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

Both are Southwire Romex SIMpull NM-B copper cable with solid conductors and a bare ground, so build quality and pulling ease are the same. The real difference is gauge: 14/2 carries 15 amps and 12/2 carries 20 amps. Buy 14/2 for lighting and general 15-amp branch circuits; buy 12/2 for kitchen, bathroom, laundry and other 20-amp circuits. Owners rate both 4.7 out of 5, and the 12/2 has far more ratings, which fits its wider use in remodels.

• Choose the 14/2 if you are wiring lighting, switches or outlets on a 15-amp breaker and want the thinner, easier-to-bend cable.
• Choose the 12/2 if the circuit is on a 20-amp breaker, such as a kitchen counter, bathroom or laundry, where code requires the heavier gauge.