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These wire strippers make clean cuts without inflicting damage. Insulated Winding Wire
If you work on a lot of electrical projects, you should have a good wire stripper stocked in your tool bag. Wire strippers look similar to pliers and are used to remove the protective coating material from wires—something you need to do a lot when repairing wires, setting up speakers, or working on electrical projects. The best wire strippers can also cut wires and cables, crimp wiring, and cut screws.
Before deciding on which electric wire stripper you plan on buying, make sure to consider a few major factors like the type of stripper, the gauge sizes, and basic safety criteria.
Sometimes called a manual wire stripper, this type has different notches that correspond to common wire gauges, so you just need to select the correct hole to fit the wire you’re working on. Gauged wire strippers provide set spaces on the tool for a standardized strip every single time. The one downside of gauged strippers is the lack of size options.
Adjustable wire strippers have just one open notch to use, and can be widened or tightened based on your needs and the thickness of wire. This allows for accurate, precise stripping based on each individual wire. Most adjustable wire strippers have a tightening mechanism to ensure that the notch doesn’t widen or grow too tight when in use. Adjustable strippers do rely on your adjustments, however—which, if not precise, may damage the wires beneath the jacket.
Also called a self-adjusting wire stripper, this tool automatically conforms to the needed size when you insert the wire. These strippers don’t require any measurements or gauges in order to function. The automatic stripper is only limited by the overall size range it covers.
Wire size refers to a wire’s diameter, which is often measured according to the American Wire Gauge (AWG) measurement system. AWG sizes range from 0000 to 40. It can be confusing, because the thinner the wire, the larger the AWG number. Wire can be solid or stranded; the stranded wires have a larger diameter. The most common gauges of wire in residential settings are between 6 and 14 AWG, but you might be working with gauges outside of that range, depending on the jobs and setting involved. Make sure to select a wire stripper that can accommodate the wire sizes you’ll need, and keep in mind that wire strippers can have different gauge ranges for stripping, cutting, and crimping.
Look for VDE certification that indicates a wire stripper has met essential safety standards. The VDE Testing and Certification Institute tests and certifies electrical tools and equipment and is considered the global authority in this area. Typically, wire strippers will be VDE-certified and approved for up to 1,000 volts.
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We used our expertise as tool experts to ensure we only recommend high-quality wire strippers made by brands we know and trust. I also used my personal experience with construction to pay special attention to things like durability, comfort, ease of use, and compatibility with common wire gauges. Klein Tools is considered by many trade professionals to be the go-to gold standard for wire strippers, so I recommend several options from that brand. We made sure to recommend a range of wire strippers—all safe for electrical use—so you can find one that fits your needs.
This stripper is a popular choice among the Klein Tools line, thanks in part to the serrated nose that grips wires snugly for snug, efficient grip on wires. The serrated nose also serves as a point of grip for bending and shaping stripped wires with relative ease. The coil spring allows it to open quickly, and the curved handles are designed for user comfort.
Alongside its function as a stripper, the device has multifunctional capabilities, including a designated screw-shearing spot and holes for looping wires.
A popular choice for its ergonomic, comfortable design and the value it delivers for the price, this tool strips and crimps wire of a range of sizes spanning the most common gauge numbers. The stripper also comes with an adjustable stopper to control the length of the core strip directly.
The self-adjusting function lets you easily tailor its grip to accommodate wires of a range of sizes. Some Amazon users noted that it seems to grip better onto larger wires.
You’ll have trouble finding a more affordable wire stripper than this Dowell model, which is surprisingly capable for the price. It offers simple, smooth operation and a comfortable handle. The safety lock keeps it securely closed when not in use.
The spring-loaded handle allows for easy use and the carbon steel is designed to last for years. However, some Amazon users were disappointed in the capabilities of the built in wire cutter blade.
This forged-steel wire stripper delivers the quality and performance you expect from Klein Tools, along with versatile, handy capabilities, like screw and bolt shearing. It has a decent gauge range and can cut or bend up to three wires simultaneously.
What sets the heavy-duty stripper apart from other options at Klein Tools is the forged alloy steel construction to ensure it lasts you for life. The cutting knife is also induction hardened for added durability and power.
Another option from Klein Tools, this wire stripper can remove up to a one-inch section of the insulation, or jacket, in one single, efficient step. Finely cut stripping holes ensure a precise, clean cut without damage to the wire.
The spring-loaded grip design improves the opening mechanism and reduces the reliance on your hand and wrist. The wire stripper is also coated with a unique compound to prevent corrosion and rust over time.
This lightweight wire stripper from Capri Tools has a cast alloy chassis designed to balance durability and weight. The tension-loaded recoil spring means it automatically bounces back to the default position so you can zip through stripping tasks quickly. The precisely cut holes ensure you can strip wires without damage.
What makes the Capri wire stripper unique is the ability to swap out the blade for a number of different sized options. Capri Tools offers several alloy steel blades built to strip wires across multiple gauge sizes that you swap onto your device.
For electricians or others who expect to be stripping a lot of wires, spending a few extra dollars on the Knipex automatic wire stripper is a great investment. The device has a trigger-like mechanism for easier use in one hand and an ergonomic grip for comfortable leverage.
The self-adjusting design allows you to use it across nearly any wire you need to strip without fear of damaging the interior. The only downside is the light, plastic feeling of the body exterior, which may come across as cheap considering the price.
For those looking for an adjustable option, the Jonard Tools wrench stripper is a great option. The wire stripper has an adjustable screw, which helps you precisely and securely lock it at the right gauge size. The tool also has scored marks on the side to line up for standard cable sizes.
The device is made of high-carbon steel with a rust-resistant black oxide coating and has a vinyl-cushioned handle for comfortable use. It’s also incredibly affordable, at under $10 at the time of writing.
Craftsman has long been a trusted name across the entire spectrum of tools, from table saws to handheld helpers like this wire stripper. The device not only strips wires across a wide range of gauge sizes, but serves as a quality wire cutter and crimper, too.
The tool has specific ports for insulated and non-insulated terminals and comes with a textured, serrated nose for bending wires. Craftsman also equips the stripper with the classic comfy grip that runs standard across most tools in the company's product line.
Another tool capable of wire stripping, cutting, and crimping, this Kobalt stripper is unique for its design and multifunctional purposes. The wider top construction gives you ample space for each designated task and offers easier access to the gauge you need in the moment.
The device uses an induction-hardened blade and carbon steel for durability and long-term sharpness that will not fade. Each of the handles is also double-dipped for a thicker, more comfortable feeling in your hand.
PM: Electrical projects pose a particular safety hazard. What are the best safety practices to follow?
B.D.: It should go without saying that you shouldn’t attempt any kind of electrical work unless you are sure you know what you’re doing. This isn’t a situation where you can just wing it. Working around electricity is dangerous, and every step needs to be handled carefully and with extreme caution.
If you aren’t confident in your skills in this area, hire a professional electrician. And obviously it is imperative that you triple-check to make sure any wiring you handle isn’t live and make sure that all connected power has been turned off. A non-contact voltage detector, like this one from Klein Tools that I really like, is a great tool for detecting electrical current. You should also use relevant protective safety gear such as goggles and insulated gloves.
PM: Can you use another tool in place of a wire stripper? Why or why not?
B.D.: Old-school electricians often used heavy-duty linesman pliers to cut and strip wire. However, I’m always in favor of using tools that were specifically designed to perform a particular task, and wire strippers are made with the distinct characteristics needed to safely and efficiently strip and cut wires.
PM: What’s one must-have feature or criteria you have when shopping for wire strippers?
B.D.: I look for quality construction and tend to go with a brand I trust. Most professionals will tell you it is worth spending the money to invest in a better, high-quality wire stripper.
For one thing, electrical safety is one area where you don’t want to cut corners. Plus, lower-quality wire strippers often don’t last very long and might also have imprecise or inaccurate measurements that can cause you to damage or waste wires.
Bobbi Dempsey is the former owner of a construction and property maintenance business and a die-hard DIYer whose main project these days is her 100-plus-year-old home that’s a never-ending series of home improvement challenges and adventures; she has written reviews, product roundups, and shopping guides about drain snakes, all manner of saws, nostalgic toys, and more. She’s an economic justice fellow at Community Change and a reporting fellow at Economic Hardship Reporting Project. In addition to Popular Mechanics, she has written for a range of publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Muscle & Fitness, and Parade.
Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner's World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.
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