The Best Side Cutting Pliers to Cut Wires Precisely
Our Top Picks
Comparing the Premium Side Cutting Plier of 2024
Best Overall
You can use this 6-inch side cutting plier to cut wires made from various materials like soft copper, soft iron, plastic, and more. Since its blade is manufactured from chromium-vanadium steel with a long heat treatment process, it is sharp, chip-resistant, robust, and durable. Moreover, it is polished and mechanically processed for extra sharpness and precise cutting.
Pros
- The ergonomic handle allows cutting with fatigue-free arms
- Ideal for chopping a variety of wires, cables, jewelry, and more
- Specialized frost material saves you from electric shock
- The cutting diameter range is 4 to 12 AWG which is suitable for most wires
Cons
- Not ideal for cutting iron and steel wires because of their hardness
Key Features
Thanks to its ergonomically designed handle made with frosted material, you can comfortably hold this tool and cut wires without worrying about the electric shock. You can also open its handle up to 4.7 inches and put better force for clean cutting. What’s more? It is bolstered with a labor-saving spring that automatically opens this plier and assists in faster cutting.
Best for DIYs
This side cutter is ideal for snipping different wires and strings having a diameter of up to 1.5 centimeters. You can conveniently use it for electrical repairing work, jewelry cutting, garden fence construction, cable installment, and more. Furthermore, it can cut zippers, small chains, and more, so you can use it while making a DIY project.
Pros
- Comfortable to use without straining your palms
- The lightweight of 1.76 ounces makes it convenient to carry
- Suitable for both electricians and jewelers
Cons
- Some people find it too small to use
Key Features
Since it is made from chrome-vanadium steel, it is durable, sturdy, and sharp. Thanks to soft PVC-covered steel-made handles, you can hold this tool with a strong and non-slip grip. It is also reinforced with a spring that reopens the plier after every cut and prevents fatigue in your arms. To add on, you can easily carry this side cutting plier due to its small size of 4.5 inches and lightweight of 1.76 ounces.
Best for Flush Snipping
Looking for an effective wire flush cutter? If yes, then get this tool because it has an extremely sharp cutting blade of 13/16 inches. You can easily flush cut any wire made from iron, copper, or soft material up to 10 to 12 AWG. Moreover, it is constructed from chrome vanadium steel which makes it sturdy, chip-resistant, durable, and sharp to use. It is also heat-treated to increase the sharpness of the blades, allowing you to cut strings without experiencing painful cramps in your palms.
Pros
- Reinforced with a grippy and safe matte-finish handle, so you can effectively use it
- 6-inch long cutter makes clean cuts with precision
- Suitable to use for making artificial flowers, ornaments, tie wraps, and more
Cons
- Cannot cut steel-made wires
Key Features
Talking about the comfort of using this tool, we cannot miss the spring-loaded mechanism that automatically reopens the jaws after every cut and allows you to complete your task quickly. It is also backed by a lifetime warranty, and hence, you can replace it anytime after purchase.
Best Sharpness
This 4.5 inches diagonal cutting plier is ideal for cutting various wires, including soft wire, guitar strings, cable ties, and more. You can snip chop strings made from copper, aluminum, or alloy material. Thanks to the precisely designed and tempered jaws, it can cut hard-to-access wires of objects. It is also bolstered with a self-opening spring mechanism for painless and rapid cutting of wires because you do not have to open the plier yourself every time you make a cut.
Pros
- Quality carbon steel material makes it durable for years
- Tempered jaws allow clean and precise cutting
- The spring mechanism allows you to cut wires rapidly
Cons
- Handle material could have been better
Key Features
Furthermore, the blade is made from high-grade carbon steel, so it is robust and effectively serves for a long period. It also has a plastic-dipped handle that is comfortable to hold for a long period. What’s more, it has a lightweight of 2.53 ounces which makes this tool portable.
Honorable Mention
Effortlessly cut wires for jewelry, electric connections, cable installment, and more with this side cutting plier. Its jaws are precisely designed to allow you to make micro-cuts up to 5mm in diameter. Besides, it can easily cut through a variety of materials like copper with sharp flashes. You can also hold this snip plier comfortably because its handle is made of plastic rubber.
Pros
- Can easily cut electrical and jewelry wire pieces
- Compact size and light weight make it portable
- Rockwell hardness rated 65, meaning it is extremely sturdy and effective
Cons
- Does not have spring to reopen the blades
Key Features
Since it is manufactured from quality manganese steel alloy, it is durable and sturdy enough to bear high wear and tear use. It is also rust-resistant, so you can conveniently use it in an external moist environment. Besides, you can easily carry around this portable tool due to its lightweight of 30 grams.
Buyer’s Guide for Finding a Side Cutting Wire
Choosing one side cutting plier from the quality options is indeed a challenging task. Hence, we have prepared a detailed guide that will help you make an informed purchasing decision.
What Are the Uses of a Side Cutting Plier?
- A cutting plier can be used for smoothly and cleanly cutting cables and flush snipping electrical wires made from aluminum, copper, soft metal, iron, and more. It will help you make an effective circuit.
- You can also cut guitar strings with a side cutting plier and play melodious tunes.
- Florists can use side cutting pliers to assemble flowers in a bouquet.
- Jewelers can cut ornaments by using a side cutting plier
- If you do not follow any of the above-mentioned professions and love DIY crafts, then a side cutting plier can help you make amazing arts
How to Find a Top-notch Side Cutting Plier?
In order to purchase a good quality side cutting plier, you should focus on a few aspects while selecting the product. If you fail to check them, you may end up pouring your money down the drain by investing in a poor-quality plier. So without any delay, let’s have a look at these factors.
Material of construction
It is quite necessary to check the manufacturing material of the blades of a side cutting plier before making the final decision. We recommend picking a tool made from chromium-vanadium steel or carbon steel as both materials are sturdy and durable. They will make the cutter last longer, chip-resistant, rust-resistant, and sharp enough to cut the wires effortlessly.
Heat treatment
Another crucial factor to consider for purchasing a good quality side cutting plier is the process of construction. Heat treatment is like baking, in which various tools like pliers are treated at a high temperature up to 2400 degrees Fahrenheit. Many flimsy pliers are not forged at a high temperature which does not provide them the required sturdiness to cut the wires without chipping or scratching.
Size and weight
Apart from the strength of the tool, you should also check its size and weight. Make sure that it has a length of 4 to 6 inches as it will help you carry the plier in any toolbox and repair the hard-to-reach parts of machines, small jewelry, and more easily. Furthermore, the tool should have light weight in the range of 1.5 to 4 ounces so that you can easily use it for a long period without getting cramps in your palms.
Blade design
Many side cutting pliers have a tempered jaw and mechanically designed teeth, allowing you to cut wires smoothly. They are polished for extra sharpness and allow cutting strings with minute details. Hence, you can precisely level the wire length using this type of flush cutter to install cables, make flower bouquets, and craft ornaments.
Handle
The next crucial factor to focus on while selecting a side cutting plier is its handle. It should be made from insulated materials like PVC, rubber, frost material, or any other material to protect you against electric shock. Besides, you should be able to hold it with a firm and non-slip grip to prevent any injury and produce more torque to cut the wires.
Spring mechanism
The majority of the latest side cutting pliers are bolstered with a spring mechanism at the neck part that automatically reopens the jaws of the plier after every cut made by you. Thus, you can rapidly cut wires without putting much force.
Wire cutting diameter
Before ordering any side cutting plier, make sure to check the maximum diameter value up to which it can cut any wire. Most of the pliers have a diameter range of 5 to 15 mm. However, some tools have a diameter range of 10 to 12 AWG, which is equal to 2 to 2.5 mm.
Wire material
The next factor you should not forget to check is the material suitability of the plier. Many tools can only cut soft metal-made wires. On the other hand, some of the side cutting pliers can cut wires made of various materials like copper, aluminum, iron, and more.
brand
Since multiple brands manufacture different cutting pliers, you need to check the company’s reputation and efficiency of its customer care service before purchasing any product. Purchasing from a reputed brand will give you 100% satisfaction.
How Much Does a Side Cutting Plier Usually Cost?
After conducting deep research, we found that most quality side cutting pliers are priced in the range of 7 USD to 10 USD. Hence, make sure to purchase one within this range to get the best wire-cutting experience and avoid wasting your hard-earned money.
How Long Does a Side Cutting Plier Last?
A quality side cutting plier lasts for more than two to three years. Many manufacturing companies also provide a one-year or lifetime warranty, so you can replace the plier or get a refund if it does not work effectively. In order to increase the service period of the plier, you should not leave it in a high moisture environment. Besides, oil is regularly to prevent rust and maintain sharpness.
People Also Asked
How can I clean a side cutting plier?
A side cutting plier can be cleaned using any alcohol-based cleaning solution. Do not wash it with water to keep corrosion at bay. You can also oil it on a regular basis to prevent rusting and deterioration of the material.
What is the difference between a flush cutting plier and a side cutting plier?
Flush cutting pliers are leveling the wires by cutting them, whereas side cutting pliers are used to cut the wire at an angle. Hence, wires cut using side pliers have edges, while flush-cut wires are flat and at the same level.
Can I use a side cutting plier to cut a ring?
Yes, you can use a side cutting plier to cut ornaments. However, do not try to cut the ring worn on a finger as it can be injurious.