If you are someone who owns a lot of sockets and your drawer or toolbox seems impossible to organize now, make sure you get yourself a very useful socket organizer!
The good and bad news is that there are a lot of options on the market, from simple socket trays to some pretty handy magnetic socket holders!
With that being said, while there are a lot to choose from, it might be difficult to really know which type of socket organizer is the best for your particular situation and that can be overwhelming when browsing online stores.
But this is only because you are not really familiar with the array of features each of them can offer so this guide seeks to teach you what you should look out for when buying a socket organizer.
Aside from that, we also included a list of some of the best ones out there, all in the same place!
But first, read on to learn all you need to know about all sorts of socket organizers available out there and what you should look for so you can make an informed decision.
Types of Socket Organizers
First of all, keep in mind that socket organizers do not come with any tools so they are suitable for people who already boast a pretty impressive collection of sockets, extensions, and wrenches that desperately need organizing.
After all, there is nothing more frustrating for DIYers than to have to stick their hand in a bunch of toots and try to fish for the one they need every time.
Socket organizers come in 3 main types – tray, rail and wall mounted!
Of course, all of them should do when it comes to organizing your tools but that is not to say that there are not some distinctions between them.
- Socket Rail
Socket rail organizers usually have steel, heavy duty plastic or aluminum bars at the base and range in length from a foot to 18 inches.
There are clips that hold the sockets and slide onto grooves in the bar in order to create a rail.
Each of the clips is made of heavy duty plastic and also features a spring-loaded ball bearing to secure them in place.
Typically, rails can be sold either by themselves or in sets of three, each one of them accounting for one of the standard socket sizes: ¼-inch, ⅜-inch, and ½-inch.
If you are looking for storage that fits inside your workshop without any problems but is still portable enough for you to take on the road, a socket rail organizer might just be the one for you.
Furthermore, you can add a rail organizer to almost all took boxes and drawers.
The clip design is able to hold sockets firmly, keeping them in place whenever you need to take them on the road, on your way to any job.
The only slight con of socket rails is that they don’t feature labels in the tray organizers, which makes it a little hard to always quickly find the socket size you are looking for.
- Socket Tray
Socket trays are made of durable, impact-resistant plastic and, as opposed to rail trails, they may come in a variety of designs.
Another difference is that socket trays are color coded for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and metric markings so it’s much easier for you to always find what you need, taking the organizing process to the next level.
As mentioned before, there are quite a few different designs available, the most common style consisting of a plastic tray molded into different shapes meant to fit specific socket sizes.
Furthermore, they usually feature a powerful magnet in the base which does a good job keeping all your sockets in place and also allows the organizer to be easily mounted onto any metallic surface.
There are also socket trays that use a post design, the socket fitting over a labeled post into a clip, as well as some that take from the clip and rail design, basically mounting the rails to the tray.
- Wall-Mounted Organizer
As the name also suggests, wall-mounted organizers allow you to store your sockets vertically and save on space!
This is especially useful if you have a small workshop and would rather not waste the limited real estate with some massive storage.
Furthermore, if you wish to avoid placing all your tools on your workbench, a wall mounted organizer may be exactly what you need.
It will keep everything out of your way but still well in reach for whenever you need to grab something.
This type can be either tray or rail style and some of them include mounting brackets that let you hang them over your tool rack for the most convenience possible!
Not only that but most of them also feature some mounting kit accessories so you can also mount them to any tool rack or inside a tool drawer.
Many of them come with a magnetic backing so you can mount them to a vertical metal surface such as a tool cabinet or metal door.
Other Things To Take Into Consideration Before Purchasing One
Make sure to consider your needs before picking a style of organizers such as storage capacity, placement, portability and socket sizes.
Capacity
It’s safe to say that this is the most important element you have to think about when buying a socket organizer.
After all, you wouldn’t want to get it and then realize it’s not big enough for your tool collection or that, on the contrary, it’s too big for your available space.
Keep in mind that full sets can hold anywhere between 60 and 80 total sockets so any organizer that is not able to fit your full collection is basically useless.
In the case of tray organizers, make sure they match the socket sizes you already own as well since they are made with molded holes created to fit specific sizes and are not universal like rail sockets.
Most rail organizers allow you to also either add or subtract clips based on your unique needs.
Material
Another really important element to think about is, of course, the material your organizer is made out of!
This is because most of the time, the material also determines the durability and you want your ideal product to last, of course.
For instance, aluminum and heavy duty plastic clips on quality organizers are designed to not break or crack easily, surviving the wear and tear or any workshop.
Tray organizers usually last a long time if they are made of heavy-duty plastic with a rubberized base and some of them are even reinforced with steel backing.
They should also include magnetic parts so that your sockets won’t fall out and so that you can also mount it to a metal cabinet or metal wall.
Markings
As mentioned before, it’s always frustrating when you can’t find the right size socket whenever you’re working on a new project.
Of course, all organizers make this issue less prevalent but still, without markings, you might still find yourself scanning through all the rows to find the perfect size for longer than you wish to.
As a result, some organizers make sure to eliminate this problem by just labeling each socket position.
The molded tray style usually features pre-printed places that you then match the right sockets to, keeping them perfectly organized.
Unfortunately, this means that it’s still possible for some of your sockets not to perfectly fit into any mold so they’d just be left without a spot.
Other organizers come with stickers, letting you label them yourself which is great for tailoring the organizer to your own toolset perfectly.
The only disadvantage of this method is the fact that the stickers will, obviously not last long with a lot of wear and tear so you might want to replace them often.
Customization
A lot of manufacturers recognize that people may have very different preferences when it comes to organizing which is why they tend to make their products highly customizable.
While offering a variety of color options is a way for them to do this, most rail sockets also allow you to rearrange the clips or even have them on both rail sides!
Of course, this also means that you can change the size order based on your personal preferences as well as remove or add clips.
Portability
Finally, portability is also something you really need to think about before getting a socket organizer.
After all, if you tend to work on projects away from home, this feature is one of the most important!
With that being said, rail organizers tend to have the most portability thanks to their design.
The clips are also able to hold each socket in place while on the road, making sure that they won’t spill over and become an unorganized mess again.
Not to mention that they are usually small enough to fit most toolboxes.
On the other hand, tray style socket organizers are not as recommended for travel due to the fact that the sockets fit in pre-molded trays instead of being held in place by a clip.
This means that the connection between the molded shapes and the sockets is not strong enough for them not to bounce out while in transit.
Of course, the fact that most of the time they don’t feature carrying handles is also a big reason why tray socket organizers are not the best in terms of portability.
Olsa Tools Portable Socket Organizer Tray
The Olsa Tools Portable Socket Organizer Tray is able to hold all your socket sizes including /4 Inch, 3/8-Inch and 1/2-Inch ones.
It’s also super easy to use and will keep all your sockets well organized.
It has a high capacity, being able to hold no less than 48 sockets!
It’s also very portable so you can easily take it with you anywhere you need to go.
It is made with high quality steel backing and durable ABS socket clips, which means that it is a durable product you’ll enjoy for a very long time.
ARES 60034-3-Piece Magnetic Socket Organizer Set
The ARES 60034-3-Piece Magnetic Socket Organizer Set is another great quality option.
It features three trays, all molded out of impact resistant, heavy duty plastic!
There is enough space for a total of 75 sockets and, as the name suggests, the holders are magnetic so you can rest assured that your sockets will remain in place no matter what.
The markings are easy to read as well, getting rid of all the stress of having to rummage through to find the right socket you need.
It works perfectly well with both deep and shallow sockets.
Furthermore, the bottom being magnetic means that you can easily mount it to the side of any metal surface such as a tool cabinet.
Just keep in mind that if you are looking for an organizer that is easy to transport, this might not be the one for you.
After all, it does not feature a handle and is made from three separate pieces so it’s not really the most portable model.
Hansen Global 92000 SAE & Metric 2-Row Socket Tray
This Hansen Global 92000 SAE & Metric 2-Row Socket Tray features a really smart labeling system that makes finding the right socket really easy every time!
More precisely, a post is assigned to each socket by size and the label is clear and easy to read so no more guesswork or wasted time and energy.
Furthermore, the trays are color coded based on socket type as follows: red for SAE and grey for metric.
The tray itself is made from durable plastic that is really resistant to oil and gas.
Furthermore, this product fits no less than 166 sockets!
With that being said, you should take into consideration that it will take quite a bit of space on your workbench, especially since it’s not mountable on the wall.
But, of course, if you don’t lack the space for it, don’t hesitate to give this organizer a chance!
Ernst Manufacturing Socket Boss 3-Rail Organizer
The Ernst Manufacturing Socket Boss 3-Rail Organizer can organize up to 45 drive sockets in a way that best suits your preferences and needs since it’s highly customizable.
For instance, you will be able to move socket clips, label their sizes and even change driver sizes.
Furthermore, you can also pick between the short and wide 13-inch or the long and narrow 19-inch size.
Another great feature is that the rails can be locked into a tray to make transportation easier or you can also remove them individually.
HORUSDY 80-Piece Heavy Duty Socket Organizer
If you have an extensive socket collection and often work away from home, this might be the right product for you!
The HORUSDY 80-Piece Heavy Duty Socket Organizer not only fits 80 sockets but also comes with a handle so it’s a breeze to take it with you on the road.
It also comes with some heavy-duty molded twist-lock clips that secure each socket so you don’t have to worry about losing any of your tools while driving to your latest project.
MLTOOLS Twist Lock Socket Rail
This product is a two rails organizer and each one of them can carry 45 sockets.
It is suitable for 3/8-, 1/4-, and 1/2-inch sockets.
Furthermore, each tray has three rails that hold 15 clips each and there is also a tray that comes with the socket holder so that it’s easier to place it down.
The trays measure 20 inches long, 5 inches wide, and 1 inch tall.
For easier identification of each socket size, the rail features a labeling system that is very useful.
To move it around in a toolbox without messing up the organization or even losing something, there is a twist and lock feature.
The unit is made mostly out of aluminum so it’s really durable.
Neiko 03969A Socket Holder Rails
The Neiko 03969A socket holders are able to hold different types of sockets and that is not easy to find!
It is also high quality and spacious, being able to organize 48 sockets: ¼-, ⅜-, and ½-inch.
Each organizer has holes for loops on the ends as well as in the middle so you can hang it up on a wall and keep it away from you workspace.
The socket holders are also lightweight which makes them easy to transport.
But in spite of them not having too much weight, they will last you for a long time thanks to being coated with nickel.
Furthermore, the curved clips are able to hold the sockets in place and make sure they are not difficult to remove.
OEMTOOLS 22233 6-Piece Socket Tray
The socket organizers by OEM Tools are some of the most durable out there so if you tend to be a little rough while working on your projects, you won’t be disappointed.
They also hold shallow as well as deep sockets and are designed not to tip thanks to the extended bases that keep your sockets secured.
As for their capacity, these organizers can hold up to 170 sockets so if you have an extensive collection, this might just be the right product for you.
This brand also uses different colors to help you identify SAE and metric sockets.
More precisely, green is for SAE sockets and can hold 80 of them while the black organizers can hold up to 90 metric sockets.
Not to mention that the posts are clearly labeled so you won’t have any trouble finding what you’re looking for.
Each tray is able to hold different sizes of sockets and they also fit in most workbenches and toolboxes.
Made out of rugged ABS plastic, they are lightweight but still tough enough to last you for a lifetime!
AIUITIO 6PCS Socket Organizer Tray Set
These trays are designed to hold shallow as well as deep sockets, the sizes being marked on the posts so you won’t have any trouble quickly identifying them. All you need to do is check the markings!
They are made from ABS plastic which makes them resistant to oil and gas but also durable!
Aside from holding sockets of all sizes and covering the complete SAE and metric range, this product can also hold impact sockets.
Just keep in mind that these organizers only fit in deep drawers, and not in the standard ones so you might have to purchase a bigger tool cabinet if you don’t have one already.
Furthermore, they are also not the most portable since the sockets are only held down by gravity and nothing else.
OEMTOOLS 3-Piece Magnetic SAE Socket Organizers
This organizer is designed to fit up to 75 sockets split between its three trays.
Furthermore, this product is suitable to be placed on your work surface but also mounted on a wall since it has a rubberized backing that makes the process very easy.
Furthermore, if your toolbox is large enough, you could also keep it in one of the drawers!
Finally, the socket sizes are labeled in a way that makes them easy to read.
Just keep in mind that they only feature SAE sizes and not metric.
