The 28 best crimp tool brands
Klein Tools, Ideal and DMC lead our ranking of 28 crimp tool brands. Compare what each brand makes, visit its official site, or shop it online.
Crimp Tool brands, ranked
TSCentral is reader-supported: we may earn a commission when you shop through links on this page. It does not affect the ranking.
-
1
Klein Tools
Ratchet crimpers covering 10 to 22 AWG, with square and hex ferrule dies for different terminal types.
Top products: 3005CR Ratcheting Crimper· 34056 Ratcheting Ferrule Hex Crimper
Website: kleintools.com |Brands like Klein Tools
Popularity 10.0/10
-
2
Ideal
Combination strippers and crimpers for electricians, with comfortable grips built for daily jobsite use.
Website: premiumexperience.org |Brands like Ideal
Popularity 8.6/10
-
3
DMC
Mil-spec crimpers qualified to M22520 standards, with interchangeable positioner heads for aerospace-grade contacts.
Top products: AFM8· M22520/1-01
Website: dmc.com |Brands like DMC
Popularity 6.9/10
-
4
Milwaukee
Battery-powered crimpers on its M18 and M12 platforms, built for heavy electrical work on demanding sites.
Website: milwaukeetool.com |Brands like Milwaukee
Popularity 6.5/10
-
5
Greenlee
Hand and hydraulic crimpers for electricians, with a wide die selection for copper and aluminium terminals.
Top products: K111
Website: greenlee.com |Brands like Greenlee
Popularity 5.9/10
-
6
Molex
Matched to its own connector families, including Mini-Fit Jr. and PanelMate terminal series, for precise terminations.
Popularity 5.9/10
-
7
Apollo
Copper crimp ring tools for PEX-B plumbing, a lightweight option for 1/2 and 3/4 inch pipe fittings.
Top products: PEX-B Copper Crimp Ring Tool
Website: apollobikes.com |Brands like Apollo
Popularity 4.9/10
-
8
Gardner Bender
Entry-level electrical hand tools, including ratcheting crimpers, wire strippers and cable tie tools for DIY and trade use.
Website: gardnerbender.com |Brands like Gardner Bender
Popularity 4.3/10
-
9
Phoenix Contact
Industrial crimpers for ferrules and terminals, typically used with factory-grade automation wiring.
Website: phoenixcontact.com |Brands like Phoenix Contact
Popularity 4.1/10
-
10
Panduit
Network and industrial crimpers for copper and fibre connectors, often used in data centres and cabling installs.
Website: panduit.com |Brands like Panduit
Popularity 4.0/10
-
11
SharkBite
PEX crimp kits for 3/8 to 1 inch pipe, bundling the crimp tool with rings for home plumbing.
Top products: PEX Crimp Tool Kit
Website: sharkbite.com |Brands like SharkBite
Popularity 4.0/10
-
12
Astro Tool
Precision hand crimpers for D-sub and miniature contacts, made in the USA for aerospace and defence electronics.
Website: astrotool.com |Brands like Astro Tool
Popularity 4.0/10
-
13
Platinum Tools
RJ45 and coax crimpers for network installers, including ratcheting models with interchangeable dies.
Website: platinumtools.com |Brands like Platinum Tools
Popularity 3.9/10
-
14
HOZAN
Compact ratchet crimpers from Japan, with slim heads suited to fine electronics and telecom work.
Website: hozan.co.jp |Brands like HOZAN
Popularity 3.9/10
-
15
TE Connectivity
Applicator and hand crimpers for TE terminal families, often used in automotive wiring harness production.
Website: te.com |Brands like TE Connectivity
Popularity 3.6/10
-
16
Engineer
Japanese-designed crimpers and pliers with durable jaws, popular with electricians and sheet metal workers.
Website: engineertools-jp.com |Brands like Engineer
Popularity 3.6/10
-
17
Huskie
Hydraulic and battery crimpers for utility linemen, built to handle large aluminium and copper lugs.
Website: huskietools.com |Brands like Huskie
Popularity 3.5/10
-
18
KNIPEX
German-made crimpers and pliers, including ratcheting models with insulated handles for electricians.
Website: knipex.com |Brands like KNIPEX
Popularity 2.9/10
-
19
Nicopress
Oval sleeve crimpers for wire rope and cable, the standard tool for swaged cable terminations.
Website: nicopress.com |Brands like Nicopress
Popularity 2.9/10
-
20
Jonard Tools
Crimp tools for coax, telecom and alarm wiring, backed by a long tool warranty.
Website: jonard.com |Brands like Jonard Tools
Popularity 2.8/10
-
21
RIDGID
Jobsite-grade crimpers sold alongside its pipe tools for electrical and plumbing contractors.
Website: ridgid.com |Brands like RIDGID
Popularity 2.8/10
-
22
SARGENT
Sargent Welch provides a seamless shopping experience for the science classroom and laboratory across schools. To meet the needs of the modern classroom, their products and resources are the one-stop solution for teachers to streamline teaching. Their products are designed...
Top products: 3187 CT Metri-Pack 280 Unsealed Crimp Tool
Popularity 2.8/10
-
23
Eclipse
Crimpers and strippers for automotive and electronic terminals, alongside its LED lighting range.
Website: eclipseblinds.co.uk |Brands like Eclipse
Popularity 2.7/10
-
24
Southwire
Lug crimpers paired with the cable and wire the company manufactures for power and building work.
Website: southwire.com |Brands like Southwire
Popularity 2.5/10
-
25
VEVOR
Low-cost crimpers covering 24 to 2/0 AWG, suited to hobby and occasional electrical work.
Top products: Ratcheting Wire Crimper 24-12 AWG· Hydraulic Crimper AWG12-2/0
Website: vevor.com |Brands like VEVOR
Popularity 2.5/10
-
26
Commercial Electric
Commercial Electric, a lighting brand sold mainly through Home Depot, offers shop lights, strip lights, recessed lights and ceiling fixtures. Its parent company is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its LED recessed lights come in slim profiles with adjustable color temperatures.
Website: commercialelectric.com |Brands like Commercial Electric
Popularity 2.5/10
-
27
Amphenol
Tooling for RF, coax and industrial connectors, matching its own contact and housing ranges.
Website: amphenol.com |Brands like Amphenol
Popularity 2.5/10
-
28
Temco
Heavy-duty dieless indent lug crimpers for battery cable, with a single tool head that covers 10 AWG through 400 MCM.
Top products: TH1818
Website: temcoindustrial.com |Brands like Temco
Popularity 2.3/10
Official websites and social accounts
| Brand | Website | X / Twitter | YouTube | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klein Tools | kleintools.com | /kleintools | klein_tools | @klein_tools | – |
| Ideal | premiumexperience.org | /idealLEDlight | – | @idealledlight | – |
| DMC | dmc.com | /CommonthreadUS | dmc_embroidery | – | DMCThreads |
| Milwaukee | milwaukeetool.com | /MilwaukeeTool | MilwaukeeTool | @MilwaukeeTool | – |
| Greenlee | greenlee.com | /GreenleeTools | greenleetools | @Greenleetools | GreenleeDEMO |
| Apollo | apollobikes.com | /MeetApollo | – | @MeetApollo | – |
| Gardner Bender | gardnerbender.com | /GardnerBender | – | @gbgardnerbender | Gardner Bender |
| Phoenix Contact | phoenixcontact.com | – | – | – | – |
| Panduit | panduit.com | – | – | – | – |
Crimp Tool Buying Guide
Crimp tools are devices used to attach connectors or terminals to a wire or cable. Choosing the right crimp tool can be a little challenging if you don’t know what to look for. Below is a crimp tool buying guide to help you select the right crimping tool for your project or task.
Types of Crimpers
There are many types of crimpers available in the market. Here are some of the most common ones:
Manual Crimpers
Manual crimpers are the most basic types of crimpers. They require human force to squeeze the handles, thereby causing the jaws of the crimper to come together, forming the crimp. They are an excellent choice for small crimping jobs, such as wires and cables with small diameters. Manual crimpers are simple to use and are affordable, making them a popular choice among DIYers and hobbyists.
Pneumatic Crimpers
Pneumatic crimpers provide more force compared to manual crimpers. They require air compression to operate and are ideal for crimping larger wires and cables. Pneumatic crimpers are commonly used in industrial applications where there are high-volume crimping requirements.
Hydraulic Crimpers
Hydraulic crimpers are designed to provide maximum crimping power. They are operated using hydraulic pressure and are capable of crimping large cable sizes without the need for excessive force. These crimpers are commonly used in industrial and commercial settings.
Crimp Tool Head and Jaws
The crimping head and jaws of a crimp tool determine the type of crimp it can make. Below are some popular crimp types:
Insulated Crimp
Insulated crimping is the process of attaching a connector or terminal to a wire or cable while also insulating it. This type of crimp is popular for automotive and electronics applications. Insulated crimping requires a specific crimper head with a wide jaw that can accommodate the connector, the wire, and the insulation.
Non-Insulated Crimp
Non-insulated crimping is the process of attaching a connector or terminal to a wire or cable without insulation. The crimp tool used for non-insulated crimping typically has a round or oval-shaped jaw, which can hold the wire and the connector in place during crimping.
F-type Connector Crimp
An F-type connector crimp is mostly used to attach coaxial cable connectors to video equipment or antenna connections. The crimp tool required for this type of crimping typically has a hex-shaped jaw that can grip the connector firmly and create a secure connection.
RJ45 Connector Crimp
Also known as Ethernet crimping, RJ45 crimping is the process of attaching an RJ45 connector to an Ethernet cable. The crimper required for this type of crimping has a specialized jaw that can accommodate the RJ45 connector and the cable without damaging them. RJ45 connectors are ubiquitous in network installations that involve voice, data, and video systems.
Crimp Tool Construction
The materials used to construct the crimp tool will determine its durability and longevity. It’s important to choose a crimp tool that is well-built and made to last. Here are some materials used in making crimp tools:
Steel
Steel is the most commonly used material for making crimp tools. It’s a strong, durable material that can handle a lot of force without bending or breaking. Steel crimpers are ideal for heavy-duty crimping jobs and are often used in industrial environments.
Aluminum
Aluminum is a lightweight material used in crimp tool construction. It’s a good choice for DIYers and hobbyists who may not need heavy-duty crimpers. Though aluminum is not as strong as steel, it’s still durable enough to handle small to medium-sized crimping jobs.
Plastic
Plastic crimpers are the least expensive type of crimper. They are lightweight and easy to use but are not as durable as steel or aluminum crimpers. Plastic crimpers are more suited for light-duty or one-time use.
Additional Crimp Tool Features
Aside from the types, heads, jaws, and construction materials of crimpers, some additional features to consider when choosing a crimp tool include:
Comfort
When selecting a manual crimp tool, comfort should be a top consideration. Choose a crimper that is ergonomically designed and comfortable to hold, with a handle that provides a firm and secure grip.
Adjustable Settings
Some crimpers come with adjustable features that allow you to modify the crimping tension and pressure depending on your requirements. This feature can be helpful when crimping different connector and cable sizes.
Ratchet Mechanism
Safety is essential when using a crimp tool. A ratchet mechanism ensures that the full crimp is made before the tool releases. This added measure of safety prevents partial or loose crimps, which can compromise the connection and potentially cause damage or injury.
Conclusion
Whether you are a DIYer or a professional, choosing the right crimp tool is essential. Before purchasing a crimping tool, consider the type of crimping you’ll be doing, the materials you’ll be working with, and any additional features you may need. We hope this crimp tool buying guide has helped you select the right crimping tool for your project or task.
