Need the best screw extractor?
In this thorough product review, we’ll cover some of the high-quality screw and bolt extractors available on the market today.
When you use them correctly, bolts and screws provide a nice, strong connection, which can be easily undone if needed. When you use a screwdriver improperly, you can strip screws and make it impossible to loosen them again. A screw extractor can be a huge help when it comes to undoing damaged nuts and screws that a screwdriver will not work on. It’s important to get the best screw extractor that features a good grip and torque as well as a versatile, universal design.
Best Screw Extractors Reviews
Take a look at the comparison table we’ve assembled to get a quick idea of which sets we’ve selected for this review.
Image | Product |
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Bolt and Nut Extractors | |
OEMTOOLS 22986 ✓ 5-Piece Set ✓ Material — Chrome-Molybdenum Steel ✓ Weigth — 1.22 pounds Check Price |
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IRWIN Tools 54009 ✓ 9-Piece Set ✓ Material — Alloy Steel ✓ Weigth — 1.1 pounds Check Price |
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Rocketsocket Extraction Socket Set ✓ 13-Piece Set ✓ Material — Stainless Steel ✓ Weigth — 1.36 pounds Check Price |
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ABN Bolt and Nut Remover ✓ 13-Piece Set ✓ Material — High Carbon steel ✓ Weigth — 1.8 pounds Check Price |
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Screw Extractors | |
IRWIN Tools 53227 ✓ 25-Piece Set ✓ Material — Steel Alloy ✓ Weigth — 1.6 pounds Check Price |
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ORIA Damaged Screw Extractor Set ✓ 22-Piece Set ✓ Material — S2 Alloy Steel ✓ Weigth — 5.6 ounces Check Price |
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NEIKO 04204A ✓ 25-Piece Set ✓ Material — Chrome-Molybdenum Steel ✓ Weigth — 4.39 pounds Check Price |
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Alden 8440P Grabit Pro ✓ 4-Piece Set ✓ Material — M2 HSS ✓ Weigth — 3.98 ounces Check Price |
Best Bolt Extractors
1. OEMTOOLS 22986 — Best Bolt Extractor Set
Capable of removing rusted, painted over, and rounded off bolts, the OEMTOOLS Bolt Extractor Sets uses a reverse spiral flute to bite down on bolts to guarantee you have the best gripping power. Not only can it free damaged or stubborn bolts, but these bolt extractors also come with hexagonal flats that you can use with locking pliers, sockets, adjustable wrenches, pliers, and flat wrenches. Plus, the more torque that you apply, the better the grip the extractor has on the fastener.
Featuring a universal design, the OEM Tools Bolt Extractor Set will work with any type of fasteners, and you can use the 3/8-inch square drive with air or hand ratchets as well as impact wrenches. You get maximum durability thanks to the chrome-molded steel construction while the professional-grade aluminum rail makes organization and storage easy. This five-piece set uses a specialized spiral design that offers a secure, universal grip.
Removing a wide variety of stubborn fasteners, the OEM Tools Bolt Extractor Set comes with fastener sizes including 5/8, 9/16, ½, 7/16, and 3/8-inch. This set helps to take a difficult task and make it simple. Plus, you won’t be wasting money and time or damaging parts by using the wrong type of tools.
By using a tapered spiral design, the OEM Tools Bolt Extractor Set will grip bolts from several contact points to give you the most leverage when removing stubborn fasteners. These extractors can be used for a wide range of projects. Plus, you can pair this set with OEM Tools 5 Piece Add-On Set to gain an additional five sizes.
Pros
- It has a universal design
- This is easy to use set that you can use on a lot of different projects
- It makes it easy to remove stubborn screws and bolts
Cons
- The selection is too small for some users
2. IRWIN Tools 54009 — Best Gripping Bolt Extractor Set
This 9-piece fractional bolt set includes ¼, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, ½, ¾, 11/16, 5/8, and 9/16-inch bolt extractors. The Irwin 54009 works with standard wrenches and a 3/8-inch drive socket. Thanks to a universal lobular design, they also pair with metric fasteners.
Created with high-carbon steel, the Irwin Hanson Bolt Extractor Set is durable and uses reverse spiral flutes to bit down on bolts to get the best gripping power. This set is great when you are trying to break free painted or rusted over bolts or a bolt that has been rounded off.
You can use this 3/8-Inch square drive with air ratchets, impact wrenches, and hand ratchets. While the hexagonal flats can be used with Vise-Grip locking pliers, sockets, adjustable wrenches, pliers, and flat wrenches.
Pros
- It has a versatile, universal design
- The set pairs well with metric fasteners
- You can use the set with many different tools
Cons
- The included case doesn’t fit all the parts correctly
3. Rocketsocket Extraction Socket Set — Best Professional Grade Bolt Extractor Kit
With a 3/8-inch drive, the Rocketsocket is a professional-grade product that works well in a standard power tool, impact wrench, and ratchets. Using RazorGrip Technology, this set can easily remove damaged screws, nuts, and bolts, even if they are frozen, stripped, or rusted. It comes with ¾, 11/16, 5/8, 9/16, ½, 7/16, 3/8, 5/16, and 1/4-inch bolt extractors.
Engineered, designed, and manufactured to meet and exceed all required professional standards, RocketSocket Set won’t slip when under pressure. Thanks to the superior removal technology, the more you turn it, the tighter the socket becomes, so you don’t have to worry about busted knuckles or slipping. This is a great set for any homeowner to have and is also handy for contractors, mechanics, woodworkers, carpenters, and a professional handyman.
Equipped with a handy carrying case, this 13-piece set has a convenient and safe place for storage. You won’t have to worry about losing sockets or having a hard time finding them as they roll around your toolbox. The case also includes a hex adapter for impact wrenches and power tools as well as a Knockout Pin that easily unlodges screws, nuts, and bolts.
Using the highest quality materials, RocketSocket extractors are made with 100 percent steel. Plus, every set sold comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- This is a high-quality set and has a lifetime warranty
- It is made completely of stainless steel
- It’s great for both professionals and homeowners
Cons
- It’s on the expensive side
- The selection is too small for some users
4. ABN Bolt and Nut Remover — Best Damaged Bolt Extractor Set
Easily remove painted or rusted over fasteners as well as striped or rounded bolts with the ABN Nut and Bolt Remover Sockets. This 13-piece set is perfect for homeowners, carpenters, building contractors, mechanics, and professional handymen. With a spiral socket design, the 3/8-inch square drive will fit most ratchet and air impact wrenches allowing you to remove the most stubborn bolts, nuts, and screws.
These twist bolt grip sockets feature a reverse spiral flute that can bite down on whatever is left of the bolt to give you the most torque and gripping power. It includes 13 sized sockets including ¾, 11/16, 5/8, 9/16, ½, 7/16, 3/8, 5/16, and ¼-inch bolts, plus the extractor sockets and bolt remover are laser etched making them easy to identify.
Made with high carbon steel, the ABN extractors are made to last. Designed for longevity, strength, and durability, these 3/8-inch square drive extraction sockets have a sandblasted surface that gives you added resistance to corrosion and rust as well as durability.
You also get handy storage thanks to the plastic molded packing case that is included with the ABN Nut and Bolt Remover Socket Set. Every case includes 13 individual compartments that include hard stamped markings to make organization easy and fast. Plus, it has a sliding lock latch making transporting the socket set safe and easy.
Pros
- It is durable and has great gripping power
- This set is rust and corrosion resistant
- The included case is great for keeping the set organized
Cons
- None
Best Screw Extractors
5. IRWIN Tools 53227 — Best Screw Extractor Set
Featuring a multi-spline design and hex head, the IRWIN Tools Screw Extractor Set is a 25-piece set designed to remove broken fittings, studs, bolts, and socket screws in high torque applications. This is a versatile set that has incredible gripping power along with an easy out style.
Equipped with an aggressive left-hand design, you get extra gripping power while the easy-out style spiral flutes are capable of embedding themselves deep into the metal so the grip resistance can increase.
Each size is etched onto the tool for easy and fast identification. With 25 hex heads that range from 1/8 to 7/8-inches, this set also includes a handy, heavy-duty carrying case.
Pros
- This is a very versatile set
- You get great gripping power and ease of use
- It has a lot of size options
Cons
- They don’t stay secure in their case
- Smaller bits don’t work as well as the larger ones
6. ORIA Set — Best Screw Extractor For Small Screws
Capable of working with any bolt or screw size along with any type of drill, the ORIA Screw Extractors is a 22-piece set that is perfect for removing damaged, stuck, broken, or stripped screws. Made with S2 Alloy Steel, this is a high-quality and durable material that is easy to use. You can extract deck screws, rusted screws, and free-spinning screws with a durable and high-hardness set.
The ORIA uses the reverse principle in order to easily remove broken bolts and bits. You get 10 drill pieces, 10 extractor pieces, one socket adapter, and one extension bit holder. You can use this set with general screw and drill sizes, as well as a general screwdriver, handles tools.
Capable of working on painted over and rusted bolts and screws, this set also works on screws and bolts that have become embedded. The ORIA Extractor Set pairs well with rounded bolts, sheet metals screws, hex bolts, wood screws, lag bolts, machine screws, and Allen bolts.
This easy-to-use set is super portable and comes with a tool kit box. This handy carrying case can fit in your bag and is easy to take wherever you go.
Pros
- It is super easy to use and very portable
- This set works on embedded bolts and screws
- It is very easy and fast to use
Cons
- The screwdriver isn’t great for bigger jobs
- The entire kit itself is on the heavy side
7. NEIKO 04204A — Best Stripped Screw Extractors
Made with premium chrome-molybdenum steel, the Neiko 04204A Set is perfect for removing pins, threaded pipes, fittings, studs, bolts, and broken screws. Using precisely machined multiplane teeth, this set uses a left-hand spiral design that gives you more grip and faster threading. This 25-piece set features extractors that range from 1/8 to 7/8-inch with 1/32-inch increments.
With high-visibility size markings, each of the extractors is marked for a fast selection of the correct drill bit. With a specially designed hexagon head, the Neiko Screw Extractors allow you to apply the maximum amount of torque with wrenches and sockets. It comes with a heavy-duty storage case to help keep you organized and your tools protected.
Pros
- It has a nice durable carrying case
- You get a really good grip and threading capabilities
- It gives you a lot of torque
Cons
- The pieces don’t stay in place inside the case
- They wear out quickly
8. Alden 8440P Grabit Pro — Best Damaged Screw Extractor Set
This four-piece kit allows you to easily remove damaged and broken bolts and screws in just two steps. The Alden Grabit Pro Screw Extractor Set features a burnishing tip on each of the 4 dual-ended bits to prep the bolt and screws for removal as well as a threaded tip that grips and extracts them when you use it with a 3/8-inch drill. This set allows you to remove many different types of screws up to four-inches long including square drive, hex, and Phillips as well as bolts up to 3/8-inch.
With each of the four bits, you get different widths that can handle a wide variety of bolt and screw sizes. This set is made with industrial-strength, high-quality steel that was created for use with a variable reversible drill. However, it is also effective when used with a ¼-inch hex screwdriver and can extract several types of fasteners including many tamper-resistant screws, Torx, Hex, Tri-Wing, slotted, and Phillips screws.
This is a two-step extractor and drill bit that saves you time from requiring multiple tools for the same job. The Alden Grabit Pro features a self-centering drill tip and can be used in quick-change chucks. This is an easy-to-use tool that has been tempered twice for extra hardness allowing you to get multiple extractions from each tool.
Pros
- The drill tip self-centers
- It works with many types of bolts and screws
- It is easy to use and very durable
Cons
- The bit end dulls quickly
- They aren’t very durable
Your Reliable Best Screw Extractor Buying Guide
Type of tool
Stud and Bolt Extractor Tool
A specially designed fitting that you can use on most drives and drills, a stud extractor comes in either a cone or cylindrical shape. Easily just attach one of the ends to the drive and then push the other end over the stud. You can adjust the cone for a better grip, but make sure the cylinder is the right size. Once you have the tool locked down on the exposed stud, you only need to twist or unscrew it to get it loose.
Bolt Extractor
Similar in appearance to a regular socket, a bolt extractor has rounded inner edges instead of straight edges. Plus it has spiral teeth inside. This is a great tool when you need to remove bolts that have a really rounded head. Very simple to use, a bolt extractor just needs to be attached to a ratchet and then placed over a damaged head. Keep in mind that you can even use a wrench or hammer or tap it on it as well before turning the wrench to unscrew the bolt.
If you use a hex top on your extractor, it makes it easier to use the wrench instead of the ratchet. Once it is removed, it’s necessary to use the center punch in order to knock the bolt out of an extractor.
Extraction Pliers
With a set of extraction pliers, you have a sub-group of pliers that is available in a range of shapes that includes tons as well as typical-looking pliers. These types of pliers are best when used with a bolt or screw slightly sticking out since the tool will need something to grip on to. At this point, you can then use the pliers to pull or unscrew the broken fastener out of its hole.
Multi-Spline Screw Extractor
With multiple splines or points in the head, multi-spline screw extractors feature typically look like recessed stars. While they are more compact than a spiral screw extractor, a multi-spline screw extractor is socket-compatible with heads that are short and work the same as extractors that are longer and use a ratchet when fitting into a tight space.
Spiral Screw Extractor
Similar in appearance to a drill bit, a spiral screw extractor is used for stripped or broken screws. The thread on these extractors should run in the opposite direction of a screw’s threads. Just place the extractor onto a tap wrench before inserting it into a drilled hole. Then, turn it counterclockwise until it doesn’t turn anymore. Use a wrench to tighten it until you feel the screw loosen and then pull out the screw with pliers.
How to Prepare for Screw Extraction
If you plan to use a screw extractor, it’s important to prepare the stud, bolt, or screw first. You will want to place you will need to place a center punch in the center of the shaft or head before gently tapping on the divot so that the extractor will follow.
Then, place some thread-cutting oil on the bolt or screw for lubrication. Choose a drill bit size that is one size smaller than the bolt or screw before gently drilling between ⅛ and ¼-inch down into the shaft of the screw. Make sure you do not use too much pressure or go off-center. The hole that results should be large enough for the extractor tip to fit into.
Related Reading: How to remove the stripped screw [Tutorial]
Features to Look for in the Best Screw Extractor
Compatibility
Since there isn’t a universal size, you want to make sure the screw size you are using is compatible with the application. Remember that there is a range of screw sizes that can be used in various applications. Some of these extractors were designed to work with any screw size while others were designed to only work with a specific screw size. So you need to know which type of screw you need to extract before you start.
Always look for kits that have several pieces of varying extractor sizes. This will ensure that you won’t need to buy a different pack sometime in the future when you encounter a screw size your extractor isn’t compatible with.
Material
Durability and quality are generally determined by the material that is used in the construction of an extraction tool. Typical materials that are strong enough to be used in extraction include carbon or hardened steel and most steel alloys thanks to the toughness of the steel. Also, look for other features like rust and corrosion resistance that are great for extending the life of the extractor.
Gripping Power
Determining how long the extractor will take to remove the bolt or the screw, the gripping power is super important. With the best screw extractor, you want a design that will increase its gripping power as its resistance increases. You also want to look for features that include a left-hand spiral design to give you superior gripping power.
Ease of Use
A typical screw extractor should come with matched drill bit sizes that are etched onto the case and onto the piece itself. This will make the product a lot easier to use, particularly if the drill bits weren’t included with the pack. Always look for these features that make it effortless, fast, and easy to select, match, and identify the different parts of the tool. Usually, the best screw extractors will have a 2-in-1 drill bit and extractor design that doesn’t require matching. You will only need to carry out the threes step process of drilling, flipping, and extraction of the bolt or screw.
Quality
Quality is one of the most important considerations when choosing a screw extractor. It’s important to look for an extractor that is made of steel. Keep in mind that not all screw extractors are made completely of carbon HSS steel, which is a special type of steel that is generally used in a drill bit allowing it to pierce through a heard object and make its way in. Since you may be dealing with damaged heads, you will want an extractor that has an excellent build quality that will be able to drill a hole into the damaged screw.
Rust and Painted Screws
Some of the most difficult screws to take out are screws that have been painted or rusted over. Once they get seized up, these screws won’t even budge from their posts unless you apply a high amount of force.
You can easily deal with painted and rusted-over screws or bolts that are just broken if you have a screw extractor. Giving you just the right grip on a broken head, these extractors not only remove broken screws but can drill a hole that will allow you to pull them out. Just make sure that the extractor you choose has all these features.
When choosing a screw extractor, make sure it has the parts that you need for your tool chest so that you can handle any stripped screw as you do construction work or maintain or repair your vehicle. While it isn’t easy to find the best screw extractor, particularly for beginners. But you want to make sure you have a great grasp of what makes a good extractor so that you can find the best tool for your needs.
Good luck!
Be sure to check out our other guides on top precision screwdriver sets and tap and die sets.
About the author
Eugene M. Carter is a hobbyist and DIY enthusiast.
He always chooses carefully tools for various DIY and automotive projects. Eugene started this website to share with you his experience and help pick the right tools that are worth your time and money.
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