, we picked the OTC 7206. It’s a heavy-duty multi-purpose strap wrench that can handle any gripping, loosing, or tightening task with excellent performance.
You will love the 52” nylon belt that will grip larger pipes comfortably. This model is capable of removing large oil filter without doing any damage to the oil filter.
The 12” aluminum handle is another great feature of this strap wrench that allows you to finish the work quickly and efficiently. This tool is way cheap compared to the RIDGID Model 5, but it offers excellent value for the money.
If you often work with large pipes or any large object, this tool will be an excellent choice for your needs.
4. BOA BO13010 Constrictor Strap Wrench – Best for Plumbing
Key Points:
- Heavy-duty aluminum alloy handle.
- Excellent performance and value.
- Great for plumbing.
- Small handle.
At number four, we have the BOA BO131010. It comes with a 38-1/2” reinforced industrial-strength strap which can handle all kinds of complex loosing or tightening jobs very efficiently.
The rubber strap can grip on a more massive pipe or flywheel up to 10 inches diameter. This strap wrench is best for plumbing, and you can handle all kinds of pipelines with this heavy-duty belt wrench.
You can use this rubber strap wrench on all kinds of sensitive objects without leaving any scratch mark or damaging the surface. The only drawback of this strap wrench is the smaller handle which is only 8” in length.
With that said, this strap wrench will not disappoint you while working on a complicated situation, but a large handle would add more value.
5. Craftsman 2-Piece Strap Wrench Set – Best for Small Diameter
Key Points:
- Great for small diameter.
- Amazing value for the money.
- Excellent performance.
- Not suitable for substantial works.
We picked the Craftsman 9-45570 for our number five spot. If you’re looking for a strap wrench which is capable of handling objects with small diameters efficiently, then this 2-piece strap wrench set can fulfil your needs.
The smaller one can grip up to 4 inches diameter with its 18” strap. The larger one can handle up to 6-3/8” objects with its 25” belt. Both the strap wrenches come with a rubber belt, and you can efficiently work on small diameter objects with less effort.
The Craftsman 2-piece strap wrench set comes with a cushioned plastic handle which is comfortable while working on smaller objects.
The shorter strap wrench is the best for small diameter while the larger one can handle a substantial object. This strap wrench set offers excellent value for the money, and you will love this set.
6. Titan Tools 12” Strap Wrench
Key Points:
- Surprisingly inexpensive.
- Durable strap.
- Great performance.
- Tends to slip on the smooth surface.
In our second last pick there is the Titan Tools 12” strap wrench. If you do plumbing jobs very often, this strap wrench from Titan Tools can be an excellent choice for your needs.
It has a 32” nylon strap that works fine on any pipes. It is amazingly inexpensive and comes with a 12” aluminum handle.
It can handle any complex task with high torque. You can also use this strap wrench for automotive oil filter replacement. It’s an excellent tool for plumbing, but due to its nylon strap, you may face difficulties to grip on smoother surfaces.
7. TuffMan Tools Oil Filter Strap Wrench
Key Points:
- Anti-slip strap.
- Works great.
- Inexpensive.
- Strap and Handle are relatively small.
We are wrapping the top list with the TuffMan strap wrench. It allows you to grip on smoother surfaces more efficiently. This is inexpensive while it’s a durable and an efficient strap wrench.
The 4″ and 6″ straps allows you to work in a tense situation, where a strap wrench with large handle can mess around. You can use this strap wrench on small pipes or oil filters.
If you don’t use a strap wrench that often, then you can consider this TuffMan strap wrench.
Best Strap Wrench for Faucet and Oil Filter – [Updated Buying Guide]
If you’re looking for one of the top rated strap wrenches for replacing the oil filter, removing the flywheel or opening a struck pipe, you’ll need to know some essential aspects before choosing a strap wrench.
We have compiled a list of features that you should consider when choosing one for yourself. We recommend you to read the strap wrench buyer’s guide below.
1. Strap Material
Some strap wrench comes with a nylon strap, and some wrench comes with rubber. Both types work fine on rough surfaces.
But if you want to use a strap wrench on a smooth surface, then a rubber strap will provide you with excellent grip than a nylon strap would provide.
2. Strap Length
Strap length is another essential aspect to consider. If you want to work on a large diameter object, then you will require a large strap.
But a large belt may not work well when you want to work on a small diameter object. In that case, a strap wrench with a shorter strap will provide excellent performance.
So before choosing a strap wrench, you should consider your needs.
3. Handle Size
Some loosening task required high torque, and you can achieve that with a large handle. If you want to replace a large oil filter or open a stuck pipe, you will get excellent performance from a large handle.
On the other hand, if you work in a complicated situation where space is limited, a smaller handle will be handy.
Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQs)
What is a strap wrench?
A strap wrench is a toothless tool, which provides excellent grip to loosen or tighten any object without damaging or scratching the surface.
What is a strap wrench used for?
You can use a strap wrench for replacing the oil filter or removing the flywheel of your car. Plumbers use this tool to open, loosen or tighten PVC or chrome pipe.
Strap Wrench Vs. Chain Wrench – Which is better for you?
If you are going to work on a sensitive object such as oil filter, PVC or chrome pipe, then you will need a strap wrench. But if you want to work on sturdy materials that require a high amount of torque, you can choose a chain wrench.
Final Words
So there you have the list of the best strap wrenches available on the market. Now it’s your turn to pick one for yourself.
Here i quick recap for you – if you’re looking for a strap wrench, especially for the oil filter or flywheel removal, check the RIDGID 42478 Straplock.
For plumbing works, you can consider the BOA BO13010. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose strap wrench, our top pick RIDGID 31360 Model 5 will satisfy all your demands.
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