The 10 Best Crimpers
This wiki has been updated 29 times since it was first published in October of 2015. Whether you're a construction electrician, industrial electrician, network technician, HVAC installer or plumber, you can bet that your job requires the use of some form of crimper or wire cutter. We've included some of the top options on the market for each respective trade. Just remember, these are specialty tools, so make sure the one you're ordering is the same one you need. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Greenlee Microtool EK50ML13811
2. Milwaukee Short Throw 2674-22C
3. Greenlee K09 Syncro
Editor's Notes
October 15, 2020:
It was a busy round of updates that saw the majority of our previous picks either switched out or simply eliminated. While the Engineer Pad-11 was replaced by the Engineer Pad-02 – a kit that combines the tool with a set of dies and a solid carrying case – the Knipex Lineman — which, although it does have some crimping abilities, we felt would be a better fit for our list of Best Linesman Pliers – was replaced by the Knipex 9772180, which we thought made more sense for this category. The Coolerguys HT-225D, Signstek AWG23-10 and Iwiss Hexagonal were all removed due to concerns with either their build quality or limiting designs, and the Channellock 909 was phased out in order to make room for our new additions, recognizing that our list already included similar, but superior, options.
This category was particularly difficult to rank because it’s so expansive. It seems as if every other major trade has some form of crimper they depend on. Without narrowing the definition for this category – and indeed, we already maintain specialized pages for hydraulic cable crimpers and A/C hose crimpers – it was impossible to publish a list that would be entirely useful to all of our users. We did, however, endeavor to put together a mixed list that features some of the best from several categories, but we decided to draw the line at hair crimpers.
Our new additions include the Knipex 9772180 and the Greenlee Microtool EK50ML13811 — both great picks for construction electricians, with the former being a useful hand tool and the latter a top-of-the-line battery-powered selection; the Greenlee K09 Syncro — an appealing option for industrial electricians, as it can handle conductors as large as 250 kcmil; the Milwaukee Short Throw 2674-22C — a slick addition the company’s 18-volt lithium ion collection that plumbers working with PEX are sure to appreciate, which can perform more than 250 crimps on a single charge, and comes with 1/2-, 3/4- and one-inch jaws; and the Klein Tools 86520 — a mainstay for many HVAC installers who frequently work with rigid ductwork. The Klein Tools All-in-One, one of our surviving selections from our last round of updates, is a good choice for network technicians who are running voice and data lines.
May 15, 2019:
The Thomas & Betts TBM45S is coveted by professionals for it's lifetime durability, excellent leverage and ease of the rotating die wheel that makes adjustments quick and easy. The price might be cost prohibitive for those who won't use it everyday, but it still deserves the top spot.
The Titan Tools 11950 is still a solid choice for those who want some versatility in crimper because it's 6 quick-change jaws aren't quite as convenient as the rotating die wheel, but still fairly easy to use.
We chose to include the budget-friendly Channellock 909 and the Irwin Tools Vise-Grip even though they are not professional level for users who need them for the most basic wiring tasks.
4. Thomas & Betts TBM45S
5. Titan Tools 11950
6. Knipex 9772180
7. Engineer Pad-02
8. Klein Tools 86520
9. Klein Tools All-in-One
10. Irwin Tools Vise-Grip
After deciding that the pen was mightier than the pliers, Canadian electrical contractor William Rhoda abandoned his career and headed back to college, where he majored in marketing and advertising and won a scholarship along the way to earning a diploma in creative communications. His past career landed him a depth of knowledge in tools and hardware, while his current career schooled him in audio, video and camera equipment. During his leisure time, he’s learned lots about outdoor gear, and years of tiresome backyard maintenance have taught him all about pools and hot tubs. His recreational pursuits include rest, relaxation and revolutionary action, and his roommate’s a hairless cat.