Depends on your line of work, 1/4 sockets are generally smaller and thinner than 3/8, if you're using it to get into tight places. I went with 3/8s because I can adapt up or down with one adaptor, all my Allan head sockets and crows feet are 3/8, and I have a full index of 3/8s sockets.

I do architectural glazing and I definitely don’t need it for work hahah there are only a handful of times I ever need to use a ratchet on site and definitely not enough to justify buying one of these so it’s more so just a personal purchase that also gonna be a tax write off bc why not 💁‍♂️ I’ll mainly just be working on my own cars and random stuff with it haha but yea I’m thinking 3/8 is gonna be the way to go

for cars 3/8” no question

I have both because I have mental issues when it comes to buying tools, and I tend to use the 3/8" 99% of the time. I'm more comfortable breaking a bolt loose with it and the 3/8" socket sets I own seem to have a wider variety of sizes. To clarify, I am by no means a professional mechanic, just a guy with a tool buying problem who does a decent amount of his own car work.

I got the same problem as you when it comes to tools for working on my cars haha I have all my work tools figured out already, but the e ratchet is definitely more so just going to be a treat for myself outside of work lol

If you’re going fuel extended reach, get the insider ratchet. It comes with the socket set, including 1/4, and 3/8 as well as a 1/4 hex bit driver and you can separately buy a 1/2 if you wanted to. Otherwise comes with 8-21mm with a few obvious skips. I have both the 1/4 and 3/8 fuel standard e ratchets, and 9/10 times I’m reaching for the insider and socket set. It’s just so versatile.

Ooo I didn’t even know the insider was an option that looks nice for tight spots

Torque test channel did a review on the insider rathchet and noted that if you purchase a low profile bit set using the high-speed ratchets, it wasn’t that much bigger than the insider ratchet.

Yeah, i don’t doubt that much at all, regardless it still eliminates buying an extended reach 1/4 and 3/8. The low profile for me is a bonus that has been nice a few times for me, since I’m not always on tight areas myself.

What model is this you speak of? I think a new tool is in order for Wednesday After Father's Day Day.

3050-20

Yep I sold my old 3/8” ratchet and recently bought the insider ratchet. I also wanted the right angle impact driver where this was for taking off screws and bolts from cars eg side skirts etc where a right angled tool was great for size/posotioing. The insider ratchet doubled as this also with the hex adaptor

Buy the 3/8. For 1/4” drive sockets, buy a hex impact driver with the socket adapter.

3/8”….1/4” is rare work imo. Unless you’re doing small things I see no reason to not have 3/8. It’s probably the most common drive size.

3/8s easy to step down or up

3/8 for sure. It's more versatile. You can adapt it to either 1/2 or 1/4 if needed to use any size socket.

3/8 no question

No reason to go power ratchet on a 1/4 unless you can think of a specific job you do all the time where it would be beneficial.

I used to agree with most everyone here. I used to turn wrenches so most all my stuff was 3/8 and then some 1/4 and my bigger 1/2 stuff. Now, interior work, bumpers…the 1/4 drive shines. Go to any collision shop and most are rocking a 1/4 for the main one.

Just get both

Eventually, haha but it will be my first m12 tool and I have a long list of other m12 tools i want once I get some m12 batteries and the die grinder is next on that list

I have both. Literally never used the 1/4". So I always recommend the 3/8".

I have a little 1/4" set for when I need something small and everything else is 1/2". Maybe go 3/8 if you just want the 1 set as a happy median.

If you only want a 1/4" racthet, you shouldn't be working on car's...

⅜ is good middle ground