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6 Best Mole Grips of 2023

I’ve researched and compared the best mole grips on the UK market. My top recommendation is the Workpro 3-Piece Locking Pliers Set.

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My Top Recommended Mole Grips

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My Product Reviews & Opinions

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With a decent collection of DIY-level tools and accessories, Workpro are a solid budget brand that make some interesting kit. Their 3-piece mole grip set contains the different size and shape locking pliers you might need for jobs around the home or garden. For the money, you’re getting a seriously comfortable set of grips that lock on hard to whatever you need them to.

Not satisfied with offering a single pair of ever-useful mole grips, Workpro have gone all the way and come up with a three-pack that costs less than a single pro-level set of pliers. This isn’t to say that they’re of bargain-basement quality, however. Made from Chrome Vanadium steel, they’re reliably weatherproof and pretty hard-wearing as well.

You get a large 10” and medium size 7” curved jaw set, and a straight-jaw type set of pliers that measures just over 6” long. The best thing about them is their soft-grip handles. Locking on these types of pliers can be hard on the hands, so I’m glad they’ve thought about that.

With a decent collection of DIY-level tools and accessories, Workpro are a solid budget brand that make some interesting kit. Their 3-piece mole grip set contains the different size and shape locking pliers you might need for jobs around the home or garden. For the money, you’re getting a seriously comfortable set of grips that lock on hard to whatever you need them to.

Not satisfied with offering a single pair of ever-useful mole grips, Workpro have gone all the way and come up with a three-pack that costs less than a single pro-level set of pliers. This isn’t to say that they’re of bargain-basement quality, however. Made from Chrome Vanadium steel, they’re reliably weatherproof and pretty hard-wearing as well.

You get a large 10” and medium size 7” curved jaw set, and a straight-jaw type set of pliers that measures just over 6” long. The best thing about them is their soft-grip handles. Locking on these types of pliers can be hard on the hands, so I’m glad they’ve thought about that.

Our Score:
4.8
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Stanley’s Fatmax curve jaw pliers are innovative in their design and offer an excellent set of vice grips that have advanced geometry, to make the grip even and stop slippage. The black coating makes these locking pliers stand out from traditional mole grips and will stop them from ever rusting.

There were two features that made these the best locking pliers we’ve seen from Stanley so far. The first is the eyebolt adjuster. This was easy to grip on its own, but you could also use a screwdriver for extra torque or turning speed.

The second feature that makes this set of jaw grips stand out against the rest is the patented Trulock button on the side. With this engaged, the jaw grips will not spring open in your tool box or come loose when gripped onto the workpiece.

Stanley’s Fatmax curve jaw pliers are innovative in their design and offer an excellent set of vice grips that have advanced geometry, to make the grip even and stop slippage. The black coating makes these locking pliers stand out from traditional mole grips and will stop them from ever rusting.

There were two features that made these the best locking pliers we’ve seen from Stanley so far. The first is the eyebolt adjuster. This was easy to grip on its own, but you could also use a screwdriver for extra torque or turning speed.

The second feature that makes this set of jaw grips stand out against the rest is the patented Trulock button on the side. With this engaged, the jaw grips will not spring open in your tool box or come loose when gripped onto the workpiece.

Our Score:
4.75
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Knipex are one of the World’s most trusted tool manufacturers, and make the best locking pliers that we have ever tested. The parts have all been properly machined and fit together perfectly, with no lateral wobble.

We really liked the attention to detail on the knurled bolt handle and the spring action lever. Knipex Grip Pliers were easy to operate one-handed and allowed for great accuracy in setting the jaw diameter of these vice grips. The red detailing on the release lever is a nice touch as well.

Our favourite feature of the best mole grips on this list is the wire cutting section.  Sharp enough to cut heavy gauge wire using the lever action, we can see this being useful in plenty of situations in the future.

Knipex are one of the World’s most trusted tool manufacturers, and make the best locking pliers that we have ever tested. The parts have all been properly machined and fit together perfectly, with no lateral wobble.

We really liked the attention to detail on the knurled bolt handle and the spring action lever. Knipex Grip Pliers were easy to operate one-handed and allowed for great accuracy in setting the jaw diameter of these vice grips. The red detailing on the release lever is a nice touch as well.

Our favourite feature of the best mole grips on this list is the wire cutting section.  Sharp enough to cut heavy gauge wire using the lever action, we can see this being useful in plenty of situations in the future.

Our Score:
4.7
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This Milwaukee Torque Lock line of tools are well suited for the job, with chrome vanadium plating and aggressive Maxbite teeth inside the jaws themselves. The handy wire cutters made an appearance here as well, making these mini mole grips a more versatile tool.

We liked the red adjuster eyebolt feature the most; it gives the adjuster the leverage it needs when you really need to grip something tight. And as the lightest set of vice grips on this list, we think they’re the best small mole grips in this price range.

This Milwaukee Torque Lock line of tools are well suited for the job, with chrome vanadium plating and aggressive Maxbite teeth inside the jaws themselves. The handy wire cutters made an appearance here as well, making these mini mole grips a more versatile tool.

We liked the red adjuster eyebolt feature the most; it gives the adjuster the leverage it needs when you really need to grip something tight. And as the lightest set of vice grips on this list, we think they’re the best small mole grips in this price range.

Our Score:
4.65
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If you’re looking for the best long nose mole grips, then look no further than these excellent Irwin Vise-Grip pliers. When you need to get into tight spaces, the long nose is hardened and won’t bend due to the heat-treated alloy steel used in construction.

With Irwin’s customary well-knurled adjuster, it’s easy to clamp down with accurate force, and the thin body on these long nose mole grips means they can get into places that the other locking pliers on this list just can’t reach.

They’re light, but still apply as much force as locking pliers much larger. They’re the best small mole grips for fine work, and we think these long nose mole grips will stand up against the hardest bolts in the tightest spaces.

If you’re looking for the best long nose mole grips, then look no further than these excellent Irwin Vise-Grip pliers. When you need to get into tight spaces, the long nose is hardened and won’t bend due to the heat-treated alloy steel used in construction.

With Irwin’s customary well-knurled adjuster, it’s easy to clamp down with accurate force, and the thin body on these long nose mole grips means they can get into places that the other locking pliers on this list just can’t reach.

They’re light, but still apply as much force as locking pliers much larger. They’re the best small mole grips for fine work, and we think these long nose mole grips will stand up against the hardest bolts in the tightest spaces.

Our Score:
4.55
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Irwin are considered to be the original US locking plier manufacturer with over 100 years of experience making a huge range of capable tools. The Irwin 10WRC pliers are no exception. Using heat-treated alloy steel and chrome plating, these adjustable grips are as tough as you’d expect.

The adjusting bolt felt smooth and secure, and there was no sideways movement in the jaws when clamped. The jaw grips come together at a point, which helps when you need to grip odd shapes or small objects.

With an excellent span of nearly 50 mm, they’re the best locking pliers that you can buy from Irwin right now in this size.

Irwin are considered to be the original US locking plier manufacturer with over 100 years of experience making a huge range of capable tools. The Irwin 10WRC pliers are no exception. Using heat-treated alloy steel and chrome plating, these adjustable grips are as tough as you’d expect.

The adjusting bolt felt smooth and secure, and there was no sideways movement in the jaws when clamped. The jaw grips come together at a point, which helps when you need to grip odd shapes or small objects.

With an excellent span of nearly 50 mm, they’re the best locking pliers that you can buy from Irwin right now in this size.

Our Score:
4.45

How to Choose the Best Mole Grips

Whether you refer to them as mole grips, vice grips or locking pliers, this is an incredibly handy tool that allows the user to apply great force in a controlled manner.

Construction Material

As with many tools, the mole grips’ core strength comes from high-carbon steel. In order to protect them, they are often plated with chrome or nickel to avoid rust.

Features

Mole grips are available in a wide range of sizes and jaw shapes. The more basic versions have straight jaws for gripping flat objects or bolt heads, but curved and serrated jaws are much more versatile when it comes to gripping obscure objects.

Locking pliers’ grip strength comes from their lever action. Unlike regular pliers, you are applying a mechanical advantage to your hand strength for an extra-secure grip.

The other brilliant feature of mole grips is the ability to leave the pliers locked onto the workpiece without holding on. Acting like a “third hand”, these are vital tools for the solo worker.

By setting mole grips to a slightly smaller diameter than the workpiece that needs clamping, you can grip parts tightly together without damaging the workpiece.

Why You Can Trust DIY Garden

At DIY Garden, we believe your trust is earned through our knowledge and transparency. Our team of experts has over 75 years collective experience in the gardening and DIY space. Since the website’s creation in 2016 we’ve tested over 275 products, ensuring our recommendations are based on real experience. We’re open about what we’ve tried and what we’ve researched, and this is clearly labelled in our product reviews. Every year, we revisit and update our suggestions to include worthy new additions to the market. Our aim is to give you straightforward, honest, and helpful recommendations, so you can confidently choose the best tools and equipment for your projects.

Mole Grips FAQs

How Do I Use Mole Grips?

With the locking pliers closed, turn the bolt at the foot of the adjustable grips until the jaw grips are open enough to accommodate the workpiece.

Now, turn the bolt to close the locking pliers slightly and open the mechanism. When you close the pliers onto the workpiece, they will grip firmly and remain in place. When you want to release them, pull the lever and they will spring off.

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