Best Locking Pliers with Wire Cutter (2026)
Locking pliers compared by jaw shape and size, material, wire cutter, grip and warranty.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best OverallIRWIN Vise-Grip 7 in9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
Best for Sheet MetalDURATECH Curved 7 in9.4/10View on Amazon - 3
Best CompactIRWIN Vise-Grip 5 in9.4/10View on Amazon - 4
Best Pivoting GripKnipex Pivoting 10 in9.5/10View on Amazon - 5
Best Large JawWORKPRO Curved 10 in9.4/10View on Amazon
A rounded bolt head on a bracket can stop a weekend job cold: an open-end wrench slips, an adjustable wrench rounds it further, and the bolt still has to come out. That is the moment for a locking plier, a tool that clamps down and stays put while you work the problem. This guide compares the best locking pliers with wire cutter options from current listings, by jaw shape and size, material, wire cutter, grip and warranty.
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Quick picks
- Best Overall IRWIN Vise-Grip 7 in: Curved jaw with hardened teeth, a wire cutter and a hex key screw. Check price on Amazon
- Best for Sheet Metal DURATECH Curved 7 in: Chrome vanadium jaw with a wire cutter, for flat objects such as sheet metal. Check price on Amazon
- Best Compact IRWIN Vise-Grip 5 in: Small curved jaw with a wire cutter, knurled tips, jaw up to 1 1/8 in. Check price on Amazon
- Best Pivoting Grip Knipex Pivoting 10 in: Pivoting jaw that adjusts to the shape gripped, with high clamping pressure. Check price on Amazon
- Best Large Jaw WORKPRO Curved 10 in: Curved jaw in chromium-vanadium steel with a wire cutter and anti-slip handle. Check price on Amazon
The picks
Vise Grip7-Inch Curved Jaw Locking Pliers
A 7-inch curved-jaw locking plier with hardened teeth, a wire cutter, a classic trigger release and a hex key adjusting screw, in heat-treated alloy steel.
Pros
- Curved jaw with hardened teeth for gripping varied shapes from any angle
- Wire cutter included for more versatility
- Hex key adjusting screw tightens to adjust pressure and draw materials together
- Limited lifetime warranty term stated
Cons
- No jaw opening figure stated
- Handle listed as alloy steel, with no cushion stated
- Spec table dimensions of 1.02 in by 2.63 in do not match the 7-inch title length
- Cutting width of 4.95 inches stated without a wire size range
Knipex Tools 40 14 250 10" Pivoting Locking Grip
A 10-inch pivoting locking grip plier with a toggle action lever, a high-strength rolled steel body and jaws forged from chrome vanadium electric steel.
Pros
- Bottom jaw pivots automatically to adjust to the shape gripped
- Toggle action lever gives high clamping pressure for a firm grip
- Gripping capacity stated: 1 11/16-inch round, 1 5/8-inch square, 1 25/32-inch hex
- Limited lifetime warranty term stated
Cons
- No wire cutter stated in the listing
- Heaviest here at 1.4 pounds
- Handle listed as alloy steel, with no cushion stated
- Release lever only, with no trigger release stated
WORKPRO Locking Pliers, 10-inch Curved Jaw Vice
A 10-inch curved-jaw locking plier in chromium-vanadium steel with a wire cutter, an adjustable screw and a diamond-pattern anti-slip handle.
Pros
- Chromium-vanadium steel, heat-treated for strength
- Wire cutter included on a curved jaw
- Adjustable screw suits different jaw widths for clamping pressure
- Trigger release for single-hand operation
Cons
- Box-contents bullet says 7-inch while the title says 10-inch
- No warranty term stated
- Handle material listed as plastic
- No jaw opening figure stated
DURATECH 7-Inch Locking Pliers
A 7-inch curved-jaw locking plier in chrome vanadium steel with a wire cutter, an adjustable screw, a trigger design and an argyle-pattern anti-slip handle.
Pros
- Chrome vanadium steel, heat-treated for toughness
- Wire cutter included on a curved jaw
- Adjustable screw for different jaw openings and clamping pressure
- Suited to flat objects such as sheet metal
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No jaw opening figure stated
- Handle listed as metal and steel, with no cushion stated
- Spec table lists dimensions of 7 in by 7 in, which do not describe a plier
IRWIN VISE-GRIP Locking Pliers with Wire Cutter
A 5-inch curved-jaw locking plier with a wire cutter, knurled tips and a jaw adjustment up to 1 1/8 in, that locks on instantly and releases quickly.
Pros
- Jaw adjustment up to 1 1/8 in on a compact 5-inch body
- Curved jaws with knurled tips and wire cutters
- Locks on instantly and releases quickly
- Compact 5-inch body, the smallest here
Cons
- Warranty field reads only Yes, with no term stated
- Smallest jaw here
- Handle listed as alloy steel and stainless steel, with no cushion stated
- Spec table dimensions of 8.5 in by 1 in do not match the 5-inch title length
Compare the picks
| Model | Shop Score | Jaw | Material | Wire cutter | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRWIN Vise-Grip 7 in | 9.6/10 | Curved, 7 in | Heat-treated alloy steel | Yes | Limited lifetime |
| Knipex Pivoting 10 in | 9.5/10 | Pivoting, 10 in | Rolled steel, forged chrome vanadium jaws | Not stated | Limited lifetime |
| WORKPRO Curved 10 in | 9.4/10 | Curved, 10 in | Chromium-vanadium steel | Yes | Not stated |
| DURATECH Curved 7 in | 9.4/10 | Curved, 7 in | Chromium-vanadium steel | Yes | Not stated |
| IRWIN Vise-Grip 5 in | 9.4/10 | Curved, 5 in | Alloy steel | Yes | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 25 October 2026.
How we scored them
Each plier is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. A stated lifetime term earns warranty points, while a warranty field with no term earns none, and no listing here states a safety listing, so no safety points are awarded.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRWIN Vise-Grip 7 in | 9.6 | 30 | 21 | 21 | 0 | 4 |
| Knipex Pivoting 10 in | 9.5 | 29 | 22 | 19 | 0 | 4 |
| WORKPRO Curved 10 in | 9.4 | 28 | 20 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| DURATECH Curved 7 in | 9.4 | 28 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| IRWIN Vise-Grip 5 in | 9.4 | 26 | 19 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
What the listings tell you
The listings compared here cover curved jaws and a pivoting jaw, in sizes from 5-inch to 10-inch. Most state a wire cutter; the Knipex listing states none. Limited lifetime terms appear on the IRWIN 7-inch and Knipex listings, while the IRWIN 5-inch warranty field reads only Yes and the remaining listings state no warranty term.
How to choose the best locking pliers with wire cutter
Jaw shape and size
Curved jaws grip rounded shapes from any angle, and the Knipex pivoting jaw adjusts to the shape gripped. Size sets the work: the 5-inch IRWIN suits small fasteners, while the 10-inch WORKPRO and Knipex listings suit larger clamping work.
Wire cutter
A wire cutter on the plier means a cut without reaching for another tool. Check the listing for the cutter before buying, because the Knipex listing states none, and no listing here states a wire size range.
Adjusting screw and release
An adjustable screw sets jaw width and clamping pressure, and a trigger or lever release frees the grip. The IRWIN 7-inch uses a hex key adjusting screw, while the WORKPRO, DURATECH and Knipex listings describe a screw plus a trigger or lever release.
Materials and warranty
Chromium-vanadium steel and heat-treated alloy steel dominate these listings, with the Knipex body in rolled steel and forged chrome vanadium jaws. Warranty terms vary: a limited lifetime term is the strongest stated here, while other listings state no term, so read the warranty field before buying.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Garage Fit Check
- Space: the longest pliers here are 10-inch, so a drawer slot or pegboard hook sized for a 10-inch tool covers every pick.
- Storage: each listing describes a single plier, so a slot per tool is enough; no set case is stated.
- Power: none of these pliers needs power, air or a battery; the grip comes from the locking mechanism alone.
- Before the first job: check the jaw width, the wire cutter and the warranty field on the listing, since sizes run from 5-inch to 10-inch and warranty terms differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are locking pliers?
Locking pliers are pliers that clamp onto a shape and stay locked until the release is pressed, so the grip holds without steady hand pressure. The listings here describe curved jaws, an adjusting screw and a trigger or lever release.
How do you use locking pliers?
Set the jaw width with the adjusting screw, clamp onto the shape, and press the trigger or lever release to free the grip. The IRWIN 7-inch listing describes a hex key adjusting screw that draws materials together for a controlled release.
What size locking pliers do I need?
Match the size to the work: the listings here run from 5-inch to 10-inch, with the 5-inch IRWIN suited to small fasteners and the 10-inch listings suited to larger clamping work. Jaw adjustment figures, where stated, run up to 1 1/8 in on the 5-inch IRWIN.
How to use locking pliers on a bolt?
Clamp the curved jaw onto the bolt head, lock the grip, and turn the plier to move the bolt. Hardened teeth, stated on the IRWIN 7-inch listing, help the jaw hold rounded shapes from any angle.
Related: our engine and shop equipment hub and our adjustable vs locking pliers comparison. Also see our best long reach locking pliers. Also see our best small locking pliers. Also see our best welding clamps for metal. Also see our bench vise types.
