When doing electrical works, cutting the insulator of wire needs a careful approach paired with a good tool. This will ensure greater work efficiency and less patch-up works.
Here, we are going to outline the essential features and factors you need to look into when choosing the right wire stripper to meet your job easier and faster. To save you some time, we also included a comparison chart and an in-depth product review for the top 10 best wire stripper for 2020.
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Best Wire Stripper (January 2022) – Top 10 Picks & Reviews
| MODEL | PRICE | OVERALL |
| IRWIN 2078309 | check price | |
| Klein Tools 11063W | check price | |
| IRWIN 2078300 | check price | |
| Dowell HY040730 | check price | |
| WGGE WG-015 | check price | |
| Klein Tools 11057 | check price | |
| ZOTO 55022 | check price | |
| MulWark MLK-53744 | check price | |
| Capri Tools 20010 | check price | |
| Neiko 01924A | check price |
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR The Best Wire Stripper
Choosing the best wire stripper means understanding the essential features and factors you need to look into. Here are the common important features and factors in choosing a wire stripper.
1. Construction
The material composition of any wire stripper determines its life tool and durability. Most of it is made from stainless steel or titanium alloy.
2. Grip
This is a hand tool, thus, the grip handles matters to avoid weary hands and promote efficient hand force.
3. American Wire Gauge (AWG)
When working on your electronics, you will be dealing with various kinds of wires and cables. Each of these wires has its specific AWG and your wire stripper must be capable of cutting various AWG rating.
4. Easy to Use
This refers to the ergonomic design of the wire stripper which enables convenient cutting and going around wires.
Top 10 Best Wire Stripper reviews 2020
1. IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper 2078309
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FEATURES
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AWG: 10-24
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Grip handle: rubber insulated
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Adjustable stopper: yes
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Quick release: N/A
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Built-in AWG dial: N/A
| pros | cons |
| • Ease of use | • None so far |
| • Ergonomic grip handle | ? |
| • Sturdy material | ? |
best seller
For overall performance, this wire stripper made a stand out among all models. It can accommodate a wide diameter range of wire (10-24 AWG). Other features it has which makes the job more convenient include soft grip handle, AWG dial adjustment, and a quick-release function. Its material composition is made from cast steel iron, that means it’s durable and long lasting.
2. Klein Tools Wire Cutter and Stripper 11063W
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FEATURES
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AWG: solid (8-20), stranded (10-22)
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Grip handle: textured rubber insulation
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Adjustable stopper: —-
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Quick release: —-
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Built-in AWG dial: —-
| pros | cons |
| • Durable steel alloy material | • Tension in the grip seems to shake the tool |
| • Textured rubberized grip handle | ? |
| • Precision stripping and cutting | ? |
Best for Precise Stripping
The great advantage of the Klein Tool wire stripper and cutter is its precise stripping mechanism. This is strongly linked to the compound action stripping mechanism of the tool. The stripping starts once the two clips of the tool separate from each other. If you are cutting a 10 AWG stranded wire, then it has a hole stripper which can precisely strip it out. Likewise, you can strip around 1-inch insulation using this tool.
Other features to love, its textured rubberized grip handle which is comfortable to the hand. Moreover, the grip handle is spring-loaded, thus, it maintains the proper geometry of the tool.
In addition, the spring-loaded grip handle seems to make the tool rattle.
3. IRWIN VISE-GRIP Wire Stripper 8”
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FEATURES
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AWG: 10-24
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Grip handle: smooth rubberized insulation
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Adjustable stopper: stopper for wire length
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Quick release: —
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Built-in AWG dial: —
| pros | cons |
| • Precisely adjustable stopper | • Seems to have difficulty dealing with wires 22 AWG and higher |
| • Solid cast steel alloy material | ? |
| • Easy to use | ? |
Best for Wire Length Adjustment
The sweet thing about this tool is its versatility to adjust the wire length being stripped off. It can strip off the wire with 10-24 AWG while crimping wire ranging 10-22 AWG. The construction and material of the tool are tough and solid. It is resistant to corrosion. Moreover, it has a lifetime warranty service to strike confidence for the tool’s quality.
The tool seems to have difficulty stripping smaller stranded wires that is 22 AWG and higher.
4. Dowell Wire Stripper
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FEATURES
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AWG: 10-22
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Grip handle: soft rubber insulation
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Adjustable stopper: —
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Quick release: —-
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Built-in AWG dial: —-
| pros | cons |
| • Sturdy overall construction | • Joint is not that effective in keeping the tool’s jaws together |
| • Easy AWG guide | ? |
| • Nice cutting blade | ? |
Best for Budget
For a very affordable price, you get a decent and pleasing wire stripper. Overall, it is easy to use and maintain. The AWG guide is visible in the cutting portion of the tool. The blade is made from copper and aluminum which makes it durable and light. The grip handle is comfortable due to the soft rubber insulation. The spring-loaded mechanism of the grip works as expected.
Note: The tool’s joint is not that effective in keeping the jaws together.
5. WGGE WG-015 Wire Stripper
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FEATURES
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AWG: solid (10-22), stranded (6-40)
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Grip handle: soft rubber insulation
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Adjustable stopper: —
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Quick release: —
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Built-in AWG dial: —
| pros | cons |
| • Wide range of applications | • You need to exert sufficient force to cut bolts and screws |
| • Comfortable grip handle | ? |
| • Solid material composition | ? |
Best for Versatility
This tool has very good versatility function which can work on wires, cables, coax, bolts and screws. The serrated nose of the tool has great strength in gripping which complement its wide range of applications. The ergonomic design and soft rubber insulation make it comfortable to use. Likewise, it can cut bolt screws in five various sizes.
6. Klein Tools 11057 Wire Stripper
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FEATURES
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AWG: solid (20-30), stranded (22-32)
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Grip handle: soft rubber insulation
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Adjustable stopper: —
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Quick release: spring-loaded grip
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Built-in AWG dial: —
| pros | cons |
| • Solid serrated nose | • Suitable for smaller wires only |
| • Effective screw shearing | ? |
| • Easy to use | ? |
Best for Serrated Nose
Aside from providing you with decent performance for wire stripping and crimping, this tool has the edge for its strong serrated nose. You need this feature when you want to do effective shaping, bending, and pulling out wires. The wire loops for cutting, stripping, and looping works as expected. It is comfortable to use with its handle wrapped with soft rubber. Likewise, it can cut off screws 6-32.
7. ZOTO Wire Stripper
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FEATURES
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AWG: 10-24
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Grip handle: textured soft rubber
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Adjustable stopper: yes
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Quick release: —
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Built-in AWG dial: —
| pros | cons |
| • Excellent power for crimping, stripping and cutting | • Stripping plastic-coated wires seem difficult because it slides off |
| • Strong jaw material | ? |
| • Ergonomic design | ? |
Best for Power
The best thing you will admire from this tool is its efficient power in stripping which is also adjustable. Its jaw is sturdy because it’s made from vanadium steel alloy coated with chrome to have a smooth finish. Its crimper function works as expected. There is less hand fatigue with its soft rubber insulation for grip handle. Overall construction is solid and reliable.
Note: Stripping wires that are coated with plastic seem very challenging because it slips off.
8. MulWark 8” Wire Stripper
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FEATURES
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AWG: solid (12-24), stranded (10-24)
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Grip handle: textured soft rubber insulation
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Adjustable stopper: —
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Quick release: —
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Built-in AWG dial: —
| pros | cons |
| • Lightweight and straightforward to use | • The grip handle is not spring-loaded |
| • Ergonomic design | ? |
| • Solid construction | ? |
Best for Lightweight
This wire stripper and crimper are very straightforward to use. The holes for looping, stripping, and bending works as expected. We would say this is a standard wire stripper and multi-purpose tool for your every day and repair. The design is sleek and construction is durable. Likewise, you can have this for an affordable price.
9. Capri Tools 20010 Wire Stripper
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FEATURES
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AWG: 8-22
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Grip handle: textured rubber
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Adjustable stopper: —
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Quick release: spring-loaded grip
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Built-in AWG dial: —
| pros | cons |
| • Effective spring-loaded grip | • It cannot work on 10 AWG wires |
| • Ergonomic rubber grip handle | ? |
| • Easy to use | ? |
| • Precise built-in holes for wire stripping | ? |
Best for Spring-loaded Grip
The innovative features in this wire stripper work as expected. The built-in holes for wire sizes are precise and functional. The tension grip handle is amazing. It readily returns the grip handle in its original position once being released. The material of this tool is made from cast steel alloy, thus, giving you that extra durability. Moreover, it has a quick compound stripping action.
10. Neiko 01924A Wire Stripper
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FEATURES
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AWG: 10-24
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Grip handle: rubber insulation
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Adjustable stopper: ¼ to ¾” wire length
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Quick release: —
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Built-in AWG dial: —
| pros | cons |
| • Solid construction | • Need to apply extra pressure when dealing with smaller wires so the jaws will meet |
| • Micro-dial tension adjustment | ? |
| • Effective crimping and stripping | ? |
This is a standard wire stripper and crimper with some innovations. For instance, it has an adjustable stopper for the wire length to be stripped off. If you are dealing with smaller wires, it has a micro-dial to adjust the clearance and pressure when stripping. Other features work fine and as expected.
Remind: You need to apply extra pressure when dealing with smaller wires so the jaws meet.
