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Even as a DIYer, a cordless ratchet is a great thing to have. I went years without one and have always viewed them as a luxury that I can skip. After all, there’s not a lot they can do that a regular ratchet can’t, and there’s always something I’d rather put my money toward. My tune changed the second I got one for the shop. They aren’t a necessity, but they really do make a nice addition to any project, especially when your swing arc is limited. And with models like the Craftsman V20 cordless ratchet on the market, they’re an easily justifiable investment for the home garage.
No, the Craftsman V20 cordless ratchet isn’t a top-tier juggernaut. There are a ton of premium models that outrank it in performance and packaging. It’s also not extremely cheap, oversold, and unreliable. It simply offers the performance and quality you need to get the job done at a cost the average DIYer can easily swallow. It’s exactly the sort of tool Craftsman’s core customer base is after. It’s even backed with a lifetime warranty.
The Bottom Line
| | Craftsman V20 Cordless Ratchet |
|---|---|
| Value | 8/10 |
| Performance | 8/10 |
| Quality | 8/10 |
| Battery Life | 7/10 |
| Overall | 7..75/10 |
Craftsman V20 3/8-Inch Cordless Drive Ratchet Specs
Craftsman’s V20 Cordless ratchet is capable of operating at speeds of 300 rpm with a maximum torque rating of 35 foot-pounds. Craftsman touts a compact and lightweight design, contrary to its reliance on a big 20-volt battery. That battery makes it part of a long line of affordable DIY-grade power tools, adding value to its long-standing customer base. Craftsman also reinforced the handle for added strength for when you’re breaking stubborn fasteners free. It also has a variable-speed paddle switch and a built-in LED to help you see in dark places.
The bare tool retails for just $99.00, while the kit that includes a 2.0Ah battery and charger sells for $158.00. That price pairs nicely with the kind of performance it delivers. As does the limited lifetime warranty on the ratchet, which is better than what you’ll get from premium alternatives that cost twice as much with similar performance specs. The 2.0Ah battery is covered by a more typical 3-year limited warranty.
Going to Work
I used the Craftsman V20 cordless ratchet for a few jobs around the shop. First was servicing the brakes on my wife’s 2016 Honda Civic alongside the Gearwrench 120XP 82-piece tool set and the Craftsman V20 cordless impact wrench. After that, I tore into the front end of my 1969 Dodge Charger. What started as a simple application of some Fluid Film turned into another brake job. To be more specific, I ended up swapping out the old Wilwood calipers for some new ones.
In researching this cordless ratchet, I ran into several comments and complaints about this tool being light-duty and having no power. When I held it in my hand for the first time, I did get the impression that they might be true. According to my scale, the Craftsman cordless ratchet weighs in at two pounds and ten ounces with the battery installed. That’s two ounces less than the Milwaukee M12 cordless ratchet with its battery installed. This was a bit of a surprise considering the difference in battery sizes and overall length, which hints that this is may be delicate. It’s not.
I used the Craftsman cordless ratchet to manually break the caliper bolts free on both cars, which weren’t exactly easy to convince. While it’s no breaker bar, it didn’t have a problem doing so. And though the 35 foot-pounds of maximum torque output is low in comparison to some other 20-volt cordless ratchets, it is pretty much the standard. It’s more than enough to get the job done in most cases.
Craftsman also included some design elements that improve the user experience. The raised directional switch is something a lot of people are fond of, including myself. It’s much easier to work with than the low-profile directional switches we typically see. This ratchet is also nicely balanced. Even with the large 20-volt battery in place, the weight feels evenly distributed. Speaking of which, the battery life is pretty solid. The 2.0Ah battery will get you through a decent amount of work before needing a recharge. It also holds a charge pretty well when left dormant in a cold garage. I think the average DIYer will get by just fine with only one on hand.
As for the claims of being compact, that really only pertains to the head. The business end of Craftsman’s V20 cordless ratchet is exceptionally small in comparison to other cordless ratchets. The raised directional switch may be a bit of an issue in rare instances, but it’s still an overall compact head design that’ll get onto more fasteners others. The rest of the ratchet is what I’d consider average in size. It’s not so big that the size is a limiting factor, but the 14.5-inch length and use of a 20-volt battery make it far from compact.
The Verdict: A Great Choice for the DIYer
Overall, the Craftsman V20 cordless ratchet is a great piece. It’s not winning any awards for being the fastest or most powerful in its class. But it has no problem running with the pack. I think the performance is just right for the intended consumer, with a price point to match and a warranty that supercharges the value. Spending a little more can yield big gains in terms of power, speed, and packaging. If you’re working in a high-paced setting or on big projects with a ton of large fasteners, the upgrade is a worthwhile expense. However I really don’t think you need more than what this Craftsman has to offer in a DIY setting.
