Which pex brand is best?

PEX fittings are essential to complete your project with one of the World’s best inventions – PEX tubing. PEX is such an amazing product that it has replaced century-old pipe technologies and best practices. PEX lasts longer black pipe, it is more durable than copper pipe, and PEX has now passed the test of time since it has been successfully used now for many decades.

But which PEX fittings to use? There are many options: you have probably heard of Sharkbites, clamps, expansion fittings, and our top choice – “Copper Crimp” fittings. There are pros and cons as always, but the clear winner is Copper Crimp fittings, and here’s why:

First Sharkbite: This one is easy, they have a poor performance record, and they are expensive.

Next, clamps: This one is easy too. Clamps do not have the holding power for longevity. They pop loose, sometimes after a few months or years, and always at the most inconvenient times. And it is a big mess to clean up when this happens.

Third, the expansion fittings require a very expensive tool that is cumbersome to use, and of course, these fittings will only work with “PEX-A”, a more expensive version of PEX that costs more money, but without additional value to justify the cost. We only use PEX-B, the most widely used and trusted PEX by far.

Finally, our clear winner… is “Crimp Fittings with Copper Crimp Rings”.

Crimp Fittings with Copper Crimp Rings are very low cost, and the highest, long-lasting quality. It is like getting Mercedes-level quality engineering for the price of a bicycle. These Crimp Fittings are the clear winner not just in our minds but in every industry that values top quality at the lowest cost.

Crimp Fittings are the style of PEX fittings that have the barbed ends. You simply slip the copper crimp ring over the end of your PEX tubing, push the barbed end of the fitting into the PEX, position the copper crimp ring over the barbs, the squeeze the crimp ring in place. Sometimes there is a tool that will measure the diameter of the crimp ring after it has been crimped to show that sufficient pressure has been applied.

The best news? Once you pressurize the tubing and see that there are no leaks, it will NEVER leak. (At least not that we have ever seen.) You are good for life. If there is a leak, NO worries – just crimp it again with the crimp tool, and that should be all that is needed.

One other piece of advice: There is always enough room on the barbed end of the PEX fitting to use two crimp rings. We recommend using TWO crimp rings on each fitting for additional finality. This creates a seal that you won’t have to think about ever again.

Our TOP Recommendation

Again, our #1 recommendation is to always use PEX Crimp fittings with Copper Crimp Rings. Click here to search our fittings, and if you don’t find what you need, just contact us and we can get you what you need. (Our online store does not show all the sizes and styles we have available.)

We are your one-stop shop for PEX Crimp Fittings of ALL sizes!

• TUBOMART.
• Apollo.
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• Rehau.

PEX manifolds are commonly used in modern plumbing to smartly distribute water for heating or general plumbing. A manifold is a pre-assembled loop box that has a tubular chamber and a number of parallel water stream ports in various inlet sizes. The different chambers are designed to distribute cold or hot water in different lines to multiple zones around a house. As opposed to the traditional circuit design, it allows for a wide range of control over the entire plumbing system.

Image credit: Shutterstock/Michael Smolkin

Each water line in a PEX system is individually controlled, allowing the halt of the flow of water in any one line without impacting the others. Copper and brass used to be the most common materials used to make lines and manifolds in the past. However, PEX manifolds are now constructed of high-quality cross-linked polyethylene, which is more flexible, corrosion resistant, and has fewer joints which makes leaks in a PEX system even less likely. A pipe manifold saves installation time and considerably reduces long-term maintenance expenses. As a rule, it is installed in a secure and accessible location, such as the basement.

Here is a list of the best PEX manifolds, followed by a buying guide to help you select the best PEX manifold.

Have a look at our top recommendations below for all your plumbing needs.

Scroll down to read more about these top picks for the best PEX manifold system, according to many happy buyers.

*Prices listed in this article were as shown in US$ on amazon.com (USA) and homedepot.com as of August 2022

The Viega 50243 is a great option for those looking for a system that meets plumbing fitting requirements with a 24-loop design; nine transport hot water and 15 deliver cold water, so it can service whole buildings with ease. It comes with poly-alloy port adapters (although you will need to purchase the crimp rings separately) for more effective system management and is corrosion-free.

Even when subjected to high hydraulic pressure, this system is extremely robust. Customers noted that it is surprisingly simple to install, and can meet most plumbing needs provided you have the correct equipment. One customer helpfully advised crimping “the PEX-A on the Viega adapter and PEX-A expansion the rest of the way.”

The Radiant Heating CMI1634-3 is made of stainless steel that has been chrome coated for extra durability. It services up to 12 ports, and each manifold has its own flow meter, shut-off ball and drain valves, and compression connections. The separate flow meters allow you to measure the GPM through each branch, so you can monitor consumption and for leaks. This item has heavy-duty mounting brackets for easy attachment to any wall structure and also comes pressure tested so you can attach it to your water heater right out of the box. It is not, however, intended for drinking water usage.

Despite its low price, customers noted this is a great unit for home run heating. One professional was shocked to discover that this unit is comparable to much higher-end products, and wrote, “Once I found this brand, and held up the units side by side, I knew it was a purely profit-based difference in cost. These are the exact same systems that you'll pay hundreds more for… From the gaskets to the temperature gauges.”

If you're in search of a multi-valve single point of control for a potable water supply or hydronic pipe system, the Apollo 6907912CP 12-port PEX manifold with its ½-inch brass ball valves is a great option. It comes with up to 36 ports, which can be connected to either PEX A or PEX B piping, depending on your needs. Installing this manifold circuit gives a single point of flow control over each outlet and eliminates the need for extra fittings or connections between the water supply and the point-of-use fixture.

It has been certified with ASTM F877 and NSF approvals for drinking water and heating use. Although these types of manifolds are mainly used for potable water pipe systems, they can also be integrated into a building’s hydronic heating system with the addition of a temperature dial and a connection to the water heater. Copper crimps, stainless steel pinch clamps, or stainless steel crimp sleeves can be used to secure the ApolloPEX manifolds, but they are sold separately.

To service multiple water streams at the same time, this SharkBite line multi-port tee has one ¾-inch inlet and ½-inch outputs for a steady flow rate. Its straight connection plumbing fittings are designed to bond copper tubing, CTS, CPVC, and PEX in any combination. This design also decreases the possibility of leaks by removing separate connection points. This manifold comes with a brass-fitting set with lead-free DZR brass, for a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant life.

Its innovative push-to-connect plumbing technology allows for the stainless-steel teeth to bite and grab the pipe when you insert it into the quick-connect fitting, while the fitting's unique O-ring compresses it to form a watertight seal. There is no need for soldering, clamps, or adhesives. SharkBite fittings can even be rotated for small places. Customers comment that this is a straightforward, easy-to-install unit that does exactly what is expected, without flaws or leaks.

While many opt for the ViVo PEX manifold for under-floor heating, the WiseWater PEX radiant manifold, with up to 12 loops, is a great product that offers central cold and hot ports that feed flexible PEX supply lines to individual fixtures. The entire construction, starting from two outlets, comes pre-assembled, making it simple to attach the PEX tubing to the manifold. In addition, the durable stainless steel material is corrosion-proof and pressure resistant. The automated exhaust valve removes the system's water during continuous and automatic operation. The visual flow meter ensures that, regardless of how the system pressure fluctuates, the water flow of each floor heating branch runs consistently.

By simply adding an electric actuator and an indoor temperature controller, the return branch pipe has a stop valve that can function as a switch, allowing the inside temperature to be regulated for comfort. "This brand included compression adapters for ½-inch PEX that required no special tools and worked perfectly with no leaks,” wrote a customer, and another added, "I am using two sets of these to run two separate zones with two energy-efficient circulators for a 1,200-square-foot in-floor heating project.”

The Sharkbite PM024SB comes with either 12 or 24 ports and is certified for use in underground and behind-the-wall spaces and locations where access panels are not readily available. Due to its slimline dimensions (5.75 x 8.25 x 25.25 inches), it can also fit in most tight spaces without sacrificing many input/output ports. By eliminating unnecessary connection points, this valve manifold helps decrease the chance of leakage in such tight spaces.

It is primarily designed for use with PEX pipes, and it boasts a push-to-connect design that allows for easy DIY installation, without the need of a professional, glue, soldering, or crimping. This manifold comes with ball faucets and a mounting plate, and the manufacturer provides an impressive warranty of 25 years.

The SharkBite Multi-Port Tee allows for a simple connection to PEX, copper, or CPVC water pipes. The innovative push-to-connect mechanism allows for fast and simple setup. There is no need for extra equipment, crimping, glue, or soldering; this improves time efficiency and reduces the risk of installation failures, especially for DIYers.

It is made of stainless steel and has a 1-inch trunk with a ¾-inch push-to-connect inlet and ½-inch push-fit fitting branches. With its flow-balancing valves and flow meters, you can also monitor and avoid unnecessary waste. This unit comes in four different sizes (open and closed, ¾ x ½ inches, three- and four-port) so make sure you buy the appropriate size.

The Viega 50143 PureFlow is a homerun distribution manifold that allows for a lead-free water supply line contribution around your property. It is chlorine resistant, making it ideal for drinking water pipes. The flow noise reduction filter even lets you position it inside a living space for easy access. This inbuilt manabloc type adapter is available in crimp form with 14 ½-inch poly alloy port outlets and does not require the use of an additional PEX tool to install it. All connections, templates, as well as the faceplate, are included in the package but the caps, supply adapters, and mounting brackets must be purchased separately.

Viega also supplies the 46414 crimp adapter and V5036.10 brass supply cap. One customer described, “ love the fact that all the valves are in one place, and it's easy to get to so if there is a problem, it's easy to just shut off the one line.” The installation manual isn’t all that great, but, to avoid leaky connections, one customer advised thoroughly reading “the product documentation first before installing and be sure to use the right tools for the job, and do not use pipe tape/dope anywhere.”

The Apollo 32-Port PEX B manifold with ½-inch brass ball taps is a heavy-duty circuit breaker for water supply pipes. It is straightforward to install and allows for longer, continuous strings of PEX tubing with fewer connections. This PEX manifold gives a single point of flow control over each of the 32 outlets and eliminates the need for extra connections between the main water supply lines and the faucets. It further enables the connection of independent cold side and hot side pipes to each fixture.

Although the Apollo PEX connections are a critical component of this cost-effective potable water pipe system, they may also be integrated into a home's hydronic heating system. Customers have been left pleased with this purchase, and one wrote that it is an “awesome manifold; I really like that the turn valves are brass. I used to have an all-plastic manifold and it was a pain to shut off valves due to my hard water.”

If you are looking for more affordable PEX plumbing systems, the Minimprover 4-Port PEX manifold is worth trying, as it lacks nothing compared to its more expensive counterparts. It will also save you in plumbing fees, as the whole design requires no soldering or glue, so you can fit it on your own. It even has certified lead-free copper brass fittings, with less than 0.25 percent lead, making it suitable for both hot water lines and drinking water.

The manifold itself comes pre-installed for CTS and CPVC fittings if you ever need to switch from PEX. Customers comment that this manifold is solid, despite its low price point. One customer summed it up nicely, writing that it’s a “great inexpensive manifold for PEX. Works as it is supposed to and appears to be a pretty high-quality piece of copper. The metal was thick, and the brazing was clean.”

For an all-around good PEX manifold that will suit most of your potable water home needs, try the Viega 50243 (US$249.90, Amazon) as it is made of non-corroding, chlorine-resistant material and has 24 ports to cover a whole house’s needs. On the other hand, if you are in the market for a manifold specialized in floor heating water distribution, the WiseWater PEX Radiant Manifold is a top pick (US$234.99, Amazon).

There are many different types of manifolds on the market since they are one of the easiest distribution centers to use in plumbing, allowing the user to monitor temperature and control flow. Pre-assembled manifolds are also popular as they are easy to install.

The ideal manifold should be compatible and offer control over your existing plumbing and heating system. Below, we cover some of the main factors to consider before choosing a PEX manifold for your needs.

As these come in a variety of sizes, you’ll need to first measure the area that you want to have them installed first before buying. This includes properly measuring the length, width, and height of the area in order to get one that fits perfectly.

PEX manifolds commonly have copper, stainless steel, brass, or plastic fittings. Copper is the most prevalent as it is less expensive and more resistant to corrosion. On the other hand, when it comes to drinking water, 'lead-free' brass is ideal. Stainless steel is costlier, but it also lasts longer without corroding. Finally, plastic manifolds function within a set water pressure range, allowing you to further customize a home's manifold system.

You will need to select a manifold with the appropriate number of ports, depending on the number of pipes you intend to join together. A smaller size PEX manifold in compact places is ideal as there likely won’t be enough room for extra lines. If, on the other hand, you want separate hot and cold water lines, you'll need one with enough ports.

The radius of your pipes will also influence your choice of product. Choosing the wrong size means you’ll need to buy additional items, such as high-pressure attachment joints.

We hope our review of the top PEX manifolds has been helpful in your search for the best option, whether you were after a unit with two ports or more. For more suppliers of related products, including fasteners, socket wrenches, impact wrenches, small tools, and lug wrenches, consult our additional guides, or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.

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.

This article has been brought to you by SupplyHouse.com. Its facts and opinions are those of BobVila.com.

Polyethylene cross-linked tubing, better known as PEX, is a fine addition to the industrious do-it-yourself plumber’s arsenal. Inexpensive to buy and surprisingly versatile, PEX is also relatively easy to install. No complex soldering or messy gluing is required, and the tubing can be easily “fished” through walls and around corners—try that with copper or PVC pipe!

More than 20 different types of PEX are on the market, each suited to a specific plumbing or heating job, so knowing which PEX product to pick for your project is important.

Most plumbing applications, especially those involving potable water, call for the use of non-oxygen barrier PEX, offered in several grades.

Both types of tubing come in three colors—red, white, and blue—in diameters ranging from 1/4-inch to 3 inches. For indoor plumbing, the most common PEX tubing is one half-inch, which boasts a higher flow rate than copper pipe of the same size.

For outdoor applications, “sleeved” versions of non-oxygen barrier PEX are readily available.

Since oxygen can cause many heating system components to rust and corrode, baseboard or radiant heating applications require the use of oxygen barrier PEX, offered in grades of PEX-A and PEX-B. The 1/2-inch size is most commonly used; 3/8-, 5/8- and 3/4-inch sizes are also available.

Also known as PEX-AL-PEX, aluminum barrier PEX is three-layer tubing that consists of a layer of PEX, a layer of aluminum, and another layer of PEX. Its primary benefit is that once bent, PEX-AL-PEX holds its shape and doesn’t need to be tied down every few feet.

The aluminum layer doubles as an oxygen barrier, which in concert with its lower expansion rate, makes PEX-AL-PEX suitable for use in outdoor, warmboard, or high-temperature heating systems.

PEX fittings are essential to complete your project with one of the World’s best inventions – PEX tubing. PEX is such an amazing product that it has replaced century-old pipe technologies and best practices. PEX lasts longer black pipe, it is more durable than copper pipe, and PEX has now passed the test of time since it has been successfully used now for many decades.

But which PEX fittings to use? There are many options: you have probably heard of Sharkbites, clamps, expansion fittings, and our top choice – “Copper Crimp” fittings. There are pros and cons as always, but the clear winner is Copper Crimp fittings, and here’s why:

First Sharkbite: This one is easy, they have a poor performance record, and they are expensive.

Next, clamps: This one is easy too. Clamps do not have the holding power for longevity. They pop loose, sometimes after a few months or years, and always at the most inconvenient times. And it is a big mess to clean up when this happens.

Third, the expansion fittings require a very expensive tool that is cumbersome to use, and of course, these fittings will only work with “PEX-A”, a more expensive version of PEX that costs more money, but without additional value to justify the cost. We only use PEX-B, the most widely used and trusted PEX by far.

Finally, our clear winner… is “Crimp Fittings with Copper Crimp Rings”.

Crimp Fittings with Copper Crimp Rings are very low cost, and the highest, long-lasting quality. It is like getting Mercedes-level quality engineering for the price of a bicycle. These Crimp Fittings are the clear winner not just in our minds but in every industry that values top quality at the lowest cost.

Crimp Fittings are the style of PEX fittings that have the barbed ends. You simply slip the copper crimp ring over the end of your PEX tubing, push the barbed end of the fitting into the PEX, position the copper crimp ring over the barbs, the squeeze the crimp ring in place. Sometimes there is a tool that will measure the diameter of the crimp ring after it has been crimped to show that sufficient pressure has been applied.

The best news? Once you pressurize the tubing and see that there are no leaks, it will NEVER leak. (At least not that we have ever seen.) You are good for life. If there is a leak, NO worries – just crimp it again with the crimp tool, and that should be all that is needed.

One other piece of advice: There is always enough room on the barbed end of the PEX fitting to use two crimp rings. We recommend using TWO crimp rings on each fitting for additional finality. This creates a seal that you won’t have to think about ever again.