Best Side Cutters For Electricians
For many electricians and DIY’ers, a set of good side cutters is an essential tool in any tool kit. Whether you’re making electrical repairs or working on installing a new lighting system throughout your home, side cutters are a versatile tool that you can use for a number of different applications.
Below we have listed a few different options for you. Let’s dive in.
Contents
Best cutters for electricians
- Top pick – KNIPEX Diagonal Cutter
- Best sheers – S&R Cable Shears/Side Cutter
- Budget pick – Barnwell 160mm Side Cutter
- Nws Side Cutter
- S&R Insulated VDE Diagonal Side Cutter
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Product
Top Pick
KNIPEX Diagonal Cutter
Pros
- Good quality
- Comfortable to use
- Relatively affordable
Cons
- Can get stiff
One of the most recognised brands in the electrical industry. Our top pick from Knipex is their indispensable diagonal cutter perfect for all-round use.
Due to the precision cutting edges for soft and hard wire, you get a cleaner cut, even at the cutting edge tips, on thin copper wires. Additional induction hardening is done on the cutting edges, making them approximately twice as hard.
What we like
Durable: High-quality materials and precise workmanship ensure a long service life for these cutters.
Insulated: VDE-tested safety up to 1000 volts.
High quality: They are made in Germany and are chrome plated.
S&R Cable Shears/Side Cutter
Pros
- Good quality
- Multi-use
- Value for money
Cons
- Doesn’t have a sharp tip like side cutters
These are a great alternative to side cutters and many electricians use these instead, as they allow precise, powerful and safe cutting.
We also feature a side cutter option below but these are extremely high quality for the price. Their integrated protective insulation allows them to work safely even at voltages up to 1,000 volts.
What we like
Quality: Chrome-plated stainless steel S&R cable scissors (20 cm long, forged, induction and heat hardened).
Cuts easy: Cutting cables and wires is made easier with precision ground blades. Because of the additional inductive hardening, the blades are exceptionally robust, which reduces wear and increases capacity.
Multi-purpose: They are suitable for cutting single and multi-wire copper and aluminium. But don’t use it for cutting steel.
Barnwell 160mm Side Cutter
Pros
- Made in Germany
- Soft grip VDE handle
- Tested to 1000v
Cons
- Blades not sharp
- Not very ergonomic grip
The Barnwell side cutters are VDE tested to 1000v and come at an affordable price. They have a polished finish and have a soft grip VDE handle. Also to top it off they are made in Germany so you can trust the quality.
These would be a great choice if you need some spare cutters or just need a new pair in a pinch. However, we do advise investing in slightly higher quality snips because they do get used alot.
Nws Side Cutter
Pros
- Good stripper
- Great quality
Cons
- More expensive
These are excellent pliers for electrical installations, with 4 Functions: cutting – stripping – crimping – bending. Suitable for the stripping of 1.5 mm2 and 2.5 mm2 multistranded conductors. Plus, the cutting edges are inductively hardened.
Soft Grip handles with System Socket for holding optional accessories, such as the easy-to-attach System Clip. Forged, oil-hardened special tool steel.
What we like
Handle: The ergonomically designed Soft Grip multicomponent safety sleeves comply with DIN EN/IEC 60900.
Durable: It’s forged from oil-hardened special tool steel. A Lot of people say they are the best side cutters they have ever had. They are a bit expensive, but you get what you pay for, and these will last you for a long time.
S&R Insulated VDE Diagonal Side Cutter
Pros
- Good quality
- Easy to use
- Value for money
Cons
- Not as sharp more expensive brands
These are a top pick from us because they are very high quality snips for a relatively affordable price. By enabling precise, powerful and safe cutting, the high-quality S&R VDE side cutters are ideal for repairs, maintenance work, and installation work.
Soft-touch two-component handles simplify handling, while 60-CrV steel’s induction hardening ensures robust performance. The VDE insulation ensures safe operation up to 1,000 volts. Work safely even in difficult-to-reach areas thanks to the integrated protective insulation.
What we like
Quality material: Made of chrome-vanadium steel with a phosphated surface treatment and galvanised finish.
Great for electrical work: The tool is suitable for cutting cables and wires under 1000V in electrical installation work, as well as for manual and engineering work.
Grip: Ergonomic 2-component handles, insulated with multi-component sleeves with anti-slip protection, 1000 insulated layers.
Verdict
We have listed a few different options to fit everyone’s goals and budget. However, we do recommend the knipex cutters because they are well priced, durable, and make life so much easier with their ergonomic grip.
Happy snipping.
