Best Pliers for Common DIY & Trade Jobs
11th Feb 2026
Having the right pliers for the job can be the difference between a clean, professional result and a frustrating workaround.
You might be tempted to make one pair of pliers do everything, but this can lead to slips, damaged materials or sore hands.
Here are the best types of pliers to choose for 12 common DIY and trade jobs.
Best Pliers for General Gripping Tasks
Our pick: Flat Nose Parallel Plier Comfort Grips 160 mm
If you need one plier for everyday gripping, this is it.
The flat, parallel jaws grip evenly along their full length, making them ideal for holding nuts, bolts, brackets, washers and fixings without rounding or slipping.
The serrated jaws offer even more grip, especially important on slippery or unusually shaped components.
Reasons to buy:
- Parallel-action jaws apply even pressure across the entire workpiece, unlike scissor-action pliers that pinch at one point. This gives them a vice-like grip.
- Serrated flat jaws provide added grip to stop your workpiece from slipping.
- The 160 mm length offers excellent balance between leverage and control.
- Comfort grips reduce hand fatigue during longer DIY tasks.
- Open-throat design allows you to work along the entire length of a long stretch of wire.
- V-slot in the jaws provides even better grip on wire and rods.
Ideal for:
DIYers, installers and tradespeople tightening fixings, holding components steady, straightening wire and carrying out general workshop tasks.
Best Pliers for Electricians Working on Live or Potentially Live Circuits
Our pick: 1000V Insulated Side Cutter Parallel Plier For Hard Wire 160 mm
If there is any risk that a circuit could be live, you need certified insulated tools.
This insulated parallel plier is a gripping tool and cutter in one, built for electricians who want control, leverage and safety in real-world conditions (without swapping between tools).
Reasons to buy:
- Certified to IEC 60900:2018 for protection on systems up to 1000V AC and 1500V DC.
- Parallel-action jaws give a vice-like grip along the full length for stable handling of conductors and terminals.
- Integrated side cutter allows cutting without swapping tools, especially useful in tight boards.
- V-slot jaw improves control on round wire during manipulation and positioning.
- Designed for professional electrical work where safety and precision both matter.
Ideal for:
Electricians working in consumer units, distribution boards, fault finding, terminations and any scenario where isolation cannot be guaranteed.
Best Mini Pliers for Precision DIY & Small Components
Our pick: Flat Nose Parallel Plier 125 mm
When you are working with small fixings, tight clearances or delicate parts, full-size pliers can feel clumsy.
That’s where these mini pliers come in, giving you far more dexterity and accuracy compared to normal pliers.
This pliers’ compact 125 mm length and parallel-action jaws make them perfect for controlled gripping, positioning and making micro-adjustments, without the usual slips of scissor-action pliers.
Reasons to buy:
- Compact 125 mm size improves control for precision work and small hardware.
- Parallel jaws give you a vice-like grip on tiny parts, reducing slip and rounding.
- Serrated jaws bite securely on small nuts, washers and clips.
- Case-hardened jaws (HRC 57) for durability in workshop and DIY use.
- Open-throat design allows you to work along the entire length of a long stretch of wire.
- V-slot in the jaws provides even better grip on wire and rods.
Ideal for:
Electronics repair, model building, small appliance repair, fine DIY tasks and working with small fixings where accuracy matters.
Best Pliers for Tight Spaces & Awkward Access
Our pick: Long Nose Parallel Plier 160 mm
When space is limited and you’re working in awkward places, you need pliers that give you extra reach without compromising on accuracy.
These long nose pliers are 160 mm in length with 50 mm useable jaw length, perfect for confined spaces where fingers or standard pliers will not fit.
Reasons to buy:
- Long, tapered jaws improve visibility and access in tight spaces.
- Parallel jaws grip evenly along their full length, for a vice-like grip (even at reach).
- 50 mm usable jaw length gives you exceptional reach.
- Jaws case hardened to HRC 57 for durability.
Ideal for:
Electrical junction box repair, engine bays, socket back boxes, appliance repairs, model building and tight mechanical assemblies.
Best Pliers for Repetitive Tasks & Reduced Hand Fatigue
Our pick: Side Cutter Parallel Plier For Hard Wire Return Spring 160 mm
If you are doing repeated grip-and-cutting tasks, the return spring of this plier will save your hand strength.
This tool is built for speed and efficiency, resetting automatically between cuts and grips so you can work faster with less hand strain. It’s also perfect for cutting through hard wire, handling piano wire up to 2.0 mm diameter.
Reasons to buy:
- Long-lasting return spring reopens the plier automatically for faster repetitive work.
- Parallel jaws maintain a stable, full-length, vice-like grip on components and wire.
- Integrated side cutter multiplies hand force by 23x for less cutting effort.
- 160 mm size makes it still versatile while providing a lot of leverage.
- Ideal for long sessions where fatigue reduction makes a real difference.
Ideal for:
Assembly and production work, repetitive cable prep, panel wiring on isolated circuits, DIY projects involving lots of repeated grips and cuts, and anyone wanting less hand fatigue.
Best Pliers for Repetitive Wire Cutting & Clean, Accurate Trimming
Our pick: Diagonal Cutting Plier For Hard Wire Comfort Grips 160 mm
The best cutter for any professional who deals with hard wire daily.
The compound-lever action multiplies hand force by 22x, reducing cutting effort significantly, perfect if you cut hard wire for a living.
Reasons to buy:
- Compound-lever action provides 22x hand strength that reduces effort and helps prevent hand fatigue on repeated cuts.
- Induction-hardened cutting edges (HRC 64) give exceptional durability and a long service life.
- Comfort grips improve handling and reduce strain during long projects.
- Ideal for precise trimming where you want consistent results without crushing or twisting.
Need insulated handles to work on electrical circuits? See our insulated version here.
Ideal for:
Cable prep, general workshop cutting, repeated trimming of ties and wire ends, and any job where clean, accurate cuts are the main task.
Best Pliers for Flush Cuts, Nail Pulling & Strip-Out Work
Our pick: End Cutting Plier For Hard Wire 150 mm
End cutters are designed to cut close to surfaces or pull fixings out cleanly.
Ideal for removing old nails from wood you want to reuse or for finishing off parts flush to a workpiece for a better finish.
Reasons to buy:
- End-cutting jaws allow flush cuts against surfaces.
- Compound-lever action multiplies hand force by 14x for cutting hard wire with minimal effort.
- Induction-hardened cutting edges (HRC 64) for durability.
- Rounded head profile allows controlled rocking to pull nails or staples.
- Compact 150 mm size improves access in confined spaces.
Ideal for:
Strip-out work, flooring removal, cable clip removal, nail pulling and remedial DIY tasks.
Best Pliers for Cable Ties & Clean Finishing Work
Our pick: Cable Tie Installation Plier 160 mm
Nothing ruins a tidy install faster than sharp cable tie tails.
This plier is purpose-built to tension and flush-cut cable ties in one controlled action.
Reasons to buy:
- Reliable and efficient cable tie tensioning, every time.
- Flush cutting action leaves no sharp edges.
- Controlled tensioning prevents overtightening and cable damage.
- One-handed operation improves speed and consistency.
- Designed for cable ties up to 5 mm wide.
Ideal for:
Electrical installations, network installations, automotive wiring, control panels and tidy DIY cable management.
Best Pliers for Fencing, Agriculture & Outdoor Work
Our pick: Fencing Plier Comfort Grips 200 mm
When working with high-tensile wire outdoors, you need a tool that will not slip, bend or fail.
This fencing plier is engineered specifically for gripping and cutting tough wire in harsh conditions, with parallel action to give you a secure grip on tough wire.
Reasons to buy:
- The serrated parallel jaws provide exceptional grip on fencing wire.
- Integrated cutter hardened to HRC 62-65 for durability when cutting high-tensile wire.
- V-slot jaw increases surface contact for even better grip.
- 200 mm length provides excellent leverage for tensioning and cutting.
Ideal for:
Farmers, landscapers, estate maintenance, fencing repairs and outdoor construction work.
Best Pliers for Delicate Surfaces & Finished Materials
Our pick: Soft Plastic Jaws Flat Nose Parallel Plier 125 mm
When you’re working with the most delicate materials, you need soft jaws to prevent you from damaging your workpiece while gripping or bending.
These pliers have soft jaw inserts that protect delicate materials while still offering controlled, parallel gripping.
Reasons to buy:
- Soft plastic jaws prevent scratching or marking finishes.
- Parallel-action jaws distribute pressure evenly, for excellent grip without crushing your workpiece.
- Compact 125 mm size improves accuracy and control.
- Ideal for plated, painted, anodised or polished surfaces.
- Jaw inserts can be replaced when worn.
Ideal for:
Jewellery making, model building, decorative hardware, and delicate DIY or craft work.
Best Pliers for Panel Wiring & Second-Fix Electrical Work on Isolated Circuits
Our pick: Long Nose Side Cutter Parallel Plier 160 mm
When you are working inside enclosures, back boxes and panels, you need reach and control, plus the ability to cut without swapping tools.
This tool combines a long, tapered nose with stable parallel jaws and an integrated cutter, making it ideal for second fix and panel tasks on isolated circuits.
Reasons to buy:
- Long tapered jaws improve access and visibility in tight enclosures.
- Parallel jaws grip evenly to help prevent crushing or slipping on conductors.
- Integrated side cutter allows quick cuts without changing tools.
- Designed for accurate manipulation and tidy wire positioning.
- Great for confined spaces where standard combination pliers feel bulky.
Ideal for:
Second-fix electrical work, control panel wiring, appliance repairs and DIY electrical tasks where the circuit is confirmed isolated.
How Parallel-Action Pliers Improve Your DIY & Trade Work
Traditional scissor-action pliers grip at a single point, often causing slips, crushed materials or uneven pressure.
Parallel-action pliers solve this problem.
Their jaws remain parallel throughout the closing motion, creating even, full-length contact across the workpiece.
Key benefits:
- More stable grip on wire, fixings and fasteners.
- Less force required to hold objects securely.
- Reduced slippage in tight spaces.
- Better control when twisting, straightening or positioning materials.
This jaw design is a core reason people choose Maun.
Final Summary
Those are our top pliers for common DIY and trade jobs.
If you have any feedback or improvements you’d recommend for this post, we’d love to hear from you.
This post was brought to you by Maun, experts in tools since 1944.
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