Pliers buying guide

Pliers can be used for various tasks covering many professions and jobs and for DIY use. For example:

• Gripping: to screw/unscrew nuts and bolts or to pull out nails and staples.

• Bending and straightening: to grip, bend or straighten metal cabling or sheet metal.

• Splicing and stripping: in electrical work, pliers are used to strip insulation from wires and splice two wires together.  

• Crimping: pliers can crimp two pieces of sheet metal to join them.

• Cutting: for example, cutting wires in electrical work or cutting the heads off nails.

How do pliers work?

All pliers are made from two lengths of shaped metal, which are joined together by a screw at a pivot point, creating a handle on one end, and jaws on the other. Although they come in different shapes and sizes, all have the same basic parts as follows:

• Jaws: the working head that opens and closes to grip or cut.

• Tip: the end part of the jaw is used to grip small objects and get into tight spaces.

• Pipe grip: the middle part of the jaws forms a hole for gripping pipe when the jaws are closed. It usually has small teeth for extra grip.

• Cutters: the bottom part of the jaws with blades for cutting wires and cables and stripping insulation.

• Pivot point: where the two handles meet and pivot to open and close the jaws. Also called the fulcrum. 

• Handles: the part of the plier that’s held by the user.   

All pliers work in the same way. First, you grip the handles to close the jaws around the object to be worked on. Then, when force is applied, the pliers increase the pressure exerted by the user, making it possible to manipulate the material easily. 

In this section, we list the popular types of pliers used for various tasks. There are those suitable for different budgets, professionals and DIYers.

Combination pliers

Combination pliers are versatile, multi-purpose hand tools designed for gripping, bending, twisting, and cutting a variety of materials. They feature serrated jaws for holding flat or rounded objects and integrated cutting edges near the pivot for cutting wire and small cables.

Suitable for electrical work, plumbing, maintenance, automotive repairs, and general DIY, combination pliers are one of the most commonly used types of pliers thanks to their ability to perform multiple tasks with a single tool.

Water pump pliers

Water pump pliers are adjustable pliers designed for gripping and turning pipes, nuts, bolts, and other large or irregularly shaped objects. They feature a sliding pivot with multiple adjustment positions, allowing the jaw opening to be increased or reduced to suit different sizes.

The angled, serrated jaws provide a secure grip, making water pump pliers ideal for plumbing, heating, automotive, and general maintenance tasks. They are commonly used to tighten or loosen pipe fittings, compression joints, and large fasteners. Their adjustable design makes them a versatile tool for working with components that standard pliers cannot accommodate.

Long nose pliers

Long nose pliers, also known as needle nose pliers, have long, narrow jaws designed to reach into confined spaces where standard pliers cannot. Their pointed tips allow for precise gripping, bending, and positioning of small components.

They are commonly used for electrical work, jewellery making, electronics, and general DIY tasks. While they can grip and bend wire with precision, they are not intended for heavy-duty gripping or cutting unless they include integrated cutting edges.

Side (diagonal) pliers

Side cutters, also known as diagonal pliers or diagonal cutters, are designed specifically for cutting wire, cable ties, and small metal pins. Their angled cutting jaws allow for clean, flush cuts close to a surface, making them ideal for precision work.

They are commonly used in electrical work, electronics, construction, and DIY projects. Unlike combination or long nose pliers, side cutters are intended for cutting rather than gripping or twisting materials.

Wire strippers

Wire strippers are specialised hand tools designed to remove the insulation from electrical wires without damaging the metal conductor underneath. They feature precision-cut notches that match different wire sizes, allowing clean and accurate stripping.

They are commonly used for electrical installations, repairs, and wiring projects. Many wire strippers also include additional functions, such as wire cutting and crimping, making them a versatile tool for electricians and DIY users working with electrical cables.

Locking pliers (mole grips)

Locking pliers, also known as mole grips, are designed to clamp tightly onto objects and lock in place, allowing you to maintain a secure grip without continuously squeezing the handles. An adjustment screw sets the jaw width, while a release lever unlocks the tool when the job is complete.

They are commonly used for gripping rounded or damaged fasteners, holding materials securely during repairs, and clamping components in place for welding, woodworking, automotive work, and general maintenance.

Cable cutters

Cable cutters are specially designed to cut electrical cables and wires cleanly without crushing or fraying them. Their hardened cutting blades provide smooth, precise cuts, making them suitable for copper, aluminium, and other non-hardened cables.

They are commonly used by electricians and DIYers for electrical installations, repairs, and cable management. Unlike side cutters, cable cutters are designed for thicker cables and produce cleaner cuts with less effort.

Other types of pliers

We’ve covered the most popular types above, but here are a few other less common types to be aware of:

Fencing pliers: Fencing pliers are multi-purpose tools used for installing and repairing wire fencing. They can cut, grip, twist, pull wire, and also remove or hammer in staples, making them highly versatile for outdoor work. They are commonly used in farming, landscaping, and general fence maintenance.

Circlip pliers: Circlip pliers are specialised tools used to fit and remove circlips (snap rings) that secure components on shafts or inside housings. They use pointed tips to expand or compress the circlip safely and accurately. They are commonly used in automotive and mechanical maintenance, with different types available for internal and external circlips depending on the application.

Pincers and end cutters: these two types of pliers have rounded jaws that close only at the tip. Pincers are used to pinch, twist or cut wire and pull nails or staples out of wood. End cutters are similar but are more focused on cutting wires, bolts, nails and rivets. Both are strong, durable tools commonly used in construction, carpentry, and general DIY tasks where controlled pulling or precise cutting is needed.

Crimping pliers: while other types can crimp, these are designed exclusively for heavy-duty crimping of tough materials such as galvanised steel. They are traditionally used for crimping around metal pipes, gutters and downspouts.

Specialist metal cutting pliers: have a reduced handle span to provide extra pressure for cutting tough metals. Examples include pipe duct cutters for cutting 28-gauge galvanised steel, tin snips for cutting 24-gauge galvanised steel and aviation snips for cutting 22-gauge galvanised steel. These powerful pliers can cut metal as easily as scissors cut paper.

Mini pliers: small versions of other types such as side cutters, long-nose pliers, needle-nose pliers and end cutters. They are useful for crafting tasks, such as jewellery making.