Flat duct on a 12 V pack
You already own a Bosch Professional 12 V pack and want a cold cut on flat duct or galvanised sheet. The GSC 12V-13 is a bare shear with a published capacity table. The battery and charger are not in the box.
Cordless metal shears comparison 2026
The best cordless metal shears, compared.
Top pick: Bostar shear with 2× 4.0Ah Best value: Deyitong nibbler 2.0 mm, Makita – Score 71 at about £106.99, with 4.3 from 62 reviews. A reviewed nibbler, not the cheapest shear in the set. Updated 22 October 2026.
Cordless metal shears cut sheet with a scissor action. UK merchants often place nibblers, which punch out a strip of chips, on the same shelf. You buy one when hand snips are too slow on duct, flashing, mesh or a flat panel, and when you already own a battery pack or are ready to buy one. A suitable tool names the mechanism, states a thickness in millimetres for a named metal, and says whether the battery and a charger are in the box. A shear leaves no waste strip and usually stretches the edge. A nibbler removes a slot and keeps the surrounding sheet flatter. Corrugated roofing and tight curves are the nibbler job. A rotating head is not a nibbler. A line that only says up to a few millimetres does not name the steel. Figures in gauge, inches and millimetres on one page are not one capacity. How the two cuts differ is set out in the [shear and nibbler guide](/hub/lawn-and-garden-equipment/cordless-metal-shears/sub/cordless-metal-shears-vs-nibbler).
Cordless metal shears cut sheet with a scissor action. UK merchants often place nibblers, which punch out a strip of chips, on the same shelf.
28 products checked · 61 hrs invested · +17,300 readers
8 of 8: Best cordless metal shears compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 8Best overall
Best value
5.8/10
8.4/10
4.2/10
7.1/10
3.6/10
3.6/10
3.5/10
3.4/10
∼ £76
∼ £265
∼ £80
∼ £107
∼ £54
∼ £57
∼ £57
∼ £80
5.0(3)
4.6(101)
4.5(2)
4.3(62)
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Personal buying guide
Which cordless metal shears fit?
Question 1 of 2
What are you cutting?
The best cordless metal shears in detail
Our view
Bostar's X-039 is listed at about £75.99 with a 5.0 from only three ratings and no review paragraphs in the capture, so the star line does not describe a cut. The title and bullets claim two 4.0Ah batteries, a charger with a UK plug, a case, and a body that also fits Makita 18 V LXT packs. Capacity in the bullets is 1.5 mm iron, 2.0 mm aluminium, and 1.2 mm stainless, with no test method printed, and the head is said to lock through 360° with a hex-key screw rather than a click. High, low, and a pulse mode are named, the weight is 2.1 kg, and corrugated roofing, mesh, and vehicle bodywork appear as jobs in the bullets only. The attribute row says batteries are not required and the included-components line says 1set, which fights the kit story. First available on the listing is 16 January 2026. Treat the two-pack claim as something to check in the carton, not as proof the tool has been used on a roof.
Pros
- Bullets claim two 4.0Ah batteries and a UK-plug charger
- Separate iron, aluminium, and stainless millimetre lines
- 360° head described as locked with a hex-key screw
- About £75.99 is below the reviewed nibbler and the Bosch bare tool
Cons
- 5.0 from three ratings and no review text
- Attribute line conflicts with the kit claim in the bullets
- Roofing and bodywork jobs are untested claims in this file
Best for: A buyer with no packs who wants the only listing that claims a UK charger in the box, and who will open the carton before relying on it.
Less suitable: You want a review sample, or you need a nibbler because the sheet is corrugated.
Specifications
- Model
- Bostar shear with 2× 4.0Ah
- Brand
- Bostar
- Price
- ∼£76
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(3)
- Mechanism
- Shear
- Steel capacity
- 1.5 mm iron
- Aluminium
- 2.0 mm
- Battery platform
- Makita 18 V claimed
- Battery included
- Yes
- UK charger
- Yes
- Head
- 360°, hex lock
- Weight
- 2.1 kg
- Reviews
- 5.0 from 3
Common questions
Are batteries and a UK charger included?
The title and bullets say two 4.0Ah batteries and a charger with a UK plug. The attribute line says batteries are not required. There is no separate batteries-included line.
What thickness do the bullets state?
1.5 mm iron, 2.0 mm aluminium, and 1.2 mm stainless. No test method is printed.
How does the head lock?
The bullets say the 360° head uses a hex-key screw lock rather than a click detent.
Our view
UK reviewers on amazon.co.uk use the Bosch Professional GSC 12V-13 to trim ductwork, galvanised sheet, and aluminium, and one of them calls it smoother, quieter, and lighter than an old 240 V Bosch shear because there is no trailing cable. The listing is about £264.97, 4.6 from 101 reviews, and 1.23 kg, with a hex key, upper and lower blades, and a half L-BOXX inlay, and no battery or charger. Amazon bullets stop at metal up to 1.3 mm, while Bosch Professional GB splits the same model into 1.3 mm at 400 N/mm² steel, 0.8 mm at 600 N/mm², 0.6 mm at 800 N/mm², and 2 mm aluminium at 200 N/mm², plus 3,600 strokes per minute and a 15 mm minimum curve. A UK review says the shear is better at trimming a sheet end than cutting a shape inside the panel, and that it takes time to get the hang of. The attribute row says the power source is hand-operated and that two lithium-ion batteries are required, which does not match the cordless title or the 10.8 V field. It is the top pick in this set because of that review sample and the published capacity table, though you still need a Bosch Professional 12 V pack that is not in the box.
Pros
- 4.6 from 101 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest sample here
- UK reviews name ductwork, galvanised sheet, and aluminium
- Bosch Professional GB publishes capacity by steel strength
- 1.23 kg bare tool with blades and a hex key in the box
Cons
- About £264.97 with no battery and no charger
- UK review: weaker on shapes inside the sheet than on an edge trim
- Amazon attribute says hand-operated, which conflicts with the cordless title
Best for: Trimming flat duct and galvanised sheet when you already own a Bosch Professional 12 V pack and want a published capacity table.
Less suitable: You have no 12 V packs, or the sheet is corrugated and needs a nibbler rather than a shear.
Specifications
- Model
- Bosch Professional GSC 12V-13
- Brand
- Bosch Professional
- Price
- ∼£265
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(101)
- Mechanism
- Shear
- Steel capacity
- 1.3 mm, 400 N/mm²
- Aluminium
- 2 mm, 200 N/mm²
- Battery platform
- Bosch 12 V
- Battery included
- No
- UK charger
- No
- Head
- Curve head
- Weight
- 1.23 kg
- Reviews
- 4.6 from 101
Common questions
Does this Bosch shear include a battery?
No. The title says without battery and charger. The attribute line says two lithium-ion batteries are required.
How thick a cut does the amazon listing state?
The bullets say a wide variety of metal up to 1.3 mm. The file does not split that figure by steel strength. Bosch Professional GB does, for this model only.
Will it take a Makita or DeWalt pack?
The listing names the Bosch Professional 12 V system. It does not claim a Makita, DeWalt, or Milwaukee foot.
Our view
This Deyitong 2125 is a bare nibbler at about £79.99 on a claimed DeWalt 20V foot for packs DCB200 to DCB206. DeWalt's own wording treats 20V MAX as an unloaded maximum with a nominal 18 V, so a genuine DeWalt pack in the UK is an 18V XR. The size field says 1.6 mm, the title says 18 gauge, and the bullets say sheet up to 0.04 inches, aluminium up to 0.062 inches, and copper up to 0.048 inches, which convert to about 1.0–1.6 mm rather than one thickness. It weighs 1.95 kg, claims 1,900 strokes per minute, three speeds, a 360° head, and a debris bag, and the battery is not in the box. The star line is 4.5 from two reviews, and the only written review is in French from Canada, calling it a good product for the price. There is no United Kingdom review text in the file, so you cannot tell whether the die follows a corrugation or stalls on the first rib.
Pros
- Nibbler mechanism, which is the profiled-sheet job
- Debris bag named in the bullets
- Three speeds and a stated 1,900 strokes per minute
- Claimed foot for DeWalt packs DCB200 to DCB206
Cons
- Only two ratings, and the only written review is from Canada
- 18 gauge, 1.6 mm, and inch bullets are not reconciled
- Bare tool at about £79.99 with no UK durability comment
Best for: A DeWalt-pack owner who wants a nibbler body and will treat the thickness lines as unresolved.
Less suitable: You need UK reviews, a single millimetre you can trust, or a shear that leaves no waste strip.
Specifications
- Model
- Deyitong nibbler, DeWalt 20V
- Brand
- Deyitong
- Price
- ∼£80
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(2)
- Mechanism
- Nibbler
- Steel capacity
- 1.6 mm
- Aluminium
- 0.062 in
- Battery platform
- DeWalt 20V claimed
- Battery included
- No
- UK charger
- No
- Head
- 360°
- Weight
- 1.95 kg
- Reviews
- 4.5 from 2
Common questions
Does it include a DeWalt battery?
No. The bullets say the tool only, and batteries required is Yes.
Which thickness figure should you read?
The size field says 1.6 mm. The title says 18 gauge. Bullets say sheet up to 0.04 inches, aluminium 0.062 inches, and copper 0.048 inches. The file does not reconcile them.
Is there a UK review in the capture?
No. The only review text is in French and was reviewed in Canada. It calls the tool a good product for the price.
Our view
At about £106.99 this Deyitong body is a nibbler on a claimed Makita 18 V foot for BL1830, BL1840, BL1850, and BL1860 packs, scored 4.3 from 62 amazon.co.uk reviews, the largest third-party sample in the set. UK reviewers who already own those packs call the price a bargain, and one roofer compared about £104 with a Makita head they had priced near £120. The size field says 2.0 mm, while bullets add aluminium up to 0.098 inches and stainless up to 0.048 inches, and a UK review of a 2.5 mm mild-steel cut is a report, not a new specification. The same UK reviews describe a chewed slot of about 6 mm, difficulty making a precision cut, and heavy battery use on that thicker mild steel. One buyer used it at work for about 30 minutes and returned it for a refund, so durability is not settled in the file. The tool weighs 2.13 kg, the bullets claim a brushless motor at 800 W and 1,900 strokes per minute, and the battery is sold separately even though an attribute line says batteries are not required. It is the best value here when you already have a Makita pack and can accept a wide kerf, not when you need a shear that leaves both offcuts.
Pros
- 4.3 from 62 reviews, the largest third-party sample
- UK reviewers compare the price with a Makita nibbler head
- Size field states 2.0 mm, with separate aluminium and stainless bullets
- Claimed Makita 18 V foot if you already own BL1830 to BL1860 packs
Cons
- UK review: the cut removes a strip of about 6 mm
- One UK buyer returned it after about 30 minutes at work
- No battery in the box, and the attribute line disagrees with the bullets
Best for: Holes and profiled sheet on a Makita 18 V pack you already own, when a wide kerf is acceptable.
Less suitable: You need both offcuts kept, a precision edge, or written proof the punch lasts a full day.
Specifications
- Model
- Deyitong nibbler 2.0 mm, Makita
- Brand
- Deyitong
- Price
- ∼£107
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(62)
- Mechanism
- Nibbler
- Steel capacity
- 2.0 mm
- Aluminium
- 0.098 in
- Battery platform
- Makita 18 V claimed
- Battery included
- No
- UK charger
- No
- Head
- 360°
- Weight
- 2.13 kg
- Reviews
- 4.3 from 62
Common questions
Is a Makita battery in the box?
No. The bullets say the battery and charger are sold separately. The attribute line says batteries are not required, which conflicts with that.
What thickness does the listing print?
The size field says 2.0 mm maximum. Bullets add aluminium up to 0.098 inches and stainless up to 0.048 inches. One UK review mentions 2.5 mm mild steel; that is a review, not the size field.
Is this a shear or a nibbler?
The title uses both words. The best-sellers rank is in Nibblers, and UK reviews describe a wide chewed cut of about 6 mm.
Our view
Roadtime's WGT337-DW is the cheapest body in the set at about £54.14, a bare shear for claimed DeWalt 20V packs DCB200 to DCB206, with no battery and no star line in the file. Bullets say brushless, up to 400 W, 1,600 rpm no-load, a stepless trigger, a 360° chrome-vanadium head, and sheet up to 2 mm with no steel grade. The tool is listed at 1.6 kg, gloves are named in the bullets, and the same bullets also claim leather, carpet, plastic, cardboard, roofing, mesh, and duct. One bullet says electric fabric shears while the title says metal shear, so the listing is arguing with itself. There are no written reviews to show whether 2 mm is mild steel, stainless, or a headline. An about £54 shelf price is not a top pick on this evidence, and a rotating head is not a nibbler for corrugated sheet.
Pros
- Lowest shelf price in the set at about £54.14
- 1.6 kg bare shear with a stepless trigger
- Gloves named in the bullets
- Named DeWalt pack numbers if the foot fits your packs
Cons
- No star line and no review text
- 2 mm claim has no steel grade
- One bullet calls it fabric shears
- No battery, and the roofing line is unreviewed
Best for: A DeWalt-pack owner who wants the cheapest shear body and will test it on scrap before a real panel.
Less suitable: Corrugated roofing, or any job where you need reviews or a named steel strength.
Specifications
- Model
- Roadtime shear, DeWalt 20V
- Brand
- Roadtime
- Price
- ∼£54
- Mechanism
- Shear
- Steel capacity
- Up to 2 mm
- Battery platform
- DeWalt 20V claimed
- Battery included
- No
- UK charger
- No
- Head
- 360°
- Weight
- 1.6 kg
Common questions
Is a DeWalt battery included?
No. The title says no battery, and batteries required is Yes.
What thickness and speed do the bullets state?
Sheet up to 2 mm, with no steel grade, and a no-load speed of 1,600 rpm at up to 400 W. Do not compare that rpm figure with a strokes-per-minute claim on a nibbler.
What else is in the pack?
The bullets include a pair of gloves. They also claim cuts in leather, carpet, plastic, and cardboard as well as metal.
Our view
The WGT337-MT is the same Roadtime shear pattern at about £56.99 for claimed Makita 18 V packs BL1850B, BL1840B, and BL1830B, and the bullets say it is not for Ni-Cd or G-series batteries. None of those packs is in the box, the weight is 1.6 kg, and there is no star line and no review text. Capacity is again sheet up to 2 mm with no grade, at up to 400 W and 1,600 rpm, with a 360° chrome-vanadium head and gloves in the bullets. Leather, carpet, plastic, cardboard, roof, mesh, and duct are listed as extra jobs without a single UK comment to separate them. Rank in DIY & Tools is 159,356 and 48 in Shears, which is a sales position, not a test. If you already own one of the named Makita packs you still have no user report on edge quality or on whether the foot actually seats.
Pros
- Names specific Makita packs and excludes Ni-Cd and G-series
- 1.6 kg with a 360° head and gloves in the bullets
- About £56.99 bare tool if a compatible pack is already owned
- Stepless trigger rather than a single speed
Cons
- No reviews in the capture
- 2 mm with no steel grade
- Battery not included
- Roof, mesh, and fabric jobs share one untested bullet list
Best for: A Makita 18 V owner comparing bare shear bodies who will prove the foot on offcuts first.
Less suitable: You need a nibbler kerf, a published strength table, or any written UK review.
Specifications
- Model
- Roadtime shear, Makita 18V
- Brand
- Roadtime
- Price
- ∼£57
- Mechanism
- Shear
- Steel capacity
- Up to 2 mm
- Battery platform
- Makita 18 V claimed
- Battery included
- No
- UK charger
- No
- Head
- 360°
- Weight
- 1.6 kg
Common questions
Which Makita packs does the listing name?
BL1850B, BL1840B, and BL1830B. The bullets say it is not for Ni-Cd or G-series batteries. None of those packs is in the box.
Does the file show a review score?
No. There is no star line and no review text.
What cut is claimed?
The bullets say metal sheet up to 2 mm, with no steel grade, at up to 400 W and 1,600 rpm.
Our view
Roadtime's WGT337-MWK is about £56.99 for claimed Milwaukee 18 V packs including 48-11-1820, 48-11-1828, 48-11-1835, 48-11-1840, 48-11-1850, and 48-11-1852, and the title says no battery. Bullets repeat up to 400 W, 1,600 rpm, sheet up to 2 mm with no grade, 1.6 kg, a stepless trigger, and a 360° chrome-vanadium head, and they add gloves. One bullet says electric fabric shears, which does not belong on a metal-shear title. There is no star line and no review text, so the six pack numbers are the most concrete fact on the page. Roofing, mesh, and duct appear as bullet jobs beside leather and carpet, with nothing from a UK buyer to show which of those cuts happened. A Milwaukee foot claim at this price is still an unreviewed third-party body, not a Milwaukee tool.
Pros
- Six Milwaukee pack numbers printed on the listing
- 1.6 kg bare shear at about £56.99
- Gloves included in the bullet list
- 360° head and a stepless trigger claimed
Cons
- No reviews in the capture
- 2 mm claim names no steel grade
- A fabric-shear bullet conflicts with the metal title
- No battery, and roofing use is unreviewed
Best for: A Milwaukee 18 V owner who wants a cheap shear body and will check the foot before cutting a finished panel.
Less suitable: You need Milwaukee's own shear, a capacity by steel strength, or a nibbler for ribs.
Specifications
- Model
- Roadtime shear, Milwaukee 18V
- Brand
- Roadtime
- Price
- ∼£57
- Mechanism
- Shear
- Steel capacity
- Up to 2 mm
- Battery platform
- Milwaukee 18 V claimed
- Battery included
- No
- UK charger
- No
- Head
- 360°
- Weight
- 1.6 kg
Common questions
Is a Milwaukee battery included?
No. The title says no battery, and batteries required is Yes.
Which pack numbers does the listing print?
48-11-1820, 48-11-1828, 48-11-1835, 48-11-1840, 48-11-1850, and 48-11-1852.
What thickness is claimed?
The bullets say sheet up to 2 mm, with no steel grade.
Our view
Deyitong's other 2125 body is the same about £79.99 nibbler on a claimed Makita 18 V foot for BL1830, BL1840, BL1850, and BL1860 packs, and the capture has no star line and no review text. The size field again says 1.6 mm while the title says 18 gauge and the bullets mix 0.04 inch sheet, 0.062 inch aluminium, and 0.048 inch copper, so those figures are not one capacity. Bullets claim a brushless motor at 1,900 strokes per minute, three speeds, a 360° head, a detachable handle, a battery indicator, and a debris bag. The tool weighs 1.95 kg and the battery is sold separately, although the attribute row says batteries are not required. Listed from 12 July 2026, it sits beside a reviewed sibling at about £106.99 that at least has 62 ratings and a stated 2.0 mm size field. With no UK comments you cannot see whether the punch holds an edge or how wide the slot is.
Pros
- Same nibbler layout as the DeWalt-foot 2125, including a debris bag
- Named Makita 18 V pack numbers in the bullets
- About £79.99, below the reviewed Deyitong nibbler
- Three-speed claim and 1,900 strokes per minute
Cons
- No star line and no reviews in the capture
- Gauge, millimetres, and inches disagree on the page
- Battery excluded, and the attribute row says batteries are not required
Best for: Someone who already owns a named Makita pack and only needs a spare nibbler body they can inspect on arrival.
Less suitable: You want UK review themes, or the about £106.99 sibling's larger sample is still in budget.
Specifications
- Model
- Deyitong nibbler 1.6 mm, Makita
- Brand
- Deyitong
- Price
- ∼£80
- Mechanism
- Nibbler
- Steel capacity
- 1.6 mm
- Aluminium
- 0.062 in
- Battery platform
- Makita 18 V claimed
- Battery included
- No
- UK charger
- No
- Head
- 360°
- Weight
- 1.95 kg
Common questions
Is a battery included?
The bullets say the battery and charger are sold separately. The attribute says batteries are not required and batteries included is No.
What cut does the file state?
Size field: 1.6 mm maximum. Bullets: sheet 0.04 inches, aluminium 0.062 inches, copper 0.048 inches. The title says 18 gauge.
Are there reviews in the capture?
No star line and no review text.
How we compared
Eight amazon.co.uk listings are in this set, captured on 19 October 2026. The score is an editorial reading of those listings. It is not a lab cut and not a test-house award. Review sample is 40, published capacity is 25, what is in the box and whether the platform line is clear is 15, and review sentiment is 20. Those published weights are 40, 25, 15 and 20. They total 100 and are not rescaled. The top pick is the highest score. The best value is a reviewed price against a dearer OEM-head story, not the lowest shelf price.
1
Review sample
40%Stars and the number of ratings on the amazon.co.uk listing for that ASIN, with UK review text preferred. A thin star line does not outrank a larger sample. The published weight is 40.
2
Published capacity
25%The metal named with the thickness, not a millimetre on its own. The Bosch Professional GB capacity table is used for the GSC 12V-13 only. The published weight is 25.
3
Box and platform
15%What is in the box, and whether the battery-platform line is clear. A seller claim that a body is compatible with a foot is not that brand's tool. The published weight is 15.
4
Review sentiment
20%Themes in the amazon.co.uk reviews, including the edge, the kerf, returns and missing text. No review text means this block cannot lift the score. The published weight is 20.
Independent review
Last updated: 22 October 2026
8 sources checked
Cordless metal shears buying guide
Start with the mechanism, then the thickness in millimetres for a named metal, then the battery platform and what is actually in the box. Shelf prices below are the 19 October 2026 amazon.co.uk lines. A seller's millimetre is not a lab cut.
What are cordless metal shears?
Cordless metal shears cut sheet with a scissor action. A nibbler punches out a strip of chips. UK merchants put both on the same shelf, so the first check is the mechanism, not the price. A single-cut shear leaves no waste strip and usually stretches the edge. A nibbler removes a slot and keeps the surrounding sheet flatter. Corrugated roofing and tight curves are the nibbler job in UK merchant guides. A rotating head is not a nibbler.
Best for
- A duct or roof fitter who already owns a battery platform and wants a cold cut
- A Makita 18 V owner who will accept a nibbler kerf on profiled sheet
Not ideal for
- Corrugated sheet if you only have a shear, including one with a rotating head
- A buyer who treats an unreviewed £54 body, or a three-rating kit claim, as settled evidence
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Treating gauge, inches and millimetres as one figure
A size field of 1.6 mm, a title that says 18 gauge, and inch bullets that convert to about 1.0–1.6 mm are not one capacity. A reviewer's 2.5 mm cut is a report, not the size field.
- 2
Buying the battery you can see in the photo
Most of these bodies are bare tools. One listing's bullets claim two 4.0Ah packs and a UK-plug charger, while an attribute line says batteries are not required. Open the carton before you rely on the kit.
- 3
Using a shear on corrugations because the head rotates
A rotating head is not a nibbler. Corrugated roofing and tight curves are the nibbler job in UK merchant guides. A shear usually stretches the edge and leaves no waste strip.
- 4
Calling a third-party foot a branded tool
Compatible with on a Roadtime, Bostar or Deyitong body is a seller claim about the mounting. It is not a Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee or Bosch tool. DeWalt 20V MAX is an unloaded maximum. Nominal voltage is 18 V.
What to weigh up
Mechanism and published capacity
HighChoose the cut before the price. A shear leaves no waste strip and usually stretches the edge, which suits a flat duct end. A nibbler removes a slot and keeps the surrounding sheet flatter, which is the job for corrugated roofing and tight curves. A head that rotates through 360° is still a shear if the blades scissor the sheet. Capacity has to name the metal.
Battery platform and what is in the box
HighRead the foot, then the carton. The GSC 12V-13 is Bosch Professional 12 V. The same amazon file also prints 10.8 V, and the title excludes the battery and the charger. It does not take a Makita or DeWalt pack. DeWalt's 20V MAX wording is an unloaded maximum. The nominal voltage is 18 V, and the UK catalogue is 18V XR. A third-party line that says compatible with named Makita, DeWalt or Milwaukee packs is a claim about the foot, not that manufacturer's shear or nibbler.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Profiled sheet on Makita packs
You already own Makita 18 V packs and can accept a nibbler kerf. The reviewed Deyitong body is about £106.99, with 4.3 from 62 reviews. UK reviews describe a wide chewed cut. The battery is sold separately.
No packs on the shelf
You have no packs, so you notice the only bullets that claim two 4.0Ah batteries and a UK-plug charger. That Bostar listing is 5.0 from three ratings and has no review text. Treat the kit claim as something to check in the carton.
Common questions about cordless metal shears
What are cordless metal shears?
Cordless metal shears cut sheet with a scissor action. UK listings often sit beside nibblers, which punch out a strip of chips. You choose the mechanism first, then a thickness in millimetres for a named metal, then whether the battery is in the box. A line that only says up to 2 mm does not name the steel. A rotating head is not a nibbler. Gauge, inches and millimetres on one page are not one capacity.
Should you buy a shear or a nibbler?
A shear leaves no waste strip and usually stretches the edge, so it suits a flat duct end or a trim. A nibbler removes a slot and keeps the surrounding sheet flatter. UK merchant guides treat corrugated roofing and tight curves as the nibbler job. One UK review of a nibbler in this set estimated a chewed slot of about 6 mm. That figure is a review, not a size-field specification. Choose the mechanism before you compare prices.
What should the thickness line say?
Read millimetres and the metal together. Bosch Professional GB states 1.3 mm in 400 N/mm² steel, 0.8 mm in 600 N/mm², 0.6 mm in 800 N/mm², and 2 mm in 200 N/mm² aluminium for the GSC 12V-13. On other listings, 18 gauge, a 1.6 mm size field and inch bullets that convert to about 1.0–1.6 mm are not one capacity. Do not treat a reviewer's thicker cut as the specification.
What do cordless metal shears cost?
On the 19 October 2026 amazon.co.uk captures, bare shears with no star line were £54.14 to £56.99. A listing whose bullets claim two batteries was £75.99. Nibblers were £79.99 and £106.99. The Bosch bare tool was £264.97. A UK shop listed a battery kit of that Bosch model at £379.95 including VAT, which is not the amazon bare offer. The lowest shelf price is not the best value on this evidence.
Is the battery included?
Most of these listings are bare tools. The Bosch GSC 12V-13 title says no battery and no charger, and you need a Bosch Professional 12 V pack. The reviewed Deyitong nibbler also excludes the battery. One Bostar listing's bullets claim two 4.0Ah packs and a charger with a UK plug, while an attribute line says batteries are not required. That listing has 5.0 from three ratings and no review text, so check the carton.
Which listing is the top pick?
The top pick is the Bosch Professional GSC 12V-13, score 84, at about £264.97, with 4.6 from 101 reviews. The criterion is that review sample and the published capacity table, not a battery in the box. The best value is the Deyitong nibbler at about £106.99, score 71, with 4.3 from 62 reviews, if you already have a Makita pack and can accept a wide kerf. The about £54 shear has no star line and is not the best value.
When should you stop and call a professional?
Stop if the sheet is above the stated capacity and the tool stalls, if the cut is at height, or if the work is pipe or a load-bearing part. If you employ people, PUWER 1998 requires suitable equipment, and you still have to assess the day's noise and vibration. Only the Bosch page in this set publishes a noise figure, and it does not transfer to other brands. A household user is not an employer.
What if you want a mains metal shear?
A mains metal shear is a different tool. It uses a lead rather than a battery foot, and the same choice remains: a shear for a flat edge, a nibbler for corrugated sheet. Thickness still has to name the metal. Mains models on amazon.co.uk are compared separately in the electric metal shears comparison. This page does not rank corded tools, and it does not treat a rotating cordless head as a nibbler.
Our verdict
The top pick is the Bosch Professional GSC 12V-13, score 84, at about £264.97, with 4.6 from 101 amazon.co.uk reviews. It is a bare 12 V shear. The criterion is that review sample plus the Bosch Professional GB capacity table, not a battery in the box. The best value is the Deyitong nibbler at about £106.99, score 71, with 4.3 from 62 reviews, on a claimed Makita 18 V foot and with the battery excluded. The criterion is that reviewed price against an OEM head UK reviewers priced higher, not the lowest shelf price. The about £54 shear has no star line and is not best value on this evidence. Scores read the 19 October 2026 listings. They are not a lab cut.
Best value
View offer
Deyitong nibbler 2.0 mm, Makita
Score 71 at about £106.99, with 4.3 from 62 reviews. A reviewed nibbler, not the cheapest shear in the set.
Editorial
DIY & tools editor
DIY & toolsLawn and garden equipmentCordless metal shears
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: 22 October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to cordless metal shears
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Cordless metal shears buying guideMechanism, millimetres and platform before price.Best cordless metal shearsWho each kept listing is for, and who should skip it.How to cut with cordless metal shearsThe sequence of a cut, the chips, and when to stop.Cordless metal shears vs nibblerA scissor cut or a punched slot, for a named edge.Cordless metal shears for roofingCorrugated sheet, flashing, mesh and duct.
Related comparisons
Sources
Capacity and noise for the GSC 12V-13 are Bosch Professional GB. Shear and nibbler use is Tooled-up, UK Planet Tools and Milwaukee Tool UK. Supply duties are the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008. Noise action values are the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, regulation 4. Vibration values are the HSE summary of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations. DeWalt's nominal 18 V line is the UK 18V XR battery page. Prices and stars are the amazon.co.uk captures dated 19 October 2026. This is not a lab test.
- Bosch Professional GB, GSC 12V-13 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Tooled-up, nibblers versus shears (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- UK Planet Tools, cordless shears and nibblers (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Milwaukee Tool UK, metal shears (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- GOV.UK, Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, regulation 4 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- HSE, hand-arm vibration regulations (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- DeWalt UK, 18V XR 5Ah battery (retrieved 19 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Scores read the amazon.co.uk lines dated 19 October 2026. They are not a lab test, and they are not a promise of the cheapest price.