The Best Wire Cutters for Electrical & DIY Projects

Are you a professional craftsman or an enthusiast who works with wires? Whether you have the passion or not, wire cutters are an essential part of your home toolbox. This is because it helps you do small repairs around the house. A wire cutter is a tool for cutting wires. It is so simple that a beginner can handle it easily.

Unlike the other tools, these cutting pliers have a compact design and are easy to use and store. Moreover, they help you do various tasks. On the lookout for the best wire cutters? You are in the right spot! Here we will guide you to choose the best options that will suit your needs.

Different types of wire cutters are available on the market. You will find electricians, jewelers, doctors, and auto mechanics who use these wire cutters to offer professional results. The ones with the longer handles are usually for nail pulling. Even though they don’t recommend it but makes it easier to cut wire. And the little shorter ones are made for doing electrical work.

However, the quality of the tool directly affects the work. We have reviewed some of the best options for home use and come up with the list below. You can choose the ones that will work well with your requirements.

Wire Cutters Comparison Table

Image	Product
Best Choice	Whizzotech SC-150 - Wire Cutter Size: 5 inches Material: Chrome vanadium steel Max Cutting Ability: 14 AWG Read Review	Read Review
Also Great	Knipex 7421200 - Heavy Duty Wire Cutter Size: 8 inches Material: Chrome vanadium steel Max Cutting Ability: 9 AWG Read Review	Read Review
Best Micro	Hakko CHP-170 - Micro Wire Cutter Size: 5.9 inches Material: Carbon steel Max Cutting Ability: 16 AWG Read Review	Read Review
Best Size	Klein Tools D275-5 - Jewelry Wire Cutter Size: 5 inches Material: Steel Max Cutting Ability: 16 AWG Read Review	Read Review
Best for DIY	IGAN 330 - Flush Wire Cutter Size: 5 inches Material: Chrome Vanadium Steel Max Cutting Ability: 22 AWG Read Review	Read Review

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1. Whizzotech SC150 – Best Diagonal Cutters

In search of a unique little plier? Whizzotech SC150 diagonal cutting pliers are a great choice. This cute and compact gadget fits perfectly into your palms. I’m a little bit surprised by the Whizzotech these are better than I thought they were. Fit and finish are pretty good we’ve got nylon anti-slip handles on there. No play in the head that I can feel. The pretty good grind I don’t see a whole lot of daylight between them. Way better than I expected. Whatsoever very tight nice fit and finish.

Moreover, the manufacturer used high-quality Chrome vanadium steel. The presence of hard metal makes the pliers extraordinarily durable and robust. This makes it the perfect option to cut different types of cables. The handle consists of an anti-slip of material and offers excellent convenience while using.

You can easily cut headpins, small chains, memory wires, eye pins, cords, tiger tails, beading, thin wire, and so on. It is also best suited for electrical repair requirements.

Features:

Pros:

• It can easily cut wires that have 20 – 25 gauges.
• Due to the presence of a simple cutting technique, it requires minimal effort and cutting time.
• The small size makes it easy to store and use.

Cons:

• Due to its small size, this wire cutter isn’t suitable for cutting hard wires.
• Not ideal for steel wires.

2. Knipex 7421200 – Best Heavy Duty Wire Cutters

Knipex diagonal cutters easily cut nails and all types of wires with high precision. It is available with a straight as well as an angled head. These handheld 8 and 10-inch pliers have a high leverage axial design that requires 25% less effort as compared to other cutters. These diagonal cutting pliers reduce fatigue while cutting medium to hard wires. The 12 degrees angled head cuts objects to a near flat finish and provides increased hand clearance under the tool to avoid scraping lumps.

Knipex 7421200 is also available with dual-component comfort handles that are softer where maximum squeezing pressure occurs to further minimize hand stress built from innovative oil-hardened chrome vanadium steel.
Knipex wire cutters are lightweight, strong, and long-lasting. They feature a fixed forged axle rivet joint that ensures continuous smooth operation with no weakening or wobbling effect over time.

Knipex 7421200 is highly precise. Users can go from cutting soft copper and aluminum to hardened materials like nails, piano wire, or a CSR wire without changing tools or damaging the cutting edges. The Knipex high-leverage diagonal cutters are available in 10 different styles to fit a variety of applications. One thousand volt insulated handles meet or exceed ASTM and IEC standards for protection against the electric shock.

Knipex high-leverage diagonal cutters are designed for cutting harder wires and iron materials. Its longer size also allows for reaching into confined spaces for heavy-duty cutting with minimal effort and exceptional performance.

Features:

• Size: 8 inches
• Material: Chrome vanadium heavy-duty steel
• Hand Grips Material: Plastic coated
• Jaw Length:
• Cutting Ability (Medium/Iron Wire): 6 AWG / 9 AWG
• Dimensions: 7.95 x 2.05 x 0.8″
• Weight: 9.1 oz

Pros:

• Small and lightweight.
• Fits perfectly in the hand and holds up over time.
• So precise that you can even cut paper with it.
• Excellent grip.
• Made in Germany.

Cons:

• Some people are not happy with its rounded tip.
• It is a bit expensive.

3. Hakko CHP-170 – Best Micro Wire Cutters

Searching for a wire cutter that’s available at an affordable price range? Hakko CHP-170 wire cutter is the one for you. This shear-type cutters can easily cut through soft wires due to its well-angled jaw. This is a good micro cutter and the nice thing about these they’re flat on one side and beveled on the other. So that you can lay them down and snip something off flat with the surface. Now, these are not to be used with steel wire because they’re too sharp for that and you’ll damage them but for copper wire they work great.

By using this tool, you can cut copper wires with 16 gauges and terminal wires of 1.5 mm. It comes with an internal spring that can be easily re-adjusted to the former position after using it. The presence of precision ground surfaces and holes ensures smooth movement.

As for the steel surface of the blade, it’s well protected, and the Parkerized surfaces prevent any sort of glares. This also increases its life span by preventing the formation of rust.

Features:

• Size: 5.9 inches
• Material: Carbon steel
• Hand Grips Material: Nonslip
• Jaw Length: 8 mm
• Jaw Angle: 21 degrees
• Cutting Ability (Soft / Iron Wire): 16 AWG
• Dimension: 0.8 x 5.9 x 3.6”
• Weight: 0.64 oz

Pros:

• Made using hard metals that can retain cuts.
• The handgrips have a curved fore-edge with dolphin style non-slip materials to ensure proper control.
• Comfortable to use.

Cons:

• May get easily damaged.
• Not suitable for hard wires.

4. Klein Tools D275-5 – Best Ultra Slim Wire Cutters

Looking for a handy flush cutter that delivers excellent performance? Klein Tools D275-5 flush cutter works well. Build quality of the Klein Tools of course made in the USA. As you would expect it is quite excellent. This tool is fully equipped with a flat ground cutting edge technology. This makes it suitable for cutting leads from dredged materials present on circuit boards and various other inflictions where required.

The improved design of the blade helps in snapping wires that have 16 AWG and produce a flat cut. While engaged in repetitive cutting, you will find that the spring present helps the steel to return to its original position. This offers an exceptional level of comfort and minimizes the amount of fatigue. It’s best fit for cutting zip ties, small wires, and different sorts of materials. You can repair your wife’s jewelry with these cutters.

Features:

• Size: 5 inches
• Material: Steel
• Hand Grips Material: Plastic
• Cutting Ability (Soft / Iron Wire): 16 AWG
• Dimension: 0.8 x 5 x 5”
• Weight: 2.08 oz

Pros:

• Light-weighted and easy to use.
• Treated with heat, which in turn increases its durability.
• It comes with a good grip that offers more comfort and tool control.
• Due to its ultra-slim profile, it’s suitable for use in confined areas.

Cons:

• Works well with jewelry. However, it will dull the items.

5. IGAN 330 – Best Ultra-Sharp Wire Cutters

Searching for a gadget to help you with your cutting requirements? IGAN-330 side cutting pliers offer excellent precision. It has a compact design that comes with long cutting jaws. This enables you to do fast cuts and flush cuts in inaccessible and tight areas.

As for the opening spring, it shifts back to the original position after each use, which will help save your energy. These cutters are best suited for jewelry making, electronics, plastic sprue cutters, zip ties, and so on. Moreover, it is ergonomically designed to provide comfortable and smooth operation.

IGAN 330 is one of the most reliable models available on the market. This is cause it consists of heat-treated steel components that have Rockwell hardness of 60 C. While cutting the larger gauge wires, makes sure to use the thick portion of the blades.

Features:

• Size: 5 inches
• Material: Chrome vanadium steel
• Hand Grips Material: Rubber
• Cutting Ability (Soft/Iron Wire): 14 AWG / 16 AWG
• Dimension: 0.3 x 5 x 3.1”
• Weight: 3.2 oz

Pros:

• The rubber handles consist of non-slip materials.
• It comes with a 12-month warranty period.

Cons:

• Not suitable for slicing steel materials.

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Buyer’s Guide: All You Need To Know About The Wire Cutters

While purchasing the wire cutter, you need to be aware of the task that you wish to do with this gadget. Also, opt for high-quality models as the substandard options will result in poor quality work and impede your progress. Hence, it’s vital to know what are the essential elements that you need to be aware of before you make the final decision. In this buying guide, we will help you make the right choice.

How To Pick Wire Cutters?

Before purchasing a wire cutter, you need to know what type of wires you’re planning to cut. Mostly you may end up cutting soft metals that can be quickly done using most pliers. Generally, these wire cutters help in cutting open-end wires, worn-out cables or aluminum, brass, iron, or copper wires. To prevent getting shocks from these electric cables, go for models that come with insulated handles. However, if you’re planning to cut hard and tempered steel wires, then you need to get a plier designed for it.

You will also find various types of wire cutters available on the market. These include the following:

• Flush Wire Cutter
• Bevel Wire Cutter
• Shear Wire Cutter

Based on your needs and requirements, choose the one you want.

How To Choose the Wire Cutters?

Wire cutters are not complicated gadgets, hence they are quite easier to select. However, you need to know what the essential factors are to get the best one.

Material:
The best options are well built using materials that are resistant to corrosion and rusting. Most of the high-quality options consist of high-speed steel, steel plate, or tool steel. You will find that tool steel offers greater flexibility, whereas high-speed steel ensures sharpness for a longer time frame. As for the handles, it mostly consists of plastic or rubber components that provide a comfortable grip.

Rust will prevent the cutter from offering precise cuts. Hence using reliable materials like chrome vanadium steel, carbon steel, and alloy steel will prevent corrosion. This is due to the heat and laser treatment that they undergo to increase their durability. Some models also come with a special coating that prevents glares like the Hakko CHP-170 wire cutter.

Size:
These tools must be carefully selected after considering the size of the cable that you wish to cut. The size ranges typically from 4.5 to 11 inches. You will find that the Whizzotech SC150 wire cutter has most of these sizes available. Different cutters are suitable for various sizes. For cutting small-sized wires and cables, large cutters won’t work well. But there are exceptions!

Construction:
The device must have a solid construction that does not cause any harm to the user. In most cases, pointed metallic objects may result in accidents. To avoid this, you need to purchase premium quality options where the blades don’t chip or break off easily. Moreover, it should have an ergonomic design that’ll make it easier to handle and decrease fatigue.

Jaw Length:
The jaw-length differs based on the work and the area you wish to access. For confined and tight spots, models that have smaller lengths would work great. As for hard metallic wires, larger and heavy options are the best.

Jaw Angle:
The presence of well-angled jaws helps you to cut through soft wires easily. For instance, the Hakko CHP-170 wire cutter comes with a 21 degrees jaw angle and is capable of making precise and perfect cuts.

Weight:
The pliers should not be too lightweight. Instead, they should have sufficient heft to it. However, avoid opting for heavier models as they may strain your muscles and make it hard to work with.

Hand Grip Material:
While using wire cutters, make sure that it does not slip off from your hand. For this, it should have an anti-slip material that prevents slippages, thereby disturbing your work. The most commonly used options are plastic and rubber materials. Klein Tools D275-5 flush cutter has a plastic handgrip coat whereas IGAN-330 wire flush cutters have rubber grip material.

Hand Grip Design:
Go for an ergonomically shaped handgrip design that will help you to use the tool without tiring your hands. It will also keep it from slipping off and causing accidents. Hakko CHP-170 micro wire cutter has a curved fore-edge that ensures great control.

Additional Features:
Make sure that the model you choose comes with a versatile option. If you are a person who hardly works with wirings, go for a tool that will help you cut, strip, and crimp it without going for different tools. However, if you are an expert, you might require a professional grade wire cutter. Also, opt for ones with internal springs where you don’t have to exert more force to get it back in place each time.

Color:
Wire cutters are available in various color options on the market. Based on your personal preferences, you can choose the one that you like. You will find that Whizzotech SC-150 wire cutters are available in bright red shades.

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How To Sharpen Wire Cutters

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FAQs

What Is The Difference Between Side Cutters And Diagonal Cutters?

Side cutters and diagonal cutters are quite the same except for a slight difference. It’s not easy to get a flat or flush cut on the surface using a side cutter, whose blade lies parallel to the handles. Instead, the diagonal model often comes with a better angle. With intersecting jaws, the diagonal option is capable of cutting the wires at an angle, thereby offering a flat tip. Side cutters offer a standard cut, whereas using a diagonal cutter, you get an angled cut away from the handle line.

How Do You Cut Wire Without A Wire Cutter?

Have to cut lots of wires to complete your project but do not have a wire cutter? Do not panic! Here we will guide to do it without much hassle. Once you get the hang of it, it won’t take much time.
Follow the below steps:

Step 1: Materials Used.
Get the flowing materials to do the task.
– Utility knife or scissors
– Wires
– Colored Marker

Step 2: Length Of The Wire.
Take the wire you wish to cut and measure them accurately. Use the utility knife or a scissor if the utility knife isn’t sharp enough and carefully cut through the wire. While using the knife, place your thumb on top of the knife and only use the blade for cutting. It will work correctly in this manner.

Step 3: Make Markings.
With the help of a colored marker, draw a mark around half a centimeter from the wire ends on either side. Though it’s not essential, it gives you clear visibility as to where exactly you need to cut. This is an excellent idea if the lightings are poor or the wires are tiny.

Step 4: Carefully Score.
Once you have carefully marked the spot, start scoring around it. Good lighting is essential here as you need to see where exactly the marks are before you start cutting. Start scouring across the entire wire; however, avoid making the actual wiring. The vital point is to use the correct amount of pressure. You need to score well so that it cuts perfectly without damaging the actual wire. You will get the knack of it after a few tries. For this, hold the wire and apply sufficient pressure on the utility knife. With the applied pressure, slowly keep turning the wire to make proper cuts.

Step 5: Removal Of The Tip.
Now that you have made a proper cut, you will be able to view the wire inside. Once the wire inside is visible, you can carefully grab the ends and pull the insulation off. If not, carry on cutting. Repeat this procedure with all the wires.

How Do You Lubricate Pliers?

It’s essential to oil you, pliers, periodically. Though you use it for extracting screws or as a lineman plier, you need to lubricate it well to keep it in good working condition. Some new pliers require the breaking in process. This is because, at times, they are too tight or stiff to move. Initially, you will find that closing and opening the flyers is not that smooth. This is not a defect; it’s just because it’s brand new. Hence you need to lubricate it to get it moving correctly. For this, you need to follow the below steps.

· Apply silicone lubricant or machine oil at the joint of the pliers.
· Next, dip the gadget into fine dry sand and cover it entirely with it. The grit will enter the joint. Now work on the pliers for some time to make the joints loose.
· Soak the flyers with the lubricant and flush off the remaining grit present at the joint.
· With the help of a dry and soft, clean the pliers thoroughly.

You can choose the lubricant based on your personal choice. The most commonly used one is WD-40. However, it’s not the optimal choice as it’s a cleaner, and the results are temporary.

Can Wire Cutters Be Sharpened?

Yes. You can sharpen a standard wire cutter with the help of a smooth file or a diamond hone. Using a coarse hand file may cause damages to the device. Well, you need to have sufficient skills and lots of precision to sharpen the cutters to attain a smooth edge. Be careful while doing so, and avoid injuries. If you’re not an expert, you may find it hard to sharpen ones that have narrow jaws.

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Final Thoughts

Good wire cutters come as a handy tool and is an essential option for every toolbox. These are available at an affordable cost and won’t consume much space. Getting a pair ensures excellent versatility and helps you make significant cuts at home.

Our top pick goes to the Whizzotech SC150 wire cutter. This is cause they are easy to use and fits perfectly into your hands. As for the blade of the pliers, it’s entirely forged using chrome vanadium steel. This gives it a very sturdy construction, which will help it to last for long. You will find that it’s easy to cut most of the wires and chains.

But, it’s not suitable for cutting hard electrical wirings. The PVC coating on the handle ensures a comfortable grip and protects you from getting hurt. As for the spring-loaded design at the end makes this gadget easy to use without getting tired quickly. It comes with a cutting capacity of 12 AWG for soft iron wire, 10 AWG for smooth copper wire, and 5 mm for plastic. These wire cutters act as an excellent option for electricians, jewelers, and crafters.

You’ll have to make the call for yourself. If you’re a piano tuner and you’re cutting piano wire all the time something like that you need a Pro cutter like Knipex. It is a strong and efficient tool with amazing quality and features. You should consider buying it if you want some quality performance.

But I have to admit that the Whizzotech SC150 cutting pliers pretty good. They look better than a lot of the Chinese stuff that I’ve seen. So I’m going to go ahead and include these in the kit. Because the homeowners needs these. This is the essential set that you need in your common man’s toolbox. You need the side cutters, you need utility slip joints, and much much more. I’ve got the strange ones and the long ones and the ones with the bends all there rarely do I ever use them. If they left the shop I really wouldn’t miss them I can get by just fine with Whizzotech.

With the above information, you can choose the best wire cutters that work well for you. Remember to stay safe while working with the cutting pliers. We review all sorts of products based on our audience’s demand to make your decision easier. Please let us know which product you owned from the list and why. Also, let us know if we missed any of your favorite products that deserve to be here. Put the name of your products that you want to be reviewed by us in the comments section below.

About Sedny Attia

Sedny holds an MS in Engineering and has a background in writing articles and reviews. Sedny is most interested in the science behind emerging technology.