Hand crimpers are manual devices used to crimp wires, cables, and other ductile materials. Voice and data crimping dies are used to crimp voice and data connectors. Manual hydraulic hose crimpers are handheld hose crimping tools that feature air-assisted pressure.

As each cable size can be connected to a variety of different terminals, no single crimping tool can handle every job. There are three basic types of crimping tools: handheld, hydraulic, and hammer.