Slip joint pliers are pliers that have a slot in one grooved jaw through which the other jaw will slide. This enables the plier to grip objects of different sizes securely. It’s important to consider whether they are American-made, the range of their grip, whether they have wire-shears and the ergonomic quality of their handles.

All of the models we review on our site, besides the Irwin pliers, include a wire-cutting jaw portion. But only 2 of them (Tekton and Channellock) are USA-made pliers. The American-made Tekton 37122 slip joint pliers are among our favorites. They come in 6.5″, 8″ and 10″ sizes.

Infographic by slip joint plier buying guide