Which is better for a kitchen circuit?

The 12/2. Kitchen small-appliance circuits need 20 amps, and 14/2 is limited to 15 amps.

Can I use 14/2 on a 20-amp breaker?

No. The breaker must match the wire: 15 amps for 14 AWG, 20 amps for 12 AWG.

Both are solid copper NM-B with the same insulation and temperature rating, so service life is the same. The difference is capacity, not durability.

Is the 12/2 worth stepping up to?

Yes if you are unsure of the circuit size or may add loads later. It covers 20-amp circuits and gives you twice the length.

Can either be used outdoors or in wet spots?

No. NM-B is for dry indoor locations, including exposed and concealed work in walls and ceilings.

Do I need conduit for these?

Not inside walls, ceilings or floors in dry locations. Where code requires physical protection, such as exposed runs in a garage, use conduit or a protective plate.

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire vs Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

For most branch-circuit work, buy the 12/2 50 ft roll: 12 AWG carries 20 amps, so it covers kitchen, bathroom and garage circuits that 14/2 cannot. The 14/2 is the lighter, cheaper-feeling choice for 15-amp lighting and outlet runs where a short length is enough. Both are solid copper NM-B from Southwire with SIMpull jackets, and owners rate them equally at 4.7 stars; the real difference is gauge and length, not build quality.

Choose the 14/2 25 ft if you are wiring 15-amp lighting or outlet circuits and only need a short run.
Choose the 12/2 50 ft if you need 20-amp circuits or a longer pull, such as kitchen, bath or garage outlets.

Prices

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire: $25.00 at Home Depot (last seen Nov 2)
Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire: $32.99 at Amazon (checked today)
Difference: the Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire is $7.99 cheaper than the Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire at the latest prices (Nov 2 and Nov 9)

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 25' Residential NM-B Cu Indoor Electrical Wire

	Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire	Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire
Wire gauge and ampacity	14 AWG, rated 15 amps	12 AWG, rated 20 amps
Length on the roll	25 ft	50 ft
Jacket color	White, the standard color for 14 AWG NM-B	Yellow, the standard color for 12 AWG NM-B
Outer diameter	About 0.372 in, easier to fish through tight holes	About 0.422 in, stiffer and harder to bend
Weight	About 61 lbs per 1000 ft	About 87 lbs per 1000 ft
Box fill and conduit fit	Smaller footprint, fits more easily in crowded boxes	Takes more box volume per conductor
Circuit coverage	15-amp circuits only	20-amp circuits, including kitchen small-appliance and bath circuits
Voltage and temperature rating	600 V, 90 C	600 V, 90 C

Spec	Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire	Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire
color	White	Black
Wire Gauge	14 AWG	12 gauge
Conductor Strands	Solid	Solid
Ground Size	1x14	1x12
Approx. OD	0.372 inches	0.422 inches
Approx. Weight	61 lbs/1000'	87 lbs/1000'
Voltage Rating	600 V	600 volts
Conductor Size	14 AWG (grounding conductor)	12 AWG
Length	15 ft	50 ft.
Number of Conductors	2	—
Jacket Thickness	25 mils	—
Insulation Thickness	20 mils	—

Spec	Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire	Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire
Copper Weight	37 lbs/1000'	—
Current Rating	15 A	—
Operating Temperature	90 deg C	—
Type	Romex wire, NM-B cable	—
Wire Configuration	W/G	—
Insulation Material	PVC	—
Construction Type	Solid	—
Conductor Material	Copper	—
Ampacity	15 amps	—
Impedance

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire vs Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

Prices

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire vs Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

Prices

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

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Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

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Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

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Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

Specs compared

What reviewers say

Southwire Romex SIMpull 14/2 NM-B Wire

Southwire Romex SIMpull 12/2 NM-B Wire

Questions and answers

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