The weight of the handles is a significant factor to consider when choosing which bolt cutters to buy. If a small to medium pair will be big (and strong) enough to tackle the material you want to cut, then the weight of forged or tubular steel handles – being short – should not be a problem.
If, however, you need a pair of bolt cutters with long handles to access the material you want to cut (or for the extra leverage they provide), then it might be worth considering a model with lightweight fibreglass or aluminium handles.
Of the two, the fibreglass will be cheaper, but still strong enough to tackle most household cutting. See the table below for our recommendations on the best heavy-duty bolt cutters.