The Best Electrical Tape

Buying Guide for Electrical Tape

Why buy electrical tape?

Electrical tape possesses unique properties that other types of adhesives do not. It’s heat-resistant and highly elastic, allowing you to insulate wires and circuitry in appliances or make safe repairs to damaged cables. Regardless of whether you’re an electrician, it certainly comes in handy.

What should you look for in electrical tape?

• Material: Electrical tape can be produced in various materials for specific purposes. Some manage better in high-moisture or low-temperature environments or are generally more effective when applied outdoors over indoor settings. Choose what you need to get the job done.
• Color: Different colors of electrical tape represent the wire’s purpose. For specification and safety purposes, color-coding your tape can save you a headache in the long run.

Is duct tape a viable alternative to electrical tape?

This is an oft-asked question, and in the many instances where electrical tape is needed, it should not be used as a substitute for electrical tape. Duct tape does not have heat resistance and electrical insulation properties like electrical tape, meaning duct tape is an unsafe alternative.

Our Picks for the Best Electrical Tape

Pros: This is a highly versatile roll of electrical tape. It’s made with a PVC film over a rubber adhesive and is 66 feet long. It’s incredibly resilient, rated up to 176 degrees Fahrenheit and is resistant to conditions like moisture, abrasion, and acids.

Cons: The adhesive may be faulty. While this tape works well for its genuine purpose, it isn’t the best option for cosmetic purposes.

Bottom Line: It’s a great roll of tape that outshines most others, but consider your alternatives if decoration is what you’re going for.

 

Pros: You’ll get fair value from this roll of tape. It comes in a pack of ten. However, you can purchase alternative color options or single rolls. It’s made with an industrial-grade PVC and resistant to acids, alkalis, UV, and other conditions. Its adhesive is UL-certified.

Cons: The adhesive is subpar compared to other rolls of tape. However, this only seems to be the case on surfaces that the electrical tape is not intended for.

Bottom Line: For what it’s worth, it’s a decent roll of tape, but it might not satisfy your decoration or organizational needs.

 

Pros: Again, the WOD ETC766 takes the cake as one of the top options for electrical tape. At a 1-inch width, you’ll be able to cover more surface area. Enjoy its professional-grade material and uber resistance.

Cons: It’s not the best choice for cosmetic purposes like labeling.

Bottom Line: This is a solid 1-inch-thick pick for your basic and heavy-duty projects.

 

Pros: If you’re looking for extra width, this is a top contender. It is made with expansive vinyl, super stretchy for your home projects. It’s resistant to freezing, abrasion, moisture, acids, and corrosion. It’s also flame-retardant and UL-listed.

Cons: This may not have as strong adhesive as other options.

Bottom Line: It’s a high-quality tape that’ll care for professional electric issues and minor around-the-home wire problems.

 

Pros: This set of ten offers 30 feet in length at a 3/4-inch width. It’s flame-retardant and resistant to acids, UV, alkalis, moisture, etc. It can handle up to 600 volts and handle freezing and hot conditions.

Cons: Each roll of tape is pretty short in comparison to others.

Bottom Line: While each roll is about half the length as what you’d typically expect, you can’t beat the cost-effectiveness of this pack of ten.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a homeowner, DIY-er, or electrician, you’ll probably need a roll of electrical tape at some point in time. It can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re looking for, so consider these picks as a starting guide.