Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Wera 950/9 Hex-Plus Multicolour HF 1 at ~£32, with holding function and colour-coded sleeves
- Best professional pick: Bahco BE-9770 at ~£12, long ball ends with phosphate finish for workshop durability
- Best budget set: Amazon Basics 36-Piece at ~£7, metric and imperial in two organised cases
- Best mid-range: Draper 30 Piece Hexagon Set at ~£10, solid CrV steel with metric and imperial coverage
- Best without holding function: Wera 950/9 Hex-Plus Multicolour 1 at ~£25, same Hex-Plus profile at a lower price
Suggested reading: Best Screwdriver Sets UK · Drill Bit Types Explained
How They Compare
Here's a side-by-side look at the five hex key sets we assessed. All prices are current Amazon UK prices at the time of writing.
| Hex Key Set | Pieces | Price | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wera 950/9 HF 1 | 9 | ~£32 | 4.7 (1,800) | Best overall |
| Bahco BE-9770 | 9 | ~£12 | 4.7 (2,100) | Professional use |
| Amazon Basics 36-Piece | 36 | ~£7 | 4.6 (11,900) | Budget / complete |
| Draper 30 Piece | 30 | ~£10 | 4.5 | Mid-range value |
| Wera 950/9 Multicolour 1 | 9 | ~£25 | 4.7 (1,800) | Premium standard |
Wera 950/9 Hex-Plus Multicolour HF 1
9-piece metric · 1.5-10mm · Chrome Molybdenum steel · Holding function
The Wera HF 1 is the hex key set we'd recommend to anyone who wants one set that does everything well. The holding function on the long arm grips screws mechanically, letting you start a thread with one hand while holding the workpiece with the other. That alone justifies the price premium over the standard version.
The Hex-Plus profile is Wera's signature feature. Instead of driving the screw through sharp corner contact points (which round off over time), it spreads force across a wider surface area. Wera claims 20% more torque transfer, and in practice the keys do feel more secure in well-worn sockets compared to standard hex profiles.
The colour-coded plastic sleeves match each key to its size at a glance. It sounds like a minor detail until you're rummaging through a toolbox looking for the 5mm key and everything looks the same. The BlackLaser surface treatment gives genuine corrosion resistance, and the chrome molybdenum steel holds up under repeated high-torque use.
Pros: Holding function, Hex-Plus anti-rounding profile, colour coding, excellent build quality
Cons: Premium price, only metric, 9 pieces won't cover every niche size
Bahco BE-9770 Metric Long Ball End Hex L-Key Set
9-piece metric · 1.5-10mm · Phosphate finish · Long ball ends
Bahco has been making hand tools in Sweden since 1886, and the BE-9770 reflects that heritage. These are no-nonsense professional hex keys with long arms for extra turning force and ball ends on the long side for angled access. The phosphate finish is less glamorous than Wera's BlackLaser but equally effective at preventing corrosion.
At around £12, the Bahco set delivers professional-grade build quality at roughly a third of the Wera price. The long arms give noticeably more turning force than shorter budget keys, which matters when you're driving screws into hardwood or loosening stubborn bolts on machinery. The ball end allows angled insertion up to about 25 degrees, useful in cramped engine bays or behind workshop furniture.
What you don't get is the holding function or colour coding. You'll need to read the stamped size markings, and screws won't grip themselves. For a workshop where speed matters less than reliability, these are hard to beat on value.
Pros: Excellent turning force, professional build quality, great value, long ball ends
Cons: No holding function, no colour coding, phosphate finish looks plain
Amazon Basics 36-Piece Allen Wrench Hex Key Set
36-piece · Metric + Imperial · Chrome Vanadium steel · 2 cases
If you want every size you might ever need for under £7, this is the set. The Amazon Basics 36-Piece covers both metric (1.5mm to 8mm) and imperial (5/64" to 1/4") with long and short arm versions of each. Everything comes in two hinged cases with dedicated slots and clear size markings.
The Chrome Vanadium steel with black oxide finish is perfectly adequate for furniture assembly, bike maintenance and light workshop tasks. You won't get the same torque resistance as Wera or Bahco under extreme load, but for the price, the build quality is surprisingly consistent across the set.
The two-case system is genuinely useful. One case for metric, one for imperial, each with labelled slots. It's the kind of organisation that saves five minutes of searching every time you need a specific size. With nearly 12,000 Amazon reviews averaging 4.6 stars, this is one of the most validated budget tool sets on the UK market.
Pros: Incredible value, metric and imperial included, organised cases, massive review base
Cons: No ball ends, no holding function, CrV steel less durable under extreme torque
Draper 30 Piece Hexagon Allen Key Set
30-piece · Metric + Imperial · Chrome Vanadium steel
Draper is a staple in UK workshops, and this 30-piece set sits nicely between the budget Amazon Basics and the premium Wera. You get metric and imperial sizes in Chrome Vanadium steel, with both long and short arm configurations.
The build quality is a step above the Amazon Basics set. Draper's manufacturing tolerances are tighter, which means less wobble in the socket and better torque transfer. For occasional workshop use, this is the sweet spot where you're not paying a premium for professional features you won't use, but you're getting noticeably better steel than the cheapest options.
The set comes in a single organised case with size markings. Draper also offers a range of T-handle hex keys if you prefer that grip style for repeated use.
Pros: Tight tolerances, good steel quality, metric and imperial, reasonable price
Cons: No ball ends, no holding function, single case can be bulky
Wera 950/9 Hex-Plus Multicolour 1 L-Key Set
9-piece metric · 1.5-10mm · Chrome Molybdenum steel · No holding function
This is the standard version of the Wera set, identical to the HF 1 in every way except the holding function. You still get the Hex-Plus profile, colour-coded sleeves, BlackLaser surface treatment and chrome molybdenum steel construction. At around £25, it's the more affordable entry into Wera's ecosystem.
The question is whether the holding function is worth the extra £7. If you regularly start screws in awkward positions, where one hand is occupied holding a workpiece, the HF version earns its price. If you mostly work at a bench with both hands free, the standard Multicolour 1 gives you the same anti-rounding benefits without the premium.
Both Wera sets use the same 1.5mm to 10mm metric range, which covers most UK workshop needs. If you're deciding between the two, think about how often you need to start a screw one-handed. That's the only real difference.
Pros: Hex-Plus profile, colour coding, excellent build quality, lower price than HF version
Cons: No holding function, only 9 pieces, only metric
Buying Guide: What to Look For
Metric vs Imperial
Most UK furniture, machinery and bicycles use metric hex bolts. A 9-piece metric set covering 1.5mm to 10mm handles the vast majority of tasks. Imperial (SAE) sizes matter if you work on American-made equipment or vintage machinery. Combined sets like the Amazon Basics 36-Piece cover both, which is handy if you don't want to think about which system you need.
Ball End vs Straight
Ball-end hex keys have a rounded tip on the long arm that allows angled insertion up to about 25 degrees. This is invaluable in tight spaces where you can't get a straight approach, like behind a workbench leg or inside a computer case. Straight keys transfer torque more directly but need a clear line of approach. Most professional sets include ball ends on the long arm.
Holding Function
Wera's holding function uses a flexible locking ball in the tip that grips the screw head mechanically. It lets you start a thread with one hand, which is genuinely useful when you're holding a shelf bracket with the other. It's a luxury for bench work but a necessity for overhead or awkward-position assembly. Only Wera offers this across their range.
Material and Finish
Chrome Molybdenum steel (used by Wera and Bahco) offers the best combination of hardness and toughness for repeated high-torque use. Chrome Vanadium (used by budget sets) is perfectly adequate for occasional use but can flex under extreme load. Surface treatments like Wera's BlackLaser or Bahco's phosphate coating prevent corrosion, which matters if your keys live in a damp shed or flood-prone garage.
Set Size
A 9-piece metric set covers everything most UK makers need. A 30+ piece combined set gives complete coverage for under £12 and means you'll never reach for a key that isn't there. The trade-off is case size and weight. If your hex keys live in a fixed workshop position, go big. If they travel in a bag, keep it compact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between metric and imperial hex keys?
Metric hex keys are sized in millimetres (1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, etc.) and fit most UK and European furniture, bicycles and machinery. Imperial (SAE) hex keys use fractional inch sizes (1/16", 5/64", 3/32", etc.) and are common on American-made equipment. Most UK workshops only need metric, but a combined set covers both.
Are hex keys the same as Allen keys?
Yes. Allen key is the common UK name for an L-shaped hexagonal wrench. Hex key is the generic engineering term. They refer to the same tool, designed to drive hexagonal socket screws.
What size hex keys do I need for flat-pack furniture?
Most IKEA and flat-pack furniture uses 4mm or 5mm hex bolts. A 9-piece metric set covering 1.5mm to 10mm will handle virtually all furniture assembly in a UK home.
How do I stop hex keys from rounding off screw heads?
Use a hex key that fits snugly with no play. Ball-end keys give better contact at angles. Premium brands like Wera use a Hex-Plus profile that spreads force across a larger contact surface, reducing the risk of rounding. Always push the key firmly into the socket before turning.
What is a ball-end hex key?
A ball-end hex key has a rounded tip on the long arm that lets you drive screws at an angle, up to about 25 degrees off-axis. This is useful in tight spaces where you can't get a straight approach. Most professional sets include ball ends on the long arm.
How many hex keys do I actually need?
For general UK DIY, a 9-piece metric set (1.5mm to 10mm) covers most tasks. If you work on bikes or American equipment, add imperial sizes. A 30+ piece combined set gives complete coverage for under £12.
Our Verdict
For most UK makers, the Wera 950/9 Hex-Plus Multicolour HF 1 is the best hex key set you can buy. The holding function solves a real problem, the Hex-Plus profile genuinely reduces screw rounding, and the colour coding saves time. At around £32, it's not cheap for hex keys, but it's the kind of tool that lasts decades.
If budget matters more than premium features, the Bahco BE-9770 at ~£12 delivers professional-grade build quality without the Wera premium. For complete coverage on a shoestring, the Amazon Basics 36-Piece at ~£7 is almost absurdly good value, with metric and imperial sizes in organised cases.
The right set depends on how you work. Bench-bound makers who start screws one-handed will love the Wera HF. Workshop professionals who value raw durability will prefer the Bahco. And anyone who just wants every size covered without thinking about it should grab the Amazon Basics and call it done.