The 7 Best hand Bolt Cutters (2023 reviews)

We consider a hand bolt cutter to be a worthy investment in the long run. We are here to help you choose the right one for your purposes from all the best available products in market today.

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Our Top Picks:

Best Overall: Buy: Knipex hand Bolt Cutter READ REVIEW

Best For Wire: Buy: KOTTO hand Bolt Cutter READ REVIEW

Best With lighter Steel: Buy: Ares hand Bolt Cutter READ REVIEW

Best For lighter metals: Buy: Ryobi hand Bolt Cutter READ REVIEW

Best For easily Cutting padlocks: Buy: RIDGID hand Bolt Cutter READ REVIEW

Best For drill: Buy: Duratech hand Bolt Cutter READ REVIEW

Best For Small jobs: Buy: American Mutt Tools hand Bolt Cutter READ REVIEW

Best Overall: Knipex hand Bolt Cutter

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The look and feel of this cutters are consistent with the high quality we're used to from the rest of Knipex's lineup. For a compact pair of bolt-cutters, which double as general heavy-duty nippers, these are perfect. They cut easy, cutting edges haven't deformed at all. The 8-inch Knipex will cut just under a quarter inch bolt (5.2mm) or hardened wire which makes it indispensable when cutting heavier gauge copper wire, nails and screws, or even chain link fence. It's handy size (8") and light weight make it easy to tote in a tool roll or bug out bag.

This tool works better that can be expected and you can tell just by the weight and balance that it’s a great tool. It is ideal for automotive or construction applications, cutting cotter pins and nails, repeated use in factory assembly lines, cutting wire fencing in agricultural settings, or even everyday tasks such as cutting floral wire or fish hooks.

• Nice grip, quality german steel, effortless squeeze
• Delivers what they promise

Best For Wire: KOTTO hand Bolt Cutter

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The kotto hand bolt cutter is capable of outshining several other cutter featured in this list in overall features for the price point. These cutters are vey capable and do a good job on most light and heavy wire types. It is great for cutting small padlocks and wire. The bolt cutters from this set works great. It is made from t8 steel, overall heat treatment and high frequency quench hardening for high hardness. It's high tensile, very robust material despite it's at times almost foil like appearance.

It is good for cutting small padlocks and wire. The case is sturdy and holds all three pliers.

• Tough yet compact these are the perfect set
• Great chain & wire cutting tools
• Has room in case to stuff a couple of other tools in it

Best With lighter Steel: Ares hand Bolt Cutter

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Compared with other cutter in this category, the ares hand bolt cutter has a convenient design. This tool makes it a breeze. It features a corrosion and rust resistant finish, and the jaw notch recess traps and grips hard wire for enhanced cutting force. It will cut the tip (larger) wire pretty easily. It doesn't fit around the bolt so it cannot be locked closed. It does take some strenght to cut the mesh, but the blades are still in very good shape. It will not cut high tonsil fence wire.

The difference between the two knippex are way sharper and they built better. It is great with lighter steel, thinner steel, however.

• Useful compact 8 inch size bolt cutter
• Well made and will easily cut small nails, bolts etc
• Hook is larger and is easy to use
• Cuts through harder metal like butter

Best For lighter metals: Ryobi hand Bolt Cutter

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The ryobi hand bolt cutter is suitable and reliable and fits well with your daily usage. The wire is the equivalent of chain-link fence. It is ideal for cutting a variety of materials including chain, locks, bolts, fencing, and wire shelving. It has an innovative design to minimize hand and arm fatigue compared to a manual bolt cutter. It will fly away and it could hurt or damage someone or something. It can be used on some heavier flat stock with equally good success.

A positive thing is that it's very compact compared to large bolt cutters.

• One handed operation, quick and easy
• Cuts quick and clean as needed
• Hot forged steel jaws and hardened steel mechanism for maximum durability

Best For easily Cutting padlocks: RIDGID hand Bolt Cutter

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The ridgid hand bolt cutter is capable of outshining several other cutter featured in this list in overall features for the price point. Ready to tackle tough cutting jobs, the ridgid 14233 s36 bolt cutter is a practical tool for your collection. It features strong, hardened alloy steel bolt cutter jaws for long-lasting blade life and a one-step internal cam mechanism for precise blade alignment. The s36 bolt cutter has a center cut. It provides a lot of leverage for cutting the big bolts.

This bolt cutter works extremely well. It is easy to use but heavy. It is manufactured to assure the longest possible blade life.

• Cuts locks like a hot knive thru butter
• Heavy tool that can cut 3/8" bolts
• Easy to use and good size and very sturdy

Best For drill: Duratech hand Bolt Cutter

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The duratech hand bolt cutter should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. This high-strength cutting plier is truly made of top quality materials. It works well enough to cut through the steel of a super single tire. It's ideal for when you need to cut a nail or an exposed screw, etc. It is more of a micro bolt cutter than a mini, since the blades are only 3/4-inch long and they don’t open very far, only to a 1/4-inch wide at the widest spot. It doesn't open very wide (maybe 12" or so) so it makes the use of these a bit less than expected.

This is a well-made cutting tool. The security lock is easy to set and release so the blade won. It is perfect for smaller locks and tough wire.

• Heavy-duty bolt cutters with nice grips
• Easy to use and works great for cutting fence materials
• Great cutting power for use in tight spaces
• Small bolt cutters, perfect for smaller locks/wire

Best For Small jobs: American Mutt Tools hand Bolt Cutter

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The american mutt tools hand bolt cutter is the best convenient cutter on the market today. It's a good small hand size for small jobs. The 8 inch bolt cutters heavy duty compound leverage design helps you effortlessly cut through bolts, chain, nails, rod and wire up to 3/16" in diameter. It has leverage action and can easily cut through light gauge steel and stainless wire and small nails. It snaps with enough force and an audible snap to send the cut piece flying.

The grip is comfortable even when squeezing down hard. It is capable of easily cutting through staples, zip ties, brad nails, chicken wire, and things of that caliber. It is nice for heavy-duty wire or smaller bolts, but not for larger or thicker items.

• Most effective for smaller size items you want to cut
• Sharp and quick to cut out of the box
• Nice small single handed bolt cutter for lighter tasks
• Perfect for smaller jobs and hands