Tools & DIY · Head-to-head
Southwire 12/3 SJTW 50 ft Lighted Extension Cord vs Southwire 14/3 SJTW 50 ft Extension Cord
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Extension Cords for Tools: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The 12 gauge Southwire handles high-draw tools with margin to spare. The 14 gauge version carries the same 15 amp rating at 50 feet for less weight.
Southwire 12/3 SJTW 50 ft Lighted Extension Cord
Buy itA heavy 12 gauge outdoor cord rated 15 amps, made for high-draw tools and equipment.
- 12 gauge all-copper wire, rated 15 amps, 125 volts and 1875 watts.
- Southwire recommends it for heavy-duty equipment and tools.
- Lighted end shows when power is on, and the bright jacket is easy to spot on a jobsite.
- Heavier and stiffer to coil than a 14 gauge cord.
- Costs more than lighter cords of the same length.
- A single outlet; you need a separate tap for several tools.
Southwire 14/3 SJTW 50 ft Extension Cord
Buy itA lighter 14 gauge outdoor cord that still carries a 15 amp rating at 50 feet.
- Rated 15 amps, 125 volts and 1875 watts, the same rating as the 12 gauge cord at this length.
- Lighter and easier to coil and carry than 12 gauge.
- Outdoor jacket and a lighted end.
- Thinner wire than 12 gauge, so it has less margin on long runs and heavy loads.
- Buy longer 14 gauge cords with care; ratings drop as length increases.
- Not the cord for tools that run near their limit all day.
Side by side
The 8 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Southwire 12/3 SJTW 50 ft Lighted Extension Cord Our pick | Southwire 14/3 SJTW 50 ft Extension Cord | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Saws, mowers, compressors and other high-draw tools, especially on longer runs. | Everyday DIY tools and yard work within 50 feet of an outlet. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
| Gauge / conductors | 12/3 | 14/3 |
| Length | 50 ft | 50 ft |
| Rating | 15 A, 1875 W | 15 A, 1875 W |
| Jacket | SJTW outdoor vinyl | SJTW outdoor |
| Lighted end | Yes | Yes |
| Marketed as | Heavy duty | Heavy duty |
| High-draw tools | Yes | Yes, within 50 ft |
| Best for | Saws, mowers, compressors | Everyday DIY |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Southwire 12/3 SJTW 50 ft Lighted Extension Cord if
saws, mowers, compressors and other high-draw tools, especially on longer runs.
Know before buying: heavier and stiffer to coil than a 14 gauge cord.
Pick the Southwire 14/3 SJTW 50 ft Extension Cord if
everyday DIY tools and yard work within 50 feet of an outlet.
Know before buying: thinner wire than 12 gauge, so it has less margin on long runs and heavy loads.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Southwire 12/3 SJTW 50 ft Lighted Extension Cord - A heavy 12 gauge outdoor cord rated 15 amps, made for high-draw tools and equipment. Choose the Southwire 14/3 SJTW 50 ft Extension Cord instead if everyday DIY tools and yard work within 50 feet of an outlet.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Extension Cords for Tools: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).