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A bolt cutter is a tool used to cut through metal or other hard materials. While you can buy bolt cutters in various sizes, mini bolt cutters offer a compact version typically around 8 inches in length that you can use to cut bolts, chains, and wires up to 3/16 inches in diameter.
We tested five of the best mini bolt cutters on the market to learn about the use and effectiveness of this tool first-hand. If you’re looking for a pair of mini bolt cutters, learn more about our top picks and how each one performed during our team’s testing process. Plus, you can find more important shopping information in our guide to buying tools.
Top 5 Bolt Cutters
- Most Effective: Capri Tools 8-Inch Klinge Bolt Cutter
- Best Design: TEKTON 8-Inch Bolt Cutter
- Most User-Friendly: KNIPEX 8-Inch Bolt Cutter
- Most Comfortable: ARES 8-Inch Mini Bolt Cutter
- Best Value: Great Neck 8-Inch Bolt Cutter
Compare Top Mini Bolt Cutters
| Product | Jaws | Weight | Warranty | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capri Tools Bolt Cutter | Heat-treated steel | 12.7 oz | 10-year | 4.8/5 |
| TEKTON Bolt Cutter | Alloy steel | 5.6 oz | Not listed | 4.6/5 |
| KNIPEX Bolt Cutter | Chrome-vanadium steel | 10.4 oz | Lifetime | 4.4/5 |
| ARES Mini Bolt Cutter | Chrome-moly steel | 10.4 oz | Lifetime | 4.4/5 |
| Great Neck Bolt Cutter | Forged steel | 2.4 oz | Lifetime | 4.2/5 |
| Product | Jaws | Weight | Warranty | Score |
Most Effective: Capri Tools Eight-Inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter
This mini bolt cutter from Capri Tools is built with quality steel blades and rubber-gripped handles that can cut through rods, bolts, chains, and wires. The cutter comes with comfortable, molded grips that provide added leverage to help you cut through materials with ease. Additionally, this product has a unique blue and black design that’s easy to spot in your tool bag.
Key Features
- 12.7 ounces
- Limited 10-year warranty
- Double heat-treated steel blades
Pros and Cons
✔ Protected by a limited 10-year warranty
✔ Weighs less than a pound
✔ Built with an ergonomic rubber grip
✘ Doesn’t have a locking mechanism for securing its blades
✘ Doesn’t have a spring-assisted grip
What Customers Are Saying
Positive reviews centered around the product’s quality construction, with many reviewers saying that the cutters were effective in snipping thin wire and cable. Other positive reviews complimented the product’s affordable price. Negative reviews complained about the bolt cutter’s inability to cut thicker bolts and wire.
Our Experience
This product from Capri Tools was the top performer in our series of tests. On average, it demanded the least amount of force and cut through each material with ease. Even when tested on thicker materials, like the 3/16-inch toggle bolt and 0.063-inch piano wire, its ergonomic grip padded the additional force that was required to cut through the materials.
This mini bolt cutter produced quality cuts on thicker items like the 0.031- and 0.063-inch piano wire. However, its cut quality saw a decrease when tested on the thinner wire, which could potentially signal a lack of blade sharpness.
Our Score
| Metric | Product |
|---|---|
| Required force | 4.9/5 |
| Grip | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 3/16-inch toggle bolt | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.016-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.020-inch piano wire | 4.5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.031-inch piano wire | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.063-inch piano wire | 5/5 |
| Overall score | 4.8/5 |
| Metric | Product |
Best Design: TEKTON Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter
This mini bolt cutter from TEKTON is built with powerful alloy steel jaws that can cut bolts, chains, rods, and wires up to 3/16 inches in diameter. To control its powerful jaws, the bolt cutter is outfitted with ribbed handles for additional grip. This product also includes an easy-to-use locking mechanism that keeps its tubular steel handles shut.
Key Features
- 5.6 ounces
- Alloy steel jaws
Pros and Cons
✔ Built with alloy steel jaws
✔ Cuts material up to 3/16 inches in diameter
✔ Includes a locking mechanism that keeps its jaws closed for added safety
✘ Its steel jaws didn’t open as wide as other models, which made it difficult to cut thicker materials
✘ Its ribbed grip can irritate hands after prolonged use
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers emphasized the product’s effectiveness at cutting thin materials, with many reviewers praising its ability to cut fence wire and ¼-inch bolts. Negative reviews highlighted customer concerns over the product’s inability to cut thick items like padlocks, with one reviewer complaining that their bolt cutter’s jaws were damaged after trying to cut thick material.
Our Experience
This mini bolt cutter was an average performer in required force and overall grip. However, what set this product apart from the rest was its cut cleanliness, as this model delivered polished cuts to various-sized strips of piano wire. Although its performance dipped while cutting the thickest and third-thickest piano wire, this mini bolt cutter still had the second-highest average quality of cuts across all tested materials, falling behind the top-rated Capri Tools Eight-Inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter.
While the mini bolt cutter delivered clean cuts, its hardened, ribbed grip caused some discomfort during testing, particularly when cutting the large 3/16-inch toggle bolt.
Our Score
| Metric | Product |
|---|---|
| Required force | 4.6/5 |
| Grip | 4.6/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 3/16-inch toggle bolt | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.016-inch piano wire | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.020-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.031-inch piano wire | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.063-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Overall score | 4.6/5 |
| Metric | Product |
Most User-Friendly: KNIPEX Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter
This KNIPEX mini bolt cutter is built with steel jaws that are strong enough to cut any wire with a diameter of up to ¼ inches. To help users control its strong steel frame, this product has plastic-coated handles that are easy to grip. Additionally, the mini bolt cutter comes with unique gripping jaws that can help you pull small nails and wires while you work.
Key Features
- 10.4 ounces
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Forged chrome-vanadium steel jaws
Pros and Cons
✔ Features built-in gripping jaws for pulling nails and wires
✔ Available in a smaller 6-inch model
✔ Wrapped in a plastic-coated grip
✘ Is the most expensive mini bolt cutter in this review
✘ Its plastic-coated grip isn’t comfortable
What Customers Are Saying
Positive customer reviews centered around the mini bolt cutter’s performance and high quality, with one customer praising the tool for producing a high-powered cut with its compact size. Additional positive reviews focused on the product’s leverage, which many customers explained helped them cut thicker wires and bolts.
Our Experience
This mini bolt cutter showcased its ability to deliver clean cuts throughout our series of tests. The cutter’s plastic-coated grip added control and comfort to the tool as it cut a variety of piano wires and a toggle bolt.
Despite requiring the highest amount of force out of all tested mini bolt cutters, this product was able to deliver clean cuts to each tested material. Although its cut quality steadily decreased as the piano wire increased in diameter, this product didn’t have the sporadic cut quality seen in other models.
Our Score
| Metric | Product |
|---|---|
| Required force | 4.5/5 |
| Grip | 4.6/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 3/16-inch toggle bolt | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.016-inch piano wire | 4.5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.020-inch piano wire | 4.5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.031-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.063-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Overall score | 4.4/5 |
| Metric | Product |
Most Comfortable: ARES Eight-Inch Mini Bolt Cutter
This mini bolt cutter from ARES is a quality addition to any tool bag, with its hardened cutting blades that can snip through heavy-duty wires, bolts, and nails. It has a rust-resistant frame that’s covered in an ergonomic handle for added control and comfort. To help you cut through thicker materials, the mini bolt cutter comes with spring-assisted handles to increase your leverage.
Key Features
- 10.4 ounces
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Chrome-moly steel jaws
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
✔ Equipped with corrosion-resistant jaws
✔ Includes a hooked locking mechanism
✘ Only offered in one color
✘ Doesn’t make a clean cut on materials like bolts and thick piano wire
What Customers Are Saying
Satisfied customers raved about the compact bolt cutter’s leverage, with one customer highlighting its ability to snip off small nail tips that were poking out of their wall. Negative reviews highlighted customer frustration over the tool’s inability to effectively cut thick bolts.
Our Experience
The spring-assisted and molded grip on this ARES mini bolt cutter led this product to receive full points for grip comfort and control, tied for first with the top-rated Capri Tools Eight-Inch Klinge Mini Bolt Cutter. Despite the mini bolt cutter’s comfortable grip, the product did see a steady decline in cut quality when tested on increasingly thicker piano wire.
Our Score
| Metric | Product |
|---|---|
| Required force | 4.6/5 |
| Grip | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 3/16-inch toggle bolt | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.016-inch piano wire | 4.5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.020-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.031-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.063-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Overall score | 4.4/5 |
| Metric | Product |
Best Value: Great Neck Eight-Inch Bolt Cutter
This mini bolt cutter from GreatNeck is built with thin vinyl grips that are ribbed for added control. Along with its easy-to-grip handle, this product features a 3/16-inch capacity for cutting wires, chain links, and small bolts. Additionally, this product is offered in sizes up to 36 inches, giving you the option of choosing long bolt cutters for heavy-duty projects.
Key Features
- 2.4 ounces
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Forged steel jaws
Pros and Cons
✔ Is the most affordable product in this review
✔ Constructed out of durable forged steel
✔ Equipped with an adjusting screw that helps the tool adapt to various materials
✘ Its ribbed vinyl grip was the most uncomfortable to use
✘ Its small jaws were the least effective of all tested bolt cutters
What Customers Are Saying
Since this product offers bolt cutters in larger sizes, its reviews cover the spectrum of its available bolt cutters, from eight- to 36-inch models. Regardless of its size, many satisfied customers complimented the product’s good quality at an affordable price. Negative reviews contradicted the positive reviews’ claims of the product’s high quality, with some customers complaining about the product’s inability to cut through thin steel.
Our Experience
Although the GreatNeck bolt cutter is our lowest-rated product, this tool is tied for second with the TEKTON and ARES bolt cutters for the least amount of force needed to cut through the tested materials. Despite its hard grip that caused discomfort during use, its ribbed construction increased overall control during each test.
While this bolt cutter cut through each of the tested materials, it placed or tied for last in quality of delivered cuts for each tested piano wire. Additionally, its small mouth made it difficult to grip each material during our testing process.
Our Score
| Metric | Product |
|---|---|
| Required force | 4.6/5 |
| Grip | 4.4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 3/16-inch toggle bolt | 5/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.016-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.020-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.031-inch piano wire | 4/5 |
| Quality of cut—cutting 0.063-inch piano wire | 3.5/5 |
| Overall score | 4.2/5 |
| Metric | Product |
Buying Guide to Mini Bolt Cutters
Before purchasing a mini bolt cutter, it’s important to understand how each product’s design and specifications impact its performance. Here are four factors to consider before buying mini bolt cutters.
Handle Ergonomics
Cutting through metal using a bolt cutter requires a significant amount of grip strength and effort. To help ease the strain on your hands, an ergonomic handle is a necessity for a mini bolt cutter. A quality cutter will incorporate a comfortable yet practical design that minimizes effort and eases strain. Additionally, the handle of a mini bolt cutter should have non-slip properties to prevent injury.
Weight
Although most mini bolt cutters weigh less than one pound, the handheld nature of this tool lends the weight to play a factor in usability. If the product is too heavy, your hand can tire after consistent use. If the cutter is too light, it won’t be able to deliver enough force to effectively cut a wide range of materials.
Adjustability
Adjustability is important because it lets you effectively cut materials of various sizes. Bolt cutters with adjustable blades will provide more control during use and cut through materials of greater widths. Mini bolt cutters are typically adjusted by screws located at the front of each product’s blade.
Diameter Capacity
Each mini bolt cutter is limited in the width of material it can cut, with the majority of models limited to wire, bolts, and rods under 3/16 of an inch. Typically, the diameter size that the tool is capable of cutting is equal to the width of the blades when fully open. For example, a blade that can open ⅛ of an inch can cut material of equal size.
Our Review Standards
Testing Metrics
To determine the effectiveness of each mini bolt cutter, we tested the products on the required force, grip, and quality of cut.
Required Force
The amount of required force to cut material is closely tied to the effectiveness of a mini bolt cutter. Models with sharper blades can easily cut through materials, while models with dull blades may have a harder time cutting through materials. Additionally, the less force required to cut through materials, the less fatigue you’ll feel after continued use.
Grip
A mini bolt cutter needs to have an ergonomic and comfortable grip to generate the force required to break bolts, wires, and other materials. A mini bolt cutter with a non-slip and easy-to-grip handle will make it easier to generate force and use over long periods.
Quality of Cut
The performance of a mini bolt cutter is determined by the width of the material it can cut and how clean of a cut it delivers. For example, an effective model will not just cut through 3/32-inch piano wire, but it will do so without leaving behind frayed cords or half-cut wire.
Testing Process
Required Force
We tested the effectiveness of each mini bolt cutter against a ¼-inch hex bolt, 3/16-inch anchor bolt, and 0.016-, 0.020-, 0.031-, and 0.063-inch piano wire. We cut each material with every mini bolt cutter five times for a total of 30 tests per mini bolt cutter. During our testing, we noted how much force was required to make each cut.
Note: During testing, no mini bolt cutter was able to cut through the ¼-inch hex bolt, which led to its removal from each product’s overall score.
Grip
While we tested each product’s ability to cut through various-sized materials, we also paid attention to both the comfort and grip strength each mini bolt cutter’s handle provided. We noted the number of times each bolt cutter slipped during testing and compared the comfort level provided by each bolt cutter’s handle.
Quality of Cut
To test the quality of each mini bolt cutter’s performance, we rated the cleanliness of each cut after it was performed. To determine the cleanliness of the cut, we looked for signs of frayed wire and jagged bolt edges. We then compared each bolt cutter’s performance to its competitors.
Note: No bolt cutter had a clear advantage over another in its quality of cut for the 3/16-inch toggle bolt. This led to each bolt cutter receiving full points for the quality of cut for the 3/16-inch toggle bolt testing.
Scoring
Required Force
During each test, the mini bolt cutter that required the least amount of force received all 5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.5-point deduction, the third-best received a 1-point deduction, and so on. If two bolt cutters performed the same, they received the same score. Once all six tests were performed, each mini bolt cutter’s required force was calculated by averaging the score from each test.
Grip
We measured the effectiveness of each cutter’s handle through a two-fold test that measured the non-slip properties and comfort of the handle.
The mini bolt cutter with handles that slipped the least during testing received all 2.5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.2-point deduction, the third-best received a 0.4-point deduction, and so on. If two bolt cutters performed the same, they received the same score.
The mini bolt cutter that had the most comfortable grip during testing received all 2.5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.2-point deduction, the third-best received a 0.4-point deduction, and so on. If two bolt cutters had handles with equal comfort, they received the same score.
Quality of Cut
The bolt cutter that was able to cut through the tested materials and deliver the cleanest cut received all 5 possible points, while the second-best received a 0.5-point deduction, the third-best received a 1-point deduction, and so on. If two mini bolt cutters performed equally, they received the same score.
Note: This score was calculated for each material, including a 3/16-inch anchor bolt and 0.032-, 0.047-, 0.062-, and 3/32-inch piano wire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bolt Cutters
What size bolt cutters do I need to cut a padlock?
When determining what size bolt cutters you need to cut through a padlock, the jaw capacity of the tool is more important than its length. Most padlocks have a diameter between 3/16 and 7/16 inches, which means a bolt cutter needs to have at least an equal jaw capacity to cut through the material. The maximum diameter that most eight-inch mini bolt cutters can puncture is 3/16 inches, so a larger bolt cutter with more jaw capacity will be needed to cut most padlocks.
Can bolt cutters cut screws?
Yes. Bolt cutters are designed to cut through a variety of materials and items, including screws. It’s important to know the material you need to cut through before purchasing a bolt cutter to ensure the tool has enough jaw capacity.
What are mini bolt cutters used for?
Mini bolt cutters are used for snipping thin wires, bolts, and nails. Typically, mini bolt cutters are effective at cutting materials up to 3/16 inches in diameter.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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