Size of the tool: Since wire strippers are less frequently used as compared to other tools, they should not take much space in your toolkit. Hence, it’s important that you pick the right size. The 7-inch or 8-inch wire strippers are good enough as they are handy enough and can be easily carried as well. Supported AWG: While working as an electrician professionally, you can’t actually tell what kind of wire you will be dealing with next, so it’s better to be prepared beforehand. Make sure to choose a wire stripper that’s compatible to strip wires of all sorts of thickness or gauge. While smaller numbers like 6-8 AWG wires are thick, bigger numbers like 22-24 AWG wires are comparatively thin. Build Quality: Build quality is one of the most crucial things to check whenever you buy a new tool for your work. That being said, always go for the tools which are made from high-quality materials, as well as don’t forget to check for the warranty also.
By checking these few things, you can definitely pick a good wire stripper for yourself from the list. However, there are a few more aspects that you can check out, if you want to know and read more about them, consider checking out the “Buying Guide” which is given below in this article. Until then, let’s take a look at the list and help you find a suitable wire stripper.
Best Wire Strippers 2023
Best Wire Strippers Reviews
1. IRWIN Vise-Grip Wire Stripping Tool
Best RJ45 Crimpers
To start off this list, we have to introduce you to one of the top-tier tool brands in the market, Irwin is highly specialized in making high-quality tools of all kinds, that too in all price ranges. That being said, if you are looking for a budget-friendly wire stripping tool to add in your collection, the IRWIN Vise-Grip Wire Stripping Tool is one of the best options to pick. Since the size of the tool is just about 8 inches, it’s pretty easy to handle and carry as well. The handle of the tool is quite stiff and provides a good grip as well. Speaking of the grip, it also features a plier style nose that will help you to pull out the insulation, and loop wires easily. The tool boasts a wire cutter, which has an induction hardened cutting edge, hence, the life of this tool is quite long. Moreover, you can even use this tool to crimp insulated and non-insulated terminals very easily. Coming over to the main feature, it is compatible to cut and strip all wires of 10-22 AWG which makes it one of the most useful tools that everyone should have. Moreover, the tool is very handy as it’s only 7 inches long, and very easy to carry. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 10-22 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Has a screw/bolt cutter Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Easy to use Affordable pricing Cuts with precision
Cons:
Doesn’t include any spring mechanism
2. IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper
As we said earlier, Irwin is one of the most well-known brands in the industry, we have yet another wire stripper to discuss from this brand which all the professionals will definitely like to have in their kit. Unlike the previous option, this wire stripper is a bit pricey since it’s self-adjusting and offers a lot of convenience to the users, so paying a little extra for this tool is definitely worth it. As compared to regular wire strippers, you don’t have to manually select the gauge size and cut the wire, all you need to do is place the wire, and it’ll automatically adjust itself. That being said, it can strip all wires of 10-24 AWG thickness, and can easily help you crimp 7-9mm ignition terminals on 10-22 AWG wires. Moreover, it also comes with an adjustable stopper that lets you strip off wire insulations of desired lengths very precisely. Apart from that, you won’t have to worry about the build quality, as tools from Irwin are extremely good at it, and the brand even offers a lifelong warranty as well. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 10-24 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Self-adjusting mechanism Has an adjustable stopper for controlling the cutting length High build quality
Cons:
Can’t cut screws/bolts
3. DOWELL 10-22 AWG Wire Stripper Cutter Wire
Next up, we have a pretty good option from Dowell, which is one of the most budget-friendly yet reliable tool brands available in the market right now. This wire stripper from Dowell costs way less than most other options on this list, yet it doesn’t feel cheap as the build quality is quite impressive. The tool comes in with a really high-quality handle, made from PP+TPR material which is ergonomically designed to give your hands a nice and comfortable grip. In fact, the material is good enough to provide you grip even if your hands are wet or oily. Using this wire stripper is quite simple as all you have to do is put the wire into the right section, and squeeze the handle to make a gentle cut into the insulation. Thereafter, you can simply pull out the cutting using the plier-style nose. With precisely cut sections, this wire stripper can deal with any kind of wire having 10-22 AWG thickness. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 7 inches Compatible with 10-22 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Has a plier style nose The handle is made of PP+TPR material
Pros:
Budget-friendly pricing One-hand motion Compact and handy
Cons:
No mention about the warranty
4. WGGE WG-015 Professional crimping tool
In case you are low on budget, you can also check out the wide range of options offered by WGGE as it’s one of the best-rated brands out there that sell multi-function hand tools. Speaking of this wire stripper from WGGE, it comes with a quite attractive red color handle that is made from rubber and gives a really good grip to the user. Meanwhile, the ergonomic shape of the handle ensures you feel no hand fatigue. As far as its performance is concerned, this tool is fit to deal with any wires of 10-22 AWG. With precision cutting edges, and crimping sections, the WGGE WG-015 Professional wire stripper can cut, strip, or even help you in crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals. Moreover, thanks to the strong-gripping serrated nose, bending, shaping, or pulling the wires becomes a lot easier, even for beginners. On the other hand, despite being an affordable product, WGGE also offers a lifetime warranty for this tool. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 10-22 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Has a strong-gripping serrated nose Comes with a screw/bolt cutter Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Low pricing Ergonomic handle Built from alloy steel
Cons:
The handle is a bit stiff
5. Klein Tools 11063W Wire Cutter
Klein Tools is typically one of the most famous brands in the market, as it’s providing the community with its top-quality multi-functional tools for a long time now. You can blindly trust the build quality of all tools offered by this brand as there are barely any other competitors that match its standards. This tool is preferred by most professionals out there as Klein Tools 11063W Katapult is a self-adjusting tool, and is quite simple to use. With its uniquely engineered design, there’s no need to pull off the insulation, it provides you with a stripped wire end measuring 1-Inch (25 mm) in length accurately on its own. This tool is capable of stripping 8-20 AWG solid and 10-22 AWG stranded wires effortlessly. The reason why it’s so easy to use is that it simply grips the wire and strips off the insulation via a single-action squeezing motion. At the center of the tool, a precision wire cutter is also given which can fit wires up to 10 AWG. Moreover, Klein Tools also offers a lifetime warranty for this tool. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 8-20 AWG solid and 10-22 AWG stranded wires Has a screw/bolt cutter Has a tension loaded wire-grip Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Convenient and easy to use Fast operation Strips/cuts the wire very precisely
Cons:
The screw/bolt cutter is not present
6. MulWark Wire Stripping Tool
Since there are so many good brands available in the market, one of them is MulWark which comes among the top-rated ones and is highly popular among professional workers. This wire stripper from MulWark is mainly popular for its solid and robust build quality as it is built very well, and comes with a very tough and grippy handle. As compared to the competition, this tool boasts a handle made of rubber and is crafted ergonomically to provide the best grip to your hands. The tool is quite good for wire stripping as it’s compatible with 8-20 AWG solid wires and 10-22 AWG stranded wires and cuts very precisely. Apart from stripping, this tool also features a heavy-duty screw and bolt cutter that can shear 6-32, 8-32, 10-32, 4-40, 10-24, and 5-40 gauge copper screws, and also all 10-22 AWG bolts as well. Moreover, you can also use this tool in other applications such as crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 8-20 AWG solid and 10-22 AWG stranded wires Crimps both insulated and non-insulated terminals In-built screw/bolt cutter Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Multi-functional Handle made of rubber material Ergonomic design
Cons:
Doesn’t have a spring mechanism
7. Capri Tools 20010 Precision Wire Stripper
Capri Tools being one of the most well-known and customer-friendly brands out there brings you this highly advanced and easy-to-use wire stripping tool that totally deserves your attention as well as space in your tool kit. The best part about this wire stripper that we feel is that it is highly precise and strips wires very easily making a clean cut. It’s possible due to the presence of a recoiling spring design, and tension-loaded wire grip that helps this tool to finish its job neatly with precision. Speaking of its compatibility, you can use this tool to strip wires from 8-22 AWG effortlessly. If we talk about the build quality, the entire tool is made with cast alloy chassis and comes with a rubber handle which is quite solid and offers decent grip as well. Although the design is self-adjusting, and you won’t face any difficulties using this tool, there’s one little downside to it. The tool is exceptionally good at stripping, but can’t cut wires, bolts, screws, etc. Keeping that aside, Capri offers a 10-year warranty for the tool which accounts for its long life and reliability. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 8-22 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Cast alloy chassis Comes with a 10-year warranty
Pros:
High build quality Precisely machined stripping holes Fast compound wire stripping action
Cons:
Lacks wire cutter, screw/bolt cutters
8. Mr. Pen- Wire Stripper
Coming up next, we have yet another low-price wire stripper option available for you to check out which comes from Mr. Pen, another popular brand that sells useful tools for highly affordable prices. Looking at the design of the tool, it comes with an ergonomic handle made of rubber which is quite promising and offers you nice control over the tool. The overall tool is quite rigid, thanks to the alloy steel construction. With that said, the tool precisely strips off wires ranging from 10-22 AWG and even has a highly grippy plier nose that helps to pull off the insulation. Moreover, at the pivot of the tool, you get 6-32, 8-32, 10-32, 4-40, 10-24, and 5-40 screw cutters which can come in handy for most people. In fact, you can also use this tool for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals on wires. The overall size of the tool is about 8 inches, hence, it can easily fit in anyone’s pockets. In addition, Mr. Pen also offers a lifetime warranty for this tool despite being so low in pricing already. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 10-22 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Has a screw/bolt cutter Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Handle grips are soft Induction Hardened Cutting Edge design Budget-friendly pricing
Cons:
Feels heavy
9. KNIPEX Wire Stripper
For those of you who want to pick a tool that’s multi-functional, and comes with a premium build quality, Knipex Tools is one such brand that offers you exactly that. However, when premium build quality is what you seek, you have to be ready to pay a premium price for that as well. That being said, this KNIPEX Tools 13 72 8 Forged Wire Stripper is significantly one of the most expensive tools on this list. Starting with its features, it’s quite compact, measuring about only 8 inches in length, it can fit in any toolkit very easily. At the top, it boasts a plier followed by the wire stripping section. Coming down, it also has a wire cutter and crimping section followed by two screw cutters compatible to cut 8-32 and 6-32 screws. The tool is highly useful and versatile as it can strip both solid and stranded wires of 10-20 AWG without any hassle. Apart from that, Knipex also offers a lifetime warranty on all of its tools, so you can be sure about the product’s durability. Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with both solid and stranded 10-20 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Has a screw/bolt cutter Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Brilliant design Multifunctional Premium quality
Cons:
Limited screw cutting options
10. KAIWEETS Automatic Wire Stripper
The next product on our list is from a brand called KAIWEET which is known for providing high-quality products at affordable price range. Their self-adjusting wire stripper can perform three functionalities that include wire cutting, stripping and crimp non-insulated and non-insulated terminals. You can use it for cutting copper, aluminum, sheathed core wires and cables. This package includes 1 wire stripper and 260 terminals. These wire strippers come with good rubber insulation function for preventing electric shock. Best Features
Self-adjusting Ideal for crimping insulated and non-insulated terminals 3 in 1 functionality Rubber insulation
Pros:
Affordably priced Comfortable to hold Excellent construction
Cons:
No clear instructions
Buy Now From Kaiweets
11. ZUZUAN Wire Stripping Tool
Coming over to the last wire stripper option on this list, Zuzuan sells not just one, but two wire strippers in this package, that too for quite an attractive pricing. Hence, if you are looking to buy a pair, you can have a look at this option. This deal is amazing because, at the price of one wire stripper, you get two. So, it’s a viable option to pick for those who want to keep one wire stripper in their tool kit, and the spare one at home for use in emergencies. Speaking of the tool, the wire stripper boasts a high-quality spring that makes it a lot easier for you to reopen the blades after you remove the insulation off. As far as you want to know about its compatibility, this wire stripper tool can easily strip 10-22 AWG wires, and you can easily pull off the wire or loop them using the handy plier style nose of the tool. In addition, the handle on this tool is quite hefty as it’s made of PVC rubber. Hence, it’s both durable and comfortable to hold as well. Moreover, the brand also offers an 18-month long warranty for this tool which is great! Best Features:
The size of the tool is 8 inches Compatible with 10-22 AWG wires Ideal for crimping both insulated and non-insulated terminals Has a screw/bolt cutter Comes with a lifetime warranty
Pros:
Comfortable and grippy handle Handy and compact Has a locking mechanism also
Cons:
Can’t cut bolts or screws
Buying Guide for the Best Wire Stripper
In case your toolkit lacks a wire stripper, it’s high time you get one for yourself as we have mentioned so many good options in the list above. If you have prior knowledge of tools, it’s going to be a lot easier for you to pick the best one from the list as we have already discussed all the important facts and information. However, if you are a beginner and don’t know much about tools, and still want to purchase a new wire stripper from the market, this buying guide will help you out. In this buying guide, we will be discussing all the important facts that should be considered before picking a wire stripper and picking the best option. So, let’s begin!
Size of the Wire Stripper
In the market, there are all sorts of wire stripper tools available, in variable sizes. However, both the smaller ones and larger ones are not viable options to pick. While the smaller ones are difficult to use, the larger ones are usually difficult to carry. With that said, you should look for a right-sized tool such as 7 inches or 8 inches. That is why we have only picked up the options from the market which have a 7-8 inches size as they are comfortable to hold, and can easily fit in anyone’s pocket or toolkit.
Supported AWG
When buying a new wire stripper, don’t forget to check its compatibility. The thickness of wires is usually measured in terms of AWG, which stands for American Wire Gauge. As the AWG number increases, the thickness of the wire decreases. That being said, 8-10 AWG wires are usually thicker, and 20-22 AWG wires are relatively thinner. So, you should pick a wire stripper that is designed to work and cut wires of all sizes and thicknesses. If you look at the options mentioned in the list above, most of the tools are highly versatile and support 10-22 AWG wires. In fact, there are a few good options that even work with 8 and 24 AWG wires as well.
Wire Cutter
While most wire strippers are mainly used to take off the insulation from the wire, there can be times when you might need to cut the wire and remove the damaged part. With that said, having a wire cutter in the tool is quite convenient. Although if you carry a complete tool kit, you might have other tools that can help you with the cutting part. But, having a wire cutter in-built in the wire stripper is always more convenient as you can directly strip/cut wires without changing the tools.
Screw/Bolt Cutter
Just like the wire cutter is a good extension to have on a wire stripper, having a screw/bolt cutter is yet another good add-on. However, you have to be a little picky with this feature as not all wire strippers come with a screw cutter. Hence, if you are looking for a multi-functional tool, having a screw/bolt cutter is a must!
Wire Crimper
In case your work schedule includes joining or replacing the wire terminals, you don’t actually have to buy a wire crimping tool separately. We have already included a bunch of good wire stripper tools in the list that have a wire crimping tool built-in. Meanwhile, make sure to confirm that the crimping tool is compatible with both insulated and non-insulated terminals.
Build Quality
One of the most important factors to consider while buying a new tool is its build quality to ensure longevity. For that, you can check the materials of which the tool is made. In the case of wire stripping tools, usually, the ones made of alloy steel have a strong and durable build quality. Moreover, you can also consider checking the quality of the tool’s handle. Hence, make sure the handle has an ergonomic design and is made of comfortable and grippy material such as rubber.
1. Are self-adjusting wire strippers a better option to choose?
Ans. If we compare the manual wire strippers with the self-adjusting ones, surely the self-adjusting ones are much better and do a much cleaner cutting job. But, at the same time, they are usually more expensive and are only ideal for professionals who need to strip wires frequently. If you are buying a wire stripper for casual use, we would still recommend you a regular one as they are simple to use, and are affordable as well. 2. Can we use Wire Strippers to remove outer insulation off of flat wires? Ans. Yes, wire strippers can also be used to strip flat wires such as Romex cables. But, doing that with a regular-design wire stripper isn’t possible. To deal with such wires, you will have to purchase a self-adjusting wire stripper specifically. 3. Can Wire Strippers be used to crimp? Ans. That depends on the wire stripper tool you have! If your wire stripper tool has a crimping tool built-in, then it’s completely possible to use it for crimping terminals on wires. However, if you don’t have a wire crimping tool, that would be a risky task to crimp the wire with the stripping edges.
Conclusion
So far, we have discussed almost everything related to wire stripping tools in this article. We have provided you with a list that includes all the best wire stripping tools available in the market. On top of that, the article also features a simple and straightforward buying guide related to wire stripping tools as well. That being said, choosing the right wire stripping tool from the list shouldn’t be a hard task for anyone reading this article. Still, if you are not able to make your final decision, we have a few good recommendations for you that you can freely consider and pick the best wire stripping tool for your requirements.
First of all, if you have a decent budget, and want to pick a multifunctional tool for casual use, consider choosing the IRWIN Vise-Grip Wire Stripping Tool (2078309) as it’s compatible with 10-22 AWG wires and has an in-built screw cutter and crimping tool as well. Not only that, the build quality of the tool is brilliant and also comes with a lifetime warranty. Secondly, if you are looking for a professional tool, the IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper Self-Adjusting tool should be your go-to option. Although it’s a bit pricey, its build quality is quite impressive. Moreover, it’s a self-adjusting tool so you can conveniently use it to cut any wire ranging between 10-24 AWG with ease. In addition, Irwin also offers a lifetime warranty, which makes it a highly viable option to pick for most people. On the other hand, if you need a budget-friendly tool, but don’t want to give up on thame build quality, you should go with the WGGE WG-015 Professional crimping tool/Multi-Tool 8-inch Wire Stripper and Cutter. It can strip wires of 10-22 AWG, and also features both a screw cutter and crimping tool. Moreover, the best part is that it’s highly affordable and still comes with a lifetime warranty.
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