Professional Tool Reviews for Pros

Whether you really believe in impact sockets or have just been tool-shamed into the market, the waters are muddy. What’s the difference between premium brands racing teams use and something that’s a lot easier on your wallet? I think that’s a great question, so I have some of Allied Tools’ Pro-Grade impact sockets to see what they have to offer.

With a reasonable price tag, quality build, and lifetime warranty, there’s no reason to shy away from Pro-Grade impact sockets. They go toe-to-toe with DeWalt and come out a little better in my book. 

One of the first things I look for on any impact socket is how thick it is. When a socket fails, it usually cracks rather than sending out an explosion of razor-sharp chrome like the internet would have you believe. Still, that chrome really is sharp when it comes off of the socket and it’s not something you find on impact sockets.

Thicker is better on sockets. As long as you have quality steel and heat treatment processes, you can base a lot on thickness. For example, our Sonic Tools impact sockets are quite a bit thicker and more expensive than our DeWalt ones.

Pro-Grade impact sockets are a little thicker than DeWalt’s. Putting their two 15mm deep sockets side-by-side, Pro-Grade has about a millimeter greater thickness. It’s a small amount, but enough that it should last a bit longer, assuming the two steels are equal in strength.

All of our impact sockets have a matte finish that’s not as smooth feeling as chrome. Pro-Grade impact sockets have a glossy finish thanks to their electrodeposition – part of the electroplating process.

This is mainly for appearance over their chrome vanadium steel blend that also makes the sockets easier to clean. They are slicker than their matte counterparts, though.

The finish is darker than the more charcoal color of our other impact sockets. Combined with laser etching, the markings pop more and are easier to see. Even with my so-so vision, I don’t have a problem reading the size and model at an arm’s length.

Allied Tools specs their sockets to meet or exceed ANSI standards for hardness and torque. To ensure it, they are manufactured in Taiwan rather than China.

You can pick up Allied Tools Pro-Grade impact sockets from online retailers and there are other farm and ranch stores around the country that carry them as well. You can find the 7-piece deep socket sets in SAE and metric for around $25. That’s right in line with where DeWalt is and pretty reasonable.

Like DeWalt (and others), there’s a lifetime warranty if you happen to break one.

With a reasonable price tag, quality build, and lifetime warranty, there’s no reason to shy away from Pro-Grade impact sockets. They go toe-to-toe with DeWalt and come out a little better in my book.

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On the clock, Kenny dives deep to discover the practical limits and comparative differences for all kinds of tools. Off the clock, his faith and love for his family are his top priorities, and you'll typically find him in the kitchen, on his bike (he's an Ironman), or taking folks out for a day of fishing on Tampa Bay.

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Having a lifetime warranty is great as long as the company is still in business if and when you need to exchange a tool. Ease of exchanging is another thing to consider; if you have to jump through hoops or drive well out of your way to replace a tool, it’s both frustrating and time consuming, and time is money.

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Professional Tool Reviews for Pros