­10 Best PEX Crimp Tools Reviews & Buying Guide 2023

A PEX crimp tool is a must when you want to make joints between PEX pipes. 

As you are looking for the best PEX Crimp tool to make good connections that do not leak, we put our hands together to find out the 10 top quality products.

Our 10 Best PEX Crimp Tools Picks:

Here are the detailed reviews on our pick for the top 10 crimping tools-

1. Zurn QCRTMH Steel Multi-Head Copper Crimp Tool

The best quality PEX crimp tool money can buy right now! Yes, we are talking about the Zurn QCRTMH Steel Multi Head Copper Crimp Tool.

It is versatile, easy to use, built with solid steel material and guess what? You can crimp different sizes of PEX connections with this awesome tool.

It can do 4 sizes of PEX connections, i.e. 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" to give you freedom connecting two PEX tubes.

Because of its long plastic wrapped handle, it is one of the most comfortable to use PEX crimp tools of today.

Its 5 tools set includes a crimp ring removing tool and a go/no-go gauge.

Because of its durability, ease of use and high quality connection making capability, this is our best pick for this buying guide.

Considering the money to value ratio, this is the best for professionals. It's durability and interchangeable jaws give it an edge over its competitors.

Key Features

• 4 different types of PEX Connections
• 5 Tools set
• Great Quality Steel Construction
• Crimp Ring Removal Tool and Go/no-go gauge included
• Versatile Product
• Easy to Use

2. IWISS Pex Pipe Crimping Tool kit for 3/8,1/2,3/4,1-inch Copper Ring

If you are looking for the best value for your money, then there is nothing better than this IWISS PEX Pipe Crimping Tool Kit.

It comes in two versions, one is short and the other is long handled, to give you freedom choosing according to your needs.

Its ergonomic anti slip handle ensures a better grip when you are working with this. Plus, it allows you to do the job for an extended period without straining your hands. So, a greatly comfortable product to have.

It includes go/no-go gauge and a high quality PEX tube cutter to make your task easier and effortless.

As the product can be calibrated easily when needed, you don’t need to worry about loose connections after a few months of usage like the cheap PEX crimp tools.

Because of its high quality material, it becomes one of the most durable PEX crimping tools today.

While Zurn is a bit expensive for the DIY job, this IWISS model is perfect for both DIY & Professional use.

Key Features

• Long and Short Version Available
• Can Work With 4 Different Sizes of Tubes
• Includes Gauge & PEX Pipe Cutter
• Ergonomic Handle Ensures Comfort
• Easy to Use & Calibrate
• Long Lasting & High Quality Build

3. SharkBite 23251 1/2 Inch, 3/4 Inch Crimp Tool

SharkBite is a prominent brand when it comes to plumbing products. They provide great quality products that last long, and this crimping tool is not at all different.

Although it doesn’t provide much versatility like the other two we have reviewed above, it is one of the best tools for the people whose needs match with its specs.

It can effectively connect copper, PEX, CPVC, and PE-RT pipes allowing you to have leak-free connections on all your fittings.

It is easy to use and the ergonomic handle makes it comfortable for the user to use this for a longer period of time without straining their hand.

While you can connect ½” and ¾” fittings with this tool, it restricts you to only these two sizes. So, you will require additional tool purchases for connecting other sizes of fittings.

So, the bottom line? If you are looking for the best quality connections and the product meets your size requirements, then this Sharkbite product is the thing you should look into.

Although it doesn't provide much flexibility, it can be a handy tool in a professional's tool box. It is more durable and sturdy than most other products.

Key Features

• Connects Copper, PEX, CPVC, PE-RT Pipes
• Great Build Quality Ensures Durability
• Easy & Comfortable to Use
• Provides Leak-free Connection Always
• Industrial Grade Result
• Connect ½” and ¾” Fittings

4. IWISS Angle Head F1807 PEX Pipe Crimping Tool for Copper Rings

Another IWISS product of this buying guide. IWISS PEX crimping tools are dominating the market and they provide top quality products within an affordable price range, which is why we had no choice but to include multiple IWISS crimping tool in this buying guide.

This model especially comes in different size options and variations along with combo packs to allow you to pick exactly what you need to do your job perfectly.

Because some high quality copper rings are included in the package, you can start working with the machine right after receiving the product at your doorstep.

It is built with high quality steel that lasts long, includes a PEX tube cutter to make things easier for you, and importantly! It has a go no go gauge to get an idea about the correctness of your connections.

One of the best things about this product is its great design. The design allows you to work in most hard to reach places which made it one of the best PEX crimp tool for tight spaces.

With its ergonomic handle and relatively lightweight nature, this becomes one of the best PEX connecting tools for both professionals and DIYers.

In case the jaw changes its size, you can easily calibrate this within moments to have 100% leak free connections.

Key Features

• Great Versatility in terms of sizes
• Great Steel Build Tool
• Includes PEX tube cutters
• Go No Go Gauge with Included Copper Rings
• Unique design, Reaches Tight Places
• Easy & Comfortable to Use
• Supports Calibration for Accurate Crimping Every time

5. Ryobi P661 18-Volt ONE+ PEX Crimp Ring Press Tool

If you are looking for the best quality PEX tool to do professional plumbing, we recommend this great quality battery powered PEX crimp tool by Ryobi for you. It can make PEX connections real quick within 5 seconds.

Plus, the LED indicator gives you the hint that the connection is made and you can now proceed to do the next connection.

The product is greatly built and designed to make your job easier than ever. To ensure you about the quality it provides, it comes with a whopping 3 years warranty which is a thing that is rare in automatic plumbing tools.

Although it provides all the high quality features and does not require much strength, it does not come with a battery and charger. So, you need to purchase them separately to start doing your job.

Professionals looking for a fast and efficient crimping tools should find this as a game changer. In terms of working speed, there is no product close to this Ryobi machine.

Key Features

• Portable Battery Powered PEX Crimp Tool
• Crimps Fast within 5 Seconds
• Do Crimps from 3/8 to 1 inches
• Go no Go Gauge
• 3 Year Warranty
• 320 Crimps Per Charge when Used with Manufacturer's Recommended Battery
• LED indicator for Ease of Use
• No Hand Straining or Tiredness

6. Apollo PEX 69PTKG1096 3/8-inch - 1-inch Stainless Steel Pinch Clamp Tool

A different kind of PEX connecting tool that we have been reviewing until now. While this tool acts differently than the crimp tool, the outcome is the same – leak free connection between fittings and PEX pipes.

It is cheap, comes at around half the price of the other products, built with stainless steel and very durable.

With this tool, you can easily make connections from 3/8 inches to 1 inch clamp. Plus, its handle is wrapped with a soft rubber type of materials that grips very well reducing strain from your hands.

On top of that, the product requires no adjustment or calibration before usage. So, a great product to seal your PEX tubes.

Compared to other tools, this Apollmachine comes at a much cheaper rate allowing more people to do DIY works at home.

Key Features

• Makes good connection always
• Cheap PEX clamping tool
• Great Stainless steel build quality
• Ergonomic design with Gripping Handle
• No Calibration or Adjustment Needed

7. Apollo PEX 69PTKH0015K 3/8-inch - 1-inch Multi-Head Crimp Tool Kit

Another top quality product with versatile crimping jaws and go or no go gauge to make your PEX connecting job easy and effortless.

It has an ergonomic grip that ensures comfort for the user when using it. However, we feel that the grip a bit smaller than needed and you may sometimes start working by holding the bare metal.

Because of its solid metal build, this product is a bit heavy to operate. So, this is not a good option for the professionals as it is very hectic to hold this in the hand for a long period. But for the Do it yourselfers, that should not be an issue as they do not hold it for long.

Although the weight makes it tough to work with, it ensures better durability. So, you don’t need to worry about breaking this while working.

Key Features

• Versatile crimping head
• Ergonomic Grip for Comfort
• A bit heavy because of the build material
• Very durable and versatile
• Go or No Go Gauge

8. IWISS Rachet PEX Pipe Cinch Tools for Stainless Steel Clamps

If you are looking for a versatile product to clamp stainless PEX connections, then this is the right tool for you.

It features five different sizes of clamp connections, i.e. 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, 5/8 and 1-inch to give you more freedom than before.

Its ergonomic design and comfortable grip ensure stress free usage for a longer period of time.

As the product is designed to use with a hand, you can easily use this to connect PEX tubes in tight spaces.

On top of that, the product works fast and efficiently and requires almost no adjustment or calibration during usage.

Key Features

• Great Build Quality
• Comfortable and Easy to Use
• 5 Different Sizes of Cinch Clamps
• Designed to Use with Just One Hand
• Clamps Fast & Leak Free
• Can Work in Tight Spaces

9. iCrimp Ratchet PEX Cinch Tool with Removing function

If you are looking for a great quality and all in one PEX connection tool kit, then this iCrimp PEX cinch tool is a great pick for you.

It is a universal pex clamping tool that allows you to install any type of pex clamps to make the joints leak free.

Plus, it comes in two versions, i.e. the all in one tool kit version and a single tool cheaper version. So, you can choose according to your needs.

The product comes with a PEX tube cutting tool that makes it easier than ever to cut the pex tubes. And the cinch removal feature! Yes, you read it right. It has a built in cinch removing feature that makes it easy for you to remove the clamp if anything goes wrong.

Finally! The product has a great design that made it easy to handle and use. Plus, its build quality is also a thing that worths mentioning.

Key Features

• Universal PEX clamp tool
• Greatly Designed for Effortless Connection
• Single tool and Tool Kit, both Versions Available
• Easy to Cinch and Remove
• All in One PEX Pipe Installation Kit

10. IWISS PEX Cinch Clamp Tool for Fastening Stainless Clamps

Here comes another IWISS PEX connecting product. Although it is the cheapest of our list, it is one of the best PEX cinch tools you can find online.

You will feel the quality of the product as soon as you hold it by your hand. Talking about holding, its soft rubber coated handle makes it easy to do the job. Along with a long handle and soft grip, you will feel ultimate comfort using this product for a long period.

In terms of versatility, this product works with 5 different sizes of the clamps of any brand except Zurn connecting clamps. So, you won’t feel restricted when this reliable tool is in your possession.

So, a great PEX connecting product that makes your plumbing work easier than ever.

Key Features

• Cheapest PEX connecting tool
• Easy Crimping with Ratchet & Self-releasing
• Works with Almost Most of the Cinch Clamps
• No Calibration or Adjustment Needed
• 5 Different Sizes of Clamps
• Ergonomic Soft and Long Grip for Comfort

11. SUPPLY GIANT QDU PCT crimping tool

The bonus review of this buying guide! This product is not far behind the products we have reviewed above. It is high quality, made to last, comfortable to use and makes great connections every time.

Because of its great quality steel build, it remains in good shape after all the ordinary job site wear and tears. So, you shouldn’t worry about the durability of this Supply Giant Pex clamp tool.

As its long handle is wrapped with soft rubber type material, it grips better on your hand and you will have better control over the tool when working with this.

A unique feature of this product is it comes with a user manual that can guide you what to do and what not to do with this tool. Which is in our opinion is a great inclusion.

It can connect 5 sizes of stainless steel clamps to make watertight seals.

Key Features

• Works with any type of clamps
• Great quality build
• Easy to Use
• User Manual Included with the Pack
• 5 Sizes of Stainless Steel Clamps Cinch
• Comfortable Grip

Best Pex Crimp Tool Buying Guide

How to Choose the Best PEX Crimp Tool Kit?

Now that you have finished reading the top PEX crimping and clamping tools, you might be thinking about which criteria we have followed to pick the right crimping tools. So, here is what we have considered before making our list of the best pex clamp tools and crimp tools for this buying guide-

Do You Want the Tool for DIY or Professional Works?

The first thing to consider is the workload on the product. Not all tools are made for professional usage and thus you need to be sure why you are looking for a tool.

Heavy duty and strong tools are made for the professionals and relatively cheaper products that are made of moderate quality materials with fewer features are made for the people looking for pex crimping tools for DIY purposes.

Do you intend to use it occasionally or for Lengthy Time Frame?

Occasional use products and daily drivers are different in their build quality, ergonomics and design. While you can use a heavy product for occasional works, it is not feasible to work with a heavy product for a longer period. It will eventually strain your arms.

So, for the professional works, we recommend having a lightweight yet durable product while you can skip the feature if the intention is to use the product to make a few connections occasionally.

What Sizes of Connections do You Need to Make?

Another key consideration when purchasing a PEX cinching tool is the versatility in sizes. Some products allow you to make almost any sizes of connections while some restrict you to only one or two sizes of connections.

For professional usage, this is mandatory to have products that can do all types of connections. Otherwise, you will face difficulty in connecting PEX tubes sometimes.

However, this is not the case for the homeowners. Suppose, you own a house that only has two sizes of connections. So, it is not logical to spend double to have a product that can do all types of joints. You can save quite a lot of money by picking a product that can do only the sizes of connections you need.

How Comfortable the Product is?

Comfort in the work area is a crucial thing to consider. Working with uncomfortable tools can make your job very tiresome. You’ll start losing your interest from the job quickly if you are not comfortable doing the job.

So, get a product that is comfortable and easy to use. Generally, soft grips in the handle make the task a lot easier than working with a product without a soft grip.

Another thing to consider is that handle length. The longer the handle, the less pressure you need to put to have a solid connection. However, if you take a tool with too long handle, it will be difficult for you to maneuver the tool in tight spaces.

So, consider all the aspects into consideration and take a tool that fits your needs.

Do you Need to Do the Job in Tight Space?

The next thing to consider is the space where you need to work with the tool. When working in an open space like a garage, it does not matter how long the tools you are working with or how it is designed. But in tight spaces, not all tools will fit in.

Some products are made for working in tight spaces by tweaking the design and optimizing the weight and the length of it.

Go No Go Gauge Inclusion

Go no go gauge is a piece of metal cut in a shape to check whether the connections are accurately made or not. Although the gauge does not have any moving part, this is a great thing to have in your possession when you are working with PEX tubes.

So, get a product that comes with a Go no Go Gauge.

Calibration and Adjustment

PEX crimping tools become loose after using for a certain period. After that, you need to adjust and calibrate the tool again to have nicely sealed connections with it. However, some products do not come with a calibration feature. You need to check whether those products remain in the same shape after all the wear and tear or it will become useless after sometime.

When it comes to cinching and clamping tools, these generally do not require adjustments and calibration.

Warranty of the Tool

This is an important thing to consider. You should never rely on brands talking like they have all the best features in the world unless those are backed by decent warranties. However, you may find some great products without warranties. In such cases, check product review articles like this one, read real user experiences with the tool to verify the quality.

PEX Crimp Tool Price

The final consideration should be the price of the tool. Almost all the good quality PEX crimp tools are priced at a range of 60 to 150 bucks. However, there are some products that comes at a lower price point than this range and also higher than this. Depending on your requirements and features, you should go for value for money options like our best pick and the second one.

Cinch vs Crimp: What to Pick?

Cinch and Crimp, both tools are for connecting pex tubes. While cinch tools are cheaper than the crimp tools, cinch rings cost more than the crimp rings.

For the tight spaces, it is better to use cinch tools as they do not need to hold the pipe inside the jaw like crimp tools. However, crimp tools work fast and easy with only a press but the cinch tools require you to press the handle multiple times for perfect seal.

That’s why we recommend both cinch and crimp tools for the professionals and only the crimp tools for the DIYers. Read detailed Cinch vs Crimp Comparison here.

How to Use PEX Crimp Tool

Using PEX crimp tools are not that hard. You need the right tools and supplies to make a perfect PEX joint. Here is what you need to do-

Gather Essentials

The first thing to do is collecting the essential tool and supplies.

• Good Quality PEX Crimp tool
• Pipe Cutting Tool
• PEX Crimp Rings
• PEX Fittings
• PEX Pipes

1. Cut the Pipe

The first thing to do is cutting the pex piping according to your needs. You should have a PEX pipe cutting tool to make the cut easy and effortless. You can use unorthodox methods of pipe cutting too if you don’t have any pex pipe cutter. But we recommend PEX cutter for an easy and neat cut.

2. Slide the Crimp Ring

After the cutting pipe in shape, you need to slide the copper crimp ring onto the pipe. Keep it close to the edge because you need to crimp it there.

3. Slide the PEX Fittings in

Now that you have a pipe with a crimp ring, slide the fittings into the pipe. When sliding the fittings, it may feel tight. If that happens, use a little bit of force to slide that in the pipe.

4. Crimp the Ring

After the connection is made, take the crimp tool and widen the crimping jaws so that you can fit that on the ring. After fitting the crimp tool, you now need to press the handle to crimp the ring and make a watertight pex connection.

5. Use Go No Go Gauge

After making the seal, you should now see whether the seal is accurately made or not. Don’t worry, it is easy to check. Take the go no go gauge and check that according to the instructions written on the gauge.

Read our review of water hammer arrestors. You may want to have a look at a different pex connection tool that is PEX expanders. And Don't forget to check our guide on frost free hose bibs also.

Is it Difficult to use clamps on the PEX?

It is not difficult at all to use clamp on pex fittings. However, you may find it difficult to use at first. After making some connections, you should be able to do it faster without any problem.

For an efficient seal, we recommend practicing with a small pex tube and two to three clamps. Doing this will allow you to do better on the actual pipes that matter.

Does PEX crimping works for polybutylene pipe?

Yes, you can use PEX crimping tools to joint polybutylene pipes. However, it is a must to check whether the tool and the ring are compatible with your pipe or not.

Can PEX crimps or cinch tool remove copper rings?

It depends on the product you have picked. Some products come with an inbuilt ring remover while some do not. So, get a product that comes with features like ring removal, pipe cutter, etc.

Is copper or stainless steel better?

It is very hard to pick between these two materials. You can use this according to your preference. Some professionals recommend using copper while some others prefer stainless steel.

It is absolutely on you what you prefer for your plumbing installation.

Are there small Pex crimp tools for getting into tight places?

Yes, there are many. You can find short, medium and long handled crimp tools for getting into any type of place.

Which PEX tools do I need for my plumbing projects?

If you are doing professional works, we recommend purchasing all kinds of pex tools like pex crimping and pex cinching tools.

Professionals need different sizes and types of products to get into any type of space.

If you are not a professional and doing some DIY, it is not mandatory to have all types of pex tools. Pick the products that are needed for your job.

Do I Need to Use Same Brand tools and Rings?

No, it is not mandatory to use tools and rings from the same brand. It’s enough to check whether the tools and rings are compatible or not. Use compatible rings with the tools and fittings to have a perfect seal.

How Do I Know My Tools and Fittings are Compatible or Not?

To know this, you must check the product manual and instructions given by the tools manufacturer. You should find all the information regarding compatibility there.

What is the best PEX crimping tool?

If you are a professional, we recommend taking the automatic crimping tools like Ryobi or our best pick. And for DIYers, we recommend our second of the list to save some money, yet getting almost the same benefit as the first one.

Where PEX Crimp Tools are Used?

PEX crimp tools are used in connecting PEX pipes. You can use the tool for other types of pipes also depending on the compatibility.

As the pex crimp tools require a bit of space to work with, it is not recommended for the pipes that are already attached to the wall or other surfaces. In such cases, you will need a pex cinch tool.

How to Know that the Crimped Connection is Sealed Perfectly?

To know this, you need to use a go no go gauge. The gauge is a nice little invention that allows you to check whether the seal is correct or not within seconds.

Final Verdict

After all these discussions on the best PEX cinching tools for your plumbing job, you should now know what is best and what you should pick.

In case you are confused among the top products, we recommend Ryobi Automatic Crimp Tool and Zurn Versatile tool for the people looking for the best quality product. If you have budget limitations, you should go for the IWISS product that we have listed at number 2.

We hope you get all the answers that may come to your mind regarding the pex clamping tools. If there is anything that remained unanswered, leave a comment below to get the answer.