8 Best Wire Cutters

BEST STRIPPER AND CUTTER

Heavy Duty Automatic Wire Stripper

KLEIN TOOLS

Spring-loaded operation
Sturdy grips

Not ideal for those who won’t be stripping wires
Somewhat expensive

Key Specs

Max Cutting Capacity: 8 AWG
Size: 6.6 inches

If you’re serious about electrical work, this Klein Tools cutter and its convenient stripping mechanism could be just what you’re looking for. Its fitted teeth and clearly labeled holes allow you to strip a wide range of wiring sizes by simply squeezing the handles together. It can cut wires from 8 to 22 AWG, and is coated with a protective finish to prevent damage from corrosion or rust.

Although this model is extremely useful, it might be too complex and unnecessary for the casual user who’s just going to cut the occasional wire.

BEST FOR HEAVY-DUTY CUTTING

Heavy Duty Cable Cutter

KLEIN TOOLS

Impressive cutting power
Shear-type jaws
Easy to use one-handed

Not ideal for precision cutting
Somewhat expensive

Key Specs

Max Cutting Capacity: 4/0 aluminum, 2/0 soft copper, 100-pair 24 AWG communications cable
Size: 13 inches

Even though they aren’t technically “wire” cutters, we wanted to add these Klein Tools cutters for anyone who wants maximum cutting power in a relatively compact tool. These extra heavy-duty cutters use their forged steel jaws to shear through wire and cable, and their hooked jaw shape makes it easy to prevent whatever you’re working on from slipping out.

Despite their powerful cutting capacity and ability to generate a ton of leverage, these cutters are compact in size, and at 13 inches long, are still easy to store in your toolbox or backpack. They’re also available in an insulated version.

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