Analog Torque Wrench vs Digital Torque Wrench

Making sure bolts and nuts are tightened to the correct torque is crucial when you're working on your motorcycle, ATV or side-by-side, as doing it wrong can be disastrous. 

And while in many cases we're thinking about getting the bolts tight enough, sometimes the bigger risk is overtightening. There are also times when closing up engine cases where you have to go through a torque sequence to get everything assembled properly, so accuracy is crucial when it comes to choosing the right torque wrench. 

Standard Torque Wrench vs Digital Torque Wrench

There are digital torque wrenches and click-type (analog) torque wrenches, and when it comes to accuracy, neither is necessarily better than the other.

In other words, if you set them properly and keep them calibrated, both will get the right torque. But one major difference between them is the price, and as you can guess, the digital torque wrench is a lot more expensive than the analog wrench. 

Click-Type Torque Wrench

Analog torque wrenches are just as good as digital wrenches for accuracy if you know how to set them properly. They're simple and reliable, and are less likely to malfunction. 

You’ll also never have to worry about a battery dying with a click-type torque wrench. However, these standard torque wrenches have their drawbacks. For one, setting the correct torque requires a bit of a learning curve. And if it's dark or you're working underneath a vehicle, it can be really difficult to see the tiny scale printed on the side. 

Digital Torque Wrench

As mentioned, one major difference between an analog click-type torque wrench and a digital torque wrench is the price. But as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for.

For the larger price on the digital type, you get a much easier to use setup. These wrenches have a digital display for torque and setting, and adjusting the torque is as simple as pushing some buttons . 

Digital torque wrenches usually have a small LED light in the display, plus a beeper, and a vibrating handle to let you know when you've hit the correct torque while you're tightening a bolt. 

Digital torque wrenches can usually measure torque in as many as five different units: newton-meters, foot-pounds, inch-pounds, kilogram-feet, and kilogram-centimeters. One other major advantage is built-in angle calibration, where you won’t need a separate manual setup or digital add-on tool like you would with the standard wrench. 

Another benefit is that the digital wrench will compensate for having to go back and pulling a little bit more to get that angle in a tight spot where you don't have a 360° span. That's a benefit you really should consider if you're willing to spend more money for a digital wrench. 

The only real downside to the digital torque wrench is having to keep up with charging or replacing batteries. But for the higher price, you get a much more versatile and user-friendly tool that will work with just about any application. 

So when it comes to choosing a torque wrench, you can save money by buying a click type wrench, but you'll have much less versatility and a more complex setting scale. If you can afford to pay more, the digital torque wrench is definitely worth the extra money.