A pipe wrench grips round pipe and fittings with toothed jaws that bite harder as you pull the handle. The handle material, the length and the jaw capacity decide how big a pipe it turns and how heavy it is to carry. The main choices are aluminum or cast iron, a single wrench or a set, and the size of pipe you work on.
The six picks below run from a 10 inch cast iron wrench to an 18 inch aluminum wrench and two multi-wrench sets. Sizes, weights and materials come from each listing page and are the makers’ own claims. We have not used these wrenches ourselves. Where a listing disagrees with itself, we say so.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Length | A longer handle gives more leverage and a larger pipe size |
| Jaw capacity | Sets the largest pipe the jaw opens around |
| Handle material | Aluminum is lighter, cast iron is heavier |
| Set or single | A set covers several pipe sizes in one purchase |
Specs at a Glance
| Wrench | Length and count | Jaw capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HURRICANE set | 10, 14 and 18 in; 3 pieces | Up to 2.5 in | Aluminum handles; 45 steel drop-forged jaws; 2.75 kg for the set |
| Performance Tool W1133-10B | 10 in; 1 piece | Not listed | Alloy steel; 1.3 lb; enamel finish |
| Klein 68210 | 10 in; 1 piece | 1.5 in | Cast iron; I-beam handle; 2 lb |
| SHALL set | 8, 10, 12 and 14 in; 4 pieces | 3 in listed | Ductile iron handles; storage bag included |
| Klein 68227 | 14 in; 1 piece | 2 in | Cast iron; I-beam handle; 3.2 lb |
| RIDGID 31100 Model 818 | 18 in; 1 piece | 2.5 in | Aluminum; 3.8 lb; hook jaws for plastic coated pipe |
The 6 Best Pipe Wrenches
1. HURRICANE 3-Piece Aluminum Pipe Wrench Set, 10, 14 and 18 in
A three wrench set in aluminum with 45 steel drop-forged, heat-treated jaws. The maker says the handles are nearly 40 percent lighter and lists the ranges as 3/8 to 1 inch for the 10 inch, 1/2 to 1-1/2 inch for the 14 inch and 1/2 to 2-1/2 inch for the 18 inch wrench. Each handle has a hanging hole. The listing gives one weight of 2.75 kg, which appears to cover the whole set.
Suits: home plumbing jobs across several sizes. Strengths: three lengths and light handles. Weaknesses: one weight figure for the set only. Skip it if you want cast iron handles.
2. Performance Tool W1133-10B 10 in Red Pipe Wrench
A single 10 inch wrench in alloy steel with milled, drop-forged steel jaws and an enamel finish. It weighs 1.3 pounds on the listing and has a knurled adjustment knob. One bullet names the W1133-12B instead of the W1133-10B in the title, and the jaw capacity is not given, so confirm the size before you buy.
Suits: small fittings. Strengths: a light, short wrench. Weaknesses: no jaw capacity listed and a mixed model number. Skip it if you need to know the exact opening.
View Performance Tool W1133-10B 10 in. Red Pipe Wrench on Amazon
3. KLEIN TOOLS 68210 10-Inch Cast Iron Pipe Wrench
A 10 inch cast iron wrench with an I-beam handle, a 1-1/2 inch jaw capacity and a twist knob with size markings. The listing gives a weight of 2 pounds and a length of 9.84 inches, with an orange powder coat finish and a hang hole for storage.
Suits: pipe up to 1-1/2 inch. Strengths: clear size markings and a stated capacity. Weaknesses: heavier than the aluminum wrenches here. Skip it if you work on larger pipe.
View KLEIN TOOLS 68210 10-Inch Cast Iron Pipe Wrench on Amazon
4. SHALL 4-Piece Pipe Wrench Set, 8, 10, 12 and 14 in
Four wrenches with drop-forged, heat-treated steel heads and one-piece ductile iron handles. The set comes with a fold-and-roll Oxford fabric bag with four pockets. The maker lists replaceable hook and heel jaws, a knurled adjustment nut and a red powder coat with a black plastic dipped grip. The listing gives a 3 inch jaw capacity, which we read as the largest wrench in the set.
Suits: a full range of small to mid sizes. Strengths: four sizes and a storage bag. Weaknesses: the capacity is not broken out per wrench. Skip it if you need only one size.
View SHALL 4-Piece Pipe Wrench Set, 8″ 10″ 12″ 14″ Pipe Wrench with Soft Grip on Amazon
5. Klein Tools 68227 14-Inch Cast Iron Pipe Wrench
A 14 inch cast iron wrench with an I-beam handle and a twist knob. The jaw extends to 2 inches according to the listing, which also gives a weight of 3.2 pounds and a length of 16.62 inches. The head style field says hex, which is not how the wrench is described elsewhere.
Suits: mid-size pipe work. Strengths: a 2 inch capacity at 14 inches. Weaknesses: 3.2 pounds is a steady weight to carry. Skip it if you want a lighter aluminum handle.
View Klein Tools 68227 14-Inch Cast Iron Pipe Wrench on Amazon
6. RIDGID 31100 Model 818 Aluminum 18-inch Pipe Wrench
An 18 inch aluminum wrench with an I-beam handle, a full floating forged hook jaw and replaceable hook jaw, heel jaw and spring. The maker says it is about 40 percent lighter than comparable cast iron models and includes jaws for plastic coated pipe. The weight is 3.8 pounds and the capacity is 2-1/2 inches, with a torque figure of 150 ft-lb in the details. One bullet suggests 1 to 2 inch pipe.
Suits: larger pipe and longer reach. Strengths: a 2-1/2 inch capacity in aluminum. Weaknesses: a single large size. Skip it if you only work on small fittings.
View RIDGID 31100 Model 818 Aluminum Straight Pipe Wrench, 18-inch Plumbing Wrench on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Wipe the jaws and threads clean after use.
- Follow the maker’s instructions for the jaw direction.
- Hang the wrench by its hole or keep it in a bag.
- Replace worn jaws on models that list replaceable ones.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a wrench with a capacity smaller than your pipe.
- Using a pipe wrench on finished fittings that the jaws will mark.
- Ignoring a mixed model number in the listing.
- Picking a short wrench for a large pipe.
Pipe Wrench FAQ
What is the difference between aluminum and cast iron handles?
The makers describe aluminum as lighter and cast iron as heavier. In this list the 18 inch RIDGID aluminum wrench weighs 3.8 pounds and the 14 inch Klein cast iron weighs 3.2 pounds.
Which wrench has the largest jaw capacity?
The SHALL set lists 3 inches, though not per wrench. The HURRICANE set and the RIDGID list 2-1/2 inches.
The Short Version
For a light set in three sizes, the HURRICANE. For a short single wrench, the Performance Tool. For a 10 inch cast iron wrench, the Klein 68210. For four sizes and a bag, the SHALL. For a 14 inch cast iron wrench, the Klein 68227. For an 18 inch aluminum wrench, the RIDGID.