Best Wire Crimpers in 2020 - Top 10 Models Reviewed
Wire crimpers are one of those tools that we all need to have in our tool boxes or sheds. As the name suggests, they are the tool of choice for crimping wire and stripping wire. For a tool that has a limited job remit, you want to make sure that you purchase one that is absolutely capable of performing its task well.
A good wire crimper has a lot of features that you wouldn’t always necessarily take into account when you are purchasing one. I have made many purchases of wire crimpers that I later regretted as I didn’t take certain factors into consideration.
When you’re rushing around and in desperate need of the best wire crimpers, it’s easy to pick up the first one that is available to you. It allows you only to realise that opens too wide for your hand, doesn’t have any metrics on the edges or simply isn’t fit for purpose. Hopefully these reviews will make the choice far easier for you and stop you falling foul of common pitfalls!
Top Rated Wire Crimpers - Comparison
Image | Product Name | Supported AWG | Material | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | IRWIN 8-Inch VISE-GRIP Wire Stripping Tool | 10-22 | Iron | |
  | Titan Tools 11477 Ratcheting Wire Terminal Crimper | 10-22 | Steel | |
  | Channellock 909 9.5-Inch Wire Crimping Tool | 10-22 | High Carbon Steel | |
  | Hilitchi Professional Insulated Wire Crimper | 22-10 | Steel | |
  | MulWark 8" Wire Stripping Snips Crimpers Tool | 10-22 | High Carbon Steel | |
  | WGGE WG-015 Professional Crimping Tool | 10-22 | High Carbon Alloy Steel | |
  | DOWELL 10-22 AWG Wire Crimper Tool | 10-22 | Stainless Steel | |
  | Klein Tools VDV226-110 Pass-Thru Modular Wire Crimper | 28-22 | Metal | |
  | Wirefy Crimping Tool For Heat Shrink Connectors | 22-10 | Carbon Steel | |
  | Neiko 02037A Multi-Purpose Wire Crimper | 12-20 | Alloy Steel |
The 10 Best Wire Crimpers On the Market
1. IRWIN 8-Inch VISE-GRIP Wire Stripping Tool
This is an excellent wire crimper tool; its patented vise grip technology gives you a soft and comfortable ergonomic handle. It doesn’t tire your hand out, even after long use. The technology in the hand grip means you don’t have to exert full effort when you are cutting or crimping wire. It makes the tool very user friendly, especially if you are using the tool all day every day.
The tool comes with multiple metrics on the head to help you choose the best function of the tool for the job. The hand AWG selection dials will help you limit mistakes. The marks are really very visible and clearly etched onto the metal. The colour coding is also an added bonus as you can still see them through the build-up of grime.
This IRWIN machine is very strong and will quite happily cut through reasonably sized screws. They give a level, clean finish and limit any kind of metal dust. The cutters are very durable and heavy duty, but they need limited effort to work and get the most out of them. This particular set of crimpers also has the plier shaped head. It is easy to get into tight and difficult spaces and easy to manoeuvre once they are in there. They are an all round good tool for a multitude of purposes and durable enough for life on a construction site.
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2. Titan Tools 11477 Ratcheting Wire Terminal Crimper
The Titan Tools wire terminal crimper is a tool designed for a rough life being taken from site to site where it does nothing but crimp. Whilst some people may see this as an issue, that it only performs one task, it performs its one task exceptionally well.
The head has multiple wire gauge indicators up and down the blades. They are clearly visible; colour coded and deeply etched marks. Even with sustained use and abuse, the marks are still visible. The square head limits the crimpers’ application in terms of where you can use it. The tool does its single job very well and provides a smooth operation and even crimp; it will be a tool that lasts.
It is a heavy durable tool; however, it is very comfortable to use. The handles are set a good distance apart and don’t require a lot of pressure to get the crimp you need. The is no play in any of the mechanisms of this tool, even with sustained usage it remained solid and useable.
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3. Channellock 909 9.5-Inch Wire Crimping Tool
This Channellock wire crimper embodies the classic design of crimping and cutting tools. For a crimper, they are long and sleek looking but can happily cut 10 to 22 AWG wire with limited effort exerted.
The cutting edges of the tool are a high carbon blend that have also been extensively heat treated to ensure that the cutting edges remain sharp at all times. This tool is very durable and the extra treatment to protect against environmental damage is an added bonus.
The grips are super comfy in your hand and due to the size of the tool, you don’t need big hands to operate it, the leverage and power you get from these crimpers with the limited effort you have to exert is fantastic. However, due to the all high carbon steel composition, it does make it heavier than others on the market.
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4. Hilitchi Professional Insulated Wire Crimper
The Hilitchi crimper tool boasts a self-adjusting ratchet mechanism to make sustained use easier on your hands and makes releasing stuck jaws super easy. The grips provide solid leverage for even the most difficult of crimps and cuts. Besides, the lock in mechanism is super easy to use.
It is designed purely for crimping and the jaws show the three sizes that are best used in this tool. Unfortunately, unlike other brands on the market, there is no colour coded etchings to guide you if you aren’t familiar with AWG sizes.
This crimping is a heavy duty tool that will take sustained used on a daily basis. It is a large tool so isn’t ideal if someone is looking for a more compact crimper. The square head also limits the work space it can be used in. However, it is a very rugged, durable tool that is ideal for the daily wear and tear of a construction site.
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5. MulWark 8" Wire Stripping Snips Crimpers Tool
The Mulwark has a slim plier head which enables work in a tight and difficult to access work space. This tool is multipurpose, and it completes all of these functions to a good standard.
Its wire stripping capabilities are good and require limited effort to get good results. The soft handgrip and amount of leverage generated from the handle spacing doesn’t tire your hand, even with long usage. However, it is better for people with slightly bigger hands, as the tool is compact. The space required between the grips to generate leverage is larger than it is for a bigger set of wire cutters.
It is a hardy rugged tool will also cut through screws and bolts quite comfortably. It is designed and constructed to withstand site abuse and life in a tool box.
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6. WGGE WG-015 Professional Crimping Tool
The WGGE professional crimping tool will cut through wire from 10 to 22 AWG that is solid copper. It is a strong plier type wire stripper and cutter that has easy to use, colour coded reference points on the jaws. These reference points are brightly coloured and easy to read. The etchings will last with sustained use and make cutting and stripping far easier as they offer a reference point.
The ergonomic soft grip handles make the tool easy to use for even the most protracted jobs. The handles aren’t too far apart, so are good for hands of all sizes. It creates enough leverage to make sure you can effectively strip wire and cut through even the most stubborn of screws and bolts. The construction of the jaws means they are long lasting and resilient to even the most stubborn of jobs. The carbon steel alloy makes sure they stay sharp and will continue to perform.
The narrow plier tip makes it easier to manipulate wires in small awkward areas, unlike the square headed stripper counterparts. They are also quite light for a multitool but feel very durable and impact resistant. It is more compact than other alternatives and really do perform in all areas.
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7. DOWELL 10-22 AWG Wire Crimper Tool
It has been designed for optimal force transmission from your hand to what you are cutting. The soft grip makes it feel like you are barely exerting any effort on even the toughest wire. You can do the most difficult jobs with just one hand. The tool is exceptionally light and the grips are set up to ensure maximum performance with one hand worth of force being applied. After a long day you won’t feel as though all you have been doing is stripping and crimping wire.
The blades are very sharp and make light work of pretty much anything you put in the jaws. The metal alloy composite makes sure that each time you pick up the tool, it will work as well as it did the first time you used it. The spring loading also helps cut through wire up to a 22 AWG gauge, other crimpers and strippers on the market can just about manage 20 AWG at a push.
The tool is well built and durable. The etchings on the blade aren’t colour coded unlike others, but they are really easy to see. They are fully machined etched into the jaws; you will still be able to see them with sustained daily use. The small head makes precision work easier, whilst they are not as slight as tools with a plier type slim tip. In fact, they are small enough to get into awkward areas.
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8. Klein Tools VDV226-110 Pass-Thru Modular Wire Crimper
The Klein Tools is a professional and specialist tool for use with CAT3, CAT5e and CAT6/6A cable using RJ11/RJ12 standard and RJ45. This is the tool for electricians and professionals that need a tool that they know will work every time they get it out of their bag.
The innovative pass thru technology increases productivity and efficiency resulting in time saving and thus money saving. The design feature significantly reduces the time that you need to prep. However a basic knowledge of the tool, cables and jacks are needed to make sure that are using the correct tool for the correct job. The finish is flush and professional looking and clear guidance is given on the tool itself!
The handle comfort is very good and makes you feel like you have barely exerted yourself when you have been using the tool for a sustained period of time. The tool is exceptionally durable and will last even when moving from site to site and being used on a day to day basis. It is good for smaller hands as the design allows for maximum leverage and force optimisation with little to no effort.
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9. Wirefy Crimping Tool For Heat Shrink Connectors
If you have never used a wire crimper before and aren’t sure where to start, the colour coded etchings on the jaws of this crimping tool would give you a pretty good indicator of where to start. This tool is specifically designed to work with the tough heat shrunk connectors, which is a testament to how strong the jaws are.
The adjustable star ensures that you are applying the correct force to the situation. This stops you over crimping or under crimping connectors and allows you to apply the exact force. The ergonomic handles make sure that it feels like you apply the least amount of force necessary whilst getting the maximum out of the tool. The force optimisation and leverage generated from the handles is good enough to make sure that you don’t feel as though you’ve been working all day when really you have.
The auto release function also helps save your hands from attempting to release the jaws manually. However, in order for it to work effectively, you need to ensure the jaws are fully, 100% closed otherwise this functions doesn’t work. The tool is made from very strong and durable steel composite. It will withstand the daily pressures of being carried to construction site to construction site; they are a really good strong set of crimpers.
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10. Neiko 02037A Multi-Purpose Wire Crimper
The wire crimper is the classic design with the long handles to exert maximum leverage and force through as little effort exerted as possible. The multi feature pliers boast all that you need to ensure your wires are crimped, cut and striped effectively. They are even able to be used on insulated wire, which is where other crimpers can let you down. As the handles are longer to generate a good amount of leverage, they are bigger than other alternatives on the market.
The etched markings on the jaws make sure that you are always putting the wire in the correct place and serve to limit errors. The marking are deeply etched in and will remain on the jaws even with sustained use. The descriptors they have used on the Neiko really do help to limit errors and makes cutting, stripping and crimping far more efficient.
The grip isn’t as ergonomic as others on the market, but due to the handle length, the leverage needed to complete the task at hand is minimal as the force transference is optimal. Whilst it isn’t as comfy as others, you can get a lot done in a short time, the tool is strong and durable.
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Things To Inquiry Before Purchasing The Wire Crimpers
The primary consideration that you need to take into account before you make your decision on what wire crimper you need is: do you need to use it in small spaces where you are required to manipulate wires? This consideration is vital is it gives you a clear path between two types of tool. The flat head and the plier head tool serve two different purposes. One is very good at small detailed work, whereas the other is for use outside of these circumstances.
Once this critical decision has been made, this removes have of the products available on the market which makes the decision even easier. If you have selected a plier head tool look for ones constructed a carbon steel alloy, this is stronger than normal steel. You won’t run the risk of damaging the tips of the pliers. It also means that the tools wont rust if they are left out in less than ideal conditions.
If you have selected a flat head tool you need to make the same consideration in the composite of it. Make sure that the material isn’t subject to rust and degradation. Some square head crimpers are compact, whereas others aren’t.
Compact crimpers can be easier to use if you’ve got small hands but the leverage needed is more than a full size tool due to the length of the handle. Make sure your hand will comfortably fit around the grip. Look for tools that will allow you to exert optimum force through the tool with exerting as little effort as possible. This makes using the tool far more comfortable in the long run and will reduce fatigue.
The same consideration doesn’t necessarily need to be made for plier head crimpers due to the fact they are often smaller and more compact as a standard. However, the construction of the handle is always worth considering. You want to make sure that it is ergonomic and won’t cause undue stress on your hand with extensive use. If there is a quick release mechanism, make sure that you have the strength to be able to get the most out of it. You also need to ensure that you can still access the quick release, as this will make your life easier if your tool locks on to a cable.
Most wire crimpers, cutters and strippers come with metrics written on them. For ease of use look for marks that are etched into the blade and if you can find one that is colour coded that may help you even further. Make sure the markings are etched on rather than painted. These will last longer and will continue to provide you with information throughout the life of the tool.
Make sure the metrics on the tools are what you need them to be, most operate on the AWG system and will cut or crimp from 10 to 22 AWG. It is worth checking with the manufacturer to make sure the tool will perform as you wish it to. Some crimpers do come with only metric measurements on them, so it is always worth checking that you will be able to decipher exactly what cable can be cut and where.
What Can You Use Wire Cutters for?
As the name suggest, the primary function of wire cutters is just that, to cut wire. Most will also crimp and strip, but it is worth checking which one provides the best output for what you have in mind. Some tools make excellent crimpers but aren’t as good at wire stripping. Make a decision based on what you will be using the tool for most often and then consult the manufactures guidelines.
Some wire cutters are also sturdy enough to cut through screws and bolts. If you need a wire tool that does this, look for ones that can give you maximum power without exerting too much effort. Again, ones made of carbon metal composite will be best as they stay sharp and strong.
Safety Considerations
Before cutting, stripping or crimping any wire, makes sure that all power outlets are switched off. Do not cut, strip or cramp any live wire. Always wear appropriate work wear when you are undertaking these kinds of jobs to prevent any injury.
Editor’s Recommendations
There are so many wire cutting tools available on the market, to make the right decision you need to know what sort of work you will be using the tool for. If you’re going to be using it in a tight, enclosed space, the ideal choice will be a tool with a plier type head. You can get them into smaller spaces, and it is far easier to manipulate and move wires with these heads.
If you don’t need to operate in small spaces and need a tool that is a robust crimper and slicer, look for ones with a square head. They will provide you with maximum performance with the least effort exerted.
To ensure your tool lasts, you want to look at materials that don’t rust and degrade easily, this will make sure that your tool will last. You can continue to use it every day if you need to.
Comfort is also paramount when using a tool on a daily basis. If you have small hands, a compact may be the way to go for you as the handles are smaller and closer together. You may need to exert more force to get a good a cut. Conversely, if you have the space, look at the traditionally designed wire strippers. The long handles make it so you exert limited pressure and still garner the results of the compact, but these aren’t as effective in tight spaces and take up more room.
Conclusion
Once have considered what you will be using the tool for and what sort of environment you will be using it in, I have helped to narrow down the choices for you by reviewing the 10 best wire crimpers available to you. All tools are strong, durable and will work effectively in the correct environment; all you need to do is chose the environment in which you will be working to make a successful purchase.