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PEX A vs PEX B: what are the pros and cons? If you’re a homeowner or a plumber new to the trade, it’s important to know the difference. PEX is becoming increasingly popular in residential plumbing, and is quickly replacing copper as the go-to domestic piping option. Why? Because PEX scores high on longevity, as well as on the cost of materials and labor to install it.

There are two dominant brands of PEX: PEX A and PEX B. (A popular PEX A manufacturer is Uponor, while Zurn is a big manufacturer of PEX B.) PEX A and PEX B have different joining methods and different pros and cons. Let’s explore them now.

While the materials, fittings, and sleeves for PEX A and PEX B can fluctuate, PEX B is the overall cheaper material. (However, when considering cost, it’s important to consider labor and installation, too. More on this later.)

Material: $0.35/foot

90º fittings: $1.00/each

Sleeves: $0.15/each

Tool: Milwaukee Automatic Expansion Tool, $250

Material: $0.21/foot

90º fittings: $1.44/each

Sleeves: $0.20/each

Tool: Zurn manual crimp tool, $150.00

Looking at these two pipes side by side, PEX A and PEX B are almost the exact same size. However, the difference lies in the flow restriction.

PEX A uses an expansion-style fitting. These fittings are much larger in diameter the PEX B fittings, and require an expansion tool. Using the expansion tool, you enlarge the pipe and sleeve in order slide in the fitting. Because PEX A is expandable, the material’s memory will ensure that it will shrink back to its normal size, tightening snugly around the fitting.

Pros: The PEX A joining method eliminates the risk of flow restriction, since the fitting is the same diameter as the pipe. Additionally, the expansion fitting is ergonomic for tight spaces: if you’re installing PEX A in a hard-to-reach area like a joist-bay, you can expand the fitting while in a comfortable position. You will have a few seconds before that expansion shrinks back down, which is more than enough time to join it with an already-installed pipe.

Con: In cold environments, like ours in Montana, it can take a long time for expansion-style fittings to shrink back down to their original size. The solution? Get a heat gun, and use it to warm up the fitting to speed up the process.

PEX B uses an insert-style fitting. After inserting the fitting into the pipe, you fasten it in place with a copper sleeve, using the crimp tool.

Pro: Because PEX B doesn’t require an expansion tool, the joining method is faster and simpler than the process for PEX A. In cold or hot weather, the joining method workflow remains the same.

Con: Because PEX B fittings are smaller in diameter, this joining method downsizes the diameter of the pipe at the joint. The result is an increased resistance to flow and a decreased volume of water to the fixtures in your home. Additionally, the joining method isn’t as ergonomic as PEX A: if the crimp tool isn’t square on the sleeve, you can crimp it crooked and cause a leak.

PEX A is very flexible, which allows you to make closer radial bends than PEX B. Another big plus: if PEX A pipe kinks, which is common, you can repair it using a heat gun. The heat will activate the material, causing it to expand back to original shape.

Since PEX B is made of the same expansive material as PEX A, its flexibility is limited. Therefore, if the pipe kinks, there is no way to repair it — you must cut it out and start over.

An incorrectly sized system is one of the most common problems our service techs see in the field. This problem is often related to PEX B plumbing systems. As mentioned above, PEX B’s insert-style fitting can caused a bottleneck in your plumbing system. So if you’re a DIYer who plans to install PEX B, be sure to upsize your system to account for the flow restriction.

Since PEX A uses an expansion-style fitting, you do not need to worry about upsizing your system.

Living in a cold environment means your plumbing system runs the risk of freezing during extreme temperatures. And when pipes freeze, they can burst. PEX A and PEX B respond to this risk differently.

Bottom line, PEX A is more resistant to burst pressure than PEX B. PEX A’s expansive material can handle up to 500 PSI, which makes it reliable in extremely cold temperatures. Since PEX B is a more rigid material, it will not hold up as well in similar situations.

We’ve installed PEX A and PEX B systems for years. After thousands of job hours of installing them in service, commercial, and residential projects, we ultimately prefer PEX A. This system is superior to PEX B from a warranty perspective and a cost-savings perspective — and is overall a better system.

That being said, we’ve installed a ton of PEX B. If you’re a homeowner with limited access to PEX A tools and fittings, PEX B is a fine substitute. Just head over to your neighboring Home Depot and Lowes to get all the PEX B materials you need. However, make sure you’re upsizing your system — we usually recommend one pipe size — to account for the restriction in the fitting, as well as being square on the sleeves when you crimp them.

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