Best Needle Nose Pliers for 2021 | Reviews & Buyers Guide
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Needle nose pliers are a staple of an electrician’s toolbox, but you don’t have to be in the trade to own a pair. They have so many uses. DIY enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals can all find a service for them. If you need to work in tight and confined spaces and pick something up and hold it in place with precision, a decent needle nose plier will make your life easier.
As with a lot of tools, there are many choices, almost too much, and they range in price. We took the time to test 5 currently on the market and put them through their paces. We took a broad selection, from ones that will work perfectly fine for occasional use around the home right up to top-spec (and price) that would serve the finest engineer for years.
There are some subtle differences between models, and we highlight these in our reviews. To assist you, we have also written a buyer’s guide so you can buy the right plier for your needs.
Here’s a quick rundown of what we’ll talk about in this best needle nose pliers article:
- First, we showcase our top picks in an easy-to-follow comparison table
- Then, we take a deep dive into each model’s features and benefits that you’ll find useful
- Then, we’ll let you know about any drawbacks you might need to know about
- And finally, we’ll tell you about the main features to look out for when buying needle nose pliers, in our buying guide.
Let’s get started
Needle Nose PliersOur Favorite Needle Nose Pliers Compared:
CLICK any image to see Ratings & Reviews on Amazon
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | Klein Tools J207-8CR | Check Price | 4.8 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | KNIPEX Tools - Needle Nose Pliers | Check Price | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | TEKTON Mini Needle Nose Pliers | Check Price | 4.7 / 5 (Great Buy) |
  | Dykes Needle Nose Plier | Check Price | 4.2 / 5 |
  | schmitz Needle Nose Pliers 6.1/8'' | Check Price | 4.6 / 5 |
Also see: Best Snap Ring Pliers – Reviews and Buyers Guide
5 Best Needle Nose Pliers | Reviewed:
1. Klein Tools (Model J207-8CR) Needle Nose Plier (Best Overall)
- Klein Tools needle nose pliers are about as versatile as you could wish for. Perfect for stripping, cutting, looping, crimping, and shearing. Think of this as more of a multi-tool as it does so much more than traditional long nose pliers.
- Easily strips 10-18AWG Solid and 12-20 AWG Stranded wire and will shear 6-32 and 8-32 screws thanks to the sharp cutting edge.
- You can use it for standard electrical jobs too as it crimps non-insulated terminals, connectors, and lugs, and because of its long nose and straight jaws, they have extra reach capacity making them perfect for working in tight spaces.
- The non slip handles are ergonomically designed which makes this tool ideal for professional electricians who will use it day in and day out. Hand fatigue is a time killer when operating pliers.
- Because of the versatility of this tool, you don’t need to carry as many in your toolkit. Yes, it is a bit more money than standard pliers but it is definitely worth the investment.
- Manufactured using premium forged steel they are built to last. They measure 10.4 x 3.5 0.6 inches and weigh 10.8 ounces.
- The only issue we found with these is they are not the best at wire cutting. However, if you need a reliable and long-lasting tool then look no further than this one.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
2. KNIPEX Tools – Needle Nose Pliers (Best Value)
- The KNIPEX long needle nose pliers are built for precision where exact assembling, adjustments, and bending is required.
- The machined jaws are extra long measuring 55mm allowing them to reach into the tightest recess, where other pliers simply can’t get to. If you need a tool for working in extremely tight spaces with excellent control then this will work for you.
- They measure 7 x 1.9 x 0.4 inches and weigh in at only 0.8 ounces.
- As with all KNIPEX tools they are built for the professional in mind. Made from Chrome vanadium steel material they come with a manufacturers warranty.
- During our testing, we were impressed with the grip thanks to the smooth and well ground jaws. They’re clearly designed for precision work and are great at it. Yes, they are more money than some other similar models, but you do get what you pay for and these are built to last.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
3. TEKTON Mini Needle Nose Pliers
- TEKTON make a wide variety of needle nose pliers and we tested the mini with crosscut teeth. Don’t be fooled by the word mini in the title as these have an extra-long, slender and tapered nose leading to a fine tip, perfect for working in tight places.
- The serrated jaw with crosscut diamond-shaped teeth perform admirably and enable a superb grip in any direction. This helps with precision electrical work or jewelry making as you can grip, pull, twist, and cut in all directions.
- Hand fatigue is a big issue with any type of plier and manufacturers have invested a lot in research and design to try and minimize it. These pliers come with a recessed coiled spring that helps their use, and because they are tucked away they don’t get in the way.
- They also have a wide handle with a non-slip grip which means you have total fingertip control.
- Measuring just 5.4 x 3.85 x 0.6 inches and weighing in at 3.36 ounces these won’t take up much room in your toolbox.
- TEKTON fully guarantees the quality of the product and it comes with their warranty.
- These pliers are every bit as good as SnapOn but are way less expensive, and a very decent alternative to our Best Value pick.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
4. Dykes Needle Nose Pliers
- If you are looking for needle nose pliers for occasional use and don’t want to spend too much, then Dykes could have the answer.
- These 6-inch pliers have long tempered jaws making them fantastic for working in tight areas.
- The tapered nose and fine tips are ideal for wire bending, making jewelry, computer and TV repairs, and gripping tiny objects.
- Made from carbon steel these are ideal for hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts. They won’t last long in a professional environment though. Measuring 6 x 3 x 0.3 inches and weighing a little over 2 ounces they will make a great addition to your toolbox at home.
- If you need a tool for occasional use then these will work fine for you and they won’t break the bank.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
5. Schmitz Needle Nose Pliers 6.1/8”
- If you are looking for top-spec needle-nose pliers then look no further. Made in Germany by Schmitz from high alloy carbon steel with a high gloss steel polished surface which prevents damage to electrical circuits and their components.
- Featuring ESD- safe dual-compound grips the long, slim, smooth jaws allow work in confined spaces. Gripping small objects is made easy thanks to the box-joint and double leaf springs.
- Measuring 6.61 x 2.32 x 0.75 inches and weighing 2.61 ounces they will make a great addition to any professional electricians toolbox.
- Hands down, these are simply exceptional. They are incredibly well-built and their customer service is top-notch.
- The question is, do you need such high quality? As you can imagine they are way more money than other needle nose pliers, but if you perform intricate electrical work as your occupation then you should at least consider these.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Video: How to use Needle Nose Pliers
Needle Nose Pliers Buyers Guide
Needle nose pliers have so many uses and are very versatile, so we would recommend having one in your toolkit, even if you’re not going to use it regularly. For any tool purchase, think about what job you need to do, how often you will need to use it, and how much you want to spend.
If you are a DIY type person who does odd jobs around the house, there’s no need to go out and spend your hard-earned money on the top-spec one. You just won’t see the return on your investment as the cheapest one in our review worked perfectly adequately.
Durability
Poorly constructed pliers will let you down, perhaps not straight away, but in the not too distant future, they will fail. Rust is the biggest enemy for pliers, and cheaply made ones are particularly susceptible.
The good news is there aren’t too many moving parts, and so if you buy one made from good quality metal manufactured by a reputable brand, they should last you a long time.
Jaw size
One feature you may need to consider is jaw size. Traditional needle nose pliers are brilliant for tugging, bending, and crimping wire but aren’t as good at working in confined spaces, such as inside a computer or TV.
If you need to remove the tiniest screw from a tight spot, a micro plier is much better as the jaws allow much greater precision when picking up small objects. However, micro pliers won’t give you the proper grip to pull the wire through a tight area.
Product features
There are not many features to be duped by when purchasing needle nose pliers, but there are some to consider. Firstly, consider the grip handle. Is it non-slip and comfortable? Hand fatigue is rare when using these types of pliers due to the nature of the work. But, do consider if the handle design makes holding them more straightforward.
Some models have recessed springs that assist the jaw opening. Although not essential, they can significantly help you with precision work. Also, consider the length and type of nose. Do you need round nose or bent nose pliers? If you need different types of pliers, it’d be worth considering a set.
One plier or a set?
There are two ways of looking at it. If you are an electrician who needs these tools every day, it will make sense to buy a set. The set is likely to contain different types of jaws, from straight to angled to the curved jaw, smooth to cut teeth, and you could easily make a case for buying a set.
However, if you are an occasional user of the tool, it wouldn’t be worth investing money into tools that will sit in your garage, catching dust.
Our advice would be to buy the best plier for your budget, and if you find you need a specialty jaw, then you can go and buy one. You will save money. Cheap sets with all the pliers will fail over time, especially if left in a damp garage where rust will set in.
Needle Nose PliersConclusion
We rigorously tested 5 of the best needle nose pliers on the market today. If truth be told, there wasn’t much difference between them. The Klein Tools J207-8CR Needle Nose Pliers won our Best Overall prize due to the versatility they offer. It’s essentially a multi-tool and can perform admirably on most jobs.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
We agonized over which to award our Best Value pick! We ended up going for the KNIPEX Tools – Needle Nose Pliers. They are incredibly well built, have extra long jaws, and have superb grip so that you can conduct precision work with them.
Prices pulled from Amazon Product Advertising API on: Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
A close second, let’s say Best Value 2! came the TEKTON Mini Needle Nose Pliers. The recessed coil spring is a nice feature, and the cross-cut teeth enable you to grip from any angle. For hobbyists, we recommend Dykes Needle Nose Pliers.
We hope we have made your life easier and can now decide which needle nose plier to purchase.
Here are some other articles you may like:
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Compare to other pliers:
| Image | Model | Price | Walts Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Top  | KNIPEX Tools 00 20 04 SB | Check Price | 4.9 / 5 (Best Overall) |
  | Lang Tools (3495) | Check Price | 4.7 / 5 (Best Value) |
  | IRWIN VISE-GRIP Convertible Snap Pliers | Check Price | 4.2 / 5 |
  | CRAFTSMAN Snap Ring Pliers Set | Check Price | 4.0 / 5 |
  | Channellock 927 8-Inch Snap Ring Plier | Check Price | 4.6 / 5 |
When I’m not testing and reviewing tools, you’ll find me in front of a hot BBQ, cold drink in hand, cooking up something big, and spending quality time with my wife and two boys. I’m also often found in my workshop working on my next project!
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