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Best Crimp Tools

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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Klein Tools Cable Crimper
Klein Tools
Cable Crimper
Most Comprehensive

This crimper comes with several innovative features that users can customize to their personal comfort.

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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

This crimper comes with several innovative features that users can customize to their personal comfort.

Pros

All-in-one tool includes applications as a wire, stripper, crimper, and cutter, saving both time and money. Padded handle fits comfortably in the hand. Includes a wiring guide to minimize errors through the process.

Cons

Can be difficult to operate, especially for beginners.

Best Bang for the Buck
Channellock Wire Crimping Tool
Channellock
Wire Crimping Tool
Simple Yet Solid

This is a reliable wire crimper that will be an excellent, long-lasting addition to your toolbox.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

This is a reliable wire crimper that will be an excellent, long-lasting addition to your toolbox.

Pros

Simple design makes it easy to control for all users. Works well with crimping insulated and non-insulation connected. Sharp edges provide long-lasting durability. Compact structure fits easily into a backpack, tool box, or other containers.

Cons

Some users report the ends are too sharp for their preference.

Wirefy Crimping Tool
Wirefy
Crimping Tool
Easiest to Use

With ergonomic handles and an adjustable pressure, this crimp tool has been designed for easy controls.

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Easiest to Use
Bottom Line

With ergonomic handles and an adjustable pressure, this crimp tool has been designed for easy controls.

Pros

Crimping tool is available for both heat shrink and insulated nylon connectors. Ergonomic handle makes it simple to maneuver the model without slipping. Adjust the compression wheel for your personal preference. Quick-release mechanism included for convenience.

Cons

Large jaws may make it difficult to hold the wire properly.

Giant Viking Rachet Wire Hand Crimp Tool
Giant Viking
Rachet Wire Hand Crimp Tool
Durable & Rugged

Composed of tough steel, this crimping tool works well for heavy-duty projects and chores.

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Durable & Rugged
Bottom Line

Composed of tough steel, this crimping tool works well for heavy-duty projects and chores.

Pros

Specialized for crafts such as jewelry designing, beading, wire art, and more. Small jaw and teeth makes it a great choice for getting into tight places. Textured gripping prevents slipping and adds comfort. Easy to operate for beginners and experts.

Cons

Size can make it difficult to see what you're working on.

vouiu Crimping Jewellery Pliers
vouiu
Crimping Jewellery Pliers
Best for Jewelry Making

For those wanting to make crafts and beading, this is the ideal crimp tool for designing.

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Best for Jewelry Making
Bottom Line

For those wanting to make crafts and beading, this is the ideal crimp tool for designing.

Pros

Crimp tool offers 3 types of cavities that users can choose between, based on individual needs. Steel construct is designed for long-lasting operation. Handles feel comfortable in the hand. Compression wheel allows for further adjustment.

Cons

Doesn't crimp as tight as some of the other products on our list.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
March 31, 2022
30
Models
considered
22
Hours
researched
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Buying guide for Best crimp tools

Jennifer Blair
Written by Jennifer Blair

Updated April 2022

Whether you’re an electrician or you need to tackle some DIY electrical projects around the house, a crimp tool is a necessary item for your tool box. That’s because it’s essential for connecting materials and forming an electrical connection.

A crimp, or crimping, tool is like a pair of pliers: you squeeze the handles to press terminals and connectors together. Most of these connections include a terminal, such as a push-fit or bolt-down connector, with an open end that’s crimped onto the wire to create a secure bond. Electricians use crimping tools to replace cables or connect wires. DIYers might use a crimping tool to connect a light fixture or doorbell or make jewelry.

If you’re hunting for a reliable crimp tool, start by deciding which type best fits your needs. Next, consider the wire gauges you work with most often. You should also pay attention to the handles and the durability of the materials the tool is made of to make sure you wind up with the best crimp tool for all your electrical needs.

crimp tools
Always make sure the wires are stripped cleanly to prepare them for crimping. If there are any frayed strands, they might not be able to carry sufficient current for your connection.

How to buy the best crimp tool

Uses and benefits

If you’re on the fence about whether or not you need a crimp tool, it helps to understand the benefits of having one in your tool box. Simply put, it’s an essential tool for anyone who regularly works on electrical or electronic devices and needs to connect wires.

If you work as an electrician, you already know the importance of this tool. It’s the quickest, easiest way to make a cold weld joint, which is especially handy if your project includes several wires that need connecting. Not only can you connect the wires more quickly, but the connections you make are typically stronger and more reliable when made with this tool.

While soldering is another option for connecting electrical components, it requires proper training and the handling of dangerous materials. For homeowners undertaking DIY projects, a crimping tool is a much better option.

Types

There are three types of crimp tool: handheld, hydraulic, and hammer.

Handheld: These crimping tools are the most common and affordable, making them an excellent option for DIYers. They’re manual tools, so they usually work better on thinner wires. However, you can find them in different sizes, including large, heavy-duty tools. Handheld crimp tools are similar to pliers, and you squeeze them in a similar fashion. Some can also be used as pliers, wire cutters, and/or wire strippers for added versatility.

Hydraulic: These crimping tools use liquid to apply greater pressure than handheld tools. As a result, they work better for thicker wires and industrial projects. Hydraulic crimp tools can generally apply between 8 and 16 tons of force per square inch, so they’re extremely powerful. The drawback to these tools is that they require more maintenance than handheld tools.

Hammer: These crimp tools are another affordable option. They work similarly to handheld and hydraulic tools, but you set them on a flat surface and hit a die with a hammer to crimp the wire. These tools can work with thicker wires, but they’re not as convenient to carry around. A hammer crimp tool is a good choice if you don’t need to crimp wires very often.

Materials

Nearly all crimp tools are made of steel. Many are carbon steel, but the most durable models are made of high-carbon or hardened steel. Hardened steel is the best option for hydraulic and hammer crimp tools because it resists pressure. Most handheld crimp tools also have grips made of rubber or plastic to make them more comfortable to hold.

If your crimping tool has a wire gauge chart or cold-coded nests for scoring insulation, always follow those guidelines. That makes it easier to be sure you’re using the right tool for the job.

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What features should I look for in crimp tools?

Wire gauges

An effective crimping tool must have jaws that open wide enough to accommodate your wire and connector. Both of these should be able to fit inside the tool before you crimp to ensure a secure connection. If you use a wire or connector that's too large for your tool, the connection may be faulty, leading to a drop in voltage, overheating, or corrosion. It’s essential that you check the wire gauges that each tool can handle and compare those to the gauges you usually use.

Crimp profile

You should also look at the profile of the crimp that the tool makes. The profile is the shape of the crimp before compression. For common electrical projects, such profiles as indented, hex, B-crimp, and circular are commonly used, so look for a tool with jaws that can create the right crimp to provide a secure connection for your project.

The crimp profile doesn’t vary as much with hydraulic or hammer tools because these tools only support a limited number of profiles. However, they can accommodate even the largest wires. Handheld models typically work with various gauges, but you should always check the crimp profile in the product specifications to be sure it will work for your project.

Connectors

Electrical connectors for crimping come in multiple styles and materials, including PVC, nylon, insulated, uninsulated, and heat shrinkable. In most cases, crimp tools work with the most common connector types.

However, some connectors work better with certain tools than others. Some manufacturers make it easy to choose the right crimp tool by including a color-coded chart on the tool to let you know which wires and connectors it supports.

Handles

If you have to use your crimping tool for long periods, you want it to be comfortable to hold. That’s why it’s important to consider the tool’s handles and grip. Some models have cushioned rubber grips that are comfortable and help you securely hold the tool. Some crimping tools have ergonomically designed handles that help prevent fatigue.

Multi-tool

Some crimp tools also include blades to strip wires and cut wires. That lets you use a single tool to handle all of your crimping steps so that you can work quickly and efficiently.

crimp tools
DID YOU KNOW?
Twist the ends of the exposed wire together before you crimp them. That makes it easier to fit the wire inside the terminal for a strong, secure connection.
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How much do crimp tools cost?

Inexpensive

The most affordable crimp tools are typically handheld tools, but you can also find some hammer tools in this price range. They usually work best for thinner wires, so they’re better suited for DIY projects. These crimping tools generally cost $9 to $60.

Mid-range

Most of these crimp tools are hammer or lower-end hydraulic tools. They can accommodate thicker wires, so they work well for professional use. These crimping tools typically cost $60 to $150.

Expensive

The most expensive crimp tools are high-end hydraulic models. They can handle thicker wires and apply great pressure to ensure the most secure connections. These tools generally cost $150 to $400.

A hammer crimp tool requires a heavy hammer to generate enough pressure to create a successful connection. A lightweight sledgehammer that weighs between 2 and 6 pounds works well.

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Tips

  • Prep your wires or cables before crimping. All the wires should be roughly the same length, so you might need to cut or trim them to size. You should also strip a portion of the wire and remove the insulation to create a secure connection.
  • Don’t over-crimp. If you apply too much pressure, you can affect the crimp height and compromise your connection. Over-crimping is a particular risk when using a handheld tool, so some models have a locking feature that only lets you press the tool until the right amount of pressure is applied.
  • Check finished crimps for any defects. You can save yourself plenty of frustration by examining a crimp right after you finish it to see if you’ve created a successful connection. Some common crimp issues include cut insulation or insulation caught under the crimp.
  • Use your tool only for crimping. If you use your crimping tool for other purposes, you risk damaging it.
crimp tools
Some crimping tools aren’t only handy for electrical projects. You can also use them to make jewelry and other crafting projects.

FAQ

Q. Do I really need a crimping tool?

A. If you do any electrical or electronic projects, you should invest in one. You might be tempted to use a pair of pliers you already have, but they’re not designed for crimping. That means you won’t achieve as stable or secure a connection with pliers. You don’t necessarily have to buy the most expensive crimp tool, though. An affordable, handheld tool can work well for occasional DIY projects around the house.

Q. Is a crimp tool better than a soldering iron?

A. Soldering also creates high-quality connections for electrical projects. However, it requires special training that the average homeowner doesn’t have. It also creates permanent connections, while crimped connections can be disassembled if necessary. As a result, soldering is best for professional projects.

Q. How do I take care of my handheld crimp tool?

A. Simple handheld tools are fairly easy to care for. You should inspect your tool regularly for any damage, such as missing screws or springs. Be sure to store your tool where it won’t be exposed to moisture and dust, and use a lubricant to keep its pivot points, bearings, and joints moving well. You should also clean the crimp tool periodically with a non-abrasive cleaner.

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