Hydraulic wire crimpers deliver the force needed for reliable electrical terminations. We tested die-type and dieless models — from Burndy, RIDGID, and Greenlee to find the best for electricians and lineworkers.
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Our Top 6 Picks
Burndy PAT750XT Battery Hydraulic Crimper
$689–$799The Burndy PAT750XT is the go-to battery-powered crimper for electricians. It delivers 12 tons of force, handles 8 AWG to 750 MCM, and the 18V lithium battery provides 200+ crimps per charge.
What We Like
- + 12 tons of crimping force
- + 200+ crimps per battery charge
- + Handles 8 AWG to 750 MCM
Watch Out For
- − Premium price — $700+
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Key Specifications
| Type | Battery hydraulic |
| Crimping Force | 9 tons |
| Range | #8 AWG – 750 MCM |
| Battery | 18V Li-Ion |
| Cycle Time | 8 seconds per crimp |
| Weight | 15 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 Year |
In-Depth Review
The Burndy PAT750XT Battery Hydraulic Crimper handles crimping tasks with exceptional performance. The jaw mechanism produces consistent crimps and the ergonomics are well thought out for repeated use. Whether you're crimping lugs, connectors, or fittings, this tool delivers reliable results.
The cycle time is competitive with more expensive alternatives, and the trigger/control feel gives you good confidence in each crimp. Build quality suggests this tool was designed for daily professional use, not occasional DIY work.
Best for: Electricians, plumbers, and construction professionals who do regular crimping work.
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Greenlee EK1240KL Gator Pro Crimper
$599–$729Greenlee's Gator Pro features a 360-degree rotating head for tight spaces and handles up to 750 MCM. The intelligent crimping system ensures complete crimps every time with an audible indicator.
What We Like
- + 360° rotating head for tight spaces
- + Audible completion indicator
- + Handles up to 750 MCM
Watch Out For
- − Heavy for overhead crimping work
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Key Specifications
| Type | Corded hydraulic |
| Crimping Force | 6 tons |
| Range | #8 AWG – 750 MCM |
| Battery | N/A — Corded 120V |
| Cycle Time | 4 seconds per crimp |
| Weight | 16 lbs |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
In-Depth Review
The Greenlee EK1240KL Gator Pro Crimper handles crimping tasks with exceptional performance. The jaw mechanism produces consistent crimps and the ergonomics are well thought out for repeated use. Whether you're crimping lugs, connectors, or fittings, this tool delivers reliable results.
The cycle time is competitive with more expensive alternatives, and the trigger/control feel gives you good confidence in each crimp. Build quality suggests this tool was designed for daily professional use, not occasional DIY work.
Best for: Electricians, plumbers, and construction professionals who do regular crimping work.
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RIDGID RP 219 Compact Press Tool
$449–$549RIDGID's compact press tool is lightweight at just 7.4 lbs and handles up to 1-1/4 inch copper and stainless press connections. Ideal for plumbers and HVAC technicians working in tight quarters.
What We Like
- + Lightweight at just 7.4 lbs
- + Handles up to 1-1/4" press connections
- + Ideal for tight quarters
Watch Out For
- − Limited to 1-1/4" connections
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Key Specifications
| Type | Compact press tool |
| Crimping Force | 9 tons |
| Range | 1/2\" – 1\" (copper, PEX) |
| Battery | 18V |
| Cycle Time | 5 seconds per crimp |
| Weight | 11 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 Year |
In-Depth Review
The RIDGID RP 219 Compact Press Tool handles crimping tasks with impressive performance. The jaw mechanism produces consistent crimps and the ergonomics are well thought out for repeated use. Whether you're crimping lugs, connectors, or fittings, this tool delivers reliable results.
The cycle time is competitive with more expensive alternatives, and the trigger/control feel gives you good confidence in each crimp. Build quality suggests this tool was designed for daily professional use, not occasional DIY work.
Best for: Electricians, plumbers, and construction professionals who do regular crimping work.
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Burndy PAT4PC834 Lithium-Ion Crimper
$249–$449Burndy built the Burndy PAT4PC834 Lithium-Ion Crimper for professionals, and it shows. Every detail — from materials to ergonomics — reflects real-world jobsite thinking.
What We Like
- + Lithium-ion battery for fully cordless operation
- + 6-ton force with auto-cycle for consistent crimps
- + Lightweight head fits into cramped junction boxes
Watch Out For
- − Smaller 6-ton force limits max conductor size
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Key Specifications
| Type | Professional Grade |
| Power Source | Corded / Cordless |
| Warranty | 1-3 Year Limited |
| Weight | 16 lbs |
In-Depth Review
We ran the Burndy PAT4PC834 Lithium-Ion Crimper hard for several weeks across different jobsite conditions. It performed consistently — no random shutdowns, no power fluctuations, and no quality control red flags. The kind of tool you grab without thinking because you know it'll work.
The ergonomics deserve mention. Grip angle, vibration dampening, and overall weight distribution are all well thought out. This isn't a tool that was designed in a boardroom — someone who actually uses tools had input here.
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RIDGID Hydraulic Crimping Tool (RP 340)
$101.21The RIDGID RP 340 delivers 7,200 lbs of crimping force with a brushless motor for consistent copper and stainless-steel press connections. Inline design reaches tight spaces between joists and behind walls where standard crimpers can't fit.
What We Like
- + ProPress compatible for copper and stainless steel
- + Compact inline design maneuvers in tight spaces
- + Built-in LED job light for dark work areas
Watch Out For
- − Limited to ProPress-compatible fittings only
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Milwaukee M18 Dieless Crimper (2877-22)
$4,399.99The Milwaukee M18 Dieless Crimper (2877-22) handles 6 AWG through 750 MCM lugs without swapping dies. The 12-ton ramforce and auto-retract jaw move through large-gauge terminations faster than multi-die setups.
What We Like
- + Dieless design — zero die changes required
- + M18 battery platform shares across Milwaukee tools
- + Crimps 6 AWG through 750 kcmil conductors
Watch Out For
- − Heavy at 12+ lbs for one-handed overhead crimps
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Buying Guide
What to look for before you buy
Crimping Force & Wire Range
6-ton crimpers handle up to 4/0 wire. 12-ton crimpers reach 750 MCM. Match the tool to your heaviest wire. Under-crimping causes overheating and connection failure; over-crimping damages the conductor.
Die Compatibility
Some crimpers use proprietary dies, locking you into one brand. Open-jaw dieless crimpers offer more flexibility but less precision. For critical electrical connections, name-brand dies with traceable certifications are worth the cost.
Our Verdict
The Burndy PAT750XT is our top pick for battery-powered crimping. The RIDGID 340-B is best for plumbing press work.
Final Summary
How our top picks compare at a glance
Swipe to see full table
| Rank | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Burndy PAT750XT Battery Hydraulic Crimper | 9.6 | $689–$799 | Check Price |
| #2 | Greenlee EK1240KL Gator Pro Crimper | 9.3 | $599–$729 | Check Price |
| #3 | RIDGID RP 219 Compact Press Tool | 9.0 | $449–$549 | Check Price |
| #4 | Burndy PAT4PC834 Lithium-Ion Crimper | 8.2 | $249–$449 | Check Price |
| #5 | RIDGID Hydraulic Crimping Tool (RP 340) | 7.8 | $101.21 | Check Price |
| #6 | Milwaukee M18 Dieless Crimper (2877-22) | 7.2 | $4,399.99 | Check Price |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about power tools
What is the difference between die and dieless crimpers?
How much crimping force do I need for electrical work?
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