ARES Spark Plug Socket Set: Which Size and Style Fit Your Engine?
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ARES is a tool brand focused on practical automotive and garage tools, and its spark plug sockets are a popular choice for home mechanics tackling their first tune-up. A spark plug socket is a deep, narrow socket that fits over the hex (six-sided) body of a spark plug so you can unscrew it from the engine with a ratchet. Compared with a regular deep socket, it is shaped to reach down into the plug well and grip the plug gently so the ceramic insulator does not crack.
The three ARES options below all use a 3/8-inch drive and an interior magnet; the difference is that the 11080 is a three-piece set with swivel universal joints for awkward plugs, while the 11021 and 11020 are single straight sockets in 9/16-inch and 5/8-inch sizes.
ARES Spark Plug Sockets Compared
| Product | Sizes | Drive | Swivel joint | Plug retention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARES 11080 3-Pc Universal Joint Set | 14mm, 9/16 in, 5/8 in | 3/8 in | Yes, spring-loaded universal joint | Interior magnet |
| ARES 11021 Magnetic Socket | 9/16 in | 3/8 in | No | Interior magnet |
| ARES 11020 Magnetic Socket | 5/8 in | 3/8 in | No | Interior magnet |
ARES 11080 3-Pc Universal Joint Magnetic Spark Plug Socket Set for Hard-to-Reach Plugs
ARES
ARES 11080 3-Pc Universal Joint Magnetic Spark Plug Socket Set, 3/8-In
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
ARES 11080 3-Pc Universal Joint Magnetic
Best for: DIYers with recessed or hard-to-reach plugs
Pros
- 14mm, 9/16 and 5/8 inch sizes
- Spring-loaded universal joints
- Interior magnets hold plugs
Cons
- U-joint adds length in tight bays
The ARES 11080 3-Pc Universal Joint Magnetic Spark Plug Socket Set is the most versatile choice here. It includes three 3/8-inch drive sockets in 14mm, 9/16-inch and 5/8-inch, which ARES describes as three common spark plug socket sizes covering a broad range of vehicles. If you are not sure which size your engine uses, having all three in one set removes most of the guesswork.
What makes this set special is the spring-loaded universal joint built into each socket. A universal joint, often shortened to U-joint, is a hinge that lets the socket bend at an angle while you turn the ratchet. That matters because on many modern engines the spark plugs sit deep in narrow wells or behind hoses and brackets, where a straight socket and extension cannot line up. The spring keeps the joint steady, so the socket does not flop to one side as you guide it down into the well. ARES says this design allows stress-free service for the most recessed and hard-to-reach plugs.
Each socket has an interior magnet that holds the spark plug in place, so when you lift the old plug out it stays in the socket instead of dropping back into the engine, and a new plug stays put as you start it by hand. The sockets are made of chrome vanadium steel with a polished chrome-plated finish that resists rust and corrosion. The set is backed by ARES’s Performance Assurance Limited Lifetime Warranty. The specifications also list thread sizes of M14, 13/16-18 UNC and 1/2-13 UNC, although the listing does not explain how those figures relate to each socket.
This set suits first-time DIY mechanics, anyone working on an engine with plugs tucked under intake parts, and gift-givers who do not know the recipient’s exact plug size. If your engine has plugs that sit straight and easy to reach and you already know the size, a single straight socket below is simpler and more compact.
ARES 11021 9/16-In Magnetic Spark Plug Socket for 9/16-Inch Plugs
ARES
ARES 11021 9/16-In Magnetic Spark Plug Socket – 3/8-In Drive, CR-V Steel
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
ARES 11021 9 16-In Magnetic Spark
Best for: Owners who know they need 9/16 inch
Pros
- Magnet won’t wear like rubber inserts
- Heat-treated chrome vanadium steel
- Meets ANSI/ASME standards
Cons
- Single size only
- No swivel joint
The ARES 11021 9 16-In Magnetic Spark Plug Socket is a single 9/16-inch socket with a 3/8-inch drive. It is made of heat-treated chrome vanadium steel, a strong tool steel commonly shortened to CR-V, and has a mirror polish finish for easy cleanup and high-visibility size markings so you can find it quickly in a drawer.
Like the set, it uses an interior magnet to hold the spark plug. ARES points out that the magnet will not wear out over time the way traditional rubber gaskets can. Many older spark plug sockets use a rubber insert to grip the plug, and that rubber can harden or tear with heat and age, which is why a magnet can be the longer-lasting choice. ARES says the socket meets and exceeds ANSI/ASME standards, which are the American standards for hand tool sizing and strength, and it carries the same Performance Assurance Limited Lifetime Warranty.
The listing also mentions that ARES takes part in the ASPCA Business Ambassador Program. The part number field on this listing strings several ARES part numbers together, so rely on the 11021 and 9/16-inch figures in the title. This socket suits someone who has checked their owner’s manual and knows they need 9/16-inch. Because it is a straight socket, deeply recessed plugs at an angle may be easier with the 11080 set’s universal joint.
ARES 11020 5/8-In Magnetic Spark Plug Socket for 5/8-Inch Plugs
ARES
ARES 11020 5/8-In Magnetic Spark Plug Socket – 3/8-In Drive, CR-V Steel
Price and specifications are read from the Amazon product page and can change.
ARES 11020 5 8-In Magnetic Spark
Best for: Engines using 5/8 inch spark plugs
Pros
- Magnetic plug retention
- Mirror polish, high-visibility markings
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Single size only
- No swivel joint
The ARES 11020 5 8-In Magnetic Spark Plug Socket is the 5/8-inch version of the single socket. It shares every other listed feature with the 11021: 3/8-inch drive, heat-treated chrome vanadium steel, a mirror polish finish, high-visibility markings, an interior magnet in place of a rubber insert, ANSI/ASME standards and the Performance Assurance Limited Lifetime Warranty.
The 5/8-inch size is a common spark plug hex size, and the 5/8-inch socket is also included in the 11080 set, so owners of that set do not need this one unless they want a straight socket without a U-joint. A straight socket is shorter and more rigid, which gives a direct feel as you tighten the plug.
This socket suits DIYers whose engine uses 5/8-inch plugs with a clear, straight path to the plug well. For a small gift to go with a new ratchet, it is a thoughtful stocking stuffer. If you are building out a first tool kit, a general socket set with grip-edge sockets covers bolts and nuts elsewhere on the car.
How to Choose the Right ARES Spark Plug Socket
Find your spark plug size. The hex size of the plug decides the socket. Your owner’s manual or a parts store lookup will list the plug, and the plug maker lists its hex size. If you are unsure, the 11080 set covers 14mm, 9/16-inch and 5/8-inch.
Check your ratchet drive. All three ARES sockets use a 3/8-inch drive, which is the square opening that fits onto the ratchet. If your ratchet is a different drive size, you will need an adapter. For small, detailed jobs, a 1/4-inch drive socket and ratchet set is useful to own alongside a 3/8-inch ratchet.
Look at access. If the plugs sit deep or at an angle, choose the universal joint set. If they sit straight up and are easy to reach, a straight single socket gives a firmer feel.
Magnet or rubber. All three ARES sockets use magnets, which the listings say will not wear out like rubber gaskets.
Work on a cool engine. As general practice, spark plugs are easier and safer to remove once the engine has cooled, and it helps to blow debris away from the plug wells before lifting a plug out, so dirt does not fall into the cylinder. Start new plugs by hand with the socket to avoid cross-threading, then finish with the ratchet.
Single socket or set. A single socket is ideal when you know your size and want a compact, straight tool. The three-piece set costs you a little more drawer space but covers more vehicles, which is handy in a household with more than one car, a mower or other small engines.
Plan for extensions. Deep plug wells often need an extension bar between the ratchet and the socket. None of these listings include one, so check your tool box before starting.
FAQ
Which spark plug socket size do I need?
It depends on your spark plug’s hex size. Common sizes include 14mm, 9/16-inch and 5/8-inch, all of which come in the ARES 11080 set.
What does the universal joint do on a spark plug socket?
It lets the socket pivot so you can reach plugs that are deep or at an angle. The spring keeps it steady so it does not flop over.
Is a magnetic spark plug socket better than a rubber insert?
ARES says its magnets will not wear out over time like rubber gaskets, which can harden or tear with use.
Will these sockets fit my ratchet?
They fit any 3/8-inch drive ratchet or extension.
Do ARES sockets have a warranty?
Yes, all three are backed by the ARES Performance Assurance Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Is the ARES set a good gift for a new driver?
The 11080 set is a practical choice because it covers three common sizes, so you do not need to know the exact plug size in advance.
