10 Best Plier Sets in the UK 2021 (Knipex, Stanley, and More)

When looking for the best plier set on the market, we had to strike a balance between the quality of the tools and the price they're sold for. This superb set from Draper sits in the ideal spot, being both inexpensive and extremely high quality.

Each tool is strong and durable, with hardened edges and jaws that are still comfortable to use - even for long periods of time. While there are quite a few Draper products on our list, this particular set really stands out from the crowd. Whatever you need it for, it'll get the job done efficiently and without breaking the bank!

Don't let the price tag put you off - this is a fantastic set of pliers, and it'll probably be the only one you'll ever have to buy. Knipex is, in our humble opinion, the best plier manufacturer in the world and with proper care, these tools will last you a lifetime.

While they're are totally insulated, carrying VDE certification for use with live wires, these tools will also serve any other purpose you could possibly need a set of pliers for. They're expensive, but they're incredibly reliable and will save you loads of money in the long run if you do decide to invest.

This set only just edges out the Amazon Basics set to make it into our top 3, thanks to a few outstanding features. Firstly, it comes in at around £10 cheaper than the previous product. Despite the fact that it lacks a soft carry case, we think the money saved overall more than makes up for this.

Furthermore, the build quality of these tools is surprisingly good for the low price, boasting ergonomic handles and durable carbon steel jaws. A multipack of tough tools that are versatile and comfortable to hold - not bad at all for less than £20!

Oh Amazon Basics, where would we be without you? In terms of a set for beginners, this is a brilliant buy. It offers four of the main types of pliers that you'll most likely need around the home, presented in a neat little carry case.

If you're not familiar with the Amazon Basics brand, don't take the term "basics" to mean cheaply madeor likely to break. It just means that it's a solid entry-level purchase without all the expensive bells and whistles, not that it's inferior in terms of the build quality.

This option is very similar to the previous set on our list but it does have a few key differences that make it worth considering in its own right. Firstly, it contains a slip joint plier and a specialist water pump plier.

Secondly, it doesn't seem to be affected by rust due to the fact that it's designed to be used on pipes and waterworks. If you're looking for tools to help with a plumbing job, this is the perfect choice for you!

When it comes to value for money, it's hard to beat this three-piece set from Stanley which is suitable for pretty much any household task. If you're looking for a set to keep in the kitchen drawer for emergencies, this is an excellent choice. 

The only issue with this set is that it has a tendency to rust if left in a shed or garage, which isn't usually something that other tools made by this brand seem to suffer from. This shouldn't be an issue if you store it inside your house though.

Carrying the all-important VDE certification, this plier set is fully insulated for use with live electrical wiring - each plier has been tested to 10000V. This makes it safe for working on live 1000V AC or 1500V DC lines.

Obviously, it probably won't make much sense to splash out on a set of insulated pliers if you're not going to do electrical work but it's certainly worth checking these ones out if it's a possibility in the near future.

This set of pliers by Draper features hardened chrome vanadium steel, comfortable soft-grip handles, and an extremely handy hard carry case for storing your tools or transporting them around.

Despite the convenience of this set, we find that it sits in a strange place between professional use and home use; there are higher quality options out there for professionals and cheaper choices for casual DIY enthusiasts.

Stanley is another trusted tool manufacturer and this robust set made from alloy steel is ideal for heavier work, as well as your usual home and garden maintenance tasks.

While undoubtedly a good set, the pliers seem to be designed for those with larger hands as the handles are a little big and bulky - this can make them difficult to operate if you have smaller hands. The size is hence definitely something to consider when the functionality of the tool relies on you being able to grip it correctly.

If you're looking to pick up a cheap set of pliers to keep around the house for the occasional task here and there, you can't go too far wrong with this little set. After all, Draper is a brand that's deemed very trustworthy by the tool industry.

Although this is a great option for those looking to watch their wallet, like many other budget choices these pliers are a tad flimsy. We'd therefore say that they're only really suitable for odd-jobs, rather than regular use.