We evaluated wire strippers based on the sturdiness of their construction, the precision of their performance, their versatility, and their overall value. Our favorite, the Klein Tools 11055 Wire Stripper and Cutter, not only cleanly strips wires in the most common gauges, it also cuts, bends, and loops wire, and can also be used to cut screws. Here are our top choices of wire strippers in a variety of categories. This versatile tool also has a cutter for 6-32 and 8-32 screws, allowing you to shear these fasteners without too much strain or stress. You’ll appreciate the wire stripper’s spring-loaded action, which makes it easier to use the tool with one hand without fatigue or effort. Plus, the handles are double-dipped in a soft, rubbery material that gives you a very comfortable nonslip grip even on long work days. At a mere 5.4 ounces and a little under 8 inches in length, these wire strippers won’t take up too much space in your pocket or tool box. They even have a lock to keep them shut while stored. Price at time of publish: $20 This sturdy, accurate wire stripper is made from high-carbon alloy steel with insulated PVC cushioned grips for comfort and nonslip performance. At a little over 9 inches, the handle is long enough for a good grip, but not so long that you won’t be able to fit it in your tool box. The wire stripper weighs only 8 ounces. It does not have a spring, but is still easy to open and close, even with one hand. Price at time of publish: $7 This highly precise tool is made from steel reinforced with chromium and vanadium, so it will maintain its edge and accuracy for years as long as you treat it right. It’s designed with a narrow head that easily reaches into tight spots, and the handle is comfortable and easy to grip. The tool weighs less than half a pound is just over 7 inches in length, so it won’t take up too much room in your tool box. Price at time of publish: $44 Made from high-carbon steel, these are sturdy wire clippers that will last for years. The handle has a vinyl, cushioned nonslip grip, and there’s a spring for extra ease and comfort when using the tool for long work sessions. Weighing only 2.5 ounces and measuring a mere 5 inches in length, you can carry this wire stripper in your pocket or toss it into your tool box. Price at time of publish: $9 The handles of the wire stripper are designed for both comfort and secure grip, so your hands won’t get tired even if your project requires lots of wire stripping or cutting. At 8.5 inches, this tool is long enough to hold securely, as well as reach into tight spots. And it only weighs 3 ounces, so it won’t weigh your pocket down. With its reasonable price, this is a fine addition to your tool box. Price at time of publish: $14 The comfortable rubberized handles keep your grip secure even if your hands are wet or oily. And at 7 inches in length and just a little more than 4 ounces, this compact and light tool is ideal to carry in your pocket or on your tool belt. When not in use, there’s a lock to keep the wire strippers closed. Price at time of publish: $6 Like other Vise-Grip products, the handles of these wire strippers are ergonomically designed with a ProTouch grip that minimizes fatigue. This is a very precise and eay-to-use wire stripper that lets you work quickly without having to bother adjusting the tool for wire size. The wire stripper is 8 inches long and weighs a little more than half a pound. Price at time of publish: $26 While this is a handy tool if you are setting up a home computer system, landline phone, or stereo system, be aware that the instructions are not detailed and assume that you already have experience in cutting or stripping these sorts of communications cables. It also has very sharp blades that can easily cut your finger if you aren’t careful. Still, this is a handy tool if you are willing to learn how to use it. Price at time of publish: $12 These small, reasonably priced gauged wire strippers have soft handles that are easy to grip even if your hands get sweaty, and a spring for easy opening of the tool. There’s also a lock to keep the strippers closed when not in use. Not everyone needs a precision wire stripper like this one, but if you do, it’s hard to beat the value and performance of this 4-ounce tool. Price at time of publish: $5 Most basic household electrical wiring is 12- or 14-gauge. However, large appliances, such as stoves, air conditioners, and water heaters, use thicker wire, typically either 6-, 8-, or 10-gauge. And electronic devices can use much thinner wire, some as small as 20- to 30-gauge. As a general rule, a wire stripper that can handle 10- to 22-gauge will cover most basic household needs, and this is a very common range for these tools. However, if you’ll be working with wire that’s much smaller or larger than average, you’ll need a wire stripper designed to handle those gauges.
Wire Stripper Type
There are three basic types of wire strippers: gauged, adjustable, and automatic. Gauged wire strippers are the most basic type. These tools have small notches carved out on the edge of the cutting blade. Each notch corresponds to a different gauge of wire. This is the most basic type of wire stripper, and you’ll find models in a wide range of sizes. To use a gauged wire stripper, you must match the gauge of your wire to the appropriate notch on the stripper. Go too big or too small, and you’ll likely end up with a damaged or cut wire, instead of a smooth removal of the jacket.But as long as your wire stripper matches the size of the wires you are stripping, you can work very quickly once you have a bit of experience. Adjustable wire strippers have just one notch, but allow you to adjust the tool to the specific gauge of wire you’ll be stripping. This is convenient if you work with a range of wire sizes, but if you forget to readjust the setting before switching wires, you might end up damaging or cutting the wire instead of merely stripping it. Automatic or self-adjusting wire strippers are the fastest type of wire stripper, but also generally the most expensive. These tools “sense” the gauge of wire being stripped, thanks to small spring-loaded teeth in the blade, and automatically adjust to the correct size. That means you don’t have to have a separate wire stripper for a range of wire gauges, nor do you need to spend time adjusting the tool to your wire size.
Wire or Cable
The terms “wire” and “cable” are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are actually different things that require different strippers, so before choosing a wire stripper, you need to know exactly what it is you’ll be stripping or cutting. Large cables require a different stripper than thin wires. As a rough guideline, a wire is a single strand of conductive metal covered with a plastic covering, called a jacket. Most wire is either copper or aluminum. A cable is multiple wires bunched or braided together and covered with a jacket. Cable size is often indicated with two numbers: the first indicates the gauge of the internal wires, the second tells you how many of those wires are inside the cable. So for example, a cable that is 14-2 has two 14-gauge wires underneath the jacket. Wires are often color-coded as to their use, with white indicating a neutral wire, green indicating a ground wire, and black, red, or blue/yellow meaning the wire is hot, or carrying electrical current. There are solid wires and stranded wires. As the name suggests, solid wire is one piece of copper or aluminum, while stranded wire has multiple very thin strands bunched together inside the jacket. Because solid wire is slightly thinner than stranded wire, many gauged wire strippers give you notches for both types of wire. There are numerous types of cables. Some of the most commonly used cables in the typical home include:
NM-B, which is a nonmetallic cable that is very often used for basic residential wiring.UF cable is often buried or used in damp areas. It is similar to NM-B cable, but is mostly used to run electricity to outdoor fixtures or garages.MC cable, meaning “metal clad” cable is used in unfinished areas or occasionally inside walls.Coaxial cable is used for video or television equipment.HDMI cable is used for audio and video equipment, such as in a home theater.Ethernet cable, also called category 5e or just cat-5e, and Cat-6, a recent addition for wider bandwidth, is used for computer networks, phones, and similar equipment.
Other Features to Consider
Comfort: If you’ll be using your wire strippers a lot, a comfortable handle that is easy to grip will make your job easier. Look for rubberized handles to provide a bit of cushioning. Spring-loaded: A spring-loaded handle is another feature that makes it more comfortable to use wire strippers for lengthy work sessions. This is especially useful if you want to be able to use the tool with just one hand. Multi-purpose: Some wire strippers do more than just strip wire. Multi-purpose wire stripers usually also can be used to crimp wire or cut nuts or screws.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Michelle Ullman is the home improvement/tool expert for The Spruce. She has extensive experience not only in writing about all things related to the home, but also in carrying out various DIY projects, including landscaping, painting, flooring, wallpapering, furniture makeovers, and simple repairs around the house and yard. For this roundup, she considered dozens of wire strippers, evaluating each for effectiveness, versatility, ease of use, and accuracy, as well as value. She also considered feedback from customers, both positive and negative, and received further input and advice from Deane Biermeier, a general contractor and member of The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board.
