4.7(2,600)Amazon rating$16.65400+ bought last month
Our verdict
The IRWIN 23 is a strong everyday locking plier: 480 grams, 4.7 stars across 2,600 reviews, and 400 units sold per month at $16.65, putting it among the most-purchased models in this category.
DIYers and tradespeople who want a well-balanced locking plier with a proven high-volume track record at a price under $17.
Skip if
You need an especially light tool under 365 grams, or a heavy-duty alloy steel model for sustained professional clamping work.
Weight 480 Grams
Priced 32% below the category median ($24.44 across 48 tracked models)
Our scorecard
4.7/5overall
Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 2,600 owner ratings
Popularity4.9/5
2,600 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other hand tools and workshop hand tools we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
The IRWIN 23 weighs 480 grams and is priced at $16.65. Those two figures land it squarely in the sweet spot for an everyday locking plier: heavier than the ultra-light 140-gram Vise 702L3 but far lighter than the 0.75 kg IRWIN 19, providing a balance of portability and clamping ability.
With 2,600 reviews and 400 units per month, the IRWIN 23 is one of the most validated tools in this batch. A 4.7-star rating across that review volume is a reliable indicator of consistent quality rather than a narrow sample anomaly. Based on specs and verified owner reviews, it handles standard gripping and clamping tasks competently at its price.
For buyers who want to skip the research and choose a locking plier with a proven track record, the IRWIN 23 at $16.65 is one of the clearest options. The weight, price, and review volume all align around a general-purpose tool that performs reliably across a wide range of users and tasks.
Pros
2,600 reviews with a 4.7-star average is a high-confidence quality signal
400 units per month confirms active, ongoing demand from real buyers
$16.65 is competitively priced for a well-reviewed mid-weight locking plier
480 grams strikes a practical balance between portability and grip capability
Cons
No jaw opening, length, handle material, or finish specs are published
4.7-star rating is slightly below the 4.8 average of several other IRWIN models, though the larger review sample makes this statistically more meaningful
Specifications
Weight
480 Grams
Performance notes
At 480 grams, the IRWIN 23 sits in the moderate weight tier for locking pliers, well suited for gripping fasteners, clamping workpieces, and applying sustained jaw pressure across a range of mid-size tasks. No jaw opening or material specs are listed, so capacity estimates are based on weight class and category type. The 2,600-review track record suggests the tool meets buyer expectations for this task range.
What buyers say
Owners consistently return a 4.7-star average across 2,600 reviews for the IRWIN 23. Positive notes center on reliability, grip quality, and value at $16.65. The high monthly volume of 400 units indicates that buyers returning to this model and new buyers alike find it worth the price. Very few owners flag material or mechanism failures.
How does the IRWIN 23 compare to the IRWIN VISE-GRIP at $12.99?
The IRWIN 23 costs $3.66 more at $16.65 and weighs 480 grams, though no weight is published for the VISE-GRIP model. The IRWIN 23 has fewer reviews (2,600 versus 3,700) but a higher rating (4.7 versus 4.6). Both are strong choices in this price tier.
Is 480 grams too heavy for everyday carry in a tool belt?
At 480 grams, the IRWIN 23 is a reasonable tool-belt weight, lighter than the IRWIN 19 at 0.75 kg and the IRWIN VIS11SP at 0.62 kg. For all-day carry, some tradespeople prefer the lighter Vise 702L3 at 0.14 kg or the Irwin 302L3 at 365 grams.
More questions about the IRWIN 23?
Email [email protected] and we will help you compare it against other locking plier options in the category.
We use necessary cookies to keep the site working. With your permission, we also use functional, analytics, and marketing cookies. Read our Cookie Policy.
