The best screw extractor set is the one that matches the damage in front of you. A Phillips head that cammed out flush with the surface needs a different tool than a bolt that snapped off below the surface, and both need a different tool than a rounded-over hex head sticking out of an engine block. Most “best of” lists ignore that and rank everything on one scale. This guide starts with the damage, then matches a tool to it.
We compared 10 extractor sets and pliers on Amazon: drill-and-extract bits, spiral “easy outs”, multispline sets, bolt extractor sockets and screw extraction pliers. Every price, rating and spec below was checked against the live Amazon listing on October 19, 2026. Prices move, so check the current price before you buy.
Quick Picks
- Best overall: Alden 8440P Pro Grabit 4-Piece Kit
- Best spiral set with drill bits: Irwin 11119 Screw Extractor and Drill Bit Set
- Best for rounded bolts and nuts: Irwin Bolt-Grip 394002 5-Piece Set
- Best value bolt extractor sockets: THINKWORK 14-Piece 3/8″ Drive Set
- Best multispline set: NEIKO 04204A 25-Piece Set
- Best screw extraction pliers: ENGINEER PZ-58
- Pliers, also consider: VAMPLIERS 6.25″ Combination Pliers
- Best for small screws: Alden 4507P Grabit Micro 4-Piece Kit
- Best budget set with left-hand bits: WYBENZ 14-Piece Set
- Cheapest that works: THOSAF 6-Piece Damaged Screw Extractor Set
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Size Range (per listing) | Steel | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alden 8440P Pro Grabit | Drill-and-extract bit | #4 to #24 screws, bolts to 3/8″ | M2 HSS, made in USA | 4.2 (1,482) | Best Overall |
| Irwin 11119 | Spiral extractor + drill bits | EX-1 to EX-5, bits 5/64″ to 19/64″ | Not listed | 4.4 (2,752) | Snapped Bolts and Studs |
| Irwin Bolt-Grip 394002 | Bolt extractor socket | 8mm to 19mm, 5/16″ to 3/4″ | High-carbon steel | 4.7 (1,844) | Rounded Bolts and Nuts |
| THINKWORK 14-Piece | Bolt extractor socket | 1/4″ to 3/4″ (13 sockets) | Cr-Mo | 4.6 (3,339) | Value Socket Set |
| NEIKO 04204A | Multispline, hex head | 1/8″ to 7/8″ in 1/32″ steps | Cr-Mo | 4.4 (1,302) | Widest Size Range |
| ENGINEER PZ-58 | Extraction pliers | Heads that stick up | HRC 60 jaws, made in Japan | 4.8 (10,078) | Best Pliers |
| VAMPLIERS 6.25″ | Extraction pliers | 3 to 9.5mm heads | HRC 60 Japanese steel | 4.7 (3,179) | Pliers Alternative |
| Alden 4507P Grabit Micro | Drill-and-extract bit | #5 to 1/4″ | M2 HSS, made in USA | 4.2 (1,011) | Small Screws |
| WYBENZ 14-Piece | Spiral extractor + left-hand bits | #1 to #5, bits 1/8″ to 19/64″ | Cobalt HSS bits, alloy extractors | 4.2 (1,627) | Budget with Left-Hand Bits |
| THOSAF 6-Piece | Double-ended burnisher/extractor | 3 to 12mm | HSS 4341 | 4.3 (10,324) | Cheapest |
Which Screw Extractor Do You Need?
Look at the fastener before you buy anything. The damage tells you which tool will work.
| What you’re looking at | Tool that works | Pick from this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Stripped Phillips, Torx or hex socket, head flush with the surface | Drill-and-extract bit or spiral extractor | Alden Grabit Pro, THOSAF |
| Screw head sticks up above the surface | Extraction pliers | ENGINEER PZ-58, VAMPLIERS |
| Hex bolt head or nut rounded off | Bolt extractor socket | Irwin Bolt-Grip, THINKWORK |
| Bolt or stud snapped off flush or below the surface | Left-hand drill bit, then spiral or multispline extractor | Irwin 11119, NEIKO, WYBENZ |
| Tiny screws in electronics, appliances, eyeglasses or RC gear | Micro extractor bits or small pliers | Alden Grabit Micro |
If you’re not sure yet, start with the cheapest method that doesn’t damage anything. A wide rubber band between the bit and the screw head, a fresh bit one size up, or a manual impact driver gets a lot of stripped screws out before you need an extractor. Our guide on how to remove stripped screws walks through those methods in order.
Drill-and-Extract Bits
These bits have a cutting end and an extracting end. You drill into the screw head in reverse with one end, flip the bit, and the left-hand thread on the other end bites in and backs the screw out. No separate drill bit, no center punch.
1. Alden 8440P Pro Grabit 4-Piece Kit – Best Overall
Each of the four bits is a two-step tool. The burnishing end has a self-centering tip, so it doesn’t walk off a mangled screw head. Alden says no grinding or center punching is needed, and the bit works on rough, uneven breaks. Per the listing, the four bits cover screws from #4 to #24 and bolts up to 3/8 inch. That’s most of what you’ll find in a house, a deck or a truck.
The bits are M2 high-speed steel and made in the USA. They fit a standard drill chuck. It has 4.2 stars from 1,482 ratings. Amazon’s review summary says buyers find it easy to use and fast on stripped screws, with one noting about 15 seconds to break a rusted screw loose. The same summary says multiple buyers had a bit break, and grip gets mixed reports. Run the drill slow in reverse and don’t lean your full weight on it. A snapped hardened bit inside the screw is a much bigger problem than the stripped screw you started with.
Pros: Drills and extracts with one bit; self-centering tip; M2 HSS; made in USA; covers #4 to #24 screws.
Cons: Some buyers report broken bits; only four sizes.
Skip it if: the bolt has snapped below the surface. You’ll want the left-hand drill bits and longer extractors in the Irwin 11119.
2. Alden 4507P Grabit Micro 4-Piece Kit – Best for Small Screws
This is the Grabit design scaled down. The listing says it removes fasteners as small as No. 5 (3mm), and the four bits cover screws from #5 to 1/4 inch. It’s meant for electronics, small appliances, laptops, RC cars and anything with small Phillips, hex, Torx or pentalobe screws. Like the full-size Grabit, it uses a self-centering two-step bit in M2 HSS, made in the USA.
It has 4.2 stars from 1,011 ratings. Buyers in Amazon’s review summary describe it as quick on small screws, with one finishing four screws in under three minutes. Some buyers found the bits smaller than they expected. That’s the point of this kit, but read the size range before you order. It won’t touch a 5/16 lag screw.
Pros: Sized for small screws most extractor sets skip; self-centering; M2 HSS; made in USA.
Cons: Too small for most deck, framing and automotive fasteners; about the same price as the full-size Grabit Pro.
Skip it if: you work mostly on construction or car fasteners. Get the 8440P instead.
3. THOSAF 6-Piece Damaged Screw Extractor Set – Cheapest That Works
This was the top result in our Amazon search and the most-rated set here, at 4.3 stars from 10,324 ratings and under $10 when we checked. It’s six double-ended bits for screws and bolts from 3mm to 12mm, according to the listing. The method is the same as the Grabit: burnish a seat with one end, flip the bit, back the screw out.
The listing says the bits are HSS 4341 at 63 HRC, then also calls the material “titanium hardened steel.” HSS 4341 is an entry-level high-speed steel, a step below the M2 Alden uses. Amazon’s review summary says many buyers got screws out in seconds. It also says bits snapped on the second use for some buyers, and some called it useless. That matches what you’d expect for the price. For a few stripped deck screws, it’s a fair gamble. For a job you can’t afford to make worse, spend more.
Pros: Very low price; six sizes from 3mm to 12mm; thousands of ratings.
Cons: HSS 4341 is a lower-grade steel; reports of bits snapping; listing material claims don’t match each other.
Skip it if: the screw is in something expensive, like an engine block or a cabinet face. A snapped bit there costs more than the Grabit Pro.
Spiral and Multispline Extractors
These are the classic “easy outs.” You drill a pilot hole into the broken fastener, tap the extractor in, and turn it counterclockwise. The reverse spiral or splines dig in harder as you turn. Use these when there’s no head left to grab.
4. Irwin 11119 Screw Extractor and Drill Bit Set – Best Spiral Set with Drill Bits
The Irwin 11119 is the standard spiral extractor set. It has five extractors (EX-1 through EX-5) and five matching drill bits: 5/64″, 7/64″, 5/32″, 1/4″ and 19/64″. It comes in a metal index case. Each extractor has its recommended drill bit size etched on it, which takes the guessing out of the most common mistake, drilling the wrong size pilot hole. Irwin lists it for broken studs, bolts, socket screws and fittings.
It has 4.4 stars from 2,752 ratings, tied with the NEIKO for the best rating among the extractor bit sets here. Amazon’s review summary mentions one buyer pulling a broken 14mm motor mount bolt. The same summary says some extractors broke off inside the hole. That’s the main risk with every spiral extractor. The tapered flutes act like a wedge and expand the broken bolt, which locks it tighter if the bolt is seized. Heat and penetrating oil first, then gentle steady torque with a tap wrench, not a drill.
Pros: Five extractors with matching drill bits; drill size etched on each extractor; metal index case; most ratings of any extractor bit set here besides the THOSAF.
Cons: Highest price of the bit sets; spiral design can wedge a seized bolt tighter; reports of extractors breaking inside the hole.
Skip it if: you just have a stripped screw with the head still on. The Grabit Pro is faster for that.
5. NEIKO 04204A 25-Piece Multispline Extractor Set – Best Multispline Set
Multispline extractors have straight or slightly spiraled splines instead of a long tapered spiral. They grip along more of the hole and push outward less, which makes them less likely to swell a seized bolt. This NEIKO set has 25 extractors from 1/8 inch (3.5mm) to 7/8 inch (23mm) in 1/32-inch steps. The size range is the widest in this guide. Each one has a laser-etched size and a hex head, so you can turn it with a wrench or socket instead of a tap handle.
The extractors are chrome molybdenum steel. It has 4.4 stars from 1,302 ratings. Amazon’s review summary calls it a life saver and likes the size variety. Durability and sharpness get mixed reports, with some buyers saying pieces broke too easily. No drill bits come in the set, so you’ll need a good set of drill bits, ideally left-hand ones, to make the pilot hole.
Pros: 25 sizes in 1/32-inch steps; hex heads take sockets and wrenches; multispline design pushes outward less than a spiral.
Cons: No drill bits included; some reports of broken pieces; overkill if you only fix the odd stripped screw.
Skip it if: you don’t own a decent set of drill bits. Get the Irwin 11119 or WYBENZ set, which include them.
6. WYBENZ 14-Piece Extractor and Left-Hand Drill Bit Set – Best Budget Set with Left-Hand Bits
Left-hand drill bits cut in reverse. With the drill running counterclockwise, the bit drills the pilot hole and often catches the broken bolt and spins it out before you ever need the extractor. This set has seven cobalt HSS left-hand bits (1/8″ twice, 5/32″ twice, 3/16″, 1/4″ and 19/64″) and seven spiral extractors (#1 twice, #2 twice, #3, #4 and #5). The doubles on the small sizes are useful, since small bits break first.
It has 4.2 stars from 1,627 ratings. Amazon’s review summary mentions one buyer removing a broken exhaust manifold bolt with it. Quality and durability get mixed reports, with some buyers saying the drill bits broke easily. For around $20, it’s a reasonable way to get left-hand bits and extractors in one box. Treat the bits as consumables.
Pros: Left-hand bits included; doubles of the smallest sizes; low price.
Cons: Reports of drill bits breaking; extractor steel listed only as “alloy steel.”
Skip it if: you do this every week. Buy a quality set of left-hand cobalt bits separately and pair them with the Irwin or NEIKO extractors.
Bolt Extractor Sockets
These look like sockets with a reverse spiral cut inside. You hammer the socket onto a rounded bolt head or nut, then turn it counterclockwise with a ratchet or breaker bar. The harder you turn, the harder it bites. If you’re working on lug nuts, read our impact sockets vs. regular sockets guide before you put one on an impact wrench.
7. Irwin Bolt-Grip 394002 5-Piece Set – Best for Rounded Bolts and Nuts
This Irwin Bolt-Grip 5-piece set fits a 3/8-inch drive and covers bolts from 8mm to 19mm and 5/16 to 3/4 inch, according to the listing. Irwin says the reverse spiral flutes bite down for maximum grip, and the lobular design fits rounded-off, rusted or painted-over hex heads.
It has 4.7 stars from 1,844 ratings, the highest rating of any extractor set in this guide. Amazon’s review summary says it pulls stripped bolts in seconds and one buyer said it paid for itself on the first use. Durability and fit get mixed reports, with some buyers saying a socket snapped after one use. The extractor bites into the bolt head, so the bolt is scrap afterwards. Plan to replace it.
Pros: Highest-rated set here; 3/8-inch drive works with standard ratchets; covers common SAE and metric sizes.
Cons: Only five sockets; some reports of sockets snapping; costs about three times the THINKWORK set.
Skip it if: you want the most sizes for the money. The THINKWORK set below has 13 sockets.
8. THINKWORK 14-Piece 3/8″ Drive Bolt Extractor Set – Best Value Bolt Extractor Sockets
This set has 13 extractor sockets plus an adapter: 3/4″ (19mm), 11/16″, 17mm, 5/8″ (16mm), 9/16″ (14mm), 13mm, 1/2″, 12mm, 7/16″ (11mm), 10mm, 3/8″, 5/16″ (8mm) and 1/4″. The sockets are chrome molybdenum steel and take a 3/8-inch drive. THINKWORK says the hex adapter lets you run them on hand, air or power tools. It comes in a blow-molded case.
It has 4.6 stars from 3,339 ratings, at under $20 when we checked. Amazon’s review summary mentions one buyer pulling a 12mm bolt with it and calls it easy to use and good value. Some buyers report problems on stripped bolts. For the home garage, this is the set to own first. If it fails on a size you use every week, buy that one size in an Irwin Bolt-Grip.
Pros: 13 sizes from 1/4″ to 3/4″; under $20; Cr-Mo steel; works with ratchet, breaker bar or impact.
Cons: Some reports of slipping on badly stripped bolts; brand has less of a track record than Irwin.
Skip it if: you need 1/2-inch drive for big suspension or lug nut work. These are 3/8-inch drive.
Screw Extraction Pliers
If any part of the screw head sticks up, try pliers first. Extraction pliers have jaws with vertical and horizontal serrations that grip the sides of the head, so you don’t drill anything. They’re the fastest tool here when they fit.
9. ENGINEER PZ-58 Screw Removal Pliers – Best Screw Extraction Pliers
The PZ-58 is made in Japan and has 4.8 stars from 10,078 ratings, the top rating and the most ratings of anything in this guide. The jaws have both vertical and horizontal serrations to grip a round screw head from the side or from above. The slim tip is 17.5mm wide and 28mm long, so it reaches into tight spots. It’s 160mm long, has a spring-loaded handle, and includes a side cutter rated for 3.2mm copper and 2.6mm steel wire.
Amazon’s review summary says it grips small button-head screws well and buyers call it one of the most useful tools they own. Durability gets mixed reports. The limit is the design: if the head is flush with the surface or below it, the jaws have nothing to grab.
Pros: No drilling; best-rated tool in this guide; slim jaws for tight spots; doubles as a wire cutter.
Cons: Useless on flush or countersunk heads; won’t help with a snapped bolt.
Skip it if: your stripped screws are countersunk flat heads. Use a Grabit.
10. VAMPLIERS 6.25″ Combination Pliers – Pliers, Also Consider
VAMPLIERS make the same style of tool. The 6.25-inch model is 160mm long, weighs 4.59 oz and fits screw heads from 3mm to 9.5mm (0.12″ to 0.37″), per the listing. The body and jaws are high-carbon Japanese steel at HRC 60, with thermoplastic rubber handles. It also has a side cutter.
It has 4.7 stars from 3,179 ratings. Amazon’s review summary says buyers removed stripped screws in under 45 seconds and that the serrated teeth grip anything with a shoulder. Some buyers thought it was overpriced. On paper it does the same job as the PZ-58 for about $11 more when we checked, so buy whichever is in stock at the better price. VAMPLIERS also sells mini and multi-size sets if you need more than one jaw size.
Pros: Listed head range of 3mm to 9.5mm; rubber grips; side cutter.
Cons: Costs more than the PZ-58 for a similar tool; same limit on flush heads.
Skip it if: the PZ-58 is in stock for less.
How to Use a Screw Extractor
Most extractor failures come from technique, not the tool. This works for drill-and-extract bits and spiral extractors.
- Soak it first. Spray penetrating oil on rusted fasteners and give it 15 minutes or more. On metal parts, heat from a torch around the fastener helps break rust and thread locker. Keep flame away from plastic, wiring and fuel lines.
- Pick the right size. Use the largest extractor that leaves a solid wall of metal around the hole. Too small and it snaps. Too big and you cut into the threads.
- Center the hole. Grabit bits self-center. For spiral extractors, center punch the fastener so the pilot hole doesn’t wander.
- Drill slow, in reverse. Low speed, drill set to counterclockwise, steady pressure. With a left-hand bit, the fastener may spin out right there.
- Turn the extractor by hand if you can. A tap wrench or ratchet gives you feel. If it gets hard to turn and isn’t moving, stop. Add heat and oil, then try again.
- Don’t use an impact driver on bit-style extractors. The hammering shatters hardened bits. Extractor sockets are a different story. Some are sold for impact use, and the THINKWORK listing says they work with power tools.
What to Do When an Extractor Snaps Inside the Hole
This is the worst case, and it’s worth knowing before you start. Extractors are hardened steel. That’s what lets them bite into a broken bolt. It’s also why a regular drill bit can’t drill one out once it snaps.
Your options, from easiest to hardest:
- Grab it with pliers. If any of the extractor sticks out, extraction pliers or locking pliers sometimes back it out.
- Break it up. Hardened steel is brittle. A punch and a few sharp hits can shatter it into pieces you can pick out.
- Grind it out. A carbide burr in a rotary tool or die grinder will cut hardened steel where drill bits won’t. Go slow and keep it cool. See our best rotary tools guide if you don’t own one.
- Send it out. A machine shop can remove it with EDM (electrical discharge machining), which burns the extractor out without touching the threads around it. For an engine block or cylinder head, this is often the cheapest real fix.
The best fix is prevention: use the biggest extractor the hole allows, don’t use a drill or impact to turn a spiral extractor, and stop when it stops moving.
How to Choose a Screw Extractor Set
Type
Match the type to the damage, using the table near the top. If you only buy one thing, buy a drill-and-extract set like the Grabit Pro. Stripped screw heads are the most common problem.
Size Range
Check what the set covers against the fasteners you actually work on. A Grabit Pro covers #4 to #24 screws. The Grabit Micro starts at #5 (3mm). The NEIKO set runs 1/8 to 7/8 inch. Bolt extractor sockets are sized by the original wrench size, so measure the bolt head before it’s rounded, or go one size down.
Steel
M2 high-speed steel (Alden) and chrome molybdenum (NEIKO, THINKWORK) are the better grades here. HSS 4341, used in many budget sets, is softer and more brittle. Hardness alone doesn’t tell you much. A very hard extractor that’s also brittle snaps instead of biting.
Drill Bits Included or Not
Spiral and multispline extractors need a pilot hole. The Irwin 11119 and WYBENZ sets include bits sized to their extractors. The NEIKO set doesn’t. Left-hand bits are worth having on their own, since they often remove a broken bolt before you need the extractor.
How You Turn It
Grabit bits and THOSAF bits fit a drill chuck. NEIKO extractors have hex heads for a socket or wrench. Bolt extractor sockets take a 3/8-inch drive ratchet or breaker bar. If you don’t have a good ratchet set, our picks for socket sets for beginners cover that.
FAQ
Do screw extractors work?
Yes, when you match the type to the damage and use the right size. They fail most often when the extractor is too small for the hole, or when someone forces it with a drill or impact driver.
What is the difference between a screw extractor and an easy out?
“Easy out” is the common name for a spiral screw extractor, the tapered left-hand spiral that goes into a drilled pilot hole. “Screw extractor” covers that plus drill-and-extract bits, multispline extractors, extractor sockets and pliers.
Can I use a screw extractor with an impact driver?
Not with bit-style extractors. The impacts shatter hardened bits. Some extractor sockets are rated for impact use. Check the listing before you try it.
What size drill bit do I use for a screw extractor?
Use the size the manufacturer lists for that extractor. The Irwin 11119 has the drill size etched on each extractor. As a rule, the pilot hole should leave a solid wall of metal around it.
Why do screw extractors break?
They’re hard and brittle. They break when they’re too small for the job, when they’re turned with a drill or impact, or when a spiral extractor wedges a seized bolt tighter instead of turning it.
How do I remove a broken screw extractor?
Try pliers if it sticks out. Otherwise shatter it with a punch, grind it with a carbide burr, or take the part to a machine shop for EDM removal.
Are screw extraction pliers better than an extractor set?
They’re faster when the head sticks up, because there’s no drilling. They can’t help with a flush head or a snapped bolt. Most people end up owning both.
Are left-hand drill bits worth it?
Yes. Drilling in reverse often catches the broken fastener and spins it out on its own. If it doesn’t, you’ve drilled the pilot hole for the extractor anyway.
Bottom Line
Look at the damage first, then pick the tool.
- Best overall: Alden 8440P Pro Grabit – one bit drills and extracts, #4 to #24 screws, made in USA.
- Best spiral set with drill bits: Irwin 11119 – five extractors with matching bits for snapped bolts and studs.
- Best for rounded bolts and nuts: Irwin Bolt-Grip 394002 – highest-rated set here, 3/8-inch drive.
- Best value bolt extractor sockets: THINKWORK 14-Piece – 13 sizes for under $20.
- Best multispline set: NEIKO 04204A – 25 sizes from 1/8 to 7/8 inch.
- Best pliers: ENGINEER PZ-58 – no drilling when the head sticks up.
- Pliers alternative: VAMPLIERS 6.25″ – same idea, 3mm to 9.5mm heads.
- Best for small screws: Alden 4507P Grabit Micro – for electronics and small appliances.
- Best budget set with left-hand bits: WYBENZ 14-Piece – left-hand bits and extractors in one box.
- Cheapest that works: THOSAF 6-Piece – fine for occasional stripped screws, not for parts you can’t replace.
If the screw you’re fighting is a Torx head, our Torx screwdriver guide explains why they strip and how to avoid it next time. For stuck lug nuts, see why an impact wrench won’t remove lug nuts.
