Best Tin & Aviation Snips for the Money – Reviews and Recommendations

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Tin snips and aviation snips are what’s needed to manually cut through sheet metal.  It can be a tough gig and your hands won’t thank you if you don’t have a tool that’s up to the job. Thankfully, there are now several models available that are reasonably priced, and so whilst that’s a blessing in many respects, it can lead to indecision.

We have tested and reviewed 5 of the best ones on the market and have written detailed reports on their ability.  We have also designed an easy-to-read comparison table so you can see the products side by side. Our goal is to ensure you make the right purchase and we’re confident we can save you some time and money with this article!

To see the difference between tin snips vs aviation snips you can check this article out.

 

Our favorite products compared:

 

5 best tin snips and aviation snips – reviewed

 

MIDWEST Aviation Snip Set (Best overall)

Best Overall
  • This 3 piece set represents great value for money as it includes a left, right, and center-cut blades with the correct color-coded handles for quick identification.
  • The blades are very sharp and are made from molybdenum alloy steel and are long-lasting and durable. Hand fatigue is the killer of efficiency for any type of plier and these feature a comfort grip handle to prevent slippage. We found they sat nicely in our hands.
  • Made in the USA, these are favored by the professional sheet metal worker, but hobbyists and DIYers are not priced out either.
  • The blades are offset and this enables you to cut without the sheet metal getting in the way. This is especially useful when cutting long sheets. Less effort is needed to cut through the metal too, leading to much less hand fatigue.
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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.

 

IRWIN 12-inch Tin Snip (Best Value)

Best Value
  • This IRWIN tin snip is capable of cutting sheet metal up to 22 gauge with a flat blade that cuts straight and wide curves. The spring washer holds the blades against each other when cutting.
  • The way the precision ground blade is manufactured ensures a tight grip on each cut and this improves accuracy and the overall cut quality. Each cut is 2-¾”.
  • They have thought of user comfort too as the handles are softened and they enable a good grip.
  • These come with the IRWIN lifetime warranty. At first glance, they looked huge and we thought they’d be difficult to use but they weren’t. Because they’re tin snips you will need to use them on thin metal, anything thick you’ll need aviation snips.
  • These are a great tool, well-made by a respected toolmaker, and they won’t break the bank to buy.
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Prices pulled from the 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.

 

Crescent WISS MetalMaster Aviation Snip Set

  • If your budget won’t stretch to buy our Best Overall pick, these are a decent alternative. You get a 3-pack capable of cutting straight, left, and right cuts with each tool correctly color-coded.
  • These have some decent design features that set them apart from other models. Not every manufacturer pays as much attention to preventing hand fatigue but these come with a non-slip handle, making it perfect for humid or wet conditions. They also incorporated a spring-action for better feed through the metal.
  • What prevented us from scoring them higher is they are not as powerful as other models, they’re maximum cut capacity is just 18 gauge steel.
  • All-in-all, they represent good value for money and so if you have lightweight jobs these could work out to be a great deal.
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Prices pulled from the 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.

 

TEKTON 10-Inch Straight Pattern Tin Snips

  • These are similar in design to the IRWIN tool, but slightly smaller. They’re also more money and apart from being capable of cutting 26 gauge stainless steel, we couldn’t see any other difference.
  • With these you can cut straight or wide, curving the cuts left or right. Each cut is 2-¼ “ and can be used in either left or right hand.
  • Made from heat-treated carbon steel they are well made, but that’s to be expected from TEKTON. The handles are soft and comfortable, and they felt good in our hands, although a little on the heavy side for us to want to work with them all day every day.
  • These would be ideal for occasional use, but for professional sheet metal workers, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
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Prices pulled from the 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.

 

DeWalt DWHT14676 3-piece ERGO Aviation Snips Set 

  • Lastly, we treated ourselves to the DeWalt aviation snips. We say treated because they are more expensive than the others we tested.
  • The set includes 3 snips, a straight, left, and right cutter with a 18-22 gauge capacity. They felt comfortable to use and the cutting was made easier because the blade has a serrated edge.
  • The handles were non-slip and nice to hold. Very little effort was needed in cutting metal and this is a bonus for users who need to use them frequently.
  • The handles were properly color-coded to quickly identify the type of cut and they have a hanging hook for easy storage.
  • The problem we had with these is the price and accuracy. They are super quality, and a real competitor for our Best Overall pick, but you will pay top-dollar. We felt we had more control using the MIDWEST set.
Buy on Amazon

Prices pulled from the 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.

 

Further reading:  Aviation Snips vs. Tin Snips: Which One Do You Need?

Conclusion

Our Best Overall award went to MIDWEST Aviation Snip Set as they performed the best in our testing.  They have excellent power and grip and are correctly color-coded.  The blades are very sharp and we felt in total control using them.

Our Best Value pick was the IRWIN 12-inch Tin Snip.  For the price you’ll pay these will give you great performance.  They’re sharp, powerful, and won’t bend the metal when cutting. The warranty is an added bonus too.

We hope you have found these reviews helpful.  If you need to ask any questions, please contact us and we’ll do our best to answer you.

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Walter Snyder
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