Comparing The Best Wire Connectors On The Market!

This video will compare lever nuts from 2 of the major names in electrical connectors IDEAL and WAGO. I have used WAGO 221 lever nuts for years now and often highlight them on the channel so I might be a bit biased. I do like IDEAL and think it is great to have a little competition to help drive down prices and improve features/design.

Free Home Maintenance Checklist:

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[shopart]

We have used both mainly for convenience when purchasing. What we found is the Ideal brand seem to have a second locking device when pushed closed. For this reason, we use the Ideal brand most often and when available.

[paulprobusjr.]

One thing I would recommend is taking one of the Wago's and Ideal's that was tested for maximum pull out load and re-test it to see if that pull out strength was compromised. Other than that, I do think you did a great job on your testing.👍

[stans]

I'm actually glad I checked on these as the wire connectors that I purchased a year ago [although branded differently] fall into the same category as the inferior one.

[Resist]

I love your testing, you are honest and fair. Keep doing what you do!

[vincentrobinette]

For joining 2 wires, I favor twist on wire nuts. For 3 or more conductors, I like Wago. I like them, because in my experience, you're having to reach up to a box, you can't see very well, and it's absolutely imperative that you see the end of the wire extending beyond the bus bar in the connector. The Wago is easier to see, than the Ideal. I don't find the problem with the nut levers hooking to be much of a problem, it's easy to deal with, if you're aware. I favor the Wago, because it's more compact, making it easier to "stuff" more connections into a junction box. (I just wish they made 4-conductor versions)

[sarasal]

Very High Praise! Vago as the company calls them (German) haha is Fantastic !! Built a large home dehydrator using only Wago connectors. That system had both 100 v and 12 v sistems for fans and lights. the Wago connectors worked equally well in both applications . Probably not requied, but I soldered any stranded wire (tinned actually) to make a rigid end to insert and afford a more secure connection. I am now making connections in my electric guitars . Doing this makes a Pickguard easily removable and changeable with out having to un-solder the main connections . HIGHLY HIGHLY Recommend these !! If you are not using these ....You should try a sample and see for yourself! Thanks for reading!

[Eddy]

I knew you would get around to testing the Ideal vs Wago ... I'm actually good with either one ... They both work well ... Thx

[mmstetler]

I love all these comparison videos with lever nuts. Super useful (and great reassurance about using lever nuts)

[Cymaphore]

Another very significant difference: WAGO provides a lot of mounting capabilities, for example a DIN-Rail universal-holder (221-500). This way you can avoid flying connections in distribution panels / din-rail-boxes. 221 is available with ex-Rating as well (221-482)

Selection of other useful accessories:
The Gelbox, A waterproof miniature enclosure (207-1x31)
Universal strain releave and mounting adapter for the through connectors (221-2503)
Surface mounting adapters with Strain releave capability (for example 221-502, 221-503, 221-505)
Enclosures for building heating and building control wiring setups (207-4301)
Wagobox

Some third party manufacturers design enclosures and junction boxes specifically to contain wago 221 or are sipped with it, for example Merten MEG1010-9019, Spelsberg A-Box SL, Wiska-Box 85, many Shelly-Accessories provide 221 mounting capabilities.

None of this is available for the ideal connectors, unlike 221 they are not designed to be mounted or fixed somewhere on a regular basis.

That should be considered as well.

[Ariccio]

Ah! You read my mind. Wanted to see the new ones tested!

[dave]

To me, heat = resistance. So that being said, which ever connector runs coolest under load would be my choice.

[WoodworkerDan]

Great video. I have been using Wago connectors ever since I saw them on your channel, and I love them. I am less familiar with Ideal connectors, but my understanding is that you push solid core wire directly into the Ideal connector (like the stab connection on the back of an electrical outlet) without opening the lever. That said, I am sticking with the Wago.

[joepacheco]

My experience with these lever nuts, as you showed with the Wago version, is that a few times when stuffing the wires in, or pulling them out for whatever reason, the levers lift and come undone. And if a certain wire was not labeled and a few come out by chance, I'm back to square one. That being said, that has also happened with some traditional wire nuts as well, but not as often. Granted this has happened in up to a large five gang box or smaller with tons of wires going all over the place. I love the 10 gauge version. If you've ever crimped 10 gauge wires together for a wire nut the difference is night and day. Also these are great for troubleshooting.

[PaulSteMarie]

Your temperature chart shows a pretty clear advantage to wire nuts, which is expect just due to the connection cross-section. For permanent connections inside fixtures, I'd probably use UL-rated crimps with a good ratcheting crimp tool like the Greenlee/Paladin offering. For connections that need to be maintainable, wire nuts for solid wire and lever nuts for stranded. Possibly use ferrules on the stranded stuff, although that's more for machine tool internals.

[MrKen]

Also, the ideal lever will click down vs. nothing on the wago. I like the wago and the design is really cool, but I feel more confident with ideal. The ideal have been hard to get for a while but notice lowes now carries them.

[jviews]

Excellent thank you. I think I will continue to wire nut high wattage.amperage areas and use these nuts for lower wattage applications (lights).

[tipsclubs]

You always have Great and Concise information when you check out Products. We like that. Thanks again, and keep up the Great Work.

[LeonS-pymp]

Thanks. Loved your thorough technical assessment. Was going to go Wago based on an earlier video, but since I’m adding a garage opener outlet, would never get close to the thermal needs and Insure’s derating is fine even for longer duration future uses. Like the strength of the Insure as well.

[MrKen]

The ideal allows for push in without lifting the lever which is a faster install.

[jefferylebowski]

Great pull test! This makes me wonder how much force a wire nut could handle, my guess is level nuts might win that comparison