Best Banana Plugs for Speaker Wire – Why Settle for One?

FACTS CHECKED BY  Jose George​

Best Banana Plugs for Speaker Wire Banana plugs are a game-changer for speaker wiring, specifically if you constantly rearrange your music room or move houses.

Moreover, the cable prevents a bare wire from rusting and fraying since it is a cover-up material. 

Today’s article will explain why you need banana plugs and outline the best ones for speaker wires. 

Table of Contents

Why use Banana Plugs for speakers?

Banana plugs provide a range of benefits applicable in the long run. 

  • Decreasing oxidation; Oxidation often destroys a good audio conductor. Nonetheless, a quality banana plug has a protective seal that lessens any oxidation effect.
  • Color-coded; The color codes in banana plugs ensure an easy in-phase connection to your speakers. 
  • Aesthetics; Undeniably, banana plugs make wiring terminals neat, clean, and pleasing to the eye. 
  • Stray wires; Banana plugs enable stray wires to stretch across and attach to another terminal, as seen in stereo amplifiers with closed terminals. 
  • Uninterrupted connection; The plugs guarantee a solid connection by ensuring you fit the naked wires into the terminal’s screw cap and slot.  
  • Reduced tear and wear; on your amps, speakers, and cables, coupled with less physical contact with the elements. Also, reduce human oil or humid conditions on the cable to stop their degradation. 
  • Different speakers and multiple amplifiers; The plugs work great for many speaker sets or a HiFi stereo unit. 
  • Convenience; Banana plugs are easy to work with when assembling or moving speaker pole terminals. 

Types of Banana Plugs

The different types of banana plugs usually fall into the following categories;

  •  Straight; is the most common and typical plug. 
  • 90-degree angled (right-angled); It is ideal for placing your speaker against the wall.
  • Short base; It offers a short length, i.e., 4mm at the short end. 

Best Banana Plugs for Speakers Wire

Here are our top six. 

Sewell SW-29863-12 Deadbolt Banana Plugs

Amazon purchase link

Amazon purchase link

Features and Benefits 

  • The self-crimping cable has the best-rated units and a 24K gold-plating.
  • Additionally, it has saw-styled teeth that easily grip wires.
  • Its package has 12 pairs, the right amount for a center speaker and stereo front pair. Furthermore, it can work for two additional surround speakers and a center. 
  • It is secure and has short-circuit protection. 

Disadvantages 

  • Unfortunately, the Deadbolt cable version plugs loosen over the years after softening.
  • It has a wide base.

Customer review 

“It was easy to connect the speaker wire to these plugs.

The plugs seem well-made, and I’ve had no issues with them.”

Mediabridge Banana Plugs

Amazon purchase link

Amazon purchase link

Features and Benefits 

  • It has a color coding (red and white) for polarity indication.
  • Then, its 24K gold-plating ascertains corrosion protection and maximum cable conductivity.
  • Moreover, you can easily install and use the cable. 
  • Its durability and reusability are top-notch. 

Disadvantages 

  • The red and black rubber strips may have poor gripping.
  • A bit expensive compared to other cables.
  • Also, not everyone might like the silver-colored enclosure. 

Customer review

“These plugs look awesome and are shorter than the old ones I used.

They are easy to install, and everything fits tight, especially when plugging into the jacks on a receiver or wall plate.”

Monoprice Banana Plugs for Speakers

Amazon purchase link

Amazon purchase link

Features and Benefits

  • It is cost-effective and has a tapping screw/self-crimping mechanism on its top.
  • Then, it’s 24K Gold-plated. 
  • It can withstand up to 12-18 AWG speaker wires, thus preventing shorts. 

Disadvantages 

  • Five as a pair may not favor a complete installation. 

Customer review

“Very easy to use, especially if you’re constantly changing your system configurations or using them for a portable setup.”

Best Banana Plugs for Speaker Wire:

Viborg Banana Plugs – Pure Copper Twin Screw

Amazon purchase link

Amazon purchase link

Features and Benefits 

  • It can handle up to 4mm AWG speaker wire. 
  • Secondly, you’ll find it in several types apart from pure copper banana plugs.
  • It fits perfectly via the twin-screw speaker cable attachment. 

Disadvantages 

  • It is expensive, considering it has four pieces. 

Customer review

“These are great banana plugs. Easy to put on and stays attached nicely and securely. These are perfect!”

Best Banana Plugs for Speaker Wire:

FosPower 24K Gold Plated Banana Plugs

Amazon purchase link

Amazon purchase link

Features and Benefits 

  • First, it offers secure connections.
  • Besides having a durable and sleek design, it also has gold connectors that ensure maximum conductivity. 

Disadvantages 

  • Sadly, it only allows at most 12AWG wires.
  • It also needs more procedure and keenness during its installation. 

Customer review

“These connectors are great. I used them for my system. Fit in my sub-box perfectly. I also used them to set up my house stereo receiver. Amazing quality and very well made. I will buy more when I hook up my daughter’s system in her ride.”

Best Banana Plugs for Speaker Wire:

Strike Banana Plugs – Sewell Direct

Amazon purchase link

Amazon purchase link

Features and Benefits 

  • It is easy to fit and super-fast.
  • What’s more, its 3.5cm is compact and effective.
  • It can hold approximately 10-18 AWG gauge speaker wires.
  • Also, it comprises a 24K gold-plated cone and tip. 
  • Manufacturers use the patent-pending V-Lock technology in making it. 

Disadvantages 

  • It may be weak when compared to twin-screw or crimp banana plugs. 

Customer review

“These are the best among the dozens I’ve tried! Easiest to attach. Least likely to short out. Most compact. Most solid. Indestructible in reasonable or even unreasonable use. One pays a premium, but they are worth it.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, investing in a quality banana plug will determine how long your bare wire lasts.

For ease of work, you can always start with our top three. It includes Sewell, Mediabridge, and Monoprice.

Here at Clooms, we offer several services based on custom wiring.

Therefore, please get in touch with us if you need any help in the field.