The 7 Best Wire Strippers of 2026

The self-adjusting jaw and adjustable stop are the features that sell this IRWIN, and they are the reason it fits repetitive work. Set the stop for the length of insulation you want to remove, insert the wire, and squeeze; the jaw sizes itself across 10-24 AWG, with a swivel knob to micro-adjust for gauges smaller than 20 AWG. We like that rhythm for bench work because it removes the guess-the-hole step that slows down a manual stripper.

The tool also crimps 10-22 AWG insulated and non-insulated terminals and 7-9mm ignition terminals, so it can finish a connection instead of just preparing it. That makes it a useful second stripper for someone who does automotive or small-appliance work. The self-adjusting mechanism gives up some of the direct feel you get from a fixed-hole tool, but it makes up for that with speed on same-size connections.

The stop is the detail to learn. A short setting leaves a short strip, and a deep setting can remove more insulation than you intended, so test on scrap before you commit to a batch. Once the stop is set, the IRWIN is quick and consistent, and the crimper saves a reach across the bench. We keep it for jobs with a lot of same-size connections rather than for a minimalist pouch.

The forged build and cable-cutting jaws are what separate the KNIPEX 13 72 8 from the rest of this group. It strips both solid and stranded wire from 10 to 20 AWG, but it also cuts cable, wires, NM-B, BX, and MC, shears 6-32 and 8-32 screws without threading, and has locating ridges to help you find the stripping holes by feel. That is a lot of electrician's work packed into one 8-inch tool.

We like the shear cutting blades for cable work; they give the tool a capacity that a standard stripper cannot match, and the screw-cutting feature is the kind of detail that saves a trip to the van. The locating ridges are also more useful than they sound: when you are working in a panel, finding the right hole by feel is faster than tilting the tool toward a light. If your work is mostly 12/14 Romex and you want one tool for stripping, cutting, and twisting, the Knipex makes a strong case.

The premium is the part to weigh. This costs more than the other picks, and the cutting edge is not indestructible; forcing it through large cable can damage the shear. Used within its limits, though, it feels like a tool you keep for years. We see it as the upgrade for someone who already knows they will use the cable-cutting and screw-shearing functions, not as the first stripper for a casual DIYer.

The multi-tool layout is the appeal: an 8-inch stripper that also cuts wire, crimps insulated and non-insulated terminals, cuts bolts to length, and gives you a pliers-style nose for pulling and looping. It handles 10-22 AWG, and the induction-hardened cutting edge is meant to stay sharp. For a homeowner or a maintenance tech who wants one tool in a small bag, that is a useful combination.

We like it as the budget multi-tool in this group because it does the common jobs without feeling like a toy. The body is light, the jaws open and close smoothly, and the cutter is sharp enough for common wire. It is not as clean or as fast as the automatic Klein on repetitive stripping, but it is more versatile than a single-purpose stripper. That versatility is the reason it earns a place in a small kit.

The fixed-hole layout rewards attention: use the labeled gauge, close with enough pressure to cut the insulation, and pull straight. If you work mostly with 12-18 AWG wire and want a cutter, crimper, and bolt cutter in the same pocket, this is an easy tool to justify. It is less appealing for fine electronics or for all-day stripping, where a dedicated tool earns its keep.

The small-gauge range is the reason to own the Klein 11057. It cuts, strips, and loops 20-30 AWG solid and 22-32 AWG stranded wire, and it has precision-ground stripping holes plus a serrated nose for bending and pulling. That is a different job from household 12/14 wire; this is the tool for electronics, alarm wire, model trains, and small control panels.

We like the control it gives on fine conductors. The holes are sized for the work, so you are not trying to close a 10-22 AWG jaw around a 26-gauge lead and hoping the insulation cuts cleanly. The tool also shears 6-32 and 8-32 screws, which is a nice bonus in a small electrical kit, and the compact body is easy to keep at the bench.

What it does, it does with precision: the jaws close squarely, the stripping holes are easy to locate, and the lock keeps the tool closed in a drawer. We keep it with the electronics tools, where the small sizes actually matter. It is the kind of stripper that makes a fine-wire job feel deliberate rather than improvised.

The plier-first shape is what sets the Milwaukee 48-22-3079 apart. It strips 8-18 AWG bare wire and 10-20 AWG stranded, but it also has loop holes for 6-32 and 8-32 screws, a reaming head for 1/2- to 1-inch conduit, and a curved cutting blade for larger wire. This is a tool for someone who already carries pliers and wants the stripping holes in the same handle.

We like the way it handles the small side jobs around a panel: make a loop, ream a cut conduit, shear a screw, then strip a conductor without changing tools. The needle-nose tip and serrated jaws are useful for grabbing and twisting, and the spring keeps the handles open between cuts. It is not the cleanest dedicated stripper in this group; the automatic Klein is faster on a long run of same-size wire.

The rubber grips are the part to watch. They are glued on, and they can work loose after a few months of use; a dab of adhesive can buy time, but check them before a long day. The spring keeps the tool ready between cuts, and the plier tip is handy enough that you may reach for it before a separate pair of pliers. We see it as a convenience-first choice for electricians, not a replacement for a dedicated bench stripper.

The low price is the first thing to understand about the WGGE WG-015. It is an 8-inch, 10-22 AWG stripper with cutting, looping, and crimping for insulated and non-insulated terminals, made from high-carbon alloy steel with a rubberized grip. That is a lot of function for a spare toolbox, a boat bag, or a first electrical kit.

We like it for basic 14-18 AWG work: the stripping holes line up, the cutter is sharp, and the crimper gives you a way to finish a terminal without hunting for another tool. The grip is comfortable, and the weight is balanced enough for short jobs. It is not as precise as the Klein or Knipex tools here, and the fixed-hole layout takes a little attention on smaller wire.

The center rivet is the part to watch. If the pivot develops play, the stripping holes stop closing squarely, and the tool can start cutting insulation unevenly or nicking strands. Check that the rivet is tight before you use it on a batch, and retire the tool if it loosens rather than forcing a harder squeeze. The jaws and cutter are not the weak point; the pivot is.

That makes the WGGE a good second stripper or a budget-first buy for occasional work, not the one we reach for on a production run. If you need one tool to last through repeated jobs, spend more on the Klein 11063W or the IRWIN 2078300. If you want a capable spare without much outlay, this one earns a place in the bag.