The 7 Best Hydraulic Cable Crimpers
This wiki has been updated 14 times since it was first published in October of 2018. When attaching terminals to the ends of large battery or welding cables, you’ll likely want to forego a manual compression process for one that involves a sturdy pair of hydraulic crimpers. When used correctly, they’ll help you achieve an unbreakable connection with less time and effort. Here we list your best options, ranked by ease of operation, durability, and price. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Milwaukee 2678-22BG
2. Klein Tools BAT207T144H
3. Greenlee HK12ID
Editor's Notes
March 03, 2021:
It was a busy round of updates that transformed these rankings considerably. While our previous list comprised a collection of wallet-friendly choices from lesser-known tool companies, this round of updates found half of those options to be unavailable. As a result, we wound up removing the Chromex Tools 16 Ton, Penson Tool and TMS WL-YQK-300.
We also noticed that the Z ZTDM 16T and Goplus 16 Ton appeared to share virtually the same design, so we removed the former and retained the latter, noting that – although the 16T was a bit more affordable – the 16 Ton seemed to be supported by better user reviews. We also added the CKE Swaging Tool 680579343953 to our list – a compact, budget pick that comes with a set of cable-cutting pliers and a bonus pair of work gloves – but beyond that, we wanted to focus our new additions on top-end options that are suitable for use by professionals.
The Klein Tools BAT207T144H and Milwaukee 2678-22BG are two battery-powered models that earned spots at the top of our list with their automatic convenience. Both options come with a charger and a pair of batteries, but it should be noted that, while the Milwaukee runs on its proprietary line of M18 batteries, the Klein Tools option is powered by 20-volt DeWalt cells — which may provide a bit of extra incentive to purchase, if you’re already invested in the company’s popular line of power tools.
The Greenlee HK12ID is a manual model, but it’s still quite a convenient choice, via the virtue of its dieless design, which allows you to take on conductors as small as #4 AWG and as large as 1,000 kcmil without ever changing hardware. It’s backed by a one-year warranty, which is alright, but coming from a company that’s known for its lifetime guarantees, it also might strike some as lackluster assurance.
If the models on this list are bigger than what you had in mind, you might want to check out our generalized list of cable crimpers, which includes several smaller models.
December 05, 2018:
This tool generally requires a learning curve with significant room for user error. After practice, however, these models will give you professional-quality results. User priorities can vary based upon factors like die strength, weight, price, or how often the tool will be used. While it’s on the pricier end, the Temco TH0005 offers a long warranty and proves to be a high-quality, dependable choice.
Special Honors
Grainger Not only does this company keep a solid supply of hydraulic-hose, metal and cable crimpers, but they're also a decent place to check out when it comes time to purchase replacement dies or additional accessories. If you're looking for something smaller, they've got plenty of hand crimpers, too. grainger.com
4. Temco TH0005
5. Goplus 16 Ton
6. CKE Swaging Tool 680579343953
7. Yescom 10 Ton
After deciding that the pen was mightier than the pliers, Canadian electrical contractor William Rhoda abandoned his career and headed back to college, where he majored in marketing and advertising and won a scholarship along the way to earning a diploma in creative communications. His past career landed him a depth of knowledge in tools and hardware, while his current career schooled him in audio, video and camera equipment. During his leisure time, he’s learned lots about outdoor gear, and years of tiresome backyard maintenance have taught him all about pools and hot tubs. His recreational pursuits include rest, relaxation and revolutionary action, and his roommate’s a hairless cat.