Best Oil Filter Wrench in 2027

The Felisbieti TZ-1 leads our ranking. It is a 27mm low-profile 6-point socket on a 1/2 in drive, made for the plastic cartridge filter housings fitted to many modern engines. Felisbieti lists fitment for Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Ford F-150, Renault, Nissan, Dodge, Hyundai, Kia, Mini, Fiat and Volkswagen models, among others.

The 6-point design grips the hex on the housing cap across its flat sides, which reduces the risk of rounding off the plastic, a common and expensive problem with 12-point sockets or pliers. Its low profile lets it reach filters in tight engine compartments where a deep socket or strap will not fit.

It is made from alloy steel and, at 0.125 lb, it is the lightest tool on this page. The trade-off is that it fits only 27mm caps, so it is useless for spin-on canister filters. Check your owner's manual or the old filter cap before buying. If your engine uses a 27mm housing, it is the cleanest and safest way to remove and torque it back down with a ratchet or torque wrench.

Second in our ranking, the WORKPRO W114083A is a pair of 12 in adjustable oil filter pliers that fits filters from 2-3/8 to 4-1/2 in in diameter, which covers most cars, light trucks, lawn mowers and motorcycles with spin-on filters.

The jaws are high carbon steel for strength, and a Permalock fastener replaces the usual nut and bolt so the pivot cannot work loose. WORKPRO notes a bent head design that helps in some tight spaces, and soft non-slip red handles help when your hands are oily. The tool ships with oil on it for rust protection.

Pliers bite into the filter shell, so they will dent or puncture a stuck filter. That is fine on removal, since the old filter is going in the bin, but you should install the new one by hand. At 1.03 lb it is a sturdy single tool with no adapters to lose. For a home mechanic who changes oil on a few different vehicles, it is the most versatile single wrench here.

The GEARWRENCH 3529D ranks third. It is a heavy-duty strap wrench that handles filters with diameters up to 9 in, the largest range on this page, and GEARWRENCH says it is made especially for the high torque that truck and tractor filters need.

The strap is high strength, oil resistant nylon and the handle is forged steel. Rather than a fixed handle, it has chrome plated 3/8 in and 1/2 in drive engagement, so you turn it with your own ratchet or breaker bar for extra leverage, which helps on a filter that has seized on.

Straps grip evenly around the filter rather than at a few points, so they are less likely to crush the shell. It weighs 0.55 lb and carries a long warranty from a well-known tool brand. The strap needs some space around the filter to wrap, so it may not reach filters tucked deep in an engine bay. For farm, truck and diesel owners, it is the right choice.

Fourth in our ranking, the ValueMax set includes two adjustable strap wrenches made of reinforced rubber. The large wrench handles items up to 6 in in diameter and the small one up to 4 in, with strap lengths of 25 in on the large wrench.

Rubber straps grip by friction, so they will not scratch or dent a filter, a chrome part or a plumbing fitting. ValueMax lists a maximum torque of 200N for the large strap, and the handles use nylon and TPR for a soft, non-slip grip.

Because there is no metal-on-metal contact, a very tight or oily filter can slip, so these work best on filters that are snug rather than seized. They also open jars, tighten drain pipes and handle other round objects around the house, which makes the set useful beyond oil changes. For careful owners who want a gentle grip, it is a sensible pick.

The DURATECH DTOFW01 completes our top five. It includes four swivel band wrenches covering filters from 2-3/4 to 5-1/4 in, plus 9 in and 12 in oil filter pliers and an adapter that connects to any 3/8 in or 1/2 in drive ratchet, all in a storage case.

The swivel wrenches use a stainless steel band with a dimpled texture for grip without slipping, and the handle pivots so you can reach filters at awkward angles. The pliers have a 5-position slip joint and serrated teeth that grip in either direction.

With 8 pieces it covers cars, trucks, motorcycles and small engines, which suits a household with several vehicles or a small shop. The case keeps everything together, though it takes more room than one tool. For buyers who want one kit for every oil change in the family, it is the most complete set in our top five.