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Best Nibblers In 2022

This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Last Updated October 10, 2019
GearHungry Staff
GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by various members of our editorial team. We update old articles regularly to provide you the most current information. You can learn more about our staff here.
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If you don’t work with sheet metal, you’ve probably never heard of a nibbler. But, if you’re reading this article, we’d guess you’re in the market for one. On our search for the best nibbler, we’ve looked at many different options and narrowed down our list to our favorite six. Plus, at the bottom of this article, there is a Buying Guide & FAQ section to answer your nibbler-based questions.

The Best Nibbler

1
Dicfeos Double Head Metal Sheet Nibbler Cutter

dicfeos double head metal sheet nibbler cutter

The next product is an attachment that fits onto power corded or cordless drills and works the same as a nibbler. Now, if you’re cutting metal professionally, we’d recommend going for the real deal – the results will be cleaner and they are easier to use than these attachments. However, if you’re just using it as a DIY tool, any of the next three products will work fine.

The drill attachment fits effortlessly onto any standard drill, and it comes with a wrench and other necessary parts. It has to be said, and the Amazon reviews back this up, Dicfeos Nibbler Cutter produces some pretty impressive results. It can effortlessly glide through metal and creates a precision edge without burrs. It claims that it’s able to cut through 14-gauge steel, but if you’re cutting something that thick you might want a more powerful nibbler.

One thing that sets these nibbler attachments apart is that they come with an array of additional tools. For example, it has a circle-cutting tool, that allows you to cut a perfect circle and; a straight edge tool, that helps you line up against the edge of the metal. When you take into account that this costs a fraction (about 10%) of the price of an electric nibbler, you have to seriously consider it.

One of the main reasons that people prefer to buy an electric nibbler over these products, is that they don’t leave behind dangerous metal shavings. Because of the way that these drill attachments cut through metal, you end up with a tiny fish-hook shaped piece of metal everywhere. If you go with a drill attachment, be extra careful and wear appropriate safety gear.

show more
Key Features:

Fits any standard drill (1,500 – 3,000 RPM)

Cuts 14-gauge steel

Circle cutting and straight-edge attachments

Wrench included

2-year warranty

Specification:
  • BrandDicfeos
  • ModelDicfeos Double Head Metal Sheet
  • Weight1.9 Pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

2
Illuminate Ultimate Metal Nibbler Cutter

illuminate ultimate metal nibbler cutter

This product is almost identical to the Dicfeos Double Head Metal Sheet Nibbler Cutter that also features this list. They are pretty much the same product, they just have a slightly different color scheme and a different name. So, why would you buy this product over the other one? Well, for starters, it’s a couple of dollars cheaper. It’s not a huge saving, but every little bit counts. The Illuminate brand isn’t as well known as the Dicfeos, so some buyers might prefer to spend a little extra for the name. However, we think this one is just as good.

It cuts through 2mm (or 14-gauge) steel, moves anywhere within 360º, comes with a straight edge and circle cutting tools, and comes with a 2-year warranty. This is one of the cheapest (and still effective) ways of cutting through sheet metal – if you’re looking for a budget option, Illuminate Ultimate Metal Nibbler Cutter is the best. Our guide to the best framing nailers features more handy tools you can add to your collection.

Key Features:

Fits any standard drill (1,500 – 3,000 RPM)

Cuts 14-gauge steel

Circle cutting and straight-edge attachments

Wrench included

2-year warranty

Specification:
  • BrandIlluminate
  • ModelDouble Headed Sheet
  • Weight2 Pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

3
REXBETI Double Head Sheet Nibbler Metal Cutter

rexbeti double head sheet nibbler metal cutter

Our next drill attachment nibbler is the REXBETI Double Head Sheet Nibbler Metal Cutter. Again, it looks similar to the previous one. There seems to be a pretty standardized design in the world of drill attachment nibbler – they all look fairly similar. So, the question is: why would you spend an extra $10 on this product, if it does the same job? The short answer is because the quality is better.

You can tell that this product is built better than the other, cheaper drill attachment nibblers. It’s the same tool underneath: it fits on any standard drill, cuts up to 14 gauge metal, comes with circle-cutting and straight-cutting tools, and comes with extra tools. But this one is made from better materials and is a little bit better put together. Plus, it has one thing that the other products can’t offer: a lifetime warranty. That shows that RexBeti is prepared to stand behind the quality of their products. We’d say that’s easily worth the extra $10 if you’re planning to use this tool a lot. Again, it’s worth mentioning that this tool will leave extremely sharp metal shavings everywhere. And, it’s not suitable for tough nibbler-based jobs. It probably won’t work on tough jobs like cutting into metal roofing. But for smaller, precision jobs, it’s an excellent tool. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best drill bit sets for more awesome tools like this.

Key Features:

Fits any standard drill (1,500 – 3,000 RPM)

Cuts 14-gauge steel

Circle cutting and straight-edge attachments

Wrench included

Lifetime warranty

Specification:
  • BrandREXBETI
  • Weight2.05 Pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

4
Makita XNJ01Z 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless 16 Gauge Nibbler

makita xnj01z 18v lxt lithium ion cordless 16 gauge nibbler

The Makita XNJ01Z is another full-sized power tool nibbler. It’s not a drill attachment, which is why the price is dramatically higher. It’s pretty similar, in terms of specs, to the Makita JN1601 we featured earlier. However, it has one major difference – it’s powered using a battery. As we mentioned in the JN1601 review, a lot of Makita power tools are now powered using batteries and that tends to make them more expensive. The battery in question is an 18V LXT lithium-ion battery, which is not included in this listing. You have to buy them separately, and they cost upwards of $50, so you will be spending nearly $500 if you don’t already have one (most Makita power tools use these batteries).

The reason that people are willing to spend this amount of money on a nibbler is about more than just convenience. The fact that it’s a cordless tool makes it perfect for working on sheet metal roofs. When you’re up on the roof, the last thing you want is a trailing wire that you could get caught up in. It makes it a much safer tool to work in compromised positions. That’s why a lot of professional tradesmen prefer these tools over drill attachments or corded options. In terms of its performance, it’s very similar to the Makita JN160: it’s powered at 1,900 SPR, the die holder rotates 360º, and it can cut anything up to 16-gauge steel with ease. It’s also has a useful chip disposal method that sends the debris away from the working area, minimizing damage to the cutting area. Our guide to the best air hammers features more tools you will like, so take a moment to check them out.

Key Features:

Cordless – 18V LXT Lithium-Ion battery (not included)

1,900 SPR

Cuts 16-gauge steel

Weighs 4lbs

Die rotates 360º

Lock-on power switch

Convenient chip disposal

Specification:
  • BrandMakita
  • ModelXNJ01Z
  • Weight4 Pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

5
DEWALT DW898 14 Gauge Nibbler

dewalt dw898 14 gauge nibbler

The next product on our list is the DEWALT DW898 14 Gauge Nibbler. It’s the most expensive tool and the most suited to professional applications, thanks to the amount of power it produces. We have chosen it as our Premium Product because it’s easily the most capable nibbler on this list. If you’re buying a tool for professional use, this is the one to go for. Like Makita tools, you know when you are buying a Dewalt product, it’s going to be high-quality. However, this one is slightly more powerful than the Makita tools and is therefore perfect for working with thick steel. It is the only nibbler on this list that can easily cut through 14-gauge stainless steel and 16-gauge mild steel.

It is a corded tool, so it’s not as well-suited to nibbler-based jobs in hard-to-reach areas. However, in terms of performance, the 6.5amp motor can’t be beaten. It powers the nibbler at an impressive 1,950 SPM and can still be operated with one hand. One of the best features of this Nibbler is the easy-to-change punch and die system. When you need to change the type and size of the hole you’re cutting, it’s much easier than on similar models, which will save professionals time and money. All of this is housed in Dewalt’s signature gear case, to protect it against potential damage. The bottom line is: if you’re a professional tradesman and you need the best nibbler out there, buy this one. Perfect to always carry in your tool box.

Key Features:

Corded – 6.5AMP motor

1,950 SPR

Cuts 14-gauge stainless steel & 16-gauge mild steel

Weighs 5.5lbs

Die rotates 360º

Paddle switch

Easy-change punch and die

Specification:
  • BrandDEWALT
  • ModelDW898
  • Weight5.5 Pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

Nibbler Buying Guide

How We Chose Our Selection Of Nibbler

Reviews - The first thing we do when we’re researching a product is to check out the customer reviews. This gives us our first indication of the quality of a product. Customers tend to give their honest, unabridged version of events, so you can tell a lot by looking at the review section. After that, we read other expert reviews to see what other people are saying about the product.

Price - The price of a product is one of the most important parts of the decision-making process, whether you’re buying a hairbrush or a power tool. We always consider this when we’re choosing products, which is why we have a Best Value and Premium Product.

nibbler

Features To Look For In Nibbler

Strokes Per Minute (SPR) - This relates to how many times the sharp blade moves against the fixed die of the nibbler or, in simple terms, how many times it’s cutting the metal in a minute. You’re not necessarily looking for the maximum strokes per minute, but you should be looking for between 1,500 and 2,200 SPR.

Cutting Radius - The cutting radius of a nibbler should be between 1” and 4”. This depends on the size of the hole you’re trying to cut and the material you’re working with.

Cutting Capacity - This relates to the thickness of the material that the nibbler will cut through. Powerful nibblers can cut up to 18 gauge steel. It's worth thinking about the material you are working on before you purchase a nibbler because you might not need a powerful and expensive tool.

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