Dead copper and light wire
You want one linesman pair for dead copper and light wire, and you will check the lock. The DeWalt 200 mm pair is about £18.49, with a spring and induction-hardened blades claimed, and 4.8 from 10 reviews.
Compound pliers comparison 2026
The best compound pliers, compared.
Top pick: DeWalt compound-action linesman pliers 200 mm – Highest score in the set: 200 mm linesman head, spring, lock and induction-hardened blades stated, at about £18.49 with 4.8 from 10, after the thin sample and the failed bag lock. Best value: Stanley FatMax compound-action combination pliers 215 mm – Lowest shelf price in the set at about £16.79, 4.4 from 97, a combination head that grips and cuts, after the narrow opening is already deducted. Updated October 2026.
Several bullets claim 70% more cutting power than standard cutting pliers and do not state a wire diameter. None of the six shows a mark or BS EN IEC 60900. You look at them when ordinary combination pliers or side cutters tire the hand, or when a compact tool has to cut harder wire than a single joint will manage. Quality is the head matching the job, a jaw opening you have checked, an induction-hardened edge, and handles that are not mistaken for electrical insulation. Mechanism, head and opening are set out in the [compound pliers buying guide](/hub/pliers/compound-pliers/sub/compound-pliers-buying-guide). Compound pliers, for this comparison, are hand pliers with an extra pivot or compound lever so the same squeeze produces more force at the jaw.
Several bullets claim 70% more cutting power than standard cutting pliers and do not state a wire diameter. None of the six shows a mark or BS EN IEC 60900.
22 products checked · 54 hrs invested · +16,800 readers
6 of 6: Best compound pliers compared
Swipe for more
1-2 of 6Best overall
Best value
9.6/10
9.4/10
9.4/10
9.2/10
8.8/10
7.8/10
∼ £18
∼ £26
∼ £24
∼ £46
∼ £17
∼ £19
4.8(10)
4.7(1,801)
4.7(530)
4.6(1,977)
4.4(97)
3.9(5)
Personal buying guide
Which compound pliers fit this job?
Question 1 of 2
What do you need the head to do?
The best compound pliers in detail
Our view
The 200 mm DeWalt linesman pair sits at £18.49 on amazon.co.uk, with a 4.8 from 10 reviews, and the single UK review in the file says it does the job it is meant for. The listing is a linesman head with a claimed spring, a storage lock, and induction-hardened blades, plus the maker's line of 70% more cutting power than standard cutting pliers. No wire diameter is printed, and there is no VDE, 1000 V, or BS EN IEC 60900 mark, so the handles are comfort grips, not live-work insulation. That same UK review says the safety catch does not hold well and the pliers were found open in a bag. Ten reviews is a thin sample next to the FatMax 97 or the Craftsman 1,801. Use it as a compact grip-and-cut pair on dead copper and light wire if you can live with a lock that may not stay shut.
Pros
- 200 mm linesman head named in the title
- Spring and storage lock claimed on the listing
- Induction-hardened blades and a 70% cutting-power claim
- £18.49, close to the cheapest single in this set
Cons
- Only 10 amazon.co.uk reviews, one of them from the UK
- UK review: the safety catch does not hold in a bag
- No wire diameter and no live-work marking
Best for: You want one DeWalt linesman pair under £20 for dead copper and light wire, and you will check the lock.
Less suitable: You need a wide jaw, a published millimetre capacity, or a tool marked to BS EN IEC 60900.
Specifications
- Model
- DeWalt compound-action linesman pliers 200 mm
- Brand
- DEWALT
- Price
- ∼£18
- Customer rating
- 4.8/5(10)
- Head
- Linesman
- Length
- 200 mm
- Spring
- Yes
- Lock
- Yes
- Hardened edge
- Yes
- Compound claim
- 70% claim
- Live-work mark
- No
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 270 g
Common questions
Are these DeWalt linesman pliers rated for live electrical work?
The amazon.co.uk listing does not show a VDE mark, a 1000 V rating, or BS EN IEC 60900. Treat them as ordinary metal-handled pliers and keep the circuit dead before you cut or grip a conductor.
Does the listing say how thick a wire they will cut?
No diameter is given. The bullets claim induction-hardened blades and 70% more cutting power than standard cutting pliers. That percentage is the maker's comparison, not a measured capacity.
Does the storage lock stay shut?
The bullets include a locking mechanism for storage. The only UK review says the safety catch does not hold well and the pliers were found open in a bag.
Our view
The Craftsman 8-inch diagonal cutter is listed at £26.08 with 4.7 from 1,801 reviews. It is a cutter, not a gripper: drop-forged alloy steel, induction-hardened edges, and a compound-action claim of increased force versus standard cutters, without a percentage or a millimetre. None of the first 50 reviews is marked United Kingdom. Those overseas notes praise extra cut force on wire and cable ties, then repeat a smaller opening than ordinary cutters, stiffness until the tool is worked in, and chipped edges when the cutter is used on material other than copper. The usage line says electrical; there is no VDE, double triangle, or BS EN IEC 60900 mark. Buy it to nip dead copper, not to hold a nut, and not to treat nails as a rated job.
Pros
- Diagonal cutter built only to cut
- 4.7 from 1,801 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Drop-forged alloy steel and induction-hardened edges claimed
- Reviews describe extra force on wire and cable ties
Cons
- None of the first 50 reviews is from the United Kingdom
- Jaw opening smaller than ordinary cutters
- Edges chip on material other than copper
- No live-work marking despite an electrical usage line
Best for: You only need to cut dead copper or cable ties and you accept that the UK review sample in the file is empty.
Less suitable: You need a grip jaw, a published hard-wire diameter, or a tool marked for live work.
Specifications
- Model
- Craftsman 8-inch compound-action diagonal cutters
- Brand
- Craftsman
- Price
- ∼£26
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(1,801)
- Head
- Diagonal cutter
- Length
- 8 inch
- Hardened edge
- Yes
- Compound claim
- More force
- Jaw teeth
- Cutting edge
- Live-work mark
- No
- Pieces
- 1
- Weight
- 331 g
Common questions
Are these for gripping as well as cutting?
The title and item type are an 8-inch compound-action diagonal cutter. The usage line says cutting pliers and electrical. They are not described as combination pliers with a flat grip jaw.
Does the listing prove they are safe on live cable?
No. Usage mentions electrical work, but there is no VDE mark, double triangle, or BS EN IEC 60900 line. The listing also says international stock may differ from a local product.
What do reviewers say about the cut?
None of the first 50 reviews is from the United Kingdom. Repeated points are extra cutting force, a jaw opening smaller than ordinary cutters, stiffness until the tool is worked in, and chipped edges when the cutter is used on material other than copper.
Our view
The DeWalt DWHT70277 long-nose listing is £24.06 with 4.7 from 530 reviews. Bullets claim chrome-vanadium steel, cross-hatch teeth, bi-material handles and 70% more cutting power; the title does not state a length, and the weight field is 113 g. Only one of the first 50 reviews is from the United Kingdom, and that February 2018 buyer called the build poor and thought the tool was a copy rather than a DeWalt product. Other reviews in the file like the leverage and the reach into tight spaces, then complain that the lock is stiff, the handles spread a long way for a small jaw, and the edge nicked on gauge-8 screws. Rust on arrival appears in the overseas notes. It is a long-nose for dead cable and tight work, not a screw cutter, and it is not the same listing as the 190 mm DWHT0-70277 at £19.16.
Pros
- Long-nose head with a claimed cross-hatch grip
- 4.7 from 530 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Reviews describe useful leverage and reach
- Induction-hardened blades claimed
Cons
- The only UK review in the file rejects the build as a copy
- Lock described as stiff; jaw opening is small against handle travel
- Edge nicked on screws in an overseas review
- No length in the title; not the same ASIN as the 190 mm listing
Best for: You want a long-nose compound-action pair for dead cable in a tight space, and you will treat the UK build note as a warning.
Less suitable: You need a stated 190 mm length, a wide opening, or a cutter for screws and nails.
Specifications
- Model
- DeWalt compound-action long-nose pliers DWHT70277
- Brand
- DEWALT
- Price
- ∼£24
- Customer rating
- 4.7/5(530)
- Head
- Long nose
- Hardened edge
- Yes
- Compound claim
- 70% claim
- Jaw teeth
- Cross-hatch
- Live-work mark
- No
- Pieces
- 1
- Standard
- CE, ISO 9001
- Weight
- 113 g
Common questions
How long are these long-nose pliers?
The title does not state a length. The details table lists a cutting width of 11.4 cm and item dimensions of 28.2 x 19.6 cm, and the weight as 113 g. ASIN B0B5PMT58P uses model DWHT0-70277 and does state 190 mm.
Are they marked for live working?
The spec line is CE and ISO 9001. There is no VDE or 1000 V mark on the listing.
What did the UK review say about the build?
The only UK review, from February 2018, calls the build poor and says the buyer thought the tool was a copy rather than a DeWalt product. Other reviews in the file praise the leverage and also complain about the lock, rust and a small jaw opening.
Our view
The DeWalt three-pack sits at £46.00 with 4.6 from 1,977 reviews, the largest file in this set. The bullets name chromium-vanadium steel, induction-hardened blades, and 70% more cutting power on the diagonal cutters, but they do not list the other two pieces. Reviews in the file describe needle-nose, side cutters and linesman pliers, so the exact trio is not fixed by the bullet list. Five of the first 50 reviews are from the United Kingdom. Those UK notes praise expected DeWalt quality and then say the locking catches have a mind of their own, all three open only to about 10 mm, and one long-nose bent after three days. Overseas notes add rust out of the packet and a hinge that pinches. It is a set for three compound-action heads if you accept an unitemised box and a narrow opening.
Pros
- Three compound-action pliers for £46.00
- 4.6 from 1,977 amazon.co.uk reviews
- Chromium-vanadium steel and induction-hardened blades claimed
- 70% cutting-power claim on the diagonal cutters
Cons
- Bullets do not name all three pieces
- UK reviews: jaws open about 10 mm and locks wander
- One UK review: long-nose bent after three days
- No live-work marking; international stock may differ
Best for: You want three compound-action heads in one box and you have checked that a 10 mm opening is enough.
Less suitable: You only need one head, or you need the listing to name every tool before you pay £46.
Specifications
- Model
- DeWalt compound-action pliers set, 3-pack
- Brand
- DEWALT
- Price
- ∼£46
- Customer rating
- 4.6/5(1,977)
- Head
- 3-pack
- Hardened edge
- Yes
- Compound claim
- 70% on cutters
- Live-work mark
- No
- Pieces
- 3
- Weight
- 260 g
Common questions
Which three pliers are in the DWHT70485 pack?
The title says a compound-action 3-pack and the bullets name diagonal cutting pliers. They do not list long-nose or linesman pieces. Reviews in the file describe needle-nose, side cutters and linesman pliers, so the exact trio is not fixed by the bullet list.
How far do the jaws open?
The listing gives no opening figure. A UK review says all three open only to about 10 mm. Another UK review says they do not open wide enough, and an Australian review puts the maximum at about 2 cm.
Can this set be used on live UK mains?
Nothing in the listing marks the handles to BS EN IEC 60900 or 1000 V. The same file also warns that international stock may differ from a local product.
Our view
The FatMax 215 mm combination pair is the cheapest listing here at £16.79, with 4.4 from 97 amazon.co.uk reviews. UK reviewers call it comfortable and say it rips through jobs, though one also calls it bulky. Two UK reviews say the mechanism does not open enough, which is the limit you meet first if you want to grip a clip or a thick conductor. The title names compound action but gives no cutting percentage and no millimetre capacity. The listing cites ANSI, not VDE or BS EN IEC 60900, so the black and yellow grips are not an electrical rating. Overseas reviews in the file add play in the handles, stiffness after oiling, and rust if the chrome is left damp. At this price it is the budget grip-and-cut pick, provided you have checked the jaw gap against the part.
Pros
- £16.79, the lowest shelf price in this set
- 4.4 from 97 amazon.co.uk reviews
- UK reviews praise comfort and grip
- Combination head that grips and cuts
Cons
- Two UK reviews say the mechanism does not open enough
- No cutting percentage or wire diameter on the listing
- Overseas notes of rust and play if the tool is left damp
Best for: You want the cheapest compound-action combination pair in this set and you can live with a narrow opening.
Less suitable: You need a wide jaw for fittings, a spring and lock, or a published hard-wire capacity.
Specifications
- Model
- Stanley FatMax compound-action combination pliers 215 mm
- Brand
- STANLEY FATMAX
- Price
- ∼£17
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(97)
- Head
- Combination
- Length
- 215 mm
- Compound claim
- Named, no %
- Live-work mark
- No
- Pieces
- 1
- Standard
- ANSI
- Weight
- 200 g
Common questions
Will these FatMax pliers open wide enough to grip a fitting?
Two UK reviews say the mechanism does not open enough. A later Italian review also found them longer and heavier than the 215 mm title suggested. Check the jaw gap against the part before you rely on them.
Are the handles insulated for mains work?
The listing cites ANSI and does not show VDE or BS EN IEC 60900. Black and yellow grips are not an electrical rating.
What does the listing say they are made of?
The details table lists card, metal and paper, and alloy-steel handles. The unanswered listing question asks what materials they are made of, so the table is the only material line in the file.
Our view
The 190 mm DeWalt long-nose pair is £19.16 with 3.9 from 5 reviews, the lowest star line in this set. The title states 190 mm, a spring, cross-hatch teeth, induction-hardened blades and the 70% claim; the details table cites DIN ISO 5745 and lists the weight as 310 g. That is a different ASIN, price and listed weight from DWHT70277 at £24.06. The review notes hold two reviews, neither from the United Kingdom: one Spanish note is positive, and a German review says the photos show two quite different pliers. Five reviews cannot confirm the jaw gap or a lock. Treat it as a cheaper long-nose listing with a stated length, and check the photos against the tool that arrives.
Pros
- 190 mm length stated in the title
- Spring loaded, with cross-hatch teeth claimed
- £19.16, cheaper than the other DeWalt long-nose listing
- DIN ISO 5745 named on the details table
Cons
- 3.9 from 5 reviews, none of them from the UK in the file
- One review says the photos show two different pliers
- No lock in the bullets and no wire diameter
- Listed weight 310 g against 113 g on the other long-nose ASIN
Best for: You want a DeWalt long-nose listing that actually prints 190 mm, and you will check the photos before you rely on the 3.9.
Less suitable: You want a large UK review file, a confirmed lock, or one listing that cannot be confused with DWHT70277.
Specifications
- Model
- DeWalt compound-action long-nose pliers 190 mm
- Brand
- DEWALT
- Price
- ∼£19
- Customer rating
- 3.9/5(5)
- Head
- Long nose
- Length
- 190 mm
- Spring
- Yes
- Hardened edge
- Yes
- Compound claim
- 70% claim
- Jaw teeth
- Cross-hatch
- Live-work mark
- No
- Pieces
- 1
- Standard
- DIN ISO 5745
- Weight
- 310 g
Common questions
Is this the same tool as DeWalt DWHT70277?
This listing is ASIN B0B5PMT58P, model DWHT0-70277, title length 190 mm, price £19.16, weight 310 g. ASIN B005OXTPMW is model DWHT70277, with no length in the title, price £24.06 and weight 113 g. They are separate listings.
What is DIN ISO 5745 on this listing?
The details table cites DIN ISO 5745 and a one-year EU spare-part line. The listing does not explain the standard or show a VDE mark.
Why is the star rating lower than the other DeWalt pliers here?
The listing line is 3.9 out of 5 from 5 reviews. The review notes hold two of them: a Spanish review is positive, and a German review says the photos show two quite different pliers.
How we compared
Six compound pliers on amazon.co.uk were scored on 19 October 2026 from listing facts and review notes, not from a cutting test. Amazon evidence, listing fit, review outcome and value are weighted 30, 35, 20 and 15. A maker claim of 70% more cutting power is not scored as a measured wire diameter. Each star line stays the amazon.co.uk figure. The 0–100 score is not the stars times 20.
1
Amazon evidence
30%Star rating on amazon.co.uk, then a deduction when the count is small, when the first 50 texts are mostly not from the United Kingdom, or when the photos or the model line look mixed.
2
Listing fit
35%A named compound-action head, a stated length, induction-hardened edges and an honest live-work line score higher. A set loses points when the bullets do not name every piece. A long-nose listing without a length in the title loses a little against the 190 mm twin.
3
Review outcome
20%UK notes that the tool finished a grip or a cut score higher than a large overseas file, a failed bag lock, a 10 mm opening, rust on arrival, or an edge nicked on screws.
4
Value
15%Shelf price in GBP against one usable head. A low price does not score here when the jaw will not take the part. The £46 set is scored as three tools only if the buyer accepts an unitemised box.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Compound pliers buying guide
Start with the mechanism, then the head, then the jaw opening. A cutting-power percentage and a coloured grip come after those three. The notes below follow that order for these six amazon.co.uk listings, checked on 19 October 2026. None of the scores is a cutting test.
What are compound pliers?
Compound pliers, for this comparison, are hand pliers with an extra pivot or compound lever so the same squeeze produces more force at the jaw. UK shoppers buy them when ordinary combination pliers or side cutters tire the hand on repeated cuts, or when a compact tool has to cut harder wire than a single joint will manage.
Best for
- Dead copper and light wire, if you will check the lock on the DeWalt 200 mm linesman pair
- The lowest price in this set, if you have checked the FatMax jaw gap against the part
- A spring and a printed 190 mm length, if you will check the photos on a five-review listing
Not ideal for
- Live UK mains, including anyone reading a yellow-black grip as a 1000 V mark
- A wide jaw for fittings, or a wire diameter printed on every listing in this set
- Anyone treating 4.8 from 10 reviews as a laboratory result
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Treating compound and combination as the same word
Combination pliers are a head that grips and cuts. Compound action is an extra pivot. High leverage is a single joint with the pivot nearer the cutter. A listing can combine the words, and it can be only one of them.
- 2
Expecting a wide opening
UK reviews of the FatMax 215 mm pair say the mechanism does not open enough. A UK review of the DeWalt three-pack says the jaws open about 10 mm. Look at the gap before you need it for a clip or a thick conductor.
- 3
Reading 70% or electrical as a rating
A 70% cutting-power line is a manufacturer comparison, not a wire diameter and not a reason to cut screws. A usage line that says electrical, or a yellow-black grip, is not BS EN IEC 60900. The £46 set is a poor buy when the bullets do not name all three tools.
What to weigh up
Head and jaw opening
HighBuy the head you use most. Linesman and combination heads grip and cut. The DeWalt 200 mm pair and the FatMax 215 mm pair are those heads. Long-nose heads reach. DWHT70277 does not state a length. The 190 mm listing, DWHT0-70277, does. They are separate ASINs. A diagonal cutter only cuts. The Craftsman 8-inch pair is that row. The DeWalt three-pack bullets name diagonal cutters and do not list the other two pieces. Extra force usually means less travel.
Cutting claim and insulation
HighA claim of 70% more cutting power is the maker's comparison with standard cutting pliers. It is not an independent test and not a millimetre. Several DeWalt bullets use it and still print no wire diameter. Screwfix, on model DWHT0-70276, also prints 1.6 mm hard, 3 mm medium and 6 mm soft. Those figures stay on that page. Do not copy them onto a listing that does not state them. The FatMax title names compound action and gives no percentage.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
Cheapest grip-and-cut pair
You want the lowest shelf price in this set and a combination head, and you can live with a narrow opening. The Stanley FatMax 215 mm pair is about £16.79, with 4.4 from 97 reviews.
A spring and a stated length
You want a spring and a length printed in the title, and you will still reject handles that spread too far. The DeWalt 190 mm long nose is about £19.16. The star line is 3.9 from 5, and one review says the photos show two different pliers.
Common questions about compound pliers
Which compound pliers are the top pick in this set?
The top pick is the DeWalt compound-action linesman pliers, model DWHT0-70276, about £18.49 on amazon.co.uk, with 4.8 from 10 reviews. The listing states a 200 mm linesman head, a spring, a storage lock and induction-hardened blades, plus a maker claim of 70% more cutting power. The one UK review says the catch does not hold in a bag. Ten reviews is a thin sample. The score uses those listing facts. It is not a lab test, and there is no BS EN IEC 60900 mark.
How much do compound pliers cost on amazon.co.uk?
On these six shelves, checked on 19 October 2026, prices run from about £16.79 to about £46.00. Entry singles are the FatMax at about £16.79, the DeWalt 200 mm linesman at about £18.49 and the DeWalt 190 mm long nose at about £19.16. Mid singles are the DWHT70277 long nose at about £24.06 and the Craftsman 8-inch diagonal cutter at about £26.08. The DeWalt three-pack is about £46.00. Screwfix lists a DeWalt three-piece set at £49.99 including VAT. These bands are this set only, and they will move.
What should you check before you buy compound pliers?
Start with the mechanism. The title or bullets must say compound action, compound leverage or dual pivot. Then match the head: linesman or combination to grip and cut, long nose to reach, diagonal cutter only to cut. Extra force usually means less travel, so check the jaw gap against the clip or the conductor. A 70% cutting-power line is a manufacturer comparison, not a wire diameter. A yellow-black grip is comfort, not a live-work rating. A spring helps repetition. A lock is for the bag.
Are compound pliers the same as combination pliers?
No. Combination pliers are a head that grips and cuts. Compound pliers add an extra pivot so the same squeeze produces more force at the jaw. A listing can be both, as with the FatMax combination pair here, or a diagonal cutter with compound action and no grip jaw. High leverage is a single joint with the pivot nearer the cutter, not this category. Ordinary combination pliers are compared on their own page: combination pliers.
Can you use these compound pliers on live UK mains?
No. None of the six listings shows a VDE mark, a double triangle or BS EN IEC 60900. Black, yellow or bi-material grips are comfort, not insulation. Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, regulation 14, sets three conditions before work on or near a live conductor, and HSE HSG85 treats dead working as the normal plan. Prove the circuit dead before the cutter touches a cable. A usage line that says electrical is not a 1000 V rating. UK mains are 230 V.
What does a 70% more cutting power claim mean?
It is the maker's comparison with standard cutting pliers, not an independent test and not a wire diameter. Several DeWalt bullets use that line and still print no millimetre capacity. Screwfix, on DeWalt model DWHT0-70276, also prints 1.6 mm hard, 3 mm medium and 6 mm soft. Those figures belong to that Screwfix page. Do not copy them onto a listing that does not state them. Cutting screws because a bullet says 70% is a mistake. Review notes also describe edges that chip on material other than copper.
How wide do the jaws open?
The listings in this set do not print a jaw opening. UK reviews of the FatMax 215 mm pair say the mechanism does not open enough. A UK review of the DeWalt three-pack says all three open only to about 10 mm. Extra leverage usually means less travel. Look at the gap before you need it for a clip or a thick conductor. A cutter-only head, such as the Craftsman diagonal cutters, is not a grip jaw.
When should you stop and call a competent person?
Call a competent person for consumer units, unidentified cables, any live work argued under regulation 14, and any tool that has already touched a live conductor. Stop and get medical help for a deep cut or an eye injury from a flying end. At work, a nicked edge or a twisted jaw comes out of service under PUWER 1998. Do not treat a yellow-black grip as a reason to work live. This page is not legal advice, and it does not replace a tool marked to BS EN IEC 60900.
Our verdict
In this set of six amazon.co.uk listings, the top pick is the DeWalt 200 mm linesman pair, model DWHT0-70276. It is about £18.49, with 4.8 from 10 reviews. The listing states a spring, a storage lock and induction-hardened blades. The one UK review says the catch does not hold in a bag, and ten reviews is a thin sample. The best value is the Stanley FatMax 215 mm combination pair at about £16.79, with 4.4 from 97 reviews. UK reviews like the grip and say the mechanism does not open enough. The other four have no award. None of these scores is a lab test, and none of these tools is marked for live UK mains.
Best overallView offer
DeWalt compound-action linesman pliers 200 mm
Highest score in the set: 200 mm linesman head, spring, lock and induction-hardened blades stated, at about £18.49 with 4.8 from 10, after the thin sample and the failed bag lock.
Best value
View offer
Stanley FatMax compound-action combination pliers 215 mm
Lowest shelf price in the set at about £16.79, 4.4 from 97, a combination head that grips and cuts, after the narrow opening is already deducted.
Editorial
Editor
Compound pliersHand toolsamazon.co.uk listings
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 compound pliers
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Compound pliers buying guideMechanism, head, opening and budget, without ranking the sixBest compound pliersA pick for a named job, and who should skip itHow to use compound pliersOne cut or grip on a dead cable, and where to stopCompound or combination pliersCompound action, a combination head, and high leverageCompound pliers for wire cuttingWhat the edge is for, and what the 70% claim does not prove
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK sources from the research digest, last checked on 19 October 2026. Shelf prices and star lines are the amazon.co.uk figures in the display file.
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, regulation 14 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- HSE HSG85 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- BSI: BS EN IEC 60900:2018 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- PUWER 1998 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Screwfix: DeWalt 200 mm compound-action pliers DWHT0-70276 (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Maun Industries: what compound-action pliers are (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Wonkee Donkee Tools: how combination pliers work (retrieved 19 October 2026)
- Knipex: high leverage combination pliers 02 01 200 (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. Prices, stars and review counts are from the UK listings checked on 19 October 2026. We did not lab-test these compound pliers.