Pliers are one of the most versatile hand tools around. Whether you have a DIY renovation project, some maintenance work to complete, electrical and also plumbing chores, or even some woodworking or jewelry making projects, you need to have quality pliers in your toolbox.
The 7 Best Pliers
- Stanley 84-102 8-Inch Long Nose Pliers
- IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers (Our Top Pick)
- Channellock 460 16.5-Inch Straight Jaw Tongue and Groove Pliers
- Channellock 369 9.5-Inch Lineman’s Pliers
- Klein Tools High Leverage Pliers
- KNIPEX Tools – Needle Nose Pliers
- Crescent X2 Straight Long Nose Dual Material Pliers
Our Top Pick for the Best Plier
Our top pick for the best pliers is the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers. For all types of renovations, maintenance, or mechanical work that needs to be done around your home or on the job site, the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers are the perfect everyday tool for the homefront.
Built with professional tradesmen in mind, these excellent pliers are strong and also sturdy and have a vice-like grip so you can rely on them to deliver a top-quality working performance. They also come at a very affordable price. If you want the right tool for every job, invest in the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers.
Check the price on AmazonPliers: Highly Versatile Tools
Pliers look just like a pair of heavy-duty tongs, with two slim handles, long jaws, and a pivot, which makes them the perfect hand tool for all different types of fiddly tasks.
Tasks such as tightening and loosening nuts and bolts and screws and also removing nails. One of the most highly versatile all-around tools, pliers can also be used to grip small pipes, cut, splice and twist wires, repair jewelry, repair animal traps or fishing lines, and even change a tire. So whether you are working on home renovations or going away on a road trip in your car or RV, you need a pair of pliers.
How to Choose the Best Pair of Pliers: Find the Right Pliers for Everyday Jobs
There are all sorts of pliers available, from specialty ones that are designed for professional tradespeople like electricians, and everyday pliers for the home-based DIY enthusiast. They come in different sizes, from 6.25-inches up to 16-inches, and also in different designs.
Fixed-Joint Pliers
Every toolbox needs to have at least one pair of fixed-joint pliers as these types of pliers have extra gripping power. They are designed to clamp onto an item like a pipe or piece of wood.
Fixed-joint (solid-joint) or gripping pliers, like the Stanley 84-102 8-Inch Long Nose Pliers, Channellock 460 16.5-Inch Straight Jaw Tongue and Groove Pliers, Klein Tools High Leverage Pliers, KNIPEX Tools – Needle Nose Pliers, and Crescent X2 Straight Long Nose Dual Material Pliers have a rivet attached to the pivot that allows the jaws of the pliers to open to a set width.
You can attach them to an object, squeeze the handles and the jaws will lock securely into place. You can then start to pull, twist, and also adjust your choice of a workpiece without losing your grip.
Slip-Joint or Adjustable Pliers
Slip-joint or adjustable pliers are the most versatile type of pliers. You can open them to multiple widths by pushing a pivot into corresponding grooves. Or just press a button, such as the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers. One of the best things about slip-joint pliers is that you can use these types of pliers for a wide range of tasks.
You can adjust the jaws to fit almost any shape or surface and can grip nuts or bolts or pipes and also pieces of wood. Whether you need to complete small or large jobs, basic or complex repairs, plumbing work, mechanical or building tasks, slip-joint pliers are the right type of tool for the job.
As well as having two different types of joints, fixed and slip-joint, pliers come with many different types of nose or jaw designs, like a long nose, a needle nose, angled, or flat-nosed design. Others will have a curved-jaw or a diagonal cutting design. Each of these designs will suit certain work applications. They may have a combination of designs like an angled needle nose design.
Long-Nose Pliers
Long-nose pliers, like the Stanley 84-102 8-Inch Long Nose Pliers, have long tempered jaws that close tightly at the tips, so it can pick up and grip small objects like screws or pins.
These types of pliers have a longer and thinner design, and some even have a longer length, such as the Crescent X2 Straight Long Nose Dual Material Pliers, which are very handy for working in cramped spaces as they can reach into awkward and also hard to reach areas where other bulkier pliers fear to tread.
You can also use long-nose pliers for electrical work, for holding, bending, and also attaching wires. However, just make sure that you check the size and gauge of the wires and that the handle complies with electrical work.
Needle-Nose, Angled, and Flat-Nose Pliers
Needle-nose pliers also have a slim design and their jaws come to a very fine point. So they are perfect for picking up and gripping very small objects, and also gripping and bending smaller gauge wire. Angled needle-nose pliers, such as the KNIPEX Tools – Needle Nose Pliers, are an excellent choice for intricate work like making jewelry or other detailed hobby-related projects.
Flat nose pliers are also a good tool for making jewelry and costumes or if you want to grip an object without damaging it. The tapered, narrow-ended tips allow you to get in close and secure a tighter grip on rings or chain mail material.
Specialty Pliers
– Linesman Pliers
Linesman pliers are specially designed for professional electrical and communications type work. These types of pliers, such as the Channellock 369 9.5-Inch Lineman’s Pliers, have powerful, deeply toothed jaws, which allow them to grip, splice, or cut wires, and strip insulation, as well as having insulated handles to protect you while you work.
Linesman pliers can also be used for construction work, where they can be used to grip, pull, and also bend light sheet metal.
– Diagonal Side Cutting Pliers
Diagonal pliers are also known as side cutters, such as the Klein Tools High Leverage Pliers. They can be used to snip and cut all sorts of wire: steel, iron, brass, or copper, as well as cutting and also removing pins or fasteners. If you have renovations or other types of construction work, you need a pair of diagonal side cutting pliers.
Handles
The handles of the pliers are also very important to consider as they will make all the difference to your working performance. As they are to be used for all types of mechanical, electrical, construction, renovation, maintenance work and also intricate hobby-related tasks and you will be using them for a lot of gripping, cutting, twisting, and also clamping, the handle should be comfortable to hold and allow you to get a good secure grip.
A brightly colored handle also helps so that you can easily find them in your toolbox or spot it lying around your workspace.
7 Best Pliers – Reviews
1. Stanley 84-102 8-Inch Long Nose Pliers
With a world-class reputation for manufacturing high-quality home and professional power and hand tools, you can rely on Stanley for well-designed tools at an excellent price. If you have some light to medium DIY projects that require fiddly jobs, the Stanley 84-102 8-Inch Long Nose Pliers are the ideal tool for twisting, gripping, and also cutting.
Its long slim head and long-tempered jaws allow you to work in awkward, cramped spaces. The fixed-joint design can clamp down securely on all types of materials, especially in hard to reach areas that require to bend, turn, or cut above your head.
The long nose pliers are constructed from strong drop forged steel that is well known for its strength and durability. Also, the chrome-nickel hardened cutting edges are specially designed for extra-tough cutting and the rust-resistant finish gives them greater protection.
The oil-resistant dipped handles give you a comfortable grip. The Stanley long nose pliers meet ANSI specifications. It is covered by the famous STANLEY® limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Ideal for light to medium-duty tasks
- High quality
- Excellent price
- Sturdy fixed-joint design
- Ideal tool for twisting, gripping and also cutting
- Perfect tool for working in cramped spaces
- Strong and also durable drop forged steel
- Chrome-nickel hardened cutting edges
- Good rust-resistance
- Comfortable oil-resistant dipped handle
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty tasks
- They can rust if you use them outdoors
2. IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers
IRWIN Tools has been creating superior tools for the professional and home-based tradesman since 1885. They specialize in tools that feature innovative technology and groundbreaking design to bring you high precision tools that make your DIY tasks so much easier.
Whether you need to do some plumbing, maintenance work, DIY renovations, or mechanical repairs to your car, you need the right type of pliers for the job and that tool is the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers. An all-purpose and highly versatile tool, they are specially designed to grip all types of surfaces, flat, round, hex, and square surfaces, and hardware.
Due to the V-shaped jaws, the right-angle teeth grip securely onto a variety of shapes, in all directions.
A sturdy and strong slip-joint set of pliers, the IRWIN Vise-grip pliers are constructed with a special “Metal Injection Molding (MIM)” process which adds exceptional strength to them. So you can expect an accurate, reliable performance every time you use the pliers.
The adjustable jaw features a multi-groove ratcheting system that allows for precise positioning. It is very easy to adjust, simply touch the press-and-slide button which delivers 2X faster adjusting speeds than traditional groove joint pliers, and watch as they spring into action.
For extra operator comfort, they have ProTouch hand grips that are molded with anti-pinch, non-slip plastic that reduces any hand fatigue. The bright blue and yellow color makes them easy to find in your toolbox. As these pliers do not have flat jaws, they may cause damage to exposed metal areas, such as showerheads and also pipes.
IRWIN makes its GrooveLock pliers in a variety of sizes and they are available with straight, smooth, and v-shaped jaws. All of IRWIN tools are backed with a lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Great value for money
- High gripping performance
- High-quality design
- All-purpose gripping of a variety of shapes securely
- Metal Injection Molding (MIM) process ensure a high level of durability
- Multi-groove ratcheting system
- Precise positioning
- 2X faster-adjusting speeds
- Press-n-slide button adjusts lower jaw quickly and easily
- Right angle teeth grip a variety of shapes securely in all directions
- Anti-pinch, non-slip ProTouch grips for comfort and also reduces hand fatigue
- Easy to see bright blue and yellow colored handles
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Available with straight, smooth, and v-shaped jaws
- Lifetime Guarantee
Cons
- Too bulky for working in small cramped spaces
- Heavy-duty jaws can damage exposed metal areas
- Plastic handle
3. Channellock 460 16.5-Inch Straight Jaw Tongue and Groove Pliers
The Channellock 460 16.5-Inch Straight Jaw Tongue and Groove Pliers are proudly made in the US and are the ideal tool for everyday heavy-duty DIY renovations, repairs or plumbing tasks. They make it so easy to grip and turn stubborn nuts, bolts, and also screws. With a good-sized 4.25-inch jaw, they will have no problem gripping 2-inch round pipes. They are also very easy to adjust with eight adjustable jaw settings
With its high-carbon C1080 solid steel construction which is specially coated for ultimate rust prevention, they are built to last. They have strong right angle laser heat-treated teeth that clamp down and grips in all directions for maximum bite and can resist minimum wear and tear. The patented undercut tongue and groove design ensure that the jaws will never slip.
The patented reinforcing edges minimize any stress breakage, and a patented PermaLock fastener eliminates any nut and bolt failures, all of which guarantees superior performance for a wide range of tasks.
If you have demanding jobs to do, the pliers have CHANNELLOCK’s unique bright blue plastic grips which feature a new design and also have a high level of comfortability, which allows you to get a strong grip when you need extra leverage. Channellock also offers 240mm tongue-and-groove pliers, and their pliers are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
They may be a little stiff to adjust on some levels so try lubricating it with some oil.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Made in the US
- High-carbon C1080 solid steel construction
- High rust prevention
- Superior gripping performance
- 4.25-inch jaws can grip 2-inch round pipes
- Eight adjustment levels
- Right angle, laser heat-treated teeth can grip better and last longer
- Undercut tongue & groove design won’t slip
- PermaLock fastener eliminates nut and bolt failure
- Patented reinforcing edge minimizes stress breakage
- Well balanced design
- Improved design CHANNELLOCK BLUE comfort grips
- Bright blue handles
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not recommended for dielectric properties
- Can be hard to adjust on some levels
- Heavy
4. Channellock 369 9.5-Inch Lineman’s Pliers
Once more Channellock delivers the goods with a high-quality and well-built set of linesman pliers. Designed with working professionals in mind, the Channellock 369 9.5-Inch Lineman’s Pliers are a must-have tool for any toolbox. Experience the CHANNELLOCK difference with these top-quality US-made linesman pliers.
They come at an affordable price and they are the perfect tool for any electrical work around your home like gripping, splicing, or cutting a wide range of wires like piano wire, hardwire, medium hard wire, and soft wire and also stripping insulation. These legendary round-nose pliers are constructed from solid high-carbon C1080 steel and the Permalock® fastener eliminates any nut and bolt failure.
So you can expect an unsurpassed work performance from these sturdy pliers.
The Channellock Linesman pliers are an excellent choice for any DIY renovation or maintenance work as the revolutionary Xtreme Leverage Technology (XLT), positions the rivet closer to the pliers cutting edge so less force is required to cut down on materials than other high-leverage pliers designs.
The combination of XLT and Chanellock’s unique precision-machined knife and anvil style right-angled laser heat-treated cutting edge ensures a perfect mating and alignment, and the crosshatch pattern on the jaws can grip any type of surface and also guarantees a superior cutting edge life. If you have heavy-duty tasks to do, the blue handles are comfortable to hold and grip. Also, the bright blue color will be easy to spot in your toolbox and around your workspace.
Pros
- Superior gripping and cutting performance
- Solid high-carbon C1080 steel
- Made in the US
- Permalock® fastener eliminates any nut and bolt failure
- Unique crosshatch pattern on the jaws can grip any surface
- Cuts hardwire, medium hard wire, and also soft wire or stripping insulation or piano wire
- Special knife and anvil style cutting edge
- High durability
- Laser heat-treated cutting edges last longer
- Constructed of high-carbon C1080 steel
- Comfortable bright blue handle
Cons
- Heavy to hold
5. Klein Tools High Leverage Pliers
One of the secrets to being able to complete any sort of electrical repair work at home is to have the perfect tool for the job, and the Klein Tools High Leverage Pliers is the perfect tool. It has the gripping and cutting power for all types of heavy-duty, demanding jobs like cutting larger groups of wires, twisting wires together for good connections, and also crimping.
Klein Tools are made to withstand even the toughest working conditions and their superior design makes Klein’s pliers some of the best-selling hand tools in the market.
Klein Tools’ high-leverage design ensures 46% greater cutting and gripping power than other pliers’ designs. With a precision-hardened pliers’ New England nose type head for on-the-job toughness, you can use them knowing that they will have a smooth action and the handle will not wobble even under challenging work situations.
They are made from custom, US-made tool steel that has undergone Klein Tools special induction hardening treatment, which means that the cutting edge has extra durability and the cross-hatched knurled sure-gripping jaws will tightly grip onto any type of surface.
As well as high work performance, the Klein Tools side-cutting pliers have bright blue plastic-dipped ”Handform” handles which give you a comfortable but firm hold so that you can grip them and use them with ease. Also, the 9-inch length is long enough to enable you to squeeze the handles without hurting your fingers. The handle’s tempering helps to absorb the ”snap” when cutting through a wire. The Klein Tools pliers are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Top-quality side-cutting pliers
- High leverage provides 46% greater cutting and gripping power
- Smooth action
- Streamlined design
- Sturdy and also strong
- Made from custom US-made steel
- Special induction hardening treatment
- Ideal for tough working conditions
- Durable and also reliable 9-inch side-cutting pliers
- New England nose type design
- Plastic-dipped bright blue handles
- Easy gripping, comfortable handles
- High leverage
Cons
- Expensive
6. KNIPEX Tools – Needle Nose Pliers
If you need to pick up and grip small items in hard to reach places, the KNIPEX Tools – Needle Nose Pliers is an excellent tool to have in your toolbox and in your car or boat. You never know when you will need it.
Europe’s leading manufacturer of hand tools, KNIPEX Tools, the Pliers Company specializes in the development and production of high-quality pliers. Their needle-nose pliers are quality-engineered and manufactured in Germany, which means these high precision pliers are the perfect tool for detailed assembly work making jewelry and costumes.
With an angled-nose design and long smooth but strong gripping jaws of 55 mm, they are specially designed for working in confined areas, and they can easily reach into places where others cannot so they are a great choice for specialty work like mechanical work, renovations or woodworking hobby projects.
They are made from high-grade special mirror-polished steel, which is forged and oil-hardened for excellent wear and rust resistance, so they are the perfect fit for heavy-duty work conditions.
For easy gripping and that much-needed leverage for more challenging tasks, the plastic-coated multi-component handles are comfortable to hold. The low-friction double spring allows for gentle and even opening, and the bright red color will stand out in your toolbox and makes it easy to locate if you misplace them while you are working. KNIPEX Tools offers a limited lifetime warranty on all their tools.
Pros
- Excellent German craftsmanship
- Great value for money
- Specially designed for working in confined areas
- Precision pliers for very exact assembly, bending and adjusting work
- Made from high-grade forged and oil-hardened steel
- Excellent wear and rust-resistant
- Long, smooth jaws
- Strong angled jaw
- Low-friction double spring allows for gentle and even opening
- Easy gripping bright red plastic-coated handles
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for gripping large items
- Grind on the tops is not even
- Thin metal on the jaws
7. Crescent X2 Straight Long Nose Dual Material Pliers
With an extra-long reach, Crescent X2 Straight Long Nose Dual Material Pliers are an excellent choice for accessing and gripping objects above your head or when you have to work in tight spaces. So whether you are completing some construction work on your new house, doing some renovation work, or have some plumbing chores to do, the Crescent long reach pliers will help you get your jobs done quickly and also efficiently.
The Crescent pliers contain a compound double joint that gives a lot of flexibility and allows you to access all areas with minimal handle movement. For easy gripping power, the jaws can open up more than the handle which means you can have an extended wide reach where other pliers cannot go.
Crescent has made these sturdy well-designed pliers out of corrosion-resistant alloy steel so they are ideal for outdoor working applications. The flush rivets give them extra locking strength and the tips are ground with milled grooves, which allows you to grip fasteners and other small objects tightly.
The dual material grips are designed for improved comfort and performance and their red and blue color will be easy to locate in your toolbox and around your work site. The Crescent long reach pliers are covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- High-quality design and performance
- Very good value for money
- Ideal for construction, renovation work, or plumbing
- Perfect long-reach for hard to reach areas
- Flexible compound action joint for increased access in tight spaces
- Made from strong and sturdy corrosion-resistant alloy steel
- Ideal for outdoor work applications
- Flush rivets for strength and thinner profile
- Tips have ground milled grooves for secure gripping power
- Easy to see bright red and blue handles
- Dual material grips designed for improved comfort and performance
- Very good customer service
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Joints can be very stiff to open
Our Top Pick for the Best Pliers
Our top pick for the best pliers is the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers. For all types of renovations, maintenance, or mechanical work that needs to be done around your home or on the job site, the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers are the perfect everyday tool for the homefront.
Built with professional tradesmen in mind, these excellent pliers are strong and sturdy and have a vice-like grip so you can rely on them to deliver a top-quality working performance. They also come at a very affordable price. If you want the right tool for every job, invest in the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers.
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