Best Pliers

Our editors independently research the best products online to produce this list. We may receive commission on purchases made from the links below but this will never affect our product choices.

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There are many different hand tools we can kit out our toolboxes and workstations with. Perhaps one of the most invaluable is a pair of pliers. They are handy for many tasks, such as removing nails, tightening bolts, and general gripping jobs. Even if you aren’t a DIY specialist or don’t often use tools, it is wise to own a pair, just in case. If you still don’t have them in your DIY arsenal, don’t worry – we have selected seven fantastic options for you below.

How We Compared Pliers

To find the right pliers, we considered multiple factors, including:

• Set Contents
• Ergonomics
• Durability
• Storage

Our team planned comparison points and specifically looked for products that would cater to all kinds of needs. We spent countless hours researching, consulting customer reviews and comparing features to come up with this list.

Pliers Reviews

Bosch Professional 1600A016BG (Editor’s Choice)

The durable construction, versatile set of tools, and comfortable handles of these pliers make them a brilliant well-rounded choice. Whether you want a simple set for home use, or something more robust for work, these items are perfect.

The Bosch Professional 1600A016BG Pliers include high-strength Chromium-Vanadium steel metal parts, which make them highly durable. This is aided by specially hardened cutting edges. We love the optimised lever effect, too, which means you should be able to use the tools using 30% less force compared to other devices.

Each set of pliers has a rubber-coated grip and chunky, curved handles for safe handling. As a result, you should never slip and can easily apply force. You get 180mm combination pliers, 200mm needle-nose, and 160mm diagonal pliers within the set.

Klein Tools 80020 (Luxury Choice)

If you prefer long-handled tools, the extended design of these models is perfect. These elongated handles should give you a superb grip and easily allow you to apply the force needed. This is complemented by the anti-slip surfaces on each device.

The Klein Tools 80020 Pliers include 8-inch diagonal cutting, 9-inch New England nose, and  8-inch long nose designs for various tasks. They are constructed from special hard-wearing alloy steel that should provide fantastic durability. Additionally, the jaws have bevelled edges which helps improve the grip and allows you to cut closer.

We like the high-leverage mechanism too of each item. As a result, you have more gripping power and force without exerting as much physical pressure. This can help reduce strain and potential injuries on your hands. The cutting edges and jaws have also been induction hardened, further improving their durability.

INGCO High Leverage (Best Value)

If you have an organised DIY workstation and don’t simply want your tools thrown into a toolbox, the hanging loops on the handles of these pliers allow for excellent storage. There is a loop on the inside of each handle so you can hang them from a board, for example.

The INGCO High Leverage Pliers have heat treatment to improve the CR-V steel’s hardness, longevity, and durability. Additionally, the cutting edges are twice treated, which results in a tougher material that will withstand more pressure and use.

We love the ergonomic TPR handles, which are both non-slip and wear-resistant. The indents in the material should give you an incredibly firm grip. Moreover, the clamping mechanism is designed in such a way that you can still open the pliers one-handed. Within the set, you get 8-inch combination pliers, 7-inch diagonal cutters, and 6-inch long-nose pliers.

MAXPOWER Water Pump (Best for Sturdiness)

The highly adjustable design of these water pump pliers is ideal for on-the-go fixes and makes them an excellent set for cyclists who need to make fast changes. All you have to do is move the position of the upper jaw to the desired width. After this, press the locking butting to secure the clamp and allow you to use the tool.

The MAXPOWER Water Pump Pliers include three sizes – 7-inch, 10-inch, and 16-inch. This should give you enough variety and adjustability to tighten a range of bolts and fixtures, including bike wheels.

The items are made from CR-V steel which is highly durable and long-lasting. The handles also have a rubber casing to give you a comfortable hold and improve your grip. We like that the jaws are all-purpose, too and can be used on round, flat, square, and hex shapes. To enhance their effectiveness, they have also been hardened to HRC50–58 standards for extra durability and security.

Draper Redline 68001 (Best for Ergonomics)

The handles of these pliers offer fantastic usability, comfort, and stability. Although they are heavy-duty, the curved edges mean that they fit snuggly in your hands. Additionally, the two-tone material has a soft-grip surface and slip guards, which improves your safety.

The Draper Redline 68001 Pliers set includes three items – needle-nose pliers, side cutters, and combination pliers. This should give you enough versatility for various DIY and plumbing tasks around your home.

The products are made from hardened and tempered carbon steel for superior durability and strength. Moreover, the jaws and cutting edges have been induction hardened, so they should not wear as fast while maintaining sharpness.

Acejoz Jewelry (Best for Jewellers)

If you want to get into jewellery making, this extensive 6-piece kit is a brilliant place to start. You get all the tools you need to effectively mould, bend, and cut metal used to fashion things like necklaces, pendants, and rings. Moreover, the items are presented neatly in a carry case to keep your workstation organised.

The Acejoz Jewelry Pliers are built with high-quality carbon steel that has been hardened and tempered. Furthermore, the cutting edges and jaws are sharpened, rustproof, and offer excellent functionality for metal work. Not only that, but each item is durable and has fantastic longevity.

Within the set, you get needle-nose pliers, curved-nose, side cutters, end cutters, crimp connectors, and chain pliers. Additionally, each item has a colour-coded handle so you can quickly identify the different tools. For comfortable work, the handles have a soft-grip surface, are ergonomically shaped, and come with protective sleeves.

WORKPRO 4-Piece (Best for Versatility)

This package is excellent if you want a simple set of pliers to keep in your car or for occasional DIY work. You get four items – water nose pliers, long-nose, combination, and a side cutter. Essentially this is everything you need for a wide variety of basic tasks.

The WORKPRO 4-Piece Pliers Set offers excellent quality and durability. For example, the metal parts are made from drop-forged high-carbon steel. They also have heat treatment, which helps improve longevity and corrosion resistance.

We like the ergonomic handles as they have a soft-grip finish and an anti-slip guard to protect your fingers and give you a firm hold. Additionally, the way the mechanism is built means you get improved leverage when clasping and require minimum force to clamp effectively.

How to Choose Pliers

As you can see, there is a wide range of pliers available for various industries and uses. Due to this choice, it can be tricky to know which models are suitable. We know this and have created a short buying guide below. This includes the main considerations to make when selecting pliers.

Set Contents

In most instances, you buy a set of pliers containing different types. Therefore, think about what you want to use them for, and you should be able to get a package that matches your needs.

Examples include combination pliers, needle-nose, side cutters, and long noses. They are all incredibly useful, but some are better suited to particular tasks than others.

Ergonomics

As these tools are used for pressurised work where you need a solid grip to apply force, ergonomics and comfort are highly important. You don’t want a pair of pliers that hurt your hands or require too much strain to operate effectively.

Look at the design and materials of the handles – ideally, they should have some sort of soft-grip coating. Additionally, is there any mechanism that helps reduce the required grip force? Features like these can significantly help improve the usability of pliers.

Durability

You also want a set of pliers that will last for more than a few tasks. As a result, look at the expected durability. Key indicators of their longevity include the materials, the handles, the blades, and the mechanism used.

The gripping parts should ideally be constructed from a durable metal such as steel. Additionally, heat treatment or specially hardened blade edges can help improve the longevity and usefulness of these devices.

Storage

Lastly, how easy are these items to store? You might place them in a toolbox or workbench drawer in most instances. However, it is still wise to check their dimensions so that you know they will fit. Additionally, some models include storage cases or material binders, which allow you to transport them easily.

Summary

Our top pick is the Bosch Professional 1600A016BG Pliers due to their versatility, build quality and ergonomic design. Within this fantastic set, you get combination pliers, needle-nose, and a side cutter so you can tackle a range of tasks. Each item has a durable but comfortable set of handles with a soft-grip rubber coating. Additionally, they are incredibly robust due to the high-strength chromium-vanadium steel construction and hardened cutting edges. When using these devices, you should require approximately 30% less force to get the right leverage.