Best Fish Tape for Wiring and Cabling: 2025 Expert Review
Oli at OR Electrics
18th Edition Qualified Electrician
If you have ever tried to feed a new cable through a wall cavity, under a floorboard, or down a conduit without a fish tape (also known as a draw tape), you'll know it's virtually impossible. It is the sort of task that turns a quick job into a weekend-long headache.
In Leeds, we tackle a lot of older properties with solid brick walls or odd routes for wiring. A decent fish tape isn't just a luxury; it is essential for getting cables where they need to be without tearing the plaster off every wall in the house.
In this review, I'm looking at three different types of fish tape: a budget nylon option for light work, a professional fibreglass reel for longer runs, and a steel tape for when you need a bit of brute force.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "Non-Conductive Materials"
"Nylon and fibreglass tapes claim to be safe because they don't conduct electricity."
Whilst the tape itself might not conduct, you should NEVER be fishing for cables near live wires. Always isolate the circuit at the consumer unit before you start poking anything into a wall void.
The Spec: "Pushing Power"
"Manufacturers claim the tape will glide through insulation and around bends effortlessly."
In practice, insulation (like rockwool) grabs fish tapes. You often need a tape with good rigidity (stiffness) to force it through, or you'll just end up with a tangled coil of nylon inside the wall.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
YAANBUNB 6m Fish Tape Wire Puller Electrical Wire Threader
YAANBUNB
This is a simple, no-frills nylon tape. At 6 metres, it is relatively short, but that makes it manageable for small DIY tasks like feeding a wire down a stud wall for a wall-mounted TV or adding a spur socket. It's safe, flexible, and incredibly cheap.
The Good
- Very affordable at under £10
- Non-conductive coating increases safety
- Includes a fastener to secure the cable whilst pulling
The Bad
- Too flexible for long runs (can coil up inside voids)
- No reel case means it can become a tangled mess in the toolbox
- 6m length limits its use to single room tasks
Installer Tip:
Because this tape is very flexible, it struggles to punch through insulation. It works best in hollow trunking or empty stud walls. If you are struggling to grip it, use a rag—pulling bare nylon with sweaty hands is a nightmare.
Priced at £9.59 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonAkozon Fiberglass Fish Tape 30m/98.4FT 4.0mm Non-Conductive Reel
Akozon
This is the sort of tool a trade professional keeps in the van. The fibreglass core gives it stiffness, meaning you can push it 10 or 20 metres down a conduit without it folding back on itself. The case keeps it neat, organised, and ready for work.
The Good
- Excellent rigidity for pushing over long distances
- Reel case keeps the van tidy and prevents kinks
- Ergonomic handle makes paying out tape easy
The Bad
- More expensive than basic nylon tapes
- Fibreglass can snap if you force a very sharp 90-degree bend
Installer Tip:
When using fibreglass tapes, never force them around a sharp corner or they will snap and leave splinters. If you hit a blockage, rotate the tape whilst pushing gently—the head will often find a way through.
Priced at £28.69 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonSilverline Fish Tape 15m (868726) Sprung Steel
Silverline
Sometimes nylon and fibreglass just aren't tough enough. This Silverline wide steel tape is essentially a long, flexible spring. It has the strength to push through debris or old conduit in Victorian properties where other tapes would curl up.
The Good
- Superior pushing power due to steel construction
- Flat profile glides well through existing conduits
- Durable—won't snap easily like fibreglass
The Bad
- Conductive material (MAJOR safety risk if live wires are present)
- Can rust if left damp in the van
- Heavier and harder to clean than plastic
Installer Tip:
WARNING: This is made of steel. Do not use this in a consumer unit or near any wiring that hasn't been visually verified as dead. I use this for empty conduits only. The flat shape is brilliant for sliding under carpets or floorboards.
Priced at £12.80 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Nylon vs Steel Fish Tape: Which is better?
How do I stop the cable falling off the fish tape?
Can I use a fish tape to rewire a house myself?
Why does my fish tape get stuck?
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