The Panel Decides: Best cross cut pliers for electricians

In the market for a new cross cut plier? Don’t buy a thing until you’ve read our expert panel’s reviews!

Klein Tools Insulated Cross Cut Pliers (A-12099AEINS)
Trade price: $74.95 inc GST
The lowdown: A versatile tool designed for cutting and crimping electrical cables with precision and safety. It features hardened blades for clean cuts, a built-in crimper for 2.5–6.0mm² terminals, and a cross-hatch nose grip for securely holding thin materials. This tool is insulated to meet or exceed IEC 60900:2018 standards, ensuring protection when working around live circuits.

Wattmaster Cable Cutting Pliers (WATMVA200W)
Trade price: $52.91 inc GST
The lowdown: Featuring 1000V insulated handles, these heavy-duty 215mm pliers offer high leverage and precision machine-polished blades that cut copper and flat cable cleanly without distortion. A built-in crimping die handles non-insulated terminals (1.25–2.0mm²), while the cross-hatch nose grip ensures firm handling of thin materials.

Weidmuller Plier (KBZ 200)
Trade price: $70 inc GST
The lowdown: Designed with ergonomics in mind, these VDE-insulated combination pliers fit naturally in your hand, reducing strain and fatigue during extended use. Manufactured and tested to meet the rigorous DIN EN 60900 standard, ensuring maximum safety up to 1,000 V AC or 1,500 V DC.

Jarrad’s Review

Klein Tools Insulated Cross Cut Pliers (A-12099AEINS)
Great leverage.

“These pliers felt good in my hand, and you can get great leverage with just one hand squeeze. They were the heaviest of the three and are not rated for cutting steel or armoured cables. Crimping is limited to non-insulated terminals up to 2mm, and it’s hard to strip single insulated cables. Value for money? They’re not really there yet, and these were the heaviest out of the three”

Verdict: A bit overpriced.
Rating: 8/10

Wattmaster Cable Cutting Pliers (WATMVA200W)
Effortless cutting.

“Cross-cut blades made for effortless cutting, and the built in crimpers are handy. The grips felt great in hand, and they didn’t slip. They weren’t ideal in smaller spaces however. They are excellent value for money. They were light in my hand, making them easy to use.”

Verdict: We have a winner!
Rating: 9/10 TOP PICK

Weidmuller Plier (KBZ 200)
Small and overpriced.

“This pair of pliers were on the smaller side, which made them handy for tighter spaces. It’s missing a built-in crimper for smaller jobs. It is tougher to cut anything greater than 2.5mm with the smaller handles. Overpriced..” 

Verdict: Worst of the three.
Rating: 6/10

Paul’s Review

Klein Tools Insulated Cross Cut Pliers (A-12099AEINS)
Limited use.

“The cutting blade was the best thing about these pliers, I also liked the feel of the handles.
The only thing I didn’t like was that when opening the pliers to cut a cable it felt like I had to open the pliers a little bit further than normal, which was annoying.
Overall, the pliers were pretty good – I used them when wiring control panels, I wouldn’t use them for fitting off power points or light switches.”    

Verdict: They’re ok.
Rating: 6/10

Wattmaster Cable Cutting Pliers (WATMVA200W)
Best of the bunch!

“I use the Wattmaster linesman pliers every day so these feel a little more normal. Cutting control cable with them was a dream.
This pair had better handles than the Klein, but I didn’t like using them for fitting off or twisting wire.”

Verdict: Pretty good option.
Rating: 8/10 TOP PICK

Weidmuller Plier (KBZ 200)
Annoying grips.

“I found these had a small head, which was useful in some situations, however the handles were a bit bigger and they kept getting caught in my back pocket!
Not the kind of pliers I would pick, they weren’t bad but the handle grips were annoying.”

Verdict: No thanks.
Rating: 5/10

Resul’s Review

Klein Tools Insulated Cross Cut Pliers (A-12099AEINS)
Sharp choice.
“Out of the box, they were ready to use and felt nice and smooth. There was no need to spend any time oiling or loosening them up. The cross is cut very sharp, which takes the stress off the wrist when cutting. The terminal crimper on the rear is excellent, and I think this is a great all-rounder with nothing really to change.”

Verdict: A great option.
Rating: 9/10

Wattmaster Cable Cutting Pliers (WATMVA200W)
Well-designed.

“All three functions are well designed and it cuts really well. The terminal crimp on the rear is great. It feels excellent, and is very easy on the wrist. The only thing I would suggest is that it could come with a little more lubrication out of the box – it was a bit tight on the first use. Other than that, excellent – my top pick.”

Verdict: Very comfy.
Rating: 9.5/10 TOP PICK

Weidmuller Plier (KBZ 200)
Not for the pros.

“This one was smaller overall, which made it easier to carry in my tool belt. However that’s where the positives ended  There’s no terminal crimper on the rear, which means it doesn’t have much versatility and it limits how you can use it.  I would recommend this one for domestic DIY work, not professional electrical work. “

Verdict: I’ll pass.
Rating: 5/10