ICON 1/2" Digital Torque Wrench: Seems like a solid tool for all my DIY needs. Better than Snap On?

The ICON 1/2" Digital Torque Wrench seems like a solid tool for all my DIY needs and then some. But is it better than Snap On? Sure seems that way according to John's results in a head-to-head on his Tools Tested channel. However, at over $350 for an ICON tool, there better be some good stuff inside this wrench.
Tools Tested Channel: • Snap-On VS Harbor Frei...

[@Callelle6251]

Icon's digital torque wrench is made by Kabo, which is hands down, one of the best Taiwanese tool manufacturers there are. I'd take one over a snap on any day of the week if I was torquing enough things to warranty needing a digital one. Especially since they can be had for under $300 all the time with the discounts/coupons you can get. It should also be noted that Icon's warranty is lifetime while Snap On's is only 2 years.

[@user-hi5ss9wx4g]

I'd like to disagree. If you look at Eclatorq catalog, you'd find one similar to this icon torque wrench. Also Eclatorq makes wrenches for Matco and Cornwell too.

[@Tools-Tested]

Thanks for the mention! and the kind words! Im hoping we see a 3/8 and 1/4 version, it looks almost identical to the Cornwell CTG5000ANGX. Thanks again!

[@sjachim314]

How I love to wake up on a Sunday morning and see a new video uploaded to this channel 😊

[@jasonstorie8740]

I’m a die hard German hand tool guy but I’ve broke down and bought a couple of ICON ratchets and have been really pleased. One of my favorite tools you haven’t reviewed and it’s the ICON micro ratchet with bit set I’d like to see what you thought.

[@videomaniac108]

I just bought one of these for $280 with a 20% discount. It's the first electronic digital TW I've owned and I really like the tool. It is a solidly made tool with a number of good features. The extensive range, 12.5 ft*lbs to 250 ft*lbs, is a big plus in that it will handle a lot of jobs. I also like the programmable torque values, a time saver when pattern torquing a series of bolts in stages. You can choose the backlight intensity and the contrast level to get a very easy to read display in almost any ambient lighting condition. I'm looking at other Icon hand tools and will probably rebuild my tool collection with this line, as it seems like the modern day value in hand tools that is similar to what the old Craftsman line that Sears sold was back in the 1970s and 1980s. Not being a professional mechanic, I really can't justify spending what it would cost to get a line of tools from Snap-on, Mac Tools or Proto. The fact that these aren't made in China is a big plus for me.

[@patrickcallahan2210]

I'm guessing the min and max on the sheet are the numbers to remain in spec. The numbers on the right seem to be the actual measured values. Looks like a good tool!

[@boosted2.4_sky]

I picked up the Gearwrench 120XP digital flex head torque wrench (3/8") a few years ago...it's been great for engine building for under $200..

[@ScoutCrafter]

Great review! I am buying as many Taiwanese tools as I can.. In my opinion they are the best quality and value in tooling anywhere. Thanks!

[@iownthebankthatownsyourhouse]

the icon 1/2 digital torque wrench w/ angle and the daytona 4 ton floor jack. is my favorite. cause i want the snap-on versions.

[@larryborkstrom3580]

Like myself I'm semi retired from wrenching my old click style works great if I'd use one more I consider a digital one even the is a bit pricey and is questionable if harbor freight will keep the line of icon if they sit on the shelf too long there known for cheaper tools not pro or mid grade tools and warranty include calibration after 1 year

[@fuloplehel]

Very good torque wrench. Taiwanese tools are great, especially electronic parts. But I have ratchets made in Taiwan and there is a difference compared to Chinese manufacturing. More precise and better quality control.

[@AR-il9gk]

Does the icon have a counter for the number of times you torqued a fastener?

[@treadstone7656]

That torque wrench is the most expensive Icon hand tool by far. It might not be representative of the rest of the line.

[@T6Tarek]

I can't believe the snap on is 900 plus now I picked one up off the truck on special for 375 a couple years ago... I don't use my digital for much knowing how sensitive they are I bought in to some good clicks and beam style. I have heard really good things about the torque wrenches that Menards sells too. I'm on the west coast so Menards isn't really a option

[@mikeburchett-bs3qw]

snapon 700 - 750 as of 10/18/2023

[@slymechanic45]

Project Farm tested mechanical torque wrenches and snap-on had better results than icon, it’s interesting that Tools Tested discovered that the digital icon had better results than snap-on. Initial impressions of tools can change, so after using this icon torque wrench, do you feel like it has quality equivalent to if not better than the snap-on?

[@lastbesttool]

My guess is it's easier to make an equivalent digital torque wrench, but a mechanical one requires more expensive precision machining and parts. I'm going from memory with the Snap On, but it did feel solid and with a more robust electronics area. But not $600 more. I wouldn't be surprised if there were parts from the same manufacture in both the SO and the ICON. But for mechanical torque wrenches, Snap On has it dialed in my opinion.

[@slymechanic45]

@@lastbesttool That does make a lot of sense. Thank you. In my opinion, snap-on should win in every category given their heavy price tag, but realistically, their are better options out there such as this digital torque wrench and I feel like the pricing should reflect that, just my opinion though.. Thank you for the great content. Always a pleasure watching your videos. Keep ‘‘em coming Doc.

[@lastbesttool]

@@slymechanic45 I think Snap On has wandered into some tool areas with little more than a name and bright colors. It took them a few version before they were taken seriously. A few decades ago, tool evolution was slow and lightly competitive. Today it's cutthroat and potential customers have little tolerance for imperfection. And there are at least two segments of the overseas production. One is the cheapest-you-get-what-you-pay-for side of things, and another is a highly responsive, innovative, almost experimental life or death perfection attitude. And anything with plastic, batteries, and electronics is fair game for companies who do not need forges, and heat treating, and artisan craftsman.

[@dannyluna5736]

Hopefully it will be the last one.

[@brightboydesigns8325]

Does the ICON do angle measurements too?

[@lastbesttool]

Yes, and there again, better than the Snap On.

[@andrewbakker7640]

Apprentice question here: Aside from torquing things to specs greater than capable on a 3/8 torque wrench, does anyone ever use 1/2” sockets? My 3/8” set ranges from 6-24mm and I feel like that gets me sorted for 99% of my stuff. Would love some feedback on people’s personal use cases for 1/2 vs 3/8 (aside from extreme torque cases like 100 ft/lbs+ torque or impact sockets)

[@flannel7977]

I like having all my chromes in 3/8”. I have 6-24mm as well. Anything bigger is a 1/2” impact socket.

[@aussiehardwood6196]

There is definitely a case for 1/2" socketry. But for automotive 3/8" is the best all rounder, it will do 90+% on a passenger car. But for suspension or crank bolts I like the strength of 1/2" as I'll often use high power impact tools. But for under the hood...3/8 is smaller, shorter and able to meet torque requirements.

[@Raeilgunne]

I do industrial maintenance, and while I don't use them that often, I have 3/4", 1", and 1.5" drive stuff. We have a few nuts over 80mm, and one that needs 1300 ft/lbs torque. Can't think of a use case on cars besides high torque or impact wrenching. It is always fun getting out the shops 6-8ft breaker bars or the hydraulic hytorc.

[@WesleyDropDead]

Like Aussie said pretty much for crank pulleys and suspension work so not extremely often but does have its use case. It’s probably best to just get 1/2 impact sockets so you can hit the suspension components with a gun. Capri makes great not-too-expensive full sets.

[@gplusgplus2286]

Most of the Europe guys dont use 3/8", even in professional shops they have 1/4" and 1/2".

[@aussiehardwood6196]

I 'would' buy that Icon torque wrench. Looks very nice for its retail price. Ive found even the Taiwan click style wrenches to be very accurate.

[@boosted2.4_sky]

Correct..even Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh click style cheaper torque wrenches are surprisingly, very accurate

[@oswaldcobblepot502]

I have the 3/8 Icon click wrench and I like it a lot. Also have a Snap-on 3/8 digital torque wrench which is really nice. Especially good for torque angle.

[@robertcasey3528]

Why would a diy guy need snap on anyway? Seems like a waste of money

[@philortega6516]

Just bought a 1/2 icon torque wrench, to do the arp head bolts on my LS7. Hope it's as accurate as it said to beed

[@rickyirivera]

@@philortega6516 was it accurate? Looking at icon or snap on...