Best Bolt Cutters in 2027

The WORKPRO W017006A leads our ranking. It is 24 in long and weighs 5.7 lb, so it is easy to carry and swing. Handle length sets leverage, and a 24 in tool gives a fair amount for rods, bolts and chain without a long reach. This is a general-purpose size, not a heavy-duty one.

Capacity depends on how hard the metal is. The listing gives 10 mm for material under 25 HRC and 8 mm for material up to 42 HRC. That means soft stock is fine, but hardened bolts near the top of the range are close to its limit. The maker lists a chrome molybdenum blade material.

The grips are soft rubber and bi-material, which helps hold on when you push hard. The listing does not give blade hardness, blade adjustment or a padlock rating. Check that before you plan to cut padlock shackles. Because the listing names soft metal, bolts, rods, rivets and chain, treat it as a general-use cutter for those jobs.

The SPENDINS SDBC ranks second on our list and has the most reach here. At 30 in, it is the longest of all the models on this page. Longer handles give more leverage, so cutting rebar or thick chain takes less force from your arms and hands.

It also posts the highest capacity in the group. The listing gives 13 mm for 25 HRC material and 10 mm for 42 HRC material. The blades are rated up to 62 HRC, which means they are harder than the steel they are meant to cut. Eccentric bolts let you adjust blade clearance. That helps keep the cut clean.

It is also marked as padlock rated, and a pair of work gloves comes in the package. At 8 lb, it is a lot to carry and swing for long stretches. The grip is thermal insulation soft rubber, which cushions your hands but does not make the tool lighter.

The Steelman 93909 ranks third on our list. Its main feature is the folding frame. A locking mechanism lets it fold down to 13.5 in, so it fits in a tool bag or truck box that a 25.75 in tool would not. Storage space matters if you carry it between jobs.

The jaws are sized for bolts up to 3/8-in and 42 HRC hardness. The data lists 9.5 mm on hard metal, the second highest of the models on this page. It does not publish a soft metal capacity. Eccentric jaw bolts let you fine-tune blade alignment, which keeps cuts clean as the jaws wear.

It is padlock rated and has wide, non-slip handles. At 8.2 lb it is the heaviest of the models that list weight, which can tire your arms on long jobs. The warranty is listed as 99 years. Black oxide finish resists rust, which helps if the tool lives in a damp shed.

The WORKPRO W017015A ranks fourth. It is 24 in long, the same as the other WORKPRO model here, but its blades are chrome vanadium steel instead of chrome molybdenum. The listing says they are drop forged and powder coated for long life. Handle length is the same, so leverage should be similar.

Capacity depends strongly on hardness. The listing gives 11 mm for material up to 19 HRC and 8 mm for material under 48 HRC. Soft capacity is higher than the other WORKPRO's 10 mm, but the hard limit is the same 8 mm. Expect it to handle soft metal rods better than hardened bolts.

It is padlock rated, which the first WORKPRO does not list. The grip is bi-material soft rubber and anti-slip. The maker does not publish weight, blade hardness or blade adjustment, so you cannot judge how it feels in the hand or how long the blades hold an edge from the data.

The RIDGID S24 ranks fifth on our list. It uses center cut jaws, which means the blade edges meet in the middle of the jaw. The listing says this suits bolts, screws, rivets, wire, spring wire and reinforcing rod. That makes it a general-purpose tool for jobsite metal work. The jaws are hardened alloy steel.

RIDGID lists three capacities: 7/16 in for soft metals, 3/8 in for medium and 5/16 in for hard. In the spec table, soft is 11 mm and hard is 7.9 mm. That hard figure is the lowest among the 24 in models, so skip it for hardened shackles.

It weighs 5.95 lb, a little more than the 5.7 lb WORKPRO W017006A, and carries a listed warranty of 99 years. The listing mentions a one-step internal cam mechanism that keeps the blades aligned. It does not list a padlock rating, blade material or blade hardness, so check those details if you plan to cut locks.