Are you looking for the best PEX crimp tools? You’re in the right place.
PEX crimping tools are used to join two metals by deforming either one or both of them so that they can hold each other firmly.
The outcome of the joined pieces is called a crimp. This tool is handy when it comes to connecting pipes.
As a result, plumbers need this gadget to carry out their operations efficiently and adequately. However, anybody can buy a crimp as long as you know how to use it. For example, with a good PEX crimping tool, you can replace and fix a leaking water pipe in your home.
While all PEX crimp tools are meant to perform the same task, that doesn’t mean that they are all the same. That is mainly why this article is essential for you to who plans to buy one.
We are going to highlight the five best PEX crimping tools available on the market today. After that, we are going to recommend the best out of the best.
Top Five Best PEX Crimp Tools
This model can crimp joints of sizes ½ an inch to ¾ an inch. With SharkBite, you do not have to wait for joint or glue to cool and dry, respectively, before you crimp. It also allows you to check the connection before you proceed to join them. It is ideal for both commercial and residential use.
Features
- PEX Crimp Rings. This brand comes with Copper Crimp Rings, which can crimp pipes of sizes 0.5 an inch to 0.75 inches without necessarily having to buy another tool. As a result, using SharkBite for crimping is, to some extent, cost-effective.
- Waiting time. With SharkBite, you don’t have to wait for the joint to cool or the glue to dry. Instead, you proceed to crimp straightaway. Consequently, using this brand is comparatively time-saving. So if you believe that time is money, I think you should consider using SharkBite.
- Assurance. You do not have to calibrate this brand for you to achieve accurate joining. Instead, the tools check on your behalf whether or not the joints are correctly connected. Your role is to apply pressure.
As a result, there are little-to-no cases of poor crimping. In other words, SharkBite is ideal for you who hate redoing tasks because you didn’t do your initial work poorly.
Multi-purpose. SharkBite meets all the requirements to do both residential and commercial crimping. So, if you secure a commercial piping contract, you will not have to buy another PEX crimp.
Pros
- Comparatively cheap
- Small-sized; hence it’s ideal for working in tight areas.
- It is user-friendly
- Time-saving
- Cost-saving
Cons
- Not applicable to pipes wider than 0.75 inches.
SharkBite is a small-sized PEX crimping tool that enables you to work in the tight areas. It is also offered at affordable prices. Above all, SharkBite takes a very short time to crimp.
It is a versatile PEX crimping tool that can join crimps of sizes 3/8 through 1 inch. This model comes in an already-formatted state. So you will not have to adjust or calibrate it before using it.
Also, this model comes with a long handle, thus making the installation process more comfortable and convenient. Besides crimping, this tool will help you remove clinch cramps as well.
Features
- Handle. It is designed with a very long handle. Consequently, the crimping process is both smooth and more comfortable. So if you prefer spending less energy and still be able to do incredible work, this model got you.
- Crimping size. You can use it to join cramps of sizes 3/8 to 1 inch.
- Design. This brand comes in a formatted design. As a result, you will not have to adjust or calibrate it before using it. In other words, this model is time-saving. So if you are a buy-now-use-now character, this is ideal for you.
- Removing cinch lamps. Other than helping you in the crimping process, his model can be used to remove cinch clamps. Consequently, you will not have to buy a cinch clamp remover. Simply put, this model is cost-efficient.
- Purpose. This tool is ideal for personal and odd jobs. You may also use it in commercial piping. However, its inability to hold calibration for a very long time makes it not the best option for commercial or large-scale crimping.
Pros
- Time-saving
- Cost-saving
- Highly versatile
- Long handle, thus making crimping easier.
- It comes in a formatted design.
- Affordable prices
Cons
- It does not hold calibration for a very long time.
- Not ideal for commercial crimping
This is a PEX crimp that comes with a long handle, thus making operating it more comfortable. It is also sold in a formatted design; thus it doesn’t require further adjustments.
Although its inability to hold calibration for a long time makes it not ideal for commercial use, you can still use it for large-scale piping if you have no other option.
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IWISS® F1807 PEX Pipe Crimping Tool Kit (Editor’s Choice)
This brand comes with a 20-piece storage kit. Hence, there are minimal chances of misplacing its parts. It is also very accurate in measurement. Consequently, there are minimal chances of erroneous crimping.
Features
- Storage. It comes with a 20-piece kit that makes storage easier. The kit also increases its portability.
- Accuracy. It comes with a Go/No-Go gauge which enables you to make accurate crimping. Hence, there is little-to-no wastage of material.
- Time and cost-saving. This toolkit contains almost everything used in typical crimping. As a result, you will not have to waste your time and extra money buying them.
- Application. This tool is ideal for crimps of sizes 3/8 an inch to 1 inch. Therefore, in case you secure a tender to crimp large pipes in your city, please look for a tool with a larger capacity.
Pros
- Easy storage
- Highly portable
- Time-saving
- Cost-saving
- Easy to use
- Highly efficient
Cons
- Combatively shorter handle
- Not applicable to large surfaces (more than 1 inch).
This is among the highly efficient PEX crimping tools available on the market. Coming with a 20-piece kit, you will hardly run into a dead-end during the crimping process. The storage kit also increases its portability.
This PEX crimping tool enables you to join clamps of different sizes (i.e., 3/8, ½. ¾ and 1 inch). Although it is not a one-handed tool, you will require relatively less strength to operate it.
Features
- Compatibility. You can use this brand with Oetiker Pex ponch clamps of sizes 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch. You can also use it with Murray PEX, and Apollo PEX sizes ¾ and 3/8 inch, respectively. However, it is not compatible with Zurn Qickclamp.
- Operation. It is an an-easy-to-operate PEX crimping tool. So if you believe you can pipe well and don’t have time to waste on training on how to operate a crimper, this brand got you.
- Durability. This model is long-lasting; however, the hooks that hold its jaws may bend during operation. As a result, we recommend it for home use.
- Efficiency. While this model isn’t a one-hand tool, it requires comparatively less effort to operate. So in case you want a brand that will not drain a lot of energy out of you, you should consider buying this model.
Pros
- Time-saving
- Easy to use
- Very efficient
- Compatible with multiple tools, including Murray PEX and Apollo PEX
Cons
- Not that efficient, especially if working on 1-inch cramps
- The hooks holding jaws may bend during operations.
- Not ideal for large-scale plumping.
This is one of the efficient PEX crimpers on the market that you should give it a try. You will require considerably less strength to operate; hence it will save your precious time.
This one comes with a total of four jaws. The first jaw is 1 inch in size and is fitted on it, whereas the other three can be changed (from 3/8 to ¾ inch). It also comes with a comfortable grip that prevents your hand from tiring.
Features
- Multiple jaws. This model is designed with four jaws, with one fitted on it. The other three can change from 3/8 to ¾ of an inch.
- Comfortable grip. This brand comes with a comforting grip that prevents your hand from tiring. As a result, you can do a lot of crimping without feeling exhausted. Hence, it is an ideal choice in case you secure a big plumping contract.
- Storage case. This brand is sold with a sturdy storage case. Hence, hardly will you misplace its components. The storage case also makes it highly portable. So if you are fond of misplacing things, this model got you.
- The quality of performance. This model is carefully designed to ensure that it offers durable work. Still, on the design, this brand does not break or damage the pipes during the crimping.
- Process. Consequently, there is little-to-no wastage of resources. So if you are an economist by nature, this model will suit you.
- Operation. This is an easy-to-operate (user-friendly) tool. As a result, you don’t have to undergo a lengthy training process for you to operate it.
- Application. This tool is ideal for a wide range of crimp-sizes. Hence, you can use it in commercial crimping.
Pros
- User-friendly
- High-quality crimping
- Highly durable
- Highly portable
- It comes with a storage case, thus minimizing the chances of misplacing its parts.
Cons
- Not ideal for crimps larger than ¾ of an inch
This is a highly durable PEX crimping tool that you should consider, especially when doing commercial crimping. Other than being user-friendly, this model does not damage your pipes. As a result, there is minimum wastage of resources.
What to Consider Before Buying a PEX Crimping Tool
Different brands come with various features. However, there are a few key factors that you should factor-in while buying a good PEX crimping tool. We have searched, analyzed, and presented them to you.
The Length of the Tool
Different models come in different sizes. While short-sized PEX crimpers are not bad as such, they are not ideal for large pipes. So always ensure that the clamping tool is long enough to suit the task at hand before you buy it.
Simply put, there is no standard size that we recommend for our clients. However, we prefer buying large ones because you can use them for both large and small surfaces.
Crimp Crisp’s Size
Again the same principle applies here. PEX crimping tools are designed with different tube sizes (i.e., for 0.25 to 1 inch). So you must ensure that the tube is large enough to crimp the pipes at hand.
Failure to consider this principle will result in poor or even prevent you from crimping altogether. However, we prefer models that can crimp right from 0.25 through 1 inch. At least with that, you will be able to do a wide range of crimping.
GO/NO-GO Gauge
That means the ability of a PEX crimping tool to measure and tell you whether or not you should proceed to crimp or cut the pipe.
Brands without this ability are more likely to mess your work. Consequently, you will waste much time and resources. So we prefer you to go for a model with GO/NO-GO gauge.
Ease of Use
PEX crimping tools are primarily designed to help you do crimping yourself. So if you realize that a DYI model requires external assistance to crimp, please disregard it.
Instead, choose efficient and convenient models that enable you to crimp irrespective of your experience and skills. The whole point is to be self-reliant.
Calibration
Typical PEX crimping tools will tend to stretch out after doing multiple tasks. That makes the crimping process very hard, especially if you have small hands. The solution to this issue is buying a calibrated brand. That is because calibration restricts outward stretching.
Price
Price influences buying decisions for everything, including PEX crimp tools. You wouldn’t want to spend thousands of dollars to buy a crimper when you can pay less than a hundred.
However, here you get what you pay for. On average, expensive brands are relatively better than cheap ones, but not always! So do not rely exclusively on the price to make your decisions. But go for something that is both affordable and efficient.
Verdict: What’s the Best PEX Crimp?
Based on the above factors, we think IWISS® F1807 PEX is the best of the best. That is because it is ideal for pipes of sizes 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, and 1 inch. Besides that, it suits other models such as Sharkbite and Apollo.
Although it’s quite expensive, it is worth it. After all, you get a PEX tool kit that increases its portability and reduces the chances of misplacing essential parts.