The Best Fuse Holders

  • Nick Rezzonico

Fuses are an essential part of most electrical systems. Fuse holders enclose a metal fuse that is designed to melt in the event of an excessive current. Once the fuse has melted, it creates a break in the circuit, effectively preventing the excessive flow of electricity from overloading and damaging electronics further down the line. Clearly, they're important. That's why we decided to find the best fuse holders on the market, so you can protect your circuits with quality hardware.

What to Look For

We take our circuit boards seriously, so we decided to find the best fuse holders for the job. In our search, we considered four guiding questions: Is it reliable and made out of quality components? Is it easy to install into a circuit? Is the price fair for the quality? Our favorite came from InstallGear since their line of fuse holders offers visibility and a range of gauge options. On the other hand, Sim&Nat is our go-to for scoring multiple fuse holders with a single purchase. There’s a lot to take into account, so read on for our in-depth reviews.

InstallGear In-Line ANL Fuse Holder with Fuse

Ready and reliable

Several amperage and gauge options make this in-line fuse holder a sleek, straightforward, and adaptable choice.
Best Overall

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When it comes to this InstallGear fuse holder, performance is the name of the game. This in-line ANL fuse holder has a high-temperature plastic base and a clear plastic cover that snaps into place, maintaining visibility while protecting the fuse. Available in a range of amperages and wire gauges, each fuse holder comes with an included fuse. Best of all, no wire terminals are needed to make a connection. Instead, the integrated wire clamps eliminate the need to crimp terminals at the end of the wire.

Pros:

  • The transparent cover is ideal for quickly checking the status of the fuse.
  • The integrated wire clamps are a huge relief for those that want to avoid soldering or crimping wires around the terminal.

Cons:

  • It has two screw mounting holes on the base, which may be challenging to install in tight spaces with little elbow room.

Littelfuse ATO Fuse Holder with Fuse

A backup for a bargain

This affordable fuse holder is perfect for protecting your smaller electronic devices without spending a fortune.
Best On A Budget

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Oftentimes, determining the scope of your project and equipment requirements will lead to the selection of a project-specific fuse type and fuse holder. For instance, ANL-type fuses often have higher interrupting capacities and may be used for main circuit protection, while ATO fuses are more appropriate for smaller electronic devices. When it comes to ATO fuse holders, we definitely recommend having a few in-line Fuse Holders by Littelfuse on hand.

Pros:

  • This is ideal for small, casual projects around the house since the price is super low and the design is user-friendly.
  • The 4-inch wire leads offer plenty of length to wire the circuit without having to fuss with tiny terminals.

Cons:

  • These lack robust weather covering, so they’re not ideal for outdoor electrical jobs.

Sim&Nat In-Line Automotive Blade Fuse Holder

Stock up for the inevitable

This fuse holder package has what you need to protect and maintain the safety of your circuits.
Best Multi-Pack

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As we’ve mentioned, selecting the right fuse holder is often unique to each project. However, depending on the number of projects you have in store, you may want to have a few fuse holders and a variety of commonly used fuses readily available. In that case, we recommend this highly economical bundle by Sim&Nat, which includes five in-line ATO fuse holders with 12-gauge lead wires and a waterproof cap.

Pros:

  • The waterproof caps work well to discourage water damage and can be lifted up in a snap for a quick fuse inspection.
  • The bundle also comes with an assortment of 65 fuses in a range of amperage ratings. That way, in the case of a blown fuse, you’ll have plenty of replacement fuses to choose from.

Cons:

  • The 12-gauge wire leads are relatively short and stiff so that the initial installation may require some finessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a fuse holder?

An in-line fuse holder is used to protect electronic equipment within an electrical circuit. If the amperage in the circuit exceeds the rated amperage of equipment, the fuse will ‘blow’ or open, which interrupts the flow of electricity to prevent equipment from being damaged from excessive current.

How do you determine the appropriate fuse amperage?

ANL in-line fuse holders typically range from about 35 amps to 750 amps. The fuse amperage is determined by the capacity of the fuse, measured in amps. Fuse amperage should be carefully selected based on the maximum draw of equipment in question, the location of the fuse within the circuit, and the size of the wires being used. It is important to carefully calculate load requirements and understand the load capacities of all equipment within a circuit. Always be aware that selecting the incorrect fuse can be dangerous and cause overheating.

About the Author

Nick is a tech aficionado with a passion for making sure everyone gets the best bang for your buck without sacrificing quality. He has worked closely with electronics for many years in his capacity as a singer, songwriter, producer, and recording engineer. Nick’s mission is to help you choose the best electronic gear that will make your life easier and less stressful.

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