Workpro Mini water pump pliers
4.8
Pros & Cons
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The price is right. -
Very well engineered, with excellent ergonomics and precision jaws. -
Comes in a range of finishes. -
Smooth, parallel-jawed version for jobs where you don’t want to damage a fastener.
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I’ve not figured out how to use them one-handed… yet.
I’ve been a big fan of pocket tools for a very long time. I had a Swiss Army Knife about a week after I saw what MacGyver could do with it, and then I’ve had a whole line of everyday carry (EDC) bits, including multitools and multipurpose keyrings.
Also: I’ve tested dozens of cheap multitools, and these are the few that I still use today
However, as much as a multitool brings to the table, you’re paying a lot of money for a tool that tries to do a lot but doesn’t do any one thing all that well. Sure, you can buy a multitool that prioritizes pliers over a knife, or a can opener over a screwdriver, but doing so just moves the goalposts.
I’ve concluded that nothing beats a dedicated tool built to do a job, and one that’s utterly useful in a broad range of circumstances is a pair of pliers. Your fingers and hands are only so strong, so you need a force multiplier, which is exactly what pliers are. I’ve found that the most useful type of pliers (yes, there are different types) is water-pump pliers.
Water pump pliers are adjustable-jaw pliers that feature a multi-position pivot that lets the jaws slide back and forth to grip items of varying sizes. They’re most commonly used for plumbing work, but the small ones make a great multipurpose tool.
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A few years ago, I found that German brand Knipex made a 4-inch version of their Cobra water pump pliers. It was described as the “smallest water pump pliers in the world,” with “full functional capability,” and perfect for slipping into a pocket or pouch. It was very good, a tool that would last you a lifetime, assuming you didn’t lose it, but at around $33 – $35, it wasn’t cheap.
At the time, readers asked me if I knew of something similar, only cheaper, but I didn’t. Now I do: the Workpro 4-inch mini water pump pliers.
Note: I’ve heard a lot of people refer to Workpro as an Amazon brand. This is incorrect, it’s a Chinese brand with a global manufacturing base that’s been making tools since the early 1990’s.
Similar, but different
When placed side by side, these pliers look very similar to the Knipex offering, but there are some differences.
Size-wise, the Workpro pliers are fractionally larger than Knipex ones (so Knipex can still hold on to the title of “smallest in the world”), but in the hand, the difference is negligible.
One thing that’s immediately obvious is that the Workpro pliers have a better fit and finish.
It’s smooth, polished, and, more importantly, more comfortable in the hand than the more industrial look and feel of its German counterpart. And you can tell that finish is important to the company because these water pump pliers come in a range of finishes (silver, black, champagne, gray, and pink). The finishes are hard-wearing and resist corrosion well.
Free-sliding vs. locking jaws
Another difference is that while the Knipex has free-sliding jaws, which makes it possible to use them one-handed, the Workpro has a push-lock system that I’ve not yet mastered with one hand, but with practice, I think I might be able to work it single-handed… eventually.
I feel there’s an advantage to the locking feature because I sometimes find it hard to keep the jaws on the Knipex from inadvertently moving during use.
As for jaw opening, grip, and overall strength, both are just as good in my testing. I’ve gripped, pulled, pried, and hammered (because everything can be used as a hammer if you try hard enough) with mine, and can say this tool punches well above its weight in terms of performance, practicality, and power.
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It’s almost as though Workpro knew that this tool would be used as an EDC tool and added a lanyard loop. Nice touch!
I saw one user review mention they’d managed to break theirs, but as someone with a long track record of breaking things, I tried to break my pair and failed. I guess there’s always the possibility that a manufacturing defect makes its way into a customer’s hands.
Workpro also offers a variant of these water pump pliers with smooth parallel jaws. While the grippy jaws are best for general-purpose use — the sort of stuff most people want from an EDC tool — they do chew fasteners. So, if you want a less brutal tool — maybe for working on your bike when on the road, for example — you might be better off going for the smooth-jaw version.
ZDNET’s buying advice
At $16 (price varies with finish, with the polished finish currently being the dearest), the Workpro 4-inch mini water pump pliers is a brilliant tool at a fantastic price. But the same can be said for the Knipex tool, which I’ve had — and used/abused/neglected — for a few years now, but the Workpro offers a lot for half the price.
Can’t choose between the regular or smooth versions of the water pump pliers? There’s a kit that comes with both and a handy carry pouch for $40.
If you want a great bit of kit that you won’t worry about abusing or losing, then this is a great choice. In fact, Workpro has a great lineup of tools, everything from screwdrivers to a whole mechanic’s toolkit, and they all offer great value for money.
