10 Best Wire Strippers

Wire Stripper Buying Guide

We’ve compiled our best types of wire strippers buying suggestions. Follow these guideposts to land yourself a tool that will last a lifetime.

Wire Compatibility

Always choose a wire stripper that is a good fit for the materials you wish to install or repair. You’ll notice that wire strippers are compatible with a range of wire gauges.

Most strippers are compatible with a range of wires between 10 and 24 AWG. It’s also important to check what types of wires your stripper is compatible with.

After all, it can be challenging to achieve consistent results when working with various combinations of alloys and casing materials. Finally, you must use the correct wire stripping gauge whenever cutting, crimping, stripping, or splicing wires. Accuracy is paramount when it comes to electrical work.

Materials

Most wire strippers feature a durable metal chassis with plastic or composite handles, rubber grips, and hardened alloy blades.

Look for keywords such as induction-hardened alloy and precision milled holes. These details will make it much easier for you to achieve accurate wire alternations.

Ergonomics

Whenever you’re shopping for a new tool, comfort and ergonomics should always be at the forefront of your mind. Many DIYers struggle to complete electrical repairs after finding that their wire strippers leave their hands uncomfortable and fatigued.

Sometimes, wire stripping locations results in awkward positions. As such, it’s especially important to choose a lightweight and relatively compact wire stripper.

Your new tool should also boast slip-resistant rubber grips and ergonomic design.

Price and Warranty

Wire strippers are relatively inexpensive tools. Many are even backed by lifetime warranties. You can make the most of your money by investing in quality, vetted products. Look for top-quality materials, extended protection plans, and positive customer reviews.

Wire Strippers FAQ: 

What to consider when buying wire strippers?

Wire strippers are a pretty straightforward tool to strip the outside plastic coating of wires. They won’t cut through the wires but can help to strip them – no more, no less. You may need to use this instrument when attaching wires to a terminal, splicing them with one another, or doing rewiring for any electrical device/system.

Of course, you may replace the wire strippers with a pocketknife but the special instrument is much safer, faster and precise to use. It is hard to believe but some people still strip the wire coating with their teeth. It is definitely better to use this tool. Also, the bare wires stripped with these nippers provide a better terminal connection. 

All wire strippers are manual instruments, but they can differ drastically in shape, size, function. Typically, the buyer’s choice is narrowed by 3 designs of wire nippers: 

• Fully mechanical and manual, without self-adjusting; requiring additional configuration;
• Semi-adjusting;
• Fully self-adjusting;

Most wire nippers have insulated (rubberized) handles and two cutting blades moving due to the hinge fastening them. The blades can make the holes (at the adjustable length or not) of various diameters to strip the wires accurately.

A few factors may affect your decision when choosing the professional wire strippers: 

• Most tools can strip the wires in the size of 10-22 AWG. To strip thicker wires, you should use the specific tool;
• Cutting edges strongly affect the precision of stripping. They have to be durable, long and sharp. Considering using the instrument with self-adjusting cutting edges. Such tools are much easier to apply compared to manual wire strippers;
• On the other hand, if you seek accuracy or need to strip non-standard wires, consider picking manual wire nippers. Self-adjusting tools can adjust the cutting gap on the wires of standard size;

Some wire strippers are multi-purpose – for instance, they can remove any polymer casing. Some self-adjusting tools are often equipped with another small blade. It serves to cut the wire to the desired length before stripping it.

Most nippers have two sockets marked as 8P and 6P – they are designed not only for stripping but also for crimping telephone connectors. 

Some manufacturers went further and equipped the tool with volumetric handles so you could use this tool as shears or a corkscrew. Of course, such a technical refinement is not necessary to look for – experienced craftsmen recommend investing in simple but reliable tools.

Also, keep in mind that such multifunctional instruments can break much faster, and most of the in-built attachments are used rarely or just useless.

There are a few popular and established brands of wire strippers: FIT, HAUPA, JTC, KING TONY, Knipex, and TOPEX.

The price for such nippers depends on the brand and specifications. The average price of a durable tool is up to $20. Keep in mind that cheap models usually have the blades that may rust or get dull easily. 

Benefits of using wire strippers instead of other methods

• Accuracy – this comparatively small tool can handle any plastic coating on the wires to the exact length that you need. It can be very helpful when you do electrical work or splicing wires;
• Safety for wires – the nippers are designed to strip the plastic casing fast and safely without damaging the wire. The cutting pressure is calculated precisely when the tool is manufactured;
• Safety for your hands – you won’t cut through your fingertip when using this tool;

How should you use regular wire strippers?

Typically, wire strippers are easy to handle. The only difference comes whether they have self-adjusting blades or not:

• Use self-adjusting wire strippers by inserting the wires to the required length that you play to strip. Then clamp and pull. Such a tool itself can set the required depth for the regular wire. These nippers won’t win the prize for the best accuracy but they are definitely fast and easy to use;
• Manual wire strippers require more effort. They have pre-drilled (not adjustable) cutting holes. You should put the wire to one of these holes (corresponding to the wire’s thickness). Here is the major challenge – you should know the wire thickness before stripping. Or you should experiment. After inserting the wire to the hole just clamp down and cut until the casing is removed;

Are wire strippers good for crimping terminal connectors onto wires?

Most wire strippers can handle this task. But this is not a basic feature. That is why double-check before buying the nippers for this kind of job. 

Can you strip Teflon-coated or wet wires with this tool?

Initially, most wire strippers can’t strip the Teflon coating. This tool will handle the plastic casing from the standard wires because such coating is thick and has more traction. Regular nippers will struggle with Teflon coating and thick insulation beneath it. If you have many Teflon-coated wires to strip, consider investing in another tool designed for this specific job. 

Are wire strippers durable?

Just like any household instrument, any wire strippers have the lifespan affected by many factors. The material of the tool matters the most at this point. That is why consider investing in the nippers made of stainless steel or covered in the anti-rust coating. Also, look for the instrument with rubber or rubberized grips. Both materials are durable and can resist damage. 

Tips for users: do not try to sharpen the cutting edges of the wire strippers if they become dull. It won’t help. Instead, prevent the dull blades by keeping the instrument in a special toolbox. Make sure the place where you store them is dry.  

Video Tutorial: Which Strippers Are Worth Having?

Conclusion

Every DIYer can benefit from having a good set of wire strippers in their toolbox. These electrical repair essentials offer essential wire alternations without breaking the bank. We’re big fans of the Irwin Vise-Grip 8-inch Wire Stripping Tool. This 8-inch cutting tool strips and cuts wires between 10 and 22 AWG. Its proprietary rubber handles offer enhanced ergonomics for enhanced all-day comfort.

I like strippers for wires because they help me to repair almost anything. One of these smart appliances helped to fix an iPhone charger for my girlfriend. I saved one hundred dollars, at least. Make sure to read my guide before buying one of the recommended or other tools that can be found in the U.S. market. I can’t say that it’s the most essential thing for a beginner, but it actually saves a lot of time.

SolderingIronGuide criteria

So, the first things first – the price. A good appliance in this niche will cost you no less than $20, though there are cheaper and more expensive tools. Besides the price, stick to such tips when buying the stripper:

• Design and total quality – choose the appliances made of aluminum, steel or other hard metals;
• Grips – rubber grips provide greater stability, according to my experience;
• Cutting terminals – pick the appliances with diverse American Wire Gauge (a.k.a. AWG) terminals, between 0-40;
• The ease of use;

The best wire strippers according to SolderingIronGuide:

• RWIN VISE-GRIP – stay sharp for a long time;
• DOWELL – perfect for stripping any aluminum or copper cables;
• WGGE Professional offers a very handy handle I like so much;
• Capri Tools can boast a convenient recoiling construction;

Essential thing you ought to remember: this tool is not the same as a cutter. But a few expensive instruments may also cut any wires. For instance, the Klein Tools 1010 wire stripper I included to this list can easily strip and even cut any wire – of any length, thickness, with minimum effort.

Who may benefit from using these instruments?

Actually, these tools are pretty much essential for any electrician jobs. They are great if users need to install a light fixture or a ceiling fan, replace an outlet or wire a garage door. In other words, a quite irreplaceable thing for any DIY electrician jobs.

If you have any questions left, feel free to comment. Did you like the review, my choice and the video tutorial in the end? Can’t wait for your feedback!