The Best Needle-Nose Pliers | Reviews by Wirecutter
Even though needle-nose pliers (officially known as long nose pliers) are a cornerstone tool of electrical work, they are put to use far beyond the trades. Yes, the long, thin jaws are perfect for pulling, twisting, and shaping wires in tight spots like an outlet box. But with their long reach and forceful grabbing abilities, they’re really useful for any time your fingertips are too big, bulky, or weak to get a grip. I’ve used them to pull toys from the sink drain, to snag a fallen coaster from behind a radiator, and to replace the chain on a toilet flush valve. Other common uses are to stabilize a small nail for the first few hammer swings (saving thumb anguish) or jewelry repairs.
We focused on the 8 and 8½-inch sizes. Of the two lengths, the 8-inch models have a much thinner nose and shorter handles. In most cases, this translates into a longer reach and slightly better maneuverability in tight spots. The 8½-inch models are much more robust; the thicker jaws can hold firm and won’t flex while being twisted and torqued (say if you have to grab a thick wire and twist it out of an outlet box, or if you’re trying to loosen some bolt that you can only get to at arm’s length).
We focused on the 8 and 8½-inch sizes. Of the two lengths, the 8-inch models have a much thinner nose and shorter handles. Longer handles make it easier to increase the clamping force at the tips of the jaws; shorter than that and they become uncomfortable to grip. From there, we narrowed things down based on manufacturer reputation, making sure to test tools from all of the major hand tool makers.
Our selections ran a wide pricing range, between about $10 and $50. Anything getting too far under $10 is likely to have durability issues. As Lyman told us, “You’ll immediately regret buying a cheap pair of needle-nose when you discover the tips of the pliers don’t actually line up under pressure.”
The pliers were tested by working carpenters. We looked over all of the pliers with two other carpenters; Aaron Goff, who had 12 years of experience in high-end remodeling at that time, and Mark Piersma, with 14 years of experience at the time of our testing. We used the pliers to grab bolts, twist wires, and pick up and hold nails. We also chopped up about 20 feet of 14/2 Romex wire (a common electrical wire) to test the cutting jaws.
We’ve continued to use our picks for years. Once a favorite was chosen, we used the pliers exclusively for about eight months during a massive home renovation. In that round of testing, our recommended pliers helped install dimmer switches, pull wires, and do a hundred other odd and random tasks that needle-nose pliers are great for. Since then, our recommended pliers have stayed on the workbench and in the tool bag for continued use.
In the end, we went with an 8½-inch model, choosing to sacrifice some maneuverability for sheer jaw strength. In my own testing of the tools, we had to do enough projects where the solid jaws were an essential piece of the puzzle. For standard garage use, the thicker nose will be more useful than the thinner one. If you’re planning on doing nothing but tiny tasks, like jewelry clasp repairs, then our recommendation may feel a little bulky. But for most tasks, especially those that require grabbing and twisting, the larger tool will prove to be an excellent companion.
