Network Cable Crimper: Functions,Types, Prices & Reviews

The network cable crimper is a tool used in low-voltage construction, primarily for crimping RJ45 plugs. The advent of the crimping plier or network cable crimper has simplified low-voltage construction, eliminating the need for the previous method of individually soldering 8 wire cores to a connection plate. This has streamlined the construction process and reduced the difficulty of the task.

The network cable crimper has been continuously upgraded in practical applications, evolving from a single function of crimping RJ45 plugs to now also including wire stripping, cutting, and crimping. A single crimper can now handle all the processes required for crimping RJ45 plugs. Previously, making an RJ45 plug required a wire cutting tool, a wire stripping tool, and a crimping tool, but now a multi-functional network cable crimpers can do it all. Today we will talk about the functions,types, prices and reviews of network cable crimpers.

Crimping RJ45 Connectors: Telephone RJ45 plugs, network RJ45 plugs, fully metal-encapsulated shielded RJ45 plugs, shielded RJ45 plugs with a stop-notch, and through-hole RJ45 plugs;

Wire Stripping: Manual adjustment of wire stripping size, adaptive wire stripping;

Wire Cutting: Capable of cutting Cat 3 to Cat 8 cables, can cut entire cables, can cut and straighten 8 parallel wires, and can trim long cables.

Only capable of crimping RJ45 plugs, with no other functions;

 

This type of crimper has wire cutting, stripping, and crimping functions, but some functions are incomplete. For example:
(1) Cannot crimp fully metal-encapsulated shielded RJ45 plugs; forcing the crimping of such plugs results in an unattractive finish and may even appear as if the plug is damaged;
(2) The telephone RJ45 plug crimping interface is omitted, making it impossible to crimp telephone RJ45 plugs. In projects involving voice systems, multiple crimpers are needed.

 

This type of crimper has wire cutting, stripping, and crimping functions, but the functionality is not fully covered. For example:
(1) The wire cutting function cannot cut larger diameter cables, such as Cat 6A shielded cables;
(2) Cannot cut larger diameter 8-wire cores;
(3) No adaptive wire stripping function, which can damage the wire cores during stripping.

 

This type of crimper can meet daily usage needs and solve over 99% of problems in RJ45 plug crimping projects.

 

A crimper specifically made for certain special RJ45 plugs, such as a multi-functional network crimper for crimping through-hole RJ45 plugs.

 

Classification of usage scenarios for multi-functional network cable crimpers:

 

(1) Voice link construction, which requires a multi-functional crimper with a telephone RJ45 plug crimping function;
(2) Non-shielded network link construction, which can use a general multi-functional network crimper;
(3) Shielded network link construction, which requires a multi-functional crimper with a shielded RJ45 plug crimping function;
(4) Through-hole RJ45 plug crimping construction, which requires a multi-functional crimper with a cutting blade on the network crimping interface.

 

(1) Surveillance, ceiling AP installation: This scenario accounts for over 80% of the daily usage of multi-functional network cable crimpers, requiring high-altitude work; an all-in-one network cable crimper is required to meet all needs of high-altitude work;
(2) Workstation, data center construction: This scenario accounts for over 15% of the daily usage of multi-functional network cable crimpers, used on the ground. All types of multi-functional network cable crimpers can be used;
(3) Daily maintenance construction: This scenario accounts for about 5% of the daily usage of multi-functional network cable crimpers, used on the ground. More often, all-in-one network cable crimpers are used.

 

Price Range: $5.5−9.7
The oblique-press multi-functional network cable crimper is a long-selling crimper with both ratcheting and non-ratcheting mechanisms, featuring mature craftsmanship.

Pros
(1) Has wire stripping, cutting, and crimping RJ45 plug functions;
(2) Can strip and cut common Cat 3 to Cat 7 cables; can crimp telephone RJ45 plugs and non-shielded RJ45 plugs;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism provides feedback during crimping, while the non-ratcheting mechanism does not.
Cons
(1) Cannot crimp shielded network RJ45 plugs;
(2) Wire stripping and cutting are on the front and back of the crimper, requiring the crimper to be flipped over for cutting; inconvenient for high-altitude construction;
(3) The oblique press method causes the gold pins of the crimped RJ45 plug to visibly misalign from 1 to 8, affecting the appearance of the crimped plug and potentially causing short circuits;
(4) The ratcheting mechanism cannot cut long cables;
(5) No adaptive wire stripping structure, stripping depth depends on feel, easily damaging the wire core;
(6) The ratcheting mechanism requires additional pressure to remove the cable after stripping, potentially damaging the wire core.
The oblique-press multi-functional network crimper can be used for telephone links and non-shielded network link construction, workstation and server room construction, and daily maintenance. It can also be used for surveillance or ceiling AP installation, but care must be taken to avoid crimper droppage when flipping for cutting. The oblique-press vertical multi-functional network crimper belongs to the multi-functional semi-covered network crimper category.

 

Price Range: $4−7.9
The straight-push multi-functional network crimper is a market hot seller in recent years, with a ratcheting mechanism, considered an upgrade to the oblique-press vertical multi-functional network crimper.

Pros
(1) Has wire stripping, cutting, and crimping RJ45 plug functions;
(2) Can strip and cut common Cat 3 to Cat 7 cables; can crimp telephone RJ45 plugs and non-shielded RJ45 plugs;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism provides feedback during crimping.
Cons
(1) Cannot crimp shielded network RJ45 plugs;
(2) No adaptive wire stripping structure, stripping depth depends on feel, easily damaging the wire core;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism requires additional pressure to remove the cable after stripping, potentially damaging the wire core.
The straight-push multi-functional network crimper can be used for telephone links and non-shielded network link construction, workstation and server room construction, and daily maintenance. It can also be used for surveillance or ceiling AP installation. The straight-push vertical multi-functional network crimper belongs to the multi-functional semi-covered network crimper category.

 

Price Range: $10−16.9
The straight-push horizontal multi-functional network crimper is marketed as a Cat 7 network crimper, mostly used by contractors for making Cat 7 RJ45 plugs (officially known as Cat 6A plugs). It features a release lever, allowing for the adjustment of the crimping process without the need to press the stop-notch for shielded RJ45 plugs.

Pros
(1) Has wire stripping, cutting, and crimping RJ45 plug functions;
(2) Can strip and cut common Cat 3 to Cat 7 cables; can crimp telephone RJ45 plugs, non-shielded RJ45 plugs, and shielded RJ45 plugs;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism provides feedback during crimping;
(4) Compact and easy to carry.
Cons
(1) The wide opening angle of the straight-push horizontal multi-functional network crimper makes it difficult for people with smaller hands to use, requiring both hands for construction; single-handed operation may cause the crimper to drop due to inability to grip it;
(2) No adaptive wire stripping structure, stripping depth depends on feel, easily damaging the wire core;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism requires additional pressure to remove the cable after stripping, potentially damaging the wire core.
The straight-push horizontal multi-functional network crimper can be used for telephone links, non-shielded and shielded network link construction, workstation and server room construction, and daily maintenance. It can also be used for surveillance or ceiling AP installation. The straight-push horizontal multi-functional network crimper belongs to the multi-functional limited all-in-one network crimper category.

 

Price Range: $10−16.9
The straight-push horizontal multi-functional through-hole RJ45 plug network crimper is marketed as a through-hole RJ45 plug network crimper, used by contractors for making through-hole RJ45 plugs.

Pros
(1) Has wire stripping, cutting, and crimping RJ45 plug functions;
(2) Can strip and cut common Cat 3 to Cat 7 cables; can crimp through-hole RJ45 plugs;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism provides feedback during crimping;
(4) Compact and easy to carry.
Cons
(1) The wide opening angle of the straight-push horizontal multi-functional network crimper makes it difficult for people with smaller hands to use, requiring both hands for construction; single-handed operation may cause the crimper to drop due to inability to grip it;
(2) No adaptive wire stripping structure, stripping depth depends on feel, easily damaging the wire core;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism requires additional pressure to remove the cable after stripping, potentially damaging the wire core.
The through-hole RJ45 plug network crimper is used for through-hole RJ45 plug link construction and cannot be used for crimping closed-hole RJ45 plugs, as the female socket blade will damage the RJ45 plug. The through-hole RJ45 plug network crimper belongs to the specialized network crimper category.

 

Price Range: $17−20

The straight-push vertical multi-functional network cable crimper is a crimper that includes wire stripping, cutting, and crimping non-shielded network RJ45 plugs, but lacks the ability to crimp telephone RJ45 plugs and shielded RJ45 plugs.

Pros
(1) Can strip and cut common Cat 3 to Cat 7 cables; can crimp non-shielded RJ45 plugs;
(2) Has wire stripping, cutting, and crimping RJ45 plug functions;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism provides feedback during crimping, while the non-ratcheting mechanism does not.
Cons
(1) Cannot crimp telephone RJ45 plugs and shielded network RJ45 plugs;
(2) No adaptive wire stripping structure, stripping depth depends on feel, easily damaging the wire core;
(3) The ratcheting mechanism requires additional pressure to remove the cable after stripping, potentially damaging the wire core;
(4) The safety mechanism prevents cutting thick network cables and is cumbersome for cutting long cables.
The straight-push multi-functional network crimper can be used for non-shielded network link construction, workstation and server room construction, and daily maintenance. It can also be used for surveillance or ceiling AP installation. The straight-push vertical multi-functional network crimper belongs to the multi-functional semi-covered network crimper category.

 

Price Range: $30−33.9
The straight-push vertical multi-functional network crimper is a crimper tailor-made for contractors. It features an adaptive wire stripping function, a 17mm extended blade, capable of cutting all cables on the market, and can crimp common RJ45 plugs, making it a true all-in-one network crimper.

Pros
(1) Can strip and cut common Cat 3 to Cat 7 cables; can crimp telephone RJ45 plugs, shielded, and non-shielded RJ45 plugs;
(2) Adaptive wire stripping function, stripping does not damage the wire core;
(3) Extended blade can cut Cat 7 cables;
(4) 22° jaw opening, designed to meet Chinese ergonomic hand grip requirements, tailored specifically for Chinese users.
Cons
(1) Users feel the price is slightly high and are hesitant to try.
The straight-push vertical multi-functional network crimper can be used for telephone links, non-shielded and shielded network link construction, workstation and server room construction, and daily maintenance. It can also be used for surveillance or ceiling AP installation. The straight-push vertical multi-functional network crimper belongs to the all-in-one network crimper category.

 

Price Range: $25−42
The straight-push vertical network crimper is a crimper that can only be used for crimping network RJ45 plugs, lacking the ability to crimp telephone RJ45 plugs, strip, or cut wires.

Pros
(1) Crimps network RJ45 plugs;
(2) The ratcheting mechanism provides feedback during crimping.
Cons
(1) Cannot crimp telephone RJ45 plugs;
(2) No wire stripping and cutting functions;
(3) The function is too single, not conducive to daily construction.
The straight-push vertical network crimper can be used for network link construction, workstation and server room construction, and daily maintenance. It can also be used for surveillance or ceiling AP installation. The straight-push vertical network crimper belongs to the single-function network crimper category.

 

Daily tasks involving RJ45 plugs for construction and maintenance encounter various types of plugs and different application scenarios. To avoid awkward situations where the crimper cannot be used upon arrival at the construction site, it is recommended that contractor friends purchase all-in-one network crimpers, such as the COBTEL MCT226. In terms of product price, choose network crimpers in the 100 100 200 range. Lower prices mean no guarantee of product quality, while higher prices are often due to a brand premium, and the product itself is not worth that price.

 

Leading to issues such as some gold pins not being crimped, crimping too deep, or damaging the RJ45 plug shell.

Poor quality materials, loose structure; damaged after falling from 3~4 meters during surveillance installation;

Most network crimpers offer wire stripping, cutting, and crimping functions, but many have certain limitations or defects. For example: cannot crimp telephone or shielded RJ45 plugs; cannot cut long cables or entire Cat 6A and above, 8 parallel cables; no adaptive wire stripping function, stripping damages the wire core; these functional defects require additional tools, increasing costs;

Some network crimpers have poorly designed structures, requiring multiple crimping of RJ45 plugs, reducing construction efficiency.