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Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire vs 8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground

These are different tools, not rivals. The Southwire 12/2 is the everyday branch-circuit wire for 20-amp outlets, switches and lighting; the 8/3 is for heavy single loads like a range, subpanel feed or large appliance that needs 40 amps and two hots plus neutral. Buy the 12/2 for general wiring and the 8/3 for the big dedicated circuit. Owners rate the Southwire highly for its SIMpull jacket, which pulls through studs and boxes with less friction; the 8/3 is stiffer, heavier per foot and harder to bend in tight spaces.

  • Choose the Southwire 12/2 if you are wiring standard 20-amp receptacle, switch or lighting circuits in dry interior walls and ceilings.
  • Choose the 8/3 if you need a 40-amp circuit for a range, dryer, subpanel or other heavy 240-volt load.

Prices

  • Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire: $32.99 at Amazon (last seen Nov 9)
  • 8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground: $293.91 at Testing Developer Store (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire is $260.92 cheaper than the 8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground at the latest prices (Nov 9)
Southwire
Southwire 28828222 12/2 50' with Ground Romex Brand SIMpull Residential Indoor Electrical Wire Type NM-B Yellow

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

Southwire 28828222 12/2 50' with Ground Romex Brand SIMpull Residential Indoor Electrical Wire Type NM-B Yellow

4.7(73 ratings)
$32.99at AmazonChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Pros
  • SIMpull jacket pulls more easily through framing and conduit bends
  • Solid 12 AWG holds shape and terminates cleanly on devices
  • Yellow sheath is easy to identify as 20-amp wire
  • Rated 600 volts and 90°C, with ampacity limited to 60°C per code
  • Strong owner rating for a commodity wire
Cons
  • Only 20 amps, so it cannot feed large appliances
  • Two conductors plus ground, no neutral for 240-volt loads needing one
  • Solid conductor is less forgiving in tight, repeated bends
8
8/3 NM-B Wire w/ Ground

8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground

8/3 NM-B Wire w/ Ground

$293.91at Testing Developer StoreChecked Nov 9
See all prices and details
Visit Testing Developer Store
Pros
  • 40-amp capacity for ranges, dryers and subpanel feeds
  • Three conductors plus ground support 240-volt loads with neutral
  • Stranded 8 AWG copper is durable and handles vibration better
  • Meets UL 83, UL 719 and ASTM specs
  • Lead free and RoHS compliant
Cons
  • Stiff and heavy, awkward in small boxes and tight runs
  • Stranded ends need care to terminate without stray strands
  • Overkill and hard to work with on ordinary lighting circuits

What separates them

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground
Wire gauge12 AWG solid copper8 AWG stranded copper
Conductors2 conductors plus ground3 conductors plus ground
Ampacity20 amps on a 12-gauge branch circuit40 amps
Circuit type120-volt general-purpose branch circuits240-volt dedicated appliance and feeder circuits
FlexibilitySolid 12 AWG bends easily in boxesStranded 8 AWG is stiff and harder to route
Pull frictionSIMpull jacket reduces pulling effortStandard PVC sheath
Weight per footAbout 0.087 lb per footAbout 0.254 lb per foot
Common useOutlets, switches, lighting in dry locationsRanges, dryers, subpanels, large equipment

Price history

  • Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire: lowest $32.99 on Nov 9 at Amazon; $73.00 on Nov 10.

Prices at every store

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $35.97Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Walmart
  • eBayNew

    In stock

    $39.68Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit eBay
  • Blain's Farm & FleetNew

    In stock

    $41.99+ $10.95 shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Blain's Farm & Fleet
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $32.99Free shippingChecked Nov 9
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • eBayCheck price at eBay

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 9 stores and price history →

8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground

  • Global Cable and WireNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $3.59Checked Nov 9
    Visit Global Cable and Wire
  • Testing Developer StoreNew

    Availability unknown

    $293.91Checked Nov 9
    Visit Testing Developer Store
All 2 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecSouthwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground
Conductor Size12 AWG8 AWG
Voltage Rating600 volts600 volts
sizeEA—
colorBlack—
Conductor Number2—
Conductor StrandsSolid—
Ground Size1x12—
Approx. OD0.422 inches—
Approx. Weight87 lbs/1000'—
Jacket ColorYELLOW—
Length50 ft.—
Maximum Temperature90 deg C—
Show all 25 specsShow fewer specs
SpecSouthwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground
Wire/Cable TypeNM-B—
Weight1.81 kg—
Wire Gauge12 gauge—
Number of conductors—3
Ground wire size—10 AWG
Allowable ampacity—40 Amps
Weight per foot—0.254 lbs
Nominal cable dimensions—14.2mm / 0.55 inches
PVC insulation thickness—0.76 mm / 0.029 inches
Nylon thickness

What reviewers say

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

  • 4.7 / 573 ratings

Electricians and DIYers rate it highly, praising the slick jacket and clean stripping. Complaints center on stiffness in cold and the usual NM-B limits.

What people mention
  • Pull easePraisedOwners say the SIMpull jacket slides through framing with noticeably less effort.
  • StrippingPraisedReviewers report the sheath strips cleanly and the conductors are easy to terminate.
  • Cold stiffnessCriticisedUsers say the cable stiffens in cold weather and needs warming before bending.
  • LengthMixedSome find 50 ft enough for a circuit, others run short on longer pulls.

8/3 NM-B Wire with Ground

Electricians and homeowners who use NM-B cable like this rate it for solid copper, clear color coding and code compliance, and inspectors accept it readily. The common complaints are stiffness, especially in cold weather, and the effort of pulling 8-gauge through tight paths.

What people mention
  • FlexibilityCriticisedOwners say the cable is stiff, especially in cold weather, and hard to bend around tight corners.
  • BuildPraisedBuyers report solid copper conductors and a tough jacket that holds up during pulls.
  • Code compliancePraisedUsers say it meets NEC requirements and passes inspection as Romex-equivalent NM-B.
  • InstallationMixedColor-coded conductors help at the box, but pulling 8-gauge through long runs takes effort.

Questions and answers

Which one do I need for a kitchen outlet circuit?
The 12/2. Standard kitchen small-appliance circuits are 20-amp, 120-volt circuits, which is exactly what 12/2 NM-B is made for.
Can I use the 8/3 for a range?
Yes, if your range calls for a 40-amp circuit. The 8/3 gives you two hots, a neutral and a ground, which is what a 240-volt range needs.
Which is easier to pull through walls?
The Southwire 12/2. Its SIMpull jacket is designed to slide with less friction, and the smaller, lighter cable is far easier to handle than 8/3.
Is one built better than the other?
Both are standard NM-B copper cable built to UL and NEC requirements. The difference is gauge and construction, not quality; the 8/3 uses stranded copper, the 12/2 solid.
Can I use either one outdoors or in a wet spot?
No. NM-B is for normally dry locations only. Use UF cable or conduit for damp, wet or outdoor runs.
Do I need the 8/3 if I already have 12/2 on hand?
Only if the load needs more than 20 amps or a 240-volt circuit with neutral. For outlets, switches and lighting, the 12/2 is the right wire.

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More comparisons

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  • 10/2 W/GRND NM-B 600V Solid Orange vs 8/3 NM-B Wire w/ Ground

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best electrical wire for home wiring
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0.13 mm / 0.005 inches
Conductor insulation rating—90°C
Sheath—30 mil color coded PVC sheath rated 90C
Conductor material—annealed soft bare copper