The 10 Best Wire Stretchers

The Dutton-Lainson 400 (around $43) is a sturdy tool that gets the job done without putting too much strain on your wallet. It grips reliably on barbed, smooth, and high-tensile fences, and it holds tension well so that you can make splices and repairs.

The Maasdam Pow'r Pull (around $30) is a type of hand-operated winch called a come along, and when paired with wire grippers, it's a formidable fence-building weapon. It has a 1-ton capacity, a non-slip plastic grip, and a robust aluminum-alloy ratchet.

Whether you're building from the ground up or making some repairs, the Ranchmate PWS (appx. $55) is a versatile tool, with a single clamp that allows you to pull strands by bracing against a post. It also has a crow's foot for pulling staples and a wrench for tightening strainers.

With a name like The Original Texas Fence Fixer (around $90), this model sounds like it would be tough on slack, and it is. It works with a variety of materials, and its progress-capture chain frees up your hands when you're working alone.

The AgKNX Fence (around $61) features a traditional ratcheting design with clamps at both ends, and it's a good choice for basic splicing and repair duties. Its lever has a molded rubber handle that makes it easy to crank up the force, even when wearing gloves.

For precision and consistency, consider the Gripple Torq (around $75), which features an integrated tension gauge so that you can match the tightness of each strand. It’s lightweight, easily portable, and compact enough to carry on a work belt.

Harnessing a system of rope and pulleys, the RanchEx 102573 (around $41) can pull across a greater distance than traditional handheld models. It's easy to use with multiple gauges, and most of its parts are replaceable, so you don’t need to worry if one breaks.

The Dutton-Lainson 415 (about $64) has three clamps, which allows you to pull through long stretches without needing to reset and start over. It’s especially useful when hooked around posts, which can cut into the range of two-hook models.

The Wire Tight Crimping Tool (about $60) has no clamps or hooks, instead adding tension by creating kinks in a zigzag pattern. It’s less than a foot and a half long and weighs only three pounds, and it removes up to 6 inches of slack with each bite.

The Fi-shock A-53 (about $45) can hold tension at both ends while you splice in the middle, or it can hook around a post for tightening. Its ratchet action is simple and reliable, and its metal construction is designed to take a beating.