An underrated hand tool, pliers, are essential when it comes to DIY. They can give you a lot more control during outdoor, and home projects, plus they have a lot of other versatile uses too. They might not have as much glory as other tools, but you can't deny their usefulness.
If you are keen on curating the best tool kit that you can, then you will need to familiarise yourself with this under-utilised tool. Whether you need to trim a wire, or even tighten up a nut, the capabilities of a plier is pretty impressive.
The best pliers at a glance:
Best for beginners: Draper Redline Pliers Set - View on Amazon UK
Best for overall value: Rolson Combination Pliers - View on Amazon UK
Best for tougher jobs: WORKPRO Water Pump Pliers - View on Amazon UK
Best for versatility: Rolson Circlip Pliers Set - View on Amazon UK
Similarly to screwdrivers, pliers come in a wide array of shapes and sizes - and these are all suited to a wide range of DIY needs. Looking for some pliers to add to your kit? Check out our list of the best down below…
Best for beginners
If you're fairly new to DIY, this pliers set from Draper will help to get your kit started. Carbon steel hardened and tempered, with jaws and cutting edges that are induction hardened - this is a staple plier to have in your toolkit.
Our Thoughts: Draper is a brand you can trust when it comes to tools. This affordable set features three different types of high-quality pliers, with each design featuring an induction hardened jaw and cutting edge.
Pros
- Anti-slip, soft-grip handles
- Made from carbon steel
Cons
- Slightly heavy
Best for overall value
At a great value price, this quality pair of pliers from Rolson is an absolute bargain. These 150mm combination pliers are what you'd call engineer pliers.
Our Thoughts: Tough and made to last, this pair of pliers is definitely a winning choice. You won't need much elbow grease to get the best results from this, and we're impressed with this plier pick for this price.
Pros
- Affordable price tag
- High-quality
Cons
- Fairly basic design
Best for tougher jobs
A handy set of water pump pliers, perfect for even the toughest of jobs. High quality material, quick adjustment and ergonomic design - what more could you want from a multi usage tool?
Our Thoughts: Made from heat-treated chrome vanadium steel, these pliers are rustproof and durable while still being lightweight. They're incredibly versatile and long-lasting, so you'll get a lot of bang for your buck with these.
Pros
- Adjustable jaws
- Lightweight, ergonomic design
Cons
- Some might find fiddly
Best for versatility
Four different pliers in one? Sounds pretty efficient and convenient to us. This tool has two straight heads one 90 degree tip one 45 degree tip and is a high quality Rolson tools product.
Our Thoughts: With a strong design and interchangeable heads, this pair of pliers from Rolson is a must-have for DIY lovers. It's a great pick for internal and external circlips, plus the design is easy to use, even for newbies.
Pros
- Simple spring-loaded handle
- Amazing value
Cons
- Quite small in size
Best for cutting
This pair will have you covered when it comes to cutting soft or hard wires. With gripping zones for flat and round material and long cutting edges for thicker cables - this tool is suitable for versatile use.
Our Thoughts: Made with gripping zones for flat and round materials, this pair of pliers doesn't cut corners but will make cutting edges easier. They're comfortable to hold, too, which makes getting stuck a lot more enjoyable.
Pros
- Induction-hardened design
- Incredibly versatile
Cons
- Some found you had to really clean them before using them
Best for a longer reach
Thanks to these pliers, get into smaller places at a distance with zero stress. The jaws of this plier open at a greater distance than the handle for a longer reach in tight places.
Our Thoughts: We've got ourselves a winning pick here regarding durability and precision. The grip is strong, and the length makes reaching nearly anything simple. We also appreciate the flush rivet design element.
Pros
- Extra-long profile
- Aligned serrated tips
Cons
- Not suited to all tasks
Types of pliers:
There are many types of pliers floating around the DIY, and home improvement stratosphere but here are just a few that pop up a lot and might be useful to add to your toolbox...
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Running Pliers
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Crimping Pliers
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Soft Jaw Pliers
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Combination Pliers
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Sheet Metal Pliers
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Spark Plug Pliers
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Welding Pliers
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Water Pump Pliers
What can you use pliers for?
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Cutting wire
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Gripping a pipe
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Pulling out nails
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Twisting wire
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Makeshift clamp
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Bending metal
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Stripping Insulation
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Fixing bicycles
What are the best quality pliers made of?
Quality pliers are judged by the type of metal used in its construction. Higher-grade tools are generally made of fine polished, high carbon drop-forged steel.
What pliers do electricians use?
Electricians use linesman's pliers for almost everything. These pliers have flat noses designed for twisting wires tightly. They also have cutting edges for cutting wires to length and stripping the jackets off individual wires.
Caitlin Evans is a Content Optimisation Executive with a passion for finding the best products on the market. She specialises in identifying features that make a product stand out from the rest that will help people make informed buying decisions.