If you need to bust a bolt, remove a rusty padlock, cut through cabling, or fix a wire fence, you need the best bolt cutter. This simple but effective cutting tool is perfect for the professional tradesman, mechanic, farmer, and DIY home repair enthusiast.
Complete Tough Tasks with a Bolt Cutter
A bolt cutter is a powerful hand tool for industrial and home applications. While a pair of pliers are made for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts and smaller metalwork tasks, a bolt cutter is specifically designed for tough cutting tasks.
Built with powerful steel jaws, precision blades, and spring-action lever handles, a bolt cutter has serious metal crunching power. So if you have lost a key to a padlock on your storage shed, a wire mesh fence requires maintenance, a chain link needs to be cut, or there are repairs to be done, a bolt cutter will get the job done fast.
The 7 Best Bolt Cutters
- WORKPRO W017004A 14-inch Bolt Cutter
- TEKTON 3386 8-inch Bolt Cutter
- Knipex Tools 7101250 10-inch CoBolt Compact Bolt Cutter (Our Top Pick)
- Neiko 00558A 12-Inch Bolt Cutter
- Capri Tools CP40209 40209 8-inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter
- RIDGID 14223 Model S24 Bolt Cutter
- HK Porter 0190MCD 24-inch Power Link Bolt Cutter
Our Top Pick for the Best Bolt Cutter
Our top pick for the best bolt cutter is the Knipex Tools 7101250 CoBolt Compact Bolt Cutter.
A popular tool that is praised for its smart design and reliable performance, we highly recommend the Knipex Tools bolt cutter for your toolbox.
With 130 years of quality hand tool manufacturing, this leading German company is at the forefront of efficient, innovative and quality tools. The Knipex tools bolt cutter not only provides a legendary powerful performance, but also an effortless user-friendly design.
Whatever type of metal crunching task you have to perform, the Knipex Tools bolt cutter will prove to be an indispensable metalworking tool that you cannot live without.
How to Choose the Best Bolt Cutter
To help you find the best bolt cutter for your projects, consider these very important features.
Size
Bolt cutters are available in a wide range of sizes: 8, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24, 30, 36 and 42 inches. The bolt cutter size will determine its ability to cut through a variety of materials and metal thicknesses.
– Small Bolt Cutters
Small bolt cutters that measure 8, 10-inch, 12-inch, or 14-inches in length are primarily designed to cut through thinner chains and prise off bolts that have a soft to medium hardness. These types of bolt cutters, like the superb Knipex Tools Bolt Cutters, are also very popular as they are strong, fit in tight, confined spots, and provide on-the-go portability.
– Medium Sized Bolt Cutters
Medium-sized bolt cutters range in size from 18-inches up to 24 -inches. They can be used with soft and medium-to-hard metals. As a medium bolt cutter has a long handle, it provides greater leverage for cutting through large items like padlocks and removing bolts.
– Large Bolt Cutters
Large bolt cutters that measure 30 to 42-inches are perfect for cutting through medium-hard metal materials like thick steel chains, copper cable, steel rods, and large bolts and padlocks. These heavy-duty tools have super-strong steel jaws and longer handles that give you superior leverage and bolt busting power for extra tough tasks.
Blade Quality
The jaws and the blade edge of the bolt cutter need to be made from strong, durable, and exceptionally hard steel so that the tool can deliver the serious cutting power you need.
Most bolt cutters are made from forged heat-treated chrome molybdenum steel or chrome vanadium steel. Both of these types of steel are considered to have the best strength and long-lasting durability. To stop any rust or corrosion, the steel may also have a powder-coated finish.
Rockwell Hardness Scale
Any type of cutting tools like a knife or an ax will have a blade that is made according to the Rockwell Hardness Scale. The Rockwell Scale uses an HRC code that tells you the level of hardness and resilience of the steel. The rule of thumb with the RHC is the higher the number, the harder the steel.
Handles Design
Whether the handles are short or long, handles must provide you with the necessary leverage to open the jaws so they grip onto and cut through metal with less effort.
An ergonomic design will also eliminate any hand fatigue. A bolt cutter may have thick molded plastic coated handles, like the Capri Tools Bolt Cutter, or rolled steel handles with cushioned non-slip rubber grips, like the Tekton Bolt Cutter, making the tool more comfortable to hold.
Weight
While a heavier bolt cutter has lots of metal crunching power, it can cause a lot of fatigue over long periods of time. A lightweight bolt cutter is ideal for quick tasks and everyday carry but it may not be durable enough for heavy-duty tasks. It is a good idea to think about the type of tasks you need to perform. Keep a heavy bolt cutter for challenging tasks and a lightweight bolt cutter in your toolbox for emergencies.
Best Bolt Cutter Reviews
1. WORKPRO W017004A 14-inch Bolt Cutter
Efficient, long-lasting and ergonomic, the WORKPRO W017004A 14-inch Bolt Cutter makes any metal cutting job quick and easy.
Featuring powder-coated drop-forged chrome-molybdenum steel jaws with precise cutting blades, the W017004A offers powerful compound cutting action with less effort. So when you need to work with soft to medium metals like bolts, rods, rivets, and chain-link fences, this powerful tool perfectly cuts through HRC<42 steel up to 5mm and HRC<25 steel up to 6mm like butter.
Strong tubular ergonomic bi-material handles have red/blue anti-slip grips that give you greater control during challenging tasks. As this bolt cutter has a compact design, it performs well in a confined space and is ideal for everyday carry.
WORKPRO also offer the bolt cutter in 3 other sizes: 18-inch, 24-inch, and 30-inch.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- Good price
- Perfect for home use
- Drop forged powder-coated chrome-molybdenum steel jaws
- Efficient cutting and long life
- Offers compound cutting action with less effort
- Designed for bolts, rods, rivets, and chains
- Cuts through HRC<42 steel up to 5mm and HRC<25 steel up to 6mm like butter
- Ergonomic bi-material anti-slip grips give greater leverage control and comfort
- Compact
- Works well in a confined space
- Easy to carry
- 4 sizes
Cons
- Cutting ¼-inch locks is not recommended
- Not ideal for very thick chain links or heavy-duty use
2. TEKTON 3386 8-inch Bolt Cutter
Super-strong, portable and affordable, the TEKTON 3386 8-inch Bolt Cutter is a must-have hand tool for tradesmen and DIY home maintenance gurus.
The forged hardened alloy steel jaws are driven by a compound hinge that delivers superior cutting power with less effort. So this tool is ideal for cutting bolts, chains, thread rod, and heavy-gauge wire up to 3/16-inches thick.
For a comfortable grip, the strong rolled steel handles have soft cushioned non-slip rubber grips and the handles will not twist or give under load. Finding your bolt cutter is so easy in your toolbox as the handle has a bright red color.
Its mini size is perfect for working in a tight spot and lightweight enough to carry in your pocket. The bolt cutter also has a locking handle for safety and to hang the tool up for quick access around your workspace.
TEKTON also offers the bolt cutters in 7 different sizes which can be used for soft, medium and hard metal cutting tasks.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Very affordable price
- Drop forged hardened alloy steel jaws
- Compound hinge delivers superior cutting action which requires less effort
- Strong, high-leverage tubular steel handles won’t twist or give under load
- Rolled steel handles with soft cushioned rubber grips offer non-slip comfort
- Cuts bolts, chain, threaded rod, and heavy gauge wire up to 3/16-inch
- Locking handle
- Bright red handle is easy to see
- Portable mini size
- Comes in 7 sizes
Cons
- Handles feel a bit spongy
- Paint can chip off
- Can be a bit hard to open out of the box
- Not ideal for extra heavy-duty tasks
3. Knipex Tools 7101250 10-inch CoBolt Compact Bolt Cutter
The Knipex Tools 7101250 10-inch ComBolt Compact Bolt Cutter is an ultra-versatile tool for tough construction, automotive, farming, fencing applications, and home use.
Made in Germany, the CoBolt offers you an exceptional cutting performance with minimum effort due to its tough steel construction and an upgraded lever-action design.
Heavy-duty hardened 64 HRC chrome vanadium steel precision blades have a new micro-structure laser-cut edge which guarantees long life, provides simpler cutting of larger cross-sections, and powerful cutting of soft and hard wire, piano wire, bolts, nails, and rivets up to 5.6 mm in diameter. You will work smarter as the bolt cutter’s new edge design also stops thick, round, and flat objects from slipping out during a cut.
Featuring an upgraded gripping zone, the jaws allow for easy gripping, prising apart chain links, and pulling of nails and wires larger than 0.04-inches in diameter.
Longer 10-inch handles allow easy operation and maximum cutting force. For extra comfort, the handles have a non-slip plastic coating. The high-visibility bright red handles are easy to spot in your workspace. As the CoBolt has a compact design, you can slip it in your pocket and carry it anywhere.
The bolt cutter also comes in a 6-inch and an 8-inch length.
Knipex offers a limited lifetime warranty on the bolt cutter.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Good price
- Ultra versatile tool
- Ideal for construction, automotive, farming, and fencing applications
- Exceptional cutting performance with minimal effort
- Tough steel construction and an upgraded lever-action design
- Heavy-duty forged induction hardened 64 HRC chrome vanadium steel guarantees long life
- Precision blades have a new micro-structure cutting edge
- Simpler cutting of larger cross-sections
- Powerful cutting of soft and hard wire, piano wire, bolts, nails, rivets up to 5.6 mm in diameter
- New cutting edge design stops thick, round, and flat objects from slipping out during a cut
- Jaws have an upgraded gripping zone
- Easy to grip and pull nails and wires larger than 0.04-inches in diameter
- Longer handles allow for maximum cutting force
- Comfortable plastic coated non-slip handles
- Compact pocket design
- High visibility bright red color
- Available in a 6, 8 and 10-inch length
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Can rust quickly
- Takes longer to cut through extra thick metal
4. Neiko 00558A 12-Inch Bolt Cutter
If you have extra tough tasks to complete, tackle them with the Neiko 00558A 12-inch Bolt Cutter.
Designed for multiple applications, the 00558A is tailor-made for medium to heavy-duty home use and industrial settings. Durable heat-treated chrome-moly steel jaws stay sharp and resistant to any damage or dents. So this bolt cutter will have no trouble cutting through the hardest bolts, chains, padlocks, threaded rods, heavy-gauge wire, wire mesh fencing, and other types of metals.
You can expect improved cutting power and balanced action with less effort due to the classic lever-fulcrum build and precisely aligned blades.
Featuring an ergonomic design, the comfortable non-slip textured plastic angled handles maximize leverage and reduce hand fatigue.
Neiko offers the bolt cutter in 7 sizes: 12-inch, 14-inch, 18-inch, 24-inch, 30-inch, 36-inch, and 42-inch.
Pros
- High quality
- Great value for money
- Heavy-duty design
- Premium chrome-moly steel jaws cut through harder objects with ease
- Durable high-frequency, heat-treated blades resist damage and dents in tough applications
- Perfect for cutting through the hardest bolts, chains, padlocks, threaded rods, heavy-gauge wire, wire mesh fencing, and other types of metals
- Classic lever-fulcrum design and precisely aligned blades
- Improved cutting power and balanced action with less effort
- Ergonomically designed angled handles
- Non-slip plastic textured grips provide greater control and comfort in cutting
- 7 sizes
Cons
- Heavy
- Not suited for very thick rebar
5. Capri Tools CP40209 40209 8-inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter
It may have a mini design, but the Capri Tools 40209 Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter has surprising strength for challenging tasks.
A serious little beast, the Klinge is the best compact bolt cutter in its class. Its high leverage design will do all the hard work for you and delivers extra cutting force with less effort.
Made from durable heat-treated chrome-molybdenum steel, the blades cut through threaded bolts, nails, chains with a vengeance. Sturdy jaws provide extra gripping power without shifting or wobbling when closing around a bolt, nail, or chain link.
Specially designed ergonomic soft-grip blue/black handles make these bolt cutters fit comfortably and securely in your hand. Extremely useful for working in tight spots, the mini bolt cutters is a dream to use. Designed for every day carry, the lightweight and compact bolt cutters will fit easily in your toolbox or pocket.
Capri Tools offer a 10-year warranty on their bolt cutters.
Pros
- High quality
- Excellent value for money
- A serious little beast of a bolt cutter
- Strong and sturdy
- High leverage jaw design delivers extra force with less effort
- Double heat-treated chrome-molybdenum steel
- Cuts through tough materials like wires, threaded bolts, nails, chains and more
- Best compact and lightweight bolt cutter in its class
- Ergonomic soft grip blue/black handles fit comfortably and securely in the hand
- Portable every-day carry design
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- May not be well suited for cutting 3/8-inch wire cables
- Not enough compound leverage for cutting large bolts or locks
6. RIDGID 14223 Model S24 Bolt Cutter
Whether you need to cut through soft, medium or hard metals, the Ridgid 14223 S24 Bolt Cutter is a practical addition to a professional tradesman or DIY home repairer toolbox.
Crafted with unmatched RIDGID quality, this 24-inch bolt cutter is built for challenging cutting jobs.
Strong and sturdy hardened alloy steel jaws ensure maximum blade life, strength, and durability. You can expect an impressively accurate cutting performance as the one-step internal cam mechanism provides a quick and simple way to maintain precise blade alignment.
As this bolt cutter features a center cut, it can easily cut through a wide variety of metals. It will have no trouble working with soft (15RC), medium (31RC) and hard (42RC) metals. Plus, it powers through stainless steel, spring wire, heat-treated rod, reinforcing rod, steel cable, and bolts.
Designed for your comfort, the red metal handles have black rubber grips. You will experience greater leverage for crisp, controlled cutting of metal materials.
Rigid offers a full lifetime warranty on the bolt cutters.
Pros
- Superior quality
- Fantastic value for money
- Ideal for professional and home use
- Designed for various heavy-duty jobs
- Strong and sturdy hardened alloy steel jaws
- Maximum blade life, strength, and durability
- Impressively accurate cutting performance
- One-step internal cam mechanism provides a quick and simple way to maintain precise blade alignment
- Center cut allows the tools to cut through a wide variety of metals: soft (15RC), medium (31RC) and hard (42RC)
- Powers through stainless steel, spring wire, heat-treated rod, reinforcing rod, steel cable, and bolts
- Red metal handles have comfortable black rubber grips
- Provides a greater mechanical advantage for crisp, controlled cutting of metal
- Full lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- A bit heavy
7. HK Porter 0190MCD 24-inch Power Link Bolt Cutter
With superior cutting power, ground-breaking technology and industry-leading durability, the HK Porter 0190MCD 24-inch Bolt Cutter is the perfect metal cutting solution for industrial-style applications.
Featuring a revolutionary Power Link computer-inspired compound-action design, this USA-made bolt cutter does not shy away from tough tasks. It especially gives you the ability to cut through thicker and harder materials with less fatigue. Compared to standard cutters, the legendary Powerlink bolt cutter reduces operator effort by 30%.
Perfect for harsh working environments, the HK Porter bolt cutter is designed for production facilities, maintenance and repair operations, utilities, construction sites, oil and gas operations, and more.
Durable metal crunching jaws and specially engineered induction-hardened center-cut blades deliver exceptional blade durability. So this 24-inch bolt cutter is well primed to cut bolts, screws, electric wire, padlock hasps, chain link fences, heavy steel rods, bars, and wrought iron.
It will be so easy to get the leverage you need as the tubular steel handles open up perpendicularly. The handles also have comfortable classic style black rubber anti-slip grips that reduce hand fatigue.
HK Porter offers a limited lifetime warranty on the bolt cutters.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Good price
- Made in the USA
- Ideal for industrial use
- Effective and efficient cutting performance
- Revolutionary computer-inspired Power Link compound-action design
- Reduces operator effort by 30%
- Durable metal crunching jaws
- Specially engineered induction-hardened center-cut blades deliver exceptional blade durability
- Can be used for soft to medium-hard metals like bolts, rods, screws, chain, electric wire, padlocks, chain link fences, and wrought iron
- Delivers an effective and efficient cutting performance
- Easy leverage tubular steel handles open up perpendicularly
- Comfortable classic style black rubber anti-slip grip handles reduce hand fatigue
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- A bit awkward to use in a small space
- May struggle to cut through extra thick metal
- The handles have to be opened up wider than usual.
Our Top Pick for the Best Bolt Cutter
Our top pick for the best bolt cutter is the Knipex Tools 7101250 CoBolt Compact Bolt Cutter.
A popular tool that is praised for its smart design and reliable performance, we highly recommend the Knipex Tools bolt cutter for your toolbox.
With 130 years of quality hand tool manufacturing, this leading German company is at the forefront of efficient, innovative and quality tools. The Knipex tools bolt cutter not only provides a legendary powerful performance, but also an effortless user-friendly design.
Whatever type of metal crunching task you have to perform, the Knipex Tools bolt cutter will prove to be an indispensable metalworking tool that you cannot live without.
