Best Basin Wrench for Under-Sink Nuts
The RIDGID 46753 (Model 2017) Telescoping Basin Wrench is the best all-around pick for under-sink nuts, combining a 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch self-adjusting jaw with a 12 to 17 inch telescoping reach and a built-in LED for working blind behind a sink bowl. The variable readers get wrong is treating basin wrenches as interchangeable, when jaw capacity and shaft reach are the two specs that actually determine whether a wrench will grip your faucet or drain nut and physically reach it from the cabinet opening.
Quick answer
For most under-sink jobs, the RIDGID 46753 (Model 2017) is the strongest all-around choice thanks to its 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch jaw, 12 to 17 inch telescoping reach and built-in LED. Need bigger coupling nuts instead? The General Tools 140XL covers 1 to 2 inch nuts that the RIDGID cannot grip.
Why trust ToolBuyerHub
- Cross-checked manufacturer-published specifications before writing any recommendation
- Verified US market availability and configuration for every model discussed
- Owner-feedback themes are summarized as feedback, never presented as our own hands-on testing
- No invented star ratings; see the visible Research Score criteria on this page
- Flagged water-isolation and pressure-safety steps wherever a tool touches pressurized lines
- We cross-checked each wrench's jaw capacity and shaft length against the manufacturer's own product page or spec sheet rather than relying on a single marketplace listing, since basin wrench listings are a common place for outdated or mismatched numbers to persist across resold SKUs.
Research updated September 2026.
What Matters Most for This Category
Jaw capacity is the first filter: most faucet supply and mounting nuts fall between 3/8 inch and 1-1/4 inch, the range covered by the RIDGID 46753 and ARES 33004, while larger coupling or strainer-style nuts up to 2 inches need a wide-jaw model such as the General Tools 140XL. Shaft reach is the second filter and depends on cabinet depth, not sink size. A shallow cabinet may only need an 11 inch fixed shaft like the ARES 33004, while a deep vanity with the nut set back against the wall calls for a telescoping wrench that extends to 16 or 17 inches. Telescoping models add versatility across multiple jobs but add a sliding joint that can flex under heavy torque, so a fixed-length wrench sized correctly for the job is sometimes more reliable for a single repair. Spring-loaded, self-adjusting jaws let you work one-handed in a blind spot behind the bowl, which matters more than raw torque rating for most residential nut removal.
| Model | Best for | Key specs | Research Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| RIDGID 46753 (Model 2017) Telescoping Basin Wrench | Best overall for most under-sink jobs | 3/8 in to 1-1/4 in, 12 in to 17 in, telescoping | 95/100 |
| RIDGID 31175 (Model 1017) Fold-Over Basin Wrench | Best for tight cabinet or drawer storage | 3/8 in to 1-1/4 in, 10 in to 17 in, adjustable | 89/100 |
| General Tools 140XL Telescoping Basin Wrench | Best for large coupling or strainer nuts | 1 in to 2 in, 11 in to 16 in, telescoping | 87/100 |
| ARES 33001, 11 to 16 Inch Telescopic Basin Wrench | Best budget telescoping option | Up to 1-3/8 in, 11 in to 16 in, 4 locking positions | 83/100 |
| ARES 33004, 11 Inch Basin Wrench with Adjustable Jaw | Best value fixed-length pick | 3/8 in to 1-1/4 in, 11 in, fixed | 81/100 |
| Eastman (EZ-FLO) 45105, 15 Inch Spring-Loaded Basin Wrench | Best for deep, single-length cabinet reach | 15 in, fixed, Spring-loaded, hardened jaw | 78/100 |
| RIDGID 66807, Model 2006 Faucet and Sink Installer | Best multi-function installer tool | 10-1/4 in, 0.77 lbs | 76/100 |
RIDGID 46753 (Model 2017) Telescoping Basin Wrench
Best OverallPros
- Built-in LED illuminates the nut in a blind cabinet corner
- 3/8 inch square drive accepts a ratchet for added leverage on corroded nuts
- Telescoping shaft adjusts to different cabinet depths without swapping tools
Cons
- Heavier than fixed-length wrenches at 2.5 lbs, which can fatigue the wrist on repeated installs
- The telescoping joint and LED housing add cost over a basic fixed-shaft wrench
The RIDGID 46753 is sold as Model 2017 and pairs a self-adjusting 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch jaw with a telescoping shaft that extends from 12 to 17 inches. A water-resistant LED near the jaw lights up the nut before you engage it, which matters more here than on most tools since basin wrenches are used almost entirely by feel in the dark. The head also has a 3/8 inch square drive connection so a ratchet or breaker bar can be added for extra torque on a stuck nut.
RIDGID 31175 (Model 1017) Fold-Over Basin Wrench
Best Fold-Away DesignPros
- Folds flat for storage in a standard tool drawer or bag
- Same jaw capacity as RIDGID's telescoping model at a lower price point
- Simple mechanical design with no LED or battery to fail
Cons
- No built-in light, so a headlamp or flashlight is still needed in dark cabinets
- Folding hinge is an added wear point compared to a one-piece fixed shaft
RIDGID's Model 1017, sold as item 31175, is an adjustable 10 to 17 inch basin wrench with the same 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch pipe capacity as the 46753 but without the telescoping mechanism or LED. The jaw and handle fold flat against each other for storage, so it does not need the full 17 inches of drawer or toolbox space when not in use. It is made in the USA, which some buyers weigh alongside country of manufacture.
General Tools 140XL Telescoping Basin Wrench
Best for Large NutsPros
- Jaw range covers larger coupling and strainer-style nuts standard basin wrenches miss
- One-handed ratcheting jaw speeds up repeated turns in a cramped cabinet
- Telescoping handle adapts to shallow or deep cabinet depths
Cons
- 1 inch minimum jaw opening means it will not grip smaller faucet supply nuts
- Easy to confuse with the visually similar 140X model, which has a different jaw range
The General Tools 140XL is built for nuts the standard-range wrenches above cannot grip, with a jaw capacity of 1 to 2 inches instead of the typical 3/8 to 1-1/4 inch range. The telescoping T-handle extends from 11 to 16 inches, and the ratcheting head pivots up to 90 degrees so the spring-loaded jaw can reset without fully backing off the nut. General also sells a nearly identical 140X model with a 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch jaw for standard nuts, so it is worth matching the exact model number to the nut you are removing.
ARES 33001, 11 to 16 Inch Telescopic Basin Wrench
Best Value TelescopingPros
- Slightly wider jaw capacity than most standard basin wrenches at 1-3/8 inches
- 180 degree head pivot helps route around supply lines and drain traps
- Locking telescoping positions resist shaft slip under torque
Cons
- No LED or square-drive accessory port for added leverage
- Shorter track record on Amazon than RIDGID's longer-established basin wrench line
The ARES 33001 uses a chrome vanadium steel shaft with a forged steel jaw that opens up to 1-3/8 inches, slightly wider than the 1-1/4 inch ceiling on most standard-range wrenches. The telescoping shaft locks into four positions between 11 and 16 inches, and the head pivots up to 180 degrees to maneuver around obstructions while staying engaged with the nut. It typically sells for less than the RIDGID telescoping models while covering a similar reach and jaw range.
ARES 33004, 11 Inch Basin Wrench with Adjustable Jaw
Best ValuePros
- Jaw range matches pricier telescoping wrenches for standard faucet and mounting nuts
- Fixed-length shaft has no telescoping joint to loosen or bind
- 180 degree pivoting head with continuous ratcheting for one-handed use
Cons
- Fixed 11 inch length will not reach nuts set deep behind a cabinet back wall
- No LED, so a separate light source is needed in dark cabinets
The ARES 33004 is a fixed 11 inch basin wrench with a spring-loaded, self-adjusting jaw that covers 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch nuts, the same practical range as RIDGID's pricier telescoping models. The chrome vanadium steel shaft and forged steel jaw pivot up to 180 degrees with continuous ratcheting action, and a sliding T-handle adds leverage for one-handed operation. Because the shaft does not telescope, it is a simpler mechanism with one less part to wear out.
Eastman (EZ-FLO) 45105, 15 Inch Spring-Loaded Basin Wrench
Best Fixed-Length ReachPros
- 15 inch reach suits mid-depth cabinets that short 10 to 11 inch wrenches cannot reach
- Solid steel handle transmits torque without a telescoping joint to flex
- Simple one-piece design with fewer moving parts than a telescoping model
Cons
- Manufacturer listings do not publish a numeric jaw capacity, so confirm nut size fit before buying
- Fixed length means it cannot extend further for an unusually deep cabinet
The Eastman 45105, also sold under the EZ-FLO brand, is a fixed 15 inch basin wrench built around a spring-loaded hardened jaw and a solid steel handle. Its 15 inch length splits the difference between short 10 to 11 inch wrenches and the 16 to 17 inch reach of telescoping models, suiting a mid-depth vanity cabinet without paying for a sliding shaft you may not need. As a single fixed-length tool, it has no locking positions or ratcheting head to maintain.
RIDGID 66807, Model 2006 Faucet and Sink Installer
Best for Installer TasksPros
- Notched ends fit 2, 3, 4 and 6-tab plastic basin nuts without swapping tools
- Built-in attachments also turn angle stop valves and hold strainer baskets
- Lightweight at 0.77 lbs for a tool that replaces several small installer tools
Cons
- 3/4 inch to 1 inch hex capacity is narrower than the pivoting-jaw wrenches above
- Not designed for large stuck metal coupling nuts that need a wide-swing jaw
RIDGID's Model 2006, sold as item 66807, is not a traditional pivoting-jaw basin wrench but a shaped installer tool at 10-1/4 inches long and 0.77 lbs. Notched ends engage 2, 3, 4 and 6-tab plastic basin nuts directly, an open slot lets it slide over existing supply lines, and separate built-in attachments turn angle stop valves without marring the chrome or hold a strainer basket in place while you tighten the strainer nut. Its documented pipe capacity for hex nuts is 3/4 inch to 1 inch, narrower than the telescoping wrenches above.
Who Should Avoid the Top Pick
The RIDGID 46753 is heavier and pricier than a reader needs for a single one-time nut removal on a shallow, easy-to-reach cabinet. Anyone tackling a straightforward faucet swap under a standard 11 inch cabinet depth can get the same jaw range from the ARES 33004 for less money. Readers working mostly with plastic basin nuts and angle stops during a full faucet installation, rather than a stuck old nut, may get more use from the RIDGID 66807 installer tool instead.
Before You Buy
Measure the actual distance from the cabinet opening back to the nut, not just the cabinet's outer depth, since face frames and stretcher rails can shorten usable reach. Check the nut size or flats on the existing fitting, or the faucet manufacturer's spec sheet, before assuming a 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch jaw will fit, since some coupling and strainer nuts run larger. Confirm the access opening is wide enough for the jaw to swing a quarter turn, since a wrench that reaches the nut but cannot rotate is no more useful than one that does not reach at all.
FAQs
Can I trust the jaw range and reach listed in a marketplace listing?
Cross-check the numbers against the manufacturer's own product or parts page before buying. Basin wrench listings are sometimes copied across resold or older SKUs, and RIDGID, General Tools and ARES all publish jaw capacity and length on their own sites.
Does ToolBuyerHub test these wrenches by hand before ranking them?
No. This page compares manufacturer-published specifications and recurring owner-feedback themes rather than claiming hands-on testing, and the Research Score reflects that editorial comparison, not a lab measurement.
How often is this basin wrench comparison rechecked?
We revisit it when a listed model is discontinued, replaced by a newer generation, or when a manufacturer changes a published spec, not on a fixed schedule just to change the date.
What jaw size do I actually need for a standard kitchen or bathroom faucet?
Most faucet supply and mounting nuts fall in the 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch range covered by the RIDGID 46753, RIDGID 31175 and ARES 33004. Larger drain coupling or strainer nuts up to 2 inches need a wide-jaw model like the General Tools 140XL.
Will one basin wrench handle both small faucet nuts and large coupling nuts?
Usually not with a single jaw range. Standard wrenches top out around 1-1/4 inch, so a separate wide-jaw model like the General Tools 140XL is needed for nuts up to 2 inches rather than assuming one wrench covers both.
Our verdict
For most under-sink jobs, the RIDGID 46753 (Model 2017) earns the top spot because its documented 3/8 inch to 1-1/4 inch jaw and 12 to 17 inch telescoping reach cover the widest range of faucet and mounting nuts, and the built-in LED addresses the real problem of working blind behind a sink bowl. Readers who only need to reach a fixed 11 inch depth can get the same jaw range from the ARES 33004 for less money, and anyone removing an oversized coupling or strainer nut should step up to the General Tools 140XL instead, since the RIDGID's jaw will not open past 1-1/4 inch.