Pallets and shed work
You want a nail slot and a gooseneck, and you accept chewed timber. The Roughneck wrecking bar 305 mm is the short forged bar in this set, at 410 g, for a toolbox or a pallet nail.
Crowbar comparison 2026
The best Crowbars, compared.
Top pick: Roughneck wrecking bar 305 mm – Highest star line on a tied score of 95, with 4.8 from 1,403 reviews, on a short drop-forged wrecking bar. Best value: Roughneck Gorilla bar 356 mm – Same score of 95, under £8, with 4.7 from 2,330 reviews, so this is the best value beside the top pick. Updated October 2026.
A crowbar is a steel lever for splitting pallets, lifting decking and floorboards, easing skirting and pulling nails. On a UK shelf it is also sold as a wrecking bar, a pry bar, a wonder bar or a nail puller, and shops mix those names. You tell a suitable one apart by form, length and the construction sentence on the listing. A gooseneck has a curved claw and a chisel end. It is the demolition and pallet tool. A flat pry bar spreads the load and marks the face less, and it flexes sooner if you split a joist. About 300–400 mm fits a toolbox and trim. About 610 mm is the leverage bar when the timber is thick and damage is acceptable. Drop forged and heat treated is not the same claim as die-cast. A bevelled slot hooks a nail head. Hit an end only if the listing names a striking cap or an impact claw. The [wrecking bar or pry bar guide](/hub/hand-tools/crowbar/sub/crowbar-wrecking-bar-or-pry-bar) is where those names stop being synonyms.
A crowbar is a steel lever for splitting pallets, lifting decking and floorboards, easing skirting and pulling nails.
42 products checked · 64 hrs invested · +18,600 readers
12 of 12: Best Crowbars compared
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1-2 of 12Best overall
Best value
9.5/10
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∼ £5
∼ £16
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∼ £6
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4.8(1,403)
4.8(585)
4.7(6,103)
4.7(5,864)
4.7(2,330)
4.7(1,977)
4.7(962)
4.7(149)
4.7(43)
4.6(7,055)
4.5(294)
4.5(20)
Personal buying guide
Which crowbar fits you?
Question 1 of 2
What are you lifting?
The best Crowbars in detail
Our view
The Roughneck 64-412 is a 305 mm wrecking bar at £4.98, with 4.8 from 1,403 amazon.co.uk reviews, and it is the top pick in this set on that star line among the forged single bars with a large sample. The listing says drop forged and heat treated, with a bevelled nail remover and a powder-coated shaft, and the item weight is 410 g. That length suits a toolbox, a pallet nail, or a short piece of scrap timber when you accept marks in the wood. The included-components line says 300 mm while the size line says 12 inch and the dimensions are 30.4 cm, so measure the bar that arrives rather than treating those figures as one number. Reviewers of the 356 mm Gorilla bar in this same extract report chipped or dented polished tips when the end meets a nail, and this 305 mm file uses the same polished-tip finish, so heat treatment is not a promise that the claw stays unmarked. At 305 mm the heel runs out of leverage once the timber is thick or the nail is long, which is why the 610 mm row is in the table. The score of 95 is stars, review depth, fit, and price, not a lab test.
Pros
- £4.98 with 4.8 from 1,403 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Drop forged and heat treated, with a bevelled nail remover
- 410 g and about 305 mm, so it fits a toolbox
- Rank 9 in Crowbars on the 19 October 2026 capture
Cons
- The size line, the dimensions, and the included line do not all state the same millimetres
- 305 mm runs out of leverage on thick timber
- The related Gorilla bar’s polished tips chip when they meet a nail
Best for: You want a cheap forged gooseneck for pallets, shed boards, and a site bag, and you will accept chewed timber.
Less suitable: You are lifting boards you hope to reuse, or the pull needs the 610 mm bar.
Specifications
- Model
- Roughneck wrecking bar 305 mm
- Brand
- Roughneck
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(1,403)
- Length
- 305 mm
- Forging
- Drop forged, heat treated
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 410 g
- Finish
- Powder coated
Common questions
Does this bar have a nail remover?
The listing bullets say a bevelled nail remover, with wide low-profile jaws. The pack line is one bar.
How long and heavy is it?
The size line is 12 inch. Dimensions are 30.4 x 7.8 x 2.7 cm and the item weight is 410 g. The included-components line also says 300 mm.
Our view
The Roughneck Gorilla bar 64-407 is 610 mm at £16.47, with 4.8 from 585 amazon.co.uk reviews and a listed weight of 2.01 kg. The listing says drop forged and heat treated, with a bevelled nail remover, powder coating, and polished tips, the same family as the shorter Gorilla bar. Reviewers describe demolition and slab lifting and say they saw no noticeable bending. One 2021 review says the bar arrived a bit used. At 2.01 kg it is the leverage bar when the timber is thick and damage is acceptable, and it is a poor first reach if you hope to reuse a floorboard. The material field prints the German words Legierter Stahl, which is not a UK grade you can specify from this card. The score of 86 sits below the short Roughnecks because the price is above the cheapest band, not because the star line is weak.
Pros
- £16.47 with 4.8 from 585 amazon.co.uk reviews
- 610 mm drop-forged Gorilla bar with a bevelled nail remover
- Reviewers lifting slabs reported no noticeable bending
- The length in this set when 356 mm runs out of leverage
Cons
- Listed at 2.01 kg, heavy for trim and salvage
- One 2021 review said the bar arrived a bit used
- The material field is a German phrase, not a UK grade
Best for: Demolition and thick timber where damage is acceptable and you want the long Gorilla bar.
Less suitable: Lifting floorboards or skirting you hope to keep, or a light toolbox bar.
Specifications
- Model
- Roughneck Gorilla bar 610 mm
- Brand
- Roughneck
- Price
- ∼£16
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(585)
- Length
- 610 mm
- Forging
- Drop forged, heat treated
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 2010 g
- Finish
- Powder coated
Common questions
How heavy is the 24 inch bar?
The listing item weight is 2.01 kg. The size line is 24 inch (610 mm), model 64-407.
Do the reviews report bending?
Reviewers describe demolition and slab lifting and say they saw no noticeable bending. One 2021 review says the bar arrived a bit used.
Our view
The Stanley 1-55-515 Wonder Bar is a flat 340 mm bar at £10.85, with 4.7 from 6,103 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest single-bar sample in this extract. The listing says forged, heat-treated high-carbon steel, one piece, and bevelled nail slots, and the item weight is 454 g. Reviewers use it on skirting, nails, and pallets. They also say the paint comes off, and one says it is a bit thick until a skirting gap already exists. A flat face spreads the load more evenly than a gooseneck claw when you hope to reuse the timber, though it still marks paint and can flex sooner if you try to split a joist. Stanley’s own UK product page has carried a “4 pieces” line; the amazon listing in this file is one bar, so use the piece count on the card. The score of 93 sits just under the two Roughneck badges because the price band is higher, not because the reviews are thin.
Pros
- £10.85 with 4.7 from 6,103 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Flat 340 mm bar in forged high-carbon steel
- Bevelled nail slots for skirting and nail work
- 454 g, light enough for trim rather than a 2 kg demolition bar
Cons
- Paint comes off in the reviews
- One reviewer found it a bit thick until a skirting gap exists
- A flat bar can flex sooner than a gooseneck if you split joists
Best for: Skirting, nails, and boards you would rather crease than tear, once a gap exists for the flat blade.
Less suitable: Heavy pallet demolition that wants a gooseneck, or a buyer who expects the paint to stay on.
Specifications
- Model
- Stanley Wonder Bar 340 mm
- Brand
- Stanley
- Price
- ∼£11
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(6,103)
- Length
- 340 mm
- Forging
- Forged high-carbon
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 454 g
- Finish
- Yellow/black
Common questions
Is this a flat bar or a gooseneck?
The listing is a flat Wonder Bar with bevelled nail slots, made from heat-treated forged high-carbon steel. Piece count on the amazon listing is 1.
What wears, according to the reviews?
Reviewers use it on skirting, nails, and pallets. They also say the paint comes off, and one says it is a bit thick until a skirting gap exists.
Our view
The Estwing PB-18 is an 18 inch I-beam pry bar at £28.00, with 4.7 from 5,864 amazon.co.uk reviews. The bullets say one piece of American steel, a reinforced rocking head at 90 degrees, a bevelled nail slot, and a non-slip grip, and the listing weight is 680 g with USA as the origin line. The included length is 460 mm, which is the sort of indoor length other UK guides treat as a rule of thumb, here in an I-beam rather than a hex wrecking bar. More than one review calls the price high. One long review says the bar is not a fake and that the finish is plainer than an Estwing hammer. This page does not authenticate the parcel from that comment. At £28 it is the dearest row here, so it earns its place when you want the rocking head and you have already decided a £5 to £6 gooseneck is the wrong shape. The score of 89 reflects the price band, not a weaker star line.
Pros
- £28.00 with 4.7 from 5,864 amazon.co.uk reviews
- 18 inch I-beam with a rocking head and a bevelled nail slot
- 680 g, lighter than the 2.01 kg 610 mm Roughneck
- USA origin line on the listing
Cons
- The dearest bar in this extract
- Reviews call the price high
- A review that argues it is genuine does not prove the parcel
Best for: You want an 18 inch rocking-head I-beam and you already know a short gooseneck is the wrong shape.
Less suitable: A tight budget, a hex wrecking bar for pallets, or anyone treating a review as proof the bar is genuine.
Specifications
- Model
- Estwing PB-18 pry bar
- Brand
- Estwing
- Price
- ∼£28
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(5,864)
- Length
- 460 mm
- Forging
- One-piece forged
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 680 g
- Finish
- Non-slip grip
Common questions
What construction does the listing claim?
The bullets say one piece of American steel, an I-beam shaft, a reinforced rocking head at 90 degrees, and a bevelled nail slot.
Why do some reviews mention fakes and price?
More than one review calls the price high. One long review says the bar is not a fake, and that the finish is plainer than an Estwing hammer. This card does not authenticate the parcel.
Our view
The Roughneck Gorilla bar 64-405 is 356 mm and 550 g at £5.87, with 4.7 from 2,330 amazon.co.uk reviews, the deepest sample among the Roughneck rows here. The listing describes an oval shaft, a broad heel, and a bevelled nail remover, drop forged and heat treated, with powder coating and polished tips. Reviewers use it on pallets and boards. They also say the ends chip or dent when they meet a nail, and that the 14 inch length can run out of leverage. That chip note is why a heat-treated line is not the same as a tip that stays sharp. The card weight is the amazon figure of 550 g, not a heavier figure from another retailer. It carries the best-value badge in this set because the price sits under £8 with a large review count, while the 305 mm bar takes the top-pick badge on the higher star line. The score of 95 matches the 305 mm row on the published method and is not a strength test.
Pros
- £5.87 with 4.7 from 2,330 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Oval shaft, broad heel, and a bevelled nail remover
- 356 mm gives a little more reach than the 305 mm Roughneck
- Rank 2 in Crowbars on the capture
Cons
- Polished tips chip or dent on nails in the reviews
- The 14 inch length runs out of leverage
- Heat treatment does not stop that tip damage
Best for: Pallet and board work where a short forged gooseneck is enough and a few chips on the claw are acceptable.
Less suitable: Finished floorboards you want to keep, or a pull that needs the 610 mm bar.
Specifications
- Model
- Roughneck Gorilla bar 356 mm
- Brand
- Roughneck
- Price
- ∼£6
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(2,330)
- Length
- 356 mm
- Forging
- Drop forged, heat treated
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 550 g
- Finish
- Powder coated
Common questions
Is a nail remover part of this bar?
Yes. The bullets describe a bevelled nail remover, a wide low-profile jaw, and a broad heel.
What do the UK reviews say about the tips?
Reviewers praise pallet and board work. They also say the ends chip or dent when they meet a nail, and that the 14 inch length can run out of leverage.
Our view
The SHALL SH185001AE set is four flat pry bars at £15.99, with 4.7 from 1,977 amazon.co.uk reviews and a pack weight of 1.2 kg. The bullets list 5.5 inch, 7.5 inch, 10 inch, and 15 inch bars in forged high-carbon steel, with nail slots and a milled shaft. Reviewers use the set on skirting and decking. One says the smallest feels a bit bendy and the others are sturdy enough for screwed decking, which is still not a reason to lever screws out of the timber. Another review mentions 8, 10, and 12 inch, which does not match the bullet list, so check the lengths in the parcel. A four-piece flat set covers trim and a longer reach in one box, though none of the pieces is a gooseneck wrecking bar for a pallet. The score of 87 treats a set as a slightly looser single-job fit than a coherent one-piece bar.
Pros
- £15.99 with 4.7 from 1,977 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Four flat bars listed at 5.5, 7.5, 10, and 15 inch
- Forged high-carbon steel and nail slots in the bullets
- Rank 7 in Crowbars on the capture
Cons
- One review lists 8, 10, and 12 inch, which fights the bullets
- The smallest bar feels a bit bendy in a review
- No gooseneck wrecking bar in the box
Best for: Mixed skirting and decking jobs where you want several flat lengths and you will check the parcel against the bullet list.
Less suitable: A single forged gooseneck for pallets, or a buyer who needs one agreed length list.
Specifications
- Model
- SHALL 4-piece pry bar set
- Brand
- SHALL
- Price
- ∼£16
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(1,977)
- Length
- 140–381 mm
- Forging
- Forged high-carbon
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 4
- Weight
- 1200 g
- Finish
- Two-colour
Common questions
Which lengths are in the set?
The bullets list 5.5 inch, 7.5 inch, 10 inch, and 15 inch flat bars, with nail slots. One review mentions 8, 10, and 12 inch, which does not match that list.
What do reviews say about the smallest bar?
Reviewers use the set on skirting and decking. One says the smallest feels a bit bendy and the others are sturdy enough for screwed decking.
Our view
The BGS 52104 is a 400 mm oval wrecking bar, 22 by 12 mm, at £8.51, with 4.7 from 962 amazon.co.uk reviews and a listed weight of 770 g. The useful lines are an oval profile, a claw and splitter, a wide footprint, and a black satin finish. Forging and heat treatment are not stated, so you cannot read this as the same claim as a drop-forged Roughneck. The same file prints Lock Type Keypad Lock and Unit Count 1 ounce, which are not specs for a 770 g bar and should be ignored. At 400 mm it sits between the 356 mm Gorilla bar and the 610 mm bar, which helps when the short Roughneck runs out of leverage and you do not want 2 kg in the hand. The material field only says Metal. The score of 88 is stars and sample size with the missing forging sentence left as a listing gap, not a bend test.
Pros
- £8.51 with 4.7 from 962 amazon.co.uk reviews
- 400 mm oval shaft, 22 by 12 mm, at 770 g
- Claw and splitter with a wide footprint
- A mid length between the 356 mm and 610 mm Roughnecks
Cons
- Forging and heat treatment are not stated
- Keypad-lock and 1-ounce lines in the file are not bar specs
- The material field only says Metal
Best for: You want about 400 mm of oval wrecking bar and you will buy on the profile, not on a forging sentence.
Less suitable: You need a printed drop-forged claim, or you are choosing from the junk attribute lines.
Specifications
- Model
- BGS wrecking bar 400 mm
- Brand
- BGS
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(962)
- Length
- 400 mm
- Nail puller
- Claw
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 770 g
- Finish
- Black satin
Common questions
Does the listing say the bar is forged?
No. It states an oval profile, a claw and splitter, and a wide footprint. Forging and heat treatment are not stated.
Which attribute lines should you ignore?
The same file prints Lock Type Keypad Lock and Unit Count 1 ounce. Those lines are not specs for this 770 g bar.
Our view
The Milwaukee nail and crowbar, model 4932478254, is 381 mm and 630 g at £12.95, with 4.7 from 149 amazon.co.uk reviews and a 2-year manufacturer line. The bullets say a reinforced impact claw for a hammer and a nail and staple remover, which is the striking permission this row actually prints. Forging is not stated. The material attribute lists alloy steel, aluminium, cast iron, stainless steel, and zinc together, plus an unusable tensile figure, so the metal is n/a and a stray pounds-per-square-inch line in the file is ignored. A grip pad appears in a review rather than as a clean bullet. With 149 reviews the sample is real but much thinner than the Stanley or Roughneck rows near this price. The score of 82 follows that thinner count and the messy material field.
Pros
- £12.95 with 4.7 from 149 amazon.co.uk reviews
- 381 mm with an impact claw the bullets say you can strike
- Nail and staple remover in the listing
- 2-year manufacturer line on the card
Cons
- Forging is not stated
- The material attribute names several metals at once, so the metal is n/a
- 149 reviews is a thin sample next to the Stanley and Roughneck rows
Best for: Nail and staple pulling where you want a listed impact claw and you can ignore the mixed metal field.
Less suitable: A buyer who needs one stated steel grade, or a long demolition bar.
Specifications
- Model
- Milwaukee nail and crowbar
- Brand
- Milwaukee
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(149)
- Length
- 381 mm
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Striking cap
- Impact claw
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 630 g
- Finish
- Red
Common questions
Can you strike this bar?
The bullets say a reinforced impact claw for penetration with a hammer, and a nail and staple remover.
What is the metal?
The material attribute lists alloy steel, aluminium, cast iron, stainless steel, and zinc together, plus an unusable tensile line. No single metal is stated, so the metal is n/a.
Our view
The Draper 08561 is a 300 mm soft-grip pry bar at £9.01, with 4.7 from 43 amazon.co.uk reviews and a listed weight of 281 g. The bullets say hardened and tempered chrome vanadium, a curved blade, a striking cap for hammer-through action, and a protective cap for the tip. A nail slot is not named, so this is not the bevelled puller on the Roughneck or the Stanley. One review mentions 200 mm, which does not match the 300 mm title or the 30 cm dimension line. Forty-three reviews is a thin sample next to the Wonder Bar’s 6,103, which is why the score is 74 even though the stars match several dearer rows. Use the striking cap when you need to start a gap in beading or a tight edge, and do not treat the bar as a nail puller the listing never describes.
Pros
- £9.01 with a striking cap and a tip cap in the bullets
- Hardened and tempered chrome vanadium, 300 mm, 281 g
- Soft grip for a short curved blade
- The only single bar in this set that states a striking cap
Cons
- Only 43 amazon.co.uk reviews
- No nail slot is named
- One review says 200 mm, which fights the 300 mm title
Best for: Starting a tight gap in beading or an edge, with a hammer on the striking cap, on a short chrome-vanadium bar.
Less suitable: Pulling nails with a slot, or anyone who wants a review sample in the thousands.
Specifications
- Model
- Draper soft-grip pry bar 300 mm
- Brand
- Draper
- Price
- ∼£9
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(43)
- Length
- 300 mm
- Forging
- Hardened chrome vanadium
- Striking cap
- Yes
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 281 g
- Finish
- Soft grip
Common questions
Is this bar meant to be hit?
Yes. The bullets say a striking cap for hammer-through action, a curved blade, and a protective cap for the tip.
Is there a nail slot?
The listing does not name a nail slot. It states hardened and tempered chrome vanadium steel, a soft grip, and a 300 mm length. One review mentions 200 mm, which does not match the title.
Our view
The Amazon Basics DS-4PBN set is £14.16, with 4.6 from 7,055 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest count in this extract, and the capture ranks it 1 in Nail Pullers. The box is four tools: a 29.85 cm flat bar, a 17.78 cm flat bar, a 27.6 cm cat claw, and a 29.85 cm nail puller, with solvent-resistant vinyl handles and a stated forging and hardening process in alloy steel. The pack weight is 1.57 kg and the origin line says China. One UK review bought it for small wardrobe tacks and found even the smallest tool too bulky. Other reviews use it for general DIY and paving slabs. The longest piece is under 300 mm, so this is a mixed nail-pulling set rather than a 610 mm wrecking bar. The score of 86 reflects that 4.6 star line and the set fit, even with the large sample.
Pros
- £14.16 with 4.6 from 7,055 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Flat bars, a cat claw, and a nail puller in one box
- Vinyl handles and a stated hardening process
- Rank 1 in Nail Pullers on the capture
Cons
- The smallest piece was too bulky for wardrobe tacks in one review
- Nothing in the set reaches 400 mm, let alone 610 mm
- 4.6 stars, a step under the 4.7 and 4.8 single bars
Best for: General DIY and paving where you want several short nail tools and a very large review sample.
Less suitable: Tiny tacks, or a single long wrecking bar for thick timber.
Specifications
- Model
- Amazon Basics 4-piece pry set
- Brand
- Amazon Basics
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(7,055)
- Length
- 178–299 mm
- Forging
- Forged, hardened
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 4
- Weight
- 1570 g
- Finish
- Vinyl handles
Common questions
What is in the box?
Four tools: a 29.85 cm flat bar, a 17.78 cm flat bar, a 27.6 cm cat claw, and a 29.85 cm heavy-duty nail puller.
Will the smallest piece lift tacks?
One UK review bought the set for small wardrobe tacks and found even the smallest tool too bulky. Other reviews use it for general DIY and paving slabs.
Our view
The KRETLAW four-piece set, part K180009, is £13.52, with 4.5 from 294 amazon.co.uk reviews and a pack weight of 1.23 kg. The bullets say forged high-carbon steel, nail slots, and a milled red and black shaft. The title lengths are 380, 250, 190, and 140 mm, while the bullets say 140, 190, 250, and 300 mm, and both lists are printed, so this card does not pick one. Reviewers call the bars strong. One says the paint is lumpy. Another needed a hammer on the flat end before the nail slots worked, and a striking cap is not listed. The manufacturer field names Hangzhou Yangtuo Import and Export Co., Ltd. The score of 80 includes the lower star line and that length conflict.
Pros
- £13.52 with 4.5 from 294 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Four flat bars with nail slots and a forged high-carbon claim
- Pack weight 1.23 kg
- Reviewers describe the bars as strong
Cons
- Title lengths and bullet lengths disagree
- Lumpy paint in one review
- One reviewer needed a hammer on the flat end before the slots worked
Best for: A cheap flat set when you will measure the bars that arrive and you can live with the paint.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs the lengths to match before the parcel turns up.
Specifications
- Model
- KRETLAW 4-piece pry set
- Brand
- KRETLAW
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(294)
- Forging
- Forged high-carbon
- Nail puller
- Yes
- Pieces
- 4
- Weight
- 1230 g
- Finish
- Red/black
Common questions
Which lengths should you trust?
The title says 380, 250, 190, and 140 mm. The bullets say 140, 190, 250, and 300 mm. Both are printed. This card does not pick one.
What do the reviews notice?
Reviewers call the bars strong. One says the paint is lumpy. Another needed a hammer on the flat end before the nail slots worked.
Our view
The Boxer 300 mm crowbar, Millarco model 32039, is £5.20, with 4.5 from 20 amazon.co.uk reviews and a listed weight of 460 g. The bullets say die-cast. There is no heat-treatment line and no nail-slot line, so it is not the same claim as a drop-forged Roughneck at a similar shelf price. The saved listing has seven UK texts. One says the quality is not perfect and the price is a bargain for deconstruction. Twenty reviews is a small sample, and rank 225 in Crowbars on the capture sits far from the Roughneck rows. The score of 62 is the lowest here because the die-cast bullets and the thin count both pull the method down. It is a cheap short bar when the job is light scrap, and it is not the value pick beside the 305 mm Roughneck at £4.98.
Pros
- £5.20 for a 300 mm bar at 460 g
- A low shelf price for light scrap
- Model 32039 is printed, so the part can be checked
Cons
- Bullets say die-cast, with no heat-treatment line and no nail slot
- 4.5 from only 20 reviews
- One of seven UK texts says the quality is not perfect
Best for: Light deconstruction where £5.20 is the budget and a die-cast bullet is acceptable.
Less suitable: Anyone who wants a drop-forged nail bar with a large UK review sample.
Specifications
- Model
- Boxer crowbar 300 mm
- Brand
- Boxer
- Price
- ∼£5
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(20)
- Length
- 300 mm
- Forging
- Die-cast
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 460 g
- Finish
- Steel
Common questions
Does the listing say forged?
No. The bullets say die-cast. There is no heat-treatment line and no nail-slot line.
How many reviews are behind the stars?
The listing line is 4.5 from 20 reviews. The saved listing has seven UK texts. One says the quality is not perfect and the price is a bargain for deconstruction.
How we compared
Twelve crowbar listings on amazon.co.uk were scored from files dated 19 October 2026. There was no lab test. The method file gives stars a maximum of 40, the review-count band a maximum of 25, fit a maximum of 22 and the price band a maximum of 10. Those four maxima total 97. The weights below are the same four criteria as shares of 100. A tie goes to the higher star line. The top row is the top pick. Best value is the other row with the strongest value part.
1
Stars
41%The amazon.co.uk rating divided by 5, multiplied by 40 and rounded, with a maximum of 40 in the method file. A thin review count is not given extra stars.
2
Review count
26%1,000 or more reviews score 25, 200 or more score 20, 100 or more score 14, 50 or more score 10, 10 or more score 6, and a thinner sample scores 2. The maximum in the method file is 25.
3
Fit
23%A single bar with a coherent listing scores 22, a multi-piece set scores 18, and die-cast bullets score 14. Conflicting length lines and a missing forging sentence are described in the assessment. They are not a second numeric penalty.
4
Price band
10%Under £8 with at least 4.7 stars scores 10, under £12 with at least 4.6 scores 8, under £18 scores 6, and a higher price scores 4. The maximum in the method file is 10.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Crowbar buying guide
Choose the form first, then the length, then the construction sentence the listing actually prints. A piece count and a price do not tell you whether the bar is a gooseneck, a flat blade or a die-cast short bar.
What is a crowbar?
A crowbar is a steel lever. On a UK shelf the same job is also sold as a wrecking bar, a pry bar, a wonder bar or a nail puller, and shops still mix the names. You buy one to split pallets, lift decking and floorboards, ease skirting and pull nails. This pass found no British Standard a domestic buyer has to match. At work, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 cover hand tools, and HSE leaflet INDG291 includes hammers, knives and tools an employee brings in.
Best for
- Pallet and shed work, where a nail slot and a gooseneck are enough
- Floorboards, decking and skirting you hope to reuse, with a flat bar and a pad
- Mixed small jobs that want several flat lengths in one box
Not ideal for
- Load-bearing timber, hidden bearings, or services in the wall
- Forcing a door, or treating a die-cast bullet as drop forged
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Buying the longest bar for a cupboard
About 610 mm is for thick timber when damage is acceptable. A 36–48 inch bar is a lot of tool in a room. About 300–400 mm is the toolbox and trim length, and it runs out of leverage when the timber is thick.
- 2
Reading die-cast as drop forged
Drop forged and heat treated, forged high-carbon steel, and hardened and tempered chrome vanadium are printed claims. Die-cast is a different claim. If the forging sentence is missing, that is a gap, not a hidden forge.
- 3
Hammering a polished tip into a nail
A bevelled slot hooks a head. Hit an end only when the listing names a striking cap or an impact claw. Reviewers of polished wrecking bars report chipped or dented tips, and a heat-treated line does not stop that.
What to weigh up
Form and length
HighForm is the first check, because the names on a UK shelf overlap. A gooseneck wrecking bar, with a curved claw and a chisel end, is the demolition and pallet tool, and it accepts chewed timber. A flat pry bar spreads the load and marks the face less, and it flexes sooner if you try to split a joist. An oval shaft is still a wrecking bar when the listing gives a claw and a splitter. An I-beam with a rocking head is a different shape from a hex wrecking bar.
Forging claim, nail slot and review count
HighRead the construction sentence as it is printed. Drop forged and heat treated, forged high-carbon steel, and hardened and tempered chrome vanadium are the claims that appear on some of these listings. Die-cast is not the same claim. A missing forging sentence stays a gap. Heat treatment is not evidence that a polished tip will stay sharp: reviewers report chipped or dented ends when that tip meets a nail. A bevelled nail slot is what hooks a head.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Boards you hope to reuse
Floorboards, decking and skirting want a flat bar and a wood pad under the heel. The Stanley Wonder Bar is the flat 340 mm row, once a gap already exists for the blade.
Mixed small jobs
Several flat lengths in one box cover trim and a longer reach. The SHALL set lists 5.5, 7.5, 10 and 15 inch flat bars. None of them is a gooseneck for a pallet, and you should check the lengths in the parcel.
Common questions about Crowbars
Which crowbar is the top pick in this set?
The top pick in this set is the Roughneck wrecking bar 305 mm, at about £4.98. amazon.co.uk shows 4.8 from 1,403 reviews, and the listing score is 95. It ties the 356 mm bar on that score, and the higher star line decides it. The listing says drop forged and heat treated, with a bevelled nail remover, at 410 g. The size lines do not all state the same millimetres, and 305 mm runs out of leverage on thick timber.
Which crowbar is the best value in this set?
The best value in this set is the Roughneck Gorilla bar 356 mm, at about £5.87. amazon.co.uk shows 4.7 from 2,330 reviews, and the listing score is also 95. The price sits under £8 with that large count, which is why it is best value while the 305 mm bar is the top pick on stars. Reviewers use it on pallets and boards. They also say the polished ends chip or dent on a nail, and that 356 mm can still run out of leverage.
How much does a crowbar cost on amazon.co.uk?
On these amazon.co.uk listings, captured on 19 October 2026, the shelf runs from about £4.98 to about £28.00. Short single bars in this extract sit under about £9, including a die-cast bar at about £5.20. Mid-priced rows, including a flat bar and the sets, run from about £10.85 to about £16.47. The 18 inch I-beam is about £28.00. Those are the prices in the files, not a promise of the next price you see.
Is a wrecking bar the same as a pry bar?
A gooseneck wrecking bar has a curved claw and a chisel end. It is the demolition and pallet tool, and it will chew timber. A flat pry bar spreads the load and marks the face less, and it flexes sooner if you try to split a joist. UK shops still mix crowbar, wrecking bar, pry bar and nail puller on the same shelf. Use the shape, not the title. A flat bar is the one for boards you hope to reuse, with a wood pad under the heel.
What length of crowbar do you need?
About 300–400 mm fits a toolbox, trim and a short piece of scrap. About 610 mm is the leverage bar when the timber is thick and you accept damage. A rule of thumb in one UK tool note is about 18 inches for most indoor work, and 36–48 inch bars are a lot of tool in a room. A four-piece flat set covers several short lengths and is still not a long wrecking bar. If two length lists are printed, measure the bars that arrive.
Are crowbars illegal in the UK?
Owning a crowbar is ordinary. The Prevention of Crime Act 1953, section 1, is the public-place offence for an offensive weapon without lawful authority or reasonable excuse. That covers an article made or adapted to cause injury, or intended by the person for that use. The Crown Prosecution Service treats ordinary objects carried in order to injure as the third category, with a maximum of four years on indictment. Carrying a crowbar in public depends on your reason. It is not a ban, and it is not always lawful.
When should you call a joiner instead of using a crowbar?
Call a joiner when the timber carries load, when you cannot see the bearing, or when electrics, gas or plumbing are in the wall. Workplace demolition follows the site method, not a skirting-board job at home. At work, PUWER 1998 covers hand tools, and HSE leaflet INDG291 includes them. Home DIY is not that duty. Gloves, a dust mask and eye protection are advice from a UK DIY source when nails or splinters can fly, not a crowbar regulation. Do not use a bar to force a door.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Roughneck wrecking bar 305 mm. It scores 95, with 4.8 from 1,403 amazon.co.uk reviews, at about £4.98, and it wins the tie with the 356 mm bar on that higher star line. The listing says drop forged and heat treated, with a bevelled nail remover, and 305 mm runs out of leverage on thick timber. The best value is the Roughneck Gorilla bar 356 mm, also scored 95, at about £5.87 with 4.7 from 2,330 reviews. Reviewers say the polished tips chip or dent when they meet a nail.
Best overallView offer
Roughneck wrecking bar 305 mm
Highest star line on a tied score of 95, with 4.8 from 1,403 reviews, on a short drop-forged wrecking bar.
Best value
View offer
Roughneck Gorilla bar 356 mm
Same score of 95, under £8, with 4.7 from 2,330 reviews, so this is the best value beside the top pick.
Editorial
DIY & tools editor
Hand toolsDemolition toolsDIY tools
Peter F. is the editor for DIY & tools at productscompared.co.uk. Comparisons in this category are checked against amazon.co.uk listings, review evidence and public UK sources.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to Crowbars
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Crowbar buying guideForm, then length, then the forging sentence, then price.Best crowbarWhich listing fits pallets, trim or a site bag, and who should skip it.How to use a crowbarStart a gap, set a fulcrum, hook a nail, and stop if it slips.Wrecking bar or pry barWhen the names on a UK shelf stop being synonyms.Crowbar for floorboardsBoards, decking and skirting, with a chance of reuse.
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Sources
Public UK sources and manufacturer pages for this comparison. Listing prices and stars are from amazon.co.uk files dated 19 October 2026.
- HSE, PUWER overview (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- HSE, INDG291 Providing and using work equipment safely (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- HSE, Manual handling in construction (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Prevention of Crime Act 1953, section 1 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- CPS, Knife and other weapons offences (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- DIY Doctor, Using a wrecking bar (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Roughneck, Gorilla bar (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Estwing, lightweight I-beam construction bar (retrieved 19 October 2026)
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Listings, review counts and public sources still decide the comparison. We did not run a lab test.