Most use wire connectors to ensure a low-impedance and reliable connection between two or several electrical solid wires within a box.
Current and flame-resistant exteriors and materials are now being used (such as polyolefin materials for insulation of wire connections and terminations).
These connectors for wires preempt dangerous short circuits or other faults by preventing contact between wires and exposed conductive surfaces.
Let's look at some options in the market to find out which ones are the best types of wire connectors to buy in 2018.
Comparison Chart
Last update on 2020-03-20 at 06:35 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Our Wire Connectors Reviews
1. Weilder Heat Shrink Wire Connectors Kit
This wire connectors kit is one of the best value-for-money kits offered to date by the Weilder brand, offering a selection of 9 different wire connector types that come in various sizes and colors.
Features:
This complete set of wire connectors is certified to electrical standards, including ROHS, ISO 9001:2008, SGS, and CE standards compliant.
Such features ensure their strength and durability for daily use. The set features a wide array of forks, rings, hooks, quick disconnects, and butt connectors.What's to like about Weilder Heat Shrink Wire Connectors Kit
Though the price is similar to other sets we've listed, this set comes with a substantial 270-piece selection of parts, with a wide variety of hooks, rings, and more.
The copper barrel design provides a range of applications, such as reduced voltage fluctuation and increased current flow.
What's not to like about Weilder Heat Shrink Wire Connectors Kit
Though there are numerous distinct types of connections, there are only three colors – yellow, blue, and red. The limited choice of colors can make things a little confusing.
Also, you'll need a high-quality crimping tool to ensure a straightforward crimping process, as poor-quality units may not heat quickly or sufficiently enough.PROS
CONS
2. Wirefy Heat Shrink
Wirefy is one of the brand leaders in creating high-quality electrical wiring systems with built-in features that improve strength and durability. These are also waterproof and corrosion-resistant.
Features:
The barrel is crafted from a single piece of seamless copper, removing the issue of the barrel opening up. The translucent heat shrink tubing also ensures high tensile strength, supporting stretching or mechanical damage resistance.
What's to like about Wirefy Heat Shrink
The design of these connectors makes them translucent, which is useful when crimping wires, as you can see the success of the reliable connection inside. This feature of heat shrink connectors also makes for a more secure connection between two or more wires.
What's not to like about Wirefy Heat Shrink
Wirefy Heat Shrink is typically a more expensive brand, so you will pay a little more than other products listed here while getting fewer units. However, you do get added features like the heat shrink.
Unfortunately, it also takes a great deal of heat to shrink the wrap, so you'll need a good crimper.
PROS
CONS
3. Glarks 540 Pieces
For transparency and your peace of mind, these connectors aren't the best but aren't terrible either. For a low price and a 2-year warranty period, however, you do get a lot of units, making them perfect for the electrician or DIY enthusiast who uses such parts on a semi-regular basis.
Features:
The range of wires within this set includes 22-16 (red), 16-24 (blue), and 12-10 (yellow) connectors, with a selection of quality copper and PVC materials used in the making. All parts also comply with UL and ROHS electrical compliance standards.
What's to like about Glarks 540 Pieces
Given that the set includes 540-pieces and 12 different types of connectors, you're not going to run short on any particular parts. Having these many choices make the collection perfect for somebody carrying out electrical work on a semi-regular basis, as the connectors will last for a great deal of time.
What's not to like about Glarks 540 Pieces
The telling part is that you get many such units for a small price. As expected, the quality is not as good as leading brands. Moreover, delivery can take some time because the production of the parts takes place abroad.
PROS
CONS
4. Eventronic 200 Pieces
The 200-piece Eventronic set of wire connectors comes with a significant number of pieces. However, what it makes up for in abundance, it lacks in variety. There are just three types within this set.
Features:
The connectors within this set come color-coded (blue, yellow, and red) and are marine-grade, insulated and waterproof products, offering a great deal of protection to your electronic wiring. Translucent heat shrink tubing ensures a high-tensile strength and resistance to stretching.
What's to like about Eventronic 200 Pieces
Though this may sound like a small benefit, the case in which these connectors come stored forms a tight seal that keeps them in order. Many products come in flimsy cases that result in chaotic cases with no organization. Color-coded tubing also helps to identify wiring quickly and easily.
What's not to like about Eventronic 200 Pieces
One of the downsides to this product is that the crimping process causes breaks to form within the heat seal. What’s more, you’ll require a reasonably powerful and good-quality crimper to make these work; a low-quality, inexpensive model will not suffice.
PROS
CONS
5. Wirefy 120 Pieces
This set of connectors from Wirefy has just under half of the other group of the same brand that we looked at earlier. Around since the end of 2016, this set has had the same design features and quality product features as the set mentioned above.
Features:
This set has 120 pieces, featuring forks, rings, hooks, and a range of other connectors. They feature a copper barrel to increase current flow and reduce voltage drop and have strip wire insulation and a crimp connector barrel. These connectors are also compliant with electrical design standards.
What's to like about Wirefy 120 Pieces
The Wirefy 120-piece set of wire connectors comes in appealing packaging, with a wide array of connectors available out of the box. What's more, the shrink tube extends to the end and seals forwards, in addition to against the blade, covering the crumping area.
What's not to like about Wirefy 120 Pieces
Two of the negatives with this product are closely related. For one, the case is quite flimsy, resulting in the catch detaching occasionally.
Also, though a minor point, you only get a specific number of each connector, so if you need more than one type, you might have no use for many others.
PROS
CONS
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Wire Connector
An automotive wire connector ensures that your car's electronic tools or devices (be it original tools or unofficial tools) are not only working correctly but also working safely. For these reasons, you should always make it a point to purchase the ones with the best quality to ensure suitable automotive applications.
There’s no need to be a licensed electrician to make a good choice. With this buying guide, you can scrutinize wire ranges and electronics products. Keep in mind that your choice should also integrate electrical product safety standards.
Water-Resistance
Under any circumstances, never purchase a wire connector that lacks a water resistance rating. You will never know the depths of water that can reach into the inner workings of your vehicle, and may you never experience the day that you find out through faulty connections from water damage.
If water gets into your vehicle's electronics or cables, the best thing that could happen is that your devices will malfunction. The worst is that it could short-circuit and damage your battery.
Ensure that the wire connector you're using protects your cables from moisture, along with the fitting wire connector kit at hand.
Current Rating
Another factor crucial in choosing electrical connectors for your vehicle is its current rating.
You measure such rating by the current amount (in amperes) and how it can go through a mated terminal.
There should be compatible connectors with their current rating matching the individual terminals’ capabilities to carry the current.
Connector Size
Connector size also matters in choosing suitable electrical connectors for automobiles. Checking the size also lessens equipment footprint sans the loss of current capacity.
Note that depending on the circumstances of your vehicles’ electrical connections, you might want to use two- or three-circuit sizes to simplify processes and identification.
Maximum Voltage
Also critical is the maximum that your automotive needs to operate. Voltage applications may vary, whether it’s DC or AC.
You may have 20-amps and voltage rating, while others can reach up to 48 volts (for DC). AC has a maximum of 1,000 voltage.
Ease of Use
Generally, automotive wire connectors are already easy to use. However, some of them, especially those that are a bit sophisticated, are pretty complex and require you to use multiple tools.
Your car's wire connectors will probably be hidden in plain sight already. Hence, you don't need anything fashionable or aesthetically pleasing if it compromises installation convenience.
Copper-Plated
If you want to maximize the capabilities of your wire connectors and get a bang for your buck, make sure that they’re copper-plated. That’s because the best type of metal for electricity conduction is copper, and they’re also not prone to corrosion.
Wire Gauge Imprints
In some cases, you’re going to need different sizes of connectors when combining different sets of cables. Look for wire connectors that indicate their sizes. It makes it easier to identify which one you should use for a specific task.
Environmental Factors
In terms of the equipment or vehicle you’ll use, it is essential to anticipate the environment in which you’ll be working.
Do you suspect that the domain will be subject to extreme temperatures (whether high or low), as well as excess debris and moisture?
If so, consider having sealed connector systems and a seal wire connectors pack.
Agency Approvals
Consider looking at consistent specifications concerning existing ones in terms of connection system types (like disk drive power connection system).
You might want to check whether the system meets the requirements of agencies like the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), as well as Ingress Protection (IP) ratings.
Also, you’ll want to determine if your system has undergone product safety tests like salt spray tests to check your connector’s resistance to various contaminant types.
Price
At the end of the day, it will all boil down to your budget. You should figure out how much you plan to spend on your wire connectors and start from there, especially if you have a tight budget.
Note that just because a connector is expensive does not mean that it's the best. Wire connectors are pretty simple, and with the correct budget tools, you will probably find a top-quality one for a reasonable price.FINAL VERDICT
For us, the clear choice amongst all of these products is the Weilder Heat Shrink Wire Connectors Kit. This set comes at a similar price tag to the rest of those listed here, though the set includes a whopping 270 pieces, as well as a large variety of connector types.
Remember that having a reliable and accessible wire connection almost always guarantees a smooth electrical system. Take time to scrutinize the factors mentioned earlier, and use them as a guide in choosing several types of wire connectors for use in the long run.
Nowadays, almost every type of connector needed for a solid connection is available. You have different kinds of wirework, made possible by push-in wire connectors, waterproof connectors, splice connectors, heat shrink connectors, inline wire connectors, lever wire nut connectors, and even toolless wire connectors.
The choice is up to you, but it will also vary in terms of your field, whether your automotive require particular types of connectors or not. For example, if you use your automotive in agriculture, mining, and construction, you might need a specialized tool and more rugged connector types.