Surface-mount device (SMD) inductors dominate modern power electronics for good reason—they’re compact, automatable and cost-effective at scale. But through-hole inductors still have important advantages in high-power, high-isolation and harsh-environment applications.
This guide compares through-hole and SMD inductors across key parameters to help you decide.
Shaanxi SiRui Technology Co., Ltd. manufactures both SMD and through-hole inductors. Contact: sales@sirui-tech.com | Web: www.sirui-tech.com
1. SMD Inductors
Pros: small size, low profile, automated pick-and-place assembly, low cost at high volume, consistent quality. Cons: limited power (<10A), lower isolation, less robust, limited customization.
2. Through-Hole Inductors
Pros: high power (up to hundreds of amps), high isolation (2.5–15 kV), robust for vibration/shock, fully customizable, easy to repair. Cons: larger size, manual/semi-automated assembly, lower PCB density, higher labor cost.
3. Comparison
| Parameter | SMD | Through-Hole |
|---|---|---|
| Typical current | <10 A | 1–100+ A |
| Typical power | <100 W | 10–1000+ W |
| Profile height | 1–5 mm | 10–50+ mm |
| Isolation voltage | <2.5 kV | 2.5–15 kV |
| Assembly | Reflow, automated | Wave or hand soldering |
| Customization | Limited | Unlimited |
| Vibration resistance | Moderate | Excellent |
| Repair | Hard | Easy |
4. When to Choose SMD
- Consumer electronics: phones, laptops, TVs
- Low to medium power: <10 A, <100 W
- High volume manufacturing with pick-and-place
- Space-constrained designs
5. When to Choose Through-Hole
- High power: >10 A, >100 W
- High isolation: medical, industrial, mains-connected
- Harsh environments: vibration, shock, wide temperature
- Low volume or prototype: custom values needed
- Safety-critical applications: reinforced isolation
6. Sirui-Tech Capability
- SMD power inductors: molded, ferrite, 1–100 μH, up to 30 A
- Through-hole inductors: toroidal, EE, custom high current
- Both form factors: same design, different package available
Conclusion
Choose SMD for small size, automated assembly, and low cost at high volume for low-to-medium power. Choose through-hole for high power, high isolation, and robustness. Many power supplies use both—SMD for low-voltage DC-DC and through-hole for mains-connected high-power stages.
Need help choosing the right package? Contact Sirui-Tech at sales@sirui-tech.com with your current, power and isolation requirements.