DeWalt 1/2 in. Drive Combination Impact Socket Set (23-Piece)

A good impact socket set should disappear into the workflow: grab, engage, hammer away, put it back, move on. That’s what I’ve found with this DeWalt 1/2-inch impact socket set. It covers the common sizes I use on vehicles and equipment, the sockets fit fasteners cleanly, and the case actually keeps everything where it belongs. It’s not perfect, but for a compact 23-piece kit, it’s been a reliable addition to my cart.

Design and build

The sockets are 6-point, impact-rated, and finished in black oxide. They’re made from heat-treated CR-440 steel and use DeWalt’s DirectTorque geometry, which loads the flats of the fastener rather than the corners. In practice, that translates to less rounding and more confidence on stubborn hardware. I’ve leaned on these with a 1/2-inch mid-torque impact and a long breaker without any drama—no visible deformation, and the corners of the fasteners came out looking better than they deserved.

These are standard-depth sockets, not deeps, which keeps the kit compact. The walls are appropriately thick for impact duty, but not so chunky that they won’t fit into wheel recesses or around suspension components. The broaching is clean, the detent holes and grooves are consistent, and the sockets seat positively on detent pin and through-hole anvils. They’re also O‑ring and retaining pin compatible, which matters if you’re using a pin-style anvil on a pneumatic gun.

Size coverage

The selection is sensible for 1/2-inch drive work. SAE coverage runs from 7/16 up through 1 inch, and metric includes 13–19 mm plus 21, 22, and 24 mm. That hits most fasteners I encounter on passenger vehicles, trailers, and light equipment: 21 mm lug nuts, 18 and 19 mm suspension hardware, 3/4 and 7/8 inch hitch and frame bolts—it’s all here. You don’t get every single increment (there’s no 20 or 23 mm, for example), but the gaps didn’t bite me in typical automotive jobs. If you work on specialty equipment with less common sizes, you’ll want to supplement.

The set includes an impact extension (listed at 5 inches) and an impact-rated adapter, which add useful reach and drive flexibility. The extension has a nice balance of rigidity and length for wheel wells and deep-set fasteners without introducing too much wobble.

Ratchet and hand use

The included 72‑tooth ratchet is a pleasant surprise. A 5° arc is fine work for a 1/2-inch drive, and the head profile is trim enough to squeeze into crossmembers and around exhaust hangers. The quick-release button is positive and keeps greasy sockets from fighting you on removal. I wouldn’t buy the set just for the ratchet, but I also wouldn’t swap it out immediately—it’s become my default 1/2-inch hand ratchet in the shop.

Of course, the ratchet isn’t impact-rated; it’s for hand work. I commonly break fasteners free with the impact, spin them off with the ratchet, then reverse that on reinstall. The included adapter extends that utility if you’re mixing 3/8 and 1/2 drive tools.

Performance under impact

Performance is what you’re paying for in an impact set, and these deliver. With a mid-torque 1/2-inch impact on rusty suspension bolts, I had no tendency to cam out or chew corners. The DirectTorque profile feels “grippy” in that flank-drive way—less chatter on the corners when the gun starts hammering. On a high-torque gun, the sockets shrugged off repeated bursts on crank pulley bolts and stubborn hitch hardware. The black oxide finish scuffs as expected, but there was no spalling, no hairline cracks, and no egging of the square drives.

Retention on the anvil is good. On detent pin anvils, the sockets click in and release without a fight; with a pin-and-O-ring setup they stay put during overhead work. The extension’s detent is also sized right—firm enough to trust, easy enough to swap without a pry tool.

Markings and usability

Laser-etched size markings are large and deep. On black oxide they’re much easier to read than a shallow stamp, especially in low light. After a few weekends of grimy work, the markings are still legible. As with any oxide-finished socket, a quick wipe makes a big difference; with an oily film on the barrel, even bold etching can lose contrast. I ended up organizing the sockets in the case by the way I reach for them (metric on the right, SAE on the left) and the markings make it easy to verify the size at a glance.

Case and organization

The storage case is compact (roughly 14.8 x 8.1 x 2.7 inches) and about 7 pounds loaded, which makes it easy to toss in a truck box. The interior tray holds sockets firmly upright; they don’t migrate when the case is carried vertically. The latches snap shut positively and the hinges haven’t shown stress after several trips. The case links up with my other DeWalt mechanics cases for stackable storage, which is handy on job sites.

If I’m nitpicking, the lid shell isn’t as thick as a true jobsite box. I haven’t cracked mine, but I wouldn’t stand on it or trust it loose in the bed under a pile of lumber. Treat it as an organized carrier, not armor, and it’ll do its job.

Durability and maintenance

Black oxide is the right choice for impact sockets—no chrome to shatter—but it does require basic care. I habitually wipe the sockets with a rag after grimy jobs and hit them with a light oil before they go back in the case. That has kept surface rust at bay so far. The broaches haven’t mushroomed, the square drives are still crisp, and the extension shows only finish wear. The 1-year limited warranty is there as a backstop, though impact sockets tend to either fail early or last for years; these are tracking toward the latter.

What I’d change

• Add a few more sizes: 20 mm and 23 mm would round out the metric side for oddball hardware.
• Include at least a couple of deep sockets or a wobble extension. Standard depth covers a lot, but brake caliper brackets and long studs sometimes call for extra reach.
• Beef up the case lid or offer a rail option for users who keep sockets in a drawer.

None of these are dealbreakers, but they’re worth noting if you expect one kit to handle everything.

Value

Considering the mix of SAE and metric, the impact-rated extension and adapter, and a genuinely good 72-tooth ratchet, the package represents strong value. You can spend less on no-name impact sockets, but you’ll typically give up fit, finish, and long-term durability. You can also spend more for premium CR-Mo deep/shallow master sets, but those live in a different price and size class. This kit hits a sweet spot for users who need trusted sockets, thoughtful organization, and a compact footprint.

Who it’s for

• DIYers and mobile techs who want a portable, complete 1/2-inch impact setup for vehicles, trailers, and equipment.
• Mechanics who need a dependable secondary set to keep in the truck or at a remote bay.
• Anyone who values clear size markings and sockets that play nicely with detent pin, O-ring, and retaining pin systems.

Who should look elsewhere: if you need deep sockets, universal joints, or exhaustive size coverage every day, start with a larger master set and build from there.

Recommendation

I recommend this DeWalt 1/2-inch impact socket set. It earns that nod by combining clean-fitting, durable 6-point sockets with a useful accessory pack and a solid 72-tooth ratchet, all in a compact, organized case. It’s not a master set, and it won’t replace deep sockets or specialty pieces, but as a go-to 1/2-inch kit for common automotive and equipment tasks, it’s dependable, easy to live with, and priced right for what you get.