Carbon Fiber Tip—Carbon fiber tips are the strongest, so they can handle repeated use on heavy components without cracking or degrading. However, if you press hard enough, they can leave carbon particles behind. The soft tips won’t nick or scratch components. They are often used in general electronics assembly. These tips are conductive, meaning static can flow through them to divert an electrostatic discharge (ESD). However, their low surface resistivity means that they can increase the static charge while diverting it.

Acetal Tip—Acetal tips are exceptionally soft, so you can use them to handle fragile material without marking or deforming it. They are often used with glass, ceramic, and other surfaces that are easily scratched. These tips are electrical insulating, meaning that they block the flow of electricity. They are not safe for applications where electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a concern.

Round Tip—Tweezers with round tips won’t mar or nick components. However, they don’t hold objects as well as pointed tips.