Best Plumbing Tools for DIYers
Pipe wrenches, basin wrenches, and tubing cutters handle the plumbing jobs a regular toolbox cannot, from tightening pipe to reaching faucet nuts behind a sink. A small kit covers most household plumbing repairs.
What to look for
- ·A pipe wrench grips and turns threaded pipe and fittings; a basin wrench reaches the hard-to-access nuts behind sinks and faucets.
- ·A tubing cutter makes clean, square cuts in copper and PEX, and a PEX crimp or push tool joins modern supply lines.
- ·Keep two pipe wrench sizes (10 and 14 inch) so you can back-hold a fitting while you turn another.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgid Heavy-Duty Pipe Wrench | Editor's pick | $25 to $60 (by size) | Gripping and turning pipe |
| Ridgid Basin Wrench | Editor's pick | $25 to $45 | Faucet nuts behind sinks |
| Ridgid Tubing Cutter | Editor's pick | $15 to $40 | Clean copper/tube cuts |
| Husky Pipe Wrench Set | Best value | $25 to $45 per set | Value pipe wrench pair |
| RIDGID Faucet & Sink Installer | Best value | $15 to $30 | Under-sink installs |
| SharkBite PEX Tool | Best value | $10 to $25 | PEX push-fit work |
| Store-Brand Pipe Wrench | Budget pick | $12 to $25 | Budget occasional use |
| Basic Basin Wrench | Budget pick | $10 to $20 | Budget faucet swaps |
| Mini Tubing Cutter | Budget pick | $6 to $15 | Tight-space cuts on a budget |
Editor's pick
Ridgid Heavy-Duty Pipe Wrench
$25 to $60 (by size)
The trusted cast-iron pipe wrench standard, with a sharp, self-tightening grip on threaded pipe and a lifetime reputation for durability.
Best for: Gripping and turning pipe
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Ridgid Basin Wrench
$25 to $45
A quality telescoping basin wrench that reaches faucet mounting and supply nuts behind a sink, the tool that makes faucet swaps possible.
Best for: Faucet nuts behind sinks
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Ridgid Tubing Cutter
$15 to $40
A durable tubing cutter that makes clean, square cuts in copper and other tube for leak-free joints. The pick for cutting supply lines.
Best for: Clean copper/tube cuts
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Best value
Husky Pipe Wrench Set
$25 to $45 per set
A value two-piece pipe wrench set from Home Depot with a lifetime warranty, enough to grip and back-hold fittings.
Best for: Value pipe wrench pair
Typically available at Home Depot.
RIDGID Faucet & Sink Installer
$15 to $30
A multi-tool wrench that handles basin nuts, supply nuts, and shutoff valves in tight under-sink spaces. A handy value for faucet work.
Best for: Under-sink installs
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
SharkBite PEX Tool
$10 to $25
A disconnect and depth tool for push-fit PEX connections, making PEX repairs and joins tool-light and easy. A value pick for modern supply lines.
Best for: PEX push-fit work
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's, Amazon.
Budget pick
Store-Brand Pipe Wrench
$12 to $25
A basic pipe wrench for occasional threaded-pipe work at a low price. Heavier and rougher, but it grips and turns for little money.
Best for: Budget occasional use
Typically available at Home Depot, Harbor Freight.
Basic Basin Wrench
$10 to $20
An affordable basin wrench for reaching faucet nuts on an occasional faucet swap. Basic but it does the one job that matters.
Best for: Budget faucet swaps
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Mini Tubing Cutter
$6 to $15
A compact tubing cutter for tight spaces and small copper or PEX cuts at a low cost. Handy and cheap for quick supply-line work.
Best for: Tight-space cuts on a budget
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Frequently asked
What plumbing tools do I need?+
A starter kit: a pipe wrench (or two for back-holding), a basin (sink) wrench for faucet nuts, channel-lock pliers, a tubing cutter for copper or PEX, plumber's tape and putty, and a drain snake. These handle most household repairs and faucet, valve, and supply-line work.
What is a basin wrench for?+
A basin wrench has a long shaft and a pivoting jaw that reaches up behind a sink to grip the mounting and supply nuts that hold a faucet, which no normal wrench can reach. It is the tool that makes faucet installation and removal possible without removing the sink.
How do I cut copper or PEX pipe?+
Use a tubing cutter: clamp it on the pipe and rotate it around, tightening a little each turn, for a clean, square cut. It works on copper and PEX (PEX also cuts with a dedicated PEX cutter). Clean cuts matter for leak-free soldered or push-fit joints.
Do I need a pipe wrench for PEX or PVC?+
No, pipe wrenches are for threaded metal pipe. PEX uses crimp, cinch, or push-fit tools; PVC is glued; and fittings often use channel-lock pliers or a strap wrench. Use a pipe wrench mainly for galvanized and black iron threaded pipe.
What is plumber's tape versus putty?+
Thread-seal tape (PTFE/Teflon tape) wraps threaded connections to seal them. Plumber's putty is a moldable sealant for setting drains, sink strainers, and fixture bases. They do different jobs, so most plumbing kits include both.